Commuting paradox of the technopole Newtown: A case study in the Seoul Metropolitan Area.

This study examines the relationship between different types of new town development and their impact on commuting patterns. It provides an empirical analysis of how development in Technopole Newtown and Residential Newtown influences commuting time and distance. Technopole Newtown is characterized by a blend of technological institutional clusters and residential development, while Residential Newtown primarily emphasizes residential development. Seoul Metropolitan Area was chosen as the case study, with data sourced from the Household Travel Survey. This study reveals a surprising commuting paradox in Technopole Newtown, where the plan was to blend job opportunities with residential development. The findings indicate that commuters did not benefit. Instead, they endured longer commutes in both time and distance compared to those in Residential Newtown, which is typically characterized as a bedroom community. The integration of job opportunities for the development of new towns should be considered a crucial factor in creating urban sustainability in the future.

Effect of COVID-19 response work experience on turnover intention among employees of dedicated COVID-19 hospitals in Seoul.

BACKGROUND: According to previous studies, stress and job burnout among medical personnel increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study analyzed the effect of the experience of COVID-19 response work on the intention of municipal hospital staffs to leave their workplaces during the pandemic. METHODS: The 3556 employees who had worked for more than 1 year at one of the eight Seoul Municipal Hospitals that either provided inpatient treatment for quarantined COVID-19 patients or operated as screening clinics were taken as the study population. In total, 1227 employees completed a web or mobile survey between October 21 and November 18, 2020. A chi-squared test was performed to confirm the difference in the distribution of turnover intention depending on whether the employees performed COVID-19 response tasks. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the factors that affected the intention to leave. RESULTS: Of the 1227 respondents, 761 (62.0%) were frontline workers who were the first line of response to COVID-19. Experience with COVID-19 response tasks (OR = 1.59, p = 0.003) was significantly associated with the intention to leave. Additionally, the probability of turnover intention was significantly higher among workers aged 20-29 years (OR = 2.11, p = 0.038) and 40-49 years (OR = 1.57, p = 0.048), unmarried individuals (OR = 1.66, p = 0.005), doctors (OR = 2.41, p = 0.010), nurses (OR = 1.59, p = 0.036), and technical staff members (OR = 2.22, p = 0.009). High turnover intention was found among those who experienced high levels of burnout (OR = 2.03, p < 0.001) and those working in non-directly managed municipal hospitals (OR = 1.87, p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Employees directly involved in COVID-19 response work displayed higher turnover intention. Various personal, job, and organizational factors significantly influenced employees' intentions to leave their positions in dedicated COVID-19 hospitals. These findings suggest the necessity of introducing management programs to aid workers who have experienced sudden changes in their duties and loss of autonomy while performing COVID-19 response tasks.

Microbiome of lovebug (Plecia longiforceps) in Seoul, South Korea.

Lovebugs appeared in large numbers across a wide area in Seoul, South Korea, in June 2023. The sudden appearance of exotic insects not only discomforts people but also fosters anxiety, as their potential for pathogen transmission would be unknown. In this study, targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of the 16S rRNA gene V4 region was performed using iSeq 100 to screen for bacteria in lovebugs. Forty-one lovebugs (20 females and 21 males) collected in Seoul, Korea, were identified as Plecia longiforceps based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 sequencing data using PCR. We analyzed the microbiome of the lovebugs and detected 453 species of bacteria. Among all bacteria screened based on NGS, Rickettsia was detected in all samples with an average relative abundance of 80.40%, followed by Pandoraea and Ewingella. Diversity (alpha and beta) between females and males did not differ; however, only Tumebacillus showed a higher relative abundance in females. Sequencing analysis of Rickettsia using a gltA gene-specific primer by PCR showed that it had higher sequence similarity to the Rickettsia symbiont of arthropods than to the spotted fever group rickettsiae. Eleven samples in which Pandoraea was detected by iSeq 100 were confirmed by PCR and exhibited 100% sequence identity to Pandoraea oxalativorans strain DSM 23570. Consequently, the likelihood of pathogen transmission to humans is low. The applied method may play a crucial role in swiftly identifying bacterial species in the event of future outbreaks of exotic insects that may be harmful to humans.IMPORTANCELovebugs have recently emerged in large numbers in Seoul, causing major concern regarding potential health risks. By performing the next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene V4 region, we comprehensively examined the microbiome of these insects. We identified the presence of numerous bacteria, including Rickettsia and Pandoraea. Reassuringly, subsequent tests confirmed that these detected bacteria were not pathogenic. The present study addresses health concerns related to lovebugs and shows the accuracy and efficiency of our detection technique. Such methods prove invaluable for rapidly identifying bacterial species during potential outbreaks of unfamiliar insects, thereby ensuring public safety.

Residential mobility according to health status in South Korea's largest metropolitan city during the COVID-19 pandemic using generalized estimating equations for longitudinal data.

This study examines whether residential mobility differed according to health status in Seoul, the largest metropolitan city in South Korea, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, people who moved had better health status in the baseline year than those who did not. However, during the pandemic, the residential mobility of people with poor health status increased, particularly in 2019-2020. This pattern appeared to be driven by the 55-74 age group. The effect of health status on residential mobility was not attenuated, even after adjusting for covariates at multiple levels.

Impact of terephthalic acid emissions from intensive nocturnal biomass incineration on oxidative potential in Seoul, South Korea.

This study investigated the impact of large-scale incineration facilities on PM2.5 levels in Seoul during winter. Due to the challenge of obtaining accurate combustion data from external sources, heat supply records were used as a proxy for combustion activity. To assess health risks, dithiothreitol-oxidative potential (DTT-OP) was analyzed to identify potential hazards to human health. By comparing DTT-OP with PM2.5 sources related to combustion, the study aimed to understand the impact of local pollution sources on human health in Seoul. The diurnal analysis showed that oxidative potential (0.19 µM/m3) and the biomass burning factor (5.53 µg/m3) peaked between 4:00 and 8:00 AM, with lower levels observed from 12:00 to 20:00. A significant correlation was found between combustion sources and oxidative potential, with a high correlation coefficient (r2 = 0.92). The presence of terephthalic acid (TPA) in the Cellulose combustion source profile, which is produced by the pyrolysis of plastics like polyester fiber and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), further supported the link to emissions from incineration facilities. These findings suggest that the biomass burning source is strongly correlated with DTT-OP, indicating a significant association with health risks among various local sources of PM2.5 in Seoul.

Effects of chemical composition of ambient PM2.5 measured in Seoul on potential health risks and generation of reactive oxygen species.

This study assesses the health effects associated with the chemical species of ambient particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5) in Seoul, focusing on identifying key chemical constituents and their sources. We employed two approaches to estimate health risks: (1) evaluating carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks using IRIS (Integrated Risk Information System) data from the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), and (2) quantifying the generation of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) following exposure to PM2.5 in surrogate lung fluid (SLF). Our results show a significant impact on human health from certain elements (Cr, Ni, As, and Cd) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (DaeP, DahA, and BaP for carcinogenic risks; BaP and BeP for noncarcinogenic risks). Notably, Cr and BaP, which are influential in both risk assessment and ·OH generation, highlight their significant roles in human health impacts. However, other components (e.g., CPP, BaP, BghiP, BaA, CHR, PYR, FLT, Ca, Mg, and Cu), though contributors to ·OH generation, were not included in the EPA's health risk assessment, suggesting a need for a broader PM2.5 compositional analysis to more accurately determine exposure concentrations and assess inhalation risks. These components predominantly originate from anthropogenic sources, such as combustion, vehicles, and industrial activities, underscoring the significant health implications of the pollutants emitted from these sources. The study concluded that focusing solely on the mass reduction of PM2.5 may not suffice; a dual approach that reduces both mass concentration and chemical-specific health risks is imperative for effective public health protection.

Characteristics of Using Oriental Medicine Clinics during the Japanese Occupation: An Analysis of the 1931 Seoul Bochun Clinic Account Book.

This article analyzes the "account book" of Kim Young-hoon (1882-1974), which summarizes information about patients at his Bochun Clinic in Seoul (then Gyeongseong) in 1931. Kim Young-hoon was a pivotal figure in the medical scene throughout the Korean Empire, the Japanese occupation, and the early years of the Republic of Korea. He left behind a large amount of documentation during his 60 years of practice at the Bochun Clinic, which he opened in the spring of 1909. In particular, the 1931 "account book" offers an insight into the daily life histories of his patients. Among the patient-visitors recorded in the account book, there were many influential people of the time, ranging from privileged individuals to anti-Japanese independence activists, from those in political and economic fields to those in academic and entertainment fields. At the same time, a significant number of lower-class people also visited the Clinic. Geographically, patients were centered in the city center of the capital, Gyeongseong, but were also widely distributed throughout the country. There are indications that those from the rural areas stayed in the homes of their acquaintances in Seoul. As such, the account book provides a tangible, concrete picture of the clinic's management for the year 1931, including visitor demographics, visiting diagnoses, telephone consultations, and the total cost of medicinal prescriptions. Because the account book is a one-year statistic, it has its limitations; however, it is the smallest unit that can be analyzed statistically. It provides insights into how many people came in over the course of a year and how much they spent. The expenditures are kept per individual family. The patient's name, prescribed medication, and the price of the medicine are mandatorily included, and in many cases, the place of residence and family relationships are also noted. The account book shows several layers of householders, servants, and employees in the extended family; it also shows people in various occupations. A few privileged families accounted for nearly half of the total expenditures, and the powerful visited frequently, utilizing Oriental medicine for many of their daily needs. For some, the Bochun Clinic is reminiscent of the royal temples of the dynasties. Patients come from the center and suburbs of Seoul, as well as from all over the country. In one year, more than one thousand types of prescriptions are issued and the total cost of medicines is about 33 seom (≒180 liters of rice). Although there is a concentration of high-frequency prescriptions, more than a thousand prescriptions are prescribed only once, which shows that the practice is specialized for each individual. Patient visits, consultations, and telephone use are observed, and the use of new drugs, quinine, and special ginseng as one-herb medication (danbang) are also noticeable. The statistical analysis of the 1931 Bochun Clinic "account book" can serve as a milestone for comparative analysis of the patterns of herbal medicine use before and after that year. Meanwhile, the Bochun Clinic "account book" shows the continuation of traditional practices of herbal medicine by both the powerful and the masses. On the one hand, Koreans responded to the coercive tide of modernity symbolized by the Imperial Governorate of Japan, but on the other hand, they were unwilling to let go of tradition and their own authority. While actively embracing the tide of civilization, Koreans also internalized their own rationality and sought to open a new path forward, a sentiment discernible between the lines of the "account book."

The April Revolution and the Sense of Place in Medical Space: Focusing on Major Hospitals in Downtown Seoul.

This article focuses on the medical activities conducted by major hospitals in downtown Seoul during the April Revolution in 1960, examining their experiential context and significance. The influx of guns and bullets into Korean society following the liberation in 1945 intertwined with the political and social conflicts of the period, resulting in numerous assassinations, crimes, and terrorism. Gunshot wounds were traumas that became a part of the everyday life of Koreans, as well as scars which reflected their historical contexts. At the same time, the frequent occurrence of gunshot wounds led to the development of medical capacities to treat them. The Korean surgical academia expanded its technical foundation with experiences during and after the Korean War. This progress was particularly noticeable in areas closely related to gunshot wounds, such as craniotomy, thoracotomy, vascular anastomosis, debridement, anesthesia, and blood transfusion. Major hospitals in downtown Seoul served as medical spaces where these experimental and technical foundations were concentrated, allowing them to minimize the death toll despite the massive gunfire by the National Police in April 1960. Thus, the aftermath of the epidemic of gunshots resulted in a rather paradoxical outcome. This development became a resource for doctors and nurses, who added their revolutionary implications in reconstructing the experience of April 1960 in their various memoirs and reports. While memoirs reorganized general medical activities, portraying injured patients as participants in the revolution, reports provided forensic descriptions and interpretations of the deaths, giving authority to the main narrative of the revolution. As the interpretations and significance based on historical contexts gained prominence, major hospitals in downtown Seoul also developed a sense of place closely associated with the revolution.

Interactions between physical activity and psychological factors in the association with the risk of lean type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: The extent to which physical activity and psychological factors may affect the risk of diabetes mellitus among lean individuals remains unclear.Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the associations of total physical activity (TPA) and psychological factors with lean type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk.Research Design: A prospective cohort study.Study Sample: The study population included 1,945 Korean adults who maintained a body mass index <23 kg/m2.Data Collection and Analysis: Baseline data on TPA and psychological factors were collected and T2DM incidence was assessed for 10 years. For analysis, a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was used.Results: TPA was inversely associated with T2DM risk and this association was more pronounced in participants who were depressed or distressed; the top TPA quartile exhibited significant reductions in T2DM risk of 66% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.15, 0.78) and 65% (95% CI: 0.14, 0.88) among participants who reported depressed mood and those who perceived high distress, respectively, compared with the bottom TPA quartile.Conclusions: The current study demonstrated the preventive effects of physical activity on T2DM in lean adults through its interaction with psychological factors.

The 2018 Heat Wave's Impact on the Mortality of Older People in Seoul, South Korea.

Few studies on social welfare in South Korea have examined the effects of climate change, especially heat waves on vulnerable populations. The present study aims to investigate how heat waves affect vulnerable populations. This study utilized a cross-sectional study design, using the daily heat index and heat-related mortality data for Seoul, South Korea, in summer 2018. The research used micro-raw data of deaths caused by hypertensive, ischemic heart, and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as heat index data. An effect was observed for the heat index on mortality for individuals over 65 years of age, men, people with spouses, and those ages 75-79 years.

Temporal dynamics of public transportation ridership in Seoul before, during, and after COVID-19 from urban resilience perspective.

We delve into the temporal dynamics of public transportation (PT) ridership in Seoul, South Korea, navigating the periods before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic through a spatial difference-in-difference model (SDID). Rooted in urban resilience theory, the study employs micro-level public transportation card data spanning January 2019 to December 2023. Major findings indicate a substantial ridership decline during the severe COVID impact phase, followed by a period in the stable and post-COVID phases. Specifically, compared to the pre-COVID phase, PT ridership experienced a 32.1% decrease in Severe, followed by a reduced magnitude of 21.8% in Stable and 13.5% in post-COVID phase. Interestingly, the observed decrease implies a certain level of adaptability, preventing a complete collapse. Also, contrasting with findings in previous literature, our study reveals a less severe impact, with reductions ranging from 27.0 to 34.9%. Moreover, while the ridership in the post-COVID phase exhibits recovery, the ratio (Post/Pre) staying below 1.0 suggests that the system has not fully returned to its pre-pandemic state. This study contributes to the urban resilience discourse, illustrating how PT system adjusts to COVID, offering insights for transportation planning.

The impact of bioaerosol trajectories on microbial community assembly and physicochemical dynamics in the atmosphere.

This study explored the assembly mechanisms and physicochemical dynamics of microbial communities within atmospheric bioaerosols, focusing on the influence of different aerial trajectories. Over two years, samples near Seoul were classified into 'North', 'Southwest', and 'Others' categories based on their aerial trajectories. Physicochemical analysis of the PM2.5 particles revealed distinct ion compositions for each cluster, reflecting diverse environmental influences. Microbial community analysis revealed that shared dominant bacterial phyla were present in all clusters. However, distinct taxonomic profiles and biomarkers were also evident, such as coastal bacteria in the 'Southwest' cluster correlating with wind speed, and arid soil-originated bacteria in the 'North' cluster correlating with cations. These findings demonstrate that biomarkers in each cluster are representative of the distinct environments associated with their aerial trajectories. Notably, cluster 'Southwest' the highest microbial diversity and a strong alignment with the neutral community model, suggesting a large influence of passive dispersal from marine environments. Contrarily, 'North' and 'Others' were more influenced by niche-dependent factors. This study highlights the complex interplay between environmental factors and microbial dynamics in bioaerosols and provides important insights for environmental monitoring and public health risk assessment.

Exploring the impact of pandemic fear on visitation to park attractions in urban city: A case study in Seoul, South Korea.

This research explores changes in perceptions and utilization of parks during the COVID-19 pandemic in Seoul, South Korea. It investigates the relationship between fear of the pandemic and individuals' opinions about open spaces and their visiting decisions. The study surveyed 600 adults from February 22-23, 2022, and used structural equation modeling to analyze the data. The findings revealed that increased fear of the pandemic led to more positive park sentiments, resulting in higher park visits and fewer visits to other public spaces. The research highlights the significance of parks during the COVID-19 pandemic and how people's perceptions were influenced by their pandemic-related fear.

The associations between maternal and fetal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and asymmetric fetal growth restriction: a prospective cohort study.

Recent evidence has revealed associations between endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and placental insufficiency due to altered placental growth, syncytialization, and trophoblast invasion. However, no epidemiologic study has reported associations between exposure to EDCs and asymmetric fetal growth restriction (FGR) caused by placenta insufficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between EDC exposure and asymmetric FGR. This was a prospective cohort study including women admitted for delivery to the Maternal Fetal Center at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital between October 2021 and October 2022. Maternal urine and cord blood samples were collected, and the levels of bisphenol-A (BPA), monoethyl phthalates, and perfluorooctanoic acid in each specimen were analyzed. We investigated linear and non-linear associations between the levels of EDCs and fetal growth parameters, including the head circumference (HC)/abdominal circumference (AC) ratio as an asymmetric parameter. The levels of EDCs were compared between fetuses with and without asymmetric FGR. Of the EDCs, only the fetal levels of BPA showed a linear association with the HC/AC ratio after adjusting for confounding variables (ß = 0.003, p < 0.05). When comparing the normal growth and asymmetric FGR groups, the asymmetric FGR group showed significantly higher maternal and fetal BPA levels compared to the normal growth group (maternal urine BPA, 3.99 µg/g creatinine vs. 1.71 µg/g creatinine [p < 0.05]; cord blood BPA, 1.96 µg/L vs. -0.86 µg/L [p < 0.05]). In conclusion, fetal exposure levels of BPA show linear associations with asymmetric fetal growth patterns. High maternal and fetal exposure to BPA might be associated with asymmetric FGR.

Ambient volatile organic compounds in the Seoul metropolitan area of South Korea: Chemical reactivity, risks and source apportionment.

The chemical reactivity, contribution of emission sources, and risk assessment of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere of the Seoul metropolitan area (SMA) were analyzed. Datasets collected from 6 photochemical assessment monitoring stations (PAMS) of SMA from 2018 to 2021 were used. Alkenes and aromatics contributed significantly to ozone formation relative to the emission concentrations, and aromatics accounted for most of the secondary organic aerosols (SOA) formation in the SMA. The contributions of ozone and SOA formation were found to be notably higher at measurement stations in residential areas such as Guwol (GW) and Sosabon (SS) compared to other measurement stations. From the results of an emission source analysis, it was confirmed that anthropogenic sources such as combustion sources, vehicle exhaust, fuel evaporation, and solvent use had a significant effect at all measurement stations. Assessing the health risk, non-carcinogenic compounds were at acceptable level at all measurement stations. On the other hand, carcinogenic compounds were approaching risk level (10-4), thereby demanding immediate attention. The level of exposure to carcinogenic compounds increased by age group, and male was more vulnerable than female. It was found that SS had the highest level of exposure to carcinogens in the atmosphere of the population ages 60 or older. The health threat of the SMA population is expected due to direct exposure from inhalation of ambient toxic compounds and indirect exposure from ozone and PM2.5 formations through oxidation of VOCs. This study emphasizes the importance of addressing specific emission sources within the metropolitan area and developing comprehensive regional strategies to mitigate VOCs.

Species-specific responses during Seoul orthohantavirus infection in human and rat lung microvascular endothelial cells.

Seoul orthohantavirus (SEOV) is a rat-borne zoonotic virus that is transmitted via inhalation of aerosolized infectious excreta, and can cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in humans worldwide. In rats, SEOV predominantly exists as a persistent infection in the absence of overt clinical signs. Lack of disease in rats is attributed to downregulation of pro-inflammatory and upregulation of regulatory host responses. As lung microvascular endothelial cells (LMECs) represent a primary target of infection in both human and rats, infections in these cells provide a unique opportunity to study the central role of LMECs in the dichotomy between pathogenicity in both species. In this study, host responses to SEOV infection in primary human and rat LMECs were directly compared on a transcriptional level. As infection of rat LMECs was more efficient than human LMECs, the majority of anti-viral defense responses were observed earlier in rat LMECs. Most prominently, SEOV-induced processes in both species included responses to cytokine stimulus, negative regulation of innate immune responses, responses to type I and II interferons, regulation of pattern recognition receptor signaling and MHC-I signaling. However, over time, in the rat LMECs, responses shifted from an anti-viral state towards a more immunotolerant state displayed by a PD-L1, B2M-, JAK2-focused interaction network aiding in negative regulation of cytotoxic CD8-positive T cell activation. This suggests a novel mechanism by which species-specific orthohantavirus-induced endothelium and T cell crosstalk may play a crucial role in the development of acute disease in humans and persistence in rodents.

Autoimmune adverse event following COVID-19 vaccination in Seoul, South Korea.

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination can affect the regulation of the immune system, leading to the development of autoimmune diseases. However, the autoimmune adverse events (AEs) after COVID-19 vaccination remain largely unclear. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the autoimmune AEs after COVID-19 vaccination from a population-based cohort in South Korea. METHODS: A total of 4,203,887 participants, representing 50% of the population residing in Seoul, were recruited from the National Health Insurance Service database and then divided into 2 groups on the basis of COVID-19 vaccination. The cumulative incidence, hazard ratios (HRs), and 95% CIs of autoimmune AEs were assessed following COVID-19 vaccination. RESULTS: The incidence of vitiligo has been observed to be significantly higher in the vaccination group compared with the no vaccination group. The cumulative incidence of vitiligo began to show a significant difference starting 2 weeks after vaccination, and it reached 2.2% in the vaccination group and 0.6% in the no vaccination group by 3 months after COVID-19 vaccination. Vitiligo (HR, 2.714; 95% CI, 1.777-4.146) was an increased risk among autoimmune AEs. Furthermore, the risk of vitiligo was the highest for heterologous vaccination (HR, 3.890; 95% CI, 2.303-6.573) compared with using cDNA vaccine (HR, 2.861; 95% CI, 1.838-4.453) or mRNA vaccine (HR, 2.475; 95% CI, 1.607-3.813). CONCLUSIONS: Vitiligo as an autoimmune AE was noted to be substantially higher in the COVID-19-vaccinated group compared with the controls. Therefore, the occurrence of vitiligo could be considered as one of the significant AEs post-COVID-19 vaccination.

The impact of discontinuing single-room isolation of patients with vancomycin-resistant enterococci: a quasi-experimental single-centre study in South Korea.

OBJECTIVES: There is limited data on the effects of discontinuing single-room isolation while maintaining contact precautions, such as the use of gowns and gloves. In April 2021, our hospital ceased single-room isolation for patients with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) because of single-room unavailability. This study assessed the impact of this policy by examining the incidence of hospital-acquired VRE bloodstream infections (HA-VRE BSI). METHODS: This retrospective quasi-experimental study was conducted at a tertiary-care hospital in Seoul, South Korea. Time-series analysis was used to evaluate HA-VRE BSI incidence at the hospital level and in the haematology unit before (phase 1) and after (phase 2) the policy change. RESULTS: At the hospital level, HA-VRE BSI incidence level (VRE BSI per 1000 patient-days per month) and trend did not change significantly between phase 1 and phase 2 (coefficient -0.015, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.053 to 0.023, P=0.45 and 0.000, 95% CI: -0.002 to 0.002, P=0.84, respectively). Similarly, HA-VRE BSI incidence level and trend in the haematology unit (-0.285, 95% CI: -0.618 to 0.048, P=0.09 and -0.018, 95% CI: -0.036 to 0.000, P = 0.054, respectively) did not change significantly across the two phases. CONCLUSIONS: Discontinuing single-room isolation of VRE-colonized or infected patients was not associated with an increase in the incidence of VRE BSI at the hospital level or among high-risk patients in the haematology unit. Horizontal intervention for multi-drug-resistant organisms, including measures such as enhanced hand hygiene and environmental cleaning, may be more effective at preventing VRE transmission.

The composition of the bacterial communities collected from the PM10 samples inside the Seoul subway and railway station.

Health implications of indoor air quality (IAQ) have drawn more attention since the COVID epidemic. There are many different kinds of studies done on how IAQ affects people's well-being. There hasn't been much research that looks at the microbiological composition of the aerosol in subway transit systems. In this work, for the first time, we examined the aerosol bacterial abundance, diversity, and composition in the microbiome of the Seoul subway and train stations using DNA isolated from the PM10 samples from each station (three subway and two KTX stations). The average PM10 mass concentration collected on the respective platform was 41.862 µg/m3, with the highest average value of 45.95 µg/m3 and the lowest of 39.25 µg/m3. The bacterial microbiomes mainly constituted bacterial species of soil and environmental origin (e.g., Acinetobacter, Brevundimonas, Lysinibacillus, Clostridiodes) with fewer from human sources (Flaviflexus, Staphylococcus). This study highlights the relationship between microbiome diversity and PM10 mass concentration contributed by outdoor air and commuters in South Korea's subway and train stations. This study gives insights into the microbiome diversity, the source, and the susceptibility of public transports in disease spreading.

Implications of PM2.5 chemical composition in modulating microbial community dynamics during spring in Seoul.

Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 µm or less (PM2.5) harbors a diverse microbial community. To assess the ecological dynamics and potential health risks associated with airborne microorganisms, it is crucial to understand the factors influencing microbial communities within PM2.5. This study investigated the influence of abiotic parameters, including air pollutants, PM2.5 chemical composition (water-soluble ions and organics), and meteorological variables, on microbial communities in PM2.5 samples collected in Seoul during the spring season. Results revealed a significant correlation between air pollutants and water-soluble ions of PM2.5 with microbial α-diversity indices. Additionally, air pollutants exerted a dominant effect on the microbial community structure, with stronger correlations observed for fungi than bacteria, whereas meteorological variables including temperature, pressure, wind speed, and humidity exerted a limited influence on fungal α-diversity. Furthermore, the results revealed specific water-soluble ions, such as SO42-, NO3-, and NH4+, as important factors influencing fungal α-diversity, whereas K+ negatively correlated with both microbial α-diversity. Moreover, PM2.5 microbial diversity was affected by organic compounds within PM2.5, with fatty acids exhibited a positive correlation with fungal diversity, while dicarboxylic acids exhibited a negative correlation with it. Furthermore, network analysis revealed direct links between air pollutants and dominant bacterial and fungal genera. The air pollutants exhibited a strong correlation with bacterial genera, such as Arthrospira and Clostridium, and fungal genera, including Aureobasidium and Cladosporium. These results will contribute to our understanding of the ecological dynamics of airborne microorganisms and provide insights into the potential risks associated with PM2.5 exposure.