Purpose: Hair disorders, which are often attributed to conditions associated with a shortened anagen growth phase, oxidative stress, and hormonal dysregulation, especially during aging, have profound psychological implications. Currently, only minoxidil has been approved as a topical hair growth solution; thus, alternative therapies for treating hair loss and promoting hair health are urgently needed. Herein, we aimed to develop and assess a novel method to promote hair growth and health using mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) gum and peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) extracts. Materials and Methods: After determining the optimal ratio of mastic gum and peppermint extracts, we performed in vitro and in vivo experiments to verify the efficacy of the 7:3 mastic gum-peppermint mixture (MP73; FHH-MG) for enhancing hair growth and health. Results: Mastic gum significantly promoted cell proliferation and demonstrated synergistic benefits when combined with peppermint extract. In vitro, FHH-MG increased human dermal follicle papilla cell proliferation and demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In vivo, treatment with FHH-MG dose-dependently enhanced hair growth and gloss and increased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, β-catenin, and insulin-like growth factor-1 in C57BL/6 mice compared to the negative control. Conclusion The novel mixture exhibited hair growth-promoting effects in C57BL/6 mice; thus, FHH-MG may serve as a botanical alternative for hair growth and health promotion.

Purpose: Hair disorders, which are often attributed to conditions associated with a shortened anagen growth phase, oxidative stress, and hormonal dysregulation, especially during aging, have profound psychological implications. Currently, only minoxidil has been approved as a topical hair growth solution; thus, alternative therapies for treating hair loss and promoting hair health are urgently needed. Herein, we aimed to develop and assess a novel method to promote hair growth and health using mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) gum and peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) extracts. Materials and Methods: After determining the optimal ratio of mastic gum and peppermint extracts, we performed in vitro and in vivo experiments to verify the efficacy of the 7:3 mastic gum-peppermint mixture (MP73; FHH-MG) for enhancing hair growth and health. Results: Mastic gum significantly promoted cell proliferation and demonstrated synergistic benefits when combined with peppermint extract. In vitro, FHH-MG increased human dermal follicle papilla cell proliferation and demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In vivo, treatment with FHH-MG dose-dependently enhanced hair growth and gloss and increased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, β-catenin, and insulin-like growth factor-1 in C57BL/6 mice compared to the negative control. Conclusion The novel mixture exhibited hair growth-promoting effects in C57BL/6 mice; thus, FHH-MG may serve as a botanical alternative for hair growth and health promotion.

Background and Objectives: The Korean Organ Transplant Registry (KOTRY) provided data for this third official report on adult heart transplantation (HT), including information from 709 recipients. Methods: Data from HTs performed at seven major centers in Korea between March 2014 and December 2020 were analyzed, focusing on immunosuppression, acute rejection, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), post-transplant survival, and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) usage. Results: The median ages of the recipients and donors were 56.0 and 43.0 years, respectively.Cardiomyopathy and ischemic heart disease were the most common preceding conditions for HT. A significant portion of patients underwent HT at waiting list status 1 and 0. In the multivariate analysis, a predicted heart mass mismatch was associated with a higher risk of 1-year mortality. Patients over 70 years old had a significantly increased risk of 6-year mortality. The risk of CAV was higher for male donors and donors older than 45 years. Acute rejection was more likely in patients with panel reactive antibody levels above 80%, while statin use was associated with a reduced risk. The employment of left ventricular assist device as a bridge to transplantation increased from 2.17% to 22.4%. Pre-transplant extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation was associated with worse post-transplant survival. Conclusions In this third KOTRY report, we analyzed changes in the characteristics of adult HT recipients and donors and their impact on post-transplant outcomes. The most notable discovery was the increased use of MCS before HT and their impact on post-transplant outcomes.

The Korean Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Committee within the Korean Society of Surgical Metabolism and Nutrition was established to develop ERAS guidelines tailored to the Korean context. This guideline focuses on creating the most current evidence-based practice guidelines for ERAS purposes, based on systematic reviews. All key questions targeted randomized controlled trials exclusively, and if fewer than 2 were available, studies employing propensity score matching were also included. Recommendations for each key question were marked with strength of recommendation and level of evidence following internal and external review processes by the committee.

The Korean Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Committee within the Korean Society of Surgical Metabolism and Nutrition was established to develop ERAS guidelines tailored to the Korean context. This guideline focuses on creating the most current evidence-based practice guidelines for ERAS purposes, based on systematic reviews. All key questions targeted randomized controlled trials exclusively, and if fewer than 2 were available, studies employing propensity score matching were also included. Recommendations for each key question were marked with strength of recommendation and level of evidence following internal and external review processes by the committee.

The initial molecular cytogenetic characteristics of blasts plays a significant role in determining the treatment course of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL).B-ALL with intrachromosomal amplification of chromosome 21 (iAMP21) has been well known to have unfavorable prognosis. Also, there are previously recognized germline mutations that increase the risk of ALL, such as trisomy 21, Down syndrome. This case report is about a 16-year-old girl who presented with lymphadenitis, purpura, and fever followed by initial lab of elevated white blood cell with blasts.She had some notable facial features, but no typical Down syndrome related one.Bone marrow biopsy and fluorescence in situ hybridization finalized the diagnosis as B-ALL with iAMP21, high-risk group. The minimal residual disease-negative complete remission was achieved after the induction chemotherapy with Korean multicenter high-risk protocol. However, abnormal karyotype was sustained in bone marrow. Microarrays with her buccal swab raised the possibility that the abnormal karyotype was not from the leukemic blasts but rather from the germline. Although she underwent scheduled chemotherapy uneventfully as slow early responder type, thrombocytopenia and abnormal karyotype persisted, leading to the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia. Additional chemotherapy and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation was performed which resulted in engraftment. This case highlights the discovery of a constitutional genetic aberration, which played like a silent yet critical background factor for B-ALL with iAMP21. As the number of reported cases are limited, the role of germline chromosome 21 mutation as the indicator for prognosis of B-ALL should be studied further.