• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.23.1-23.12
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• 2022

Natural infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 or vaccination induces virus-specific immunity protecting hosts from infection and severe disease. While the infection-preventing immunity gradually declines, the severity-reducing immunity is relatively well preserved. Here, based on the different longevity of these distinct immunities, we develop a mathematical model to estimate courses of endemic transition of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our analysis demonstrates that high viral transmission unexpectedly reduces the rates of progression to severe COVID-19 during the course of endemic transition despite increased numbers of infection cases. Our study also shows that high viral transmission amongst populations with high vaccination coverages paradoxically accelerates the endemic transition of COVID-19 with reduced numbers of severe cases. These results provide critical insights for driving public health policies in the era of 'living with COVID-19.'

• 대한영양사협회학술지
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.29-40
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• 2024

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has led to a decline in restaurant visits, which in turn has changed the decision-making process of consumers. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing visit intention during the COVID-19 endemic by employing the expanded theory of planned behavior. A total of 291 samples were collected through an online survey for the analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, and structural equation path analysis were performed on the collected data using the Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) statistical program. The findings of the study revealed the positive effects of attitude and perceived behavioral control and the negative effects of subjective norms on desire. Second, desire played a mediating role between antecedent variables (attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control) and the visit intention. These findings are meaningful in that they expand the theory of planned behavior during the COVID-19 endemic based on factors that affect visit intention.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.19.1-19.10
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• 2023

Endemic human coronaviruses (HCoVs) have been evidenced to be cross-reactive to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although a correlation exists between the immunological memory to HCoVs and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity, there is little experimental evidence for the effects of HCoV memory on the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. Here, we investigated the Ag-specific immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in the presence or absence of immunological memory against HCoV spike Ags in a mouse model. Pre-existing immunity against HCoV did not affect the COVID-19 vaccine-mediated humoral response with regard to Ag-specific total IgG and neutralizing Ab levels. The specific T cell response to the COVID-19 vaccine Ag was also unaltered, regardless of pre-exposure to HCoV spike Ags. Taken together, our data suggest that COVID-19 vaccines elicit comparable immunity regardless of immunological memory to spike of endemic HCoVs in a mouse model.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.237-239
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• 2022

• 산업융합연구
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• 제20권8호
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• pp.127-136
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• 2022

본 연구는 코로나19 상황에서 우리나라 국민이 경험한 팬데믹의 개인정서와 사회변화 인식이 엔데믹 이후 재난대처 인식에 미치는 영향을 실증적으로 분석하기 위해 다중회귀모형을 활용하여 수행하였다. 이 연구를 위해 한국언론 진흥재단에서 실시한 「코로나19 이후 국민의 일상 변화 조사」를 사용하였고, 996명(남 508명, 여 488명)을 연구대상으로 설계하였다. 연구 결과, 코로나19 긍정정서와 사회변화 인식 요인들은 재난대처 인식에 정(+)의 영향을 미쳤으며, 공동체의식은 재난대처 인식에 부(-)의 영향을 미치는 코로나19 부정정서를 완화시켜 주는 조절효과가 있었다. 엔데믹 이후 재난대처 인식에 상대적으로 가장 많은 영향을 미치는 요인은 재난 상황시 우리나라 사회에 대한 자긍심과 안정감을 갖는 코로나19 긍정정서와 공동체의식이었다. 따라서 본 연구는 엔데믹 이후 재난 발생 상황에서 수행되는 정부의 선행 및 후속 조치 방안들이 국민에게 자긍심과 안정감을 주는 체계적인 재난대처 메뉴얼과 컨트롤 타워가 더 강력하게 요청되며, 국민에게는 재난 상황에서 개인적인 행동과 판단으로 대처하기보다는 재난을 함께 극복하려는 공동체의식이 요청됨을 시사한다.

• 한방비만학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.77-85
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• 2022

While the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is gradually turning into an endemic disease, concerns about post COVID-19 conditions (Long COVID) are emerging. Obesity is a major risk factor for severe complications of COVID-19, and COVID-19 has a wide range of effects on obesity and metabolic function. This paper aims to examine the interaction between COVID-19 and obesity, the effects and mechanisms of long COVID on obesity, and the role of Korean medicine on long COVID-related obesity. Obesity may worsen with cardiometabolic damage and psychosocial insecurity during COVID-19 and long COVID-induced neuroinflammation, systemic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and hypoxia also may aggravate obesity. Korean Medicine treatments, which have been widely used to treat obesity, have the potential to improve obesity in the era of long COVID by intervening in these mechanisms.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제59권4호
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• pp.399-402
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• 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a major health problem worldwide. Timely diagnosis of co-infections mimicking COVID-19, such as malaria, might be challenging particularly in non-endemic areas. We report the first case of COVID-19 and Plasmodium ovale malaria co-infection from our region aiming to highligt the importance of travel history and prophylaxis in malaria management in the context of pandemic. The galloping sound can sometimes be a harbinger of zebra besides the horse.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.69-70
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• 2022

• Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.30-44
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• 2022

This research aims to identify and reveal the meaning of memes about COVID-19, and explain changes in meme content in regard to the information development of COVID-19 in Indonesia published by the mass media and online media. The data is sourced from memes that are shared on social media, especially WhatsApp groups in the period of January to June 2020. To reveal the meaning of memes, a semiotic analysis of Roland Barthes' model is used. Qualitative analysis is used to reveal the relationship between memes and the information development of COVID-19 in Indonesia. The results of the study show that meme content has shifted according to three stages of information development of COVID-19 in Indonesia published by the mass media and online media. When COVID-19 was not yet confirmed in Indonesia, meme content contained mostly humor that was not educative, moreover it seemed to underestimate the coronavirus. Meme content which is mostly humorous and pornographic occurred when COVID-19 was confirmed in Indonesia and during the lockdown policy. At last, as the government has begun to distribute social assistance, the meme content looks more critical. The results of this research emphasize the urgency of the mass media as a source of public information during the COVID-19 pandemic, become a reference for the community in making memes as a forum for expressing feelings and social criticism, and serve as a reference for the government to act and make the right decisions related to the pandemic that is endemic in their country.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• 제54권6호
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• pp.295-310
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• 2024

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has led to a global health crisis with substantial mortality and morbidity. To combat the COVID-19 pandemic, various vaccines have been developed, but unexpected serious adverse events including vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia, carditis, and thromboembolic events have been reported and became a huddle for COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine-related myocarditis (VRM) is a rare but significant adverse event associated primarily with mRNA vaccines. This review explores the incidence, risk factors, clinical presentation, pathogenesis, management strategies, and outcomes associated with VRM. The incidence of VRM is notably higher in male adolescents and young adults, especially after the second dose of mRNA vaccines. The pathogenesis appears to involve an immune-mediated process, but the precise mechanism remains mostly unknown so far. Most studies have suggested that VRM is mild and self-limiting, and responds well to conventional treatment. However, a recent nationwide study in Korea warns that severe cases, including fulminant myocarditis or death, are not uncommon in patients with COVID-19 VRM. The long-term cardiovascular consequences of VRM have not been well understood and warrant further investigation. This review also briefly addresses the critical balance between the substantial benefits of COVID-19 vaccination and the rare risks of VRM in the coming endemic era. It emphasizes the need for continued surveillance, research to understand the underlying mechanisms, and strategies to mitigate risk. Filling these knowledge gaps would be vital to refining vaccination recommendations and improving patient care in the evolving COVID-19 pandemic landscape.