1.A Genetically Confirmed Korean Case of CANVAS: Cerebellar Ataxia, Neuropathy, and Vestibular Areflexia Syndrome
Seung Hee LEE ; Hee-Jae JUNG ; Ji-Hee YOON ; Gu-Hwan KIM ; June-Young KOH ; Yuna LEE ; Young Seok JU ; Eun-Jae LEE ; Beom Hee LEE ; Young-Min LIM ; Hyunjin KIM
Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2025;43(1):45-49
Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a biallelic expansion of pentanucleotide repeats in the RFC1 gene. Previous studies have reported up to 22% of patients with late-onset ataxia harbor this pathogenic repeat expansion. Despite its relatively high prevalence, CANVAS is often underdiagnosed because the disease is not well recognized and genetic testing is not performed in clinical practice. Here, we present a patient with characteristic clinical features, confirmed by genetic testing.
2.Sentinel Safety Monitoring System for Adverse Events of Special Interest Associated With Non-NIP Vaccines in Korea
Hakjun HYUN ; Jung Yeon HEO ; Yu Jung CHOI ; Eliel NHAM ; Jin Gu YOON ; Ji Yun NOH ; Joon Young SONG ; Woo Joo KIM ; Won Suk CHOI ; Min Joo CHOI ; Yu Bin SEO ; Jacob LEE ; Hee Jin CHEONG
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(16):e152-
South Korea’s current vaccination policies leave a surveillance gap for non-National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines. In this study, we proposed a sentinel surveillance approach for monitoring the safety of non-NIP vaccines. Vaccination data were collected retrospectively among patients hospitalized with pre-defined adverse events of special interest (AESI) by reviewing electronic medical records in five university hospitals. This approach incorporates expert assessment to determine the causal relationship. We confirmed that 16 patients had received non-NIP vaccines among 860 patients diagnosed with AESI.We concluded one case of preeclampsia was possibly related to tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccination. We propose a multi-hospital-based, retrospective assessment system for predefined AESIs as an alternative to active vaccine safety monitoring method. These efforts are expected to enhance both the accuracy and timeliness of safety monitoring in South Korea.
3.Sentinel Safety Monitoring System for Adverse Events of Special Interest Associated With Non-NIP Vaccines in Korea
Hakjun HYUN ; Jung Yeon HEO ; Yu Jung CHOI ; Eliel NHAM ; Jin Gu YOON ; Ji Yun NOH ; Joon Young SONG ; Woo Joo KIM ; Won Suk CHOI ; Min Joo CHOI ; Yu Bin SEO ; Jacob LEE ; Hee Jin CHEONG
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(16):e152-
South Korea’s current vaccination policies leave a surveillance gap for non-National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines. In this study, we proposed a sentinel surveillance approach for monitoring the safety of non-NIP vaccines. Vaccination data were collected retrospectively among patients hospitalized with pre-defined adverse events of special interest (AESI) by reviewing electronic medical records in five university hospitals. This approach incorporates expert assessment to determine the causal relationship. We confirmed that 16 patients had received non-NIP vaccines among 860 patients diagnosed with AESI.We concluded one case of preeclampsia was possibly related to tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccination. We propose a multi-hospital-based, retrospective assessment system for predefined AESIs as an alternative to active vaccine safety monitoring method. These efforts are expected to enhance both the accuracy and timeliness of safety monitoring in South Korea.
4.Sentinel Safety Monitoring System for Adverse Events of Special Interest Associated With Non-NIP Vaccines in Korea
Hakjun HYUN ; Jung Yeon HEO ; Yu Jung CHOI ; Eliel NHAM ; Jin Gu YOON ; Ji Yun NOH ; Joon Young SONG ; Woo Joo KIM ; Won Suk CHOI ; Min Joo CHOI ; Yu Bin SEO ; Jacob LEE ; Hee Jin CHEONG
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(16):e152-
South Korea’s current vaccination policies leave a surveillance gap for non-National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines. In this study, we proposed a sentinel surveillance approach for monitoring the safety of non-NIP vaccines. Vaccination data were collected retrospectively among patients hospitalized with pre-defined adverse events of special interest (AESI) by reviewing electronic medical records in five university hospitals. This approach incorporates expert assessment to determine the causal relationship. We confirmed that 16 patients had received non-NIP vaccines among 860 patients diagnosed with AESI.We concluded one case of preeclampsia was possibly related to tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccination. We propose a multi-hospital-based, retrospective assessment system for predefined AESIs as an alternative to active vaccine safety monitoring method. These efforts are expected to enhance both the accuracy and timeliness of safety monitoring in South Korea.
5.A Genetically Confirmed Korean Case of CANVAS: Cerebellar Ataxia, Neuropathy, and Vestibular Areflexia Syndrome
Seung Hee LEE ; Hee-Jae JUNG ; Ji-Hee YOON ; Gu-Hwan KIM ; June-Young KOH ; Yuna LEE ; Young Seok JU ; Eun-Jae LEE ; Beom Hee LEE ; Young-Min LIM ; Hyunjin KIM
Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2025;43(1):45-49
Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a biallelic expansion of pentanucleotide repeats in the RFC1 gene. Previous studies have reported up to 22% of patients with late-onset ataxia harbor this pathogenic repeat expansion. Despite its relatively high prevalence, CANVAS is often underdiagnosed because the disease is not well recognized and genetic testing is not performed in clinical practice. Here, we present a patient with characteristic clinical features, confirmed by genetic testing.
6.Sentinel Safety Monitoring System for Adverse Events of Special Interest Associated With Non-NIP Vaccines in Korea
Hakjun HYUN ; Jung Yeon HEO ; Yu Jung CHOI ; Eliel NHAM ; Jin Gu YOON ; Ji Yun NOH ; Joon Young SONG ; Woo Joo KIM ; Won Suk CHOI ; Min Joo CHOI ; Yu Bin SEO ; Jacob LEE ; Hee Jin CHEONG
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(16):e152-
South Korea’s current vaccination policies leave a surveillance gap for non-National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines. In this study, we proposed a sentinel surveillance approach for monitoring the safety of non-NIP vaccines. Vaccination data were collected retrospectively among patients hospitalized with pre-defined adverse events of special interest (AESI) by reviewing electronic medical records in five university hospitals. This approach incorporates expert assessment to determine the causal relationship. We confirmed that 16 patients had received non-NIP vaccines among 860 patients diagnosed with AESI.We concluded one case of preeclampsia was possibly related to tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccination. We propose a multi-hospital-based, retrospective assessment system for predefined AESIs as an alternative to active vaccine safety monitoring method. These efforts are expected to enhance both the accuracy and timeliness of safety monitoring in South Korea.
7.A Genetically Confirmed Korean Case of CANVAS: Cerebellar Ataxia, Neuropathy, and Vestibular Areflexia Syndrome
Seung Hee LEE ; Hee-Jae JUNG ; Ji-Hee YOON ; Gu-Hwan KIM ; June-Young KOH ; Yuna LEE ; Young Seok JU ; Eun-Jae LEE ; Beom Hee LEE ; Young-Min LIM ; Hyunjin KIM
Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2025;43(1):45-49
Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a biallelic expansion of pentanucleotide repeats in the RFC1 gene. Previous studies have reported up to 22% of patients with late-onset ataxia harbor this pathogenic repeat expansion. Despite its relatively high prevalence, CANVAS is often underdiagnosed because the disease is not well recognized and genetic testing is not performed in clinical practice. Here, we present a patient with characteristic clinical features, confirmed by genetic testing.
8.Research progress of mitochondrial unfolded protein response in eye diseases
Liang GU ; Pengfei LI ; Huaijin GUAN ; Min JI
International Eye Science 2025;25(9):1425-1430
The mitochondrial unfolded protein response(UPRmt)represents a crucial intracellular stress response mechanism that plays a fundamental role in maintaining mitochondrial and cellular homeostasis. Growing evidence suggests that dysregulation of UPRmt contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of various systemic disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, as well as age-related pathologies. Emerging research has particularly highlighted the involvement of UPRmt in ocular diseases, including cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. This comprehensive review examines the physiological functions of UPRmt and its regulatory mechanisms in age-related eye diseases. The roles of key UPRmt downstream effector molecules in ocular cell populations such as lens epithelial cells, retinal pigment epithelial cells, and retinal ganglion cells are systematically analyzed. Importantly, the dual regulatory nature of UPRmt in ocular pathophysiology is discussed, that is, its moderate activation promotes mitochondrial homeostasis, mitigates oxidative stress, and suppresses inflammatory responses, its chronic or excessive activation triggers apoptotic pathways, induces metabolic dysfunction, and ultimately accelerates disease progression. By elucidating these mechanisms, our review provides novel insights into ocular disease pathogenesis and proposes potential therapeutic strategies targeting UPRmt modulation for the prevention and treatment of age-related eye disorders.
9.Antigenicity evaluation of lac color and exploratory study for identifying potential biomarkers of anaphylaxis
Hyun‑Jin LIM ; Kang Min HAN ; Seung‑Hyun KIM ; Soo‑Kyung RYU ; Ji‑Ran YOU ; Jung‑Hee YOON ; Euna KWON ; Ji‑Eun KIM ; Byeong‑Cheol KANG
Laboratory Animal Research 2024;40(4):461-475
Background:
Lac color, a natural red dye derived from the larvae of laccifer lacca kerr, is one of the most commonly used substances in food. To date, no studies have reported on the antigenicity of lac color and the other biomarkers that can determine anaphylactic reactions. To address this, we evaluated the antigenicity of lac color through active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) in addition to identifying potential biomarkers performing exploratory studies. For ASA test, Guinea pigs (n = 5) were sensitized with 0(negative control), 4 mg/kg of lac color, 4 mg/kg of lac color + FCA, and 5 mg/kg of ovalbumin + FCA (positive control) 3 times a week for three weeks. Fourteen days after the last sensi‑ tization, animals were challenged intravenously weekly for two weeks. Hematological and histopathological analyses were performed and compared to control groups.
Results:
In the ASA test, all lac color groups showed mild symptoms such as nose rubbing, urination, and evacuation, which are insufficient indicators of anaphylaxis. Exploratory studies identified several biomarkers: decreased platelet count, and increased basophil count; distention in the lung, and redness on the inner wall of trachea; mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration (MICI) in the ear, and heart hemorrhage. When these biomarkers were applied to the ASA test of lac color, in comparison to the negative control group, the positive control group (ovalbumin + FCA) showed a significant over 60-fold reduction in platelet count and nearly threefold higher basophil count compared to other groups. Furthermore, only positive control group exhibited full lung distention and severe redness on the inner wall of the trachea. Mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration (MICI) in the ear was about three times higher, and heart hemorrhage was only present in the positive control group compared to others. None of the lac color groups were different from the negative control group (p > 0.05), whereas the positive control group was significantly different (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
Our study concludes that lac color, at the tested concentrations, does not induce antigenicity in the guinea pig model, providing valuable safety data. Furthermore, the biomarkers identified in this study offer a supportive approach to evaluating the immunogenicity of substances in future research.
10.Monocarboxylate Transporter 4 Expression in Thyroid Cancer
Chae A KIM ; Jungmin YOO ; Woo Kyung LEE ; Dong Eun SONG ; Won Gu KIM ; Min Ji JEON
International Journal of Thyroidology 2024;17(2):272-276
Background and Objectives:
Monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) transmembrane proteins are encoded by SLC16A3 and control lactate metabolism to promote tumor growth.
Materials and Methods:
Gene expression of SLC16A3 encoding MCT4 was analyzed in the database of Gene Expression Omnibus. Protein expression of MCT4 was evaluated using immunohistochemical staining in 138 papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) and 21 anaplastic thyroid carcinomas (ATCs).
Results:
The mRNA expression of SLC16A3 was significantly higher in ATCs compared with PTCs and normal thyroid tissue (p<0.01, and p<0.001, respectively). Normal thyroid tissue did not express MCT4 in immunohistochemical staining compared with ATC that was 100% positive for MCT4 protein expression. The MCT4 expression in ATCs was significantly enhanced compared with that in PTC (p<0.001).
Conclusion
MCT4 expression is associated with de-differentiation and might be helpful as a biomarker and therapeutic target for thyroid cancer.

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