Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in South Korea, imposing substantial physical, emotional, and financial burdens on patients and society. Despite the high burden of symptom and complex care needs of HF patients, palliative care and hospice services remain underutilized in South Korea due to cultural, institutional, and knowledge-related barriers. This position statement from the Korean Society of Heart Failure emphasizes the need for integrating palliative and hospice care into HF management to improve quality of life and support holistic care for patients and their families. By clarifying the role of palliative care in HF and proposing practical referral criteria, this position statement aims to bridge the gap between HF and palliative care services in South Korea, ultimately improving patient-centered outcomes and aligning treatment with the goals and values of HF patients.

A biosynthetic gene cluster for the bioactive fungal sesterterpenoids variecolin ( 1) and variecolactone ( 2) was identified in Aspergillus aculeatus ATCC 16872. Heterologous production of 1 and 2 was achieved in Aspergillus oryzae by expressing the sesterterpene synthase VrcA and the cytochrome P450 VrcB. Intriguingly, the replacement of VrcB with homologous P450s from other fungal terpenoid pathways yielded three new variecolin analogues ( 5- 7). Analysis of the compounds' anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo revealed that although 5 and 1 had comparable activities, 5 was associated with significantly reduced toxic side effects in cancer-bearing mice, indicating its potentially broader therapeutic window. Our study describes the first tests of variecolin and its analogues in animals and demonstrates the utility of synthetic biology for creating molecules with improved biological activities.

Lecanemab (product name Leqembi ® ) is an anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody treatment approved for use in Korea for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. The Korean Dementia Association has created recommendations for the appropriate use of lecanemab to assist clinicians. These recommendations include selecting patients for administration, necessary pre-administration tests and preparations,administration methods, monitoring for amyloid related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), and communication with patients and caregivers. Lecanemab is recommended for patients with MCI or mild dementia who confirmed positive amyloid biomarkers, and should not be administered to patients with severe hypersensitivity to lecanemab or those unable to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation. To predict the risk of ARIA before administration, apolipoprotein E genotyping is conducted, and regular brain MRI evaluations are recommended to monitor for ARIA during treatment. The most common adverse reactions are infusion-related reactions, which require appropriate management upon occurrence. Additional caution is needed when co-administering with anticoagulants or tissue plasminogen activator due to the risk of macrohemorrhage. Clinicians should consider the efficacy and necessary conditions for administration, as well as the safety of lecanemab, to make a comprehensive decision regarding its use.

Lecanemab (product name Leqembi ® ) is an anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody treatment approved for use in Korea for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. The Korean Dementia Association has created recommendations for the appropriate use of lecanemab to assist clinicians. These recommendations include selecting patients for administration, necessary pre-administration tests and preparations,administration methods, monitoring for amyloid related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), and communication with patients and caregivers. Lecanemab is recommended for patients with MCI or mild dementia who confirmed positive amyloid biomarkers, and should not be administered to patients with severe hypersensitivity to lecanemab or those unable to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation. To predict the risk of ARIA before administration, apolipoprotein E genotyping is conducted, and regular brain MRI evaluations are recommended to monitor for ARIA during treatment. The most common adverse reactions are infusion-related reactions, which require appropriate management upon occurrence. Additional caution is needed when co-administering with anticoagulants or tissue plasminogen activator due to the risk of macrohemorrhage. Clinicians should consider the efficacy and necessary conditions for administration, as well as the safety of lecanemab, to make a comprehensive decision regarding its use.

Peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF) is a benign tumor characterized by dystrophic calcification or ossification within the gingiva, primarily affecting the anterior maxilla of females and young adults. Its pathogenesis is unclear but linked to local irritants such as trauma, biofilm, dental calculus, and poorly fitting prostheses. In this study, a 63-year-old male presented at Dankook University Dental Hospital with a large nodular lesion on the left maxillary bucco-palatal gingiva. Preoperative imaging, including panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography, was performed. Surgical excision and histological examination confirmed POF with specific morphological characteristics, including mineralized tissue with varied deposition patterns, mature and immature bone, cementum-like tissue, and dystrophic calcification. In conclusion, POF is a rare oral tumor, more common in younger females, typically presenting asymptomatically on the anterior maxilla. Histopathological analysis is crucial for diagnosis. Standard treatment involves conservative local resection, but recurrence rates range from 8% to 20%, necessitating continuous follow-up. This report aims to enhance understanding of POF by presenting a rare case of a large POF in the maxillary posterior bucco-palatal gingiva of an elderly male.

Lecanemab (product name Leqembi ® ) is an anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody treatment approved for use in Korea for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. The Korean Dementia Association has created recommendations for the appropriate use of lecanemab to assist clinicians. These recommendations include selecting patients for administration, necessary pre-administration tests and preparations,administration methods, monitoring for amyloid related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), and communication with patients and caregivers. Lecanemab is recommended for patients with MCI or mild dementia who confirmed positive amyloid biomarkers, and should not be administered to patients with severe hypersensitivity to lecanemab or those unable to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation. To predict the risk of ARIA before administration, apolipoprotein E genotyping is conducted, and regular brain MRI evaluations are recommended to monitor for ARIA during treatment. The most common adverse reactions are infusion-related reactions, which require appropriate management upon occurrence. Additional caution is needed when co-administering with anticoagulants or tissue plasminogen activator due to the risk of macrohemorrhage. Clinicians should consider the efficacy and necessary conditions for administration, as well as the safety of lecanemab, to make a comprehensive decision regarding its use.

Peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF) is a benign tumor characterized by dystrophic calcification or ossification within the gingiva, primarily affecting the anterior maxilla of females and young adults. Its pathogenesis is unclear but linked to local irritants such as trauma, biofilm, dental calculus, and poorly fitting prostheses. In this study, a 63-year-old male presented at Dankook University Dental Hospital with a large nodular lesion on the left maxillary bucco-palatal gingiva. Preoperative imaging, including panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography, was performed. Surgical excision and histological examination confirmed POF with specific morphological characteristics, including mineralized tissue with varied deposition patterns, mature and immature bone, cementum-like tissue, and dystrophic calcification. In conclusion, POF is a rare oral tumor, more common in younger females, typically presenting asymptomatically on the anterior maxilla. Histopathological analysis is crucial for diagnosis. Standard treatment involves conservative local resection, but recurrence rates range from 8% to 20%, necessitating continuous follow-up. This report aims to enhance understanding of POF by presenting a rare case of a large POF in the maxillary posterior bucco-palatal gingiva of an elderly male.