Background: and Purpose The National Brain Biobank of Korea (NBBK) is a brain bank consortium supported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the Korea National Institute of Health, and was launched in 2015 to support research into neurodegenerative disease dementia (NDD). This study aimed to introduce the NBBK and describes clinicopathological correlations based on analyses of data collected from the NBBK. Methods: Four hospital-based brain banks have been established in South Korea: Samsung Medical Center Brain Bank (SMCBB), Seoul National University Hospital Brain Bank (SNUHBB), Pusan National University Hospital Brain Bank (PNUHBB), and Myongji Hospital Brain Bank (MJHBB). Clinical and pathological data were collected from these brain banks using standardized protocols. The prevalence rates of clinical and pathological diagnoses were analyzed in order to characterize the clinicopathological correlations. Results: Between August 2016 and December 2023, 185 brain specimens were collected and pathologically evaluated (SNUHBB: 117; PNUHBB: 27; SMCBB: 34; MJHBB: 7). The age at consent was 70.8±12.6 years, and the age at autopsy was 71.7±12.4 years. The four-most-common clinical diagnoses were Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia (20.0%), idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (15.1%), unspecified dementia (11.9%), and cognitively unimpaired (CU) (11.4%).Most cases of unspecified dementia had a pathological diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) vasculopathy (31.8%) or AD (31.8%). Remarkably, only 14.2% of CU cases had normal pathological findings. The three-most-common pathological diagnoses were AD (26.5%), CNS vasculopathy (14.1%), and Lewy body disease (13.5%). Conclusions These clinical and neuropathological findings provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying NDD in South Korea.

Background: and Purpose The National Brain Biobank of Korea (NBBK) is a brain bank consortium supported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the Korea National Institute of Health, and was launched in 2015 to support research into neurodegenerative disease dementia (NDD). This study aimed to introduce the NBBK and describes clinicopathological correlations based on analyses of data collected from the NBBK. Methods: Four hospital-based brain banks have been established in South Korea: Samsung Medical Center Brain Bank (SMCBB), Seoul National University Hospital Brain Bank (SNUHBB), Pusan National University Hospital Brain Bank (PNUHBB), and Myongji Hospital Brain Bank (MJHBB). Clinical and pathological data were collected from these brain banks using standardized protocols. The prevalence rates of clinical and pathological diagnoses were analyzed in order to characterize the clinicopathological correlations. Results: Between August 2016 and December 2023, 185 brain specimens were collected and pathologically evaluated (SNUHBB: 117; PNUHBB: 27; SMCBB: 34; MJHBB: 7). The age at consent was 70.8±12.6 years, and the age at autopsy was 71.7±12.4 years. The four-most-common clinical diagnoses were Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia (20.0%), idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (15.1%), unspecified dementia (11.9%), and cognitively unimpaired (CU) (11.4%).Most cases of unspecified dementia had a pathological diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) vasculopathy (31.8%) or AD (31.8%). Remarkably, only 14.2% of CU cases had normal pathological findings. The three-most-common pathological diagnoses were AD (26.5%), CNS vasculopathy (14.1%), and Lewy body disease (13.5%). Conclusions These clinical and neuropathological findings provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying NDD in South Korea.

Background: and Purpose The National Brain Biobank of Korea (NBBK) is a brain bank consortium supported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the Korea National Institute of Health, and was launched in 2015 to support research into neurodegenerative disease dementia (NDD). This study aimed to introduce the NBBK and describes clinicopathological correlations based on analyses of data collected from the NBBK. Methods: Four hospital-based brain banks have been established in South Korea: Samsung Medical Center Brain Bank (SMCBB), Seoul National University Hospital Brain Bank (SNUHBB), Pusan National University Hospital Brain Bank (PNUHBB), and Myongji Hospital Brain Bank (MJHBB). Clinical and pathological data were collected from these brain banks using standardized protocols. The prevalence rates of clinical and pathological diagnoses were analyzed in order to characterize the clinicopathological correlations. Results: Between August 2016 and December 2023, 185 brain specimens were collected and pathologically evaluated (SNUHBB: 117; PNUHBB: 27; SMCBB: 34; MJHBB: 7). The age at consent was 70.8±12.6 years, and the age at autopsy was 71.7±12.4 years. The four-most-common clinical diagnoses were Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia (20.0%), idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (15.1%), unspecified dementia (11.9%), and cognitively unimpaired (CU) (11.4%).Most cases of unspecified dementia had a pathological diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) vasculopathy (31.8%) or AD (31.8%). Remarkably, only 14.2% of CU cases had normal pathological findings. The three-most-common pathological diagnoses were AD (26.5%), CNS vasculopathy (14.1%), and Lewy body disease (13.5%). Conclusions These clinical and neuropathological findings provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying NDD in South Korea.

Cuscutae Semen has a long-standing history as a traditional herbal medicine widely utilized in East Asian countries, including Korea, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia (KHP) exclusively recognizes Cuscuta chinensis Lam. as the authentic source of Cuscutae Semen, whereas other countries also accept Cuscuta australis R.Br. This discrepancy has resulted in imports containing both species, which contravenes local regulations. Furthermore, a significant portion of domestically produced Cuscutae Semen is actually Cuscuta japonica Chois., regarded as an adulterant, which further complicates the market. This situation underscores the urgent need for clear differentiation of the botanical origins of Cuscutae Semen. In this study, a high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was developed to simultaneously differentiate the three origins of Cuscutae Semen: C. chinensis, C. australis, and C. japonica. By utilizing a TLC scanner and TLC-MS interface, the chemical fingerprints of the samples were analyzed in detail. The results revealed that while C. chinensis and C. australis share similar profiles, they can be distinguished by the presence or absence of astragalin and kaempferol. In contrast, C. japonica showed distinct differences, characterized by the presence of chlorogenic acid derivatives. This method demonstrated the ability to rapidly and accurately differentiate between Cuscutae Semen origins, making it a cost-effective and reliable tool for ensuring quality control. It is expected to contribute to improving the standardization and reliability of herbal medicine quality management in the domestic market.

Cuscutae Semen has a long-standing history as a traditional herbal medicine widely utilized in East Asian countries, including Korea, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia (KHP) exclusively recognizes Cuscuta chinensis Lam. as the authentic source of Cuscutae Semen, whereas other countries also accept Cuscuta australis R.Br. This discrepancy has resulted in imports containing both species, which contravenes local regulations. Furthermore, a significant portion of domestically produced Cuscutae Semen is actually Cuscuta japonica Chois., regarded as an adulterant, which further complicates the market. This situation underscores the urgent need for clear differentiation of the botanical origins of Cuscutae Semen. In this study, a high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was developed to simultaneously differentiate the three origins of Cuscutae Semen: C. chinensis, C. australis, and C. japonica. By utilizing a TLC scanner and TLC-MS interface, the chemical fingerprints of the samples were analyzed in detail. The results revealed that while C. chinensis and C. australis share similar profiles, they can be distinguished by the presence or absence of astragalin and kaempferol. In contrast, C. japonica showed distinct differences, characterized by the presence of chlorogenic acid derivatives. This method demonstrated the ability to rapidly and accurately differentiate between Cuscutae Semen origins, making it a cost-effective and reliable tool for ensuring quality control. It is expected to contribute to improving the standardization and reliability of herbal medicine quality management in the domestic market.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has garnered significant attention as a therapeutic modality with potential benefits across a variety of medical conditions, ranging from wound healing and ischemic conditions to neurologic disorders and radiation-induced tissue damage. HBOT involves the administration of 100% oxygen at higher-than-atmospheric pressures, which increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in body fluids and tissues. Those elevated oxygen levels are proposed to facilitate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and promote angiogenesis. This case report presents a compelling instance of the usefulness of HBOT in promoting skin perfusion and healing following peripheral tissue injury caused by administration of inotropic and vasopressor agents to a septic shock patient.

Cuscutae Semen has a long-standing history as a traditional herbal medicine widely utilized in East Asian countries, including Korea, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia (KHP) exclusively recognizes Cuscuta chinensis Lam. as the authentic source of Cuscutae Semen, whereas other countries also accept Cuscuta australis R.Br. This discrepancy has resulted in imports containing both species, which contravenes local regulations. Furthermore, a significant portion of domestically produced Cuscutae Semen is actually Cuscuta japonica Chois., regarded as an adulterant, which further complicates the market. This situation underscores the urgent need for clear differentiation of the botanical origins of Cuscutae Semen. In this study, a high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was developed to simultaneously differentiate the three origins of Cuscutae Semen: C. chinensis, C. australis, and C. japonica. By utilizing a TLC scanner and TLC-MS interface, the chemical fingerprints of the samples were analyzed in detail. The results revealed that while C. chinensis and C. australis share similar profiles, they can be distinguished by the presence or absence of astragalin and kaempferol. In contrast, C. japonica showed distinct differences, characterized by the presence of chlorogenic acid derivatives. This method demonstrated the ability to rapidly and accurately differentiate between Cuscutae Semen origins, making it a cost-effective and reliable tool for ensuring quality control. It is expected to contribute to improving the standardization and reliability of herbal medicine quality management in the domestic market.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has garnered significant attention as a therapeutic modality with potential benefits across a variety of medical conditions, ranging from wound healing and ischemic conditions to neurologic disorders and radiation-induced tissue damage. HBOT involves the administration of 100% oxygen at higher-than-atmospheric pressures, which increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in body fluids and tissues. Those elevated oxygen levels are proposed to facilitate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and promote angiogenesis. This case report presents a compelling instance of the usefulness of HBOT in promoting skin perfusion and healing following peripheral tissue injury caused by administration of inotropic and vasopressor agents to a septic shock patient.