Search

Since the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-2009, the importance of non-bank financial institutions in macroprudential management has increased significantly. Consequently, major countries and international financial institutions have been actively discussing and implementing macroprudential supervision and regulation for non-bank financial institutions (NBFI). In this context, this paper analyzes the systemic risk of both banks and non-bank sectors (securities firms and insurance companies) in South Korea over different time periods. Using the widely recognized ΔCoVaR methodology for measuring systemic risk, the analysis reveals that systemic risk increased substantially across all three sectors (banks, securities firms, and insurance companies) during the Global Financial Crisis, the European Sovereign Debt Crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the banking sector exhibited relatively high systemic risk compared to the securities and insurance sectors, the relative differences in systemic risk varied across the different crisis periods. Notably, during the margin call crisis in March of 2020, the gap in systemic risk between the banking and securities sectors decreased significantly compared to that during both the Global Financial Crisis and the European Sovereign Debt Crisis, indicating that securities firms had a more substantial impact on risk in the overall financial system during this period. Furthermore, I analyze the impact of the issuance of equity-linked securities (ELS) by financial institutions on systemic risk, as measured by ΔCoVaR, finding that an increase in the outstanding balance of ELS issuance by financial institutions had an impact on increasing ΔCoVaR during the three crisis periods. These findings underscore the growing importance of non-bank financial institutions in relation to South Korea’s macroprudential management and supervision. To address this evolving landscape, enhanced monitoring and regulatory measures focusing on non-bank systemic risk are essential components of maintaining financial stability in the country.

Background: The incidence of thyroid cancer has increased over the decades, and patients prefer short thin scars after thyroidectomy due to their cosmetic visibility. Several scar assessment methods have been used to determine the most cosmetically optimal surgical method, but a widely accepted measurement tool is still lacking. This study investigates the usage status in the thyroid scar scale according to time, region, and study method. Methods: The authors searched for articles on thyroid scars published between January 2000 and September 2022 in the PubMed database. The study included clinical studies that mentioned thyroid scar and scar scale, excluding articles that did not evaluate neck scars. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 29. Results: A total of 35 studies were included. Among them, 17 used the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), 17 used the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), four used the Manchester Scar Scale (MSS), and four used the Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES). VSS and POSAS were the most commonly used scar evaluation methods. VSS tended to be used frequently in Asia, while POSAS was used frequently in Europe and in randomized controlled trials. Conclusion: VSS and POSAS are popular thyroid scar assessment methods, with regional variations. Standardization is needed for meaningful comparisons. Patient's subjective evaluations should be considered, given the cosmetic importance of thyroid scars.

Pacinian corpuscles are sensory nerve-end organs located in the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissue of the palms or soles. Pacinian neuroma is an extremely rare feature, defined as hyperplasia or hypertrophy of Pacinian corpuscles. About half of Pacinian neuromas present with point tenderness. There have been a limited number of cases reported around the world.We observed a 45-year-old woman with an 8-month history of a tender whitish papule on her left thumb tip. Histopathologically, an enlarged hypertrophic Pacinian corpuscle in subcutaneous tissue, surrounded by numerous nerve fibers, was found. Herein, we report a case of Pacinian neuroma presenting as a tender papule on a fingertip that was clearly related to repetitive trauma at that site. This case shows that a meticulous history and histological examination can lead to an exact diagnosis and proper treatment.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical efficacy, safety, and histological changes induced by dietary omega-3 fatty acid and γ-linoleic acid in acne vulgaris. A 10-week, randomised, controlled parallel dietary intervention study was performed in 45 participants with mild to moderate acne, which were allocated to either an omega-3 fatty acid group (2,000 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid), a γ-linoleic acid group (borage oil containing 400 mg γ-linoleic acid), or a control group. After 10 weeks of omega-3 fatty acid or γ-linoleic acid supplementation, inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions decreased significantly. Patient subjective assessment of improvement showed a similar result. Heamatoxylin & eosin staining of acne lesions demonstrated reductions in inflammation and immunohistochemical staining intensity for interleukin-8. No severe adverse effect was reported. This study shows for the first time that omega-3 fatty acid and γ-linoleic acid could be used as adjuvant treatments for acne patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Paronychia has been reported in as many as 10% of patients treated with gefitinib. Although conservative management and treatment with topical or systemic antibiotics are beneficial, no effective method exists for intractable cases. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) consists of a high concentration of platelets that promote wound healing through chemotaxis, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling. Observations: We herein report a refractory case of gefitinib- induced paronychia successfully treated with autologous PRP. A 68-year-old woman who had been diagnosed as having lung adenocarcinoma with multiple bone and brain metastases initiated gefitinib therapy at an oral dose of 250 mg/d. After 1 month, multiple paronychia with periungual granulation appeared on the nail fold of the first, second, and third toenails of both feet. Because the paronychia recurred repeatedly despite use of a topical antibiotic, topical corticosteroid, and shortterm systemic antibiotic, she started PRP treatment. After 3 months, the lesion showed marked improvement with minimal pain or discharge. Conclusion: This case highlights the therapeutic challenges of using PRP to promote tissue repair in intractable gefitinib-induced paronychia and merits further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have suggested that dietary factors, specifically glycaemic load, may be involved in the pathogenesis of acne. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and histological effects on acne lesions of a low glycaemic load diet. A total of 32 patients with mild to moderate acne were randomly assigned to either a low glycaemic load diet or a control group diet, and completed a 10-week, parallel dietary intervention trial. Results indicate successful lowering of the glycaemic load. Subjects within the low glycaemic group demonstrated significant clinical improvement in the number of both non-inflammatory and inflammatory acne lesions. Histopathological examination of skin samples revealed several characteristics, including reduced size of sebaceous glands, decreased inflammation, and reduced expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1, and interleukin- 8 in the low glycaemic load group. A reduction in glycaemic load of the diet for 10 weeks resulted in improvements in acne. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cobalt nanoparticles were synthesized by modified thermal decomposition and oxidized in the condition of solution. Crystal structure of fabricated cobalt nanoparticles is determined to be cubic of Fm-3m space group from X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement. Microstructure of cobalt nanoparticles after the oxidation process show core-shell structure. The particle size and thickness of oxide shell can be controlled by oxidation temperature. The shell thickness of cobalt nanoparticles after the oxidation at 300°C is 4.7 nm, when compared to those oxidized at 250° C with the shell thickness of 2.4 nm due to the change in the oxidation temperature. The magnetic properties of cobalt particles have been measured with VSM. Our results show that cobalt metal (core)/cobalt oxide (shell) has two magnetic behaviors of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic properties in magnetic fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]