Abstract
In April 2020, manufacturing of the ITER vacuum vessel (VV) first sector has been completed by the Korean domestic agency, manufacturing having started in February 2012. The ITER VV sector ...is the largest fusion VV structure in the world. Each step of the manufacturing was a challenge as a first-of-a-kind, and a French nuclear pressure vessel. The paper provides an overview of the major challenges which were overcome over the last 10 years.
In 2013 a survey of Phytophthora diversity was performed in 25 natural and seminatural forest stands and 25 rivers in temperate montane and subtropical lowland regions of Taiwan. Using baiting ...assays, 10 described species and 17 previously unknown taxa of Phytophthora were isolated from 71.5% of the 144 rhizosphere soil samples from 33 of 40 tree species sampled in 24 forest stands, and from 19 rivers: P. capensis, P. citrophthora, P. plurivora, P. tropicalis, P. citricola VII, P. sp. × botryosa‐like, P. sp. × meadii‐like and P. sp. occultans‐like from Clade 2; P. palmivora from Clade 4; P. castaneae and P. heveae from Clade 5; P. chlamydospora and P. sp. forestsoil‐like from Clade 6; P. cinnamomi (Pc), P. parvispora, P. attenuata nom. prov., P. flexuosa nom. prov., P. formosa nom. prov., P. intricata nom. prov., P. × incrassata nom. prov. and P. × heterohybrida nom. prov. from Clade 7; P. sp. palustris and five new hybrid species from Clade 9. The A1 mating type of Pc was widespread in both montane and lowland forests and rarely associated with disease, whereas the A2 mating type was limited to lowland forests and in some cases causing severe dieback. Most other Phytophthora species were not associated with obvious disease symptoms. It is concluded that (i) Taiwan is within the centre of origin of most Phytophthora taxa found, (ii) Pc A2 is an introduced invasive pathogen, and (iii) interspecific hybridizations play a major role in speciation and species radiations in diverse natural ecosystems.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
During the 2006 Tropical Warm Pool International Cloud Experiment (TWP-ICE) in the tropics, the 2008 Indirect and Semi-Direct Aerosol Campaign (ISDAC) in the Arctic, and the 2010 Small PARTicles In ...CirrUS (SPARTICUS) campaign at mid-latitudes, high-resolution images of ice crystals were recorded by a Cloud Particle Imager at temperatures (T) between −87 and 0 °C. The projected maximum dimension (D'), length (L'), and width (W') of pristine columns, plates, and component bullets of bullet rosettes were measured using newly developed software, the Ice Crystal Ruler. The number of bullets in each bullet rosette was also measured. Column crystals were further distinguished as either horizontally oriented columns or columns with other orientations to eliminate any orientation effect on the measured dimensions. The dimensions and aspect ratios (AR, the dimension of the major axis divided by the dimension of the minor axis) of crystals were determined as functions of temperature, geophysical location, and type of cirrus. Dimensions of crystals generally increased with temperature. Columns and bullets had larger dimensions (i.e., W') of the minor axis (i.e., a axis) for a given dimension (i.e., D' orL') of the major axis (i.e., c axis), and thus smaller AR, as T increased, whereas this trend did not occur for plate crystals. The average number of branches in bullet rosettes was 5.50 ± 1.35 during three campaigns and 6.32 ± 1.34 (5.46 ± 1.34; 4.95 ± 1.01) during TWP-ICE (SPARTICUS; ISDAC). The AR of bullets increased with the number of branches in bullet rosettes. Most dimensions of crystals and ARs of columnar crystals measured during SPARTICUS were larger than those measured during TWP-ICE and ISDAC at −67 < T < -35 °C and at −40 < T < −15 °C, respectively. The relative occurrence of varying pristine habits depended strongly on cirrus type (i.e., anvil or non-anvil clouds), with plates especially occurring more frequently in anvils. The L–W relationships of columns derived using current data exhibited a strong dependence on temperature; similar relationships determined in previous studies were within the range of the current data.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an infectious disease caused by a novel human coronavirus. Currently, no effective antiviral agents exist against this type of virus. A cell-based assay, ...with SARS virus and Vero E6 cells, was developed to screen existing drugs, natural products, and synthetic compounds to identify effective anti-SARS agents. Of >10,000 agents tested, ≈50 compounds were found active at 10 μM; among these compounds, two are existing drugs (Reserpine 13 and Aescin 5) and several are in clinical development. These 50 active compounds were tested again, and compounds 2-6, 10, and 13 showed active at 3 μM. The 50% inhibitory concentrations for the inhibition of viral replication ( EC50) and host growth ( CC50) were then measured and the selectivity index ( SI= CC50/ EC50) was determined. The EC50, based on ELISA, and SI for Reserpine, Aescim, and Valinomycin are 3.4 μM (SI = 7.3), 6.0 μM (SI = 2.5), and 0.85 μM (SI = 80), respectively. Additional studies were carried out to further understand the mode of action of some active compounds, including ELISA, Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry assays, and inhibition against the 3CL protease and viral entry. Of particular interest are the two anti-HIV agents, one as an entry blocker and the other as a 3CL protease inhibitor (K i=0.6 μ M).
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BFBNIB, NMLJ, NUK, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Development of noninvasive imaging biomarkers indicating the histology and the gene mutation status of brain metastasis from lung cancer is important. We aimed to investigate diffusion-weighted ...imaging parameters as predictors of the histology and gene mutations of brain metastasis from lung cancer.
DWI data for 74 patients with brain metastasis from lung cancer were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were first grouped according to the primary tumor histology (adenocarcinoma, small-cell lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma), and those with adenocarcinoma were further divided into
(
) mutation-positive and wild type groups. Sex; age; number, size, and location of brain metastasis; DWI visual scores; the minimum ADC; and the normalized ADC ratio were compared among groups using χ
and ANOVA. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of the
mutation.
The minimum ADC was lower in the small-cell lung cancer group than in the other 2 groups, though the difference was not significant. Furthermore, minimum ADC and the normalized ADC ratio were significantly lower in the
mutation-positive group than in the wild type group (
= .021 and .014, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that minimum ADC and the normalized ADC ratio were independently associated with the
mutation status (
= .028 and .021, respectively).
Our results suggest that DWI parameters (minimum ADC and normalized ADC ratio) for the solid components of brain metastasis from lung cancer are not correlated with their histology, whereas they can predict the
mutation status in brain metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma.
Objectives
Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is a major concern when starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) in patients with advanced HIV infection. The aim of this study was to ...determine the incidence and risk factors of IRIS in HIV‐infected Koreans initiating ART, and whether integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) treatment increases the risk of IRIS.
Methods
This retrospective analysis included adults living with HIV, seen at four university‐affiliated hospitals in South Korea, who were naïve to ART and had a CD4 T‐cell count < 200 cells/μL between January 2004 and May 2019. IRIS was determined through a medical record review within 6 months of ART initiation. Propensity score‐matched case–control study between the non‐INSTI and INSTI groups was performed.
Results
The study included 501 patients; 192 were assigned to the INSTI group, who started ART based on INSTIs as the initial treatment. There were opportunistic infections (OIs) in 253 (50.5%) cases before ART initiation. The three most common OIs were Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, candidiasis and tuberculosis (TB). We identified 47 cases of IRIS; TB‐IRIS was the most common type. The incidence of IRIS within 6 months of ART initiation was 9.4%, and there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics and incidence of IRIS between the matched groups. The risk factors for IRIS were pre‐ART CD4 T‐cell count (< 30 cells/μL), higher pre‐ART viral load (≥ 75 000 copies/mL), and TB‐OI.
Conclusions
The incidence of IRIS was 9.4% in Korean HIV patients. The INSTI regimen was not related to IRIS occurrence.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background
The development of dermatitis on face and neck, which was not described in phase 3 clinical trials, has been reported in the literature in patients treated with dupilumab. Little is known ...regarding the causes or defining features of the facial dermatitis.
Objectives
We conducted surveys of consecutive patients with AD on dupilumab to describe its clinical features, morphology and aetiology.
Methods
A multi‐centre prospective cohort study was conducted from 1 January 2020, to 31 December 31 2020. A total of 162 patients under dupilumab treatment were asked to complete a questionnaire and patients were evaluated by dermatologists.
Results
Of all 162 patients, 137 (84.6%) patients reported pre‐existing facial dermatitis prior to dupilumab therapy. One hundred and twenty‐one (88.3%) patients with pre‐existing facial dermatitis reported improvement of their facial dermatitis with dupilumab therapy, nine (6.6%) patients reported no change after the treatment and seven (4.3%) patients of them got worse after the treatment (exacerbation group). Of 25 patients who reported no pre‐existing active facial dermatitis, six (24%) patients reported new‐onset facial erythema after the starting dupilumab therapy (new‐onset group). A large proportion of the patients in both the exacerbation (86%) and new‐onset groups (67%) had a history of facial TCS use. Both groups showed similar clinical manifestations and distribution with few differences.
Conclusions
The vast majority of patients treated with dupilumab in academic institutions from Korea and the United States experienced improvement in their facial dermatitis with dupilumab therapy. A small proportion of patients had new onset and exacerbation. Although the mechanisms of this adverse event remain unclear, steroid withdrawal should be considered as a diagnosis of the erythema in some patients.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Summary
Background Psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis are common erythematous‐squamous dermatoses that may present with scaly erythematous patches on the scalp. Owing to the similar ...clinicopathological features of these dermatoses, their differentiation poses a diagnostic challenge, particularly when the lesions on the scalp are isolated.
Objectives To evaluate the usefulness of dermoscopy in the clinical differentiation of scalp psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis.
Methods This was a retrospective observational study to evaluate the characteristic dermoscopic features of scalp psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis. The study included a total of 96 patients with lesions; these patients were recruited from two tertiary teaching hospitals in Korea (Pusan National University Hospital and Kyungpook National University Hospital). Among these, 55 patients had scalp psoriasis and 41 patients had seborrhoeic dermatitis.
Results The most significant dermoscopic features of scalp psoriasis were red dots and globules, twisted red loops, and glomerular vessels. In contrast, seborrhoeic dermatitis was characterized by arborizing vessels and atypical red vessels with the absence of red dots and globules. Featureless areas devoid of any particular vascular patterns were also frequently observed in seborrhoeic dermatitis. Dermoscopic findings of red lines and other vascular patterns were not considered useful for differentiation because these were uncommon features in both diseases. Although scales were observed commonly in both diseases, there was no significant difference in the frequency and characteristics of the scales when they were observed using dermoscopy.
Conclusions Our study shows that the investigation of vascular patterns by using dermoscopy can be valuable for the clinical diagnosis and differentiation of scalp psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
bacteremia (MRSAB) often persists despite appropriate antibiotic therapy. It is unclear what microbiological factors contribute to poor clinical outcomes ...in persistent MRSAB (pMRSAB). We aimed to identify clinical and microbiological risk factors for in-hospital mortality in pMRSAB. We analysed MRSAB cases prospectively collected between 2009 and 2016 at 11 hospitals in Korea, defining cases of pMRSAB as MRSAB lasting ≥5 days despite administration of effective antibiotics. The first blood isolates from the pMRSAB cases were tested for staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
type, staphylococcal protein A type,
accessary gene regulator
(
agr
) type, genes for Panton-Valentine leukocidin and phenol-soluble modulin-
mec
, vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration, vancomycin heteroresistance, and
agr
functionality. We also collected clinical information for each case. Of 960 MRSAB cases, 152 pMRSAB were finally eligible. Univariable analysis revealed that in-hospital mortality was significantly associated with Charlson’s comorbidity-weighted index (CCWI) score, Pitt bacteremia score, sequential organ failure assessment score, presentation with septic shock, pneumonia,
agr
dysfunction, and vancomycin heteroresistance. Bone and joint infections were negatively associated with in-hospital mortality. Multivariable analysis revealed the following independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality: CCWI score adjusted odds ratio (aOR), per one point, 1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08–1.44;
P
= 0.003), Pitt bacteremia score (aOR, per one point, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.09–1.62;
P =
0.005), non-eradicated foci of infection (aOR, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.18–8.27;
P
= 0.022), and
agr
dysfunction (aOR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.12–5.47;
P =
0.025).
agr
dysfunction is an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality in pMRSAB.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Background
There is little information about clinical outcomes after intraoperative cardiac arrest (IOCA). We determined the incidence and characteristics of 3‐month mortality after IOCA.
Methods
The ...electronic medical records of 238,648 adult surgical patients from January 2005 to December 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Characteristics of IOCA were documented using the Utstein reporting template.
Results
IOCA occurred in 50 patients (21/100,000 surgeries). Nineteen patients died in the operating room, and further 12 patients died within 3 months post‐arrest (total mortality: 62%). Three survivors at 3 months post‐arrest had unfavourable neurological outcome. Finally, 34 patients showed unfavourable clinical outcomes at 3 months post‐arrest. The incidences of non‐cardiac surgery, emergency, pre‐operative intubation state, non‐shockable initial cardiac rhythm, hypovolaemic shock, pre‐operative complications‐induced cardiac arrest, non‐anaesthetic cause of cardiac arrest, intra‐ and post‐arrest transfusion, and continuous infusion of inotrope or vasopressor in intensive care unit (ICU) were significantly higher in non‐survivors at 3 months post‐arrest. Total epinephrine dose administrated during arrest was higher, and the duration of cardiac compressions was longer in non‐survivors at 3 months post‐arrest.
Conclusions
In this study, the incidence of IOCA was 21/100,000 surgeries and the 3‐month mortality rate after IOCA was 62%. Several factors including surgical emergency, non‐shockable initial cardiac rhythm, pre‐operative complications, surgical complications, long duration of cardiac compressions, high total epinephrine dose, transfusion, and continuous infusion of inotropes or vasopressors in ICU seemed to be risk factors for 3‐month mortality after IOCA. These risk factors should be considered in the light of relatively small sample size of this study.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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