Obesity has been known to negatively modulate the life-span and immunosuppressive potential of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). However, it remains unclear what drives the compromised potency of obese MSC. In this study, we examined the involvement of adiponectin, an adipose tissue-derived hormone, in obesity-induced impaired therapeutic function of MSC. Diet-induced obesity leads to a decrease in serum adiponectin, accompanied by impairment of survival and immunomodulatory effects of adipose-derived MSC (ADSC). Interestingly, priming with globular adiponectin (gAcrp) improved the immunomodulatory potential of obese ADSC. Similar effects were also observed in lean ADSC. In addition, gAcrp potentiated the therapeutic effectiveness of ADSC in a mouse model of DSS-induced colitis. Mechanistically, while obesity inhibited the glycolytic capacity of MSC, gAcrp treatment induced a metabolic shift toward glycolysis through activation of adiponectin receptor type 1/p38 MAPK/hypoxia inducible factor-1α axis. These findings suggest that activation of adiponectin signaling is a promising strategy for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of MSC against immune-mediated disorders.

Background: While Korea maintains a low prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the number of newly diagnosed cases has been steadily rising, reaching approximately 1,000 annually in recent years. The 2022 annual report from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency revealed that women living with HIV (WLWH) constitute 6.4% of the total confirmed people living with the HIV population, totaling 1,219 individuals. Despite this, only a few studies have focused on WLWH in Korea. This study aims to analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of WLWH in Korea. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected data by reviewing the medical records of all WLWH who visited 10 urban referral hospitals across Korea between January 2005 and May 2023. Results: A total of 443 WLWH were enrolled in this study. The predominant risk exposure was heterosexual contact, with 235 (53%) participants either married or cohabiting with a male partner at their initial clinic visit. Among the participants, 334 (77.7%) were Korean, 27 (6.1%) were Southeast Asian, and 19 (4.3%) were African. Antiretroviral therapy was initiated by 404 WLWH (91.2%). We observed 118 pregnancies in WLWH following their HIV diagnosis, resulting in 78 live births (66.1%), 18 induced abortions (15.2%), 10 pre-viable fetal losses (8.5%), and four stillbirths (3.4%). Over a cumulative follow-up duration of 3,202.1 years, the incidence rates of breast and cervical cancers were both 2.18 per 1,000 person-years. Additionally, the incidence rates of pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical intraepithelial neoplasm (above grade II), and osteoporosis were 4.67, 11.21, and 13.39 per 1,000 patient-years, respectively. Conclusion This is the first multicenter study to investigate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of WLWH in Korea. The incidence and prevalence of diseases in women, including breast cancer, cervical cancer, and chronic comorbidities, are high in WLWH in Korea; therefore, further research and efforts are needed to manage these diseases.

OBJECTIVES: Observational studies have reported that diabetes is a risk factor that increases the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, the causal relationship remains a matter of debate. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between fasting serum glucose (FSG) and ASCVD. METHODS: This study used data from the Korean Cancer Prevention Study-II (KCPS-II) Biobank, consisting of 159,844 people recruited with consent from 18 health examination centers from 2004 to 2013. Outcomes were confirmed based on diagnoses on hospital discharge summaries from National Health Insurance System. We used linear and non-linear Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. The outcome data were obtained from KCPS-II, and the exposure data were derived from the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study. RESULTS: First, a prospective cohort study estimated that for each 10 mg/dL increase in FSG level, the risk of ASCVD increased by 4% (hazard ratio [HR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 1.05). Second, the 2-sample MR study showed that every 10 mg/dL increase in FSG influenced the risk of ASCVD (odds ratio [OR], 1.11; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.18). Third, the multivariable MR study showed that the OR per 10 mg/dL increase in FSG on ASCVD was 1.14 (p<0.001). Similar results were found for a 10 mg/dL increase in FSG and ischemic heart disease (IHD), but a significant relationship with stroke was not found. When performing non-linear MR, a linear relationship was observed between fasting blood sugar and ASCVD, including IHD and stroke. CONCLUSIONS FSG showed a linear and causal association with IHD, but not with stroke.

OBJECTIVES: Observational studies have reported that diabetes is a risk factor that increases the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, the causal relationship remains a matter of debate. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between fasting serum glucose (FSG) and ASCVD. METHODS: This study used data from the Korean Cancer Prevention Study-II (KCPS-II) Biobank, consisting of 159,844 people recruited with consent from 18 health examination centers from 2004 to 2013. Outcomes were confirmed based on diagnoses on hospital discharge summaries from National Health Insurance System. We used linear and non-linear Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. The outcome data were obtained from KCPS-II, and the exposure data were derived from the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study. RESULTS: First, a prospective cohort study estimated that for each 10 mg/dL increase in FSG level, the risk of ASCVD increased by 4% (hazard ratio [HR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 1.05). Second, the 2-sample MR study showed that every 10 mg/dL increase in FSG influenced the risk of ASCVD (odds ratio [OR], 1.11; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.18). Third, the multivariable MR study showed that the OR per 10 mg/dL increase in FSG on ASCVD was 1.14 (p<0.001). Similar results were found for a 10 mg/dL increase in FSG and ischemic heart disease (IHD), but a significant relationship with stroke was not found. When performing non-linear MR, a linear relationship was observed between fasting blood sugar and ASCVD, including IHD and stroke. CONCLUSIONS FSG showed a linear and causal association with IHD, but not with stroke.

OBJECTIVES: Observational studies have reported that diabetes is a risk factor that increases the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, the causal relationship remains a matter of debate. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between fasting serum glucose (FSG) and ASCVD. METHODS: This study used data from the Korean Cancer Prevention Study-II (KCPS-II) Biobank, consisting of 159,844 people recruited with consent from 18 health examination centers from 2004 to 2013. Outcomes were confirmed based on diagnoses on hospital discharge summaries from National Health Insurance System. We used linear and non-linear Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. The outcome data were obtained from KCPS-II, and the exposure data were derived from the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study. RESULTS: First, a prospective cohort study estimated that for each 10 mg/dL increase in FSG level, the risk of ASCVD increased by 4% (hazard ratio [HR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 1.05). Second, the 2-sample MR study showed that every 10 mg/dL increase in FSG influenced the risk of ASCVD (odds ratio [OR], 1.11; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.18). Third, the multivariable MR study showed that the OR per 10 mg/dL increase in FSG on ASCVD was 1.14 (p<0.001). Similar results were found for a 10 mg/dL increase in FSG and ischemic heart disease (IHD), but a significant relationship with stroke was not found. When performing non-linear MR, a linear relationship was observed between fasting blood sugar and ASCVD, including IHD and stroke. CONCLUSIONS FSG showed a linear and causal association with IHD, but not with stroke.

Background: While Korea maintains a low prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the number of newly diagnosed cases has been steadily rising, reaching approximately 1,000 annually in recent years. The 2022 annual report from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency revealed that women living with HIV (WLWH) constitute 6.4% of the total confirmed people living with the HIV population, totaling 1,219 individuals. Despite this, only a few studies have focused on WLWH in Korea. This study aims to analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of WLWH in Korea. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected data by reviewing the medical records of all WLWH who visited 10 urban referral hospitals across Korea between January 2005 and May 2023. Results: A total of 443 WLWH were enrolled in this study. The predominant risk exposure was heterosexual contact, with 235 (53%) participants either married or cohabiting with a male partner at their initial clinic visit. Among the participants, 334 (77.7%) were Korean, 27 (6.1%) were Southeast Asian, and 19 (4.3%) were African. Antiretroviral therapy was initiated by 404 WLWH (91.2%). We observed 118 pregnancies in WLWH following their HIV diagnosis, resulting in 78 live births (66.1%), 18 induced abortions (15.2%), 10 pre-viable fetal losses (8.5%), and four stillbirths (3.4%). Over a cumulative follow-up duration of 3,202.1 years, the incidence rates of breast and cervical cancers were both 2.18 per 1,000 person-years. Additionally, the incidence rates of pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical intraepithelial neoplasm (above grade II), and osteoporosis were 4.67, 11.21, and 13.39 per 1,000 patient-years, respectively. Conclusion This is the first multicenter study to investigate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of WLWH in Korea. The incidence and prevalence of diseases in women, including breast cancer, cervical cancer, and chronic comorbidities, are high in WLWH in Korea; therefore, further research and efforts are needed to manage these diseases.

OBJECTIVES: Observational studies have reported that diabetes is a risk factor that increases the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, the causal relationship remains a matter of debate. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between fasting serum glucose (FSG) and ASCVD. METHODS: This study used data from the Korean Cancer Prevention Study-II (KCPS-II) Biobank, consisting of 159,844 people recruited with consent from 18 health examination centers from 2004 to 2013. Outcomes were confirmed based on diagnoses on hospital discharge summaries from National Health Insurance System. We used linear and non-linear Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. The outcome data were obtained from KCPS-II, and the exposure data were derived from the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study. RESULTS: First, a prospective cohort study estimated that for each 10 mg/dL increase in FSG level, the risk of ASCVD increased by 4% (hazard ratio [HR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 1.05). Second, the 2-sample MR study showed that every 10 mg/dL increase in FSG influenced the risk of ASCVD (odds ratio [OR], 1.11; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.18). Third, the multivariable MR study showed that the OR per 10 mg/dL increase in FSG on ASCVD was 1.14 (p<0.001). Similar results were found for a 10 mg/dL increase in FSG and ischemic heart disease (IHD), but a significant relationship with stroke was not found. When performing non-linear MR, a linear relationship was observed between fasting blood sugar and ASCVD, including IHD and stroke. CONCLUSIONS FSG showed a linear and causal association with IHD, but not with stroke.

Background: While Korea maintains a low prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the number of newly diagnosed cases has been steadily rising, reaching approximately 1,000 annually in recent years. The 2022 annual report from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency revealed that women living with HIV (WLWH) constitute 6.4% of the total confirmed people living with the HIV population, totaling 1,219 individuals. Despite this, only a few studies have focused on WLWH in Korea. This study aims to analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of WLWH in Korea. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected data by reviewing the medical records of all WLWH who visited 10 urban referral hospitals across Korea between January 2005 and May 2023. Results: A total of 443 WLWH were enrolled in this study. The predominant risk exposure was heterosexual contact, with 235 (53%) participants either married or cohabiting with a male partner at their initial clinic visit. Among the participants, 334 (77.7%) were Korean, 27 (6.1%) were Southeast Asian, and 19 (4.3%) were African. Antiretroviral therapy was initiated by 404 WLWH (91.2%). We observed 118 pregnancies in WLWH following their HIV diagnosis, resulting in 78 live births (66.1%), 18 induced abortions (15.2%), 10 pre-viable fetal losses (8.5%), and four stillbirths (3.4%). Over a cumulative follow-up duration of 3,202.1 years, the incidence rates of breast and cervical cancers were both 2.18 per 1,000 person-years. Additionally, the incidence rates of pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical intraepithelial neoplasm (above grade II), and osteoporosis were 4.67, 11.21, and 13.39 per 1,000 patient-years, respectively. Conclusion This is the first multicenter study to investigate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of WLWH in Korea. The incidence and prevalence of diseases in women, including breast cancer, cervical cancer, and chronic comorbidities, are high in WLWH in Korea; therefore, further research and efforts are needed to manage these diseases.

In recent years, next-generation sequencing (NGS)–based genetic testing has become crucial in cancer care. While its primary objective is to identify actionable genetic alterations to guide treatment decisions, its scope has broadened to encompass aiding in pathological diagnosis and exploring resistance mechanisms. With the ongoing expansion in NGS application and reliance, a compelling necessity arises for expert consensus on its application in solid cancers. To address this demand, the forthcoming recommendations not only provide pragmatic guidance for the clinical use of NGS but also systematically classify actionable genes based on specific cancer types. Additionally, these recommendations will incorporate expert perspectives on crucial biomarkers, ensuring informed decisions regarding circulating tumor DNA panel testing.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to a decrease in the seasonal incidence of many respiratory viruses worldwide due to the impact of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). However, as NPI measures were relaxed, respiratory viral infections re-emerged. We aimed to characterize the epidemiology of respiratory viruses in Korean children during post-COVID-19 pandemic years compared to that before the pandemic. Methods: A nationwide prospective ongoing surveillance study has been conducted for detection of respiratory viruses between January 2017 and June 2023. We included data on adenovirus (AdV), human bocavirus (HBoV), human coronavirus (HCoV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), human rhinovirus (HRV), influenza virus (IFV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which were detected in children and adolescents younger than 20 years. We analyzed the weekly detection frequency of individual viruses and the age distribution of the affected children. The study period was divided into prepandemic (2017–2019) and postpandemic (2021–2023) periods. Results: A total of 19,589 and 14,068 samples were collected in the pre- and postpandemic periods, respectively. The overall detection rate of any virus throughout the study period was 63.1%, with the lowest occurring in the 2nd half of 2020 (50.6%) and the highest occurring in the 2nd half of 2021 (72.3%). Enveloped viruses (HCoV, HMPV, IFV, PIV, and RSV) almost disappeared, but nonenveloped viruses (AdV, HBoV, and HRV) were detected even during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The codetection rate increased from 15.0% prepandemic to 19.1% postpandemic (P < 0.001). During the postpandemic period, a large out-of-season PIV and HMPV epidemic occurred, but the usual seasonality began to be restored in 2023.The mean age of children with each virus detected in 2023 was significantly greater than that in prepandemic years (P = 0.003 and 0.007 for AdV and HCoV, respectively; P < 0.001 for others). The mean age of children with IFV increased in 2022 (11.1 ± 5.2 years) from prepandemic years (7.9 ± 4.6 years) but decreased to 8.7 ± 4.1 years in 2023. Conclusion With the relaxation of NPI measures, several seasonal respiratory viruses cocirculated with unusual seasonal epidemic patterns and were associated with increasing age of infected children.