Identification of Coronavirus Isolated from a Patient in Korea with COVID-19

ObjectivesFollowing reports of patients with unexplained pneumonia at the end of December 2019 in Wuhan, China, the causative agent was identified as coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), and the 2019 novel coronavirus disease was named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization. Putative patients with COVID-19 have been identified in South Korea, and attempts have been made to isolate the pathogen from these patients.MethodsUpper and lower respiratory tract secretion samples from putative patients with COVID-19 were inoculated onto cells to isolate the virus. Full genome sequencing and electron microscopy were used to identify the virus.ResultsThe virus replicated in Vero cells and cytopathic effects were observed. Full genome sequencing showed that the virus genome exhibited sequence homology of more than 99.9% with SARS-CoV-2 which was isolated from patients from other countries, for instance China. Sequence homology of SARS-CoV-2 with SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV was 77.5% and 50%, respectively. Coronavirus-specific morphology was observed by electron microscopy in virus-infected Vero cells.ConclusionSARS-CoV-2 was isolated from putative patients with unexplained pneumonia and intermittent coughing and fever. The isolated virus was named BetaCoV/Korea/KCDC03/2020.

The Influence of Reality Shock and Educational Specialist Nurse's Social Support on Organizational Socialization of New Nurses / 임상간호연구

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to identify related factors in the organizational socialization of new nurses, focusing on the reality shock of new nurses and social support by education specialist nurses. @*Methods@#Participants were 122 new nurses with clinical experience of 1 year or less as nurses working in a general hospital that is carrying out a pilot project for a new nurse training system. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires which included identification of participants' characteristics, social support of education specialist nurse, reality shock and organizational socialization. @*Results@#The organizational socialization score was 3.07±0.45 points. The results of the stepwise multiple regression showed that factors affecting organizational socialization of new nurses were social support by gender, education specialist nurse and reality shock. These three variables accounted for 72.0% of organizational socialization. @*Conclusion@#These findings suggest that the social support of education specialist nurses be enhanced to increase the organizational socialization of new nurses. There is also a need for a program to decreased the reality shock of new nurses.

The Influence of Reality Shock and Educational Specialist Nurse's Social Support on Organizational Socialization of New Nurses / 임상간호연구

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to identify related factors in the organizational socialization of new nurses, focusing on the reality shock of new nurses and social support by education specialist nurses. @*Methods@#Participants were 122 new nurses with clinical experience of 1 year or less as nurses working in a general hospital that is carrying out a pilot project for a new nurse training system. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires which included identification of participants' characteristics, social support of education specialist nurse, reality shock and organizational socialization. @*Results@#The organizational socialization score was 3.07±0.45 points. The results of the stepwise multiple regression showed that factors affecting organizational socialization of new nurses were social support by gender, education specialist nurse and reality shock. These three variables accounted for 72.0% of organizational socialization. @*Conclusion@#These findings suggest that the social support of education specialist nurses be enhanced to increase the organizational socialization of new nurses. There is also a need for a program to decreased the reality shock of new nurses.

Causes of Hyperferritinemia and Red Blood Cell Transfusion / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: Ferritin is used to detect iron overload in patients with chronic red blood cell transfusions. Although ferritin reflects the amount of iron storage in the body, it may increase nonspecifically in inflammation and infection. This study analyzed the cause of increased ferritin and the association with a red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. METHODS: The medical records of patients who visited the authors' hospital from January to December 2017 and underwent a ferritin test were reviewed retrospectively. Hyperferritinemia was defined as a ferritin level more than 1,000 ng/mL. The causes of hyperferritinemia were investigated by examining the laboratory findings and medical records. RESULTS: The results revealed 417 cases of hyperferritinemia in 238 patients during the period. The most common diseases were hematologic malignancies from 125 cases (30.0%) in 31 patients and infectious diseases were the second most common. Iron overload was suspected in 119 cases in 33 patients, and 12 patients (76 cases) were transfused with more than 8 units of RBC for 1 year before the test. CONCLUSION: In hyperferritinemia, the rate of iron overload is high considering the underlying diseases and chronic RBC transfusion. To determine iron storage status accurately, it will be helpful to measure the C-reactive protein (CRP) and iron saturation in the ferritin test. Careful attention should be paid to habitual iron formulations and frequent transfusions due to the possibility of iron overload.

Anti-Proliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Activities of 4-Methyl-2,6-bis(1-phenylethyl)phenol in Cancer Cells

It has been found that 4-isopropyl-2,6-bis(1-phenylethyl)phenol (KTH-13), a novel compound isolated from Cordyceps bassiana, is able to suppress tumor cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis. To mass-produce this compound, we established a total synthesis method. Using those conditions, we further synthesized various analogs with structural similarity to KTH-13. In this study, we aimed to test their anti-cancer activity by measuring anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities. Of 8 compounds tested, 4-methyl-2,6-bis(1-phenylethyl)phenol (KTH-13-Me) exhibited the strongest anti-proliferative activity toward MDA-MB 231 cells. KTH-13-Me also similarly suppressed the survival of various cancer cell lines, including C6 glioma, HCT-15, and LoVo cells. Treatment of KTH-13-Me induced several apoptotic signs in C6 glioma cells, such as morphological changes, induction of apoptotic bodies, and nuclear fragmentation and chromatin condensation. Concordantly, early-apoptotic cells were also identified by staining with FITC-Annexin V/PI. Moreover, KTH-13-Me highly enhanced the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9, and decreased the protein level of Bcl-2. In addition, the phosphorylation levels of Src and STAT3 were diminished in KTH-13-Me-treated C6 cells. Therefore, these results suggest that KTH-13-Me can be developed as a novel anti-cancer drug capable of blocking proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and blocking cell survival signaling in cancer cells.

Immunotoxicological Effects of Aripiprazole: In vivo and In vitro Studies

Aripiprazole (ARI) is a commonly prescribed medication used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. To date, there have been no studies regarding the molecular pathological and immunotoxicological profiling of aripiprazole. Thus, in the present study, we prepared two different formulas of aripiprazole [Free base crystal of aripiprazole (ARPGCB) and cocrystal of aripiprazole (GCB3004)], and explored their effects on the patterns of survival and apoptosis-regulatory proteins under acute toxicity and cytotoxicity test conditions. Furthermore, we also evaluated the modulatory activity of the different formulations on the immunological responses in macrophages primed by various stimulators such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), pam3CSK, and poly(I:C) via toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), TLR2, and TLR3 pathways, respectively. In liver, both ARPGCB and GCB3004 produced similar toxicity profiles. In particular, these two formulas exhibited similar phospho-protein profiling of p65/nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, c-Jun/activator protein (AP)-1, ERK, JNK, p38, caspase 3, and bcl-2 in brain. In contrast, the patterns of these phospho-proteins were variable in other tissues. Moreover, these two formulas did not exhibit any cytotoxicity in C6 glioma cells. Finally, the two formulations at available in vivo concentrations did not block nitric oxide (NO) production from activated macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells stimulated with LPS, pam3CSK, or poly(I:C), nor did they alter the morphological changes of the activated macrophages. Taken together, our present work, as a comparative study of two different formulas of aripiprazole, suggests that these two formulas can be used to achieve similar functional activation of brain proteins related to cell survival and apoptosis and immunotoxicological activities of macrophages.

Pro-Apoptotic Activity of 4-Isopropyl-2-(1-Phenylethyl) Aniline Isolated from Cordyceps bassiana

Cordyceps species including Cordyceps bassiana are a notable anti-cancer dietary supplement. Previously, we identified several compounds with anti-cancer activity from the butanol fraction (Cb-BF) of Cordyceps bassiana. To expand the structural value of Cb-BF-derived anti-cancer drugs, we employed various chemical moieties to produce a novel Cb-BF-derived chemical derivative, KTH-13-amine-monophenyl [4-isopropyl-2-(1-phenylethyl) aniline (KTH-13-AMP)], which we tested for anti-cancer activity. KTH-13-AMP suppressed the proliferation of MDA-MB-231, HeLa, and C6 glioma cells. KTH-13-AMP also dose-dependently induced morphological changes in C6 glioma cells and time-dependently increased the level of early apoptotic cells stained with annexin V-FITC. Furthermore, the levels of the active full-length forms of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were increased. In contrast, the levels of total forms of caspases-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, and Bcl-2 were decreased in KTH-13-AMP treated-cells. We also confirmed that the phosphorylation of STAT3, Src, and PI3K/p85, which is linked to cell survival, was diminished by treatment with KTH-13-AMP. Therefore, these results strongly suggest that this compound can be used to guide the development of an anti-cancer drug or serve as a lead compound in forming another strong anti-proliferative agent.

Mesenteric desmoid-type fibromatosis causing secondary hypertension in a young woman

This report describes an 18-year-old woman presenting with abdominal distension, left flank pain, and hypertension. She had a huge abdominal mass, diagnosed as a mesenteric desmoid-type fibromatosis, causing compression of the left external iliac vessels and ureter, as well as elevated renin concentration and hypertension. After surgical removal of the mass, all signs improved including hypertension.

Two Cases of Recurrent Abdominal Wall and Perihepatic Abscesses Caused by Dropped Gall Stones During a Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

While performing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a surgeon may occasionally drop a patient's gall stones into the intraperitoneal cavity or perforate a patient's gallbladder. However, most of the time, the dropped stones are spontaneously absorbed by the body. In some instances, the dropped gallstones may cause late complications in the patient, such as abscesses, the formation of fistulae, or adhesion in the intra-abdominal or extra-abdomial region. We report two cases of recurrent abdominal wall and perihepatic abscesses caused by dropped gall stones during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy with late diagnosis.

A Study on a current Legal Foundations for Emergency Medical Service in Public Facilities

PURPOSE: Our country has seen a rapid increase in economic growth, national land development and planning. As a consequence, cities were enlarged and became densely populated. Public facilities were also increased to adequately serve the increasing population. Within the past 10 years, a lot of accidents in public facilities have occurred but the legal foundations for emergency medical care and systems for these public facilities may be lacking. METHODS: From the current domestic laws, we defined the public facilities and the enrolled laws that govern these facilities. Adequacy of the enrolled laws were then analyzed using 7 reference points: education for all employees, education for security employees, education for customers, arrangement of medical persons, arrangement of security person, equipment for emergency care and penalty. RESULTS: There were 17 enrolled laws and only 'Juvenile Activity Promotion Act' fulfilled most of the reference points except for 2; the arrangement of medical persons and penalty. Fifteen of the enrolled laws fulfilled less than 3 reference points. CONCLUSION: In the current domestic laws governing public facilities, almost all of them practically lacked policies addressing emergency care and systems.

A case of anaphylactic shock induced by hydrocortisone sodium succinate in patient with wheat allergy / 천식및알레르기

Corticosteroids are widely used in treatment of allergic or idiosyncratic anaphylactic reactions, paradoxically, they can be responsible for anaphylactic reactions. Although several reports of suspected allergic reactions to corticosteroids had already appeared, Mendelson et al reported the first instance of immediate anaphylaxis ascribed to solucortef in 1974. We present a review of the literature, and report on one patient with wheat allergy suffered from anaphylactic shock after injection of hydrocortisone sodium succinate. In patients with systemic severe reactions to injectable corticosteroids, we recommend careful and comprehensive skin testing with most available corticosteroids, as well as the components of the injectables.

A case of anaphylaxis to laminaria / 천식및알레르기

Anaphylaxis is a life - threatening syndrome elicited in a hypersensitive individual on subsequent exposure to a sensitizing antigen with, reactions ranging widely in severity from mild pruritus and criteria to shock and death. Anaphylaxis occurs in the United States at rates estimated to be as high as one in every 3000 inpatients and may account for more than 500 deaths annually. Preparations of kelp Laminaria digitata are used as tents in gynecologic procedures to dilate the cervix, and the kelp consists principally of a glucagon carbohydrate called laminarin. Laminarin is thought to function as the active ingredient in dilatation by changing osmotic pressure or uterine prostaglandin metabolism. The tent is inserted into the cervix several hours before the procedure. As the cervix desiccates and dilates, the tent develops an hourglass shape. Recently, we experienced one patient with anaphylaxis to laminaria diagnosed by skin test and showing good response to treatment.

A Case of Fulminant Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia / 결핵

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia(BOOP) is a type of diffuse interstitial lung disease that has emerged in the past decade as an important cause of acute respiratory illness in adult. Clinically, the entity usually starts with a subacute influenza-like illness, followed by cough, progressive dyspnea, and weight loss. Organized inflammatory polypoid materials predominantly affecting distal bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and peribronchial alveolar spaces are a key pathologic findings. BOOP is characterized by a good response to glucocorticoid and an excellent prognosis. However, there is a subset of BOOP who presents with a fulminant course leading to death or chronic severe fibrosis with marked impairment of lung function. Recently, we have experienced a case of rapidly progressive BOOP, diagnosed by open lung biopsy and showed a reluctant response to corticosteroid.

Changes in Plasma and Urine Endothelin Levels During Acute Exacerbation of Asthma / 결핵

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have documented increased release of endothelin(ET) during acute attack of asthma. The purpose of this study is to observe the link between plasma level and urinary excretion of each and changes during acute exacerbation. METHOD: Plasma and 24 hour urine were collected from sixteen asthmatics during acute exacerbation, twice ; first day of symptomatic exacerbation and two weeks after treatment. Controls were ten healthy normal subjects. All patients were treated with corticosteroid and beta-2 adrenergic agonist on admission. ET was determined by radioimmmunoassay and had 100% cross reactivity with ET-1, 67% with ET-2, 84% with ET-3, and 8% with Big-ET. RESULTS: Plasma ETs were significantly elevated during acute attack of asthma compared with those in remission and controls. However, there was no significant changes in urine ET concentrations or total ET amounts in 24 hour urine during exacerbation upto two weeks. Those levels of urine ET in asthmatics were still higher than controls. ET concentrations in plasma or urine were not correlated with pulmonary functional parameters and hypoxemia. CONCLUSION: The findings suggests that increased plasma ETs are related with exaggerated release during acute asthma. Urinary ET excretion is increased in asthma. However, urine ET changes during exacerbation should be observed in a larger and longer scale.

The Clinical Study on 100 Cases of Congenital Syphillis

No abstract available.