Allogeneic stem cells derived from umbilical cord tissue, placenta, and umbilical cord blood have shown potential in treating delayed systemic aging and aging-related diseases. Aging induces cellular senescence, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and stem cell depletion, all of which contribute to tissue damage and functional decline. Recent advances in regenerative medicine suggest that allogeneic stem cells can mitigate these aging processes through immunomodulation and tissue regeneration. In particular, umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells have gained attention for clinical applications owing to their strong immunomodulatory properties and low immunogenicity. These cells can repair damaged tissues and enhance metabolic and cognitive function by secreting various cytokines, growth factors, and exosomes, offering potential treatment for aging-related conditions such as osteoporosis and neurodegenerative disorders. Both clinical and preclinical studies indicate that allogeneic stem cells play a critical role in alleviating these diseases, including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Despite their therapeutic potential, challenges remain, such as immune compatibility, long-term safety, and the lack of standardized protocols for large-scale production. This review outlines the biological mechanisms by which allogeneic stem cells contribute to delayed aging, summarizes current clinical research, and explores future prospects. Allogeneic stem cells may offer novel strategies for delaying aging and extending lifespan.

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare and highly aggressive malignancy typically associated with dismal outcomes. Most patients present with advanced disease, often precluding curative resection. We report a case of intrathyroidal ATC incidentally identified in a 72-year-old male who underwent diagnostic lobectomy for a low-suspicion, predominantly cystic huge thyroid nodule. Final pathology revealed a completely resected, intrathyroidal ATC without extrathyroidal extension. Postoperative imaging showed no evidence of residual or metastatic disease. Based on multidisciplinary discussion, the patient underwent completion thyroidectomy and central neck dissection without adjuvant therapy. No residual malignancy was identified, and the patient remains recurrence-free at six months. This case highlights that early-stage intrathyroidal ATC may present without overt malignant features and can be curatively treated with complete surgical excision. Careful evaluation and multidisciplinary decision-making are essential in managing rapidly enlarging thyroid nodules with atypical features.

Suicidal cases involving sodium nitrite have been reported worldwide. However, postmortem features, such as brownish or grayish livor mortis, remain difficult to interpret, especially as decomposition advances. Here, we present three fatal cases (2020-2023) presumably caused by sodium nitrite ingestion. In these cases, characteristic nitrite-induced changes were inconsistent or obscured by decomposition, but ingestion traces (cup or bottle near the decedents) were observed at each scene. Additionally, containers labeled “sodium nitrite” were found in two cases; however, since sodium nitrite is designated a suicide-hazardous material in South Korea, future scenes may rarely reveal such clear labeling. Although autopsy, including methemoglobin testing, can confirm the cause of death, any delay in the investigative process risks the loss of critical evidence about the ingestion process and other factors. This underscores the importance of focusing on early scene evidence, particularly ingestion traces, and conducting thorough chemical and forensic examinations. Our findings illustrate that timely detection of ingestion-related evidence and subsequent forensic analysis, in conjunction with autopsy results, can elucidate a decedent’s cause and manner of death and clarify any criminal implications.

Wernicke encephalopathy, also known as thiamine deficiency, is characterized by a triad of symptoms: ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and confusion. However, additional symptoms may manifest depending on the area affected by the lesion. Although multiple cranial neuropathies are possible, sudden onset bilateral hearing loss has been described in rare situations as the first manifestation of Wernicke encephalopathy. Here, we present a case report detailing the clinical experience of a patient diagnosed with Wernicke encephalopathy, whose initial presentation included sudden bilateral deafness. The patient was a 57-year-old man with alcoholism who was successfully diagnosed with Wernicke encephalopathy, and his hearing improved after high-dose intravenous thiamine therapy. Our case study results and a literature review indicate that video findings and suppression head impulse tests can be used to evaluate Wernicke encephalopathy.

Vaccine-induced hypermetabolic lymph nodes have been clinically observed following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccination. Specifically, the booster dose of the mRNA vaccines, produced by Pfizer and Moderna, has been linked to a relatively high incidence of lymphadenopathy. We present the case of a kidney transplant recipient who developed an enlarged abdominal mass after receiving a booster dose of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. This mass occupied the retroperitoneal space, infiltrated the psoas muscle, and resulted in ureteric compression and hydronephrosis. Percutaneous drainage and analysis of the perirenal fluid revealed the presence of lymphatic fluid. In summary, lymphadenopathy is a recognized adverse reaction to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Patients with compromised immune systems should be informed about the incidence and potential severity of lymphadenopathy following booster vaccination.

Background: The tibiofibular syndesmosis is essential for preserving the stability of the ankle. Acute syndesmotic injuries with evident or latent instability usually warrant surgical interventions. This cadaveric study examines and compares biomechanical characteristics between the following treatments for syndesmosis injuries: suture-button fixation plus syndesmotic repair and screw fixation. Methods: The lower extremities of 10 cadavers disarticulated at the knee joints were used, yielding 20 feet. Ten feet underwent surgery using the suture-button fixation with syndesmotic repair, while the remaining 10 feet underwent surgery using screw fixation. Before surgical treatment of syndesmosis injuries, each cadaveric lower limb underwent preliminary physiological cyclic loading, which was followed by a series of postfixation cyclic loading tests after the surgical procedure. Results: Our principal finding is that suture-button fixation with syndesmotic repair provided torsional strength comparable to that of screw fixation. The mean failure torque did not differ between the 2 groups, but the rotational stiffness was significantly lower in the suture-button fixation/augmentation group. Conclusions Suture-button fixation/augmentation facilitates flexible (physiological) syndesmosis movement and may be a useful alternative treatment for ankle syndesmosis injury.

The detrimental effects of hyperlipidemia on the healing of rotator cuff tears are well documented. The proposed underlying mechanisms for these effects include alterations in the extracellular matrix, inflammation, and oxidative stress, which hamper the reparative processes in the affected tendon tissues. Recent therapeutic strategies target these pathways, reflecting a growing body of research dedicated to mitigating these effects and promoting healing. This literature review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology underlying rotator cuff tears, examine the interplay between hyperlipidemia and rotator cuff tear healing, synthesize current knowledge on contributing biological mechanisms, and outline potential therapeutic interventions to optimize clinical management and treatment outcomes for patients.

Background: This study aimed to investigate changes after repeated subacromial drug injections in a rat model of normal rotator cuff. Methods: Thirty-nine male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups 1 (no injection, n = 3), 2 (parecoxib, n = 18; 6 subgroups, n = 3 each; 0.5 mg/kg), and 3 (triamcinolone, n = 18; 6 subgroups, n = 3 each; 0.3 mg/kg). Groups 2 and 3 received subacromial injections 1–6 times once weekly for 6 weeks. The supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons and muscles were used for biomechanical and histological evaluation. The subacromial bursa was used to analyze the prostaglandin E2 (PEG2) level. Results: In the biomechanical test, load-to-failure and ultimate stress decreased in groups 2 and 3 with repeated injections and the values were significantly lower in group 3 than in group 1 only at the sixth injection (p = 0.007 and p = 0.008, respectively). On the Bonar score, the cellularity, ground substance, and total score were significantly different among the 3 groups at the fifth and sixth injections (cellularity: p = 0.028 and p = 0.033, ground substance: p = 0.018 and p = 0.006, and total score: p = 0.029 and p = 0.027, respectively). The myocyte cross-sectional area of the infraspinatus muscle showed a significant difference among the 3 groups at the third and fourth injections (p = 0.031 and p = 0.020, respectively). The PEG2 level in the subacromial bursa was significantly different among the 3 groups at the third, fifth, and sixth injections (p = 0.019, p = 0.004, and p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusions In the rat model of normal rotator cuff, repeated local injections of the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor showed fewer negative effects on the biomechanical and histological properties of the normal tendon than triamcinolone.

Background: Anterior dislocation in epilepsy patients is relatively severe, difficult to treat, and prone to recurrence. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of arthroscopic Bankart repair and the open Latarjet procedure in epilepsy patients who had anterior shoulder instability and to compare the results of the open Latarjet procedure in epilepsy and non-epileptic groups. Methods: A total of 57 shoulders (34 dominant) in 55 patients (18–50 years, 45 men and 10 women) with anterior glenohumeral instability were included in the study and the average follow-up was 24 months. Out of 21 epilepsy patients (23 shoulders), 11 were treated with the open Latarjet procedure and 12 with arthroscopic Bankart repair. Additionally, comparisons were made between the 34 non-epileptic patients who underwent the open Latarjet procedure and the epilepsy patients who underwent the same procedure. Results: In the epilepsy group, all 12 patients who underwent Bankart repair had on-track lesions, and all 11 patients who underwent the Latarjet procedure had off-track lesions. In the non-epilepsy group, all cases were off-track lesions. In the epilepsy group, there was no significant difference in the postoperative clinical outcome and recurrence rate between the Bankart repair and Latarjet procedure groups. In the Latarjet group, postoperative re-dislocation rate in the non-epilepsy patients was 14% (5/34 cases), compared to 45% (5/11 cases) in the epilepsy patients, 4 of which 4 occurred during seizures. It was 41% in the Bankart repair group for on-track lesions, which was similar to the recurrence rate after the Latarjet for off-track lesions in the epilepsy group. Conclusions After the Latarjet procedure, the functional outcomes in the epilepsy group were similar to those in the non-epilepsy group, except for the higher re-dislocation rate. With either of the surgical procedures, the re-dislocation rate secondary to seizures was very high. Despite the presence of on-track lesions, the Latarjet procedure would be more preferrable for anterior stabilization in epilepsy patients, in view of the high recurrence rate with arthroscopic Bankart repair.

Background: The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol has garnered global attention for optimizing perioperative care. It holds significant potential for orthopedic hip surgery, especially in elderly patients requiring rehabilitation. However, largescale studies or meta-analyses specific to this field remain limited. Methods: A systematic search was performed using Medline (PubMed), Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for studies assessing the effects of the ERAS protocol in hip surgery up to August 13, 2024. A double-arm meta-analysis was designed to compare perioperative outcomes, including postoperative pain scores, transfusion rates, medical and surgical complications, and length of hospital stay, between ERAS and control groups. Results: Twenty-one studies were systematically reviewed, and 13 were included in the pooled analysis, comprising 1,004 patients in the ERAS group and 1,159 in the control group. Meta-analysis results demonstrated that the ERAS protocol significantly improved postoperative pain management, reduced blood transfusion requirements, decreased medical complications, and shortened hospital stays compared to standard protocols. Conclusions This meta-analysis supports the hypothesis that the ERAS protocol enhances perioperative outcomes in orthopedic hip surgery.