Association between cancer genes and germ layer specificity.

Cancer signaling pathways defining cell fates are related to differentiation. During the developmental process, three germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm) are formed during embryonic development that differentiate into organs via the epigenetic regulation of specific genes. To examine the relationship, the specificities of cancer gene mutations that depend on the germ layers are studied.

Towards Understanding Tuberculosis-Related Issues in North Korea: A Narrative Review of North Korean Literature.

Background: North Korea is one of the 30 countries with the highest tuberculosis (TB) and drug-resistant TB burdened. To understand the medical issues and research trends associated with TB in North Korea, we performed a comprehensive review of articles related to clinical and laboratory research on TB published in North Korean medical journals.

Methods: We reviewed all types of TB-related articles published in nine North Korean medical journals (Yebang ŭihak: Preventive medicine; Koryo ŭihak: Korea Medicine; Chosŏn ŭihak: Chosun Medicine; Naekwa: Internal Medicine; Soa, sanbuinkwa: Pediatrics, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, Surgery; Ŭihak: Medicine; Kich'o ŭihak: Basic Medicine; and Chosŏn yakhak: Chosun Pharmacy).