Objective: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic’s social isolation has significantly impacted mental health, increasing depression and anxiety. This study explores the effects of social isolation on both humans and mice, focusing on behavioral changes and hippocampal protein expression. It also investigates genetic alterations through single-cell RNA and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Methods: Here we conducted behavioral studies, protein expression studies, single-nucleus sequencing (snRNAseq), and WGS of the hippocampus of mice that underwent early maternal separation and social isolation, and a demographic study of community populations who had been self-quarantined owing to COVID-19 exposure to investigate the link between somatic mutations and stress due to social isolation. Results: The demographic study demonstrated more negative mental health findings among individuals who live alone or are single. Mice subjected to early maternal separation and social isolation demonstrated increased anxiety-like behaviors and stress-related corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1, and neurogenesis-related sex-determining region Y-box 2 and doublecortin expression. In snRNA-seq, differences, such as transthyretin increase, were observed in the maternal separation group, and somatic mutations, including insertion in the intron site of Tmem267, were observed in the social isolation group on WGS. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that stress, such as social isolation, can cause changes at the genetic level, as well as behavioral and brain protein changes.

Objective: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic’s social isolation has significantly impacted mental health, increasing depression and anxiety. This study explores the effects of social isolation on both humans and mice, focusing on behavioral changes and hippocampal protein expression. It also investigates genetic alterations through single-cell RNA and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Methods: Here we conducted behavioral studies, protein expression studies, single-nucleus sequencing (snRNAseq), and WGS of the hippocampus of mice that underwent early maternal separation and social isolation, and a demographic study of community populations who had been self-quarantined owing to COVID-19 exposure to investigate the link between somatic mutations and stress due to social isolation. Results: The demographic study demonstrated more negative mental health findings among individuals who live alone or are single. Mice subjected to early maternal separation and social isolation demonstrated increased anxiety-like behaviors and stress-related corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1, and neurogenesis-related sex-determining region Y-box 2 and doublecortin expression. In snRNA-seq, differences, such as transthyretin increase, were observed in the maternal separation group, and somatic mutations, including insertion in the intron site of Tmem267, were observed in the social isolation group on WGS. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that stress, such as social isolation, can cause changes at the genetic level, as well as behavioral and brain protein changes.

Objective: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic’s social isolation has significantly impacted mental health, increasing depression and anxiety. This study explores the effects of social isolation on both humans and mice, focusing on behavioral changes and hippocampal protein expression. It also investigates genetic alterations through single-cell RNA and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Methods: Here we conducted behavioral studies, protein expression studies, single-nucleus sequencing (snRNAseq), and WGS of the hippocampus of mice that underwent early maternal separation and social isolation, and a demographic study of community populations who had been self-quarantined owing to COVID-19 exposure to investigate the link between somatic mutations and stress due to social isolation. Results: The demographic study demonstrated more negative mental health findings among individuals who live alone or are single. Mice subjected to early maternal separation and social isolation demonstrated increased anxiety-like behaviors and stress-related corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1, and neurogenesis-related sex-determining region Y-box 2 and doublecortin expression. In snRNA-seq, differences, such as transthyretin increase, were observed in the maternal separation group, and somatic mutations, including insertion in the intron site of Tmem267, were observed in the social isolation group on WGS. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that stress, such as social isolation, can cause changes at the genetic level, as well as behavioral and brain protein changes.

Objective: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic’s social isolation has significantly impacted mental health, increasing depression and anxiety. This study explores the effects of social isolation on both humans and mice, focusing on behavioral changes and hippocampal protein expression. It also investigates genetic alterations through single-cell RNA and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Methods: Here we conducted behavioral studies, protein expression studies, single-nucleus sequencing (snRNAseq), and WGS of the hippocampus of mice that underwent early maternal separation and social isolation, and a demographic study of community populations who had been self-quarantined owing to COVID-19 exposure to investigate the link between somatic mutations and stress due to social isolation. Results: The demographic study demonstrated more negative mental health findings among individuals who live alone or are single. Mice subjected to early maternal separation and social isolation demonstrated increased anxiety-like behaviors and stress-related corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1, and neurogenesis-related sex-determining region Y-box 2 and doublecortin expression. In snRNA-seq, differences, such as transthyretin increase, were observed in the maternal separation group, and somatic mutations, including insertion in the intron site of Tmem267, were observed in the social isolation group on WGS. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that stress, such as social isolation, can cause changes at the genetic level, as well as behavioral and brain protein changes.

Objective: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic’s social isolation has significantly impacted mental health, increasing depression and anxiety. This study explores the effects of social isolation on both humans and mice, focusing on behavioral changes and hippocampal protein expression. It also investigates genetic alterations through single-cell RNA and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Methods: Here we conducted behavioral studies, protein expression studies, single-nucleus sequencing (snRNAseq), and WGS of the hippocampus of mice that underwent early maternal separation and social isolation, and a demographic study of community populations who had been self-quarantined owing to COVID-19 exposure to investigate the link between somatic mutations and stress due to social isolation. Results: The demographic study demonstrated more negative mental health findings among individuals who live alone or are single. Mice subjected to early maternal separation and social isolation demonstrated increased anxiety-like behaviors and stress-related corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1, and neurogenesis-related sex-determining region Y-box 2 and doublecortin expression. In snRNA-seq, differences, such as transthyretin increase, were observed in the maternal separation group, and somatic mutations, including insertion in the intron site of Tmem267, were observed in the social isolation group on WGS. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that stress, such as social isolation, can cause changes at the genetic level, as well as behavioral and brain protein changes.

Objective: The present study assessed the occurrence of PTE after the intravenous infusion of canine AdMSCs (cAdMSCs) into experimental animals. Methods: Five-week-old male BALB/c hairless mice were categorized into groups labeled A to G. In the control group (A), fluorescently stained 2 × 106 cAdMSCs were diluted in 200 μL of suspension and injected into the tail vein as a single bolus. The remaining groups included the following: group B with 5 × 106 cells, group C with 3 × 106 cells, group D with 1 × 106 cells, group E with 1 × 106 cells injected twice with a one-day interval, group F with 2 × 106 cells in 100 μL of suspension, and group G with 2 × 106 cells in 300 μL of suspension. Results: Group D achieved a 100% survival rate, while none of the subjects in groups B and C survived (p = 0.002). Blood tests revealed a tendency for the D-dimer levels to increase as the cell dose increased (p = 0.006). The platelet count was higher in the low cell concentration groups and lower in the high cell concentration groups (p = 0.028). A histological examination revealed PTE in most deceased subjects (96.30%). Conclusions and Relevance: PTE was verified, and various variables were identified as potential contributing factors, including the cell dose, injection frequency, and suspension volume.

Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a rare, autosomal dominant disease characterized by non-ketogenic diabetes mellitus (DM). MODY type 4, caused by PDX1 mutation, is a very rare subtype of MODY, especially in Korea. We report a case of a 10-year-old, nonobese girl with a family history of type 2 DM. After diagnosis, the patient’s serum glucose level was well controlled using metformin monotherapy; however, the glycated hemoglobin level increased to 9.0% approximately 2 years after treatment. No obesity or lifestyle problems were observed, and serum fasting C-peptide level was within the normal range. Furthermore, no islet-related autoantibodies were detected. A genetic screening for MODY using a next-generation sequencing panel was performed, and a likely heterozygous pathogenic PDX1 mutation (p.Gly246ArgfsTer21) was identified. The PDX1 variant was not detected in her mother, implying that the mutation had arisen de novo in the proband. She was prescribed insulin degludec in addition to metformin therapy, which improved her hyperglycemia. This report presents a novel MODY type 4 phenotype and highlights the importance of genetic screening in patients with MODY characteristics.

Purpose: The treatment of male breast cancer (MBC) has been extrapolated from female breast cancer (FBC) because of its rarity despite their different clinicopathologic characteristics. We aimed to investigate the distribution of intrinsic subtypes based on immunohistochemistry, their clinical impact, and treatment pattern in clinical practice through a multicenter study in Korea. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 248 MBC patients from 18 institutions across the country from January 1995 to July 2016. Results: The median age of MBC patients was 63 years (range, 25 to 102 years). Among 148 intrinsic subtype classified patients, 61 (41.2%), 44 (29.7%), 29 (19.5%), and 14 (9.5%) were luminal A, luminal B, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, and triple-negative breast cancer, respectively. Luminal A subtype showed trends for superior survival compared to other subtypes. Most hormone receptor-positive patients (166 patients, 82.6%) received adjuvant endocrine treatment. Five-year completion of adjuvant endocrine treatment was associated with superior disease-free survival (DFS) in patients classified with an intrinsic subtype (hazard ratio [HR], 0.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04 to 0.49; p=0.002) and in all patients (HR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.54; p=0.003). Conclusion Distribution of subtypes of MBC was similar to FBC and luminal type A was most common. Overall survival tended to be improved for luminal A subtype, although there was no statistical significance. Completion of adjuvant endocrine treatment was associated with prolonged DFS in intrinsic subtype classified patients. MBC patients tended to receive less treatment. MBC patients should receive standard treatment according to guidelines as FBC patients.

Purpose: This study investigated knowledge, attitudes, and nursing stress related to lifesustaining treatment among oncology nurses. Methods: A descriptive study design was used. Data were collected through a survey from April 1 to May 31, 2022. The participants were 132 nurses working in the oncology ward of a tertiary hospital in Seoul. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 25.0 program with descriptive statics, the independent t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation coefficients. Results: The average scores for knowledge, attitudes, and nursing stress related to life-sustaining treatment were 14.42, 3.29, and 3.96, respectively. Significant differences in knowledge about life-sustaining treatment were observed based on clinical experience (P=0.029) and education about life-sustaining treatment (P=0.044). Attitudes toward life-sustaining treatment varied significantly with education about life-sustaining treatment (P=0.014), while stress levels differed significantly across working units (P=0.004). A positive correlation was found between the dilemma of extending or stopping life-sustaining treatment (a subdomain of nursing stress) and attitudes toward life-sustaining treatment (r=0.260, P=0.003). Conclusion There was no significant correlation between the nursing stress experienced by oncology nurses and their knowledge and attitudes toward life-sustaining treatment. However, a more positive experience with life-sustaining treatment education was associated with higher stress levels related to the dilemma of extending or stopping life-sustaining treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to develop strategies to manage this dilemma and reduce stress in the field.

Background: For gendered innovations to be streamlined in health research, researchers need tools to measure gender variables quantitatively. Because gender is a sociocultural concept which varies by culture, it is important to check feasibility of using tools developed in western countries before using them in Korea. The objective of this study is to conduct a pilot study for adapting a questionnaire measuring gender variables from the literature for the Korean population. Methods: The research was conducted in two steps: 1) modification of questionnaire by an expert group, and 2) an on-line survey of 3,000 adults, in three age groups, balanced in sex. The questionnaire was composed of 7 gender variables with 2 to 6 items, constituting a total of 24 5-point Likert scale items. Gender variable scores were calculated as the average of Z-scores of items pertaining to each variable. Results: Participants were 45.6% men, 43.9% women, and 10.5% other gender. Scores of five gender variables-caregiver tension, work tension, independence, emotional intelligence, and discrimination-were significantly different among sex and gender groups. Among gender variables, work strain, caregiver strain, and discrimination had notable influences on health status and health-related behaviors among survey participants. Conclusions Several gender variables were related to health status and health behaviors in Korean adults. This is the first attempt in Korea to quantify gender characteristics to be used for health research. Further studies are needed to verify the questionnaire and methods developed in this study for use with diagnosed disease outcomes.