Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is a group of glycoproteins encoded by the major his-tocompatibility complex (MHC) that plays a pivotal role in the host's immune defense.Given that the MHC represents the most polymorphic region in the human genome, HLA typing is crucial in organ transplantation. It significantly influences graft rejection, graft-versus-host disease, and the overall patient outcome by mediating the discrimination between self and nonself. HLA typing technology began with serological methods and has evolved rapidly alongside advances in molecular technologies, progressing from DNA-based typing to next- or third-generation sequencing. These advancements have increased the accuracy of HLA typing and reduced ambiguities, leading to marked improvements in transplantation outcomes. Additionally, numerous novel HLA alleles have been identified. In this review, we explore the developmental history and future prospects of HLA typing technology, which promises to further benefit the field of transplantation.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is a group of glycoproteins encoded by the major his-tocompatibility complex (MHC) that plays a pivotal role in the host's immune defense.Given that the MHC represents the most polymorphic region in the human genome, HLA typing is crucial in organ transplantation. It significantly influences graft rejection, graft-versus-host disease, and the overall patient outcome by mediating the discrimination between self and nonself. HLA typing technology began with serological methods and has evolved rapidly alongside advances in molecular technologies, progressing from DNA-based typing to next- or third-generation sequencing. These advancements have increased the accuracy of HLA typing and reduced ambiguities, leading to marked improvements in transplantation outcomes. Additionally, numerous novel HLA alleles have been identified. In this review, we explore the developmental history and future prospects of HLA typing technology, which promises to further benefit the field of transplantation.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is a group of glycoproteins encoded by the major his-tocompatibility complex (MHC) that plays a pivotal role in the host's immune defense.Given that the MHC represents the most polymorphic region in the human genome, HLA typing is crucial in organ transplantation. It significantly influences graft rejection, graft-versus-host disease, and the overall patient outcome by mediating the discrimination between self and nonself. HLA typing technology began with serological methods and has evolved rapidly alongside advances in molecular technologies, progressing from DNA-based typing to next- or third-generation sequencing. These advancements have increased the accuracy of HLA typing and reduced ambiguities, leading to marked improvements in transplantation outcomes. Additionally, numerous novel HLA alleles have been identified. In this review, we explore the developmental history and future prospects of HLA typing technology, which promises to further benefit the field of transplantation.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is a group of glycoproteins encoded by the major his-tocompatibility complex (MHC) that plays a pivotal role in the host's immune defense.Given that the MHC represents the most polymorphic region in the human genome, HLA typing is crucial in organ transplantation. It significantly influences graft rejection, graft-versus-host disease, and the overall patient outcome by mediating the discrimination between self and nonself. HLA typing technology began with serological methods and has evolved rapidly alongside advances in molecular technologies, progressing from DNA-based typing to next- or third-generation sequencing. These advancements have increased the accuracy of HLA typing and reduced ambiguities, leading to marked improvements in transplantation outcomes. Additionally, numerous novel HLA alleles have been identified. In this review, we explore the developmental history and future prospects of HLA typing technology, which promises to further benefit the field of transplantation.

This study examined the colostrum nutritive composition, immunoglobulin (Ig), and microbial community in Holstein and Jersey dairy cows according to the time after calving. The experiment used seven Holstein and three Jersey dairy cows. Colostrum was collected immediately after calf calving, 12, and 24 hours, and stored at −80°C until analysis. An analysis of the nutritive composition in colostrum was performed using LactoScop. The immune indicators were analyzed using an ELISA Kit, and the microbial community was assessed using a Macrogen Inc. The protein level was high in all colostrum samples from Holstein dairy cows compared with Jersey dairy cows, but there was no significant difference according to the time after calving. Immune index analysis revealed high IgG and IgA concentrations in the colostrum of Holstein cows immediately after calving and 12 and 24 hours after calving, but the differences were not significant. The microbial community at the genus level revealed Staphylococcus to be predominant at a high rate in the colostrum of Holstein dairy cows and Enterococcus in Jersey dairy cows 12 hours after calving. Pseudomonas was predominant at a high rate in the colostrum of Jersey lactating cows immediately and 12 hours after calving. Chryseobacterium was predominant at a high rate in Holstein dairy cows 12 and 24 hours after calving. In conclusion, these results are expected to be used as research data on the correlation between quality, immunity, and microbial community in the colostrum. In the future, beneficial microorganisms in the colostrum of domestic dairy cows can be used to improve the growth and immunity of Holstein and Jersey calves and assist in research related to postbiotics industrialization.

In this study, the Search Your Mind (S.Y.M., 心) project aimed to collect prospective digital phenotypic data centered on mood and anxiety symptoms across psychiatric disorders through a smartphone application (app) platform while using both centralized and decentralized research designs: the centralized research design is a hybrid of a general prospective observational study and a digital platform-based study, and it includes face-to-face research such as informed written consent, clinical evaluation, and blood sampling. It also includes digital phenotypic assessment through an application-based platform using wearable devices. Meanwhile, the decentralized research design is a non-face-to-face study in which anonymous participants agree to electronic informed consent forms on the app. It also exclusively uses an application-based platform to acquire individualized digital phenotypic data. We expect to collect clinical, biological, and digital phenotypic data centered on mood and anxiety symptoms, and we propose a possible model of centralized and decentralized research design.

Background: Although respiratory tract infection is one of the most important factors triggering acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AE-COPD), limited data are available to suggest an epidemiologic pattern of microbiology in South Korea. Methods: A multicenter observational study was conducted between January 2015 and December 2018 across 28 hospitals in South Korea. Adult patients with moderate-to-severe acute exacerbations of COPD were eligible to participate in the present study. The participants underwent all conventional tests to identify etiology of microbial pathogenesis. The primary outcome was the percentage of different microbiological pathogens causing AE-COPD. A comparative microbiological analysis of the patients with overlapping asthma–COPD (ACO) and pure COPD was performed. Results: We included 1,186 patients with AE-COPD. Patients with pure COPD constituted 87.9% and those with ACO accounted for 12.1%. Nearly half of the patients used an inhaled corticosteroid-containing regimen and one-fifth used systemic corticosteroids. Respiratory pathogens were found in 55.3% of all such patients. Bacteria and viruses were detected in 33% and 33.2%, respectively. Bacterial and viral coinfections were found in 10.9%. The most frequently detected bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.8%), and the most frequently detected virus was influenza A (10.4%). Multiple bacterial infections were more likely to appear in ACO than in pure COPD (8.3% vs. 3.6%, p=0.016). Conclusion Distinct microbiological patterns were identified in patients with moderate-to-severe AE-COPD in South Korea. These findings may improve evidence-based management of patients with AE-COPD and represent the basis for further studies investigating infectious pathogens in patients with COPD.

Postoperative temporal hollowing is a common complication of craniotomy. Damage and repositioning of the temporalis muscle can lead to a depression in the temporal side of the skull with inferior bulging, worsening aesthetic outcomes. We report a case of cranioplasty with three-dimensional (3D) printed mesh involving an additional correction using a temporalis muscle sling to help address this problem. A 3D-printed bioabsorbable mesh was prepared based on preoperative facial computed tomography, and was fixed to the hollowed area for tissue augmentation. The temporalis muscle was elevated and fanned out to its original position, and a sling was attached to a screw that was fixed to the mesh. For reinforcement, an additional sling was attached to another screw fixed to the mesh 2–3 cm vertically above the first screw. Aesthetic results were confirmed immediately after surgery and later during outpatient follow-up. Both depression and lateral bulging were resolved, and there was no delayed drooping of the temporalis muscle on 6-month follow-up. There were no complications, and the patient was satisfied with the appearance. This is a simple yet effective technique with a low risk of complications, and should be considered for postoperative temporal hollowing patients, especially those with severe lateral bulging.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze whether patients with lung cancer have a higher susceptibility of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), severe presentation, and higher mortality than those without lung cancer. Materials and Methods: A nationwide cohort of confirmed COVID-19 (n=8,070) between January 1, 2020, and May 30, 2020, and a 1:15 age-, sex-, and residence-matched cohort (n=121,050) were constructed. A nested case-control study was performed to compare the proportion of patients with lung cancer between the COVID-19 cohort and the matched cohort. Results: The proportion of patients with lung cancer was significantly higher in the COVID-19 cohort (0.5% [37/8,070]) than in the matched cohort (0.3% [325/121,050]) (p=0.002). The adjusted odds ratio [OR] of having lung cancer was significantly higher in the COVID-19 cohort than in the matched cohort (adjusted OR, 1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 2.10). Among patients in the COVID-19 cohort, compared to patients without lung cancer, those with lung cancer were more likely to have severe COVID-19 (54.1% vs. 13.2%, p < 0.001), including mortality (18.9% vs. 2.8%, p < 0.001). The adjusted OR for the occurrence of severe COVID-19 in patients with lung cancer relative to those without lung cancer was 2.24 (95% CI, 1.08 to 4.74). Conclusion The risk of COVID-19 occurrence and severe presentation, including mortality, may be higher in patients with lung cancer than in those without lung cancer.

Cough is the most common respiratory symptom that can have various causes. It is a major clinical problem that can reduce a patient’s quality of life. Thus, clinical guidelines for the treatment of cough were established in 2014 by the cough guideline committee under the Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases. From October 2018 to July 2020, cough guidelines were revised by members of the committee based on the first guidelines. The purpose of these guidelines is to help clinicians efficiently diagnose and treat patients with cough. This article highlights the recommendations and summary of the revised Korean cough guidelines. It includes a revised algorithm for the evaluation of acute, subacute, and chronic cough. For a chronic cough, upper airway cough syndrome (UACS), cough variant asthma (CVA), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should be considered in differential diagnoses. If UACS is suspected, first-generation antihistamines and nasal decongestants can be used empirically. In cases with CVA, inhaled corticosteroids are recommended to improve cough. In patients with suspected chronic cough due to symptomatic GERD, proton pump inhibitors are recommended. Chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, bronchiolitis, lung cancer, aspiration, intake of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, intake of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, habitual cough, psychogenic cough, interstitial lung disease, environmental and occupational factors, tuberculosis, obstructive sleep apnea, peritoneal dialysis, and unexplained cough can also be considered as causes of a chronic cough. Chronic cough due to laryngeal dysfunction syndrome has been newly added to the guidelines.