1.A comparison of the outcomes of families with children aged less than 2 who received universal versus sustained nurse home visiting services in Korea: a cross-sectional study
Yu-Mi KIM ; Sun Hwa PARK ; Kyung Ja JUNE ; Sung-Hyun CHO ; Ji Yun LEE ; Hong-Jun CHO ; Young-Ho KHANG
Epidemiology and Health 2025;47(1):e2025004-
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to compare maternal outcomes and the home environment between non‑vulnerable families with children under 2 receiving universal home visiting services and vulnerable families receiving sustained home visiting services.
METHODS:
This study was conducted in Seoul, Korea, where the country’s first nurse‑led early childhood home visiting program was introduced. A total of 551 mother‑child dyads participated in cross‑sectional surveys conducted at various child ages (6±2 weeks, 6±1 months, 12±1 months, and 24±1 months). Universal home visiting services were provided within six weeks postpartum to non‑vulnerable families, while vulnerable families received sustained services consisting of 25 visits over 24 months. Maternal knowledge of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and childcare, maternal distress, and the Korean Infant‑Toddler Home Observation for Measurement of Environment (K‑IT‑HOME) were assessed.
RESULTS:
Overall, the universal home visitation group demonstrated higher levels of maternal knowledge regarding SIDS and childcare compared to the sustained home visitation group (all p-values <0.05), while the sustained home visitation group reported higher levels of maternal distress (p<0.001). The total K‑IT‑HOME score was 1.47 points higher in the universal home visitation group than in the sustained home visitation group (p<0.001). No significant differences were observed in the acceptance, organization, or involvement subscales of the K‑IT‑HOME (all p-values >0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that disparities in maternal outcomes and home environments persisted in early childhood between the sustained and universal home visitation groups.
2.Glutathione’s Role in Liver Metabolism and Hangover Symptom Relief: Dysregulation of Protein S-Glutathionylation and Antioxidant Enzymes
Hwa-Young LEE ; Geum-Hwa LEE ; Do-Sung KIM ; Young Jae LIM ; Boram CHO ; Hojung JUNG ; Hyun-shik CHOI ; Soonok SA ; Wookyung CHUNG ; Hyewon LEE ; Myoung Ja CHUNG ; Junghyun KIM ; Han-Jung CHAE
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2025;33(1):117-128
Hangovers from alcohol consumption cause symptoms like headaches, nausea, and fatigue, disrupting daily activities and overall well-being. Over time, they can also lead to inflammation and oxidative stress. Effective hangover relief alleviates symptoms, prevents dehydration, and replenishes energy needed for daily tasks. Natural foods considered high in antioxidants and antiinflammatory properties may aid in the hepatic breakdown of alcohol. The study aims to investigate the impact of glutathione or its enriched yeast extract, which is recognized for its antioxidant characteristics, on alcohol metabolism and alleviating hangovers in a rat model exposed to binge drinking. In this study, glutathione and its enriched yeast extract controlled hangover behaviour patterns, including locomotor activity. Additionally, it enhanced the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) following ethanol ingestion (3 g/kg). Further, the incorporation of glutathione led to an increase in the expression of antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD and catalase, by activating the nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway.This activation reduced the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde. Next, glutathione modulated the activity of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and the protein expressions of Bax and Bcl2. Besides, in vitro and in vivo investigations with glutathione demonstrated a regulating effect on the pan-s-glutathionylation and its associated protein expression, glutaredoxin 1 (Grx1), glutathione-S-transferase Pi (GST-π), and glutathione reductase (GR). Together, these findings suggest that glutathione or its enriched yeast extract as a beneficial dietary supplement for alleviating hangover symptoms by enhancing alcohol metabolism and its associated Nrf2/Keap1 signalings.
3.Risk-adapted scoring model to identify candidates benefiting from adjuvant chemotherapy after radical nephroureterectomy for localized upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma: A multicenter study
Sung Jun SOU ; Ja Yoon KU ; Kyung Hwan KIM ; Won Ik SEO ; Hong Koo HA ; Hui Mo GU ; Eu Chang HWANG ; Young Joo PARK ; Chan Ho LEE
Investigative and Clinical Urology 2025;66(2):114-123
Purpose:
Adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) is recommended for muscle-invasive or lymph node-positive upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). However, disease recurrences are frequently observed in pT1 disease, and AC may increase the risk of overtreatment in pT2 UTUC patients. This study aimed to validate a risk-adapted scoring model for selecting UTUC patients with ≤pT2 disease who would benefit from AC.
Materials and Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed 443 ≤pT2 UTUC patients who underwent RNU. A risk-adapted scoring model was applied, categorizing patients into low- or high-risk groups. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were analyzed according to risk group.
Results:
Overall, 355 patients (80.1%) and 88 patients (19.9%) were categorized into the low- and high-risk groups, respectively, with the latter having higher pathological stages, concurrent carcinoma in situ, and synchronous bladder tumors. Disease recurrence occurred in 45 patients (10.2%), among whom 19 (5.4%) and 26 (29.5%) belonged to the low- and high-risk groups, respectively (p<0.001). High-risk patients had significantly shorter RFS (64.3% vs. 93.6% at 60 months; hazard ratio [HR] 13.66; p<0.001) and worse CSS (80.7% vs. 91.5% at 60 months; HR 4.25; p=0.002). Multivariate analysis confirmed that pT2 stage and the high-risk group were independent predictors of recurrence and cancer-specific death (p<0.001). Decision curve analysis for RFS showed larger net benefits with our model than with the T stage model.
Conclusions
The risk-adapted scoring model effectively predicts recurrence and identifies optimal candidates for AC post RNU in non-metastatic UTUC.
4.A comparison of the outcomes of families with children aged less than 2 who received universal versus sustained nurse home visiting services in Korea: a cross-sectional study
Yu-Mi KIM ; Sun Hwa PARK ; Kyung Ja JUNE ; Sung-Hyun CHO ; Ji Yun LEE ; Hong-Jun CHO ; Young-Ho KHANG
Epidemiology and Health 2025;47(1):e2025004-
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to compare maternal outcomes and the home environment between non‑vulnerable families with children under 2 receiving universal home visiting services and vulnerable families receiving sustained home visiting services.
METHODS:
This study was conducted in Seoul, Korea, where the country’s first nurse‑led early childhood home visiting program was introduced. A total of 551 mother‑child dyads participated in cross‑sectional surveys conducted at various child ages (6±2 weeks, 6±1 months, 12±1 months, and 24±1 months). Universal home visiting services were provided within six weeks postpartum to non‑vulnerable families, while vulnerable families received sustained services consisting of 25 visits over 24 months. Maternal knowledge of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and childcare, maternal distress, and the Korean Infant‑Toddler Home Observation for Measurement of Environment (K‑IT‑HOME) were assessed.
RESULTS:
Overall, the universal home visitation group demonstrated higher levels of maternal knowledge regarding SIDS and childcare compared to the sustained home visitation group (all p-values <0.05), while the sustained home visitation group reported higher levels of maternal distress (p<0.001). The total K‑IT‑HOME score was 1.47 points higher in the universal home visitation group than in the sustained home visitation group (p<0.001). No significant differences were observed in the acceptance, organization, or involvement subscales of the K‑IT‑HOME (all p-values >0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that disparities in maternal outcomes and home environments persisted in early childhood between the sustained and universal home visitation groups.
5.Glutathione’s Role in Liver Metabolism and Hangover Symptom Relief: Dysregulation of Protein S-Glutathionylation and Antioxidant Enzymes
Hwa-Young LEE ; Geum-Hwa LEE ; Do-Sung KIM ; Young Jae LIM ; Boram CHO ; Hojung JUNG ; Hyun-shik CHOI ; Soonok SA ; Wookyung CHUNG ; Hyewon LEE ; Myoung Ja CHUNG ; Junghyun KIM ; Han-Jung CHAE
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2025;33(1):117-128
Hangovers from alcohol consumption cause symptoms like headaches, nausea, and fatigue, disrupting daily activities and overall well-being. Over time, they can also lead to inflammation and oxidative stress. Effective hangover relief alleviates symptoms, prevents dehydration, and replenishes energy needed for daily tasks. Natural foods considered high in antioxidants and antiinflammatory properties may aid in the hepatic breakdown of alcohol. The study aims to investigate the impact of glutathione or its enriched yeast extract, which is recognized for its antioxidant characteristics, on alcohol metabolism and alleviating hangovers in a rat model exposed to binge drinking. In this study, glutathione and its enriched yeast extract controlled hangover behaviour patterns, including locomotor activity. Additionally, it enhanced the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) following ethanol ingestion (3 g/kg). Further, the incorporation of glutathione led to an increase in the expression of antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD and catalase, by activating the nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway.This activation reduced the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde. Next, glutathione modulated the activity of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and the protein expressions of Bax and Bcl2. Besides, in vitro and in vivo investigations with glutathione demonstrated a regulating effect on the pan-s-glutathionylation and its associated protein expression, glutaredoxin 1 (Grx1), glutathione-S-transferase Pi (GST-π), and glutathione reductase (GR). Together, these findings suggest that glutathione or its enriched yeast extract as a beneficial dietary supplement for alleviating hangover symptoms by enhancing alcohol metabolism and its associated Nrf2/Keap1 signalings.
6.A comparison of the outcomes of families with children aged less than 2 who received universal versus sustained nurse home visiting services in Korea: a cross-sectional study
Yu-Mi KIM ; Sun Hwa PARK ; Kyung Ja JUNE ; Sung-Hyun CHO ; Ji Yun LEE ; Hong-Jun CHO ; Young-Ho KHANG
Epidemiology and Health 2025;47(1):e2025004-
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to compare maternal outcomes and the home environment between non‑vulnerable families with children under 2 receiving universal home visiting services and vulnerable families receiving sustained home visiting services.
METHODS:
This study was conducted in Seoul, Korea, where the country’s first nurse‑led early childhood home visiting program was introduced. A total of 551 mother‑child dyads participated in cross‑sectional surveys conducted at various child ages (6±2 weeks, 6±1 months, 12±1 months, and 24±1 months). Universal home visiting services were provided within six weeks postpartum to non‑vulnerable families, while vulnerable families received sustained services consisting of 25 visits over 24 months. Maternal knowledge of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and childcare, maternal distress, and the Korean Infant‑Toddler Home Observation for Measurement of Environment (K‑IT‑HOME) were assessed.
RESULTS:
Overall, the universal home visitation group demonstrated higher levels of maternal knowledge regarding SIDS and childcare compared to the sustained home visitation group (all p-values <0.05), while the sustained home visitation group reported higher levels of maternal distress (p<0.001). The total K‑IT‑HOME score was 1.47 points higher in the universal home visitation group than in the sustained home visitation group (p<0.001). No significant differences were observed in the acceptance, organization, or involvement subscales of the K‑IT‑HOME (all p-values >0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that disparities in maternal outcomes and home environments persisted in early childhood between the sustained and universal home visitation groups.
7.Glutathione’s Role in Liver Metabolism and Hangover Symptom Relief: Dysregulation of Protein S-Glutathionylation and Antioxidant Enzymes
Hwa-Young LEE ; Geum-Hwa LEE ; Do-Sung KIM ; Young Jae LIM ; Boram CHO ; Hojung JUNG ; Hyun-shik CHOI ; Soonok SA ; Wookyung CHUNG ; Hyewon LEE ; Myoung Ja CHUNG ; Junghyun KIM ; Han-Jung CHAE
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2025;33(1):117-128
Hangovers from alcohol consumption cause symptoms like headaches, nausea, and fatigue, disrupting daily activities and overall well-being. Over time, they can also lead to inflammation and oxidative stress. Effective hangover relief alleviates symptoms, prevents dehydration, and replenishes energy needed for daily tasks. Natural foods considered high in antioxidants and antiinflammatory properties may aid in the hepatic breakdown of alcohol. The study aims to investigate the impact of glutathione or its enriched yeast extract, which is recognized for its antioxidant characteristics, on alcohol metabolism and alleviating hangovers in a rat model exposed to binge drinking. In this study, glutathione and its enriched yeast extract controlled hangover behaviour patterns, including locomotor activity. Additionally, it enhanced the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) following ethanol ingestion (3 g/kg). Further, the incorporation of glutathione led to an increase in the expression of antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD and catalase, by activating the nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway.This activation reduced the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde. Next, glutathione modulated the activity of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and the protein expressions of Bax and Bcl2. Besides, in vitro and in vivo investigations with glutathione demonstrated a regulating effect on the pan-s-glutathionylation and its associated protein expression, glutaredoxin 1 (Grx1), glutathione-S-transferase Pi (GST-π), and glutathione reductase (GR). Together, these findings suggest that glutathione or its enriched yeast extract as a beneficial dietary supplement for alleviating hangover symptoms by enhancing alcohol metabolism and its associated Nrf2/Keap1 signalings.
8.A comparison of the outcomes of families with children aged less than 2 who received universal versus sustained nurse home visiting services in Korea: a cross-sectional study
Yu-Mi KIM ; Sun Hwa PARK ; Kyung Ja JUNE ; Sung-Hyun CHO ; Ji Yun LEE ; Hong-Jun CHO ; Young-Ho KHANG
Epidemiology and Health 2025;47(1):e2025004-
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to compare maternal outcomes and the home environment between non‑vulnerable families with children under 2 receiving universal home visiting services and vulnerable families receiving sustained home visiting services.
METHODS:
This study was conducted in Seoul, Korea, where the country’s first nurse‑led early childhood home visiting program was introduced. A total of 551 mother‑child dyads participated in cross‑sectional surveys conducted at various child ages (6±2 weeks, 6±1 months, 12±1 months, and 24±1 months). Universal home visiting services were provided within six weeks postpartum to non‑vulnerable families, while vulnerable families received sustained services consisting of 25 visits over 24 months. Maternal knowledge of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and childcare, maternal distress, and the Korean Infant‑Toddler Home Observation for Measurement of Environment (K‑IT‑HOME) were assessed.
RESULTS:
Overall, the universal home visitation group demonstrated higher levels of maternal knowledge regarding SIDS and childcare compared to the sustained home visitation group (all p-values <0.05), while the sustained home visitation group reported higher levels of maternal distress (p<0.001). The total K‑IT‑HOME score was 1.47 points higher in the universal home visitation group than in the sustained home visitation group (p<0.001). No significant differences were observed in the acceptance, organization, or involvement subscales of the K‑IT‑HOME (all p-values >0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that disparities in maternal outcomes and home environments persisted in early childhood between the sustained and universal home visitation groups.
9.IFITM3-mediated activation of TRAF6/MAPK/AP-1pathways induces acquired TKI resistance in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Se Un JEONG ; Ja-Min PARK ; Sun Young YOON ; Hee Sang HWANG ; Heounjeong GO ; Dong-Myung SHIN ; Hyein JU ; Chang Ohk SUNG ; Jae-Lyun LEE ; Gowun JEONG ; Yong Mee CHO
Investigative and Clinical Urology 2024;65(1):84-93
Purpose:
Vascular endothelial growth factor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been the standard of care for advanced and metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). However, the therapeutic effect of TKI monotherapy remains unsatisfactory given the high rates of acquired resistance to TKI therapy despite favorable initial tumor response.
Materials and Methods:
To define the TKI-resistance mechanism and identify new therapeutic target for TKI-resistant ccRCC, an integrative differential gene expression analysis was performed using acquired resistant cohort and a public dataset. Sunitinib-resistant RCC cell lines were established and used to test their malignant behaviors of TKI resistance through in vitro and in vivo studies. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to compare expression between the tumor and normal kidney and verify expression of pathway-related proteins.
Results:
Integrated differential gene expression analysis revealed increased interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) expression in post-TKI samples. IFITM3 expression was increased in ccRCC compared with the normal kidney. TKI-resistant RCC cells showed high expression of IFITM3 compared with TKI-sensitive cells and displayed aggressive biologic features such as higher proliferative ability, clonogenic survival, migration, and invasion while being treated with sunitinib. These aggressive features were suppressed by the inhibition of IFITM3 expression and promoted by IFITM3 overexpression, and these findings were confirmed in a xenograft model. IFITM3-mediated TKI resistance was associated with the activation of TRAF6 and MAPK/AP-1 pathways.
Conclusions
These results demonstrate IFITM3-mediated activation of the TRAF6/MAPK/AP-1 pathways as a mechanism of acquired TKI resistance, and suggest IFITM3 as a new target for TKI-resistant ccRCC.
10.Blood Lymphocytes as a Prognostic Factor for Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Concurrent Chemoradiation
Yong-Hyub KIM ; Yoo-Duk CHOI ; Sung-Ja AHN ; Young-Chul KIM ; In-Jae OH ; Taek-Keun NAM ; Jae-Uk JEONG ; Ju-Young SONG
Chonnam Medical Journal 2024;60(1):40-50
We aimed to identify blood lymphocytes as a prognostic factor for survival in patients with locally advanced stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). This is a secondary study of 196 patients enrolled in the Korean Radiation Oncology Group 0903 phase III clinical trial to evaluate the prognostic significance of circulating blood lymphocyte levels. The median total lymphocyte count (TLC) reduction ratio during CCRT was 0.74 (range: 0.29-0.97). In multivariate analysis, patient age (p=0.014) and gross tumor volume (GTV, p=0.031) were significant factors associated with overall survival, while TLC reduction (p=0.018) and pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR; p=0.010) were associated with progression-free survival (PFS). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, pretreatment NLR, GTV, and heart V20 were significantly associated with TLC reduction. Immunohistochemical analysis of programmed death ligand 1 and CD8 expression on T cells was performed on 84 patients. CD8 expression was not significantly associated with the pretreatment lymphocyte count (p=0.673), and PDL1 expression was not significantly associated with OS or PFS. Univariate analysis revealed that high CD8 expression in TILs was associated with favorable OS and was significantly associated with favorable PFS (p=0.032). TLC reduction during CCRT is a significant prognostic factor for PFS, and heart V20 is significantly associated with TLC reduction. Thus, in the era of immunotherapy, constraining the volume of the radiation dose to the whole heart must be prioritized for the better survival outcomes.

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