Impact of excessive sucrose intake on mouse behavior across different developmental stages.

This study aimed to elucidate the effects of sucrose (SUC) consumption on neurodevelopmental processes through behavioral changes in rodents and determine whether these effects could be because of sweet taste, energy supply, or both. Mice were divided into five groups based on the time of SUC or sucralose (SUR, a noncaloric sweetener) administration: for 6 days from gestation day (GTD) 7, to birth from GTD13 and for 15 days from postnatal day (PND) 21, PND38, and PND56. SUC and SUR administration did not impact body weight.

Poor Mobilization-Associated Factors in Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Harvest.

Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) is an important therapeutic measure for both hematologic and non-hematologic diseases. For PBSCT to be successful, sufficient CD34 cells need to be mobilized and harvested. Although risk factors associated with poor mobilization in patients with hematologic diseases have been reported, studies of patients with non-hematologic diseases and those receiving plerixafor are rare.

Development of a multiplex droplet digital PCR method for detection and monitoring of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Background: The prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) among Korean tuberculosis patients is about 4.1%, which is higher than the OECD average of 2.6%.

Comparison of Optical Genome Mapping With Conventional Diagnostic Methods for Structural Variant Detection in Hematologic Malignancies.

Background: Structural variants (SVs) are currently analyzed using a combination of conventional methods; however, this approach has limitations. Optical genome mapping (OGM), an emerging technology for detecting SVs using a single-molecule strategy, has the potential to replace conventional methods. We compared OGM with conventional diagnostic methods for detecting SVs in various hematologic malignancies.

Disparities in the association between ambient temperature and preterm birth according to individual and regional characteristics: a nationwide time-stratified case-crossover study.

Background: Several studies have reported that climate change elevates heat exposure in pregnant women and high temperatures during pregnancy are associated with preterm births (PTBs). Although the association might be disproportionate, related evidence remains sparse. We evaluated the disproportionate risk of PTB associated with ambient temperature during pregnancy by individual and regional characteristics in South Korea.

Evaluating the TaqMan Jr-Genotyping Method for Rapidly Predicting the Presence of Anti-Jr Antibodies.

Background: The Jr antigen is a high-prevalence red blood cell (RBC) antigen. Reports on cases of fatal hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn and acute hemolytic transfusion reactions suggest that antibodies against Jr (anti-Jr) have potential clinical significance. Identifying anti-Jr is challenging owing to a lack of commercially available antisera.

Evaluation of diagnostic performance of SARS-CoV-2 infection using digital droplet polymerase chain reaction in individuals with or without COVID-19 symptoms.

Background: Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is commonly used to diagnose SARS-CoV-2, but it has limited sensitivity in detecting the virus in asymptomatic close contacts and convalescent patients. In this study, we propose the use of reverse transcription-digital droplet PCR (RT-ddPCR) to detect SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples.

Methods: The clinical performance of RT-ddPCR targeting of ORF1ab and N genes was evaluated in parallel with RT-qPCR using 200 respiratory samples collected from close contacts and patients at different phases of infection.

Personal exposure of PM and metabolic syndrome markers of pregnant women in South Korea: APPO study.

We examined the association between exposure to PM, focused on individual exposure level, and metabolic dysfunction during pregnancy. APPO study (Air Pollution on Pregnancy Outcome) was a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study conducted from January 2021 to March 2023. Individual PM concentrations were calculated using a time-weighted average model.

Identification of Potential Genomic Alterations Using Pan-Cancer Cell-Free DNA Next-Generation Sequencing in Patients With Gastric Cancer.

Background: Molecular cancer profiling may lead to appropriate trials for molecularly targeted therapies. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a promising diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarker in gastric cancer (GC). We characterized somatic genomic alterations in cfDNA of patients with GC.

Re-evaluation of a Fibrillin-1 Gene Variant of Uncertain Significance Using the ClinGen Guidelines.

Background: Marfan syndrome (MFS) is caused by fibrillin-1 gene () variants. Mutational hotspots and/or well-established critical functional domains of include cysteine residues, calcium-binding consensus sequences, and amino acids related to interdomain packaging. Previous guidelines for variant interpretation do not reflect the features of genes or related diseases.

2023 Clinical Practice Guidelines for Diabetes Mellitus of the Korean Diabetes Association.

In May 2023, the Committee of Clinical Practice Guidelines of the Korean Diabetes Association published the revised clinical practice guidelines for Korean adults with diabetes and prediabetes. We incorporated the latest clinical research findings through a comprehensive systematic literature review and applied them in a manner suitable for the Korean population. These guidelines are designed for all healthcare providers nationwide, including physicians, diabetes experts, and certified diabetes educators who manage patients with diabetes or individuals at risk of developing diabetes.

Nonfamilial VACTERL-H Syndrome in a Dizygotic Twin: Prenatal Ultrasound and Postnatal 3D CT Findings.

: VACTERL association is a widely known congenital malformation that includes vertebral, anal, cardiac, tracheoesophageal, renal, and limb anomalies. Patients with VACTERL and hydrocephalus appear to form a distinct group, both genetically and phenotypically, and their condition has been called VACTERL-H syndrome. Most cases of VACTERL-H have been reported postnatally, as VACTER-H syndrome is difficult to diagnose prenatally.

Efficacy of a continuous wound infiltration system for postoperative pain management in gynecologic patients who underwent single-port access laparoscopy for adnexal disease.

Introduction: Single-port access (SPA) laparoscopy requires only one incision, unlike conventional laparoscopy. However, its umbilical incision is larger than that of conventional laparoscopy and can be vulnerable to postoperative pain. This study aimed to evaluate whether simultaneous use of a continuous wound infiltration (CWI) system and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) effectively decreases surgical site pain in patients who underwent SPA laparoscopy due to gynecologic adnexal disease.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Three Diagnostic Strategies for the Detection of Mutation in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), epidermal growth factor receptor () mutation testing of tumor tissue should be conducted at diagnosis. Alternatively, circulating tumor DNA can be used to detect mutation. We compared the cost and clinical effect of three strategies according to the application of the test.

Outstanding Characteristics of Birt-Hogg-Dube Syndrome in Korea.

Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by multiple lung cysts, typical skin manifestations, and renal tumors. We prospectively enrolled thirty-one subjects from four South Korean institutions with typical lung cysts, and next-generation sequencing was conducted. We prospectively enrolled thirty-one subjects from four Korean institutions with typical lung cysts.

Bidirectional association between diabetic peripheral neuropathy and vitamin B12 deficiency: Two longitudinal 9-year follow-up studies using a national sample cohort.

Aim: This study aims to investigate the association among metformin use, vit B12 deficiency, and DPN occurrence in diabetes.

Methods: This retrospective, propensity-matched cohort study was performed using National Health Insurance Service database - National Sample Cohort in South Korea. Study 1 analyzed DPN incidence according to vit B12 deficiency and study 2 analyzed vit B12 deficiency incidence according to the presence/absence of DPN.