Purpose: Acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can lead to delayed neuropsychiatric sequelae (DNS). This study investigated the associations between brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions and cognitive domain deficits measured using the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery (SNSB) in patients with DNS. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients diagnosed with DNS after acute CO poisoning between 2011 and 2020 at a single tertiary emergency department. All patients underwent brain MRI and SNSB assessment. Lesions were classified according to location: globus pallidus, periventricular white matter (PVWM), deep white matter, cerebral cortex, and centrum semiovale. Cognitive impairment was evaluated across five SNSB domains. The primary outcome was the association between MRI lesions and the number of impaired cognitive domains. Results: Medical records from 16 patients were reviewed. The mean age was 39.2±12.1 years, and 13 patients (81.2%) were male. Frontal/executive impairment was the most common deficit (75.0%), followed by visuospatial impairment (25.0%), memory impairment (25.0%), language impairment (18.8%), and attention impairment (6.2%). PVWM lesions were associated with impairment in the language (φ=0.71, p<0.05), visuospatial (φ=0.86, p<0.01), and memory domains (φ=0.86, p<0.01); however, the small subgroup size limited the precision of these estimates. Total MRI lesion burden (ρ=0.54, p=0.033) and CO exposure duration (ρ=0.56, p=0.032) were correlated with the number of impaired cognitive domains. Conclusion: Structural lesion burden on MRI appeared to be associated with the extent of functional cognitive impairment in patients with DNS. Patients with high lesion burden, defined as lesions in ≥2 regions, showed a greater mean number of impaired domains than those with low lesion burden. These findings should be interpreted as exploratory because of the small sample size.

Purpose: Go6976 is a staurosporine-derived kinase inhibitor that interferes with checkpoint signaling pathways. Although Go6976 has been widely used as a pharmacological inhibitor, its effects on embryonic stem cell maintenance and survival remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of Go6976 on pluripotency, differentiation, and apoptosis in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Methods: mESCs were treated with Go6976 under leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF)-supplemented conditions. Pluripotency was assessed by alkaline phosphatase (AP) staining and analysis of pluripotency marker expression. Differentiation was evaluated by measuring lineage-specific gene expression. Apoptosis was analyzed by cell cycle profiling and Annexin V staining. To clarify whether the effects of Go6976 were associated with protein kinase C inhibition, its effects were compared with those of the protein kinase C inhibitor GF109203X. In vitro kinase assays were also performed to evaluate checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) activity. All experiments were performed independently at least 3 times, and statistical significance was determined using one-way analysis of variance, as appropriate. Results: Go6976 significantly reduced AP-positive colonies despite the presence of LIF and decreased the expression of pluripotency markers, including Oct4 and Sox2. In contrast, Go6976 increased the expression of differentiation markers, including Brachyury and FGF5. Conclusion: Pharmacological inhibition of Chk1 by Go6976 promoted differentiation and apoptosis in mESCs. These findings support a role for Chk1-associated signaling in stem cell homeostasis and suggest its potential relevance to developmental toxicology.

Phosphine (PH₃) is a highly toxic gas used as a fumigant and rodenticide, and inhalational exposure can cause severe systemic toxicity. In Korea, aluminum phosphide and related compounds are strictly regulated, and PH₃ poisoning has been rarely reported, with no published cases since 2012. We report a case of PH₃ inhalation that occurred during post-fire cleanup at a waste treatment facility. PH₃ gas was detected at the scene by the fire investigation unit, which enabled rapid diagnosis and management. The patient presented with persistent hypotension, myocardial depression, and metabolic abnormalities, which improved after norepinephrine infusion and supportive care. N-acetylcysteine was administered to reduce oxidative stress. This case illustrates the clinical features of rare PH₃ inhalation poisoning in Korea and highlights the importance of on-site gas detection by firefighters. Rapid field identification may help distinguish PH₃ exposure from poisoning by other toxic gases, such as cyanide, and support timely diagnosis and treatment.