https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2020.sw.kumedicine/7040 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:10:59 GMT 2026-04-09T18:10:59Z https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/79266 Title: Real-World Effectiveness of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines During the 2024-2025 Season: Subgroup Analyses by Virus Subtype, Time Since Vaccination, and Diagnostic Method Authors: Choi, Yu Jung; Lee, Jungmin; Song, Joon Young; Wie, Seong-Heon; Lee, Jacob; Lee, Jin-Soo; Jeong, Hye Won; Eom, Joong Sik; Sohn, Jang Wook; Yoon, Young Kyung; Choi, Won Suk; Nham, Eliel; Yoon, Jin Gu; Noh, Ji Yun; Park, Man-Seong; Cheong, Hee Jin Abstract: Background/Objectives: Despite high vaccination coverage, influenza remains a public health concern in South Korea, particularly in older adults. Continuous evaluation of vaccine effectiveness (VE) is essential to optimize immunization strategies. Methods: This study evaluated seasonal influenza VE for preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza using a test-negative design through a hospital-based influenza surveillance system in South Korea from 1 November 2024, to 30 April 2025. Demographic and clinical information was collected through questionnaire surveys and electronic medical records. Influenza was diagnosed using rapid antigen tests (RATs) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and vaccine effectiveness was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Results: In total, 3954 participants were included, with 1977 influenza-positive cases and 1977 test-negative controls. Influenza A and B accounted for 93.1% and 7.0% of cases, respectively. The adjusted overall VE was 20.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.2-30.9; p = 0.002). VE was higher in adults aged 50-64 years (46.8%) than in those aged >= 65 years (18.8%). VE was 19.9% against influenza A and 45.7% against A/H3N2. VE was higher among individuals tested using RT-qPCR than among those tested using RATs (21.5% vs. 15.7%), and was also greater during the early period than during the late period (20.5% vs. 11.4%). Vaccination did not reduce influenza-associated hospitalization risk (VE, 17.3%; 95% CI, -9.3 to 37.4). A significant reduction in hospitalization risk was observed in adults aged 50-64 years (VE, 46.8%), with no significant benefit in those aged >= 65 years. Conclusions: The 2024-2025 seasonal influenza vaccine provided moderate protection against laboratory-confirmed influenza in adults, with higher effectiveness in those aged 50-64 years. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/79266 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/79330 Title: Structure-guided design of a bivalent SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine with NTD stabilizing mutations enhances broad immunity Authors: Yeo, Jinah; Yun, Mi-ran; Kim, Seo-Yeon; Seok, Jong-Hyun; Jeon, Ji Hyang; Lee, Taeyoung; Kim, Jeonghun; Kim, Kisoon; Park, Man-Seong; Kim, Dokeun; Kim, You-Jin Abstract: SARS-CoV-2 evolution, particularly the emergence of Omicron variants, has challenged vaccine efficacy, necessitating antigens with broad and variant-specific protection. To design mRNA vaccine antigens with broad-spectrum immunity and enhanced stability, we developed two spike antigens using in silico optimization: Css_dsg S, the ancestral strain-Delta variant consensus with stabilizing mutations, and Omi_dsg S, an Omicron-adapted design. Computational analysis identified two critical N-terminal domain stabilization sites consistently enhancing protein expression across variants, suggesting their potential as universal stabilizing elements. Css_dsg S elicited robust IFN-gamma T cell responses and significantly elevated neutralizing antibody titers against variants in BALB/c mice. Omi_dsg S induced strong immune responses in vivo. A bivalent mRNA vaccine combining both antigens elicited superior neutralizing antibody responses and conferred enhanced protection against BN.1 and BA.5 challenges in K18-hACE2 mice. These findings support computationally optimized spike antigens, particularly the bivalent formulation, as a promising strategy for next-generation vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/79330 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/79486 Title: Incidence and Characteristics of Psychiatric Disorders in Adolescent and Young Adult Patients With Malignant Brain Tumors Authors: Yi, Eun Sang; Kim, Yunseop; Cho, Chaeeun; Kim, Jimin; Noh, O. Kyu; Park, Jun Eun Abstract: Background and Aimes: Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with brain tumors are at an increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders. We aimed to investigate the incidence and characteristics of psychiatric disorders in AYA patients with brain tumors. Methods: Using the Korean Classification of Diseases, we identified a cohort of AYA patients (aged 15–34 years) diagnosed with malignant brain neoplasms (C71) between 2003 and 2016 from the Korean National Health Insurance Claims Database. The analysis included 7,052 patients. Results: The 10-year cumulative incidence rate of psychiatric disorders was 21.5%. The most common psychiatric disorders were neurotic, stress-related, and somatoform disorders (11.4%), followed by mood (affective) disorders (9.4%). Factors associated with a higher incidence of psychiatric disorders included female sex (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.28, P = 0.005), history of seizures (HR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.31–1.66, P < 0.001), and brain tumor diagnosis during the latter part of the study period (HR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.03–1.27, P = 0.010). Psychiatric hospital admissions were most frequent among patients with schizophrenia, schizotypal disorders, and delusional disorders (n = 5). The most common psychiatric disorders requiring psychotherapy were neurotic, stress-related, and somatoform (n = 580) and mood (n = 526) disorders. Conclusions: A significant number of AYA patients with brain tumors develop psychiatric disorders after diagnosis, and most require treatment. Early detection through screening programs and personalized psychological support during and after cancer treatment may improve the mental health and quality of life of AYA patients with brain tumors. Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/79486 2025-10-22T00:00:00Z https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/78488 Title: Disparate Kinetics of Viable Virus Shedding in Immunocompromised Patients: SARS-CoV-2 Versus Influenza Virus-A Prospective Real-World Cohort Study Authors: Lim, So Yun; Lee, Jungmin; Kwon, Ji-Soo; Chang, Euijin; Lee, Joo-Yeon; Park, Man-Seong; Kim, Sung-Han Abstract: There are limited data comparing viral shedding between influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in immunocompromised patients. We prospectively enrolled 70 SARS-CoV-2 and 16 influenza patients, with 48 SARS-CoV-2 patients matched to 16 influenza patients by propensity score. Weekly collected respiratory samples were subjected to viral culture and antigen testing. In matched cohorts, the time to culture-confirmed viral clearance was shorter for influenza than SARS-CoV-2 (median, 4.5 vs. 29 days; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 27.5; P < .001), and antigen negativity occurred faster (3 vs. 23 days; aHR 19.2; P < .001). These findings show different clearance kinetics for influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in immunocompromised patients. Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/78488 2025-10-01T00:00:00Z