Background: Primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders (pcCD30-LPDs) are a diseases with various clinical and prognostic characteristics. Objective: Increasing our knowledge of the clinical characteristics of pcCD30-LPDs and identifying potential prognostic variables in an Asian population. Methods: Clinicopathological features and survival data of pcCD30-LPD cases obtained from 22 hospitals in South Korea were examined. Results: A total of 413 cases of pcCD30-LPDs (lymphomatoid papulosis [LYP], n=237; primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma [C-ALCL], n=176) were included. Ninety percent of LYP patients and roughly 50% of C-ALCL patients presented with multiple skin lesions. Both LYP and C-ALCL affected the lower limbs most frequently. Multiplicity and advanced T stage of LYP lesions were associated with a chronic course longer than 6 months. Clinical morphology with patch lesions and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase were significantly associated with LPDs during follow-up in LYP patients. Extracutaneous involvement of C-ALCL occurred in 13.2% of patients. Lesions larger than 5 cm and increased serum lactate dehydrogenase were associated with a poor prognosis in C-ALCL. The survival of patients with C-ALCL was unaffected by the anatomical locations of skin lesions or other pathological factors. Conclusion The multiplicity or size of skin lesions was associated with a chronic course of LYP and survival among patients with C-ALCL.

Background: In 2006, the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) working group released the diagnostic criteria for Korean atopic dermatitis (AD). Recently, more simplified, and practical AD diagnostic criteria have been proposed. Objective: Based on updated criteria and experience, we studied to develop and share a consensus on diagnostic criteria for AD in Koreans. Materials and Methods: For the diagnostic criteria, a questionnaire was constructed by searching the English-language literature in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. A modified Delphi method composed of 3 rounds of email questionnaires was adopted for the consensus process. Fifty-four KADA council members participated in the 3 rounds of votes and expert consensus recommendations were established. Results: Diagnostic criteria for AD include pruritus, eczema with age-specific pattern, and chronic or relapsing history. Diagnostic aids for AD encompass xerosis, immunoglobulin E reactivity, hand–foot eczema, periorbital changes, periauricular changes, perioral changes, nipple eczema, perifollicular accentuation, and personal or family history of atopy. Conclusion This study streamlined and updated the diagnostic criteria for AD in Korea, making them more practicable for use in real-world clinical field.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is characterized by fat accumulation in the liver. MASLD encompasses both steatosis and MASH. Since MASH can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer, steatosis and MASH must be distinguished during patient treatment. Here, we investigate the genomes, epigenomes, and transcriptomes of MASLD patients to identify signature gene set for more accurate tracking of MASLD progression. Methods: Biopsy-tissue and blood samples from patients with 134 MASLD, comprising 60 steatosis and 74 MASH patients were performed omics analysis. SVM learning algorithm were used to calculate most predictive features. Linear regression was applied to find signature gene set that distinguish the stage of MASLD and to validate their application into independent cohort of MASLD. Results: After performing WGS, WES, WGBS, and total RNA-seq on 134 biopsy samples from confirmed MASLD patients, we provided 1,955 MASLD-associated features, out of 3,176 somatic variant callings, 58 DMRs, and 1,393 DEGs that track MASLD progression. Then, we used a SVM learning algorithm to analyze the data and select the most predictive features. Using linear regression, we identified a signature gene set capable of differentiating the various stages of MASLD and verified it in different independent cohorts of MASLD and a liver cancer cohort. Conclusions We identified a signature gene set (i.e., CAPG, HYAL3, WIPI1, TREM2, SPP1, and RNASE6) with strong potential as a panel of diagnostic genes of MASLD-associated disease.

Salmonella enterica serotype Choleraesuis causes swine paratyphoid, with clinical findings of enterocolitis and septicemia. However, the clinicopathological features of S. Choleraesuis infections in pigs have not been reported in Korea. We describe the pathological findings of two weaned pigs with S. Choleraesuis infections, presenting with diarrhea, cough, and sudden death. Pathological examination indicated severe necrotic colitis in pig 1 and septicemic lesions in pig 2. Multidrug-resistant S. Choleraesuis was isolated from the pigs’ lungs and intestinal contents. Further research is required for the surveillance of S. Choleraesuis infections in pigs and the virulence estimation in the S. Choleraesuis isolates.

Background: The nature and role of the mitochondrial stress response in adipose tissue in relation to obesity are not yet known. To determine whether the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) in adipose tissue is associated with obesity in humans and rodents. Methods: Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was obtained from 48 normoglycemic women who underwent surgery. Expression levels of mRNA and proteins were measured for mitochondrial chaperones, intrinsic proteases, and components of electron-transport chains. Furthermore, we systematically analyzed metabolic phenotypes with a large panel of isogenic BXD inbred mouse strains and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) data. Results: In VAT, expression of mitochondrial chaperones and intrinsic proteases localized in inner and outer mitochondrial membranes was not associated with body mass index (BMI), except for the Lon protease homolog, mitochondrial, and the corresponding gene LONP1, which showed high-level expression in the VAT of overweight or obese individuals. Expression of LONP1 in VAT positively correlated with BMI. Analysis of the GTEx database revealed that elevation of LONP1 expression is associated with enhancement of genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism in VAT. Mice with higher Lonp1 expression in adipose tissue had better systemic glucose metabolism than mice with lower Lonp1 expression. Conclusion Expression of mitochondrial LONP1, which is involved in the mitochondrial quality control stress response, was elevated in the VAT of obese individuals. In a bioinformatics analysis, high LONP1 expression in VAT was associated with enhanced glucose and lipid metabolism.

Purpose: Inhalation of air containing high amounts of particular matter (PM) causes various respiratory disorders including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. The changes of expression of inflammatory factors by polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) administration in the PM10-exposed trachea inflammation model were evaluated. Methods: PM10 was administered to mouse trachea to induce acute inflammatory damage, and changes in inflammatory factors were observed after administration of PDRN and 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (DMPX) for 3 days daily. Expression of inflammatory cytokines, adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR), protein kinase A (PKA), 3΄,5΄-cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element binding protein (CREB) were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence, and western blot assay. Results: PM-exposed trachea showed increased tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β expression, and expression of TNF-α and IL-1β was inhibited by PDRN treatment in PM-exposed mice. PM-exposed trachea showed increased nuclear factor (NF)-κB phosphorylation, and phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B was inhibited by PDRN treatment in PM-exposed mice. PM-exposed trachea showed increased expression of A2AR, but PDRN treatment more enhanced A2AR expression in PM-exposed mice. PKA phosphorylation was not changed and CREP phosphorylation was decreased, however PDRN treatment increased phosphorylation of PKA and CREB in PM-exposed mice. DMPX treatment blocked all the effects of PDRN on PM-exposed mice, demonstrating that the action of PDRN occurs via A2AR. Conclusions PDRN treatment attenuated inflammation in the trachea of the PM10-exposed mice. This improving effect of PDRN can be ascribed to the activation of A2AR through the cAMP-PKA pathway.

Background: The nature and role of the mitochondrial stress response in adipose tissue in relation to obesity are not yet known. To determine whether the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) in adipose tissue is associated with obesity in humans and rodents. Methods: Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was obtained from 48 normoglycemic women who underwent surgery. Expression levels of mRNA and proteins were measured for mitochondrial chaperones, intrinsic proteases, and components of electron-transport chains. Furthermore, we systematically analyzed metabolic phenotypes with a large panel of isogenic BXD inbred mouse strains and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) data. Results: In VAT, expression of mitochondrial chaperones and intrinsic proteases localized in inner and outer mitochondrial membranes was not associated with body mass index (BMI), except for the Lon protease homolog, mitochondrial, and the corresponding gene LONP1, which showed high-level expression in the VAT of overweight or obese individuals. Expression of LONP1 in VAT positively correlated with BMI. Analysis of the GTEx database revealed that elevation of LONP1 expression is associated with enhancement of genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism in VAT. Mice with higher Lonp1 expression in adipose tissue had better systemic glucose metabolism than mice with lower Lonp1 expression. Conclusion Expression of mitochondrial LONP1, which is involved in the mitochondrial quality control stress response, was elevated in the VAT of obese individuals. In a bioinformatics analysis, high LONP1 expression in VAT was associated with enhanced glucose and lipid metabolism.

Purpose: Inhalation of air containing high amounts of particular matter (PM) causes various respiratory disorders including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. The changes of expression of inflammatory factors by polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) administration in the PM10-exposed trachea inflammation model were evaluated. Methods: PM10 was administered to mouse trachea to induce acute inflammatory damage, and changes in inflammatory factors were observed after administration of PDRN and 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (DMPX) for 3 days daily. Expression of inflammatory cytokines, adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR), protein kinase A (PKA), 3΄,5΄-cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element binding protein (CREB) were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence, and western blot assay. Results: PM-exposed trachea showed increased tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β expression, and expression of TNF-α and IL-1β was inhibited by PDRN treatment in PM-exposed mice. PM-exposed trachea showed increased nuclear factor (NF)-κB phosphorylation, and phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B was inhibited by PDRN treatment in PM-exposed mice. PM-exposed trachea showed increased expression of A2AR, but PDRN treatment more enhanced A2AR expression in PM-exposed mice. PKA phosphorylation was not changed and CREP phosphorylation was decreased, however PDRN treatment increased phosphorylation of PKA and CREB in PM-exposed mice. DMPX treatment blocked all the effects of PDRN on PM-exposed mice, demonstrating that the action of PDRN occurs via A2AR. Conclusions PDRN treatment attenuated inflammation in the trachea of the PM10-exposed mice. This improving effect of PDRN can be ascribed to the activation of A2AR through the cAMP-PKA pathway.

Objective: This study identified the distribution of lymphocele, as well as the factors associated with lymphocele formation, in patients undergoing pelvic and/or para-aortic lymph node dissection (PLND and/or PALND) for gynecologic malignancies. Methods: This study was retrospective, and data were collected from patients who underwent surgical procedures including lymphadenectomy due to gynecologic malignancies from March 2013 to May 2016. Lymphocele was defined by postoperative computer tomography within 2 weeks after surgery. Results: A total of 116 patients underwent lymphadenectomy, of whom, 47 (42.0%) developed lymphocele and 14 (12.1%) had symptomatic lymphocele formation. The affecting factors of lymphocele formation were PLND concomitant with PALND and a large amount of blood loss ≥600 mL (P=0.030 and P=0.006, respectively). All clinical factors were not significantly different between patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic lymphocele. Lymphocele developed more frequently in the left side (67.1%) of the body compared to the right side (48.7%), and in the pelvic area (75.9%) compared to the para-aortic area (24.1%, P<0.001, both). Conclusion Lymphocele formation is more prevalent in the left and pelvic area of the body compared to the right and paraaortic side. PLND concurrent with PALND and large amounts of blood loss were significant risk factors for lymphocele formation.