Microplastics (MP) are pervasive environmental pollutants with potential adverse effects on human health, particularly concerning neurotoxicity. This study investigates the accumulation and neurotoxic effects of MP in cerebral organoids and mouse brains. Utilizing in vitro cerebral organoids and in vivo mouse models, we examined the penetration of MP, revealing that smaller MP (50 nm) infiltrated deeper into the organoids compared to larger ones (100 nm). Exposure to 50 nm MP resulted in a significant reduction in organoid viability. Furthermore, total RNA sequencing indicated substantial alterations in neurotoxicity-related gene expression.In vivo, MP-treated mice exhibited notable DNA fragmentation in the hippocampus and cortex, alongside elevated levels of inflammatory markers and neurotoxic metabolites, such as kynurenine (KYN) and 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK). Our findings suggest that MP may promote neurotoxicity through the kynurenine pathway, leading to heightened levels of neurotoxic compounds like quinolinic acid. This research highlights the potential for MP to induce neuroinflammatory responses and disrupt normal brain function, underscoring the need for further investigation into the long-term effects of MP exposure on neurological health.

Microplastics (MP) are pervasive environmental pollutants with potential adverse effects on human health, particularly concerning neurotoxicity. This study investigates the accumulation and neurotoxic effects of MP in cerebral organoids and mouse brains. Utilizing in vitro cerebral organoids and in vivo mouse models, we examined the penetration of MP, revealing that smaller MP (50 nm) infiltrated deeper into the organoids compared to larger ones (100 nm). Exposure to 50 nm MP resulted in a significant reduction in organoid viability. Furthermore, total RNA sequencing indicated substantial alterations in neurotoxicity-related gene expression.In vivo, MP-treated mice exhibited notable DNA fragmentation in the hippocampus and cortex, alongside elevated levels of inflammatory markers and neurotoxic metabolites, such as kynurenine (KYN) and 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK). Our findings suggest that MP may promote neurotoxicity through the kynurenine pathway, leading to heightened levels of neurotoxic compounds like quinolinic acid. This research highlights the potential for MP to induce neuroinflammatory responses and disrupt normal brain function, underscoring the need for further investigation into the long-term effects of MP exposure on neurological health.

Microplastics (MP) are pervasive environmental pollutants with potential adverse effects on human health, particularly concerning neurotoxicity. This study investigates the accumulation and neurotoxic effects of MP in cerebral organoids and mouse brains. Utilizing in vitro cerebral organoids and in vivo mouse models, we examined the penetration of MP, revealing that smaller MP (50 nm) infiltrated deeper into the organoids compared to larger ones (100 nm). Exposure to 50 nm MP resulted in a significant reduction in organoid viability. Furthermore, total RNA sequencing indicated substantial alterations in neurotoxicity-related gene expression.In vivo, MP-treated mice exhibited notable DNA fragmentation in the hippocampus and cortex, alongside elevated levels of inflammatory markers and neurotoxic metabolites, such as kynurenine (KYN) and 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK). Our findings suggest that MP may promote neurotoxicity through the kynurenine pathway, leading to heightened levels of neurotoxic compounds like quinolinic acid. This research highlights the potential for MP to induce neuroinflammatory responses and disrupt normal brain function, underscoring the need for further investigation into the long-term effects of MP exposure on neurological health.

Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis (IGD) is a rare skin condition commonly associated with autoimmune diseases.Lesions typically occur bilaterally on the lateral trunk and proximal extremities and present as variable cutaneous lesions. A 63-year-old female with a 1-year history of a skin rash on her face visited the dermatology department of our hospital. The patient had received a dermal filler injection with unidentified gradients on the face of an unlicensed practitioner 20 years before. The lesions on the left cheek were tender, violaceous, coalescing, and annular. A violaceous round nodule with tenderness was observed on the left chin and glabella. She denied having any systemic complaints. The biopsy specimen showed diffuse interstitial CD68＋ histiocytic infiltration involving the reticular dermis around the degenerative collagen bundles. The patient was diagnosed with IGD. The patient was treated with systemic steroids and showed clinical improvement. Herein, we report a case of IGD after an unknown dermal filler injection, along with a literature review.

Background: Chronic scalp pruritus is a common symptom in dermatology patients. However, few studies have investigated its causes and clinical characteristics. Objective: We aimed to evaluate in this study the causes of chronic scalp pruritus, classify itching, and the clinical manifestations associated with different causes and classifications. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 179 patients with chronic scalp pruritus recruited from the Department of Dermatology at Konyang University Hospital between August 2023 to February 2024. Age, sex, clinical features, Itch Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and treatment response were evaluated using a questionnaire. Results: The most common cause of chronic scalp pruritus was a dermatologic condition (n=135, 75.4%). Systemic scalp pruritus (n=15, 8.4%) was the second most common cause, followed by neuropathic pruritus (n=14, 7.8%), psychogenic scalp pruritus (n=9, 5.0%), and scalp pruritus of unknown origin (n=6, 3.4%). Patients with systemic pruritus had higher itch NRS scores compared to those with neuropathic pruritus (p=0.033). In addition, patients with dermatological pruritus experienced longer itch duration and treatment courses than patients with neuropathic pruritus (p=0.001 and p=0.005, respectively). Moreover, patients with higher itch NRS scores had higher DLQI scores among patients with dermatological pruritus (p＜0.001). Conclusion In this study, we classified the causes of scalp pruritus and identified the itch severity and clinical manifestations. The severity of itching, pruritus duration, treatment duration, and aggravating factors differed for each scalp pruritus classification. Understanding the classification and clinical characteristics of scalp pruritus can facilitate the development of more effective treatments.

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is a genetic disorder caused by mutation in mitochondrial DNA. Patients with stroke-like episodes show restrictive lesions in diffusion weighted image, whereas magnetic resonance angiography images show both vasodilation or vasoconstriction. Vasodilation may lead to hyperperfusion and cerebral edema, which may worsen clinical outcome. Here, we report a 25-year-old male patient diagnosed as MELAS, who presented with stroke-like episodes and seizures and showed cerebral edema with vasodilation which was normalized after steroid treatment.

Background: Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a severely pruritic chronic skin disease, and its management is challenging.Although some studies have described the natural course and demographics of PN, there are few studies on the quality of life (QOL) or psychological problems in patients with PN. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the QOL and psychological problems of PN patients and identify the factors which effect on the QOL and psychological problems of these patients. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 41 patients with PN who visited the Department of Dermatology at Konyang University Hospital between November 2022 and March 2023. Age, sex, clinical features, itch Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were evaluated through the questionnaire. Results: PN patients had mean DLQI, BDI, ISI, and BAI scores of 13.9, 15.0, 8.9, and 13.0, respectively. There were no significant differences in the DLQI, BDI, ISI, or BAI scores with respect to sex, smoking, alcohol, drug history, disease duration, or treatment duration. Patients with systemic diseases or other dermatologic diseases were more likely to have higher DLQI scores than those without any associated disease (p=0.043 and p=0.015). Moreover, patients with higher itch NRS scores had higher DLQI and ISI scores (p=0.002 and p=0.030). Conclusion We found that PN had a large impact on QOL and mental health. Therefore, we recommend that dermatologists pay close attention to the psychological aspects when treating and educating patients with PN.

The aim of this study was to develop evidence-based recommendations for determining the surgical extent in patients with locally invasive differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Locally invasive DTC with gross extrathyroidal extension invading surrounding anatomical structures may lead to several functional deficits and poor oncological outcomes. At present, the optimal extent of surgery in locally invasive DTC remains a matter of debate, and there are no adequate guidelines. On October 8, 2021, four experts searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases; the identified papers were reviewed by 39 experts in thyroid and head and neck surgery. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess the quality of evidence, and to develop and report recommendations. The strength of a recommendation reflects the confidence of a guideline panel that the desirable effects of an intervention outweigh any undesirable effects, across all patients for whom the recommendation is applicable. After completing the draft guidelines, Delphi questionnaires were completed by members of the Korean Society of Head and Neck Surgery. Twenty-seven evidence-based recommendations were made for several factors, including the preoperative workup; surgical extent of thyroidectomy; surgery for cancer invading the strap muscles, recurrent laryngeal nerve, laryngeal framework, trachea, or esophagus; and surgery for patients with central and lateral cervical lymph node involvement. Evidence-based guidelines were devised to help clinicians make safer and more efficient clinical decisions for the optimal surgical treatment of patients with locally invasive DTC.

Clear cell acanthoma is a rare benign tumor, which usually presents as a solitary erythematous to brown colored papule or nodule, with a predilection for the lower leg of t hemiddle-aged and older individuals. An 11-year-old male presented with a 1-month history of bilateral brownish colored and exudative plaques on the both areolae.Histopathologic examination showed psoriasiform proliferation of pale keratinocytes and neutrophil exocytosis. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with clear cell acanthoma. Typically, clear cell acanthoma occurs as a unilateral lesion on the leg in an adult. However, our case shows a bilateral lesion as well as the uncommon age and site.To our knowledge, this case of bilateral clear cell acanthoma has been rarely reported in Korea. Herein, we report a case of clear cell acanthoma that occurred on both areolae in a child.

Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas are rare diseases comprising nodular to diffuse lymphoid cell infiltration with an overlying grenz zone and no epidermal involvement upon histological analysis. Diagnostics can become challenging when lymphomas exhibit the characteristics of both B and T-cells. Differential diagnoses may include reactive proliferations, cutaneous composite lymphomas, and transformed mycosis fungoides. Immunohistochemistry and gene arrangement tests may be beneficial to clarify the diagnosis. Herein, we report a rare case of epidermotropic EBV-positive cutaneous B-cell lymphoma along with a literature review.