1.Changes in Structural Covariance among Olfactory-related Brain Regions in Anosmia Patients
Suji LEE ; Yumi SONG ; Haejin HONG ; Yoonji JOO ; Eunji HA ; Youngeun SHIM ; Seung-No HONG ; Jungyoon KIM ; In Kyoon LYOO ; Sujung YOON ; Dae Woo KIM
Experimental Neurobiology 2024;33(2):99-106
Anosmia, characterized by the loss of smell, is associated not only with dysfunction in the peripheral olfactory system but also with changes in several brain regions involved in olfactory processing. Specifically, the orbitofrontal cortex is recognized for its pivotal role in integrating olfactory information, engaging in bidirectional communication with the primary olfactory regions, including the olfactory cortex, amygdala, and entorhinal cortex. However, little is known about alterations in structural connections among these brain regions in patients with anosmia. In this study, highresolution T1-weighted images were obtained from participants. Utilizing the volumes of key brain regions implicated in olfactory function, we employed a structural covariance approach to investigate brain reorganization patterns in patients with anosmia (n=22) compared to healthy individuals (n=30). Our structural covariance analysis demonstrated diminished connectivity between the amygdala and entorhinal cortex, components of the primary olfactory network, in patients with anosmia compared to healthy individuals (z=-2.22, FDR-corrected p=0.039). Conversely, connectivity between the orbitofrontal cortex—a major region in the extended olfactory network—and amygdala was found to be enhanced in the anosmia group compared to healthy individuals (z=2.32, FDR-corrected p=0.039). However, the structural connections between the orbitofrontal cortex and entorhinal cortex did not differ significantly between the groups (z=0.04, FDR-corrected p=0.968). These findings suggest a potential structural reorganization, particularly of higher-order cortical regions, possibly as a compensatory effort to interpret the limited olfactory information available in individuals with olfactory loss.
2.Alterations in Brain Morphometric Networks and Their Relationship with Memory Dysfunction in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Rye Young KIM ; Yoonji JOO ; Eunji HA ; Haejin HONG ; Chaewon SUH ; Youngeun SHIM ; Hyeonji LEE ; Yejin KIM ; Jae-Hyoung CHO ; Sujung YOON ; In Kyoon LYOO
Experimental Neurobiology 2024;33(2):107-117
Cognitive dysfunction, a significant complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), can potentially manifest even from the early stages of the disease. Despite evidence of global brain atrophy and related cognitive dysfunction in early-stage T2DM patients, specific regions vulnerable to these changes have not yet been identified. The study enrolled patients with T2DM of less than five years’ duration and without chronic complications (T2DM group, n=100) and demographically similar healthy controls (control group, n=50). High-resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data were subjected to independent component analysis to identify structurally significant components indicative of morphometric networks. Within these networks, the groups’ gray matter volumes were compared, and distinctions in memory performance were assessed. In the T2DM group, the relationship between changes in gray matter volume within these networks and declines in memory performance was examined. Among the identified morphometric networks, the T2DM group exhibited reduced gray matter volumes in both the precuneus (Bonferronicorrected p=0.003) and insular-opercular (Bonferroni-corrected p=0.024) networks relative to the control group. Patients with T2DM demonstrated significantly lower memory performance than the control group (p=0.001). In the T2DM group, reductions in gray matter volume in both the precuneus (r=0.316, p=0.001) and insular-opercular (r=0.199, p=0.047) networks were correlated with diminished memory performance. Our findings indicate that structural alterations in the precuneus and insular-opercular networks, along with memory dysfunction, can manifest within the first 5 years following a diagnosis of T2DM.
3.Epidemiologic and Clinical Outcomes of Pediatric Renal Tumors in Korea: A Retrospective Analysis of The Korean Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Group (KPHOG) Data
Kyung-Nam KOH ; Jung Woo HAN ; Hyoung Soo CHOI ; Hyoung Jin KANG ; Ji Won LEE ; Keon Hee YOO ; Ki Woong SUNG ; Hong Hoe KOO ; Kyung Taek HONG ; Jung Yoon CHOI ; Sung Han KANG ; Hyery KIM ; Ho Joon IM ; Seung Min HAHN ; Chuhl Joo LYU ; Hee-Jo BAEK ; Hoon KOOK ; Kyung Mi PARK ; Eu Jeen YANG ; Young Tak LIM ; Seongkoo KIM ; Jae Wook LEE ; Nack-Gyun CHUNG ; Bin CHO ; Meerim PARK ; Hyeon Jin PARK ; Byung-Kiu PARK ; Jun Ah LEE ; Jun Eun PARK ; Soon Ki KIM ; Ji Yoon KIM ; Hyo Sun KIM ; Youngeun MA ; Kyung Duk PARK ; Sang Kyu PARK ; Eun Sil PARK ; Ye Jee SHIM ; Eun Sun YOO ; Kyung Ha RYU ; Jae Won YOO ; Yeon Jung LIM ; Hoi Soo YOON ; Mee Jeong LEE ; Jae Min LEE ; In-Sang JEON ; Hye Lim JUNG ; Hee Won CHUEH ; Seunghyun WON ;
Cancer Research and Treatment 2023;55(1):279-290
Purpose:
Renal tumors account for approximately 7% of all childhood cancers. These include Wilms tumor (WT), clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK), malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney (MRTK), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN) and other rare tumors. We investigated the epidemiology of pediatric renal tumors in Korea.
Materials and Methods:
From January 2001 to December 2015, data of pediatric patients (0–18 years) newly-diagnosed with renal tumors at 26 hospitals were retrospectively analyzed.
Results:
Among 439 patients (male, 240), the most common tumor was WT (n=342, 77.9%), followed by RCC (n=36, 8.2%), CCSK (n=24, 5.5%), MRTK (n=16, 3.6%), CMN (n=12, 2.7%), and others (n=9, 2.1%). Median age at diagnosis was 27.1 months (range 0-225.5) and median follow-up duration was 88.5 months (range 0-211.6). Overall, 32 patients died, of whom 17, 11, 1, and 3 died of relapse, progressive disease, second malignant neoplasm, and treatment-related mortality. Five-year overall survival and event free survival were 97.2% and 84.8% in WT, 90.6% and 82.1% in RCC, 81.1% and 63.6% in CCSK, 60.3% and 56.2% in MRTK, and 100% and 91.7% in CMN, respectively (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
The pediatric renal tumor types in Korea are similar to those previously reported in other countries. WT accounted for a large proportion and survival was excellent. Non-Wilms renal tumors included a variety of tumors and showed inferior outcome, especially MRTK. Further efforts are necessary to optimize the treatment and analyze the genetic characteristics of pediatric renal tumors in Korea.