As of September 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has infected over 30 million people worldwide, and the death toll has now risen to 950,000. Given that Povidone-iodine (PVP-I) had consistently been showing the virucidal efficacy against various types of viruses, such as SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and Ebola, we conducted this study to figure out the virucidal effect against SARS-CoV-2 by using a viral plaque assay. We performed Kill-Time assays to assess the viral inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 contaminants after the application of the PVP-I product (Betadine® Throat Spray, PVP-I 0.45%). This test consisted of clean and dirty conditions and was designed to check the viral titers at a contact time of 60 seconds, which were evaluated by plaque-reduction rates in Vero cells. This PVP-I product fully achieved ≥4 log 10 reductions in viral titers under both clean and dirty conditions. This level of reduction, ≥4 log 10 (99.99%), in viral titers presented to be effective in terms of virucidal efficacy, according to the European standards, EN14476. This study revealed the virucidal efficacy of Betadine® Throat Spray against SARS-CoV-2 virus. Given that the convenience and availability of this product, we think that it may contribute to inhibit viral infection and transmissibility as an active type of personal protective equipment (PPE) by managing the hygiene of patients and medical professionals.

PURPOSE: Many recent studies have reported that successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DESs) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) has more beneficial effects than failed CTO-PCI; however, there are only limited data available from comparisons of successful CTO-PCI with medical therapy (MT) in the Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 840 consecutive CTO patients who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography, receiving either PCI with DESs or MT, were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment assigned. To adjust for potential confounders, propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed using logistic regression. Individual major clinical outcomes and major adverse cardiac events, a composite of total death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and revascularization, were compared between the two groups up to 5 years. RESULTS: After PSM, two propensity-matched groups (265 pairs, n=530) were generated, and the baseline characteristics were balanced. Although the PCI group showed a higher incidence of target lesion and vessel revascularization on CTO, the incidence of MI tended to be lower [hazard ratio (HR): 0.339, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.110 to 1.043, p=0.059] and the composite of total death or MI was lower (HR: 0.454, 95% CI: 0.224 to 0.919, p=0.028), compared with the MT group up to 5 years. CONCLUSION: In this study, successful CTO PCI with DESs was associated with a higher risk of repeat PCI for the target vessel, but showed a reduced incidence of death or MI.
Coronary Angiography ; Drug-Eluting Stents* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Myocardial Infarction ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention* ; Propensity Score ; Stroke

We found that non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells express high levels of multiple aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isoforms via an informatics analysis of metabolic enzymes in NSCLC and immunohistochemical staining of NSCLC clinical tumor samples. Using a multiple reaction-monitoring mass spectrometry analysis, we found that multiple ALDH isozymes were generally abundant in NSCLC cells compared with their levels in normal IMR-90 human lung cells. As a result of the catalytic reaction mediated by ALDH, NADH is produced as a by-product from the conversion of aldehyde to carboxylic acid. We hypothesized that the NADH produced by ALDH may be a reliable energy source for ATP production in NSCLC. This study revealed that NADH production by ALDH contributes significantly to ATP production in NSCLC. Furthermore, gossypol, a pan-ALDH inhibitor, markedly reduced the level of ATP. Gossypol combined with phenformin synergistically reduced the ATP levels, which efficiently induced cell death following cell cycle arrest.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase* ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Death ; Energy Metabolism* ; Gossypol ; Humans ; Informatics ; Isoenzymes ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mass Spectrometry ; NAD ; Phenformin ; Protein Isoforms

BACKGROUND: The development of new drugs or alternative therapies effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is of great importance, and various natural anti-MRSA products are good candidates for combination therapies. We evaluated the antibacterial activities of a Phellinus baumii ethyl acetate extract (PBEAE) and its synergistic effects with beta-lactams against MRSA. METHODS: The broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the PBEAE. The PBEAE synergistic effects were determined by evaluating the MICs of anti-staphylococcal antibiotic mixtures, with or without PBEAE. Anti-MRSA synergistic bactericidal effects of the PBEAE and beta-lactams were assessed by time-killing assay. An ELISA was used to determine the effect of the PBEAE on penicillin binding protein (PBP)2a production. RESULTS: The MICs and MBCs of PBEAE against MRSA were 256-512 and 1,024-2,048 microg/mL, respectively. The PBEAE significantly reduced MICs of all beta-lactams tested, including oxacillin, cefazolin, cefepime, and penicillin. However, the PBEAE had little or no effect on the activity of non-beta-lactams. Time-killing assays showed that the synergistic effects of two beta-lactams (oxacillin and cefazolin) with the PBEAE were bactericidal in nature (Deltalog10 colony forming unit/mL at 24 hr: 2.34-2.87 and 2.10-3.04, respectively). The PBEAE induced a dose-dependent decrease in PBP2a production by MRSA, suggesting that the inhibition of PBP2a production was a major synergistic mechanism between the beta-lactams and the PBEAE. CONCLUSIONS: PBEAE can enhance the efficacy of beta-lactams for combined therapy in patients infected with MRSA.
Acetates/chemistry ; Agaricales/*chemistry/metabolism ; Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry/*pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/*drug effects/metabolism ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Penicillin-Binding Proteins/analysis/metabolism ; Plant Extracts/chemistry/*pharmacology ; beta-Lactams/*pharmacology

Proliferation activity has already been established as a prognostic marker or as a marker for anticancer drug sensitivity. In gastric cancer, however, the prognostic significance of proliferation activity is still being debated. Several studies evaluating proliferation activity using Ki-67 have shown controversial results in terms of the relationship between proliferation activity and overall survival (OS) or drug sensitivity in gastric cancer patients. Because cytoskeleton-associated protein 2 (CKAP2) staining has recently been introduced as a marker of proliferation activity, we analyzed 437 gastric cancer tissues through CKAP2 immunohistochemistry, and we evaluated the chromatin CKAP2-positive cell count (CPCC) for proliferation activity. Although the CPCC did not show any significant correlation with OS in the male, female or total number of cases, it did show a significant correlation in the T1 or T2 male patient subgroup, according to log-rank tests (P=0.001) and univariate analysis (P=0.045). Additionally, multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazard regression model showed a significant correlation between the CPCC and OS (P=0.039) for the co-variables of age, gender, T stage, N stage, histology, tumor location, tumor size and adjuvant chemotherapy. In male gastric cancer cell lines, faster-growing cancer cells showed higher sensitivity to cisplatin than slow-growing cells. Thus our study indicates that CPCC-measured proliferation activity demonstrates a significantly worse prognosis in T1 or T2 male gastric cancer patients. The CPCC will help to more precisely classify gastric cancer patients and to select excellent candidates for adjuvant chemotherapy, which in turn will facilitate further clinical chemotherapeutic trials.
Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use ; Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis ; Cell Proliferation ; Cisplatin/therapeutic use ; Cytoskeletal Proteins/*analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Stomach/drug effects/*pathology ; Stomach Neoplasms/diagnosis/drug therapy/*pathology ; Survival Analysis

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is a rare benign disease of unknown etiology characterized by accumulation of calcium phosphate in the submucosa of large airways and benign proliferation of bone and cartilage resulting in nodular formation. We report a case of tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica diagnosed by Endobronchial ultrasonography in a 56-year-old man. Chest Computed Tomography revealed thickening of tracheal and bronchial wall, and multiple nodules through whole trachea. Endobronchial ultrasonography showed numerous submucosal nodules with hetero-echogenecity in the third and fourth layers. Histopathological examination revealed nonspecific bronchitis with squamous metaplasia and metaplastic ossification. We confirmed tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica. The patient's symptoms were successfully treated with antibiotics and oxygen supplyment. endobronchial ultrasonography can helpful diagnosis in tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bronchitis ; Calcium ; Calcium Phosphates ; Cartilage ; Humans ; Metaplasia ; Middle Aged ; Osteochondrodysplasias ; Oxygen ; Thorax ; Trachea ; Tracheal Diseases

BACKGROUND: A dramatic decrease in circulating lymphocyte number is observed after septic shock. In this study, we assessed whether circulating lymphocyte subpopulations influence the severity and prognosis of septic shock. METHODS: 133 patients (median 65 years, range 27-88; male 63.2%) receiving intensive care for septic shock were enrolled in this study. Flow cytometry phenotyping of circulating lymphocyte subpopulations, including helper T cells, suppressor T cells, total B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells, was performed within 24 hours after the diagnosis of septic shock. After measuring the white blood cell (WBC) and differential leukocyte count, the lymphocyte subsets were analyzed. The following data were recorded: general characteristics, severity of illness as assessed by the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and 28-day mortality. RESULTS: The overall mortality rate at 28 days was 33.8%. SOFA score was negatively correlated with the T cell count (r = -0.175) and helper T cell count (r = -0.223). However, only low a helper T cell count was associated with the severity of septic shock (odds ratio 0.995, 95% confidence interval 0.992-0.999, p = 0.014). Using multiple logistic regression analysis for 28-day mortality, there was no significant prognostic factor among the lymphocyte subset. CONCLUSIONS: The low helper T cell count appeared to be associated with severity, but did not show significant association with mortality.
B-Lymphocytes ; Cell Count ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Critical Care ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytes ; Logistic Models ; Lymphocyte Count ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; Lymphocytes ; Male ; Prognosis ; Shock, Septic ; T-Lymphocytes ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer

BACKGROUND: We examined cervicovaginal smears that contained definite low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) cells and rare atypical cells suggestive of high-grade SIL (HSIL) (ASC-H) or contained borderline dysplastic cells between LSIL and HSIL. Such lesions were classified as LSIL-H. This study aimed to investigate the cytologic and histologic characteristics of LSIL-H category and we evaluated the associated clinical risk. METHODS: The histologic outcomes of LSIL-H were compared with those of LSIL and ASC-H. Both the cytologic and histologic findings of LSIL-H that were confirmed as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 (CIN2) or greater (CIN2+) were investigated. RESULTS: LSIL-H accounted for 0.09% of the Pap tests. On the follow-up histology, the most frequent outcome was CIN2, and the risk of CIN2+ was higher than that for ASC-H. In the cases of LSIL-H that was histologically confirmed as CIN2+, most of the atypical cells suggestive of HSIL were cytologically similar to those of CIN2, and the corresponding cervical tissues were characterized by small CIN2+ lesions in a large background of flat condyloma/CIN1. The LSIL-H cases not confirmed on initial colposcopically-directed biopsy required further follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: LSIL-H may be a valid diagnostic category with distinctive features that are different from LSIL or ASC-H. LSIL-H needs further follow-up for the proper management.
Biopsy ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; Cervix Uteri ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Vaginal Smears

BACKGROUND: We examined cervicovaginal smears that contained definite low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) cells and rare atypical cells suggestive of high-grade SIL (HSIL) (ASC-H) or contained borderline dysplastic cells between LSIL and HSIL. Such lesions were classified as LSIL-H. This study aimed to investigate the cytologic and histologic characteristics of LSIL-H category and we evaluated the associated clinical risk. METHODS: The histologic outcomes of LSIL-H were compared with those of LSIL and ASC-H. Both the cytologic and histologic findings of LSIL-H that were confirmed as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 (CIN2) or greater (CIN2+) were investigated. RESULTS: LSIL-H accounted for 0.09% of the Pap tests. On the follow-up histology, the most frequent outcome was CIN2, and the risk of CIN2+ was higher than that for ASC-H. In the cases of LSIL-H that was histologically confirmed as CIN2+, most of the atypical cells suggestive of HSIL were cytologically similar to those of CIN2, and the corresponding cervical tissues were characterized by small CIN2+ lesions in a large background of flat condyloma/CIN1. The LSIL-H cases not confirmed on initial colposcopically-directed biopsy required further follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: LSIL-H may be a valid diagnostic category with distinctive features that are different from LSIL or ASC-H. LSIL-H needs further follow-up for the proper management.
Biopsy ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; Cervix Uteri ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Vaginal Smears

Synovial fluid (SF) aspiration cytology is a useful diagnostic tool. For patients with gouty arthritis, the diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of monosodium uric acid (MSU) crystals in the SF, and these crystals are long, pointed ended and needle-shaped and they show strongly negative birefringence. Sometimes, it is difficult to diagnosis between gouty arthritis and other type of inflammatory arthritis. We experienced two unusual cases of gouty arthritis that we performed SF analysis for. The first patient was a 35 year old male who presented with relatively typical clinical symptoms with hyperuricemia, but the SF showed acute inflammatory cells without crystals on light microscopy. Only a few suspected crystals of MSU were identified on polarizing microscopy. The second patient was a 45 year old male who presented with atypical symptoms and pain and swelling of the left ankle and knee joint for 3 weeks. The uric acid level in the serum and urine was increased, but not over the normal limit. However, on light and polarizing microscopy, there were numerous MSU crystals in the SF. Conclusively, in some cases of gouty arthritis, the crystals are not identified on light microscopy or the uric acid level is not dramatically increased. So, the polarizing microscopy, the clinical information and the laboratory findings are all included in the work-up when evaluating the SF cytology of arthritis patients.
Animals ; Ankle ; Arthritis ; Arthritis, Gouty ; Birefringence ; Gout ; Humans ; Hyperuricemia ; Knee Joint ; Light ; Male ; Microscopy ; Synovial Fluid ; Uric Acid