Background: and Purpose This study evaluated the diagnostic utility of an anti-signal-recognition particle 54 (anti-SRP54) antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as well as the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of patients with SRP immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM). Methods: We evaluated 87 patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and 107 healthy participants between January 2002 and December 2023. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies were assessed, and the clinical profiles of patients with antiSRP54 antibodies were determined. Results: The ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies had a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 99%, respectively, along with a test–retest reliability of 0.92 (p<0.001). The 32 patients diagnosed with anti-SRP IMNM using a line-blot immunoassay included 28 (88%) who tested positive for anti-SRP54 antibodies using the ELISA, comprising 12 (43%) males and 16 (57%) females whose median ages at symptom onset and diagnosis were 43.0 years and 43.5 years, respectively. Symptoms included proximal muscle weakness in all 28 (100%) patients, neck weakness in 9 (32%), myalgia in 15 (54%), dysphagia in 5 (18%), dyspnea in 4 (14%), dysarthria in 2 (7%), interstitial lung disease in 2 (7%), and myocarditis in 2 (7%). The median serum creatine kinase (CK) level was 7,261 U/L (interquartile range: 5,086–10,007 U/L), and the median anti-SRP54 antibody level was 2.0 U/mL (interquartile range: 1.0–5.6 U/mL). The serum CK level was significantly higher in patients with coexisting anti-Ro-52 antibodies. Conclusions This study has confirmed the reliability of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies and provided insights into the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of South Korean patients with anti-SRP IMNM.

Objective: This study aims to objectively evaluate turning gait parameters in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients using 2D-RGB video-based analysis and explore their relationships with imbalance. Methods: We prospectively enrolled PD patients for clinical assessment, balance analysis and gait with 180º turning. Spatiotemporal gait parameters during turning were derived using video-based analysis and correlated with modified Hoehn and Yahr (mHY) stages and center of pressure (COP) oscillations. Results: A total of 64 PD patients were enrolled. The PD patients with higher mHY stages (≥2.5) had significantly longer turning times, greater numbers of steps, wider step bases and less variability in step length during turns. COP oscillations were positively correlated with the mean turning time on both the anterior-posterior and right-left axes. Conclusion Spatiotemporal gait parameter during turning, derived from video-based gait analysis, may represent apromising biomarker for monitoring postural instability in PD patients.

Purpose: Skeletal muscle atrophy, characterized by a reduction in muscle mass and size, is known to be associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. This study aimed to examine the effect of blackcurrant extract on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-α-induced myotube atrophy. Methods: C2C12 myotubes were treated with blackcurrant extract and cultured with TNF-α for 24 hours. The myotubes were stained using May-Grunwald Giemsa staining to measure the myotube diameter. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed.The mRNA expression of inflammation-related markers such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), as well as mitochondria dynamicsrelated markers, including mitochondrial fission protein 1 (Fis1), optic atrophy 1 (Opa1) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression of muscle protein degradation markers, including muscle ring finger protein 1 (MuRF-1), atrogin-1, and forkhead box protein O3 (FoXO3), as well as mitochondrial biogenesis markers such as silent information regulator T1 (Sirt1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α), were assessed by western blot analysis. Results: Treatment with blackcurrant extract increased the myotube diameter, which was decreased in TNF-α-induced myotube atrophy. Treatment with TNF-α increased ROS levels and the expression of MuRF-1 and atrogin-1, and these increases were significantly inhibited by treatment with the blackcurrant extract. In contrast, the phosphorylation of FoXO3 was increased by the blackcurrant extract. Furthermore, the blackcurrant extract treatment decreased the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, and iNOS elevated by TNF-α treatment. Additionally, blackcurrant extract treatment suppressed the expression of Fis1, while increasing the expression of Opa1, Sirt1, and PGC-1α. Conclusion These results suggest that blackcurrant extract reduces TNF-α-induced muscle protein degradation by the enhancement of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial dynamics. Thus, this study provides foundational data supporting the potential of blackcurrant extract as a functional ingredient for the prevention of muscle atrophy.

Objectives: Maternal depression negatively affects depression and anxiety symptoms in the offspring. This study examined the association between maternal depression and their adolescent offspring depression and anxiety, as well as the mediating role of emotional trauma in determining the association. Methods: Participants were 237 mothers (46.08±5.00 years) and their adolescent offspring (16.54±1.51 years). The participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II, Early Trauma Inventory Self Report-Short Form, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children, and the Screen for Children’s Anxiety Related Disorders. The mediating effect of emotional trauma on offspring was explored using mediation analysis. Results: Maternal depressive symptoms were significantly correlated with adolescent offspring traumatic experiences, as well as with their depressive and anxiety symptoms. Mediation analysis results showed that emotional trauma of offspring significantly mediated the effect of maternal depression on their depressive and anxiety symptoms. Conclusion Findings indicate that maternal depression was significantly associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in adolescent offspring, mediated by their emotional trauma. Future research is needed to investigate pathways and intervention strategies to prevent the intergenerational transmission of emotional problems.

Primary ovarian carcinoid tumors are rare well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors classified as monodermal teratomas. They usually occur in perimenopausal woman and are accompanied with mature cystic teratoma or mucinous tumors. The diagnosis may be supported by the clinical presentation of carcinoid syndromes such as flushing, diarrhea, or chronic constipation. Here, we report on the case of a 51-year-old female with surgically confirmed primary ovarian carcinoid, describe the MRI features of the tumor, and correlate them with the pathological findings.

Objective: This study aims to objectively evaluate turning gait parameters in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients using 2D-RGB video-based analysis and explore their relationships with imbalance. Methods: We prospectively enrolled PD patients for clinical assessment, balance analysis and gait with 180º turning. Spatiotemporal gait parameters during turning were derived using video-based analysis and correlated with modified Hoehn and Yahr (mHY) stages and center of pressure (COP) oscillations. Results: A total of 64 PD patients were enrolled. The PD patients with higher mHY stages (≥2.5) had significantly longer turning times, greater numbers of steps, wider step bases and less variability in step length during turns. COP oscillations were positively correlated with the mean turning time on both the anterior-posterior and right-left axes. Conclusion Spatiotemporal gait parameter during turning, derived from video-based gait analysis, may represent apromising biomarker for monitoring postural instability in PD patients.

Purpose: Skeletal muscle atrophy, characterized by a reduction in muscle mass and size, is known to be associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. This study aimed to examine the effect of blackcurrant extract on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-α-induced myotube atrophy. Methods: C2C12 myotubes were treated with blackcurrant extract and cultured with TNF-α for 24 hours. The myotubes were stained using May-Grunwald Giemsa staining to measure the myotube diameter. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed.The mRNA expression of inflammation-related markers such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), as well as mitochondria dynamicsrelated markers, including mitochondrial fission protein 1 (Fis1), optic atrophy 1 (Opa1) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression of muscle protein degradation markers, including muscle ring finger protein 1 (MuRF-1), atrogin-1, and forkhead box protein O3 (FoXO3), as well as mitochondrial biogenesis markers such as silent information regulator T1 (Sirt1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α), were assessed by western blot analysis. Results: Treatment with blackcurrant extract increased the myotube diameter, which was decreased in TNF-α-induced myotube atrophy. Treatment with TNF-α increased ROS levels and the expression of MuRF-1 and atrogin-1, and these increases were significantly inhibited by treatment with the blackcurrant extract. In contrast, the phosphorylation of FoXO3 was increased by the blackcurrant extract. Furthermore, the blackcurrant extract treatment decreased the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, and iNOS elevated by TNF-α treatment. Additionally, blackcurrant extract treatment suppressed the expression of Fis1, while increasing the expression of Opa1, Sirt1, and PGC-1α. Conclusion These results suggest that blackcurrant extract reduces TNF-α-induced muscle protein degradation by the enhancement of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial dynamics. Thus, this study provides foundational data supporting the potential of blackcurrant extract as a functional ingredient for the prevention of muscle atrophy.

Objectives: Maternal depression negatively affects depression and anxiety symptoms in the offspring. This study examined the association between maternal depression and their adolescent offspring depression and anxiety, as well as the mediating role of emotional trauma in determining the association. Methods: Participants were 237 mothers (46.08±5.00 years) and their adolescent offspring (16.54±1.51 years). The participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II, Early Trauma Inventory Self Report-Short Form, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children, and the Screen for Children’s Anxiety Related Disorders. The mediating effect of emotional trauma on offspring was explored using mediation analysis. Results: Maternal depressive symptoms were significantly correlated with adolescent offspring traumatic experiences, as well as with their depressive and anxiety symptoms. Mediation analysis results showed that emotional trauma of offspring significantly mediated the effect of maternal depression on their depressive and anxiety symptoms. Conclusion Findings indicate that maternal depression was significantly associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in adolescent offspring, mediated by their emotional trauma. Future research is needed to investigate pathways and intervention strategies to prevent the intergenerational transmission of emotional problems.

Primary ovarian carcinoid tumors are rare well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors classified as monodermal teratomas. They usually occur in perimenopausal woman and are accompanied with mature cystic teratoma or mucinous tumors. The diagnosis may be supported by the clinical presentation of carcinoid syndromes such as flushing, diarrhea, or chronic constipation. Here, we report on the case of a 51-year-old female with surgically confirmed primary ovarian carcinoid, describe the MRI features of the tumor, and correlate them with the pathological findings.