Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of eosinophilic nuclear inclusions in neurons and somatic cells. It clinically manifests as cognitive decline, seizures, and autonomic dysfunction. A 44-year-old man presented with a transient visual field defect and hemiparesis. Based on characteristic imaging findings and pathological findings, NIID was suspected and diagnosed through genetic testing. This case emphasizes the importance of comprehensive clinical phenotype analysis and accurate genetic diagnosis.

Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of eosinophilic nuclear inclusions in neurons and somatic cells. It clinically manifests as cognitive decline, seizures, and autonomic dysfunction. A 44-year-old man presented with a transient visual field defect and hemiparesis. Based on characteristic imaging findings and pathological findings, NIID was suspected and diagnosed through genetic testing. This case emphasizes the importance of comprehensive clinical phenotype analysis and accurate genetic diagnosis.

Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of eosinophilic nuclear inclusions in neurons and somatic cells. It clinically manifests as cognitive decline, seizures, and autonomic dysfunction. A 44-year-old man presented with a transient visual field defect and hemiparesis. Based on characteristic imaging findings and pathological findings, NIID was suspected and diagnosed through genetic testing. This case emphasizes the importance of comprehensive clinical phenotype analysis and accurate genetic diagnosis.

Although gemcitabine-based regimens are widely used as an effective treatment for pancreatic cancer, acquired resistance to gemcitabine has become an increasingly common problem. Therefore, a novel therapeutic strategy to treat gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer is urgently required. Piceamycin has been reported to exhibit antiproliferative activity against various cancer cells; however, its underlying molecular mechanism for anticancer activity in pancreatic cancer cells remains unexplored. Therefore, the present study evaluated the antiproliferation activity of piceamycin in a gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cell line and patient-derived pancreatic cancer organoids. Piceamycin effectively inhibited the proliferation and suppressed the expression of alpha-actinin-4, a gene that plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis and metastasis of various cancers, in gemcitabine-resistant cells. Long-term exposure to piceamycin induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and caused apoptosis. Piceamycin alsoinhibited the invasion and migration of gemcitabine-resistant cells by modulating focal adhesion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition biomarkers. Moreover, the combination of piceamycin and gemcitabine exhibited a synergistic antiproliferative activity in gemcitabine-resistant cells. Piceamycin also effectively inhibited patient-derived pancreatic cancer organoid growth and induced apoptosis in the organoids. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that piceamycin may be an effective agent for overcoming gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer.

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is highly prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events and metabolic disturbances. The triglyceride-glucose index (TyGI), a novel surrogate marker of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, is associated with CAC in the general population and in patients with diabetes. This study investigated the association between the TyGI and CAC progression in patients with CKD, which is unknown. Methods: A total of 1,154 patients with CKD (grades 1–5; age, 52.8 ± 11.9 years; male, 688 [59.6%]) were enrolled from the KNOWCKD (KoreaN Cohort Study for Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease). The TyGI was calculated as follows: ln (fasting triglycerides × fasting glucose/2). Patients were classified into tertiles (low, intermediate, high) based on the TyGI. The primary outcome was annualized percentage change in CAC score [(percent change in CAC score + 1)12/follow-up months – 1] of ≥15%, defined as CAC progression. Results: During the 4-year follow-up, the percentage of patients with CAC progression increased across TyGI groups (28.6%, 37.5%, and 46.2% in low, intermediate, and high groups, respectively; p < 0.001). A high TyGI was associated with an increased risk of CAC progression (odds ratio [OR], 2.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14–3.88; p = 0.02) compared to the low group. Moreover, a 1-point increase in the TyGI was related to increased risk of CAC progression (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.06–1.76; p = 0.02) after adjustment. Conclusion: A high TyGI may be a useful predictor of CAC progression in CKD.

Renal cell carcinomas (RCC) account for 2.4% of all adult malignancies. RCC is known for its aggressive nature, with approximately one-third of patients presenting with metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Cutaneous metastasis is a rare presentation of this cancer. A 78-year-old male presented with numerous erythematous nodules of various sizes on the left flank, which he had had for a month. He had undergone a left partial nephrectomy for papillary RCC 3 years previously and had been receiving chemotherapy since surgery. Histopathology revealed papillary architecture with prominent atypical nucleoli throughout the dermis. Immunohistochemical findings were positive for CD10, cytokeratin 7, PAX-8, vimentin, and alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase. These results led to a diagnosis of cutaneous metastases of papillary renal cell carcinoma. Papillary RCC rarely presents with cutaneous metastases.Because these lesions are easily accessible, cutaneous lesions in patients with risk factors for RCC should be excised and pathologically evaluated.

Background: Since the disease burden of atopic dermatitis (AD) understandably increases with its disease severity, studies, especially on the baseline characteristics of severe AD, have been conducted in some countries to deepen the understanding of the disease and, by extension, formulate a relevant national policy. However, research on the baseline characteristics of severe AD in Korea remains insufficient. Objective: To report the baseline demographics and describe the clinical characteristics of adult Korean patients with severe AD, including medical and treatment history, clinical manifestations, disease severity, and laboratory findings, in order to understand the characteristics of severe AD. Methods: A single-center, prospective, non-interventional, observational, longitudinal study of 108 patients with severe AD was conducted between January 2021 and December 2022. Clinical data and patient-reported measures of signs and symptoms of AD were recorded at baseline. Results: The mean Eczema Area and Severity Index score of the patients was 28.5±6.8. The mean pruritus numerical rating scale, Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure, Dermatology Life Quality Index, and Atopic Dermatitis Control Tool scores were 8.1±1.7, 23.6±4.8, 21.9±6.6, and 19.5±3.9, respectively. Although a larger proportion of the headeck and trunk are affected than both limbs, the key signs of AD were less severe in the headeck region than in the other regions. Erythema and lichenification were more representative clinical signs of severe AD than induration and excoriation. The baseline data on previous treatments reflected the AD treatment guidelines in Korea. Conclusion This real-world data will provide dermatologists with a better understanding of severe AD, which will eventually lead to better clinical and health policy decisions for patients with severe AD.

Purpose: To investigate cases of vitreous opacity (VO) similar to asteroid hyalosis (AH) after intravitreal brolucizumab injection. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify cases showing VO similar to AH among patients who received intravitreal brolucizumab injections at our retinal clinic from January 2022 to January 2023. Results: A total of 220 brolucizumab injections were administered at our hospital. VO, showing yellow-white brilliant reflective particles, was found in six patients (2.7%). When VO occurred, all patients complained of floaters, although none of them complained of other symptoms including decreased visual acuity, pain, or conjunctival redness. The mean number of brolucizumab injections was 2.57 ± 2.38. No significant visual impairment was observed while VO was present. VO improved in all cases, and four cases improved without any treatment. The mean interval from onset to disappearance of VO was 8.0 ± 3.1 weeks. Conclusions VO, similar to AH, can occur with a relatively high probability after intravitreal brolucizumab injections. Patients complained of severe floaters, but VO was not accompanied by other symptoms including vision impairment, injection, and pain. The VO disappeared after approximately 4 to 14 weeks. In case that other inflammatory findings are not severe, close follow-up without treatment may be sufficient. If a patient complains of floaters after an intravitreal brolucizumab injection, close fundus observation is necessary to evaluate the VO.

Objective: The abuse of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines has been a major issue addressed as a serious public health problem worldwide. This study explored factors contributing to substance abuse in Korea by examining the status of substance abuse among Korean adults and evaluating their knowledge, attitudes, and intentions toward substance abuse. Methods: Data were collected online from a sample of participants 19 years old or older from May 20 to June 1, 2020 (n=1,020). The survey consisted of questions on demographics, perceptions of drug risk, motives for drug use, and attitudes toward drug addiction treatment. Principal component and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to explore the factors contributing to the perception of drug abuse. Results: In the multivariate regression analysis, overconfidence in handling drug usage, acceptance of addictive substances, and affirmation of public support for drug abuse were associated with opioid abuse (Nagelkerke R2=0.486), and additionally affirmation of legal cannabis usage and motivation to use diet pills were associated with diet pill abuse (Nagelkerke R2=0.569). Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that the actual situation of substance abuse among Korean adults increases awareness of and attitudes toward drug use related to substance abuse.