Obesity is a systemic vascular disease characterized by the convergence of metabolic excess and adipose dysfunction, leading to endothelial injury and plasticity. Beyond hemodynamic stress, chronic nutritional and inflammatory stimuli trigger oxidative and pro-thromboinflammatory pathways, reduce nitric oxide bioavailability, and promote endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). This process contributes to fibrotic remodeling, plaque vulnerability, arterial stiffening, and microvascular rarefaction. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs)—microRNAs (miRNAs), long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs)—play pivotal roles as regulators within the vascular wall and across tissues via extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from adipose tissue and perivascular fat. We synthesize evidence demonstrating that ncRNAs integrate TGF-β/ Smad, NF-κB, HIF-1γ, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways with the endothelial metabolic state, including the epigenetic regulation of EndMT linked to fatty acid oxidation. Single-cell and lineage-tracing studies identify nascent EndMT subpopulations in obese tissues, while in vitro models reveal cytokine and lipotoxic triggers that shift ncRNA networks, stabilizing mesenchymal programs. Translationally, circulating and EV-associated ncRNAs mirror adiposity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction, improving with weight loss. This underscores their potential as dynamic biomarkers for patient stratification, particularly when integrated with vascular imaging and functional assays. Furthermore, we discuss therapeutic strategies such as miRNA antagomirs, lncRNA gapmers, and circRNA inhibitors, addressing the critical challenge of endothelium-targeted delivery through approaches like ligand-directed nanoparticles, endothelial-tropic liposomes, and engineered EVs. This review positions obesity-associated vascular disease as an ncRNA-driven network disorder and outlines pathways toward precision diagnostics and RNA-based interventions.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine trends and factors associated with severe physical and psychological consequences following induced abortion among women in the Republic of Korea. Methods: An online survey was conducted of adolescent and adult Korean women aged 13 to 64 years, termed the 2022 Sex and Reproductive Health Survey. Respondents who reported a history of induced abortion were analyzed. Logistic regression models that accounted forindividual risk factors were fitted to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aOR). Results: The prevalence of induced abortion was 20.1% (914 of 4,552 respondents). The mostfrequent indications for abortion were social reasons, and across all periods, approximately half of the women or more reported non-medical challenges at the time of their most recentabortion. Severe physical and psychological sequelae after abortion increased 5-fold from 1980–1992 to 2013–2022. Among those whose most recent abortion occurred in 2003 or later, the risk of severe psychological sequelae was higher in 2013–2022, after the Korean Constitutional Court upheld the existing criminal codes, than in 2003–2012 (aOR, 2.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.09–4.91). Conclusion In the absence of institutionalized safe and respectful abortion services, severe physical and psychological sequelae among women who underwent induced abortionwere more likely to occur. These findings highlight the importance of safe, affordable,nondiscriminatory, and respectful abortion care.

Transcription factor CP2-like protein 1 (Tfcp2l1), a naïve pluripotency transcription factor, is expressed in both early embryonic and adult tissues, where it enforces pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and stemness features of cancer cells, respectively. However, the detailed molecular pathways by which Tfcp2l1 is regulated in early embryonic development and cancer cells remain unknown. Here, we identified the pseudophosphatase dual specificity phosphatase 27 (Dusp27), also known as serine/threonine/tyrosine-interacting like-2, as a novel Tfcp2l1-interacting protein through a sterile alpha motif-like domain in the C-terminus of Tfcp2l1 in murine ESCs. The interaction between Dusp27 and Tfcp2l1 was dependent on the cell cycle status and increased during mitosis. Expression of Dusp27 was upregulated during naïve pluripotency and repressed during spontaneous differentiation of murine ESCs. Ectopic expression of Dusp27 enhanced the transcriptional activity of Tfcp2l1 and promoted features associated with the naïve pluripotent state, while suppressing meso-endodermal lineage differentiation. The present study demonstrates that Dusp27 is a novel positive regulator of Tfcp2l1 through a physical interaction and thereby fine-tunes the pluripotency status and meso-endodermal differentiation of murine ESCs.

Vascular dementia (VaD) is the second most common type of dementia and is characterized by memory impairment, blood–brain barrier disruption, neuronal cell loss, glia activation, impaired synaptic plasticity, and cholinergic system abnormalities. To effectively prevent and treat VaD a good understanding of the mechanisms underlying its neuropathology is needed.Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important neurotrophic factor with multiple functions in the systemic circulation and the central nervous system and is known to regulate neuronal cell survival, synaptic formation, glia activation, and cognitive decline. Recent studies indicate that when compared with normal subjects, patients with VaD have low serum BDNF levels and that BDNF deficiency in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid is an important indicator of VaD. Here, we review current knowledge on the role of BDNF signaling in the pathology of VaD, such as cerebrovascular dysfunction, synaptic dysfunction, and cholinergic system impairment.

Objectives: This study was conducted to systematically summarize trends in research concerning patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as reported in Korean medical journals. Methods: We performed a literature search of KoreaMed from January 2020 to September 2022. We included only primary studies of patients with COVID-19. Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts, then performed full-text screening, both independently and in duplicate. We first identified the 5 journals with the greatest numbers of eligible publications, then extracted data pertaining to the general characteristics, study population attributes, and research features of papers published in these journals. Results: Our analysis encompassed 142 primary studies. Of these, approximately 41.0% reported a funding source, while 3.5% disclosed a conflict of interest. In 2020, 42.9% of studies included fewer than 10 participants; however, by 2022, the proportion of studies with over 200 participants had increased to 40.6%. The most common design was the cohort study (48.6%), followed by case reports/series (35.2%). Only 3 randomized controlled trials were identified. Studies most frequently focused on prognosis (58.5%), followed by therapy/intervention (20.4%). Regarding the type of intervention/exposure, therapeutic clinical interventions comprised 26.1%, while studies of morbidity accounted for 13.4%. As for the outcomes measured, 50.7% of studies assessed symptoms/clinical status/improvement, and 14.1% evaluated mortality. Conclusions Employing a systematic approach, we examined the characteristics of research involving patients with COVID-19 that was published in Korean medical journals from 2020 onward. Subsequent research should assess not only publication trends over a longer timeframe but also the quality of evidence provided.

Purpose: This study investigated the actual incidence of acute poisoning in Korea on a nationwide scale, with the aim of laying the groundwork for future initiatives in prevention, strategic antidote distribution, and the development of effective emergency treatment for acute poisoning. Methods: The study analyzed data from 3,038 patients who presented to emergency departments with poisoning-related conditions from June 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 at 10 sites in nine cities across the country. We extracted data on general characteristics of the poisoning cases, including demographic characteristics (age and gender), place of exposure, reason for poisoning, route of exposure, and the substance involved in the poisoning incident. Age-related patterns in reasons for poisoning, medical outcomes, frequent and primary poisoning substances, and deaths were also analyzed. Results: The population analyzed in our study was predominantly female, with women constituting 54.74% of all cases. Among infants and children, non-intentional poisoning due to general accidents was the most common cause, accounting for 71.43% of cases. Conversely, suicidal poisoning was more prevalent among teenagers and adults over 20. Fifty-two patients died during the study period, with males comprising approximately two-thirds (67.31%) of these fatalities. Pesticides were the most common poisoning substance among those who died, accounting for 55.77% of such cases. Notably, a significant majority of the victims were elderly individuals aged 60 and above. Conclusion This study holds substantial significance, since it represents the first comprehensive investigation and analysis of the symptoms, treatment, and causes of death due to poisoning in Korea on a national scale. By substantially expanding the range and types of poisonous substances examined, we were able to more precisely identify the characteristics and clinical patterns of poisoning cases nationwide.

The hypothalamus is part of the diencephalon and has several nuclei, one of which is the arcuate nucleus. The arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus (ARH) consists of neuroendocrine neurons and centrally-projecting neurons. The ARH is the center where the homeostasis of nutrition/metabolism and reproduction are maintained. As such, dysfunction of the ARH can lead to disorders of nutrition/metabolism and reproduction. Here, we review various types of neurons in the ARH and several genetic disorders caused by mutations in the ARH.

Purpose: Suicide ranks among the top causes of death among youth in South Korea. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of suicidal individuals treated at emergency departments between 2011 and 2020. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from January 2011 to December 2020 in the Injury Surveillance Cohort, a prospective registry. Patients’ sex, age, mortality, methods of self-harm, and previous suicide attempts were analyzed. The methods of self-harm were categorized into falls, asphyxiation, blunt injuries, penetrating injuries, poisoning, and others. Sub-groups with and without poisoning were compared. Results: The proportion of self-harm/suicide attempts increased from 2.3% (2011) to 5.0% (2020). The mortality rate decreased from 10.8% (2011) to 6.3% (2020). Poisoning was the most common method (61.7%). Mortality rates ranged from 42.0% for asphyxiation to 0.2% for blunt injuries. Individuals in their 20s showed a marked increase in suicide/self-harm attempts, especially in the last three years. A large proportion of decedents in their 70s or older (52.6%) used poisoning as a method of suicide. The percentage of individuals with two or more previous attempts rose from 7.1% (2011) to 19.7% (2020). The death rates by poisoning decreased from 7.7% (2011) to 2.5% (2020). Conclusion Our findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and suicide prevention policies. Managing and reducing suicide and self-harm in emergency settings will require a focus on poisoning, the 10–29 age group, and the elderly. This paper will be valuable for future policies aiming to reduce the societal burden of suicide and self-harm.

Objective: Accurate interpretation of computed tomography (CT) scans is critical for patient care in the emergency department. We aimed to identify factors associated with an incorrect interpretation of abdominal CT by novice emergency residents and to analyze the characteristics of incorrectly interpreted scans. Methods: This retrospective analysis of a prospective observational cohort was conducted at three urban emergency departments. Discrepancies between the interpretations by postgraduate year-1 (PGY-1) emergency residents and the final radiologists’ reports were assessed by independent adjudicators. Potential factors associated with incorrect interpretation included patient age, sex, time of interpretation, and organ category. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for incorrect interpretation were calculated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Among 1,628 eligible cases, 270 (16.6%) were incorrect. The urinary system was the most correctly interpreted organ system (95.8%, 365/381), while the biliary tract was the most incorrectly interpreted (28.4%, 48/169). Normal CT images showed high false-positive rates of incorrect interpretation (28.2%, 96/340). Organ category was found to be a major determinant of incorrect interpretation. Using the urinary system as a reference, the aOR for incorrect interpretation of biliary tract disease was 9.20 (95% confidence interval, 5.0–16.90) and the aOR for incorrectly interpreting normal CT images was 8.47 (95% confidence interval, 4.85–14.78). Conclusion Biliary tract disease is a major factor associated with incorrect preliminary interpretations of abdominal CT scans by PGY-1 emergency residents. PGY-1 residents also showed high false-positive interpretation rates for normal CT images. Emergency residents’ training should focus on these two areas to improve abdominal CT interpretation accuracy.

Objective: Accurate interpretation of computed tomography (CT) scans is critical for patient care in the emergency department. We aimed to identify factors associated with an incorrect interpretation of abdominal CT by novice emergency residents and to analyze the characteristics of incorrectly interpreted scans. Methods: This retrospective analysis of a prospective observational cohort was conducted at three urban emergency departments. Discrepancies between the interpretations by postgraduate year-1 (PGY-1) emergency residents and the final radiologists’ reports were assessed by independent adjudicators. Potential factors associated with incorrect interpretation included patient age, sex, time of interpretation, and organ category. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for incorrect interpretation were calculated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Among 1,628 eligible cases, 270 (16.6%) were incorrect. The urinary system was the most correctly interpreted organ system (95.8%, 365/381), while the biliary tract was the most incorrectly interpreted (28.4%, 48/169). Normal CT images showed high false-positive rates of incorrect interpretation (28.2%, 96/340). Organ category was found to be a major determinant of incorrect interpretation. Using the urinary system as a reference, the aOR for incorrect interpretation of biliary tract disease was 9.20 (95% confidence interval, 5.0–16.90) and the aOR for incorrectly interpreting normal CT images was 8.47 (95% confidence interval, 4.85–14.78). Conclusion Biliary tract disease is a major factor associated with incorrect preliminary interpretations of abdominal CT scans by PGY-1 emergency residents. PGY-1 residents also showed high false-positive interpretation rates for normal CT images. Emergency residents’ training should focus on these two areas to improve abdominal CT interpretation accuracy.