Mucus plug and lung cancer incidence in patients with COPD.

Airway mucus plugs are frequently observed on chest computed tomography (CT) scans in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the association between the presence of mucus plugs and the risk of lung cancer in COPD patients has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to determine whether mucus plugs are associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in COPD patients.

Safety of Live Attenuated ASFV-G-ΔI177L/ΔLVR Vaccination in Sows With Advanced Pregnancies.

African swine fever (ASF) causes severe disease in domestic pigs and wild boars and often results in 100% mortality. The use of attenuated strains in ASF vaccine development, based on the most recently studied ASF virus (ASFV)-Georgia (ASFV-G) strain, has proven effective. In July 2023, Vietnam became the first country in the world to have two indigenously developed ASF vaccines approved for commercial sale locally.

Revealing the Prokaryotic Microbial Community Structures and their Ecological Potentials in Manjanggul Cave, a Lava Tube on Jeju Island.

This study investigated the prokaryotic microbiota-comprising both archaea and bacteria-of Manjanggul Cave, a UNESCO World Heritage lava tube on Jeju Island, South Korea. Despite their geological significance, the archaeal and bacterial community structures within Jeju Island's diverse cave systems have remained largely unexplored, primarily due to access restrictions. Here, we used high-throughput sequencing of archaeal and bacterial 16S rRNA genes, as well as biostatistics, to elucidate the structure and diversity of these communities within Manjanggul Cave.

Assessing Environment Resistance of the Korean Wild Boar ASFV Isolates "".

African swine fever (ASF) is a disease characterized by high mortality and severe hemorrhagic damage in swine breeds, leading to significant economic losses for domestic pig farm operations. Although the introduction route of ASF in South Korea remains unclear, the primary transmission is believed to be through contamination of environmental fomites by migrating ASF-positive wild boar. Therefore, understanding the persistence of African swine fever virus (ASFV) under various environmental conditions in South Korea is crucial.

[Ga]-DOTATOC PET/CT Volumetric Parameters Reflect Metastatic Potential in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors.

[Ga]-DOTATOC PET/CT is a valuable technique for identifying neuroendocrine tumors overexpressing somatostatin receptors; however, its diagnostic and prognostic utility for WHO low-grade pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate [Ga]-DOTATOC uptake in well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and determine its predictive capability for metastasis. Patients with pathologically diagnosed well-differentiated, non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors who underwent [Ga]-DOTATOC PET/CT between 2015 and 2021 were included.

Resurgence of Type III IGR Between I73R and I329L in Wild Boars With African Swine Fever in South Korea in 2023.

The African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes African swine fever (ASF), a highly lethal disease affecting domestic pigs and wild boars. Since its initial outbreak in October 2019 in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, ASF has continued to spread in South Korea. This study aimed to differentiate closely related ASFV strains through the analysis of the intergenic region (IGR) between and genes.

Clinical characteristics of pneumonia in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Limited research exists on pneumonia (PJP) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. This retrospective study aimed to compare clinical features and outcomes of PJP in HD and non-HD patients.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 10 HD PJP cases and 40 non-HD PJP cases which were matched propensity scoring.

Development of an AI Model for Predicting Methacholine Bronchial Provocation Test Results Using Spirometry.

: The methacholine bronchial provocation test (MBPT) is a diagnostic test frequently used to evaluate airway hyper-reactivity. MBPT is essential for diagnosing asthma; however, it can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. This study aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) model to predict the MBPT results using forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV) and bronchodilator test measurements from spirometry.

Microbial changes, including methanogens, influenced by arsenic speciation in anaerobic wetland environments.

Methylated and inorganic arsenic species are frequently detected in natural water systems due to anthropogenic activities and geological origins. However, the impact of arsenic species on microbial activity, particularly on methanogens responsible for methane production, remains underexplored. This study investigates the effects of arsenic on methanogenesis by adding iAs(V) and DMA(V) to wetland sediment batches and monitoring arsenic speciation in the supernatant and methane production over time.

Genetic and Serological Survey of Sarcoptic Mange () in Wild Boars () in South Korea.

Sarcoptic mange, caused by , has been reported in various wildlife species, with the potential to impact populations. While it has been documented in some wildlife species and domestic animals, it has not been previously reported in wild boars in South Korea. In March and April 2022, skin samples from nine wild boars and one raccoon dog with suspected sarcoptic mange were submitted to the NIWDC.

Modeling Behavior of spp. and in Raw and Processed Vegetables.

Given the persistent occurrence of foodborne illnesses linked to both raw and processed vegetables, understanding microbial behavior in these foods under distribution conditions is crucial. This study aimed to develop predictive growth models for spp. and in raw (mung bean sprouts, onion, and cabbage) and processed vegetables (shredded cabbage salad, cabbage and onion juices) at various temperatures, ranging from 4 to 36 °C.

DNA and fingerprint analyses of debris from improvised explosive device.

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) can be assembled directly from daily items and are easily purchasable and distributable internationally, owing to the absence of government export permits. Hence, their origins are not readily revealed, and they can pose significant adverse effects despite their low manufacturing costs. In this study, the feasibility of identifying fingerprints and deoxyribo nucleic acid (DNA) profiles in various IEDs and samples is investigated.

Impact of Smoking and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on All-Cause, Respiratory, and Cardio-Cerebrovascular Mortality.

Introduction: Mortality differences in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) between nonsmokers and smokers remain unclear. We compared the risk of death associated with smoking and COPD on mortality.

Methods: The study included participants aged ≥40 years who visited pulmonary clinics and were categorised into COPD or non-COPD and smoker or nonsmoker on the basis of spirometry results and cigarette consumption.

EUS-guided FNA and biopsy for cytohistologic diagnosis of gallbladder cancer: a multicenter retrospective study.

Background And Aims: EUS-guided FNA and biopsy (EUS-FNAB) is a standard diagnostic procedure for pancreatic masses but not gallbladder (GB) cancer (GBC). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of EUS-FNAB for patients with suspected GBC.

Methods: Data were analyzed from patients who underwent EUS-FNAB for suspected GBC in 3 hospitals between 2010 and 2023.

Outcomes of Palliative Chemotherapy for Ampulla of Vater Adenocarcinoma: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background/aims: : Palliative chemotherapy (PC) is not standardized for patients with advanced ampulla of Vater adenocarcinoma (AA). This multicenter, retrospective study evaluated first-line PC outcomes in patients with AA.

Methods: : Patients diagnosed with AA between January 2010 and December 2020 who underwent PC were enrolled from 10 institutions.

Transcriptomic Insights into Archaeal Nitrification in the Amundsen Sea Polynya, Antarctica.

Antarctic polynyas have the highest Southern Ocean summer primary productivity, and due to anthropogenic climate change, these areas have formed faster recently. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) are among the most ubiquitous and abundant microorganisms in the ocean and play a primary role in the global nitrogen cycle. We utilized metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to gain insights into the physiology and metabolism of AOA in polar oceans, which are associated with ecosystem functioning.

Randomized Trial of Prophylactic Antibiotics for Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Patients With Biliary Obstruction.

Introduction: The incidence of postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) infections is reported to be up to 18% in patients with biliary obstruction. Antibiotic prophylaxis may reduce the risk of infectious complications after ERCP; however, the clinical value of prophylactic antibiotics in ERCP remains controversial.

Methods: We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to investigate whether the use of prophylactic antibiotics would reduce infectious complications after ERCP in patients with biliary obstruction.

Emergence and Prevalence of an African Swine Fever Virus Variant in Wild Boar Populations in South Korea from 2019 to 2022.

African swine fever (ASF), a viral disease caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV), is associated with high mortality rates in domestic pigs and wild boars. ASF has been spreading since its discovery in wild boars in Korea in October 2019. Genomic analyses have provided insights into the genetic diversity of the ASFV isolated from various regions, enabling a better understanding of the virus origin and transmission patterns.

Clinical impact of pancreatic steatosis measured by CT on the risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis: a multicenter prospective trial.

Background And Aims: Pancreatic steatosis (PS) may be a risk factor for acute pancreatitis. Whether it is also a risk factor for post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) has not been evaluated. This study aimed to determine the impact of PS on PEP development.

The comprehensive expression of BCL2 family genes determines the prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a prevalent and aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and 40% of patients succumb to death. Despite numerous clinical trials aimed at developing treatment strategies beyond the conventional R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) regimen, there have been no positive results thus far. Although the selective BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax has shown remarkable efficacy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, its therapeutic effect in DLBCL was limited.

Phase Control of Organometal Halide Perovskites for Development of Highly Efficient Solar Cells.

To develop a highly efficient solar cell using organometal halide perovskites, its microscale structure control is one of the most important factors because the microstructural defects inside the organometal halide perovskite are harmful to charge carrier flow and, thus, degrade device performance. In this study, we confirmed the existence of large physical gaps at the grain boundary in a methylammonium iodide (MAPbI, MA = CHNH) perovskite with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis and revealed that the physical gap prevents charge carrier flow in the MAPbI perovskite. To minimize the physical gap and its negative influences, the grain size of the MAPbI perovskite was optimized by increasing the portion of the cubic phase via microstructural phase control using liquid nitrogen (LN).

Complete genome analysis of the African swine fever virus isolated from a wild boar responsible for the first viral outbreak in Korea, 2019.

African swine fever (ASF), a highly contagious and severe hemorrhagic viral disease in swine, is emerging as a major threat not only in Korea but also worldwide. The first confirmed case of ASF in Korea was reported in 2019. Despite the occurrence of ASF in Korea, only a few studies have genetically characterized the causative ASF virus (ASFV).

The Expression of Programmed Death-Ligand 1 on Immune Cells Is Related to a Better Prognosis in Biliary Tract Cancer.

Background/aims: Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in tumor cells is associated with a poor biliary tract cancer (BTC) prognosis; tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the tumor microenvironment are associated with a better prognosis. The effect of PD-L1 expression on immune cells on survival is unclear. We investigated the relationship between PD-L1 expression in immune cells and BTC prognosis.