Prevalence and Characteristics of Tuberculosis in the Korean Homeless Population Based on Nationwide Tuberculosis Screening.

Background: The government of Korea implemented a strategy of prevention and early diagnosis in high-risk groups to reduce the tuberculosis (TB) burden. This study aims to investigate the TB epidemiology and gap in understanding of TB prevalence among homeless individuals by analyzing active TB chest X-ray (CXR) screening results in Korea. Methods: The Korean National Tuberculosis Association conducted active TB screening with CXR for homeless groups from January 1 to December 31, 2021. Sputum acid fast bacilli smear and culture were performed for the subjects suggestive of TB on CXR. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the data in comparison with the national health screening results from the general population. Results: Among 17,713 homeless persons, 40 (0.23%), 3,077 (17.37%), and 79 (0.45%) were categorized as suggested TB, inactive TB, and observation required, respectively. Prevalence of suggested TB in the homeless was significantly higher (3-5 fold) than in the national general health screening based on age category (p < 0.005). Twenty-nine cases were confirmed as TB, yielding a prevalence of 164 cases per 100,000 individuals; 19 of these 29 cases showed inactive TB on CXR. Body mass index (p = 0.0478) and CXR result (p < 0.001) significantly correlated with confirmed TB based on multivariable analysis. Conclusion: Nutrition status and CXR results, especially that of inactive TB, should be considered in active TB screening of the homeless population, where TB prevalence is higher than the general population.

Investigation of Effect of Platinum Nanoparticle Shape on Oxygen Transport in PEMFC Catalyst Layer Using Molecular Dynamics Simulation.

For the widespread adoption of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, it is compelling to investigate the influence of the Pt nanoparticle shapes on the electrocatalytic activity. In this study, a catalyst layer was modeled by incorporating four types of Pt nanoparticles: tetrahedron, cube, octahedron, and truncated octahedron, to investigate the relationship between the shapes of the nanoparticles and their impact on the oxygen transport properties using molecular dynamics simulations. The results of our study reveal that the free volume, which has a substantial impact on the oxygen transport properties, exhibited higher values in the sequence of the tetrahedron, cube, octahedron, and truncated octahedron model. The difference in free volume following the formation of less dense ionomers was also related to the surface adsorption of Pt nanoparticles. Consequently, this led to an improved facilitation of oxygen transport. To clarify the dependence of the oxygen transport on the shape of the Pt nanoparticles in detail, we analyzed the structural properties of different Pt shapes by dividing the Pt nanoparticle regions into corners, edges, and facets. Examination of the structural properties showed that the structure of the ionomer depended not only on the shape of the Pt nanoparticles but also on the number of corners and edges in the upper and side regions of the Pt nanoparticles.

Emission of floral volatiles is facilitated by cell-wall non-specific lipid transfer proteins.

For volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to be released from the plant cell into the atmosphere, they have to cross the plasma membrane, the cell wall, and the cuticle. However, how these hydrophobic compounds cross the hydrophilic cell wall is largely unknown. Using biochemical and reverse-genetic approaches combined with mathematical simulation, we show that cell-wall localized non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) facilitate VOC emission. Out of three highly expressed nsLTPs in petunia petals, which emit high levels of phenylpropanoid/benzenoid compounds, only PhnsLTP3 contributes to the VOC export across the cell wall to the cuticle. A decrease in PhnsLTP3 expression reduces volatile emission and leads to VOC redistribution with less VOCs reaching the cuticle without affecting their total pools. This intracellular build-up of VOCs lowers their biosynthesis by feedback downregulation of phenylalanine precursor supply to prevent self-intoxication. Overall, these results demonstrate that nsLTPs are intrinsic members of the VOC emission network, which facilitate VOC diffusion across the cell wall.

Radioprotection of deinococcal exopolysaccharide BRD125 by regenerating hematopoietic stem cells.

There is a substantial need for the development of biomaterials for protecting hematopoietic stem cells and enhancing hematopoiesis after radiation damage. Bacterial exopolysaccharide (EPS) has been shown to be very attractive to researchers as a radioprotectant owing to its high antioxidant, anti-cancer, and limited adverse effects. In the present study, we isolated EPS from a novel strain, Deinococcus radiodurans BRD125, which produces EPS in high abundance, and investigated its applicability as a radioprotective biomaterial. We found that EPS isolated from EPS-rich D. radiodurans BRD125 (DeinoPol-BRD125) had an excellent free-radical scavenging effect and reduced irradiation-induced apoptosis. In addition, bone-marrow and spleen-cell apoptosis in irradiated mice were significantly reduced by DeinoPol-BRD125 administration. DeinoPol-BRD125 enhanced the expression of hematopoiesis-related cytokines such as GM-CSF, G-GSF, M-CSF, and SCF, thereby enhancing hematopoietic stem cells protection and regeneration. Taken together, our findings are the first to report the immunological mechanism of a novel radioprotectant, DeinoPol-BRD125, which might constitute an ideal radioprotective and radiation mitigating agent as a supplement drug during radiotherapy.

Deinococcus taeanensis sp. nov., a Radiation-Resistant Bacterium Isolated from a Coastal Dune.

A Gram-stain-negative, nonspore-forming, nonmotile, aerobic, rod-shaped, and very pale orange-colored bacterial strain, designated TS293T, was isolated from a sand sample obtained from a coastal dune after exposure to 3kGy of gamma (γ)-radiation. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the isolate was a member of the genus Deinococcus and clustered with D. deserti VCD115T. The genome of strain TS293T was 4.62 Mbp long (68.2% G + C content and 4124 predicted genes) divided into a 2.86Mb main chromosome and five plasmids. Many genes considered to be important to the γ-radiation and oxidative stress resistance of Deinococcus were conserved in TS293T, but genome features that could differentiate TS293T from D. deserti and D. radiodurans, the type species of the Deinococcus genus, were also detected. Strain TS293T showed resistance to γ-radiation with D10 values (i.e., the dose required to reduce the bacterial population by tenfold) of 3.1kGy. The predominant fatty acids of strain TS293T were summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7c) and iso-C16:0. The major polar lipids were two unidentified phosphoglycolipids and one unidentified glycolipid. The main respiratory quinone was menaquinone-8. Based on the phylogenetic, genomic, physiological, and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain TS293T represents a novel species, for which the name Deinococcus taeanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TS293T (= KCTC 43191T = JCM 34027T).

Predicting the Properties of High-Performance Epoxy Resin by Machine Learning Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

Epoxy resin is an of the most widely used adhesives for various applications owing to its outstanding properties. The performance of epoxy systems varies significantly depending on the composition of the base resin and curing agent. However, there are limitations in exploring numerous formulations of epoxy resins to optimize adhesive properties because of the expense and time-consuming nature of the trial-and-error process. Herein, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and machine learning (ML) methods were used to overcome these challenges and predict the adhesive properties of epoxy resin. Datasets for diverse epoxy adhesive formulations were constructed by considering the degree of crosslinking, density, free volume, cohesive energy density, modulus, and glass transition temperature. A linear correlation analysis demonstrated that the content of the curing agents, especially dicyandiamide (DICY), had the greatest correlation with the cohesive energy density. Moreover, the content of tetraglycidyl methylene dianiline (TGMDA) had the highest correlation with the modulus, and the content of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) had the highest correlation with the glass transition temperature. An optimized artificial neural network (ANN) model was constructed using test sets divided from MD datasets through error and linear regression analyses. The root mean square error (RMSE) and correlation coefficient (R2) showed the potential of each model in predicting epoxy properties, with high linear correlations (0.835-0.986). This technique can be extended for optimizing the composition of other epoxy resin systems.

Deinococcus radiodurans R1 Lysate Induces Tolerogenic Maturation in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Dendritic Cells and Protects Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice.

Deinococcus radiodurans is an extremophilic bacterium that can thrive in harsh environments. This property can be attributed to its unique metabolites that possess strong antioxidants and other pharmacological properties. To determine the potential of D. radiodurans R1 lysate (DeinoLys) as a pharmacological candidate for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of DeinoLys in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and a colitis mice model. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BMDCs treated with DeinoLys exhibited alterations in their phenotypic and functional properties by changing into tolerogenic DCs, including strongly inhibited proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-12p70) and surface molecule expression and activated DC-induced T cell proliferation/activation with high IL-10 production. These phenotypic and functional changes in BMDCs induced by DeinoLys in the presence of LPS were abrogated by IL-10 neutralization. Furthermore, oral administration of DeinoLys significantly reduced clinical symptoms against dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis, including body weight loss, disease activity index, histological severity in colon tissue, and lower myeloperoxidase level in mice. Our results establish DeinoLys as a potential anti-inflammatory candidate for IBD therapy.

E3 ligase AtAIRP5/GARU regulates drought stress response by stimulating SERINE CARBOXYPEPTIDASE-LIKE1 turnover.

Ubiquitination is a major mechanism of eukaryotic posttranslational protein turnover that has been implicated in abscisic acid (ABA)-mediated drought stress response. Here, we isolated T-DNA insertion mutant lines in which ABA-insensitive RING protein 5 (AtAIRP5) was suppressed, resulting in hyposensitive ABA-mediated germination compared to wild-type Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants. A homology search revealed that AtAIRP5 is identical to gibberellin (GA) receptor RING E3 ubiquitin (Ub) ligase (GARU), which downregulates GA signaling by degrading the GA receptor GID1, and thus AtAIRP5 was renamed AtAIRP5/GARU. The atairp5/garu knockout progeny were impaired in ABA-dependent stomatal closure and were markedly more susceptible to drought stress than wild-type plants, indicating a positive role for AtAIRP5/GARU in the ABA-mediated drought stress response. Yeast two-hybrid, pull-down, target ubiquitination, and in vitro and in planta degradation assays identified serine carboxypeptidase-like1 (AtSCPL1), which belongs to the clade 1A AtSCPL family, as a ubiquitinated target protein of AtAIRP5/GARU. atscpl1 single and atairp5/garu-1 atscpl1-2 double mutant plants were more tolerant to drought stress than wild-type plants in an ABA-dependent manner, suggesting that AtSCPL1 is genetically downstream of AtAIRP5/GARU. After drought treatment, the endogenous ABA levels in atscpl1 and atairp5/garu-1 atscpl1-2 mutant leaves were higher than those in wild-type and atairp5/garu leaves. Overall, our results suggest that AtAIRP5/GARU RING E3 Ub ligase functions as a positive regulator of the ABA-mediated drought response by promoting the degradation of AtSCPL1.

Immunomodulatory Activity of Extracellular Vesicles of Kimchi-Derived Lactic Acid Bacteria (Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Latilactobacillus curvatus, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum).

Lactic acid bacteria present in Kimchi, such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides (Lm), Latilactobacillus curvatus (Lc), and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Lp) produce extracellular vesicles (ECVs) that modulate immune responses. The ECVs of probiotic Kimchi bacteria are abbreviated as LmV, LcV, and LpV. Treatment of macrophages (RAW264.7) with ECVs (LmV, LcV, and LpV) increased the production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Immunostimulatory effects exerted on the RAW264.7 cells were stronger after treatments with LmV and LcV than with LpV. Treatment of mice with LcV (1 mg/kg, orally) induced splenocyte proliferation and subsequent production of both NO and cytokines (INF-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, and IL-10). Furthermore, pre-treatment of macrophages and microglial cells with ECVs prior to LPS stimulation significantly attenuated the production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6). Therefore, ECVs (LmV, LcV, and LpV) prevent inflammatory responses in the LPS-stimulated microglial cells by blocking the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) and p38 signaling pathways. These results showed that LmV, LcV, and LpV from Kimchi probiotic bacteria safely exert immunomodulatory effects.

Antibiotic resistance in shellfish and major inland pollution sources in the drainage basin of Kamak Bay, Republic of Korea.

Shellfish-growing areas in marine environments are affected by pollutants that mainly originate from land, including streams, domestic wastewater, and the effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), which may function as reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs). The objective of this study was to identify the occurrence and distribution of antibiotic resistance at five oyster sampling sites and 11 major inland pollution sources in the drainage basin of Kamak Bay, Republic of Korea. Culture-based methods were used to estimate the diversity and abundance of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli strains isolated from oysters and major inland pollution sources. The percentages of ARB and multiple antibiotic resistance index values were significantly high in discharge water from small fishing villages without WWTPs. However, the percentages of antibiotic-resistant E. coli isolates from oysters were low, as there was no impact from major inland pollutants. Fourteen ARGs were also quantified from oysters and major inland pollution sources. Although most ARGs except for quinolones were widely distributed in domestic wastewater discharge and effluent from WWTPs, macrolide resistance genes (ermB and msrA) were detected mainly from oysters in Kamak Bay. This study will aid in tracking the sources of antibiotic contamination in shellfish to determine the correlation between shellfish and inland pollution sources.

Hymenobacter taeanensis sp. nov., radiation resistant bacterium isolated from coastal sand dune.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, and light pink-colored bacterial strain, designated TS19T, was isolated from a sand sample obtained from a coastal sand dune after exposure to 3 kGy of gamma radiation. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the isolate was a member of the genus Hymenobacter and was most closely related to H. wooponensis WM78T (98.3% similarity). Strain TS19T and H. wooponensis showed resistance to gamma radiation with D10 values (i.e., the dose required to reduce the bacterial population by tenfold) of 7.3 kGy and 3.5 kGy, respectively. The genome of strain TS19T consists of one contig with 4,879,662 bp and has a G + C content of 56.2%. The genome contains 3,955 protein coding sequences, 44 tRNAs, and 12 rRNAs. The predominant fatty acids of strain TS19T were iso-C15:0, summed feature 4 (iso-C17:1 I and/or anteiso-C17:1 B), summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7c), and C16:1 ω5c. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, and one unidentified aminophospholipid. The main respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7. Based on the phylogenetic, physiological, and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain TS19T represents a novel species, for which the name Hymenobacter taeanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TS19T (= KCTC 72897T = JCM 34023T).

Complete Genome Sequence of Streptococcus oralis SF100, Isolated from Blood Cultures from a Patient with Infective Endocarditis.

Streptococcus oralis is a commensal viridans group streptococcus of the human oral cavity and a frequent cause of endovascular infection. Here, we report the complete whole-genome sequence of S. oralis strain SF100, which was originally isolated from the blood of a patient with infective endocarditis. This strain contains the lysogenic bacteriophage SM1, which enhances the virulence of SF100 in animal models of endocardial infection.

Inhibition of Fibrinolysis by Streptococcal Phage LysinSM1.

Expression of bacteriophage lysinSM1 by Streptococcus oralis strain SF100 is thought to be important for the pathogenesis of infective endocarditis, due to its ability to mediate bacterial binding to fibrinogen. To better define the lysinSM1 binding site on fibrinogen Aα, and to investigate the impact of binding on fibrinolysis, we examined the interaction of lysinSM1 with a series of recombinant fibrinogen Aα variants. These studies revealed that lysinSM1 binds the C-terminal region of fibrinogen Aα spanned by amino acid residues 534 to 610, with an affinity of equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) of 3.23 × 10-5 M. This binding site overlaps the known binding site for plasminogen, an inactive precursor of plasmin, which is a key protease responsible for degrading fibrin polymers. When tested in vitro, lysinSM1 competitively inhibited plasminogen binding to the αC region of fibrinogen Aα. It also inhibited plasminogen-mediated fibrinolysis, as measured by thromboelastography (TEG). These results indicate that lysinSM1 is a bi-functional virulence factor for streptococci, serving as both an adhesin and a plasminogen inhibitor. Thus, lysinSM1 may facilitate the attachment of bacteria to fibrinogen on the surface of damaged cardiac valves and may also inhibit plasminogen-mediated lysis of infected thrombi (vegetations) on valve surfaces. IMPORTANCE The interaction of streptococci with human fibrinogen and platelets on damaged endocardium is a central event in the pathogenesis of infective endocarditis. Streptococcus oralis can bind platelets via the interaction of bacteriophage lysinSM1 with fibrinogen on the platelet surface, and this process has been associated with increased virulence in an animal model of endocarditis. We now report that lysinSM1 binds to the αC region of the human fibrinogen Aα chain. This interaction blocks plasminogen binding to fibrinogen and inhibits fibrinolysis. In vivo, this inhibition could prevent the lysis of infected vegetations, thereby promoting bacterial persistence and virulence.

Trends in recent waterborne and foodborne disease outbreaks in South Korea, 2015-2019.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed trends in foodborne and waterborne diseases in South Korea between 2015 and 2019. METHODS: The data consisted of information on outbreaks of waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases reported through the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) system. We analyzed the trends and epidemiological aspects of outbreaks by month, place of occurrence, and causative pathogens in this observational study. RESULTS: The number of outbreaks has steadily increased over the last 5 years, but the number of cases per outbreak has followed a decreasing trend. Incidence at daycare centers and preschools has been steadily increasing over consecutive years. CONCLUSION: The steady number of patients and decreasing number of cases per outbreak, even as the number of outbreaks has been increasing, suggest that the KCDC's professional management system is operating effectively. It is necessary to continue improving the objectivity and efficiency of the management system and to carefully examine the increasing number of outbreaks in smaller-scale group catering facilities, such as daycare centers and preschools. Outbreaks can be prevented by closely examining those caused by unidentified pathogens and group outbreaks caused by other diseases, identifying problems, and supplementing the management system.

Prediction of Lap Shear Strength and Impact Peel Strength of Epoxy Adhesive by Machine Learning Approach.

In this study, an artificial neural network (ANN), which is a machine learning (ML) method, is used to predict the adhesion strength of structural epoxy adhesives. The data sets were obtained by testing the lap shear strength at room temperature and the impact peel strength at -40 °C for specimens of various epoxy adhesive formulations. The linear correlation analysis showed that the content of the catalyst, flexibilizer, and the curing agent in the epoxy formulation exhibited the highest correlation with the lap shear strength. Using the analyzed data sets, we constructed an ANN model and optimized it with the selection set and training set divided from the data sets. The obtained root mean square error (RMSE) and R2 values confirmed that each model was a suitable predictive model. The change of the lap shear strength and impact peel strength was predicted according to the change in the content of components shown to have a high linear correlation with the lap shear strength and the impact peel strength. Consequently, the contents of the formulation components that resulted in the optimum adhesive strength of epoxy were obtained by our prediction model.

Spirosoma taeanense sp. nov., a radiation resistant bacterium isolated from a coastal sand dune.

An aerobic, Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, and pale yellow-colored bacterial strain, designated TS118T, was isolated from a sand sample obtained from a coastal sand dune after exposure to 3 kGy of gamma radiation. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the isolate was a member of the genus Spirosoma and most closely related to Spirosoma metallicum PR1014kT (95.1% similarity). The genome of strain TS118T is constituted by one chromosome (5,691,492 bp) and one plasmid (28,440 bp) and has a G + C content of 52.7%. The genome contains 4641 protein coding sequences (CDSs), 38 tRNAs, and 11 rRNAs. The predominant fatty acids of strain TS118T were C16:1 ω5c, iso-C15:0, C16:0, summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7c), and iso-C17:0 3-OH. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified amino lipid and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The main respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The novel strain showed resistance to gamma radiation with a D10 value (i.e., the dose required to reduce the bacterial population by tenfold) of 4.3 kGy. Based on the phylogenetic, physiological, and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain TS118T represents a novel species, for which the name Spirosoma taeanense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TS118T (=KCTC 72898T =JCM 34024T).

Hymenobacter baengnokdamensis sp. nov., Isolated from the Soil of a Crater Lake in Korea.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped and pink-colored bacterial strain, designated BRD72T, was isolated from a crater lake (Baengnokdam) at the top of Mt. Hallasan in the Republic of Korea. Cells were catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the isolate was a member of the genus Hymenobacter and most closely related to Hymenobacter marinus KJ035T (96.2% similarity). The isolate was found to produce carotenoid pigment, but not flexirubin-type pigment. The predominant fatty acids of strain BRD72T were summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c, 21.6%), iso-C15:0 (17.9%), anteiso-C15:0 (13.3%) and summed feature 4 (iso-C17:1 I and/or anteiso-C17:1 B, 11.3%). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified amino lipid, and two unidentified aminophospholipids. The main respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7), and the main polyamine was homospermidine. The DNA G+C content was 59.8 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic, physiological, and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain BRD72T represents a novel species, for which the name Hymenobacter baengnokdamensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BRD72T (= KCTC 72649T = JCM 33837T).

Umbilical cord arterial blood gas analysis in term singleton pregnancies: a retrospective analysis over 11 years.

OBJECTIVE: Given that the large volume of data on cord arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA) have been rarely addressed in Korean population, we aimed to examine the incidence, associated factors, and neonatal outcomes in cases of low cord pH, and investigate the incidence of cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: From data of all consecutive term singleton pregnancies delivered in our institution from 2006 to 2016 (n=15,701), cases with cord ABGA (n=14,221) available were included. We collected information on maternal clinical characteristics and delivery outcomes and also examined neonatal and infant outcomes, including neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission and CP, in cases with low cord pH, defined as a pH <7.1. RESULTS: Rates of low Apgar scores at 1 minute (<4) and 5 minutes (<7) were 0.6% (n=79) and 0.4% (n=58), respectively. Rates of cord pH <7.2, <7.1, and <7.0 were 7.1% (n=1,011), 1.1% (n=163), and 0.3% (n=38), respectively. Among cases with low cord pH, 30.1% (n=49/163) were admitted to the NICU and 11.0% (n=18/163) required ventilator support. Ultrasonography of the brain was performed in 28.8% (n=47/163), with abnormal findings observed in 27.7% (n=13/47). Among cases with low cord pH, 1.8% (n=3/163) were subsequently diagnosed with CP, including 2 cases of spastic CP and 1 of ataxic CP. CONCLUSION: Although low cord pH was a relatively frequent finding observed in 1 out of every 87 cases, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy-related CP was found in only 1 out of 7,111 term singleton deliveries over 11 years in our institution.

Comparison of the outcomes of biliary atresia with cystic degeneration and isolated biliary atresia: A matched-pair analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with biliary atresia (BA) with extrahepatic cystic degeneration (BACD) have a unique pathophysiology; however, clinical outcomes and progression of perinatal degeneration are not well-defined. We aimed to investigate the differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes between BACD and isolated BA (IBA). METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with BA who underwent Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE) from August 1997 to January 2018 and compared the clinical features and outcomes between BACD (n = 21) and IBA (n = 237). Matched-pair analysis for age and sex was performed between BACD and IBA groups to reduce confounding. RESULTS: Before matched-pair analysis, we found that BACD patients were younger at KPE (45 vs. 64 days, p = 0.008), showed lower total bilirubin at the 3-month follow-up (0.5 vs. 1.4 mg/dL, p = 0.002), and higher 5-year native liver survival rate (95.2% vs. 61.4%, p = 0.006) than IBA patients. After matching, the BACD group showed significantly lower total bilirubin levels at the 3-month follow-up (0.5 vs. 1.5 mg/dL, p = 0.036) and higher 5-year native liver survival rate (95.2% vs. 57.5%, p = 0.006) than the IBA group. CONCLUSION: BACD demonstrated higher bilirubin clearance and native liver survival rates than IBA. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Treatment Study, Level III.

Level of contamination in the feces of several species at major inland pollution sources in the drainage basin of Yeoja Bay, Republic of Korea.

We assessed the levels of fecal contamination and the originating species of 12 major inland pollutants in the drainage basin of Yeoja Bay. The presence of the human-specific (HF183), ruminant-specific (BacR and Rum-2-Bac), pig-specific (Pig-Bac-2 and Pig-2-Bac), avian-specific (GFD), and gull-specific (Gull2) markers in water samples (n = 34) from 12 inland pollution sources around Yeoja Bay was analyzed. HF183 was detected in 97% of the water samples, and all major inland pollution sources were contaminated with human feces. BacR and Rum-2-Bac were detected in 94% and 11%, respectively, of the water samples. Pig-2-Bac was not detected in the inland pollution sources, but site L5 might be contaminated with swine feces. Gull2 was not detected, whereas GFD was detected in 26% of the water samples. This study highlights the utility of a MST toolbox approach for characterizing the water quality of inland pollution sources and identifying the feces producing species.