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Highlights: [•] Carbon materials successfully catalyzed Eosin Y-sensitized H2 production under solar light. [•] H2 production and photocurrent generations were 9- and 4-fold enhanced by CNT, respectively. [•] Pt-loading onto carbon materials further enhanced the H2 production by 10 times. [•] Eosin Y underwent spectral shifts because of de-bromination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hospital-based Influenza Morbidity and Mortality ( HIMM) surveillance system is an emergency room ( ER)-based influenza surveillance system in Korea that was established in 2011. The system was established under the assumption that integrated clinical and virologic surveillance could be performed rapidly and easily at seven tertiary hospitals' ER. Here, we assessed the correlation between data generated from the HIMM surveillance system and the Korean national influenza surveillance systems during the 2011-2012 influenza season using cross-correlation analysis and found strong correlations. Rapid antigen-test-based HIMM surveillance would predict the start of influenza epidemic earlier than pre-existing influenza-like-illness-based surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza epidemics occur annually with variations in size and severity. Hospital-based Influenza Morbidity & Mortality was established to monitor influenza epidemics and their severity, which is composed of two surveillance systems: emergency room-based and inpatient-based surveillance. Regarding emergency room-based surveillance, influenza-like illness index (influenza-like illness cases per 1,000 emergency room-visiting subjects), number of laboratory-confirmed cases and the distribution of influenza types were estimated weekly. Inpatient-based surveillance included monitoring for hospitalization, complications, and mortality. The emergency room influenza-like illness index correlated well with the number of laboratory-confirmed influenza cases, and showed a bimodal peak at Week 4 (179.2/1,000 emergency room visits) and Weeks 13-14 (169.6/1,000 emergency room visits) of 2012. Influenza A was the predominant strain during the first epidemic peak, while influenza B was isolated exclusively during the second peak. In 2011-2012 season, the mean admission rate of emergency room-visiting patients with influenza-like illness was 16.3% without any increase over the epidemic period. Among the hospitalized patients with influenza, 33.6% (41 out of 122 patients) were accompanied by complications, and pneumonia (28.7%, 35 out of 122 patients) was the most common. Most fatal cases were caused by influenza A (96.2%) after the first epidemic peak. In conclusion, Hospital-based Influenza Morbidity & Mortality was effective for monitoring the trends in circulating influenza activity concurrently with its severity. In the 2011-2012 season, the influenza epidemic persisted for a ≥5-month period, with a bimodal peak of influenza A and B in sequence. Overall, influenza A was more severe than influenza B. J. Med. Virol. 85:910-917, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our understanding of adaptive immune responses in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is rapidly evolving, but information on the innate immune responses by natural killer (NK) cells is still insufficient. We aimed to examine the phenotypic and functional status of NK cells and their changes during the course of mild and severe COVID-19. We performed RNA sequencing and flow cytometric analysis of NK cells from patients with mild and severe COVID-19 at multiple time points in the course of the disease using cryopreserved PBMCs. In RNA-sequencing analysis, the NK cells exhibited distinctive features compared with healthy donors, with significant enrichment of proinflammatory cytokine-mediated signaling pathways. Intriguingly, we found that the unconventional CD56dimCD16neg NK-cell population expanded in cryopreserved PBMCs from patients with COVID-19 regardless of disease severity, accompanied by decreased NK-cell cytotoxicity. The NK-cell population was rapidly normalized alongside the disappearance of unconventional CD56dimCD16neg NK cells and the recovery of NK-cell cytotoxicity in patients with mild COVID-19, but this occurred slowly in patients with severe COVID-19. The current longitudinal study provides a deep understanding of the NK-cell biology in COVID-19. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background SFTS and scrub typhus have similar clinical features and difficult to differentiate. Thus, a study to develop a scoring system to differentiate between two diseases in a clinical setting before the confirmation of laboratory results was reported by Kim et al. However, the statistical power could be low because of low numbers of cases (21 SFTS, 91 scrub typhus), our study analyzed by increasing the number of cases to overcome these limitations. Methods We retrospectively collected data from 183 SFTS and 178 scrub typhus patients who visited the 21 hospitals in South Korea between October, 2013 and November, 2017. The study protocol was approved by the IRB of each institution. SFTS was diagnosed through detection of SFTS viral RNA using RT–PCR. Scrub typhus was diagnosed either detection of 56-kDa antigen of O. tsutsugamushi using nested PCR or ≥ 4 fold rise in IgM or IgG titer using indirect IFA. Statistical analyses were performed by using SPSS and Medcalc. Results To differentiate SFTS from scrub typhus, we applied the scoring system proposed by Kim et al. After multivariable logistic regression, altered mental status, leukopenia, prolonged aPTT, and normal CRP(≤ 1.0 mg/dL) were significantly associated with SFTS compared with scrub typhus. Each variable was scored by 1 point, with a total score of 0–4 points, the optimal cutoff value was > 1 for the ROC curve. A score > 1 had 92% sensitivity, 96% specificity for diagnosis of SFTS, with a ROC AUC of 0.974. Because the sensitivity was less than 95%, we changed the normal CRP criteria to ≤ 3.0 mg/dL. The modified scoring system had 97% sensitivity, 96% specificity for diagnosis of SFTS, with an AUC of 0.983, and it showed a statistically higher accuracy than original scoring system (P = 0.0487). In this study, four factors for predicting SFTS were newly developed: leukopenia, prolonged aPTT, normal CRP (≤3.0 mg/dL), and elevated CK (>1,000 IU/L). Our study scoring system had 97% sensitivity, 98% specificity for diagnosis of SFTS, with an AUC of 0.992, and it showed a statistically higher accuracy than original scoring system (P = 0.0308). Conclusion In conclusion, we can easily differentiate SFTS from scrub typhus by using our scoring system of leukopenia, prolonged aPTT, normal CRP, and elevated CK in the endemic area. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congo-red substituted hexagonal mesoporous silica materials(Congo-SBA15)have been synthesized from tetraethoxysilane(TEOS)and Congo-red modified precursor by sol-gel method. In the present investigation, poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide)was used as the template to prepare highly ordered mesoporous materials. Well-ordered hexagonal arrays of the mesopores were shown in small-angle X-ray scattering(SAXS)and transmission electron microscopy(TEM)measurements. The modification of congo-red precursor was proved by FT-IR spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Age-dependent immune responses to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations and breakthrough infections (BIs) in young and middle-aged individuals are unclear. Methods: This nationwide multicenter prospective cohort study analyzed immune responses in participants of the ChAdOx1 (ChAd)-ChAd-mRNA vaccine group using cytometry by time-of-flight, anti-spike protein antibody (Sab) and anti-nucleocapsid antibody (Nab) titers, plaque reduction neutralization tests (PRNTs), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release assays at various time points. Results: We evaluated 347 participants with an average age of 38.9 ± 9.4 years (range: 21–63). There was a significant inverse correlation between age and Sab levels after the second dose (slope − 14.96, P = 0.032), and this was more pronounced after the third dose (slope − 208.9, P < 0.001). After BIs, older participants showed significantly higher Sab titers (slope 398.8, P = 0.001), reversing the age-related decline observed post-vaccination. This reversal was also observed in PRNTs against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and the BA.1 and BA.5 variants. IFN-γ responses increased markedly after the third dose and Bis, but showed a weak positive correlation with age, without statistical significance. Immune cell profiling revealed an age-dependent decrease in the proportions of B-cell lineage cells. The proportions of naive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were inversely correlated with age, whereas the proportions of mature T cell subsets with memory function, including memory CD4+ T, CD8+ TEM, CD8+ TEMRA, and TFH cells, increased with age. Conclusions: Age-dependent waning of the serologic response to COVID-19 vaccines occurred even in middle-aged individuals, but was reversed after BIs. IFN-γ responses were preserved, compensating for the decrease in naive T cell populations, with an increase in memory T cell populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The long-term impact of immunogenicity induced by the primary COVID-19 vaccine series were evaluated. • Humoral and cellular immunogenicity were evaluated by anti-spike protein antibody, SARS-CoV-2–specific IGRA, and multiplex cytokine assays. • The primary vaccine series with BNT162b2 showed stronger immunogenicity than ChAdOx1 after the third booster dose and BA.1/2 breakthrough infections. • Differences in immunogenicity based on the type of primary vaccine platform persisted over time. The long-term impact of initial immunogenicity induced by different primary COVID-19 vaccine series remains unclear. A prospective cohort study was conducted at 10 tertiary hospitals in Korea from March 2021 to September 2022. Immunogenicity assessments included anti–spike protein antibody (Sab), SARS-CoV-2–specific interferon-gamma releasing assay (IGRA), and multiplex cytokine assays for spike protein–stimulated plasma. Spike proteins derived from wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and alpha variant (Spike 1) and beta and gamma variant (Spike 2) were utilized. A total of 235 healthcare workers who had received a two-dose primary vaccine series of either ChAdOx1 or BNT162b2, followed by a third booster dose of BNT162b2 (166 in the ChAdOx1/ChAdOx1/BNT162b2 (CCB) group and 69 in the BNT162b2/BNT162b2/BNT162b2 (BBB) group, based on the vaccine series) were included. Following the primary vaccine series, the BBB group exhibited significantly higher increases in Sab levels, IGRA responses, and multiple cytokines (CCL2/MCP-1, CCL3/MIP-1α, CCL4/MIP-1β, interleukin (IL)-1ra, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10) compared to the CCB group (all P < 0.05). One month after the third BNT162b2 booster, the CCB group showed Sab levels comparable to those of the BBB group, and both groups exhibited lower levels after six months without breakthrough infections (BIs). However, among those who experienced BA.1/2 BIs after the third booster, Sab levels increased significantly more in the BBB group than in the CCB group (P < 0.001). IGRA responses to both Spike 1 and Spike 2 proteins were significantly stronger in the BBB group than the CCB group after the third booster, while only the Spike 2 response were higher after BIs (P = 0.007). The BBB group exhibited stronger enhancement of T-cell cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, and IL-17A) after BIs than in the CCB group (P < 0.05). Differences in immunogenicity induced by the two primary vaccine series persisted, modulated by subsequent booster vaccinations and BIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the effect of nanoscale morphology on the photoelectrochemical performance of semiconductor electrodes has been in the forefront of research for over a decade, there are still major inconsistencies and controversies in the literature. Here we aimed to resolve some of these issues, by the controlled preparation of TiO 2 photoelectrodes from nanoparticles, nanorods, and nanosheets, where the nano dimension of the 0D, 1D, and 2D structures was kept similar (about 10 nm). XRD, Raman spectroscopy, XPS and UPS were employed to confirm that the chemical nature of the nanostructures is nearly identical, they only differ in their morphology. Photoelectrodes were prepared keeping the loading amount, surface area, or the film thickness identical, to deconvolute all trivial effects, and only scrutinize the role of morphology. TiO 2 nanorod (NR) films exhibited the best photoelectrochemical performance in all comparisons, achieving ~4 mA cm−2 at 0.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl (under 100 mW cm−2, Xe-lamp illumination). In stark contrast, TiO 2 nanosheet (NS) film showed the lowest performance owing to the small amount of active sites on the basal plane of the NSs and the insufficient charge carrier transport through the film. Overall, we have demonstrated that under carefully controlled conditions, it is possible to compare the PEC behavior of TiO 2 photoelectrodes, and that the 1D nanostructures outperformed its 0D and 2D counterparts. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Memory T cell responses have been demonstrated in COVID-19 convalescents, but ex vivo phenotypes of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells have been unclear. We detected SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells by MHC class I multimer staining and examined their phenotypes and functions in acute and convalescent COVID-19. Multimer+ cells exhibited early differentiated effector-memory phenotypes in the early convalescent phase. The frequency of stem-like memory cells was increased among multimer+ cells in the late convalescent phase. Cytokine secretion assays combined with MHC class I multimer staining revealed that the proportion of interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-producing cells was significantly lower among SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells than those specific to influenza A virus. Importantly, the proportion of IFN-γ-producing cells was higher in PD-1+ cells than PD-1− cells among multimer+ cells, indicating that PD-1-expressing, SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells are not exhausted, but functional. Our current findings provide information for understanding of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells elicited by infection or vaccination. • SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells are effector memory cells in convalescents • CCR7+CD45RA+ cells are increased among SARS-CoV-2-specific cells in the late phase • SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells have fewer IFN-γ+ cells than flu-specific cells • PD-1-expressing SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells are not exhausted but functional T cell responses have been demonstrated in COVID-19 patients, but ex vivo phenotypes and functions of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells remain unclear. Rha et al. examined SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells in acute and convalescent COVID-19 patients using MHC class I multimers, finding that PD-1-expressing SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells are not exhausted but functional. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in China and rapidly spread worldwide. To prevent SARS-CoV-2 dissemination, understanding the in vivo characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 is a high priority. We report a ferret model of SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission that recapitulates aspects of human disease. SARS-CoV-2-infected ferrets exhibit elevated body temperatures and virus replication. Although fatalities were not observed, SARS-CoV-2-infected ferrets shed virus in nasal washes, saliva, urine, and feces up to 8 days post-infection. At 2 days post-contact, SARS-CoV-2 was detected in all naive direct contact ferrets. Furthermore, a few naive indirect contact ferrets were positive for viral RNA, suggesting airborne transmission. Viral antigens were detected in nasal turbinate, trachea, lungs, and intestine with acute bronchiolitis present in infected lungs. Thus, ferrets represent an infection and transmission animal model of COVID-19 that may facilitate development of SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics and vaccines. • SARS-CoV-2-infected ferrets exhibit elevated body temperature and virus replication • SARS-CoV-2 is shed in nasal washes, saliva, urine and feces • SARS-CoV-2 is effectively transmitted to naive ferrets by direct contact • SARS-CoV-2 infection leads acute bronchiolitis in infected ferrets The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) rapidly spreads, leading to a pandemic infection. Kim et al. show that ferrets are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and effectively transmit the virus by direct or indirect contact, recapitulating human infection and transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pleural effusion and hypoalbuminaemia frequently occur after hepatectomy. Despite the emphasis on the safety of donors, little is known about the impact of postoperative albumin level on pleural effusion in liver donors. We retrospectively assessed 2316 consecutive liver donors from 2004 to 2014. The analysis of donors from 2004 to 2012 showed that postoperative pleural effusion occurred in 47.4% (970/2046), and serum albumin levels decreased until postoperative day 2 (POD2) and increased thereafter. In multivariable analysis, the lowest albumin level within POD2 (POD2ALB) was inversely associated with pleural effusion (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.20-0.38; P < 0.001). POD2ALB ≤3.0 g/dL, the cutoff value at the 75th percentile, was associated with increased incidence of pleural effusion after propensity score (PS) matching (431 pairs; OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.30-2.21; P < 0.001). When we further analysed data from 2010 to 2014, intraoperative albumin infusion was associated with higher POD2ALB (P < 0.001) and lower incidence of pleural effusion (P = 0.024), compared with synthetic colloid infusion after PS matching (193 pairs). In conclusion, our data showed that POD2ALB is inversely associated with pleural effusion, and that intraoperative albumin infusion is associated with a lower incidence of pleural effusion when compared to synthetic colloid infusion in liver donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]