ObjectivesThe outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in the Republic of Korea started from the index case who developed fever after returning from the Middle East. He infected 26 cases in Hospital C, and consecutive nosocomial transmission proceeded throughout the nation. We provide an epidemiologic description of the outbreak, as of July 2015.MethodsEpidemiological research was performed by direct interview of the confirmed patients and reviewing medical records. We also analyzed the incubation period, serial interval, the characteristics of superspreaders, and factors associated with mortality. Full genome sequence was obtained from sputum specimens of the index patient.ResultsA total of 186 confirmed patients with MERS-CoV infection across 16 hospitals were identified in the Republic of Korea. Some 44.1% of the cases were patients exposed in hospitals, 32.8% were caregivers, and 13.4% were healthcare personnel. The most common presenting symptom was fever and chills. The estimated incubation period was 6.83 days and the serial interval was 12.5 days. A total of 83.2% of the transmission events were epidemiologically linked to five superspreaders, all of whom had pneumonia at presentation and contacted hundreds of people. Older age [odds ratio (OR) = 4.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.90–12.45] and underlying respiratory disease (OR = 4.90, 95% CI 1.64–14.65) were significantly associated with mortality. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the MERS-CoV of the index case clustered closest with a recent virus from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.ConclusionA single imported MERS-CoV infection case imposed a huge threat to public health and safety. This highlights the importance of robust preparedness and optimal infection prevention control. The lessons learned from the current outbreak will contribute to more up-to-date guidelines and global health security.

Aims: The objective of the study was to optimize the submerged culture conditions for the production of exopolysaccharide from Paecilomyces sinclairii. Methods and Results: The optimal temperature and initial pH for exopolysaccharide production by Paecilomyces sinclairii in shake flask culture were found to be 30°C and 6AE0, respectively. Sucrose (60 g l )1 ) and corn steep powder (10 g l )1 ) were the most suitable carbon and nitrogen source for exopolysaccharide production. Conclusions: Under optimal culture medium, the maximum exopolysaccharide concentration in a 5-l stirred-tank fermenter indicated 7AE4 g l )1 , which was approximately three times higher than that in basal medium. The maximum specific growth rates (l max ) and yield coefficient (Y P/S ) in the optimal culture medium was 0AE16 h )1 and 0AE19, respectively. Significance and Impact of the Study: The optimal culture conditions reported in this article can be widely applied to the processes for submerged cultures of other mushrooms.

Background Little is known of the effect of wearable devices on metabolic impairments in clinical settings. We hypothesized that a wearable device that can monitor and provide feedback on physical activity may help resolve metabolic syndrome. Objective This study aimed to examine the objective effects of the use of these devices on metabolic syndrome resolution. Methods Patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome were recruited. Participants were prescribed regular walking using a wearable device (Coffee WALKIE +Dv.3, GC Healthcare CI, Korea) on their wrist for 12 weeks. Participants received self-feedback on the amount of their exercise through an app on their mobile phone. The information on physical activities of the participants was uploaded automatically to a website. Thus, a trained nurse could provide individuals with feedback regarding the physical activity via telephone consultation on alternate weeks. Blood pressure (BP), body composition, fasting plasma glucose, and lipid profiles were recorded. The primary outcome was metabolic syndrome resolution. The secondary outcome was an improvement in the components of metabolic impairment. Results Of the 53 participants recruited, 20 participants with a median age of 46 (range 36-50) years completed the trial. There was no significant difference in the amount of calorie expenditure at weeks 4, 8, and 12. After 12 weeks, metabolic syndrome was resolved in 9 of 20 participants (45%), and the mean number of metabolic impairment components per person decreased from 3.4 to 2.9. Particularly, the mean systolic and diastolic BP decreased from mean 136.6 (SD 18.5) mm Hg to mean 127.4 (SD 19.5) mm Hg and from mean 84.0 (SD 8.1) mm Hg to mean 77.4 (SD 14.4) mm Hg (both P =.02), respectively. Conclusions This study found that a 12-week intervention via feedback, based on a wearable physical activity monitor, helped metabolic syndrome patients to be more engaged in regular walking and it improved impaired metabolic components, especially in BP. However, some practical challenges regarding patients’ adherence and sustained engagement were observed.

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