Although oxidative stress is the main pathophysiology of the development of diabetic neuropathy, oral administration of antioxidants has given disappointing results. Here, we hypothesized that local delivery of antioxidants would provide protective effects on Schwann cells due to the high concentration of local lesions. We prepared alpha-tocopherol (ATF)-loaded liposomes and tested their skin penetration after sonication. An in vitro study using IMS-32 cells was conducted to determine the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging effects of ATF-liposomes. ATF reduced ROS in high-glucose-exposed IMS-32 cells in a dosedependent manner. ATF-liposomes also reduced the ROS level in vitro and ultrasound irradiation enhanced delivery to the dermis in porcine ear skin. This study showed that it is feasible to deliver ATF through the skin and can effectively reduce ROS. This model is worthy of development for clinical use.

Background: TP53 mutations are associated with poor prognosis in myelodysplastic neoplasm (MDS) and AML. The updated 5th WHO classification and International Consensus Classification (ICC) categorize TP53-mutated MDS and AML as unique entities. We conducted a multicenter study in Korea to investigate the characteristics of TP53-mutated MDS and AML, focusing on diagnostic aspects based on updated classifications. Methods: This study included patients aged ≥ 18 yrs who were diagnosed as having MDS(N = 1,244) or AML (N = 2,115) at six institutions. The results of bone marrow examination, cytogenetic studies, and targeted next-generation sequencing, including TP53, were collected and analyzed. Results: TP53 mutations were detected in 9.3% and 9.2% of patients with MDS and AML, respectively. Missense mutation was the most common, with hotspot codons R248/ R273/G245/Y220/R175/C238 accounting for 25.4% of TP53 mutations. Ten percent of patients had multiple TP53 mutations, and 78.4% had a complex karyotype. The median variant allele frequency (VAF) of TP53 mutations was 41.5%, with a notable difference according to the presence of a complex karyotype. According to the 5th WHO classification and ICC, the multi-hit TP53 mutation criteria were met in 58.6% and 75% of MDS patients, respectively, and the primary determinants were a TP53 VAF > 50% for the 5th WHO classification and the presence of a complex karyotype for the ICC. Conclusions Collectively, we elucidated the molecular genetic characteristics of patients with TP53-mutated MDS and AML, highlighting key factors in applying TP53 mutation-related criteria in updated classifications, which will aid in establishing diagnostic strategies.

Although oxidative stress is the main pathophysiology of the development of diabetic neuropathy, oral administration of antioxidants has given disappointing results. Here, we hypothesized that local delivery of antioxidants would provide protective effects on Schwann cells due to the high concentration of local lesions. We prepared alpha-tocopherol (ATF)-loaded liposomes and tested their skin penetration after sonication. An in vitro study using IMS-32 cells was conducted to determine the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging effects of ATF-liposomes. ATF reduced ROS in high-glucose-exposed IMS-32 cells in a dosedependent manner. ATF-liposomes also reduced the ROS level in vitro and ultrasound irradiation enhanced delivery to the dermis in porcine ear skin. This study showed that it is feasible to deliver ATF through the skin and can effectively reduce ROS. This model is worthy of development for clinical use.

Although oxidative stress is the main pathophysiology of the development of diabetic neuropathy, oral administration of antioxidants has given disappointing results. Here, we hypothesized that local delivery of antioxidants would provide protective effects on Schwann cells due to the high concentration of local lesions. We prepared alpha-tocopherol (ATF)-loaded liposomes and tested their skin penetration after sonication. An in vitro study using IMS-32 cells was conducted to determine the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging effects of ATF-liposomes. ATF reduced ROS in high-glucose-exposed IMS-32 cells in a dosedependent manner. ATF-liposomes also reduced the ROS level in vitro and ultrasound irradiation enhanced delivery to the dermis in porcine ear skin. This study showed that it is feasible to deliver ATF through the skin and can effectively reduce ROS. This model is worthy of development for clinical use.

Although oxidative stress is the main pathophysiology of the development of diabetic neuropathy, oral administration of antioxidants has given disappointing results. Here, we hypothesized that local delivery of antioxidants would provide protective effects on Schwann cells due to the high concentration of local lesions. We prepared alpha-tocopherol (ATF)-loaded liposomes and tested their skin penetration after sonication. An in vitro study using IMS-32 cells was conducted to determine the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging effects of ATF-liposomes. ATF reduced ROS in high-glucose-exposed IMS-32 cells in a dosedependent manner. ATF-liposomes also reduced the ROS level in vitro and ultrasound irradiation enhanced delivery to the dermis in porcine ear skin. This study showed that it is feasible to deliver ATF through the skin and can effectively reduce ROS. This model is worthy of development for clinical use.

Background: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by tumors in multiple endocrine organs, caused by variants in the MEN1 gene. This study analyzed the clinical and genetic features of MEN1 in a Korean cohort, identifying prevalent manifestations and genetic variants, including novel variants. Methods: This multicenter retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 117 MEN1 patients treated at three tertiary centers in Korea between January 2012 and September 2022. Patient demographics, tumor manifestations, outcomes, and MEN1 genetic testing results were collected. Variants were classified using American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and French Oncogenetics Network of Neuroendocrine Tumors propositions (TENGEN) guidelines. Results: A total of 117 patients were enrolled, including 55 familial cases, with a mean age at diagnosis of 37.4±15.3 years. Primary hyperparathyroidism was identified as the most common presentation (84.6%). The prevalence of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor and pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (PitNET) was 77.8% (n=91) and 56.4% (n=66), respectively. Genetic testing revealed 61 distinct MEN1 variants in 101 patients, with 18 being novel. Four variants were reclassified according to the TENGEN guidelines. Patients with truncating variants (n=72) exhibited a higher prevalence of PitNETs compared to those with non-truncating variants (n=25) (59.7% vs. 36.0%, P=0.040). Conclusion The association between truncating variants and an increased prevalence of PitNETs in MEN1 underscores the importance of genetic characterization in guiding the clinical management of this disease. Our study sheds light on the clinical and genetic characteristics of MEN1 among the Korean population.

The evaluation of respiratory chemical substances has been mostly performed in animal tests (OECD TG 403, TG 412, TG 413, etc.). However, there have been ongoing discussions about the limited use of these inhalation toxicity tests due to differences in the anatomical structure of the respiratory tract, difficulty in exposure, laborious processes, and ethical reasons. Alternative animal testing methods that mimic in vivo testing are required. Therefore, in this study, we established a co-culture system composed of differentiated epithelial cells under an air-liquid interface (ALI) system in the apical part and fibroblasts in the basal part. This system was designed to mimic the wound-healing mechanism in the respiratory system. In addition, we developed a multi-analysis system that simultaneously performs toxicological and functional evaluations. Several individual assays were used sequentially in a multi-analysis model for pulmonary toxicity. Briefly, cytokine analysis, histology, and cilia motility were measured in the apical part, and cell migration and gel contraction assay were performed by exposing MRC-5 cells to the basal culture. First, human airway epithelial cells from bronchial (hAECB) were cultured under air-liquid interface (ALI) system conditions and validated pseudostratified epithelium by detecting differentiation-related epithelial markers using Transepithelial Electrical Resistance (TEER) measurement, Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining, and immunocytochemistry (ICC) staining. Afterward, the co-culture cells exposed to Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), a key mediator of pulmonary fibrosis, induced significant toxicological responses such as cytotoxicity, cell migration, and gel contraction, which are wound-healing markers. In addition, cilia motility in epithelial cells was significantly decreased compared to control. Therefore, the multi-analysis model with a 3D epithelial-fibroblast co-culture system is expected to be useful in predicting pulmonary toxicity as a simple and efficient high-throughput screening method and as an alternative to animal testing.

Background: Energy drinks are gaining popularity among young people worldwide. However, little is known about their consumption among Korean adolescents.Purpose: To examine the prevalence and factors associated with energy drink consumption among Korean adolescents. Methods: This study used data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Surveys conducted in 2014–2017 and in 2019. A total of 325,210 participants aged 12–18 years were included. The prevalence of energy drink consumption (with 95% confidence intervals) was estimated. Multivariable logistic regression analyses examined the association between energy drink consumption and sociodemographic and individual factors. Results: The prevalence of consuming energy drinks 3 or more times during the previous 7 days increased significantly from 3.2% in 2014 to 12.2% in 2019 (P for trend<0.001). This increasing trend was observed in all subgroups regardless of sex, school grade, region of residence, subjective economic status, family cohabitation status, and academic achievement. Data from the 2014–2017 and 2019 surveys revealed that boys, high schoolers, city-dwelling adolescents, adolescents with low economic status, those not living with their families, and those with low academic achievement were more likely to consume energy drinks. However, the relationship between energy drink consumption and the associated factors differed by survey year and school grade. In 2019, higher energy drink consumption among middle schoolers was associated with sex (male), low economic status, not living with family, and low academic achievement; however, higher energy drink consumption among high schoolers was associated with city-dwelling, high economic status, not living with family, and high academic achievement. Conclusion Energy drink consumption is common, has recently increased among Korean adolescents, and varies according to sociodemographic and individual factors. Further research to monitor the energy drink consumption of adolescents and understand their attitudes toward and factors influencing energy drink consumption is needed to develop policies and educational strategies for energy drink consumption.

Background: Energy drinks are gaining popularity among young people worldwide. However, little is known about their consumption among Korean adolescents.Purpose: To examine the prevalence and factors associated with energy drink consumption among Korean adolescents. Methods: This study used data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Surveys conducted in 2014–2017 and in 2019. A total of 325,210 participants aged 12–18 years were included. The prevalence of energy drink consumption (with 95% confidence intervals) was estimated. Multivariable logistic regression analyses examined the association between energy drink consumption and sociodemographic and individual factors. Results: The prevalence of consuming energy drinks 3 or more times during the previous 7 days increased significantly from 3.2% in 2014 to 12.2% in 2019 (P for trend<0.001). This increasing trend was observed in all subgroups regardless of sex, school grade, region of residence, subjective economic status, family cohabitation status, and academic achievement. Data from the 2014–2017 and 2019 surveys revealed that boys, high schoolers, city-dwelling adolescents, adolescents with low economic status, those not living with their families, and those with low academic achievement were more likely to consume energy drinks. However, the relationship between energy drink consumption and the associated factors differed by survey year and school grade. In 2019, higher energy drink consumption among middle schoolers was associated with sex (male), low economic status, not living with family, and low academic achievement; however, higher energy drink consumption among high schoolers was associated with city-dwelling, high economic status, not living with family, and high academic achievement. Conclusion Energy drink consumption is common, has recently increased among Korean adolescents, and varies according to sociodemographic and individual factors. Further research to monitor the energy drink consumption of adolescents and understand their attitudes toward and factors influencing energy drink consumption is needed to develop policies and educational strategies for energy drink consumption.

Background: Energy drinks are gaining popularity among young people worldwide. However, little is known about their consumption among Korean adolescents.Purpose: To examine the prevalence and factors associated with energy drink consumption among Korean adolescents. Methods: This study used data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Surveys conducted in 2014–2017 and in 2019. A total of 325,210 participants aged 12–18 years were included. The prevalence of energy drink consumption (with 95% confidence intervals) was estimated. Multivariable logistic regression analyses examined the association between energy drink consumption and sociodemographic and individual factors. Results: The prevalence of consuming energy drinks 3 or more times during the previous 7 days increased significantly from 3.2% in 2014 to 12.2% in 2019 (P for trend<0.001). This increasing trend was observed in all subgroups regardless of sex, school grade, region of residence, subjective economic status, family cohabitation status, and academic achievement. Data from the 2014–2017 and 2019 surveys revealed that boys, high schoolers, city-dwelling adolescents, adolescents with low economic status, those not living with their families, and those with low academic achievement were more likely to consume energy drinks. However, the relationship between energy drink consumption and the associated factors differed by survey year and school grade. In 2019, higher energy drink consumption among middle schoolers was associated with sex (male), low economic status, not living with family, and low academic achievement; however, higher energy drink consumption among high schoolers was associated with city-dwelling, high economic status, not living with family, and high academic achievement. Conclusion Energy drink consumption is common, has recently increased among Korean adolescents, and varies according to sociodemographic and individual factors. Further research to monitor the energy drink consumption of adolescents and understand their attitudes toward and factors influencing energy drink consumption is needed to develop policies and educational strategies for energy drink consumption.