The multi-decade household humidifier disinfectant poisoning tragedy (HHDT) in South Korea highlights the importance of investigating government failures. This study aims to identify and discuss key failures and shortcomings in the South Korean authorities’ approach to regulating humidifier disinfectants (HDs) and monitoring cases of chemical poisoning. We reviewed both the HD risk prevention measures that the South Korean Ministry of Environment (KME) should have implemented under the Toxic Chemicals Control Act (TCCA) (1991–2013).Polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG), a new chemical, was approved for use as a disinfectant under the TCCA. KME declared PHMG non-hazardous based solely on preproduction documentation provided by the industry. In addition, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCPA) failed to detect the HHDT that had accumulated each year for more than a decade. KME’s neglect of its responsibilities, coupled with KDCPA’s lack of chemical poisoning surveillance systems, led to the accumulation of widespread HHDT.

The multi-decade household humidifier disinfectant poisoning tragedy (HHDT) in South Korea highlights the importance of investigating government failures. This study aims to identify and discuss key failures and shortcomings in the South Korean authorities’ approach to regulating humidifier disinfectants (HDs) and monitoring cases of chemical poisoning. We reviewed both the HD risk prevention measures that the South Korean Ministry of Environment (KME) should have implemented under the Toxic Chemicals Control Act (TCCA) (1991–2013).Polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG), a new chemical, was approved for use as a disinfectant under the TCCA. KME declared PHMG non-hazardous based solely on preproduction documentation provided by the industry. In addition, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCPA) failed to detect the HHDT that had accumulated each year for more than a decade. KME’s neglect of its responsibilities, coupled with KDCPA’s lack of chemical poisoning surveillance systems, led to the accumulation of widespread HHDT.

The multi-decade household humidifier disinfectant poisoning tragedy (HHDT) in South Korea highlights the importance of investigating government failures. This study aims to identify and discuss key failures and shortcomings in the South Korean authorities’ approach to regulating humidifier disinfectants (HDs) and monitoring cases of chemical poisoning. We reviewed both the HD risk prevention measures that the South Korean Ministry of Environment (KME) should have implemented under the Toxic Chemicals Control Act (TCCA) (1991–2013).Polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG), a new chemical, was approved for use as a disinfectant under the TCCA. KME declared PHMG non-hazardous based solely on preproduction documentation provided by the industry. In addition, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCPA) failed to detect the HHDT that had accumulated each year for more than a decade. KME’s neglect of its responsibilities, coupled with KDCPA’s lack of chemical poisoning surveillance systems, led to the accumulation of widespread HHDT.

The multi-decade household humidifier disinfectant poisoning tragedy (HHDT) in South Korea highlights the importance of investigating government failures. This study aims to identify and discuss key failures and shortcomings in the South Korean authorities’ approach to regulating humidifier disinfectants (HDs) and monitoring cases of chemical poisoning. We reviewed both the HD risk prevention measures that the South Korean Ministry of Environment (KME) should have implemented under the Toxic Chemicals Control Act (TCCA) (1991–2013).Polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG), a new chemical, was approved for use as a disinfectant under the TCCA. KME declared PHMG non-hazardous based solely on preproduction documentation provided by the industry. In addition, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCPA) failed to detect the HHDT that had accumulated each year for more than a decade. KME’s neglect of its responsibilities, coupled with KDCPA’s lack of chemical poisoning surveillance systems, led to the accumulation of widespread HHDT.

Background: Occupational skin diseases are common in industrial settings; however, few studies have examined workers involved in the production of lithium-ion battery cathode-active materials. This study aimed to investigate the patterns and factors associated with skin diseases in these workers. Methods: Overall, 37 workers with a history of skin disease were recruited from two cathode-active material manufacturing companies. Onsite investigations, semi-structured interviews, and workplace observations were conducted. Information on skin symptoms, affected areas, symptom frequency, and aggravating factors was collected. Results: The most commonly reported symptoms were pruritus (27.5%), erythema (20.3%), and chemical burns (15.9%). The most commonly affected areas were the hands and forearms (67.6%), whereas 27.0% of workers reported symptoms in unexposed areas, such as the thighs. The symptoms tended to worsen on workdays and improved during holidays. Less-experienced workers reported more frequent symptoms. Conclusions Skin diseases during cathode material production appear to be primarily caused by irritants and allergic contact dermatitis, as well as chemical burns caused by exposure to metal dust, such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt. An urgent need exists for appropriate personal protective equipment, improved work environments, and targeted education for new workers.

Lecanemab (product name Leqembi ® ) is an anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody treatment approved for use in Korea for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. The Korean Dementia Association has created recommendations for the appropriate use of lecanemab to assist clinicians. These recommendations include selecting patients for administration, necessary pre-administration tests and preparations,administration methods, monitoring for amyloid related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), and communication with patients and caregivers. Lecanemab is recommended for patients with MCI or mild dementia who confirmed positive amyloid biomarkers, and should not be administered to patients with severe hypersensitivity to lecanemab or those unable to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation. To predict the risk of ARIA before administration, apolipoprotein E genotyping is conducted, and regular brain MRI evaluations are recommended to monitor for ARIA during treatment. The most common adverse reactions are infusion-related reactions, which require appropriate management upon occurrence. Additional caution is needed when co-administering with anticoagulants or tissue plasminogen activator due to the risk of macrohemorrhage. Clinicians should consider the efficacy and necessary conditions for administration, as well as the safety of lecanemab, to make a comprehensive decision regarding its use.

Lecanemab (product name Leqembi ® ) is an anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody treatment approved for use in Korea for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. The Korean Dementia Association has created recommendations for the appropriate use of lecanemab to assist clinicians. These recommendations include selecting patients for administration, necessary pre-administration tests and preparations,administration methods, monitoring for amyloid related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), and communication with patients and caregivers. Lecanemab is recommended for patients with MCI or mild dementia who confirmed positive amyloid biomarkers, and should not be administered to patients with severe hypersensitivity to lecanemab or those unable to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation. To predict the risk of ARIA before administration, apolipoprotein E genotyping is conducted, and regular brain MRI evaluations are recommended to monitor for ARIA during treatment. The most common adverse reactions are infusion-related reactions, which require appropriate management upon occurrence. Additional caution is needed when co-administering with anticoagulants or tissue plasminogen activator due to the risk of macrohemorrhage. Clinicians should consider the efficacy and necessary conditions for administration, as well as the safety of lecanemab, to make a comprehensive decision regarding its use.

Lecanemab (product name Leqembi ® ) is an anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody treatment approved for use in Korea for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. The Korean Dementia Association has created recommendations for the appropriate use of lecanemab to assist clinicians. These recommendations include selecting patients for administration, necessary pre-administration tests and preparations,administration methods, monitoring for amyloid related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), and communication with patients and caregivers. Lecanemab is recommended for patients with MCI or mild dementia who confirmed positive amyloid biomarkers, and should not be administered to patients with severe hypersensitivity to lecanemab or those unable to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation. To predict the risk of ARIA before administration, apolipoprotein E genotyping is conducted, and regular brain MRI evaluations are recommended to monitor for ARIA during treatment. The most common adverse reactions are infusion-related reactions, which require appropriate management upon occurrence. Additional caution is needed when co-administering with anticoagulants or tissue plasminogen activator due to the risk of macrohemorrhage. Clinicians should consider the efficacy and necessary conditions for administration, as well as the safety of lecanemab, to make a comprehensive decision regarding its use.

The reliability of presepsin as a biomarker of sepsis may be reduced in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT). This study analyzed the utility of plasma presepsin values in predicting mortality in patients with AKI requiring CKRT, particularly those with sepsis-associated AKI. Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 57 patients who underwent CKRT, with plasma presepsin measurements, from April 2022 to March 2023; 35 had sepsis-associated AKI. The predictive values of plasma presepsin, as well as Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, for 28-day mortality were analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for 28-day mortality in the sepsis-associated AKI subgroup. Results: Overall, plasma presepsin showed a lower area under the curve value (0.636; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.491–0.781) than the APACHE II (0.663; 95% CI, 0.521–0.804) and SOFA (0.731; 95% CI, 0.599–0.863) scores did. However, in sepsis-associated AKI, the area under the curve increased to 0.799 (95% CI, 0.653–0.946), which was higher than that of the APACHE II (0.638; 95% CI, 0.450–0.826) and SOFA (0.697; 95% CI, 0.519–0.875) scores. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, a high presepsin level was an independent risk factor for 28-day mortality in sepsis-associated AKI (hazard ratio, 3.437; p = 0.03). Conclusion: Presepsin is a potential prognostic marker in patients with sepsis-associated AKI requiring CKRT.

Background: /Aim: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are associated with the growth and invasion of malignant tumors. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was proven to block the EGFR-MAPK signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in bile duct cancer (BDC) cells. This study was performed to determine the effect of UDCA on ROS activity in BDC cells. Methods: Human extrahepatic BDC cells were cultured. MTT assays evaluated cell viability, and ROS assay kit measured ROS. The western blot assays measured the expression levels of various target proteins. SiRNA was used for silencing of specific genes, and shRNA was used for over-expression of specific genes. Results: UDCA suppressed DCA-induced production of peroxide and ROS, inhibited expression of PRX2, phosphorylated STAT3 and SOD2, and decreased expression of NOX2 and NOX4 in BDC cells. PRX2 and STAT3 were involved in inhibiting EMT by UDCA. UDCA restored the expression of catalase inhibited by DCA in BDC cells. Furthermore, overexpression of NOX4 using shRNA offset the antineoplastic effect of UDCA in BDC cells. Conclusions UDCA suppresses the production of ROS and enhances the elimination of ROS, inhibiting STAT3 and PRX2 associated with EMT in BDC cells. Accordingly, UDCA contributes to inhibiting the growth and invasiveness of BDC cells via suppression of ROS activity and EMT.