Avian influenza virus transmission is suppressed in chickens fed Lactobacillus paracasei expressing the 3D8 single-chain variable fragment protein

The 3D8 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) is a mini-antibody sequence with independent nuclease activity that shows antiviral effects against all types of viruses in chickens and mice. In this study, chickens were treated daily with an oral dose of 109 CFU Lactobacillus paracasei (L. paracasei) expressing either a secreted or anchored 3D8 scFv for three weeks. After L. paracasei administration, the chickens were challenged with avian influenza virus (AIV). From each experimental group, three chickens were directly infected with 100 µL of 107.5 EID50/mL H9N2 AIV and seven chickens were indirectly challenged through contact transmission. oropharyngeal and cloacal swab samples were collected at 3, 5, 7, and 9 days post-inoculation (dpi) from AIV-challenged chickens, AIV Shedding titres were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Contact transmission in the chickens that were fed 3D8 scFv-secreting L. paracasei showed a significant reduction in viral shedding when compared with other groups. These results suggest that L. paracasei secreting 3D8 provides a basis for the development of ingestible antiviral probiotics with activity against AIV

Soluble neprilysin and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a retrospective cohort study

Background: Neprilysin has an essential role in regulating fluid balance and vascular resistance, and neprilysin inhibitors have shown beneficial effects in patients with heart failure. However, the potential predictive value of neprilysin levels as a biomarker for cardiovascular risk remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of soluble neprilysin (sNEP) levels in patients with ischemic heart disease. Methods: Neprilysin levels were measured in 694 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). These patients were classified into two groups according to their serum levels of neprilysin and categorized into the lower neprilysin group (n = 348) and the higher neprilysin group (n = 346). The primary clinical endpoint was all-cause mortality, and the secondary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Results: The median sNEP level was 76.0 pg/ml. The median sNEP levels were higher in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥40% (77.6 pg/ml, interquartile range 46.6–141.3) than in those with LVEF \u3c 40% (70.0 pg/ml, interquartile range 47.1–100.6; P = 0.032). Among all patients, each clinical outcome and MACE did not differ significantly according to the groups divided into median, tertile, or quartile of sNEP levels during a median follow-up of 28.4 months. We did not find a significant relationship between sNEP levels and clinical outcomes in multivariate Cox regression analysis. Among patients with LVEF \u3c 40%, an increased sNEP level was associated with a higher rate of all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio 2.630, 95% confidence interval 1.049–6.595, P = 0.039). Conclusion: Serum sNEP levels are not associated with long-term mortality or cardiovascular outcomes after PCI in patients with CAD. In the LVEF \u3c 40% group, increased sNEP levels may be associated with a higher risk of all-cause death

Analysis of Scientific Papers Included in the

Background The purpose of our study was to analyze scientific papers published by SouthKorean plastic surgeons in journals included in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE),and to evaluate the publication and research activities of Korean plastic surgeon.Methods We conducted a survey of SCIE papers in the field of plastic surgery published bySouth Korean authors between 2001 and 2010 using Web of Science software. We furtheranalyzed these results according to the number of publications per year, journals, institution,and type of papers. We also compared the total number of citations to published scientificpapers. We analyzed the rank of South Korea among other countries in representative journals.Results Overall, 667 papers were published by South Korean authors between 2001 and 2010.The number of publications increased dramatically from 2003 (n=31) to 2010 (n=139).Subsequently, the ten most productive Korean medical colleges were identified. All publishedpapers received 2,311 citations and the citation to paper ratio was 3.49. The rank of Koreaamong other countries in terms of the number of published papers remained in the top 10during the recent 10 years.Conclusions Publication output of Korean plastic surgeon over the last 10 years showed aremarkable growth in terms of quantity and quality. Currently, Korea is among the top sixcountries in representative plastic surgery journals. Korean plastic surgeons have playeda central role in this progress, and it is anticipated that they will continue to do so in thefuture

Analysis of Scientific Papers Included in the Sciences Citation Index Expanded Written by South Korean Plastic Surgeons: 2001-2010

BackgroundThe purpose of our study was to analyze scientific papers published by South Korean plastic surgeons in journals included in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE), and to evaluate the publication and research activities of Korean plastic surgeon.MethodsWe conducted a survey of SCIE papers in the field of plastic surgery published by South Korean authors between 2001 and 2010 using Web of Science software. We further analyzed these results according to the number of publications per year, journals, institution, and type of papers. We also compared the total number of citations to published scientific papers. We analyzed the rank of South Korea among other countries in representative journals.ResultsOverall, 667 papers were published by South Korean authors between 2001 and 2010. The number of publications increased dramatically from 2003 (n=31) to 2010 (n=139). Subsequently, the ten most productive Korean medical colleges were identified. All published papers received 2,311 citations and the citation to paper ratio was 3.49. The rank of Korea among other countries in terms of the number of published papers remained in the top 10 during the recent 10 years.ConclusionsPublication output of Korean plastic surgeon over the last 10 years showed a remarkable growth in terms of quantity and quality. Currently, Korea is among the top six countries in representative plastic surgery journals. Korean plastic surgeons have played a central role in this progress, and it is anticipated that they will continue to do so in the future

Endovascular Embolization of Intracranial Aneurysms Using Bare Platinum Axium™ Detachable Coils: Immediate and Short-Term Follow-up Results from a Multicenter Registry

PurposeAxium™ coils were developed to improve the durability of coil-embolized cerebral aneurysms by increasing packing density. The purpose of this prospective multicenter registry was to evaluate the safety and durability of Axium™ coils.Materials and MethodsOne hundred twenty-six patients with 135 aneurysms of ≤ 15 mm in size underwent coil embolization using bare platinum coils, with Axium™ coils constituting over 50% of the total coil length. Immediate and short-term follow-up results were prospectively registered and retrospectively evaluated.ResultsOf the 135 aneurysms (83 unruptured and 52 ruptured), immediate post-embolization angiography revealed complete occlusion in 80 aneurysms (59.3%), neck remnants in 47 (34.8%), and incomplete occlusion in 8 (5.9%). The mean packing density was 42.8% (range, 9.5 - 90%) with Axium™ coil length constituting a mean of 87.9% of total coil length. The rate of procedure-related complications was 16.3%. Procedure-related permanent morbidity and mortality rates were 3.2% and 0.8%, respectively. Follow-up catheter or MR angiography, which was available in 101 aneurysms at 6 - 15 months (mean, 7.7 months), revealed stable or improved occlusion in 95 aneurysms and worsening in 6 aneurysms (5.9%). Lower packing density (< 30%) remained the only predictor for anatomical worsening on multivariable logistic regression analysis (P < 0.05).ConclusionIn this registry, Axium™ coils showed a relatively low rate of anatomical worsening on short-term follow-up imaging with an acceptable periprocedural safety profile compared to reports of other platinum coils. These results may warrant further study of long-term durability with Axium™ coils in larger populations

Two Methods of Setting Positive End-expiratory Pressure in Acute Lung Injury: An Experimental Computed Tomography Volumetric Study

This study was conducted to observe effects of two methods of setting positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) based on the pressure-volume (PV) curve. After lung injury was induced by oleic acid in six mongrel adult dogs, the inflation PV curve was traced and the lower inflection point (LIP) was measured. The 'PEEPINF' was defined as LIP+2 cmH2O. After recruitment maneuver to move the lung physiology to the deflation limb of PV curve, decremental PEEP was applied. The lowest level of PEEP that did not result in a significant drop in PaO2 was defined as the 'PEEPDEF'. Arterial blood gases, lung mechanics, hemodynamics, and lung volumes (measured on computed tomography during end-expiratory pause) were measured at PEEP of 0 cmH2O, PEEPINF and PEEPDEF sequentially. The median PEEPINF was 13.4 cm H2O (interquartile range, 12.5-14.3) and median PEEPDEF was 12.0 cm H2O (10.0-16.5) (p=0.813). PEEPDEF was associated with significantly higher PaO2 and lung volumes, and significantly lower shunt fraction and cardiac index when compared to PEEPINF (p<0.05). Setting the PEEP based on the deflation limb of the PV curve was useful in improving oxygenation and lung volumes in a canine lung injury model

Duodenal Duplication Cysts of Ampulla of Vater Containing Stone

Duodenal duplication cysts are rare congenital malformations. Most symptomatic cases are diagnosed in children and usually present with obstructive findings or bleeding symptoms. Treatment traditionally involves surgical resection, which can be often difficult because of the close proximity of the cysts to the papilla and bilopancreatic confluence. Endoscopic therapy has been used as an alternative to open surgery in a few selected cases. We report a case with a duodenal duplication cyst containing a brown pigmented stone within the cystic lumen. He was visited because of sudden right upper quadrant abdominal pain. An abdominal computed tomography revealed the presence of a cyst with a stone, which was finally removed by endoscopic resection

Comparison of the clinical outcomes between antiviral-naïve patients treated with entecavir and lamivudine-resistant patients receiving adefovir add-on lamivudine combination treatment

Background/Aims To analyze the effects of preexisting lamivudine (LAM) resistance and applying antiviral treatment (adefovir [ADV] add-on LAM combination treatment) on long-term treatment outcomes, and comparing the clinical outcomes of antiviral-naïve chronic hepatitis B patients receiving entecavir (ETV) monotherapy. Methods This study enrolled 73 antiviral-naïve patients who received 0.5-mg ETV as an initial therapy and 54 patients who received ADV add-on LAM combination treatment as a rescue therapy from July 2006 to July 2010. Results During 24-month treatments, the decreases in serum log10HBV-DNA values (copies/mL) were significantly greater in the antiviral-naïve patients treated with ETV than the patients receiving ADV add-on LAM combination treatment. The biochemical response rates for alanine aminotransferase normalization at 6 months (ETV) and 12 months (ADV add-on LAM) were 90.4% (66/73) and 77.8% (42/54), respectively (P=0.048). A Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that the rates of serologic response, viral breakthrough, and emergence of genotypic resistance did not differ significantly between the two patient groups. There were also no significant intergroup differences in the rates of disease progression (PD) and new development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Conclusion The long-term clinical outcomes of antiviral-naïve patients treated with ETV and LAM-resistant patients receiving ADV add-on LAM combination treatment were comparable in terms of the emergence of HCC and disease progression

Nonimmunity against hepatitis B virus infection in patients newly diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease

Background/AimsThis study aimed to elucidate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) serologic markers in Korean patients newly diagnosed with, but not yet treated for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).MethodsWe prospectively enrolled 210 patients newly diagnosed with IBD (109 with ulcerative colitis and 101 with Crohn's disease). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) levels were measured and compared with those of 1,100 sex- and age-matched controls.ResultsThe prevalence of chronic HBV infection (positive HBsAg, positive anti-HBc, and negative anti-HBs results) and past infection (negative HBsAg, positive anti-HBc, and positive or negative anti-HBs results) were not significantly different between the patients and controls (chronic HBV infection: IBD, 3.8% vs. control, 4.9%, P=0.596; past infection: IBD, 26.2% vs. control, 28.8%, P=0.625). The patients with IBD aged <20 years were at a higher susceptibility risk (nonimmune) for HBV infection than the controls (IBD, 41.5% vs. control, 22.4%; P=0.018). In the multivariate analysis, an age of <20 years (P=0.024) and symptom duration of ≥12 months before diagnosis (P=0.027) were identified as independent risk factors for nonimmunity against HBV infection.ConclusionsThe patients newly diagnosed with IBD were susceptible to HBV infection. The frequency of nonimmunity was high, especially in the patients aged <20 years and those with a longer duration of symptoms before diagnosis. Therefore, it is necessary to screen for HBV serologic markers and generate a detailed vaccination plan for patients newly diagnosed with IBD