BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) exposure can promote epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT) in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. The flowers of Tagetes erecta Linn, commonly known as marigold, are rich in diverse flavonoids and carotenoids and play a significant role in preventing cellular damage induced by oxidative stress, but the role of their extracts in RPE cells has not been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of an ethanol extract of T. erecta Linn flower (TE) on PM2.5-induced EMT processes in RPE ARPE-19 cells.MATERIALS/METHODS: To investigate the protective effect of TE against ARPE-19 cell damage following PM2.5 treatment, cells were exposed to TE for 1 h before exposure to PM2.5 for 24 h. We investigated whether the efficacy of TE on suppressing PM2.5-induced EMT was related to antioxidant activity and the effect on the expression changes of factors involved in EMT regulation. Additionally, we further explored the role of intracellular signaling pathways associated with EMT inhibition. RESULTS: TE significantly blocked PM2.5-induced cytotoxicity while effectively preventing mitochondrial dysfunction, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and mitochondrial membrane potential disruption. TE inhibited PM2.5-induced EMT and inflammatory response by suppressing the ROS-mediated transforming growth factor-β/ suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic/mitogen-activated protein kinases signaling pathway. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that marigold extract is a highly effective in protection against PM2.5-induced eye damage.

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.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) exposure can promote epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT) in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. The flowers of Tagetes erecta Linn, commonly known as marigold, are rich in diverse flavonoids and carotenoids and play a significant role in preventing cellular damage induced by oxidative stress, but the role of their extracts in RPE cells has not been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of an ethanol extract of T. erecta Linn flower (TE) on PM2.5-induced EMT processes in RPE ARPE-19 cells.MATERIALS/METHODS: To investigate the protective effect of TE against ARPE-19 cell damage following PM2.5 treatment, cells were exposed to TE for 1 h before exposure to PM2.5 for 24 h. We investigated whether the efficacy of TE on suppressing PM2.5-induced EMT was related to antioxidant activity and the effect on the expression changes of factors involved in EMT regulation. Additionally, we further explored the role of intracellular signaling pathways associated with EMT inhibition. RESULTS: TE significantly blocked PM2.5-induced cytotoxicity while effectively preventing mitochondrial dysfunction, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and mitochondrial membrane potential disruption. TE inhibited PM2.5-induced EMT and inflammatory response by suppressing the ROS-mediated transforming growth factor-β/ suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic/mitogen-activated protein kinases signaling pathway. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that marigold extract is a highly effective in protection against PM2.5-induced eye damage.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) exposure can promote epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT) in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. The flowers of Tagetes erecta Linn, commonly known as marigold, are rich in diverse flavonoids and carotenoids and play a significant role in preventing cellular damage induced by oxidative stress, but the role of their extracts in RPE cells has not been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of an ethanol extract of T. erecta Linn flower (TE) on PM2.5-induced EMT processes in RPE ARPE-19 cells.MATERIALS/METHODS: To investigate the protective effect of TE against ARPE-19 cell damage following PM2.5 treatment, cells were exposed to TE for 1 h before exposure to PM2.5 for 24 h. We investigated whether the efficacy of TE on suppressing PM2.5-induced EMT was related to antioxidant activity and the effect on the expression changes of factors involved in EMT regulation. Additionally, we further explored the role of intracellular signaling pathways associated with EMT inhibition. RESULTS: TE significantly blocked PM2.5-induced cytotoxicity while effectively preventing mitochondrial dysfunction, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and mitochondrial membrane potential disruption. TE inhibited PM2.5-induced EMT and inflammatory response by suppressing the ROS-mediated transforming growth factor-β/ suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic/mitogen-activated protein kinases signaling pathway. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that marigold extract is a highly effective in protection against PM2.5-induced eye damage.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) exposure can promote epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT) in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. The flowers of Tagetes erecta Linn, commonly known as marigold, are rich in diverse flavonoids and carotenoids and play a significant role in preventing cellular damage induced by oxidative stress, but the role of their extracts in RPE cells has not been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of an ethanol extract of T. erecta Linn flower (TE) on PM2.5-induced EMT processes in RPE ARPE-19 cells.MATERIALS/METHODS: To investigate the protective effect of TE against ARPE-19 cell damage following PM2.5 treatment, cells were exposed to TE for 1 h before exposure to PM2.5 for 24 h. We investigated whether the efficacy of TE on suppressing PM2.5-induced EMT was related to antioxidant activity and the effect on the expression changes of factors involved in EMT regulation. Additionally, we further explored the role of intracellular signaling pathways associated with EMT inhibition. RESULTS: TE significantly blocked PM2.5-induced cytotoxicity while effectively preventing mitochondrial dysfunction, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and mitochondrial membrane potential disruption. TE inhibited PM2.5-induced EMT and inflammatory response by suppressing the ROS-mediated transforming growth factor-β/ suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic/mitogen-activated protein kinases signaling pathway. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that marigold extract is a highly effective in protection against PM2.5-induced eye damage.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) exposure can promote epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT) in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. The flowers of Tagetes erecta Linn, commonly known as marigold, are rich in diverse flavonoids and carotenoids and play a significant role in preventing cellular damage induced by oxidative stress, but the role of their extracts in RPE cells has not been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of an ethanol extract of T. erecta Linn flower (TE) on PM2.5-induced EMT processes in RPE ARPE-19 cells.MATERIALS/METHODS: To investigate the protective effect of TE against ARPE-19 cell damage following PM2.5 treatment, cells were exposed to TE for 1 h before exposure to PM2.5 for 24 h. We investigated whether the efficacy of TE on suppressing PM2.5-induced EMT was related to antioxidant activity and the effect on the expression changes of factors involved in EMT regulation. Additionally, we further explored the role of intracellular signaling pathways associated with EMT inhibition. RESULTS: TE significantly blocked PM2.5-induced cytotoxicity while effectively preventing mitochondrial dysfunction, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and mitochondrial membrane potential disruption. TE inhibited PM2.5-induced EMT and inflammatory response by suppressing the ROS-mediated transforming growth factor-β/ suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic/mitogen-activated protein kinases signaling pathway. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that marigold extract is a highly effective in protection against PM2.5-induced eye damage.

Objective: Primary frozen shoulder causes significant pain and progressively restricts shoulder movements. Diagnosis is made clinically based on patient history and physical examination. Management is mainly non-invasive owing to its self-limiting clinical course. However, clinical practice guidelines for frozen shoulder have not yet been developed in Korea. The developed guidelines aim to provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of frozen shoulder. Methods: A guideline development committee reviewed the literature from four databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and KMbase). Using the Population, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcome (PICO) framework, the committee formulated two backgrounds and 16 key questions to address common clinical concerns. Recommendations were made using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework. Results: Diabetes, thyroid disease, and dyslipidemia significantly increase the risk of developing a frozen shoulder. Although frozen shoulder is often self-limiting, some patients may experience long-term functional disabilities. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging should be used as adjunctive tools alongside clinical diagnosis, and rather than as independent diagnostic methods. Noninvasive approaches, such as medications, physical modalities, exercises, electrical stimulation, and manual therapy, may reduce pain and improve shoulder function. Other noninvasive interventions have limited evidence, and their application should be based on clinical judgment. Intra-articular steroid injections are recommended for treatment, and physiotherapy or hydrodilation with steroid injections can also be beneficial. Conclusion These guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for diagnosing and treating primary frozen shoulder.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a disorder of reversible vasogenic edema which mainly involves the parieto-occipital lobes in various clinical settings. Isolated involvement of the brainstem, basal ganglia, and cerebellum is rare. An 81-year-old female was admitted because of a decreased level of consciousness, and she had a head trauma history a day before. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed extensive confluent T2 hyperintensity with swelling involving the bilateral thalami, brainstem, and cerebellar peduncle without cortical lesions. We reports a case of central-variant PRES after traumatic brain injury.

Background: This study aimed to generate a Z score calculation model for coronary artery diameter of normal children and adolescents to be adopted as the standard calculation method with consensus in clinical practice. Methods: This study was a retrospective, multicenter study that collected data from multiple institutions across South Korea. Data were analyzed to determine the model that best fit the relationship between the diameter of coronary arteries and independent demographic parameters. Linear, power, logarithmic, exponential, and square root polynomial models were tested for best fit. Results: Data of 2,030 subjects were collected from 16 institutions. Separate calculation models for each sex were developed because the impact of demographic variables on the diameter of coronary arteries differs according to sex. The final model was the polynomial formula with an exponential relationship between the diameter of coronary arteries and body surface area using the DuBois formula. Conclusion A new coronary artery diameter Z score model was developed and is anticipated to be applicable in clinical practice. The new model will help establish a consensus-based Z score model.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a disorder of reversible vasogenic edema which mainly involves the parieto-occipital lobes in various clinical settings. Isolated involvement of the brainstem, basal ganglia, and cerebellum is rare. An 81-year-old female was admitted because of a decreased level of consciousness, and she had a head trauma history a day before. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed extensive confluent T2 hyperintensity with swelling involving the bilateral thalami, brainstem, and cerebellar peduncle without cortical lesions. We reports a case of central-variant PRES after traumatic brain injury.