Allergic reactions to tattoo pigments, particularly red ink, are a known complication of tattooing. This paper reports the case of a 21-year-old female with a refractory allergic reaction to red tattoo ink on her shoulder, presenting with swelling, itching, and erythema. She was treated with a picosecond neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser combined with a fractional carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) laser and corticosteroid intralesional injections. Significant improvement was observed after four treatment sessions, and complete resolution of the tattoo and symptoms was achieved after ten sessions. This case highlights the potential of combining picosecond and fractional CO 2 lasers with corticosteroid therapy in managing refractory tattoo allergies, suggesting further studies to assess the broader efficacy of this treatment approach.

Picosecond lasers are considered the most effective treatment for tattoo removal, with the R0 method using perfluorodecalin to rapidly remove opaque cavitation bubbles after each pass, allowing multiple sequential passes during each treatment session. Previous research indicated that combining picosecond lasers with fractional lasers yielded superior results and reduced posttreatment blistering. This paper presents the case of a 25-year-old female seeking tattoo removal from her chest. Initially, the patient underwent treatment using the R0 method with a picosecond laser set to 532 nm (0.8-1.3 J/cm 2 ) and 1,064 nm (2.0-3.0 J/cm 2 ). Each session included four passes with the picosecond laser and a single pass with the fractional CO 2 laser. The lesion was cleared after only four treatment sessions. This case highlights the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of combining the R0 method with subsequent fractional laser treatment for tattoo removal.

This report presents the latest statistics on the stroke population in South Korea, sourced from the Clinical Research Collaborations for Stroke in Korea-National Institute for Health (CRCS-K-NIH), a comprehensive, nationwide, multicenter stroke registry. The Korean cohort, unlike western populations, shows a male-to-female ratio of 1.5, attributed to lower risk factors in Korean women. The average ages for men and women are 67 and 73 years, respectively.Hypertension is the most common risk factor (67%), consistent with global trends, but there is a higher prevalence of diabetes (35%) and smoking (21%). The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (19%) is lower than in western populations, suggesting effective prevention strategies in the general population. A high incidence of large artery atherosclerosis (38%) is observed, likely due to prevalent intracranial arterial disease in East Asians and advanced imaging techniques.There has been a decrease in intravenous thrombolysis rates, from 12% in 2017–2019 to 10% in 2021, with no improvements in door-to-needle and door-to-puncture times, worsened by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. While the use of aspirin plus clopidogrel for noncardioembolic stroke and direct oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation is well-established, the application of direct oral anticoagulants for non-atrial fibrillation cardioembolic strokes in the acute phase requires further research. The incidence of early neurological deterioration (13%) and the cumulative incidence of recurrent stroke at 3 months (3%) align with global figures. Favorable outcomes at 3 months (63%) are comparable internationally, yet the lack of improvement in dependency at 3 months highlights the need for advancements in acute stroke care.

To expand the single-dose duration over which noninvasive clinical and preclinical cancer imaging can be conducted with high sensitivity, and well-defined spatial and temporal resolutions, a facile strategy to prepare ultrasmall nanoparticulate X-ray contrast media (nano-XRCM) as dual-modality imaging agents for positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) has been established. Synthesized from controlled copolymerization of triiodobenzoyl ethyl acrylate and oligo(ethylene oxide) acrylate monomers, the amphiphilic statistical iodocopolymers (ICPs) could directly dissolve in water to afford thermodynamically stable solutions with high aqueous iodine concentrations (>140 mg iodine/mL water) and comparable viscosities to conventional small molecule XRCM. The formation of ultrasmall iodinated nanoparticles with hydrodynamic diameters of ca. 10 nm in water was confirmed by dynamic and static light scattering techniques. In a breast cancer mouse model, in vivo biodistribution studies revealed that the ⁶⁴Cu-chelator-functionalized iodinated nano-XRCM exhibited extended blood residency and higher tumor accumulation compared to typical small molecule imaging agents. PET/CT imaging of tumor over 3 days showed good correlation between PET and CT signals, while CT imaging allowed continuous observation of tumor retention even after 10 days post-injection, enabling longitudinal monitoring of tumor retention for imaging or potentially therapeutic effect after a single administration of nano-XRCM.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the rural elderly suicide literacy level upon suicide stigma and coping advice with suicidal crises (recommending professional help for a suicidal person). In particular, this study investigates the role of cultural norms (perceived social expectations for the experience of negative emotions) on suicide stigma and coping ability. Methods: A survey was conducted addressing elderly people (N=119) living in rural areas. Regression analysis using SPSS PROCESS macro was used to examine the relationships among the key variables. Results: Participants with higher suicide literacy showed lower suicide stigma, and this perception had a significant effect on enhancing their coping advice with suicidal crises. Also, perceived social expectations significantly influenced the relationship between suicide stigma and coping advice. With lower levels of social expectations, the mediating effect of suicide stigma on the relationship between suicide literacy and recommending professional help did not exist whereas the indirect effect was significant when it pertained to high levels of social expectations. Conclusion This result signifies that suicide stigma serves as a barrier deterring Koreans from reaching out for professional help regarding their mental health. Moreover, these findings underscore the importance of cultural psychological factors such as perceived social expectations in terms of developing suicide prevention strategies.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Lower circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels are associated with a higher risk of hypertension (HTN); however, it remains unclear whether the relationship is causal. We aimed to evaluate the causal effects of circulating 25(OH)D levels on the prevalence of HTN in the Korean population using the Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Epidemiological data, serum 25(OH)D data, and genomic DNA biospecimens were obtained from 2,591 participants, a subset of the study population in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey 2011-2012. Five 25(OH)D-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; DHCR7 rs12785878, CYP2R1 rs10741657, CYP2R1 rs12794714, CYP24A1 rs6013897, and GC rs2282679), identified a priori from genome-wide association studies, were used as instrument variables (IVs) for serum 25(OH)D levels. In the MR analysis, we performed IV analyses using the two-stage least squares method. RESULTS: In the observational analysis, circulating 25(OH)D levels were found to be inversely associated with the HTN prevalence in ordinary least squares models (odds ratio: 0.97, 95% confidence interval: 0.96, 0.99) after adjusting for the potential confounders. There were differences in the circulating 25(OH)D levels across genotypes of individual SNPs. In the MR analysis, using individual SNPs as IVs, 25(OH)D levels were not associated with the HTN prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: We found no association between genetically determined circulating 25(OH)D levels and HTN in Korean adults. Our results are listed owing to the relatively small sample size and possible weak instrument bias; therefore, further studies are needed to confirm these results.
Adult ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Blood Pressure ; DNA ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Methods ; Nutrition Surveys ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Prevalence ; Random Allocation ; Sample Size ; Vitamin D ; Vitamin D3 24-Hydroxylase

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Regulatory dendritic cells (rDCs), which can be induced by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), play an important role in inducing and maintaining homeostasis of regulatory T cells and exhibit anti-inflammatory functions. In this study, we investigated whether MSCs could differentiate DCs into rDCs and compared the therapeutic effects of rDCs and MSCs on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced chronic colitis mice. METHODS: Immature DCs (imDCs) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mature DCs (mDCs) were co-cultured with MSCs for 48 hours, and then the profiles of surface markers and cytokines and regulatory roles of these DCs for primary splenocytes were analyzed. In addition, the therapeutic effects of MSCs and DCs co-cultured with MSCs were compared in chronic colitis mice. RESULTS: After co-culture of imDCs (MSC-DCs) or LPS-treated mDCs (LPS+MSC-DCs) with MSCs, the expression of CD11c, CD80, CD86, interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), was decreased, but that of CD11b, IL-10, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) was increased. Furthermore, MSC-DCs and LPS+MSC-DCs induced the expression of CD4, CD25, and Foxp3 in primary splenocytes isolated from mice. In DSS-induced colitis mice, MSCs and MSC-DCs increased colon length, body weight, and survival rate and induced histological improvement. Moreover, in the colon tissues, the expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ decreased, but that of IL-10, TGF-β, and Foxp3 increased in the MSC- and MSC-DC-injected groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that MSCs differentiate DCs into rDCs, which ameliorate chronic colitis. Thus, rDCs stimulated by MSCs may be therapeutically useful for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Coculture Techniques ; Colitis* ; Colon ; Cytokines ; Dendritic Cells* ; Dextrans* ; Homeostasis ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-6 ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells* ; Mice* ; Necrosis ; Sodium* ; Survival Rate ; T-Lymphocytes ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; Therapeutic Uses

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the prevalence of reading and mathematical learning disabilities of students at primary schools in Jeju Island, South Korea. We examined major causes of learning disabilities including reading disorder, mathematical disorder, attention deficit, and other causes including socioemotional factors. METHODS: We conducted screening processes to 659 participants (340 male, 51%) in 4 elementary schools in Jeju Island. To identify the causes of learning problems, 84 children were administered tests such as the Korean-Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-fourth edition, the Comprehensive Learning Test-Reading/Math, and the Comprehensive Attention Test. RESULTS: This study found that 13% of elementary school students in the Jeju region had learning disabilities. Among learning disabilities, specific reading and mathematical disorders accounted for 9% of study subjects. In addition, 2% of participants had intellectual impairment and 1% had other causes such as socioemotional factors. 65% of children with learning disabilities and 74% of children with reading or mathematic disorders had concurrent attention deficit disorder. 68% of children with reading disorders also had comorbid mathematical disorder. CONCLUSION: The prevalence, causes, and comorbidity of reading and mathematical learning disabilities of students in Jeju Island, South Korea did not differ from those in foreign countries. Because most learning disabilities are complex, comprehensive evaluations and tailored interventions are necessary to help children with learning disabilities.
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; Child* ; Comorbidity ; Dyscalculia ; Dyslexia ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Korea ; Learning Disorders* ; Learning* ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Mathematics ; Prevalence*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of exclusive breast milk feeding (BMF) on the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. METHODS: All newborn infants, born at <32 weeks of gestation and weighing <1,500 g, admitted to the neonatal intensive care center at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital during the study period, were included. The study was divided into period I: pre-exclusive BMF (January 2010–March 2014) and period II: exclusive BMF (April 2014–December 2016). RESULTS: A total of 374 infants were enrolled in this study, with 174 in period I and 174 in period II. The incidence of NEC was 11.5% in period I and 3.4% in period II. As the mean gestational age and birth weight were significantly greater in infants in period II, the difference in the incidence of NEC between the two periods was adjusted by gestational age. After adjustment, the incidence of NEC in period II was significantly lower than in period I (P=0.024). CONCLUSION: Exclusive BMF significantly reduced the incidence of NEC in a single neonatal intensive care center.
Birth Weight ; Breast* ; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing* ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Intensive Care, Neonatal* ; Milk, Human* ; Pregnancy ; Seoul

This study analyzes the role of the Sorting Hat in structuring the identity of the characters in the Harry Potter series written by J. K. Rowling. In the different stages of adolescence, one explores and re-establishes one's identity. One's sense of identity is determined by the commitments made regarding personal and social traits. However, it is difficult to establish a concrete identity formation process theory that is communicable to adolescents. In Harry Potter, the characters' identities are reflected upon the Sorting Hat and are continuously molded throughout the book. The Sorting Hat provides nurturing experiences based on temperament. Based primarily on their temperament, it sorts the students into four houses, each with their own distinct characteristics. Once sorted, the houses become the living and learning communities in which the students share the same dormitory and classes until their graduation. Within the community, the students seek connections, supportive relationships, and understanding within the group. The taking on of the group identity is an explanatory variable in the formation of individual identity. The Sorting Hat provides the students with stability and a safe boundary. After being sorted based on their temperament, the inexperienced and immature adolescents can explore different options under the guidance of the Hat before making a definite commitment. By presenting them with an appropriate environment (such as a mentor, friend, or family member), the Hat further shapes their identity and integrates the identity elements ascribed in the beginning. By providing experiences and interactions based on their unique temperament and environment, the Sorting Hat plays a crucial role in establishing the students' identities. The Sorting Hat can be an ideal model for finding one's identity during adolescence.
Adolescent* ; Friends ; Fungi ; Humans ; Learning ; Mentors ; Sociological Factors ; Temperament