Purpose: Mitochondria-accumulating amphiphilic peptide (Mito-FF) was designed to selectively target mitochondria in cancer cells and enhance anticancer effects through its unique structure. Mito-FF consists of (1) diphenylalanine, a β-sheet-forming building block critical for self-assembly; (2) triphenylphosphonium, a mitochondrial targeting moiety guiding the peptide to mitochondria; and (3) pyrene, a fluorescent probe enabling visualization of its accumulation and selfassembly. This study evaluates the anticancer efficacy of Mito-FF in breast cancer cells and explores its combination with paclitaxel, a standard therapy for breast cancer, focusing on its modulation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway. Methods: In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed using MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines and their respective xenograft models. Cell viability, migration, EMT marker expression, and apoptosis-related proteins were analyzed. Results: Mito-FF demonstrated superior inhibition of cell viability and migration compared to paclitaxel alone in both cell lines. Combination therapy with Mito-FF and paclitaxel resulted in enhanced reduction of cell viability and migration. EMT markers were significantly modulated, with decreased mesenchymal markers (Snail and vimentin) and increased epithelial marker (E-cadherin) following combination treatment. Furthermore, the combination therapy synergistically elevated proapoptotic markers such as poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase and reduced anti-apoptotic markers such as myeloid cell leukemia 1. In vivo experiments revealed a marked reduction in tumor volume with combination therapy, accompanied by the highest expression levels of E-cadherin and pro-apoptotic marker Bim. Conclusion Mito-FF, designed for mitochondrial targeting and visualization, exhibited potent anticancer effects when combined with paclitaxel, in the breast cancer cells.

Background: This study established sex-specific reference intervals (RIs) for hematological parameters, including the monocyte distribution width (MDW), in Korean adults and assessed the need for separate RIs according to sex in older adults. Methods: Hematological parameters were measured using a DxH 900 hematology analyzer (Beckman Coulter, USA) on 328 peripheral blood samples from 124 men and 204 women aged 19–93 years. Results: The RIs for white blood cells, red blood cells (RBCs), Hb, Hct, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, monocyte percentage, and neutrophil, eosinophil, lympho­cyte, and monocyte counts differed significantly by sex (P<0.05). Mean corpuscular volume was significantly positively associated with age, whereas RBC and platelet counts were significantly negatively correlated with age in both men and women. Age-based analysis revealed significant shifts in the RBC parameters beginning at 60 years of age in men and 70 years of age in women. The MDW did not show significant differences according to sex or age. Conclusions This study supports the use of sex-specific RIs and highlights the importance of considering age when interpreting results regarding hematological parameters in clinical practice.

Purpose: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a major preventable cause of intellectual disability, particularly in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, who are at increased risk due to hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis immaturity. Early differentiation between transient CH (TCH) and permanent CH (PCH) is crucial to optimize L-thyroxine (LT4) treatment duration. This study aimed to determine the incidence of PCH among Korean VLBW infants and to identify clinical factors that may aid in distinguishing TCH from PCH. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included VLBW infants diagnosed with CH and treated with LT4 at a single tertiary neonatal intensive care unit between 2011 and 2020. Infants requiring LT4 beyond 3 years were classified as PCH, while those who discontinued earlier were considered TCH. Clinical characteristics, neonatal morbidities, and thyroid-related parameters were compared between the groups. Results: Among 1,292 VLBW infants, 122 (9.4%) were diagnosed with CH. After excluding deaths and those lost to follow-up, 73 infants were included in the final analysis (TCH, n=50; PCH, n=23). The PCH group had a significantly higher mean gestational age and greater LT4 requirements at both 12 and 36 months of age. Major anomalies were more frequently observed in PCH infants, including congenital heart defects. In multivariate analysis, higher gestational age, the presence of major anomalies, screening thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) >10 μIU/mL, and higher LT4 dose at 36 months were significantly associated with PCH. Conclusion The incidence of PCH in Korean VLBW infants was relatively higher than that reported in previous studies studies. Screening TSH level and LT4 dose requirements may support individualized follow-up and help distinguish PCH from TCH.

A glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is a rare type of odontogenic cyst characterized by a broad clinical and pathological spectrum, overlapping with different lesions ranging from lateral periodontal cysts to low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Further, including GOC in the initial diagnosis is frequently challenging due to its nonspecific radiological results. Despite its rarity, accurate GOC diagnosis is crucial due to its aggressive nature and high recurrence potential. Therefore, various GOC cases need to be presented to clinicians. This study aims to report the clinical and radiological characteristics of two cases of GOCs that were initially misdiagnosed as radicular cysts.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare maternal outcomes and the home environment between non‑vulnerable families with children under 2 receiving universal home visiting services and vulnerable families receiving sustained home visiting services. METHODS: This study was conducted in Seoul, Korea, where the country’s first nurse‑led early childhood home visiting program was introduced. A total of 551 mother‑child dyads participated in cross‑sectional surveys conducted at various child ages (6±2 weeks, 6±1 months, 12±1 months, and 24±1 months). Universal home visiting services were provided within six weeks postpartum to non‑vulnerable families, while vulnerable families received sustained services consisting of 25 visits over 24 months. Maternal knowledge of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and childcare, maternal distress, and the Korean Infant‑Toddler Home Observation for Measurement of Environment (K‑IT‑HOME) were assessed. RESULTS: Overall, the universal home visitation group demonstrated higher levels of maternal knowledge regarding SIDS and childcare compared to the sustained home visitation group (all p-values <0.05), while the sustained home visitation group reported higher levels of maternal distress (p<0.001). The total K‑IT‑HOME score was 1.47 points higher in the universal home visitation group than in the sustained home visitation group (p<0.001). No significant differences were observed in the acceptance, organization, or involvement subscales of the K‑IT‑HOME (all p-values >0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that disparities in maternal outcomes and home environments persisted in early childhood between the sustained and universal home visitation groups.

Purpose: Radio-Tartaglia syndrome (RTS; Mendelian Inheritance in Man [MIM]: 619312) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder with few reported cases and limited research. It has recently been reported that the clinical features of RTS overlap with those of 1p36 deletion syndrome (1p36DS), a common chromosomal deletion characterized by clinical and molecular heterogeneity. This study aims to report on a Korean patient with RTS and compare the clinical and molecular features with those of patients with 1p36DS. Methods: A 3-year-old boy was brought to the hospital and underwent whole genome sequencing to evaluate developmental delay and multiple anomalies. This led to the identification of a de novo truncating variant in SPEN. We retrospectively investigated cases of 1p36DS that were either newly diagnosed at our institution or previously reported in the literature and databases. Results: The clinical profile of RTS includes developmental delay/intellectual disability, hypotonia, feeding difficulties, congenital heart defects, and facial dysmorphisms. SPEN is frequently found within the deleted region associated with 1p36DS. However, in all reported Korean cases of 1p36DS, the deletions were distal and did not involve SPEN; despite this, the clinical features of the disorder overlap considerably with those of RTS. Conclusion SPEN is a newly identified gene that plays a role in various developmental processes. Therefore, it is essential to include SPEN in genetic testing when diagnosing patients suspected of having a neurodevelopmental disorder. Additional research is required to explore the molecular and clinical features, as well as the prognosis, of patients with either an isolated SPEN mutation or one that co-occurs with 1p36DS.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a comprehensive practical guide for enteral nutrition (EN) designed to enhance patient safety and reduce complications in Korea. Under the leadership of the Korean Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (KSPEN), the initiative sought to standardize EN procedures, improve decision-making, and promote effective multidisciplinary communication. Methods: The KSPEN EN committee identified key questions related to EN practices and organized them into seven sections such as prescribing, delivery route selection, formula preparation, administration, and quality management. Twenty-one experts, selected based on their expertise, conducted a thorough literature review to formulate evidence-based recommendations. Drafts underwent peer review both within and across disciplines, with final revisions completed by the KSPEN Guideline Committee. The guide, which will be published in three installments, addresses critical elements of EN therapy and safety protocols. Results: The practical guide recommends that EN orders include detailed elements and advocates the use of electronic medical records for communication. Standardized prescription forms and supplementary safety measures are outlined. Review frequency is adjusted according to patient condition—daily for critically ill or unstable patients and as dictated by institutional protocols for stable patients. Evidence indicates that adherence to these protocols reduces mortality, complications, and prescription errors. Conclusion The KSPEN practical guide offers a robust framework for the safe delivery of EN tailored to Korea’s healthcare context. It emphasizes standardized protocols and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve nutritional outcomes, patient safety, and operational efficiency. Rigorous implementation and monitoring of adherence are critical for its success.

Appendectomy as the standard treatment for acute appendicitis has been challenged by accumulating evidence supporting nonoperative management with antibiotics as a potential primary treatment. This review aimed to summarize the clinical outcomes and the optimal indications for nonoperative management of acute appendicitis in adults. Current evidence suggests that uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis have different pathophysiologies and should be treated differently. Nonoperative management for uncomplicated appendicitis was not inferior to appendectomy in terms of complications and length of stay, with less than a 30% failure rate at 1 year. The risk of perforation and postoperative complications did not increase even if nonoperative management failed. Complicated appendicitis with localized abscess or phlegmon could also be treated conservatively, with a success rate of more than 80%. An interval appendectomy following successful nonoperative management is recommended only for patients over the age of 40 years to exclude appendiceal malignancy. The presence of appendicoliths increased the risk of treatment failure and complications; thus, it may be an indication for appendectomy. Nonoperative management is a safe and feasible option for both uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis. Patients should be informed that nonoperative management may be a safe alternative to surgery, with the possibility of treatment failure.

Purpose: Radio-Tartaglia syndrome (RTS; Mendelian Inheritance in Man [MIM]: 619312) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder with few reported cases and limited research. It has recently been reported that the clinical features of RTS overlap with those of 1p36 deletion syndrome (1p36DS), a common chromosomal deletion characterized by clinical and molecular heterogeneity. This study aims to report on a Korean patient with RTS and compare the clinical and molecular features with those of patients with 1p36DS. Methods: A 3-year-old boy was brought to the hospital and underwent whole genome sequencing to evaluate developmental delay and multiple anomalies. This led to the identification of a de novo truncating variant in SPEN. We retrospectively investigated cases of 1p36DS that were either newly diagnosed at our institution or previously reported in the literature and databases. Results: The clinical profile of RTS includes developmental delay/intellectual disability, hypotonia, feeding difficulties, congenital heart defects, and facial dysmorphisms. SPEN is frequently found within the deleted region associated with 1p36DS. However, in all reported Korean cases of 1p36DS, the deletions were distal and did not involve SPEN; despite this, the clinical features of the disorder overlap considerably with those of RTS. Conclusion SPEN is a newly identified gene that plays a role in various developmental processes. Therefore, it is essential to include SPEN in genetic testing when diagnosing patients suspected of having a neurodevelopmental disorder. Additional research is required to explore the molecular and clinical features, as well as the prognosis, of patients with either an isolated SPEN mutation or one that co-occurs with 1p36DS.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a comprehensive practical guide for enteral nutrition (EN) designed to enhance patient safety and reduce complications in Korea. Under the leadership of the Korean Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (KSPEN), the initiative sought to standardize EN procedures, improve decision-making, and promote effective multidisciplinary communication. Methods: The KSPEN EN committee identified key questions related to EN practices and organized them into seven sections such as prescribing, delivery route selection, formula preparation, administration, and quality management. Twenty-one experts, selected based on their expertise, conducted a thorough literature review to formulate evidence-based recommendations. Drafts underwent peer review both within and across disciplines, with final revisions completed by the KSPEN Guideline Committee. The guide, which will be published in three installments, addresses critical elements of EN therapy and safety protocols. Results: The practical guide recommends that EN orders include detailed elements and advocates the use of electronic medical records for communication. Standardized prescription forms and supplementary safety measures are outlined. Review frequency is adjusted according to patient condition—daily for critically ill or unstable patients and as dictated by institutional protocols for stable patients. Evidence indicates that adherence to these protocols reduces mortality, complications, and prescription errors. Conclusion The KSPEN practical guide offers a robust framework for the safe delivery of EN tailored to Korea’s healthcare context. It emphasizes standardized protocols and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve nutritional outcomes, patient safety, and operational efficiency. Rigorous implementation and monitoring of adherence are critical for its success.