This study aimed to establish an organoid culture model using small intestine tissues from male and female C57BL/6 mice and to compare it with rat organoid cultures derived from frozen tissues. Crypts were isolated from the small intestines of eight-week-old male and female mice and cultured in 3D extracellular matrix with Wnt, R-spondin, and Noggin. In addition, small intestine tissues from sixteen-week-old F344 rats were preserved in a storage solution immediately post-sacrifice and stored at –80°C before being transferred to a nitrogen tank. Upon thawing, crypts from frozen rat tissues failed to develop into organoids due to structural damage, suggesting the need for fresh tissues or optimized preservation methods. In contrast, mouse-derived organoids showed viability for 7 days, with distinct morphological changes and clear differentiation by Day 7. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that Lgr5, a stem cell marker, showed significantly higher expression in organoids than in tissues, confirming the successful establishment of the organoid culture. Among epithelial markers, the antimicrobial enzyme Lyz1 was more highly expressed in organoids, while Muc2, a key goblet cell marker, was more highly expressed in male tissues. The enterocyte marker Alp exhibited higher expression in male organoids compared to females, with no sex differences in tissues. These findings highlight sex-specific differences in gene expression related to small intestine differentiation and demonstrate the challenges in organoid culture from frozen rat tissues. The results suggest the importance of immediate tissue processing or improved preservation methods for successful organoid cultures.

Purpose: : This study examined the effects of a multimodal intervention (earplugs, eye patches, and aromatherapy) on sleep quality and duration in intensive care unit(ICU)patients and the feasibility of the intervention to address sleep disturbances. Methods: : This experimental study comprised a nonequivalent control group and non-synchronized design. The participants included 50 adult patients admitted to the ICU with an internal medicine diagnosis who did not receive postoperative care. The intervention was conducted on a random day from 10 pm to 5 am the following morning. Subjective sleep quality was measured using the Korean version of the Richards–Campbell Sleep Questionnaire, and objective sleep duration was recorded using a smartwatch (Galaxy Watch 5; Samsung Electronics). Data were collected from September 2023 to March 2024 and analyzed using a t-test, χ2 test, Fisher’s exact test, and analysis of covariance. Results: : The multimodal intervention significantly improved the subjective andobjective measures of sleep quality. The experimental group had higher scores on sleep depth, falling asleep, sleeping without awakening, returning to sleep, and overall sleep quality. Objective measures revealed longer total sleep time, actual sleep time, light sleep, and deep sleep in the experimental group, with no differences in rapid eye movement sleep, sleep efficiency, or ratio of awakening. Conclusion : The multimodal sleep intervention effectively improved patients’ sleep quality and duration, demonstrating the feasibility of using multimodal interventions to improve sleep quality in clinical settings.

Purpose: : This study examined the effects of a multimodal intervention (earplugs, eye patches, and aromatherapy) on sleep quality and duration in intensive care unit(ICU)patients and the feasibility of the intervention to address sleep disturbances. Methods: : This experimental study comprised a nonequivalent control group and non-synchronized design. The participants included 50 adult patients admitted to the ICU with an internal medicine diagnosis who did not receive postoperative care. The intervention was conducted on a random day from 10 pm to 5 am the following morning. Subjective sleep quality was measured using the Korean version of the Richards–Campbell Sleep Questionnaire, and objective sleep duration was recorded using a smartwatch (Galaxy Watch 5; Samsung Electronics). Data were collected from September 2023 to March 2024 and analyzed using a t-test, χ2 test, Fisher’s exact test, and analysis of covariance. Results: : The multimodal intervention significantly improved the subjective andobjective measures of sleep quality. The experimental group had higher scores on sleep depth, falling asleep, sleeping without awakening, returning to sleep, and overall sleep quality. Objective measures revealed longer total sleep time, actual sleep time, light sleep, and deep sleep in the experimental group, with no differences in rapid eye movement sleep, sleep efficiency, or ratio of awakening. Conclusion : The multimodal sleep intervention effectively improved patients’ sleep quality and duration, demonstrating the feasibility of using multimodal interventions to improve sleep quality in clinical settings.

Purpose: : This study examined the effects of a multimodal intervention (earplugs, eye patches, and aromatherapy) on sleep quality and duration in intensive care unit(ICU)patients and the feasibility of the intervention to address sleep disturbances. Methods: : This experimental study comprised a nonequivalent control group and non-synchronized design. The participants included 50 adult patients admitted to the ICU with an internal medicine diagnosis who did not receive postoperative care. The intervention was conducted on a random day from 10 pm to 5 am the following morning. Subjective sleep quality was measured using the Korean version of the Richards–Campbell Sleep Questionnaire, and objective sleep duration was recorded using a smartwatch (Galaxy Watch 5; Samsung Electronics). Data were collected from September 2023 to March 2024 and analyzed using a t-test, χ2 test, Fisher’s exact test, and analysis of covariance. Results: : The multimodal intervention significantly improved the subjective andobjective measures of sleep quality. The experimental group had higher scores on sleep depth, falling asleep, sleeping without awakening, returning to sleep, and overall sleep quality. Objective measures revealed longer total sleep time, actual sleep time, light sleep, and deep sleep in the experimental group, with no differences in rapid eye movement sleep, sleep efficiency, or ratio of awakening. Conclusion : The multimodal sleep intervention effectively improved patients’ sleep quality and duration, demonstrating the feasibility of using multimodal interventions to improve sleep quality in clinical settings.

Purpose: : This study examined the effects of a multimodal intervention (earplugs, eye patches, and aromatherapy) on sleep quality and duration in intensive care unit(ICU)patients and the feasibility of the intervention to address sleep disturbances. Methods: : This experimental study comprised a nonequivalent control group and non-synchronized design. The participants included 50 adult patients admitted to the ICU with an internal medicine diagnosis who did not receive postoperative care. The intervention was conducted on a random day from 10 pm to 5 am the following morning. Subjective sleep quality was measured using the Korean version of the Richards–Campbell Sleep Questionnaire, and objective sleep duration was recorded using a smartwatch (Galaxy Watch 5; Samsung Electronics). Data were collected from September 2023 to March 2024 and analyzed using a t-test, χ2 test, Fisher’s exact test, and analysis of covariance. Results: : The multimodal intervention significantly improved the subjective andobjective measures of sleep quality. The experimental group had higher scores on sleep depth, falling asleep, sleeping without awakening, returning to sleep, and overall sleep quality. Objective measures revealed longer total sleep time, actual sleep time, light sleep, and deep sleep in the experimental group, with no differences in rapid eye movement sleep, sleep efficiency, or ratio of awakening. Conclusion : The multimodal sleep intervention effectively improved patients’ sleep quality and duration, demonstrating the feasibility of using multimodal interventions to improve sleep quality in clinical settings.

This study aimed to establish an organoid culture model using small intestine tissues from male and female C57BL/6 mice and to compare it with rat organoid cultures derived from frozen tissues. Crypts were isolated from the small intestines of eight-week-old male and female mice and cultured in 3D extracellular matrix with Wnt, R-spondin, and Noggin. In addition, small intestine tissues from sixteen-week-old F344 rats were preserved in a storage solution immediately post-sacrifice and stored at –80°C before being transferred to a nitrogen tank. Upon thawing, crypts from frozen rat tissues failed to develop into organoids due to structural damage, suggesting the need for fresh tissues or optimized preservation methods. In contrast, mouse-derived organoids showed viability for 7 days, with distinct morphological changes and clear differentiation by Day 7. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that Lgr5, a stem cell marker, showed significantly higher expression in organoids than in tissues, confirming the successful establishment of the organoid culture. Among epithelial markers, the antimicrobial enzyme Lyz1 was more highly expressed in organoids, while Muc2, a key goblet cell marker, was more highly expressed in male tissues. The enterocyte marker Alp exhibited higher expression in male organoids compared to females, with no sex differences in tissues. These findings highlight sex-specific differences in gene expression related to small intestine differentiation and demonstrate the challenges in organoid culture from frozen rat tissues. The results suggest the importance of immediate tissue processing or improved preservation methods for successful organoid cultures.

This study aimed to establish an organoid culture model using small intestine tissues from male and female C57BL/6 mice and to compare it with rat organoid cultures derived from frozen tissues. Crypts were isolated from the small intestines of eight-week-old male and female mice and cultured in 3D extracellular matrix with Wnt, R-spondin, and Noggin. In addition, small intestine tissues from sixteen-week-old F344 rats were preserved in a storage solution immediately post-sacrifice and stored at –80°C before being transferred to a nitrogen tank. Upon thawing, crypts from frozen rat tissues failed to develop into organoids due to structural damage, suggesting the need for fresh tissues or optimized preservation methods. In contrast, mouse-derived organoids showed viability for 7 days, with distinct morphological changes and clear differentiation by Day 7. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that Lgr5, a stem cell marker, showed significantly higher expression in organoids than in tissues, confirming the successful establishment of the organoid culture. Among epithelial markers, the antimicrobial enzyme Lyz1 was more highly expressed in organoids, while Muc2, a key goblet cell marker, was more highly expressed in male tissues. The enterocyte marker Alp exhibited higher expression in male organoids compared to females, with no sex differences in tissues. These findings highlight sex-specific differences in gene expression related to small intestine differentiation and demonstrate the challenges in organoid culture from frozen rat tissues. The results suggest the importance of immediate tissue processing or improved preservation methods for successful organoid cultures.

Rare endocrine diseases are complex conditions that require lifelong specialized care due to their chronic nature and associated long-term complications. In Korea, a lack of nationwide data on clinical practice and outcomes has limited progress in patient care. Therefore, the Multicenter Networks for Ideal Outcomes of Pediatric Rare Endocrine and Metabolic Disease (OUTSPREAD) study was initiated. This study involves 30 centers across Korea. The study aims to improve the long-term prognosis of Korean patients with rare endocrine diseases by collecting comprehensive clinical data, biospecimens, and patient-reported outcomes to identify complications and unmet needs in patient care. Patients with childhood-onset pituitary, adrenal, or gonadal disorders, such as craniopharyngioma, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and Turner syndrome were prioritized. The planned enrollment is 1,300 patients during the first study phase (2022–2024). Clinical, biochemical, and imaging data from diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up during 1980–2023 were retrospectively reviewed. For patients who agreed to participate in the prospective cohort, clinical data and biospecimens will be prospectively collected to discover ideal biomarkers that predict the effectiveness of disease control measures and prognosis. Patient-reported outcomes, including quality of life and depression scales, will be evaluated to assess psychosocial outcomes. Additionally, a substudy on CAH patients will develop a steroid hormone profiling method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to improve diagnosis and monitoring of treatment outcomes. This study will address unmet clinical needs by discovering ideal biomarkers, introducing evidence-based treatment guidelines, and ultimately improving long-term outcomes in the areas of rare endocrine and metabolic diseases.

In recent years, next-generation sequencing (NGS)–based genetic testing has become crucial in cancer care. While its primary objective is to identify actionable genetic alterations to guide treatment decisions, its scope has broadened to encompass aiding in pathological diagnosis and exploring resistance mechanisms. With the ongoing expansion in NGS application and reliance, a compelling necessity arises for expert consensus on its application in solid cancers. To address this demand, the forthcoming recommendations not only provide pragmatic guidance for the clinical use of NGS but also systematically classify actionable genes based on specific cancer types. Additionally, these recommendations will incorporate expert perspectives on crucial biomarkers, ensuring informed decisions regarding circulating tumor DNA panel testing.

Rare endocrine diseases are complex conditions that require lifelong specialized care due to their chronic nature and associated long-term complications. In Korea, a lack of nationwide data on clinical practice and outcomes has limited progress in patient care. Therefore, the Multicenter Networks for Ideal Outcomes of Pediatric Rare Endocrine and Metabolic Disease (OUTSPREAD) study was initiated. This study involves 30 centers across Korea. The study aims to improve the long-term prognosis of Korean patients with rare endocrine diseases by collecting comprehensive clinical data, biospecimens, and patient-reported outcomes to identify complications and unmet needs in patient care. Patients with childhood-onset pituitary, adrenal, or gonadal disorders, such as craniopharyngioma, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and Turner syndrome were prioritized. The planned enrollment is 1,300 patients during the first study phase (2022–2024). Clinical, biochemical, and imaging data from diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up during 1980–2023 were retrospectively reviewed. For patients who agreed to participate in the prospective cohort, clinical data and biospecimens will be prospectively collected to discover ideal biomarkers that predict the effectiveness of disease control measures and prognosis. Patient-reported outcomes, including quality of life and depression scales, will be evaluated to assess psychosocial outcomes. Additionally, a substudy on CAH patients will develop a steroid hormone profiling method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to improve diagnosis and monitoring of treatment outcomes. This study will address unmet clinical needs by discovering ideal biomarkers, introducing evidence-based treatment guidelines, and ultimately improving long-term outcomes in the areas of rare endocrine and metabolic diseases.