1.Nitric Oxide Production Inhibitory Terpenylated Coumarins from Ailanthus altissima
Beom Kyun AN ; Jae Sang HAN ; Joon Su JANG ; Yong Beom CHO ; Mi Kyeong LEE ; Bang Yeon HWANG
Natural Product Sciences 2026;32(1):44-49
LC-MS/MS-based molecular networking was used to guide the targeted isolation of terpenylated coumarins from the barks of Ailanthus altissima. Five known terpenylated coumarins (1–5), along with two simple coumarins (6 and 7), were isolated from the CH 2 Cl 2 -soluble fraction. Their structures were determined using spectroscopic techniques, including 1D and 2D NMR and LC-HR-MS/MS. Notably, altissimacoumarins C (1), F (3), and H (4) demonstrated potent inhibition of LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages, with IC50 values of 36.1, 27.9, and 11.2 μM, respectively. These results demonstrate the antiinflammatory properties of A. altissima, supporting its possible application in treating inflammatory disorders.
2.Effects of Botulinum Toxin A on Rosacea-Like Inflammation in an LL-37-Induced Rosacea Mouse Model
Daewon YOON ; Jung Ok LEE ; You Na JANG ; Kwang Ho YOO ; Beom Joon KIM ; Sun Young CHOI
Annals of Dermatology 2026;38(3):226-236
Background:
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by flushing, erythema, papules/pustules, and telangiectasia. Several clinical studies have investigated the efficacy of botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) in the treatment of rosacea, but its mechanism of action remains unclear.
Objective:
This study aims to examine the potential role of BoNT/A in a mouse model of rosacea-like skin lesions induced by the 37-amino acid C-terminal cathelicidin peptide (LL-37).
Methods:
Mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: Control, LL-37, LL-37 + BoNT/A, and LL-37 + dexamethasone.
Results:
BoNT/A treatment alleviated skin damage, reduced skin thickness, and decreased mast cell infiltration. Furthermore, BoNT/A improved redness score severity and redness area while enhancing skin barrier function by suppressing transepidermal water loss and increasing skin hydration. At the molecular level, BoNT/A decreased the mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, which are known as pro-inflammatory cytokines. It also downregulated the expression of pyrin domain-containing protein 3, caspase-1, and IL-1 beta in the LL-37-injected dorsal skin. Furthermore, BoNT/A prevented LL-37-mediated upregulation of neurovascular-associated factors, including CD31, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, calcitonin-related polypeptide alpha, vascular endothelial growth factor, chymase 1, and tryptase alpha/beta 1.
Conclusion
These results indicate that BoNT/A effectively alleviates inflammatory and vascular responses in a rosacea mouse model, highlighting its potential as a promising preventive approach for rosacea.
3.Clinical Efficacy and Scalp Microbiome Changes Induced by AMPamide-Containing Shampoo in Patients With Seborrheic Dermatitis
Yi Na YOON ; Sae Hee KIM ; Ji Won LIM ; Myeong Jae KIM ; Hye-Jin KIM ; Woo Jun SUL ; Daehwan KIM ; Wonseok JEONG ; Jeonghwan HWANG ; Da-Ae YU ; Yong Beom CHOE ; Yang Won LEE
Annals of Dermatology 2026;38(3):237-247
Background:
Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a chronic inflammatory scalp disorder associated with Malassezia dysbiosis and increased sebum production. AMPamide has been suggested to have anti-inflammatory and sebum-regulating effects, but its clinical efficacy and microbiome-modulating effects in SD remain unclear.
Objective:
To evaluate the clinical efficacy and scalp microbiome changes following 4 weeks of use of an AMPamide-containing shampoo in patients with SD.
Methods:
In this observational study, 30 patients with SD applied an AMPamide-containing shampoo for 4 consecutive weeks. Clinical outcomes, including sebum levels and overall severity scores, were assessed. Scalp bacterial and fungal communities were analyzed to evaluate α- and β-diversity and changes in Malassezia composition.
Results:
Treatment resulted in significant reductions in sebum levels and clinical severity scores, particularly in erythema, dandruff, and pruritus. Bacterial community composition remained largely stable, while fungal α-diversity increased, and β-diversity analysis revealed a decrease in the ratio of Malassezia restricta to Malassezia globosa.
Conclusion
AMPamide-containing shampoo was associated with improved clinical symptoms and a shift toward a more balanced fungal community composition in patients with SD, supporting its potential as a non-steroidal therapeutic option for SD.
4.Efficacy and Safety of Ifosfamide and Mesna in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer after Taxane-Based Chemotherapy and Novel Hormonal Therapy Failure
Chang Gon KIM ; Yeo Gyeong KO ; Jongjin YOON ; Chung LEE ; Seung Hoon BEOM ; Young-Deuk CHOI ; Woong Kyu HAN ; Won Sik HAM ; Hyunho HAN ; Jongsoo LEE ; Ji Eun HEO ; Daeseong KIM ; Eun Sil BAEK ; Sangwoo KIM ; Minsun JUNG ; Sang Joon SHIN
Cancer Research and Treatment 2026;58(2):603-612
Purpose:
Limited treatment options exist for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) after the failure of taxane-based chemotherapy and novel hormonal therapy. Here, we report the safety and efficacy of ifosfamide and mesna in patients with mCRPC after the failure of taxane-based chemotherapy and novel hormonal therapy (NCT06236789).
Materials and Methods:
Patients with histologically confirmed prostate cancer who had failed taxane-based chemotherapy and novel hormonal therapy received ifosfamide 2,500 mg/m2 and mesna 1,500 mg/m2 on days 1–3, repeated every 21 days. Safety, objective response rate, disease control rate, reduction in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration by >50% (PSA50) or >90% (PSA90), radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.
Results:
A total of 47 patients with mCRPC were included in the study. The median number of lines of treatment was 5 (range, 3 to 7). All patients were previously administered docetaxel and novel hormonal therapies including abiraterone (51.1%) and/or enzalutamide (61.7%). Thirty-eight patients (80.9%) were administered cabazitaxel. The objective response and disease control rates were 21.3% and 80.9%, respectively. PSA50 and PSA90 were achieved in 31.9% and 10.6%, respectively. During a median follow-up duration of 54.3 months, rPFS and OS were 5.0 and 9.0 months, respectively. All the patients experienced treatment-related adverse events of any grades; however, no new safety signs were detected. Genomic biomarker analysis revealed that alterations in the TP53 pathway were associated with inferior rPFS and OS.
Conclusion
Ifosfamide and mesna showed appreciable efficacy and manageable safety profiles in heavily treated patients with mCRPC.
5.Implant rehabilitation of extensive maxillary bone loss secondary to chronic odontogenic sinusitis using a press-fit autogenous ramal block graft: a multidisciplinary staged approach
Daewoo KIM ; Se Mok OH ; Min Beom KIM ; Hansol OH ; Yongkwon LEE ; Jong Han YU
Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 2026;52(1):44-50
This report details the implant rehabilitation of a patient with extensive maxillary bone loss secondary to chronic odontogenic sinusitis. Prolonged inflammation rendered the right posterior maxilla unsuitable for spontaneous regeneration, necessitating a staged multidisciplinary intervention. Treatment commenced with sinus management via incision and drainage and a targeted pharmacological regimen. Once clinical resolution was achieved, reconstruction was performed using an autogenous bone block harvested from the right mandibular ramus combined with xenogenic substitutes. A key aspect of the surgical procedure was the utilization of a press-fit fixation technique, where the ramal block was precisely contoured to achieve immediate mechanical stability and screwless fixation through frictional force and mechanical interlocking. The approach was divided into four phases: (1) management of sinusitis; (2) sinus floor elevation and reconstruction using a press-fit autogenous ramal block; (3) implant placement (#16, #17) after a five-month graft maturation period; and (4) final prosthesis delivery after a three-month osseointegration period. The successful outcome demonstrates that predictable functional restoration can be achieved through a planned staged protocol integrating medical management and press-fit bone grafting, even in severe bone deficiency complicated by sinus pathology.
6.The present and future of fecal microbiota transplantation
Journal of the Korean Medical Association 2026;69(1):40-47
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as one of the most effective interventions for restoring gut microbial balance through the reintroduction of a healthy donor microbiome. The established clinical indication for FMT currently remains limited to recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI). This review aims to summarize the current understanding, evidence-based recommendations, and future perspectives regarding the clinical application of FMT.Current concepts: The 2024 American Gastroenterological Association guideline conditionally recommends microbiota-based therapies for adults with rCDI after completion of standard antibiotic treatment and suggests that conventional FMT may be considered in mildly to moderately immunocompromised patients. In contrast, its use is discouraged in severely immunocompromised individuals, and not recommended for conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome because of insufficient evidence. Increasing evidence implicates the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including neurologic and metabolic disorders. In parallel, advances in standardized preparations and the development of next-generation microbiota-based therapeutics underscore the broader therapeutic potential of FMT. However, outside the context of rCDI, both clinical effectiveness and long-term safety remain uncertain, and substantial challenges persist with respect to donor selection, product standardization, and procedural consistency.Discussion and conclusion: With an improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying dysbiosis and the accumulation of validated safety data, microbiota-based therapies are expected to evolve into additional therapeutic options for a variety of diseases. However, at present, clinical use should remain restricted to C. difficile infection, particularly rCDI, and should be limited to clinical settings supported by evidence-based guidelines.
7.A Study of Factors Affecting Quality of Life in Korean Adults: Analysis Based on the Data From the 9th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Eun-Su CHO ; Young-Myo JAE ; Sae-Heon JANG ; Kyoung-Hwan LEE ; Kyoung-Beom KIM
Journal of the Korean Society of Biological Therapies in Psychiatry 2026;32(1):76-84
Objectives:
This study examined factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Korean adults.
Methods:
Using data from 5,620 participants in the 9th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, obesity was defined as body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 and HRQoL assessed by the health-related quality of life instrument with 8 items (HINT-8). Complex survey weights were applied.
Results:
General linear and multiple regression analyses showed that among women, obesity was significantly associated with lower HINT-8 scores (B=-0.008, p=0.032), while no association was found in men. Age, household income, education, perceived stress, and smoking were also significantly related to HRQoL in both sexes.
Conclusions
HRQoL in Korean adults is influenced by obesity, socioeconomic status, and mental health indicators. The adverse effect of obesity observed only in women highlights the need for sex-specific public health strategies and the relevance of culturally adapted tools such as the HINT-8.
8.Efficacy and Safety of Novel Botulinum Toxin Type A (Protoxin) in the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Glabellar Lines: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Controlled Phase III Study
Hyung Seok SON ; Min Kyung SHIN ; Jong Hun LEE ; Moon Bum KIM ; Kwang Ho YOO ; Sun Young CHOI ; Hye Sung HAN ; Joon SEOK ; Beom Joon KIM ; Yang Won LEE
Annals of Dermatology 2026;38(1):33-41
Background:
A novel botulinum toxin type A (Protoxin; Protox Inc.) has been developed.
Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the newly developed Protoxin compared to the approved drug onabotulinumtoxinA (OBoNT) in moderate to severe glabellar lines.
Methods:
Adults with a glabellar line Facial Wrinkle Scale (FWS) score of 2 (moderate) or 3 (severe) were enrolled in the study. Subjects were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either Protoxin or OBoNT. A total of 20 units of botulinum toxin was injected at five sites in the glabellar region (4 units at each site). FWS scores were assessed at baseline and at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16 post-injection. The primary endpoint was the proportion of subjects at week 4 who had a reduction of 2 or more points in FWS and a final score of 0 (none) or 1 (mild).
Results:
A total of 274 subjects were randomized, of whom 78.1% were female. At week 4 post-treatment, the improvement rate of glabellar lines was 62.22% in the Protoxin group and 62.96% in the OBoNT group. The lower limit of the two-sided 95% confidence interval (−12.24%) exceeded the −15% margin, confirming the non-inferiority of the new drug. Safety profiles were comparable between the two groups.
Conclusion
Protoxin demonstrated efficacy and safety profiles comparable to those of OBoNT in the treatment of moderate to severe glabellar lines.
9.Defect Size-Based Comparative Analysis of Treatment Modalities for Esophagojejunal Anastomotic Leakage Following Gastrectomy
Ba Ool SEONG ; Ji Yong AHN ; Juno YOO ; Chang Seok KO ; Sa-Hong MIN ; Chung Sik GONG ; Beom Su KIM ; Moon-Won YOO ; Jeong Hwan YOOK ; Hee Jin CHOI ; In-Seob LEE
Journal of Gastric Cancer 2026;26(2):295-306
Purpose:
Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage (EJAL) represents a severe postoperative complication following total or proximal gastrectomy. Treatment strategies include conservative management, endoscopic interventions, and surgery; however, comparative data remain limited. This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes of different strategies to identify the optimal approach based on anastomotic defect size.
Materials and Methods:
This retrospective study reviewed 100 patients diagnosed with EJAL between January 2015 and October 2024. Patients were categorized into four groups:conservative management, endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure (E-VAC), other endoscopic treatments, and surgery. The primary outcomes were leakage duration and length of hospital stay after EJAL diagnosis, whereas the secondary outcome was time to C-reactive protein normalization. Subgroup analyses were performed according to defect size.
Results:
Among the 100 patients, 76 were male and 24 were female, with a mean age of 65.7 years. Conservative treatment was the most common modality (53%), followed by other endoscopic treatments (19%), E-VAC (14%), and surgery (14%). In patients with a defect size <1 cm, conservative treatment was associated with significantly shorter leakage duration (P=0.035) and earlier resumption of diet (P=0.029) compared with endoscopic treatment.Among those with defects ≥2 cm, E-VAC demonstrated the most favorable median outcomes across all variables; however, statistical significance was not achieved because of the small sample size.
Conclusions
Conservative treatment appears to be the most effective treatment strategy for EJAL with anastomotic defects <1 cm. For larger defects (≥2 cm), E-VAC may offer clinical benefit, although further studies are needed to confirm its efficacy. These findings highlight the importance of individualized treatment selection based on defect size.

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