• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.12.1-12.17
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• 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in the human population in late 2019, it has spread on an unprecedented scale worldwide leading to the first coronavirus pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 infection results in a wide range of clinical manifestations from asymptomatic to fatal cases. Although intensive research has been undertaken to increase understanding of the complex biology of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the detailed mechanisms underpinning the severe pathogenesis and interactions between the virus and the host immune response are not well understood. Thus, the development of appropriate animal models that recapitulate human clinical manifestations and immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 is crucial. Although many animal models are currently available for the study of SARS-CoV-2 infection, each has distinct advantages and disadvantages, and some models show variable results between and within species. Thus, we aim to discuss the different animal models, including mice, hamsters, ferrets, and non-human primates, employed for SARS-CoV-2 infection studies and outline their individual strengths and limitations for use in studies aimed at increasing understanding of coronavirus pathogenesis. Moreover, a significant advantage of these animal models is that they can be tailored, providing unique options specific to the scientific goals of each researcher.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.80-91
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of the study quantitatively investigates the experience of unmet healthcare service utilization by rural populations in vulnerable areas during the COVID-19 pandemic based on Andersen's behavior model. At the same time, this study attempts to describe the experiences of unmet healthcare service utilization among participants in vulnerable rural areas by analyzing qualitative contents through open-ended question. Methods: Data were collected from October to November 2022 using Qualtrix, a web-based survey platform. A total of 863 participants completed an online survey. Quantitative data were analyzed using 𝑥² test and logistic regression analysis. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: The factors affecting participants' unmet healthcare service utilization were type of residential area and underlying disease. The qualitative analysis identified; four categories and nine sub-categories. Conclusion: Based on these findings, it is necessary to develop a disaster nursing response model according to the type of residential areas and the number of people.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.8
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• pp.425-430
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• 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and may increase the risk of adverse outcomes in lung cancer patients. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of mucin 1 (MUC1) after SARS-CoV-2 infection in the lung epithelial cancer cell line Calu-3. MUC1 is a major constituent of the mucus layer in the respiratory tract and contributes to pathogen defense. SARS-CoV-2 infection induced MUC1 C-terminal subunit (MUC1-C) expression in a STAT3 activation-dependent manner. Inhibition of MUC1-C signaling increased apoptosis-related protein levels and reduced proliferation-related protein levels; however, SARS-CoV-2 replication was not affected. Together, these results suggest that increased MUC1-C expression in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection may trigger the growth of lung cancer cells, and COVID-19 may be a risk factor for lung cancer patients.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2023

Background: Breaking the chain of disease transmission from overseas is necessary to control new infectious diseases such as coronavirus disease 2019 effectively. In this study, we developed a mobile app called Self-Symptom Checker (SSC) to monitor the health of inbound travelers. Methods: SSC was developed for general users and administrators. The functions of SSC include non-repudiation using QR (quick response) codes, monitoring fever and respiratory symptoms, and requiring persons showing symptoms to undergo polymerase chain reaction tests at nearby screening stations following a review of reported symptoms by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, as well as making phone calls, via artificial intelligence or public health personnel, to individuals who have not entered symptoms to provide the necessary information. Results: From February 12 to March 27, 2020, 165,000 people who were subjected to the special entry procedure installed SSC. The expected number of public health officers and related resources needed per day would be 800 if only the phone was used to perform symptom monitoring during the above period. Conclusion: By applying SSC, more effective symptom monitoring was possible. The daily average number of health officers decreased to 100, or 13% of the initial estimate. SSC reduces the work burden on public healthcare personnel. SSC is an electronic solution conceived in response to health questionnaires completed by inbound travelers specified in the World Health Organization International Health Regulations as a requirement in the event of a pandemic.

• Korean Medical Education Review
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.168-175
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• 2021

To analyze medical professors' evaluation of their online education experiences in an attempt to support faculty members and indicate the future direction of medical education. Faculty members who taught online in the first semester of 2020 at Yonsei University College of Medicine in South Korea were surveyed. The results of the survey were analyzed in June 2020. There were 88 respondents (35.1% of 251): 59 professors (67.0%), 16 associate professors (18.2%), and 13 assistant professors (14.8%). Their specialties lay in basic medicine (25.0%), clinical medicine (65.9%), and research and special purposes (9.1%). Sixteen participants (18.2%) had previous experience in online lectures; 23 (26.1%) reported that preparation time for online lectures was the same as before; 65 (73.9%) reported that the preparation time had increased; 38 (43.2%) faced difficulties in preparation and lecturing online, and among them 16 (42.1%) indicated inadequate interaction with students; 11 (28.9%) needed extra preparation time; and 11 (28.9%) attributed their difficulties to technical issues with the online platform. Participants' satisfaction with online lectures was low (p<0.001). In the free response question on overall experience with online education, 38.3% mentioned the need for an instructional design that allows students to actively participate and interact with professors, 29.5% mentioned the need for the establishment of an information & communications technology system, and 17.0% mentioned the necessity of faculty development. To prepare for the current pandemic and more in the long term, an appropriate educational support system must be constructed, and a learner-centered instructional design that enables wider interactions and active learning is needed.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.337-345
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• 2023

Purpose: The global fight against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has led to widespread vaccination efforts, yet the optimal dosing schedule for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines remains a subject of ongoing research. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of administering two booster doses as the third and fourth doses at different intervals to enhance vaccine protection. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at a military regional hospital operated by the Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan. A cohort of vaccinated individuals was selected, and their vaccine potency was assessed at various time intervals following their initial vaccine administration. The study participants received booster doses as the third and fourth doses, with differing time intervals between them. The study monitored neutralizing antibody titers and other relevant parameters to assess vaccine efficacy. Results: Our findings revealed that the potency of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine exhibited a significant decline 80 days after the initial vaccine administration. However, a longer interval of 175 days between booster injections resulted in significantly higher neutralizing antibody titers. The individuals who received the extended interval boosters exhibited a more robust immune response, suggesting that a vaccine schedule with a 175-day interval between injections may provide superior protection against SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of optimizing vaccine booster dosing schedules to maximize protection against SARS-CoV-2. The results indicate that a longer interval of 175 days between the third and fourth doses of the vaccine can significantly enhance the neutralizing antibody response, potentially offering improved protection against the virus. These findings have important implications for vaccine distribution and administration strategies in the ongoing battle against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Further research and largescale trials are needed to confirm and extend these findings for broader public health implications.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2022

The importance of disaster management and response is emerging as various disasters such as COVID-19, torrential rains, and fires occur one after another. In addition, in order to respond efficiently throughout disaster response activities, it is necessary to quickly collect disaster site information and quickly check the site situation through photo and video information so that rapid disaster response can be achieved. In this study, essential information required for decision-making was derived by analyzing the essential activities of each disaster response stage, analyzing the crisis management standard manual and related laws for each disaster type, and daily comprehensive report. In addition, a list of information necessary to grasp the situation of the disaster site and grasp the status of real-time damage was derived to establish guidelines for collecting volatile disaster site information, and disaster situation information can be efficiently displayed through a spatial information-based display system. By presenting essential disaster management information to be collected first, the person in charge of collecting information can efficiently collect information, and the situation room in charge of disaster response decision-making is expected to enable more efficient disaster situation management by receiving only the necessary information.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.63-67
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• 2024

This repeated cross-sectional study with two independent sample populations compared the antibody response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccines in Albania in July-August 2021 and 2022. In 2021, it found higher anti-spike-1 seropositivity and antibody levels in fully vaccinated individuals, especially with BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 and to a lesser degree with CoronaVac. By 2022, all single-dose recipients showed high antibody responses, suggesting natural infection-enhanced immunity. The study indicates a significant evolution in the antibody response to different coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines and suggests that a single vaccine dose, coupled with natural infection, might suffice to maintain adequate immunity levels in an endemic scenario.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.67-98
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• 2023

In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Korea took the lead in implementing "social distancing" policies more strongly than other countries. In addition to making it mandatory to wear a mask according to the policy, all patients using medical institutions are tested for COVID-19 to prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections, and only those patients who test negative have been regulated to receive face-to-face medical treatment. In this process, situations such as the disabled, who have difficulty wearing masks, were not taken into account, and emergency patients did not receive timely treatment or surgery from medical personnel. In response, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea has decided that forcing everyone to wear a mask and restricting access to medical institutions constitutes discrimination against the disabled. Therefore, the purposes this study has that, the first is to review cases of human rights discrimination against persons with disabilities due to measures to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases that did not consider the characteristics of persons with disabilities in the COVID-19 situation and issues regarding the decisions of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, the second is to find a reasonable plan and the need for measures to prevent refusal of treatment by medical institutions for the disabled who have difficulty wearing masks.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.113-121
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• 2024

Purpose: In response to the surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) omicron variant cases, we have implemented preemptive testing for preschool and school. The purpose is to quickly detect COVID-19 cases using a rapid antigen test (RAT) kit so that normal school activities can continue. Methods: The results entered in The Healthcare Self-Test App were merged with the information on the status of confirmed cases in the COVID-19 Information Management System by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) for preschool and school of students and staffs March 2 to May 1, 2022 to analyze the RAT positive rate and positive predictive value of RAT. Results: In preschool and school 19,458,575 people were tested, weekly RAT positive rate ranged from 1.10% to 5.90%, positive predictive value of RAT ranged from 86.42% to 93.18%. By status, RAT positive rate ranged from 1.13% to 6.16% for students, 0.99% to 3.93% for staffs, positive predictive value of RAT ranged from 87.19% to 94.03% for students, 77.55% to 83.10% for staffs. RAT positive rate by symptoms ranged from 76.32% to 88.02% for those with symptoms and 0.34% to 1.11% for those without symptoms. As a result of preschool and school RAT, 943,342 confirmed cases were preemptively detected, before infection spread in preschool and school. Conclusions: RAT was well utilized to detect confirmed cases at an early stage, reducing the risk of transmission to minimize the educational gap in preschool and school. To compensate for the limitations of RAT, further research should continue to reevaluate the performance of RAT as new strains of viruses continue to emerge. We will have to come up with various ways to utilize it, such as performing periodic and repeated RAT and parallel polymerase chain reaction.