Purpose: This study analyzed the characteristics of pediatric patients’ (≤ 18 years) intentional injury-related visits to the emergency department (ED) using National Emergency Department Information System data from January 1 through December 31, 2023, providing foundational evidence for prevention strategies and policy development. Methods: The injuries were categorized into unintentional and intentional, and relevant characteristics were compared between the 2 categories. The intentional injuries were further divided into self-harm and violence. Percentages were calculated for each variable and compared using the chi-square or Fisher exact tests. Results: Among 301,852 pediatric patients, those with intentional injuries showed higher proportions of girls, adolescents, visits in the wee hours, visits via firehouse ambulances, injuries by collision, by penetration, or by poisoning, hospitalization, Korean Triage and Acuity Scale levels 1-3, an ED length of stay of 2 hours or longer, and primary care by psychiatrists, than those with unintentional injuries. The pediatric patients with self-harm injuries showed higher proportions of girls, adolescents, visits in the wee or morning hours, visits via firehouse ambulances, injuries by collision, by penetration, or by poisoning, hospitalization or inter-facility transfer, Korean Triage and Acuity Scale levels 1-3, an ED length of stay of 2 hours or longer, and primary care by psychiatrists as well as by orthopedic surgeons or pediatricians, than those with violence injuries. Conclusion This study highlights the need to develop strategies per age and sex for preventing self-harm among pediatric patients, and to ensure safe and effective psychiatric care in EDs. In addition, the prevention of child abuse requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes preventive education programs, mandatory reporting in EDs, and the adoption of screening tools such as the Finding Instrument for Non-accidental Deeds.

Epidermal cyst is a benign lesion which is commonly encountered in practice, and malignant transformation of it is rare. There are few case reports in the literature about malignant transformation of an epidermal cyst into a squamous cell carcinoma. We present a case of squamous cell carcinoma arising from a 3-year epidermal cyst in the right temporal area of a 68-year-old man. The epidermal cyst was initially identified as a spot and treated with laser therapy. However, it recurred, leading to three surgical interventions at a different surgical clinic. Despite these procedures, the cyst persisted, leading to presenting to our department of plastic and reconstructive surgery. He presented with a 2.5cm sized subcutaneous mass with skin ulcerative lesion. After excision, histopathological examination confirmed squamous cell carcinoma from a ruptured epidermal cyst, with clear resection margins. This case underscores the importance of routine histological examinations in excision of epidermal cysts.

We analyzed the manner and cause of death in 1,193 forensic autopsies from the Jungbu province (central part of South Korea) conducted by the National Forensic Service Daejeon Institute in 2022. Analysis of the manner of deaths revealed that 43.1% (514/1,193 cases) were natural deaths; 42.8% (511/1,193 cases) were unnatural deaths; and 14.1% (168/1,193 cases) were unknown. Among the unnatural deaths, the major manner of death was 44.6% (228/511 cases) by accidents, 34.1% (174/511 cases) by suicide, 13.5% (69/511 cases) undetermined, and 7.8% (40/511 cases) by homicide. Among the unnatural deaths, the major causes of death was 38.4% (196/511 cases) by trauma, 20.4% (104/511 cases) by poisoning, and 17.6% (90/511 cases) by asphyxia. Falling was the major cause of death by trauma (58.7%, 115/196 cases), and strangulation was the major cause of death by asphyxia (75.6%, 68/90 cases). Among the natural deaths, heart disease was the major cause (46.7%, 240/514 cases), followed by endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (14.0%, 72/514 cases). A time-series statistical analysis and comparison of the manner and cause of deaths in this province may facilitate more advanced interpretations relating to both public safety and healthcare in the future.

Longevity genes and senescence-related signaling proteins are crucial targets in aging research, which aims to enhance the healthy period and quality of life. Identifying these target proteins remains challenging because of the need for precise categorization and validation methods. Our multifaceted approach combined bioinformatics with transcriptomic data to identify collagen as a key element associated with the lifespan of the model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans. By analyzing transcriptomic data from long-lived mutants that involved mechanisms such as antioxidation, dietary restriction, and genetic background, we identified collagen as a common longevity-associated gene. We validated these findings by confirming that collagen peptides positively affect lifespan, thereby strengthening the validity of the target. Further verification through healthspan factors in C. elegans and functional assays in skin fibroblasts provided additional evidence of the role of collagen in organismal aging. Specifically, our study revealed that collagen type VII is a significant target protein for mitigating age-related decline. By validating these findings across different aging models and cell-based studies, we present compelling evidence for the anti-aging effects of collagen type VII, highlighting its potential as a target for promoting healthy aging. This study proposes that collagen not only serves as an indicative marker of organismal longevity across various senescence-related signaling pathways, but also offers a mechanistic understanding of skin degeneration. Consequently, collagen is an effective target for interventions aimed at mitigating skin aging.This study underscores the potential of collagen type VII (bonding collagen T7) as a therapeutic target for enhancing skin health and overall longevity.

Epidermal cyst is a benign lesion which is commonly encountered in practice, and malignant transformation of it is rare. There are few case reports in the literature about malignant transformation of an epidermal cyst into a squamous cell carcinoma. We present a case of squamous cell carcinoma arising from a 3-year epidermal cyst in the right temporal area of a 68-year-old man. The epidermal cyst was initially identified as a spot and treated with laser therapy. However, it recurred, leading to three surgical interventions at a different surgical clinic. Despite these procedures, the cyst persisted, leading to presenting to our department of plastic and reconstructive surgery. He presented with a 2.5cm sized subcutaneous mass with skin ulcerative lesion. After excision, histopathological examination confirmed squamous cell carcinoma from a ruptured epidermal cyst, with clear resection margins. This case underscores the importance of routine histological examinations in excision of epidermal cysts.

We analyzed the manner and cause of death in 1,193 forensic autopsies from the Jungbu province (central part of South Korea) conducted by the National Forensic Service Daejeon Institute in 2022. Analysis of the manner of deaths revealed that 43.1% (514/1,193 cases) were natural deaths; 42.8% (511/1,193 cases) were unnatural deaths; and 14.1% (168/1,193 cases) were unknown. Among the unnatural deaths, the major manner of death was 44.6% (228/511 cases) by accidents, 34.1% (174/511 cases) by suicide, 13.5% (69/511 cases) undetermined, and 7.8% (40/511 cases) by homicide. Among the unnatural deaths, the major causes of death was 38.4% (196/511 cases) by trauma, 20.4% (104/511 cases) by poisoning, and 17.6% (90/511 cases) by asphyxia. Falling was the major cause of death by trauma (58.7%, 115/196 cases), and strangulation was the major cause of death by asphyxia (75.6%, 68/90 cases). Among the natural deaths, heart disease was the major cause (46.7%, 240/514 cases), followed by endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (14.0%, 72/514 cases). A time-series statistical analysis and comparison of the manner and cause of deaths in this province may facilitate more advanced interpretations relating to both public safety and healthcare in the future.

Epidermal cyst is a benign lesion which is commonly encountered in practice, and malignant transformation of it is rare. There are few case reports in the literature about malignant transformation of an epidermal cyst into a squamous cell carcinoma. We present a case of squamous cell carcinoma arising from a 3-year epidermal cyst in the right temporal area of a 68-year-old man. The epidermal cyst was initially identified as a spot and treated with laser therapy. However, it recurred, leading to three surgical interventions at a different surgical clinic. Despite these procedures, the cyst persisted, leading to presenting to our department of plastic and reconstructive surgery. He presented with a 2.5cm sized subcutaneous mass with skin ulcerative lesion. After excision, histopathological examination confirmed squamous cell carcinoma from a ruptured epidermal cyst, with clear resection margins. This case underscores the importance of routine histological examinations in excision of epidermal cysts.

We analyzed the manner and cause of death in 1,193 forensic autopsies from the Jungbu province (central part of South Korea) conducted by the National Forensic Service Daejeon Institute in 2022. Analysis of the manner of deaths revealed that 43.1% (514/1,193 cases) were natural deaths; 42.8% (511/1,193 cases) were unnatural deaths; and 14.1% (168/1,193 cases) were unknown. Among the unnatural deaths, the major manner of death was 44.6% (228/511 cases) by accidents, 34.1% (174/511 cases) by suicide, 13.5% (69/511 cases) undetermined, and 7.8% (40/511 cases) by homicide. Among the unnatural deaths, the major causes of death was 38.4% (196/511 cases) by trauma, 20.4% (104/511 cases) by poisoning, and 17.6% (90/511 cases) by asphyxia. Falling was the major cause of death by trauma (58.7%, 115/196 cases), and strangulation was the major cause of death by asphyxia (75.6%, 68/90 cases). Among the natural deaths, heart disease was the major cause (46.7%, 240/514 cases), followed by endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (14.0%, 72/514 cases). A time-series statistical analysis and comparison of the manner and cause of deaths in this province may facilitate more advanced interpretations relating to both public safety and healthcare in the future.

Purpose: The clinical characteristics of headaches vary by age among pediatric patients. Red flag signs are key factors in differentiating secondary headaches and should be considered in the context of the patient’s age. Methods: This study involved a retrospective chart review of pediatric patients presenting with headaches. Patients were categorized by age into three groups: pre-school age (under 6 years), school-age (6 to 12 years), and adolescence (over 12 years). Demographic data, headache characteristics, laboratory findings, and neuroimaging results were evaluated. Overall, 17 potential red flags were assessed. Results: A total of 687 patients were included, of whom 102 were of pre-school age, 314 were school-aged, and 271 were adolescents. The frequency of overweight/obesity was found to increase with age. The pre-school age group experienced a shorter period from symptom onset to presentation and a briefer duration of pain. In contrast, adolescents displayed a longer period from symptom onset, a greater frequency of headaches occurring at least three times per week, and a higher rate of headache episodes lasting over 3 days. Children under 6 years old were more commonly diagnosed with secondary headaches than older children. Across age groups, secondary headaches were suspected when systemic symptoms such as fever were present, when the headache had a sudden onset, when the patient responded poorly to medication, or when abnormal neurological signs and symptoms were observed. Conclusion The clinical features of pediatric patients vary by age group. Clinicians should consider red flag signs in the context of patient age and individual characteristics.

A 59-year-old woman presented to our clinic with a 3.5× 3-cm protruding mass on her forehead. A skull X-ray revealed a radiolucent osteolytic lesion on the left side of the frontal bone. Additionally, computed tomography showed a 3.1× 1.7× 3.6-cm mass exhibiting a “sunburst” pattern situated between the outer and inner tables of the skull, just superior and lateral to the left frontal sinus. This pattern suggested the presence of an intraosseous vascular malformation (IVM). The lesion was approached via a bicoronal incision. En-bloc resection was performed, removing the mass along with approximately 0.5 cm of the surrounding normal bone without injury to the exposed frontal sinus mucosa. The exposed mucosa was reinforced with a galeal flap, and cranioplasty with bone cement was performed to repair the resulting bony defect. Pathological examination confirmed a diagnosis of intraosseous cavernous-type malformation with mixed cavernous and capillary histological features. We report this case of IVM and review the existing literature, highlighting the satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes after surgery.