Coagulation Testing in Real-World Setting: Insights From a Comprehensive Survey.

The objective of this survey was to gain a real-world perspective on coagulation testing by evaluating the availability of various coagulation laboratory tests, assessing specific analytic and postanalytic steps in clinical laboratories in Korea.Participants were surveyed using a 65-question questionnaire specifically focused on their coagulation testing practices related to prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), plasma-mixing studies, lupus anticoagulant (LA) tests, platelet function tests, coagulation factor assays, and the composition of hemostasis and thrombosis test panels. The survey was performed between July and September 2022.The survey achieved a 77.9% (81 of 104) response rate. PT or aPTT tests were performed directly at all participating institutions, followed by D-dimer and fibrinogen tests, platelet function test, and plasma-mixing studies in order of frequency. Variations existed in the performance of mixing test and LA assessment. Patterns of coagulating testing differed depending on the size of the hospital. The survey revealed that most laboratories conducted coagulation tests following the international guidelines such as Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines and the Korean Laboratory Certification system. However, some coagulation tests, including mixing test and LA tests, are yet to be standardized in Korea.Continuous education on coagulation test methods and internal and external quality control are required to encourage laboratories to enhance the performance of coagulation testing.

Machine Learning Predicts Pathologic Complete Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for ER+HER2- Breast Cancer: Integrating Tumoral and Peritumoral MRI Radiomic Features.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to predict pathologic complete response (pCR) in neoadjuvant chemotherapy for ER+HER2- locally advanced breast cancer (LABC), a subtype with limited treatment response. METHODS: We included 265 ER+HER2- LABC patients (2010-2020) with pre-treatment MRI, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and confirmed pathology. Using data from January 2016, we divided them into training and validation cohorts. Volumes of interest (VOI) for the tumoral and peritumoral regions were segmented on preoperative MRI from three sequences: T1-weighted early and delayed contrast-enhanced sequences and T2-weighted fat-suppressed sequence (T2FS). We constructed seven machine learning models using tumoral, peritumoral, and combined texture features within and across the sequences, and evaluated their pCR prediction performance using AUC values. RESULTS: The best single sequence model was SVM using a 1 mm tumor-to-peritumor VOI in the early contrast-enhanced phase (AUC = 0.9447). Among the combinations, the top-performing model was K-Nearest Neighbor, using 1 mm tumor-to-peritumor VOI in the early contrast-enhanced phase and 3 mm peritumoral VOI in T2FS (AUC = 0.9631). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that a combined machine learning model that integrates tumoral and peritumoral radiomic features across different MRI sequences can provide a more accurate pretreatment pCR prediction for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in ER+HER2- LABC.

The novel HLA-B allele, HLA-B*15:656, first identified in a Korean individual by next-generation sequencing.

HLA-B*15:656 differs from B*15:27:01:01 by two nucleotide substitutions in codon 163 (CTG > GAG).

Identification of the novel HLA-DPA1*01:106 allele by next-generation sequencing in a Korean cord blood donor.

HLA-DPA1*01:106 differs from DPA1*01:03:01:01 by a single substitution at nucleotide 5 (G/A) in exon 1.

The novel HLA-DPB1 allele, HLA-DPB1*1344:01, first identified in Korean individuals by next-generation sequencing.

HLA-DPB1*1344:01 has one non-synonymous nucleotide change from DPB1*02:01:02:01 in codon 117.

Characteristics of Korean BCR-ABL1-Negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Related to the 2016 WHO Criteria Revision.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to identify changes in the diagnosis and subtype classification of Korean patients with BCR-ABL1-negative MPN related to the revision of the WHO classification in 2016. METHODS: We evaluated 76 Korean patients with BCR-ABL1-negative MPN who underwent diagnostic work-ups, including bone marrow (BM) examinations and JAK2 V617F mutation analysis, from January 2013 to June 2018. Additionally, we reclassified the subtype of 43 patients who were diagnosed based on the WHO 2008 classification. RESULTS: From January 2013 to April 2016, 43 patients were diagnosed with BCR-ABL1-negative MPN (12 PV, 17 ET, 14 PMF) according to the 2008 WHO classification, and from May 2016 to June 2018, 33 patients were diagnosed according to the 2016 classification (15 PV, 11 ET, 7 PMF). With the application of 2016 classification, 3 cases of ET were reclassified as pre-PMF, and the proportion of PV increased from 27.9% to 45.5%. There were significant differences in CBC between pre-PMF and overt PMF, between ET and overt-PMF, but no difference between ET and pre-PMF. CONCLUSIONS: The overall characteristics of BCR-ABL1-negative MPN patients were not significantly different from those of previous reports. 'Masked PV', which could not be diagnosed according to the WHO 2008 classification, may have been diagnosed as PV since 2016 due to the increase in the diagnostic value of the BM findings and the lowering of the hemoglobin (Hb) threshold.

Development and Roll-Out of A Coronavirus Disease 2019 Clinical Pathway for Standardized Qualified Care in Public Hospitals in Korea.

Despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination roll-out, variant-related outbreaks have occurred repeatedly in Korea. Although public hospitals played a major role in COVID-19 patients' care, difficulty incorporating evolving COVID-19 treatment guidelines called for a clinical pathway (CP). Eighteen public hospitals volunteered, and a professional review board was created. CPs were formulated containing inclusion/exclusion criteria, application flow charts, and standardized order sets. After CP roll-out, key parameters improved, such as increased patient/staff five-point satisfaction scores (0.41/0.57) and decreased hospital stays (1.78 days)/medical expenses (17.5%). The CPs were updated consistently after roll-out as new therapeutics drugs were introduced and quarantine policies changed.

Heterogeneous genetic landscape of congenital neutropenia in Korean patients revealed by whole exome sequencing: genetic, phenotypic and histologic correlations.

Congenital neutropenia (CN) is a hematological disease heterogeneous in its genetic, phenotypic and histologic aspects. We aimed to identify the genetic etiology of Korean CN patients in the context of bone marrow (BM) histology and clinical phenotype. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) or targeted sequencing was performed on the BM or peripheral blood specimens of 16 patients diagnosed with CN based on BM exam from 2009 to 2018. Absolute count of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-positive cells was calculated using ImageJ software. Semi-quantitation of MPO-positive cells in BM sections was performed by MPO grading (grades 0-3). Comprehensive retrospective review on real-world data of 345 pediatric patients with neutropenia including 16 patients in this study during the same period was performed. Seven disease-causing variants were identified in ELANE, G6PC3 and CXCR4 in 7 patients. A novel homozygous G6PC3 variant (K72fs) of which the mechanism was copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity was detected in two brothers. A low myeloid-to-erythroid ratio (0.5-1.5) was consistently observed in patients with ELANE mutations, while MPO-positive cells (40%-50%) with MPO grade 1 or 2 were detected in myelokathexis caused by G6PC3 and CXCR4 mutations. Meanwhile, disease-causing variants were detected in ELANE, TAZ and SLC37A4 in 5 patients by retrospective review of medical records. Our results suggest that following the immunological study and BM exam, WES or an expanded next generation sequencing panel that covers genes related to immunodeficiency and other inherited bone marrow failures as well as CN is recommended for neutropenia patient diagnosis.

Strong SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Response After Booster Dose of BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccines in Uninfected Healthcare Workers.

Despite strict guidelines for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), South Korea is facing its fourth pandemic wave. In this study, by using an automated electrochemiluminescence immunoassay assay, we tracked anti-spike protein receptor-binding domain (anti-S-RBD) antibody titer from the second dose to 2 weeks after the booster dose vaccination. After the second dose, 234 participants had their anti-S-RBD antibody titers decrease over time. We also showed the booster dose (the third dose) increased antibody titer by average 14 (min-max, 2-255)-fold higher compared to the second dose among the 211-booster group participants, therefore, the booster dose could be recommended for low responders to the second dose. Our findings showed a distinct humoral response after booster doses of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccines and may provide further evidence of booster vaccination efficacy. These data will also be helpful in vaccination policy decisions that determine the need for the booster dose.

Differences in the diagnosis and treatment of hematologic malignancies attributable to health insurance coverage.

ABSTRACT: Medical care should be equally provided to the public regardless of their financial capability. In the real world, expenditures directly out from the patient sector decide the medical journey, even in a country with national health insurance. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are differences in the diagnostic and treatment processes in hematologic malignancies based on patient characteristics, such as health insurance status.Through the review of 5614 "CBCs with differential count" results with abnormal cells from 358 patients from January 2010 to June 2017, 238 patients without past medical histories of hematologic malignancies were enrolled. Excluding reactive cases, 206 patients with hematologic malignancy were classified into 8 disease categories: acute leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), myelodysplastic syndrome/MPN, lymphoid neoplasm, plasma cell neoplasm, r/o hematologic malignancy, and cancer.The patients' age, sex, disease categories and follow-up durations showed associations with the clinical course. The "refusal of treatment" group was the oldest and had a relatively higher percentage of females, whereas those who decided to transfer to a tertiary hospital were younger. The age, clinical course, and follow-up durations were different across health insurance statuses. The medical aid group was the oldest, and the group whose status changed from a medical insurance subscriber to a medical aid beneficiary during treatment was the youngest. The majority of patients who refused treatment or wished to be transferred to a tertiary hospital were medical insurance subscribers. The percentage of patients who were treated in this secondary municipal hospital was higher in the medical-aid beneficiaries group than in the medical insurance group. Follow-up durations were longest in the status change group and shortest in the medical insurance group.Almost all medical aid beneficiaries with hematologic malignancies opted to continue treatment at this secondary/municipal hospitals, indicating that this category of medical institutions provides adequate levels and qualified healthcare services to those patients. The secondary municipal hospital provides qualified healthcare services for medical aid beneficiaries with hematologic malignancies.

SARS-CoV-2 Infectivity and Antibody Titer Reduction for 6 Months After Second Dose of BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine in Health Care Workers: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Several studies reported that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 antibody levels change over 6 months in participants receiving the vaccination. From the enrolled 272 health care workers (HCWs), blood samples were obtained at 2, 16, and 24 weeks after the second vaccination dose. In the 267 noninfected HCWs, the neutralizing antibodies decreased by 23.9%, and the anti-spike/receptor binding domain antibody decreased by 53.8% at 24 weeks. We observed no significant difference in antibody reduction between the sexes; however, in younger individuals, there was higher antibody formation and lower reduction rates of the neutralizing antibody. In 3 HCWs with breakthrough infections, the antibody levels were relatively low just before the coronavirus disease 2019 infection. In conclusion, as antibody titers decrease over time after the second vaccination dose and HCWs with low antibody titers tend to have a high probability of breakthrough infection, an additional dose should be considered after several months. Blood samples were obtained from health care workers at 2, 16, and 24 weeks after a second vaccination dose. Antibody titers decreased over time and the participants with low antibody titers tended to have a high probability of breakthrough infection.

Evaluation of Five User-Friendly Whole Genome Sequencing Software for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Clinical Application.

BACKGROUND: Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is an increasingly useful tool for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and disease management. In this study, we evaluated the utility of user-friendly WGS tools in reporting resistance profiles and identifying lineages of clinical TB isolates from South Korea. METHODS: Forty clinical samples from TB patients showing discrepancies between their rapid molecular and conventional drug susceptibility tests were used in this study. Among these clinical isolates, 37 strains were successfully evaluated via WGS software, using the GenTB, TB Profiler, PhyResSE, CASTB, and Mykrobe. RESULTS: More accurate and faster susceptibility results could be obtained with isoniazid than with rifampin. Using the phenotypic test as the gold standard, the isoniazid concordance rate between phenotypic drug susceptibility test (DST) and WGS (GenTB: 45.9%, TB profiler: 40.5%, PhyResSE: 40.5%, CASTB: 48.6%, and Mykrobe: 43.2%) was much higher than between phenotypic DST and rapid molecular genotypic DST (18.9%) among the 37 strains. In contrast, the rifampin concordance rate between phenotypic DST and WGS and that between phenotypic DST and rapid molecular genotypic DST was similar (81.1-89.2%). We also found novel mutations associated with INH in katG and ahpC gene region, not covered by the line probe assay. In addition, lineage analysis identified 81.1% of these samples as L2 East Asian lineage strains, and 18.9% as L4 Euro-American lineage strains. CONCLUSION: WGS may play a pivotal role in TB diagnosis and the detection of drug resistance, genetic diversity, and transmission dynamics in the near future because of its accuracy, speed, and extensibility.

Evaluation of Three Multiplex Real-time Reverse Transcription PCR Assays for Simultaneous Detection of SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A/B, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Nasopharyngeal Swabs.

BACKGROUND: In the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic era, the simultaneous detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza virus (Flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is important in the rapid differential diagnosis in patients with respiratory symptoms. Three multiplex real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assays have been recently developed commercially in Korea: PowerChek™ SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A&B Multiplex Real-time PCR Kit (PowerChek; KogeneBiotech); STANDARD™ M Flu/SARS-CoV-2 Real-time Detection Kit (STANDARD M; SD BioSensor); and Allplex™ SARS-CoV-2/FluA/FluB/RSV Assay (Allplex; Seegene). We evaluated the analytical and clinical performances of these kits. METHODS: A limit of detection tests were performed and cross-reactivity analysis was executed using clinical respiratory samples. Ninety-seven SARS-CoV-2-positive, 201 SARS-CoV-2-negative, 71 influenza A-positive, 50 influenza B-positive, 78 RSV-positive, and 207 other respiratory virus-positive nasopharyngeal swabs were tested using the three assays. The AdvanSure™ respiratory viruses rRT-PCR assay (AdvanSure; LG Life Sciences) was used as a comparator assay for RSV. RESULTS: Except in influenza B, in SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A, there were no significant differences in detecting specific genes of the viruses among the three assays. All three kits did not cross-react with common respiratory viruses. All three kits had greater than 92% positive percent agreement and negative percent agreement and ≥ 0.95 kappa value in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and flu A/B. Allplex detected RSV more sensitively than AdvanSure. CONCLUSION: The overall performance of three multiplex rRT-PCR assays for the concurrent detection of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A/B, and RSV was comparable. These kits will promote prompt differential diagnosis of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV infection in the COVID-19 pandemic era.

Increased Nucleated RBCs in Cord Blood: Not an Exclusion Criterion but a Quality Indicator for Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Transplantation.

Increased nucleated red blood cell (NRBC) counts have been reported to be associated with adverse fetal outcomes, and cord blood units (CBUs) with increased NRBC counts require a 2nd questionnaire to determine their suitability for transplantation. However, a recent study demonstrated a positive correlation of NRBCs with CD34+ cells and total nucleated cells (TNCs). We evaluated the association between the NRBC count and hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) content (TNC and CD34+ cell counts) in Korean full-term newborn CBUs. In addition, we assessed whether an increased NRBC count is associated with newborn health problems that impair CBU safety. Among the 32,876 units processed from May 2006 to December 2018, a total of 23,385 CBUs with a TNC count ≥ 7 × 108 and reliable perinatal information were analyzed to assess the association of the NRBC count with CBU parameters, and the newborns associated with 457 CBUs that required the 2nd questionnaire due to an increased NRBC (≥ 15 NRBCs/100 WBCs) were assessed at one year for health problems that threatened CBU safety. The majority of the CBUs that required the 2nd questionnaire due to an increased NRBC count (96.9%) were determined to be suitable for transplantation. Those with an increased NRBC count showed significantly higher CD34+ cell and TNC counts and a higher rate of transplantation (P < 0.001, < 0.001 and 0.025, respectively). NRBCs showed a significant positive correlation with TNCs and CD34+ cells and a significant negative correlation with birth weight (all P < 0.001; adjusted r = 0.185, 0.369 and - 0.029, respectively). In the multiple linear regression analysis, NRBCs showed independent and positive correlations with TNCs and CD34+ cells after adjustments for birth weight and gestational age (all P < 0.001; ß = 0.182, adjusted R2 = 0.053 and ß = 0.367, adjusted R2 = 0.418). An increased NRBC count in full-term normal delivery is a surrogate marker of HPCs in CBUs rather than an exclusion criterion for CBU safety. Moreover, providing the NRBC count together with the NRBC-corrected TNC count will be useful for clinicians to select CBUs for transplantation.

Positivity of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies among Korean Healthy Healthcare Workers 1 and 2 Weeks after Second Dose of Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccination.

The antibody titer of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was observed in 289 healthy healthcare workers who had completed the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. Antibody tests were performed using both the automated electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) and the chromatographic lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA). All subjects had antibodies against the receptor binding domain of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 only one week after completing the vaccination, and the antibody titer became significantly higher after another week (P < 0.001). Since there was a large amount of antibody formation within two weeks after completion of vaccination, the less sensitive method, LFIA, also showed high sensitivity. There was no significant difference between whole blood and serum in detecting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after vaccination. This is an early study of vaccinations among Koreans and is expected to contribute to the establishment of national guidelines on COVID-19 vaccination.

Prevalence of granular corneal dystrophy type 2-related TGFBI p.R124H variant in a South Korean population.

Purpose: Granular corneal dystrophy type 2 (GCD2) is an autosomal dominant disorder and is associated with the arginine to histidine substitution at codon 124 (p.R124H) of the TGFBI gene. Although TGFBI p.R124H is known to be the most common corneal dystrophy-related pathogenic variant, there are few data on the frequency of this variant in the South Korean population. Methods: In total, 2,060 anonymous DNA samples from a public umbilical cord blood bank were tested for the TFGBI p.R124H variant using real-time PCR. Results: Six of the 2,060 samples [0.29%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.12-0.67%] were heterozygous for the TGFBI p.R124H variant. The prevalence of the GCD2-related TGFBI p.R124H variant in this population was estimated to be 291.3 per 100,000 [95% confidence interval (CI), 118.5-667.0]. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the largest study that has estimated the prevalence of the GCD2-related TGFBI p.R124H variant in South Korea.

Effects of multi-species probiotic supplementation on alcohol metabolism in rats.

Probiotics are known to protect against liver damage induced by the alcohol and acetaldehyde accumulation associated with alcohol intake. However, there have been few studies of the direct effect of probiotics on alcohol metabolism, and the types of probiotics that were previously analyzed were few in number. Here, we investigated the effects of 19 probiotic species on alcohol and acetaldehyde metabolism. Four probiotic species that had a relatively high tolerance to alcohol and metabolized alcohol and acetaldehyde effectively were identified: Lactobacillus gasseri CBT LGA1, Lactobacillus casei CBT LC5, Bifidobacterium lactis CBT BL3, and Bifidobacterium breve CBT BR3. These species also demonstrated high mRNA expression of alcohol and acetaldehyde dehydrogenases. ProAP4, a mixture of these four probiotics species and excipient, was then administered to rats for 2 weeks in advance of acute alcohol administration. The serum alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations were significantly lower in the ProAP4-administered group than in the control and excipient groups. Thus, the administration of ProAP4, containing four probiotic species, quickly lowers blood alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations in an alcohol and acetaldehyde dehydrogenasedependent manner. Furthermore, the serum alanine aminotransferase activity, which is indicative of liver damage, was significantly lower in the ProAP4 group than in the control group. The present findings suggest that ProAP4 may be an effective means of limiting alcohol-induced liver damage.

Effects of Storage Temperature and Media/Buffer for SARS-CoV-2 Nucleic Acid Detection.

OBJECTIVES: The increase in the number of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has delayed real-time reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), requiring proper shipping and storage conditions, especially in hot weather. This study aims to assess how some conditions, such as storage period, temperature, media or buffer, and sample types, affect the results of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RT-qPCR. METHODS: SARS-CoV-2-positive specimens were collected from Boramae Medical Center for 2 months (from May to June 2020) and stored in different media or buffers at different temperatures. RESULTS: As a result of examining confirmed patient samples, RT-qPCR results were not significantly affected by 2°C to 8°C storage until after 7 days. When stored at 20°C to 22°C or above 35°C, the results were affected negatively even after 1 day. Higher storage temperatures resulted in a lower probability of detecting viral nucleic acids because of degradation. Samples stored in pH-controlled media or buffer were more stable than those stored in nonbuffer states. CONCLUSIONS: These results emphasize the importance of storage temperature and media or buffer and performing RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection as soon as possible after sample collection.