1.Analysis of the genotype distribution and changes in norovirus in Asia and Russia in GenBank from 1995 to 2023
Hui-min JIANG ; Yan CHEN ; Li-li LI ; Xiao-man SUN ; Chui-zhao XUE ; Jin-song LI ; Yin-hui PEI ; Zhao-jun DUAN
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(5):515-521
An analysis of 24 144 norovirus sequences from Asia and Russia deposited in GenBank between 1995 and 2023 was conducted,to understand the temporal and spatial variations in norovirus genotypes in these regions.Norovirus sequences from Asia and Russia were downloaded in FASTA format from GenBank for the years 1995-2023,and analyzed in Excel,R language,and GraphPad Prism for data visualization.The number of norovirus sequences submitted to GenBank increased annually from 2004 and peaked in 2015.Notably,China and Japan contributed 62.3%of all submitted norovirus sequences.These sequences encompassed 31 capsid genotypes(C-type),with GⅠ accounting for 9%and GⅡ accounting for 90%.Additionally,49 polymerase types(P-type)were identified,along with 68 combinations of CP types;among the analyzed recombinant sequences(4 460 entries in total),approxi-mately 41%belonged to three predominant recombinant strains:GⅡ.2[P16],GⅡ.4[P31],and GⅡ.4[P16].This analysis provides valuable insights into the distribution characteristics of norovirus genotypes across Asia and Russia over time,thereby supporting vac-cine design and evaluation efforts.
3.Ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal neoplasm is increasing as a surgical indication in the biologics era:a retrospective observational study of 20 years of experience in a single tertiary center
Hyo Jun KIM ; Seung-Bum RYOO ; Jin Sun CHOI ; Han-Ki LIM ; Min Jung KIM ; Ji Won PARK ; Seung-Yong JEONG ; Kyu Joo PARK
Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research 2025;108(3):150-157
Purpose:
We aimed to identify changes in surgical indications in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in the biologics era in a single tertiary center.
Methods:
In this retrospective observational study, 108 patients with UC who underwent abdominal surgery for UC at Seoul National University Hospital from 2000 to 2021 were included. We compared the total number of patients undergoing UC before and after the introduction of biologic therapy.
Results:
Of the 108 patients with UC (male, 59 and female, 49; mean age, 46.8 years), 30 (27.8%) underwent surgery for neoplasms and 78 (72.2%) for medical intractability without neoplasms. The duration between diagnosis and surgery varied significantly (126.00 months vs. 60.50 months, P = 0.001). A significant difference was also noted in the surgical indications according to time (P = 0.02). Between 2000 and 2010, 12 patients (19.4%) underwent surgery for UC with neoplasms and 50 (80.6%) for UC without neoplasms, while between 2011 and 2021, 18 (39.1%) and 28 patients (60.9%) underwent surgery for UC with and without neoplasms, respectively.
Conclusion
Since 2011, when biological agents were covered by insurance in South Korea, there has been a relative increase in the incidence of surgical indications for neoplasia cases. Focusing on closely monitoring individuals with longterm UC for neoplasms is necessary.
4.Tanshinone, a Natural NADPH Oxidase Inhibitor, Mitigates Testosterone-Induced Hair Loss
Yeo Kyu HUR ; Jin Yeong CHAE ; Min Hye CHOI ; Kkotnara PARK ; Da-Woon BAE ; Soo-Bong PARK ; Sun-Shin CHA ; Hye Eun LEE ; In Hye LEE ; Yun Soo BAE
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2025;33(1):210-220
Previous studies have shown that testosterone activates the GPRC6A-Duox1 axis, resulting in the production of H 2O 2 which leads to the apoptosis of keratinocytes and ultimately hair loss. Here, we elucidated a molecular mechanism by which the non-genomic action of testosterone regulates cellular redox status in androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Building upon this molecular understanding, we conducted a high-throughput screening assay of Nox inhibitors from a natural compounds library. This screening identified diterpenoid compounds, specifically Tanshinone I, Tanshinone IIA, Tanshinone IIB, and Cryptotanshinone, derived from Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix. The IC50 values for Nox isozymes were found to be 2.6-12.9 μM for Tanshinone I, 1.9-7.2 μM for Tanshinone IIA, 5.2-11.9 μM for Tanshinone IIB, and 2.1-7.9 μM for Cryptotanshinone. Furthermore, 3D computational docking analysis confirmed the structural basis by which Tanshinone compounds inhibit Nox activity. These compounds were observed to substitute for NADPH at the π-π bond site between NADPH and FAD, leading to the suppression of Nox activity. Notably, Tanshinone I and Tanshinone IIA effectively inhibited Nox activity heightened by testosterone, consequently reducing the production of intracellular H2O2 and preventing cell apoptosis. In an animal study involving the application of testosterone to the back skin of 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice to inhibit hair growth, subsequent treatment with Tanshinone I or Tanshinone IIA alongside testosterone resulted in a substantial increase in hair follicle length compared to testosterone treatment alone. These findings underscore the potential efficacy of Tanshinone I and Tanshinone IIA as therapeutic agents for AGA by inhibiting Nox activity.
5.Erratum to "Potential Role of Dietary Salmon Nasal Cartilage Proteoglycan on UVB-Induced Photoaged Skin" Biomol Ther 32(2), 249-260 (2024)
Hae Ran LEE ; Seong-Min HONG ; Kyohee CHO ; Seon Hyeok KIM ; Eunji KO ; Eunyoo LEE ; Hyun Jin KIM ; Se Yeong JEON ; Seon Gil DO ; Sun Yeou KIM
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2025;33(2):415-415
6.Quercetin-3-Methyl Ether Induces Early Apoptosis to Overcome HRV1B Immune Evasion, Suppress Viral Replication, and Mitigate Inflammatory Pathogenesis
Jae-Hyoung SONG ; Seo-Hyeon MUN ; Sunil MISHRA ; Seong-Ryeol KIM ; Heejung YANG ; Sun Shim CHOI ; Min-Jung KIM ; Dong-Yeop KIM ; Sungchan CHO ; Youngwook HAM ; Hwa-Jung CHOI ; Won-Jin BAEK ; Yong Soo KWON ; Jae-Hoon CHANG ; Hyun-Jeong KO
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2025;33(2):388-398
Human rhinovirus (HRV) causes the common cold and exacerbates chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Despite its significant impact on public health, there are currently no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for HRV infection. Apoptosis is the process through which cells eliminate themselves through the systematic activation of intrinsic death pathways in response to various stimuli. It plays an important role in viral infections and serves as a key immune defense mechanism in the interactions between viruses and the host. In the present study, we investigated the antiviral effects of quercetin-3-methyl ether, a flavonoid isolated from Serratula coronata, on human rhinovirus 1B (HRV1B). Quercetin-3-methyl ether significantly inhibited HRV1B replication in HeLa cells in a concentration-dependent manner, thereby reducing cytopathic effects and viral RNA levels. Time-course and time-of-addition analyses confirmed that quercetin-3-methyl ether exhibited antiviral activity during the early stages of viral infection, potentially targeting the replication and translation phases. Gene expression analysis using microarrays revealed that pro-apoptotic genes were upregulated in quercetin-3-methyl ether-treated cells, suggesting that quercetin-3-methyl ether enhances early apoptosis to counteract HRV1B-induced immune evasion. In vivo administration of quercetin-3-methyl ether to HRV1B-infected mice significantly reduced viral RNA levels and inflammatory cytokine production in the lung tissues. Our findings demonstrated the potential of quercetin-3-methyl ether as a novel antiviral agent against HRV1B, thereby providing a promising therapeutic strategy for the management of HRV1B infections and related complications.
7.Identifying Trends in Oncology Research through a Bibliographic Analysis of Cancer Research and Treatment
Choong-kun LEE ; Jeong Min CHOO ; Yong Chan AHN ; Jin KIM ; Sun Young RHA ; Chai Hong RIM ;
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(1):11-18
During the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Korean Cancer Association, articles published in Cancer Research and Treatment from 2004 to 2023 were assessed based on the subject and design of each study. Based on this analysis, trends in domestic cancer research were inferred and directions were suggested for the future development of Cancer Research and Treatment.
8.The Cancer Clinical Library Database (CCLD) from the Korea-Clinical Data Utilization Network for Research Excellence (K-CURE) Project
Sangwon LEE ; Yeon Ho CHOI ; Hak Min KIM ; Min Ah HONG ; Phillip PARK ; In Hae KWAK ; Ye Ji KANG ; Kui Son CHOI ; Hyun-Joo KONG ; Hyosung CHA ; Hyun-Jin KIM ; Kwang Sun RYU ; Young Sang JEON ; Hwanhee KIM ; Jip Min JUNG ; Jeong-Soo IM ; Heejung CHAE
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(1):19-27
The common data model (CDM) has found widespread application in healthcare studies, but its utilization in cancer research has been limited. This article describes the development and implementation strategy for Cancer Clinical Library Databases (CCLDs), which are standardized cancer-specific databases established under the Korea-Clinical Data Utilization Network for Research Excellence (K-CURE) project by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare. Fifteen leading hospitals and fourteen academic associations in Korea are engaged in constructing CCLDs for 10 primary cancer types. For each cancer type-specific CCLD, cancer data experts determine key clinical data items essential for cancer research, standardize these items across cancer types, and create a standardized schema. Comprehensive clinical records covering diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes, with annual updates, are collected for each cancer patient in the target population, and quality control is based on six-sigma standards. To protect patient privacy, CCLDs follow stringent data security guidelines by pseudonymizing personal identification information and operating within a closed analysis environment. Researchers can apply for access to CCLD data through the K-CURE portal, which is subject to Institutional Review Board and Data Review Board approval. The CCLD is considered a pioneering standardized cancer-specific database, significantly representing Korea’s cancer data. It is expected to overcome limitations of previous CDMs and provide a valuable resource for multicenter cancer research in Korea.
9.Clinicopathological differences in the activation pattern of the complement system between pediatric and adult lupus nephritis: a single centered retrospective study in Korea
Min Ji PARK ; Man Hoon HAN ; Mee-seon KIM ; Yong-Jin KIM ; Sang Jin LEE ; Dongsub KIM ; Hee Sun BAEK ; Min Hyun CHO
Childhood Kidney Diseases 2025;29(1):24-31
Purpose:
Lupus nephritis (LN) can be caused by the complement activation. This study aimed to investigate the differences and clinical implications of the activation pattern of the complement system for pediatric and adult LN patients.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 40 patients (14 pediatric and 26 adult patients) diagnosed with LN through kidney biopsy.
Results:
The mean ages at diagnosis of pediatric and adult patients were 11.7±2.92 and 37.3±13.5 years, respectively. At the first LN diagnosis, compared with adult patients, pediatric patients had a higher estimated glomerular filtration rate and milder proteinuria; however, there was no statistical significance. The age-adjusted mean serum complement 3 value was significantly lower in the pediatric group (33.0±11.3 mg/dL) than in the adult group (50.8±25.2 mg/dL) (P<0.01). Based on the findings of kidney biopsy, no significant differences were observed in the severity of pathologic classification and the positive rate of complements between adults and children. However, the chronicity index score of adult patients was significantly higher than that of pediatric patients and in the case of complement 4d, despite a similar positive rate, the intensity was significantly stronger for adults (2.35±0.83 vs. 1.54±0.52, (P=0.04).
Conclusions
The activation pattern of the complement system in LN differs clinicopathologically between pediatric and adult patients and these differences might play an important role in the age-dependent prognosis of LN.
10.Fact sheet: nationwide trends in dietary intakes among Korean adults, 2013-2022
Hannah OH ; Garam JO ; Oh Yoen KIM ; Hyunjung LIM ; SuJin SONG ; Jeong-Hwa CHOI ; Jae Hyun BAE ; Eun-Sun JIN ; Rockli KIM ; Yujin LEE ; In-Kyung JEONG ; Min-Jeong SHIN ;
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;40(3):427-437
Background/Aims:
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the recent nationwide trends in major dietary risk factors for dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis.
Methods:
We estimated age-standardized mean intakes of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, whole grains, dietary fiber, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs); and mean percentage of energy intake from protein, total fat, saturated fat, and polyunsaturated fat using nationally representative samples from the Korean National Health Examination and Nutrition Survey 2013–2022. To assess overall diet quality, we calculated mean Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) (range 0–100, higher scores indicating greater diet quality).
Results:
In 2013–2022, there were overall decreasing trends in age-standardized mean KHEI score and intakes of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and dietary fiber; and overall increasing trends in mean intakes of SSBs, protein, and dietary fat among both male and female. The KHEI score increased in older adults aged ≥ 60 years, whereas it decreased among younger adults. Throughout the study period, younger adults tended to have lower intakes of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and whole grains; higher intakes of SSBs, protein, and dietary fat; and lower KHEI score. The mean KHEI score was lower in male (vs. female) and lower (vs. higher) income groups.
Conclusions
Our data suggest that, from 2013 to 2022, there was a trend toward an unhealthy diet in Korean adults. Our findings also suggest dietary inequalities among age, sex, and income groups, suggesting the need for more intense interventions targeting the vulnerable populations.

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