BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by excessive adipose tissue accumulation, dysregulated lipid metabolism, and insulin resistance, leading to an increased risk of metabolic disease. While Withania somnifera (AS) and Chrysanthemum zawadskii Herbich var. latilobum (Maxim.) Kitamura (C) have traditionally been used for their metabolic regulatory properties, their combined effects on adipogenesis, lipogenesis, lipolysis, and insulin signaling remain unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the anti-obesity effects of AS, C, and their optimal combination (ASC) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by investigating their impact on lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis.MATERIALS/METHODS: Following adipogenic differentiation, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with AS, C, and ASC at different concentrations. RESULTS: AS, C, and ASC significantly inhibited adipogenesis by downregulating cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins alpha and beta phosphorylation, thereby reducing lipid accumulation in adipocytes. They also suppressed lipogenesis by downregulating the expression of dephosphorylated acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, and lipoprotein lipase. In contrast, they markedly enhanced lipolysis, as evidenced by increased hormone-sensitive lipase and protein kinase A expression, along with elevated glycerol release and cAMP levels. Furthermore, AS, C, and ASC activated energy metabolism pathways, as indicated by the upregulation of AMP-activated protein kinase, uncoupling protein 1, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A, suggesting a transition toward enhanced mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. Notably, AS, C, and ASC significantly improved insulin signaling by restoring insulin receptor substrate 1, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and Akt phosphorylation, while upregulating glucose transporter type 4 expression, indicating enhanced glucose uptake. Among all treatments, ASC showed relatively greater efficacy compared to AS or C alone, suggesting a potential additive effect. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate that ASC effectively modulates multiple metabolic pathways in adipocytes, including adipogenesis, lipogenesis, lipolysis, energy metabolism, and insulin signaling, to exert its anti-obesity effects.

Autonomic dysfunction is a common but frequently overlooked manifestation of systemic diseases. Because early manifestations are often nonspecific, including dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, exercise intolerance, and gastrointestinal dysmotility, clinicians need a structured approach to support timely recognition and risk stratification.Current concepts: Systemic disorders affect autonomic regulation through overlapping mechanisms, including metabolic injury, microvascular dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and impaired cardiovascular reflex control. In diabetes, autonomic nerve injury accumulates over time, and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy is associated with increased cardiovascular events and mortality. In chronic kidney disease, persistent sympathetic activation, reduced vagal modulation, and baroreflex impairment contribute to hypertension, intradialytic hypotension, and arrhythmic risk. In heart failure and ischemic heart disease, sympathetic predominance and vagal withdrawal accelerate disease progression and are associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Systemic autoimmune disorders are also associated with impaired cardiovascular reflex control and small-fiber neuropathy.Discussion and conclusion: A practical evaluation begins with symptom screening and review of medications and comorbidities, followed by standardized autonomic testing. Cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests, together with scoring tools such as the composite autonomic scoring scale, help quantify the distribution and severity of autonomic involvement and support longitudinal monitoring. Management should integrate optimal control of the underlying systemic disease, non-pharmacological measures for orthostatic intolerance, and symptom-directed treatment for orthostatic hypotension.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the services performed by midwives in midwifery centers in Korea. It evaluates the appropriateness of midwifery fees through cost analysis and provides basic data that can be used to improve the quality of midwifery services and ensure the institutional stability of midwives in the future. Methods: This was a methodological study that used secondary data reports and statistical data provided by the Korean Midwifery Association. Data from 9 of 14 midwifery centers operating in Korea were analyzed. Results: Services provided by midwives in midwifery centers consist of 45 activities across 4 areas: prenatal care, delivery care, postpartum care, and newborn care. The average annual operating cost of midwifery centers was 110 million Korean won, with a cost recovery rate of 44.1%. Therefore, midwifery fees need to increase by 193.0% compared to their current level to compensate for these costs. The fees, which reflect the number of deliveries, also need to increase by 88.8% for primipara deliveries and 8.4% for multipara deliveries. Conclusion This study confirmed that midwifery centers in Korea face operational difficulties due to low midwifery fees under the National Health Insurance Service. Therefore, education and consultation fees must be developed to meet the expectations of mothers with high demands, and waiting fees for childbirth should be established. Furthermore, a legal basis for home births is needed and fees should be set to account for midwives' travel time and associated costs.

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.

Background/Aims: This study evaluated the clinical utility of serum periostin measured at diagnosis in reflecting activity at diagnosis and predicting all-cause mortality during follow-up in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). Methods: This study included 76 patients with AAV whose serum periostin was measured from sera collected and stored at diagnosis. The correlation of either serum periostin or the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) with other variables was evaluated. Cumulative survival rates were compared using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. The variables at diagnosis were compared between deceased and surviving patients. Hazard ratios were obtained by Cox proportional hazard analysis. Results: The median age of the 76 patients was 64.0 years and 60.5% were female. The median BVAS and serum periostin were 5.0 and 10.9 ng/mL, respectively. Five of the 76 patients (6.6%) died. Serum periostin was independently correlated with cross-sectional BVAS, the Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI), white blood cell count, and serum albumin. Patients with serum periostin ≥ 15.9 ng/mL at diagnosis had a significantly lower cumulative survival rate than those without. In addition to high VDI, dyslipidaemia frequency, and C-reactive protein, deceased patients showed higher serum periostin than surviving patients. In multivariable Cox analysis, however, only dyslipidaemia rather than serum periostin was identified as an independent predictor of all-cause mortality. Conclusions This study is the first to demonstrate that serum periostin at diagnosis could independently reflect cross-sectional BVAS and further partially contribute to all-cause mortality prediction in patients with AAV.

Background/Aims: This study evaluated the clinical utility of serum periostin measured at diagnosis in reflecting activity at diagnosis and predicting all-cause mortality during follow-up in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). Methods: This study included 76 patients with AAV whose serum periostin was measured from sera collected and stored at diagnosis. The correlation of either serum periostin or the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) with other variables was evaluated. Cumulative survival rates were compared using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. The variables at diagnosis were compared between deceased and surviving patients. Hazard ratios were obtained by Cox proportional hazard analysis. Results: The median age of the 76 patients was 64.0 years and 60.5% were female. The median BVAS and serum periostin were 5.0 and 10.9 ng/mL, respectively. Five of the 76 patients (6.6%) died. Serum periostin was independently correlated with cross-sectional BVAS, the Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI), white blood cell count, and serum albumin. Patients with serum periostin ≥ 15.9 ng/mL at diagnosis had a significantly lower cumulative survival rate than those without. In addition to high VDI, dyslipidaemia frequency, and C-reactive protein, deceased patients showed higher serum periostin than surviving patients. In multivariable Cox analysis, however, only dyslipidaemia rather than serum periostin was identified as an independent predictor of all-cause mortality. Conclusions This study is the first to demonstrate that serum periostin at diagnosis could independently reflect cross-sectional BVAS and further partially contribute to all-cause mortality prediction in patients with AAV.

Background/Aims: This study evaluated the clinical utility of serum periostin measured at diagnosis in reflecting activity at diagnosis and predicting all-cause mortality during follow-up in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). Methods: This study included 76 patients with AAV whose serum periostin was measured from sera collected and stored at diagnosis. The correlation of either serum periostin or the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) with other variables was evaluated. Cumulative survival rates were compared using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. The variables at diagnosis were compared between deceased and surviving patients. Hazard ratios were obtained by Cox proportional hazard analysis. Results: The median age of the 76 patients was 64.0 years and 60.5% were female. The median BVAS and serum periostin were 5.0 and 10.9 ng/mL, respectively. Five of the 76 patients (6.6%) died. Serum periostin was independently correlated with cross-sectional BVAS, the Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI), white blood cell count, and serum albumin. Patients with serum periostin ≥ 15.9 ng/mL at diagnosis had a significantly lower cumulative survival rate than those without. In addition to high VDI, dyslipidaemia frequency, and C-reactive protein, deceased patients showed higher serum periostin than surviving patients. In multivariable Cox analysis, however, only dyslipidaemia rather than serum periostin was identified as an independent predictor of all-cause mortality. Conclusions This study is the first to demonstrate that serum periostin at diagnosis could independently reflect cross-sectional BVAS and further partially contribute to all-cause mortality prediction in patients with AAV.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the peripheral nervous system, primarily treated with corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin as first-line therapies. Early treatment yields better outcome before nerve damage caused by the immune response. Once axonal damage has progressed, immunotherapy becomes ineffective, making early intervention crucial. Additionally, as treatment responses vary among patients, it is essential to assess treatment efficacy objectively and tailor therapy accordingly. Since there are currently no biomarkers that accurately reflect disease status, regular physical examinations are necessary to evaluate treatment effectiveness and adjust maintenance therapy. This review outlines the current clinical guidelines for the treatment of CIDP and explores emerging therapeutic options, including neonatal Fc receptor inhibitors and complement pathway inhibitors.

The introduction of anti-amyloid therapies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), such as lecanemab (Lequembi®), which was recently approved in Korea, necessitates careful monitoring for amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) using brain MRI. To optimize ARIA monitoring in Korean clinical settings, the Korean Society of Neuroradiology (KSNR) and the Age and Neurodegeneration Imaging (ANDI) Study Group proposed MRI protocol recommendations on essential MR sequences, MRI acquisition parameters, timing and condition of MRI examinations, and essential details to provide a scientific basis for maximizing the safety and efficacy of AD treatment. A customized, standardized MRI protocol focusing on Korea’s healthcare environment can improve ARIA management and ensure patient safety through early detection of potential anti-amyloid therapy side effects, thereby enhancing treatment quality.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the peripheral nervous system, primarily treated with corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin as first-line therapies. Early treatment yields better outcome before nerve damage caused by the immune response. Once axonal damage has progressed, immunotherapy becomes ineffective, making early intervention crucial. Additionally, as treatment responses vary among patients, it is essential to assess treatment efficacy objectively and tailor therapy accordingly. Since there are currently no biomarkers that accurately reflect disease status, regular physical examinations are necessary to evaluate treatment effectiveness and adjust maintenance therapy. This review outlines the current clinical guidelines for the treatment of CIDP and explores emerging therapeutic options, including neonatal Fc receptor inhibitors and complement pathway inhibitors.