Background: Post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) are common pro‑ phylactic strategies for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT). Interleukin (IL)-6 is a surrogate marker for cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and acute GVHD.Method The clinical outcomes and complications of haplo-HSCT with PTCy plus ATG versus PTCy monotherapy were compared according to serum IL-6 levels at Chungnam National University Hospital (Daejeon, South Korea) from Jan‑ uary 2019 to February 2023. Results: Forty patients who underwent haplo-HSCT were analyzed. A significant difference in IL-6 levels was observed between the PTCy plus ATG and PTCy alone groups (7.47 ± 10.55 vs. 117.65 ± 127.67; p = 0.003). More patients in the PTCy plus ATG group had a CRS grade of 0 than in the PTCy alone group (p < 0.001). Serum IL-6 levels were associated with grades II–IV acute GVHD (r = 0.547, p < 0.001). The cumulative incidence (CI) of grades II–IV acute GVHD was significantly higher in the PTCy alone group (67.9% vs. 4.8%; p < 0.001). No significant difference in the CI for chronic GVHD was detected between the PTCy plus ATG and PTCy alone groups (72.1% vs. 82.0%; p = 0.730). The CI of 1-year non-relapse mortality was significantly higher in the PTCy alone group than in the PTCy plus ATG group (42.2% vs. 15.9%; p = 0.022). The 1-year overall survival (OS) was significantly better in the PTCy plus ATG group (75.9% vs. 35.3%; p = 0.011). The 1-year GVHD-free, relapse-free survival rate was 29.4% in the PTCy alone group and 54.0% in the PTCy plus ATG group (p = 0.038). Conclusion Serum IL-6 levels were higher in the PTCy alone group than in the PTCy plus ATG group. The addition of ATG before stem cell infusion affected IL-6 levels and reduced the incidences of CRS and grade II–IV acute GVHD in haplo-HSCT patients. This study suggests that PTCy plus ATG as GVHD prophylaxis in haplo-HSCT is beneficial in terms of clinical outcomes and complications of HSCT.

Background: Post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) are common pro‑ phylactic strategies for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT). Interleukin (IL)-6 is a surrogate marker for cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and acute GVHD.Method The clinical outcomes and complications of haplo-HSCT with PTCy plus ATG versus PTCy monotherapy were compared according to serum IL-6 levels at Chungnam National University Hospital (Daejeon, South Korea) from Jan‑ uary 2019 to February 2023. Results: Forty patients who underwent haplo-HSCT were analyzed. A significant difference in IL-6 levels was observed between the PTCy plus ATG and PTCy alone groups (7.47 ± 10.55 vs. 117.65 ± 127.67; p = 0.003). More patients in the PTCy plus ATG group had a CRS grade of 0 than in the PTCy alone group (p < 0.001). Serum IL-6 levels were associated with grades II–IV acute GVHD (r = 0.547, p < 0.001). The cumulative incidence (CI) of grades II–IV acute GVHD was significantly higher in the PTCy alone group (67.9% vs. 4.8%; p < 0.001). No significant difference in the CI for chronic GVHD was detected between the PTCy plus ATG and PTCy alone groups (72.1% vs. 82.0%; p = 0.730). The CI of 1-year non-relapse mortality was significantly higher in the PTCy alone group than in the PTCy plus ATG group (42.2% vs. 15.9%; p = 0.022). The 1-year overall survival (OS) was significantly better in the PTCy plus ATG group (75.9% vs. 35.3%; p = 0.011). The 1-year GVHD-free, relapse-free survival rate was 29.4% in the PTCy alone group and 54.0% in the PTCy plus ATG group (p = 0.038). Conclusion Serum IL-6 levels were higher in the PTCy alone group than in the PTCy plus ATG group. The addition of ATG before stem cell infusion affected IL-6 levels and reduced the incidences of CRS and grade II–IV acute GVHD in haplo-HSCT patients. This study suggests that PTCy plus ATG as GVHD prophylaxis in haplo-HSCT is beneficial in terms of clinical outcomes and complications of HSCT.

Background: Post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) are common pro‑ phylactic strategies for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT). Interleukin (IL)-6 is a surrogate marker for cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and acute GVHD.Method The clinical outcomes and complications of haplo-HSCT with PTCy plus ATG versus PTCy monotherapy were compared according to serum IL-6 levels at Chungnam National University Hospital (Daejeon, South Korea) from Jan‑ uary 2019 to February 2023. Results: Forty patients who underwent haplo-HSCT were analyzed. A significant difference in IL-6 levels was observed between the PTCy plus ATG and PTCy alone groups (7.47 ± 10.55 vs. 117.65 ± 127.67; p = 0.003). More patients in the PTCy plus ATG group had a CRS grade of 0 than in the PTCy alone group (p < 0.001). Serum IL-6 levels were associated with grades II–IV acute GVHD (r = 0.547, p < 0.001). The cumulative incidence (CI) of grades II–IV acute GVHD was significantly higher in the PTCy alone group (67.9% vs. 4.8%; p < 0.001). No significant difference in the CI for chronic GVHD was detected between the PTCy plus ATG and PTCy alone groups (72.1% vs. 82.0%; p = 0.730). The CI of 1-year non-relapse mortality was significantly higher in the PTCy alone group than in the PTCy plus ATG group (42.2% vs. 15.9%; p = 0.022). The 1-year overall survival (OS) was significantly better in the PTCy plus ATG group (75.9% vs. 35.3%; p = 0.011). The 1-year GVHD-free, relapse-free survival rate was 29.4% in the PTCy alone group and 54.0% in the PTCy plus ATG group (p = 0.038). Conclusion Serum IL-6 levels were higher in the PTCy alone group than in the PTCy plus ATG group. The addition of ATG before stem cell infusion affected IL-6 levels and reduced the incidences of CRS and grade II–IV acute GVHD in haplo-HSCT patients. This study suggests that PTCy plus ATG as GVHD prophylaxis in haplo-HSCT is beneficial in terms of clinical outcomes and complications of HSCT.

Background: Flow cytometric immunophenotyping of hematolymphoid neoplasms (FCIHLN) is essential for diagnosis, classification, and minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring. FCI-HLN is typically performed using in-house protocols, raising the need for standardization. Therefore, we surveyed the current status of FCI-HLN in Korea to obtain fundamental data for quality improvement and standardization. Methods: Eight university hospitals actively conducting FCI-HLN participated in our survey.We analyzed responses to a questionnaire that included inquiries regarding test items, reagent antibodies (RAs), fluorophores, sample amounts (SAs), reagent antibody amounts (RAAs), acquisition cell number (ACN), isotype control (IC) usage, positiveegative criteria, and reporting. Results: Most hospitals used acute HLN, chronic HLN, plasma cell neoplasm (PCN), and MRD panels. The numbers of RAs were heterogeneous, with a maximum of 32, 26, 12, 14, and 10 antibodies used for acute HLN, chronic HLN, PCN, ALL-MRD, and multiple myeloma-MRD, respectively. The number of fluorophores ranged from 4 to 10. RAs, SAs, RAAs, and ACN were diverse. Most hospitals used a positive criterion of 20%, whereas one used 10% for acute and chronic HLN panels. Five hospitals used ICs for the negative criterion. Positiveegative assignments, percentages, and general opinions were commonly reported. In MRD reporting, the limit of detection and lower limit of quantification were included. Conclusions This is the first comprehensive study on the current status of FCI-HLN in Korea, confirming the high heterogeneity and complexity of FCI-HLN practices. Standardization of FCI-HLN is urgently needed. The findings provide a reference for establishing standard FCI-HLN guidelines.

Objective: Neuroinflammation’s role is increasingly emphasized in the pathology of major depressive disorder (MDD), and its close association with the risk of suicide is being reported. The Forkhead Box O1 (FoxO1) gene is known to play a role in regulating mood and emotion and is associated with susceptibility to suicidality in relation to environmental stress. This research aims to explore the relationship between FoxO1 and the risk of suicide in individuals with MDD. Methods: We enrolled 127 healthy controls (HC) and 231 patients diagnosed with MDD, including 119 individuals with high suicide risk (HSR). All participants underwent the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression Assessment and magnetic resonance imaging. Cortical thickness and white matter integrity were evaluated. Results: In the HSR group, cortical thinning was observed in the left triangular part of the inferior frontal gyrus and right transverse frontopolar gyrus compared to HC. Additionally, fractional anisotropy (FA) values were decreased in the left posterior thalamic radiation, sagittal stratum, and uncinate fasciculus. Although no differences were observed based on allele variations for the two FoxO1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), those with the minor allele of FoxO1 rs34733279, especially in the HSR group, displayed increased cortical thinning and reduced FA values in the left cingulum. Conclusion Our study reveals close association between the minor allele of the FoxO1 gene rs34733279 and suicide risk in the left cingulum highlights the potential key role of the FoxO1 gene rs34733279 in the context of suicidal vulnerability. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms.

Objective: Neuroinflammation’s role is increasingly emphasized in the pathology of major depressive disorder (MDD), and its close association with the risk of suicide is being reported. The Forkhead Box O1 (FoxO1) gene is known to play a role in regulating mood and emotion and is associated with susceptibility to suicidality in relation to environmental stress. This research aims to explore the relationship between FoxO1 and the risk of suicide in individuals with MDD. Methods: We enrolled 127 healthy controls (HC) and 231 patients diagnosed with MDD, including 119 individuals with high suicide risk (HSR). All participants underwent the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression Assessment and magnetic resonance imaging. Cortical thickness and white matter integrity were evaluated. Results: In the HSR group, cortical thinning was observed in the left triangular part of the inferior frontal gyrus and right transverse frontopolar gyrus compared to HC. Additionally, fractional anisotropy (FA) values were decreased in the left posterior thalamic radiation, sagittal stratum, and uncinate fasciculus. Although no differences were observed based on allele variations for the two FoxO1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), those with the minor allele of FoxO1 rs34733279, especially in the HSR group, displayed increased cortical thinning and reduced FA values in the left cingulum. Conclusion Our study reveals close association between the minor allele of the FoxO1 gene rs34733279 and suicide risk in the left cingulum highlights the potential key role of the FoxO1 gene rs34733279 in the context of suicidal vulnerability. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms.

Objective: Neuroinflammation’s role is increasingly emphasized in the pathology of major depressive disorder (MDD), and its close association with the risk of suicide is being reported. The Forkhead Box O1 (FoxO1) gene is known to play a role in regulating mood and emotion and is associated with susceptibility to suicidality in relation to environmental stress. This research aims to explore the relationship between FoxO1 and the risk of suicide in individuals with MDD. Methods: We enrolled 127 healthy controls (HC) and 231 patients diagnosed with MDD, including 119 individuals with high suicide risk (HSR). All participants underwent the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression Assessment and magnetic resonance imaging. Cortical thickness and white matter integrity were evaluated. Results: In the HSR group, cortical thinning was observed in the left triangular part of the inferior frontal gyrus and right transverse frontopolar gyrus compared to HC. Additionally, fractional anisotropy (FA) values were decreased in the left posterior thalamic radiation, sagittal stratum, and uncinate fasciculus. Although no differences were observed based on allele variations for the two FoxO1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), those with the minor allele of FoxO1 rs34733279, especially in the HSR group, displayed increased cortical thinning and reduced FA values in the left cingulum. Conclusion Our study reveals close association between the minor allele of the FoxO1 gene rs34733279 and suicide risk in the left cingulum highlights the potential key role of the FoxO1 gene rs34733279 in the context of suicidal vulnerability. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms.

With advancements in both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments, significant changes have occurred in heart failure (HF) management. The previous Korean HF registries, namely the Korea Heart Failure Registry (KorHF-registry) and Korean Acute Heart Failure Registry (KorAHF-registry), no longer accurately reflect contemporary acute heart failure (AHF) patients. Our objective is to assess contemporary AHF patients through a nationwide registry encompassing various aspects, such as clinical characteristics, management approaches, hospital course, and long-term outcomes of individuals hospitalized for AHF in Korea. This prospective observational multicenter cohort study (KorHF III) is organized by the Korean Society of Heart Failure. We aim to prospectively enroll 7,000 or more patients hospitalized for AHF at 47 tertiary hospitals in Korea starting from March 2018. Eligible patients exhibit signs and symptoms of HF and demonstrate either lung congestion or objective evidence of structural or functional cardiac abnormalities in echocardiography, or isolated right-sided HF. Patients will be followed up for up to 5 years after enrollment in the registry to evaluate long-term clinical outcomes. KorHF III represents the nationwide AHF registry that will elucidate the clinical characteristics, management strategies, and outcomes of contemporary AHF patients in Korea.

Objective: Neuroinflammation’s role is increasingly emphasized in the pathology of major depressive disorder (MDD), and its close association with the risk of suicide is being reported. The Forkhead Box O1 (FoxO1) gene is known to play a role in regulating mood and emotion and is associated with susceptibility to suicidality in relation to environmental stress. This research aims to explore the relationship between FoxO1 and the risk of suicide in individuals with MDD. Methods: We enrolled 127 healthy controls (HC) and 231 patients diagnosed with MDD, including 119 individuals with high suicide risk (HSR). All participants underwent the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression Assessment and magnetic resonance imaging. Cortical thickness and white matter integrity were evaluated. Results: In the HSR group, cortical thinning was observed in the left triangular part of the inferior frontal gyrus and right transverse frontopolar gyrus compared to HC. Additionally, fractional anisotropy (FA) values were decreased in the left posterior thalamic radiation, sagittal stratum, and uncinate fasciculus. Although no differences were observed based on allele variations for the two FoxO1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), those with the minor allele of FoxO1 rs34733279, especially in the HSR group, displayed increased cortical thinning and reduced FA values in the left cingulum. Conclusion Our study reveals close association between the minor allele of the FoxO1 gene rs34733279 and suicide risk in the left cingulum highlights the potential key role of the FoxO1 gene rs34733279 in the context of suicidal vulnerability. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms.

Objective: Neuroinflammation’s role is increasingly emphasized in the pathology of major depressive disorder (MDD), and its close association with the risk of suicide is being reported. The Forkhead Box O1 (FoxO1) gene is known to play a role in regulating mood and emotion and is associated with susceptibility to suicidality in relation to environmental stress. This research aims to explore the relationship between FoxO1 and the risk of suicide in individuals with MDD. Methods: We enrolled 127 healthy controls (HC) and 231 patients diagnosed with MDD, including 119 individuals with high suicide risk (HSR). All participants underwent the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression Assessment and magnetic resonance imaging. Cortical thickness and white matter integrity were evaluated. Results: In the HSR group, cortical thinning was observed in the left triangular part of the inferior frontal gyrus and right transverse frontopolar gyrus compared to HC. Additionally, fractional anisotropy (FA) values were decreased in the left posterior thalamic radiation, sagittal stratum, and uncinate fasciculus. Although no differences were observed based on allele variations for the two FoxO1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), those with the minor allele of FoxO1 rs34733279, especially in the HSR group, displayed increased cortical thinning and reduced FA values in the left cingulum. Conclusion Our study reveals close association between the minor allele of the FoxO1 gene rs34733279 and suicide risk in the left cingulum highlights the potential key role of the FoxO1 gene rs34733279 in the context of suicidal vulnerability. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms.