1.Elevated Circulating Sclerostin Levels in Frail Older Adults: Implications beyond Bone Health
Ji Yeon BAEK ; Seong Hee AHN ; Il-Young JANG ; Hee-Won JUNG ; Eunhye JI ; So Jeong PARK ; Yunju JO ; Eunju LEE ; Dongryeol RYU ; Seongbin HONG ; Beom-Jun KIM
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;40(1):73-81
Background:
Sclerostin, initially recognized for its pivotal role in bone metabolism, has gained attention for its multifaceted impact on overall human health. However, its influence on frailty—a condition that best reflects biological age—has not been thoroughly investigated.
Methods:
We collected blood samples from 244 older adults who underwent comprehensive geriatric assessments. Sclerostin levels were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Frailty was assessed using two validated approaches: the phenotypic model by Fried and the deficit accumulation frailty index (FI) by Rockwood.
Results:
After controlling for sex, age, and body mass index, we found that serum sclerostin levels were significantly elevated in frail individuals compared to their robust counterparts (P<0.001). There was a positive correlation between serum sclerostin concentrations and the FI (P<0.001). Each standard deviation increase in serum sclerostin was associated with an odds ratio of 1.87 for frailty (P=0.003). Moreover, participants in the highest quartile of sclerostin levels had a significantly higher FI and a 9.91-fold increased odds of frailty compared to those in the lowest quartile (P=0.003 and P=0.039, respectively).
Conclusion
These findings, which for the first time explore the association between circulating sclerostin levels and frailty, have significant clinical implications, positioning sclerostin as one of potential blood-based biomarkers for frailty that captures the comprehensive physical, mental, and social aspects of the elderly, extending beyond its traditional role in bone metabolism.
2.Elevated Circulating Sclerostin Levels in Frail Older Adults: Implications beyond Bone Health
Ji Yeon BAEK ; Seong Hee AHN ; Il-Young JANG ; Hee-Won JUNG ; Eunhye JI ; So Jeong PARK ; Yunju JO ; Eunju LEE ; Dongryeol RYU ; Seongbin HONG ; Beom-Jun KIM
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;40(1):73-81
Background:
Sclerostin, initially recognized for its pivotal role in bone metabolism, has gained attention for its multifaceted impact on overall human health. However, its influence on frailty—a condition that best reflects biological age—has not been thoroughly investigated.
Methods:
We collected blood samples from 244 older adults who underwent comprehensive geriatric assessments. Sclerostin levels were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Frailty was assessed using two validated approaches: the phenotypic model by Fried and the deficit accumulation frailty index (FI) by Rockwood.
Results:
After controlling for sex, age, and body mass index, we found that serum sclerostin levels were significantly elevated in frail individuals compared to their robust counterparts (P<0.001). There was a positive correlation between serum sclerostin concentrations and the FI (P<0.001). Each standard deviation increase in serum sclerostin was associated with an odds ratio of 1.87 for frailty (P=0.003). Moreover, participants in the highest quartile of sclerostin levels had a significantly higher FI and a 9.91-fold increased odds of frailty compared to those in the lowest quartile (P=0.003 and P=0.039, respectively).
Conclusion
These findings, which for the first time explore the association between circulating sclerostin levels and frailty, have significant clinical implications, positioning sclerostin as one of potential blood-based biomarkers for frailty that captures the comprehensive physical, mental, and social aspects of the elderly, extending beyond its traditional role in bone metabolism.
3.Elevated Circulating Sclerostin Levels in Frail Older Adults: Implications beyond Bone Health
Ji Yeon BAEK ; Seong Hee AHN ; Il-Young JANG ; Hee-Won JUNG ; Eunhye JI ; So Jeong PARK ; Yunju JO ; Eunju LEE ; Dongryeol RYU ; Seongbin HONG ; Beom-Jun KIM
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;40(1):73-81
Background:
Sclerostin, initially recognized for its pivotal role in bone metabolism, has gained attention for its multifaceted impact on overall human health. However, its influence on frailty—a condition that best reflects biological age—has not been thoroughly investigated.
Methods:
We collected blood samples from 244 older adults who underwent comprehensive geriatric assessments. Sclerostin levels were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Frailty was assessed using two validated approaches: the phenotypic model by Fried and the deficit accumulation frailty index (FI) by Rockwood.
Results:
After controlling for sex, age, and body mass index, we found that serum sclerostin levels were significantly elevated in frail individuals compared to their robust counterparts (P<0.001). There was a positive correlation between serum sclerostin concentrations and the FI (P<0.001). Each standard deviation increase in serum sclerostin was associated with an odds ratio of 1.87 for frailty (P=0.003). Moreover, participants in the highest quartile of sclerostin levels had a significantly higher FI and a 9.91-fold increased odds of frailty compared to those in the lowest quartile (P=0.003 and P=0.039, respectively).
Conclusion
These findings, which for the first time explore the association between circulating sclerostin levels and frailty, have significant clinical implications, positioning sclerostin as one of potential blood-based biomarkers for frailty that captures the comprehensive physical, mental, and social aspects of the elderly, extending beyond its traditional role in bone metabolism.
4.Elevated Circulating Sclerostin Levels in Frail Older Adults: Implications beyond Bone Health
Ji Yeon BAEK ; Seong Hee AHN ; Il-Young JANG ; Hee-Won JUNG ; Eunhye JI ; So Jeong PARK ; Yunju JO ; Eunju LEE ; Dongryeol RYU ; Seongbin HONG ; Beom-Jun KIM
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;40(1):73-81
Background:
Sclerostin, initially recognized for its pivotal role in bone metabolism, has gained attention for its multifaceted impact on overall human health. However, its influence on frailty—a condition that best reflects biological age—has not been thoroughly investigated.
Methods:
We collected blood samples from 244 older adults who underwent comprehensive geriatric assessments. Sclerostin levels were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Frailty was assessed using two validated approaches: the phenotypic model by Fried and the deficit accumulation frailty index (FI) by Rockwood.
Results:
After controlling for sex, age, and body mass index, we found that serum sclerostin levels were significantly elevated in frail individuals compared to their robust counterparts (P<0.001). There was a positive correlation between serum sclerostin concentrations and the FI (P<0.001). Each standard deviation increase in serum sclerostin was associated with an odds ratio of 1.87 for frailty (P=0.003). Moreover, participants in the highest quartile of sclerostin levels had a significantly higher FI and a 9.91-fold increased odds of frailty compared to those in the lowest quartile (P=0.003 and P=0.039, respectively).
Conclusion
These findings, which for the first time explore the association between circulating sclerostin levels and frailty, have significant clinical implications, positioning sclerostin as one of potential blood-based biomarkers for frailty that captures the comprehensive physical, mental, and social aspects of the elderly, extending beyond its traditional role in bone metabolism.
5.Mutation-Driven Immune Microenvironments in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Unrevealing Patterns through Cluster Analysis
Youngtaek KIM ; Joon Yeon HWANG ; Kwangmin NA ; Dong Kwon KIM ; Seul LEE ; Seong-san KANG ; Sujeong BAEK ; Seung Min YANG ; Mi Hyun KIM ; Heekyung HAN ; Seong Su JEONG ; Chai Young LEE ; Yu Jin HAN ; Jie-Ohn SOHN ; Sang-Kyu YE ; Kyoung-Ho PYO
Yonsei Medical Journal 2024;65(12):683-694
Purpose:
We aimed to comprehensively analyze the immune cell and stromal components of tumor microenvironment at the single-cell level and identify tumor heterogeneity among the major top-derived oncogene mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data.
Materials and Methods:
The scRNA-seq dataset utilized in this study comprised 64369 primary tumor tissue cells from 21 NSCLC patients, focusing on mutations in EGFR, ALK, BRAF, KRAS, TP53, and the wild-type.
Results:
Tumor immune microenvironment (TIM) analysis revealed differential immune responses across NSCLC mutation subtypes. TIM analysis revealed different immune responses across the mutation subtypes. Two mutation clusters emerged: KRAS, TP53, and EGFR+TP53 mutations (MC1); and EGFR, BRAF, and ALK mutations (MC2). MC1 showed higher tertiary lymphoid structures signature scores and enriched populations of C2-T-IL7R, C3-T/NK-CXCL4, C9-T/NK-NKG, and C1-B-MS4A1 clusters than cluster 2. Conversely, MC2 cells exhibited higher expression levels of TNF, IL1B, and chemokines linked to alternative immune pathways. Remarkably, co-occurring EGFR and TP53 mutations were grouped as MC1. EGFR+TP53 mutations showed upregulation of peptide synthesis and higher synthetic processes, as well as differences in myeloid and T/NK cells compared to EGFR mutations. In T/NK cells, EGFR+TP53 mutations showed a higher expression of features related to cell activity and differentiation, whereas EGFR mutations showed the opposite.
Conclusion
Our research indicates a close association between mutation types and tumor microenvironment in NSCLC, offering insights into personalized approaches for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
6.Mutation-Driven Immune Microenvironments in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Unrevealing Patterns through Cluster Analysis
Youngtaek KIM ; Joon Yeon HWANG ; Kwangmin NA ; Dong Kwon KIM ; Seul LEE ; Seong-san KANG ; Sujeong BAEK ; Seung Min YANG ; Mi Hyun KIM ; Heekyung HAN ; Seong Su JEONG ; Chai Young LEE ; Yu Jin HAN ; Jie-Ohn SOHN ; Sang-Kyu YE ; Kyoung-Ho PYO
Yonsei Medical Journal 2024;65(12):683-694
Purpose:
We aimed to comprehensively analyze the immune cell and stromal components of tumor microenvironment at the single-cell level and identify tumor heterogeneity among the major top-derived oncogene mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data.
Materials and Methods:
The scRNA-seq dataset utilized in this study comprised 64369 primary tumor tissue cells from 21 NSCLC patients, focusing on mutations in EGFR, ALK, BRAF, KRAS, TP53, and the wild-type.
Results:
Tumor immune microenvironment (TIM) analysis revealed differential immune responses across NSCLC mutation subtypes. TIM analysis revealed different immune responses across the mutation subtypes. Two mutation clusters emerged: KRAS, TP53, and EGFR+TP53 mutations (MC1); and EGFR, BRAF, and ALK mutations (MC2). MC1 showed higher tertiary lymphoid structures signature scores and enriched populations of C2-T-IL7R, C3-T/NK-CXCL4, C9-T/NK-NKG, and C1-B-MS4A1 clusters than cluster 2. Conversely, MC2 cells exhibited higher expression levels of TNF, IL1B, and chemokines linked to alternative immune pathways. Remarkably, co-occurring EGFR and TP53 mutations were grouped as MC1. EGFR+TP53 mutations showed upregulation of peptide synthesis and higher synthetic processes, as well as differences in myeloid and T/NK cells compared to EGFR mutations. In T/NK cells, EGFR+TP53 mutations showed a higher expression of features related to cell activity and differentiation, whereas EGFR mutations showed the opposite.
Conclusion
Our research indicates a close association between mutation types and tumor microenvironment in NSCLC, offering insights into personalized approaches for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
7.Occupation classification model based on DistilKoBERT: using the 5th and 6th Korean Working Condition Surveys
Tae-Yeon KIM ; Seong-Uk BAEK ; Myeong-Hun LIM ; Byungyoon YUN ; Domyung PAEK ; Kyung Ehi ZOH ; Kanwoo YOUN ; Yun Keun LEE ; Yangho KIM ; Jungwon KIM ; Eunsuk CHOI ; Mo-Yeol KANG ; YoonHo CHO ; Kyung-Eun LEE ; Juho SIM ; Juyeon OH ; Heejoo PARK ; Jian LEE ; Jong-Uk WON ; Yu-Min LEE ; Jin-Ha YOON
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2024;36(1):e19-
Accurate occupation classification is essential in various fields, including policy development and epidemiological studies. This study aims to develop an occupation classification model based on DistilKoBERT. This study used data from the 5th and 6th Korean Working Conditions Surveys conducted in 2017 and 2020, respectively. A total of 99,665 survey participants, who were nationally representative of Korean workers, were included. We used natural language responses regarding their job responsibilities and occupational codes based on the Korean Standard Classification of Occupations (7th version, 3-digit codes). The dataset was randomly split into training and test datasets in a ratio of 7:3. The occupation classification model based on DistilKoBERT was fine-tuned using the training dataset, and the model was evaluated using the test dataset. The accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score were calculated as evaluation metrics. The final model, which classified 28,996 survey participants in the test dataset into 142 occupational codes, exhibited an accuracy of 84.44%. For the evaluation metrics, the precision, recall, and F1 score of the model, calculated by weighting based on the sample size, were 0.83, 0.84, and 0.83, respectively. The model demonstrated high precision in the classification of service and sales workers yet exhibited low precision in the classification of managers. In addition, it displayed high precision in classifying occupations prominently represented in the training dataset. This study developed an occupation classification system based on DistilKoBERT, which demonstrated reasonable performance. Despite further efforts to enhance the classification accuracy, this automated occupation classification model holds promise for advancing epidemiological studies in the fields of occupational safety and health.
8.Mutation-Driven Immune Microenvironments in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Unrevealing Patterns through Cluster Analysis
Youngtaek KIM ; Joon Yeon HWANG ; Kwangmin NA ; Dong Kwon KIM ; Seul LEE ; Seong-san KANG ; Sujeong BAEK ; Seung Min YANG ; Mi Hyun KIM ; Heekyung HAN ; Seong Su JEONG ; Chai Young LEE ; Yu Jin HAN ; Jie-Ohn SOHN ; Sang-Kyu YE ; Kyoung-Ho PYO
Yonsei Medical Journal 2024;65(12):683-694
Purpose:
We aimed to comprehensively analyze the immune cell and stromal components of tumor microenvironment at the single-cell level and identify tumor heterogeneity among the major top-derived oncogene mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data.
Materials and Methods:
The scRNA-seq dataset utilized in this study comprised 64369 primary tumor tissue cells from 21 NSCLC patients, focusing on mutations in EGFR, ALK, BRAF, KRAS, TP53, and the wild-type.
Results:
Tumor immune microenvironment (TIM) analysis revealed differential immune responses across NSCLC mutation subtypes. TIM analysis revealed different immune responses across the mutation subtypes. Two mutation clusters emerged: KRAS, TP53, and EGFR+TP53 mutations (MC1); and EGFR, BRAF, and ALK mutations (MC2). MC1 showed higher tertiary lymphoid structures signature scores and enriched populations of C2-T-IL7R, C3-T/NK-CXCL4, C9-T/NK-NKG, and C1-B-MS4A1 clusters than cluster 2. Conversely, MC2 cells exhibited higher expression levels of TNF, IL1B, and chemokines linked to alternative immune pathways. Remarkably, co-occurring EGFR and TP53 mutations were grouped as MC1. EGFR+TP53 mutations showed upregulation of peptide synthesis and higher synthetic processes, as well as differences in myeloid and T/NK cells compared to EGFR mutations. In T/NK cells, EGFR+TP53 mutations showed a higher expression of features related to cell activity and differentiation, whereas EGFR mutations showed the opposite.
Conclusion
Our research indicates a close association between mutation types and tumor microenvironment in NSCLC, offering insights into personalized approaches for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
9.Occupation classification model based on DistilKoBERT: using the 5th and 6th Korean Working Condition Surveys
Tae-Yeon KIM ; Seong-Uk BAEK ; Myeong-Hun LIM ; Byungyoon YUN ; Domyung PAEK ; Kyung Ehi ZOH ; Kanwoo YOUN ; Yun Keun LEE ; Yangho KIM ; Jungwon KIM ; Eunsuk CHOI ; Mo-Yeol KANG ; YoonHo CHO ; Kyung-Eun LEE ; Juho SIM ; Juyeon OH ; Heejoo PARK ; Jian LEE ; Jong-Uk WON ; Yu-Min LEE ; Jin-Ha YOON
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2024;36(1):e19-
Accurate occupation classification is essential in various fields, including policy development and epidemiological studies. This study aims to develop an occupation classification model based on DistilKoBERT. This study used data from the 5th and 6th Korean Working Conditions Surveys conducted in 2017 and 2020, respectively. A total of 99,665 survey participants, who were nationally representative of Korean workers, were included. We used natural language responses regarding their job responsibilities and occupational codes based on the Korean Standard Classification of Occupations (7th version, 3-digit codes). The dataset was randomly split into training and test datasets in a ratio of 7:3. The occupation classification model based on DistilKoBERT was fine-tuned using the training dataset, and the model was evaluated using the test dataset. The accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score were calculated as evaluation metrics. The final model, which classified 28,996 survey participants in the test dataset into 142 occupational codes, exhibited an accuracy of 84.44%. For the evaluation metrics, the precision, recall, and F1 score of the model, calculated by weighting based on the sample size, were 0.83, 0.84, and 0.83, respectively. The model demonstrated high precision in the classification of service and sales workers yet exhibited low precision in the classification of managers. In addition, it displayed high precision in classifying occupations prominently represented in the training dataset. This study developed an occupation classification system based on DistilKoBERT, which demonstrated reasonable performance. Despite further efforts to enhance the classification accuracy, this automated occupation classification model holds promise for advancing epidemiological studies in the fields of occupational safety and health.
10.Mutation-Driven Immune Microenvironments in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Unrevealing Patterns through Cluster Analysis
Youngtaek KIM ; Joon Yeon HWANG ; Kwangmin NA ; Dong Kwon KIM ; Seul LEE ; Seong-san KANG ; Sujeong BAEK ; Seung Min YANG ; Mi Hyun KIM ; Heekyung HAN ; Seong Su JEONG ; Chai Young LEE ; Yu Jin HAN ; Jie-Ohn SOHN ; Sang-Kyu YE ; Kyoung-Ho PYO
Yonsei Medical Journal 2024;65(12):683-694
Purpose:
We aimed to comprehensively analyze the immune cell and stromal components of tumor microenvironment at the single-cell level and identify tumor heterogeneity among the major top-derived oncogene mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data.
Materials and Methods:
The scRNA-seq dataset utilized in this study comprised 64369 primary tumor tissue cells from 21 NSCLC patients, focusing on mutations in EGFR, ALK, BRAF, KRAS, TP53, and the wild-type.
Results:
Tumor immune microenvironment (TIM) analysis revealed differential immune responses across NSCLC mutation subtypes. TIM analysis revealed different immune responses across the mutation subtypes. Two mutation clusters emerged: KRAS, TP53, and EGFR+TP53 mutations (MC1); and EGFR, BRAF, and ALK mutations (MC2). MC1 showed higher tertiary lymphoid structures signature scores and enriched populations of C2-T-IL7R, C3-T/NK-CXCL4, C9-T/NK-NKG, and C1-B-MS4A1 clusters than cluster 2. Conversely, MC2 cells exhibited higher expression levels of TNF, IL1B, and chemokines linked to alternative immune pathways. Remarkably, co-occurring EGFR and TP53 mutations were grouped as MC1. EGFR+TP53 mutations showed upregulation of peptide synthesis and higher synthetic processes, as well as differences in myeloid and T/NK cells compared to EGFR mutations. In T/NK cells, EGFR+TP53 mutations showed a higher expression of features related to cell activity and differentiation, whereas EGFR mutations showed the opposite.
Conclusion
Our research indicates a close association between mutation types and tumor microenvironment in NSCLC, offering insights into personalized approaches for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

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