Purpose: The partner and localizer of breast cancer 2 (PALB2) mutation is a predisposition to breast cancer development. However, limited clinical data are available for the Korean population. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the characteristics and oncological outcomes of patients with PALB2-mutated and non-mutated PALB2 in Korea. Methods: A total of 1,463 breast cancer (BRCA) 1/2 mutation-negative breast cancer underwent comprehensive multigene sequencing between 2016 and 2019 at Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea. Clinicopathological data and oncological results of PALB2 mutated patients were prospectively collected and compared with those of the non-mutated group. Results: PALB2 mutations were identified in 1.2% (17/1,463) of the patients. The median age at diagnosis was 46 (30–73) years, and the median tumor size was 1.8 (0.05–3.5) cm. All patients with PALB2 mutations had histologic grades II–III, and a triple-negative subtype was found in 23.5% (4/17); however, there were no significant differences in clinicopathological data between the groups. During the median follow-up time of 38.5 months, locoregional recurrence occurred in 4.2% (44/1,043), distant recurrence was reported in 3.0% (31/1,043), and contralateral breast cancer was diagnosed in 0.8% (9/1,043) of patients, with no significant difference observed between the groups. All-cause mortality was observed in 1.8% (19/1,028) of the non-mutated group and none in the PALB2 mutation group. However, survival analyses demonstrated no significant differences in all-cause mortality (p = 0.524) and recurrence-free survival (p = 0.319). Conclusion Clinicopathological features and oncological outcomes of PALB2 mutated breast cancer were not significantly different from those of non-mutated breast cancer in the Korean population.

Purpose: The partner and localizer of breast cancer 2 (PALB2) mutation is a predisposition to breast cancer development. However, limited clinical data are available for the Korean population. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the characteristics and oncological outcomes of patients with PALB2-mutated and non-mutated PALB2 in Korea. Methods: A total of 1,463 breast cancer (BRCA) 1/2 mutation-negative breast cancer underwent comprehensive multigene sequencing between 2016 and 2019 at Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea. Clinicopathological data and oncological results of PALB2 mutated patients were prospectively collected and compared with those of the non-mutated group. Results: PALB2 mutations were identified in 1.2% (17/1,463) of the patients. The median age at diagnosis was 46 (30–73) years, and the median tumor size was 1.8 (0.05–3.5) cm. All patients with PALB2 mutations had histologic grades II–III, and a triple-negative subtype was found in 23.5% (4/17); however, there were no significant differences in clinicopathological data between the groups. During the median follow-up time of 38.5 months, locoregional recurrence occurred in 4.2% (44/1,043), distant recurrence was reported in 3.0% (31/1,043), and contralateral breast cancer was diagnosed in 0.8% (9/1,043) of patients, with no significant difference observed between the groups. All-cause mortality was observed in 1.8% (19/1,028) of the non-mutated group and none in the PALB2 mutation group. However, survival analyses demonstrated no significant differences in all-cause mortality (p = 0.524) and recurrence-free survival (p = 0.319). Conclusion Clinicopathological features and oncological outcomes of PALB2 mutated breast cancer were not significantly different from those of non-mutated breast cancer in the Korean population.

Purpose: The partner and localizer of breast cancer 2 (PALB2) mutation is a predisposition to breast cancer development. However, limited clinical data are available for the Korean population. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the characteristics and oncological outcomes of patients with PALB2-mutated and non-mutated PALB2 in Korea. Methods: A total of 1,463 breast cancer (BRCA) 1/2 mutation-negative breast cancer underwent comprehensive multigene sequencing between 2016 and 2019 at Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea. Clinicopathological data and oncological results of PALB2 mutated patients were prospectively collected and compared with those of the non-mutated group. Results: PALB2 mutations were identified in 1.2% (17/1,463) of the patients. The median age at diagnosis was 46 (30–73) years, and the median tumor size was 1.8 (0.05–3.5) cm. All patients with PALB2 mutations had histologic grades II–III, and a triple-negative subtype was found in 23.5% (4/17); however, there were no significant differences in clinicopathological data between the groups. During the median follow-up time of 38.5 months, locoregional recurrence occurred in 4.2% (44/1,043), distant recurrence was reported in 3.0% (31/1,043), and contralateral breast cancer was diagnosed in 0.8% (9/1,043) of patients, with no significant difference observed between the groups. All-cause mortality was observed in 1.8% (19/1,028) of the non-mutated group and none in the PALB2 mutation group. However, survival analyses demonstrated no significant differences in all-cause mortality (p = 0.524) and recurrence-free survival (p = 0.319). Conclusion Clinicopathological features and oncological outcomes of PALB2 mutated breast cancer were not significantly different from those of non-mutated breast cancer in the Korean population.

Purpose: Anal wounds following hemorrhoidectomy can lead to severe pain and postoperative bleeding, impacting patient recovery and quality of life. Hyaluronic acid (HA) stimulates tissue regeneration and wound healing by accelerating cell migration and proliferation. This study aimed to investigate the differences in wound healing rate and completeness of recovery of perianal wounds topically treated with HA-soaked cotton in a murine model. Methods: Forty-eight 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats with perianal wounds created using a biopsy punch were divided into 2 groups: simple dressing with gauze (control) and topical HA-soaked cotton. A single application of HA-soaked cotton was administered after surgery. Wound healing rate and completeness of recovery were evaluated by measuring the healed area and conducting histological analyses. Results: The HA-cotton group exhibited a shorter complete wound healing duration compared to the control group (13.9 days vs. 16.4 days, P = 0.031). Differences in wound healing area between the 2 groups were greatest on postoperative day 2 (51.6% vs. 28.8%, P < 0.001). The HA-cotton group exhibited fewer cases of granulation tissue (2 vs. 5) or redness (0 vs.3) upon complete wound healing. Histologically, the HA-cotton group showed accelerated reepithelialization, rapid shift to lymphocyte-dominant inflammation, enhanced fibroblast proliferation, and increased collagen deposition compared to the control group. Conclusion Herein, topical application of HA-soaked cotton on perianal wounds in rats resulted in accelerated wound healing, particularly in the initial stages, and improved completeness of recovery, underscoring the potential of the topical application of HA-soaked cotton on hemorrhoidectomy wounds in human patients to improve wound healing.

Objective: : Some patients with disc herniation who underwent discectomy complain of back pain after surgery and are unsatisfied with the surgical results. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between preoperative disc height (DH), postoperative DH, and pain score 12 months after surgery in patients who underwent microdiscectomy for herniated lumbar disc. Methods: : This study enrolled patients who underwent microdiscectomy at a medical center between January 2012 and December 2020. Patients with X-ray or computed tomography and pain score assessment (visual analog scale score) prior to surgery, immediately post-op, and at 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery were included. The DH index was defined as DH/overlying vertebral width. The DH ratio was defined as the postoperative DH/preoperative DH. Simple linear regression and multivariate linear regression analyses were applied to assess the correlation between DHs and leg pain scores 12 months after surgery. Results: : A total of 118 patients who underwent microdiscectomy were included. DH decreased up to 12 months after surgery. The DH ratio at 1, 6, and 12 months after discectomy showed a significant positive correlation with the pain scores at 12 months after discectomy (1 month : p=0.045, B=0.52; 6 months : p=0.008, B=0.78; 12 months : p=0.005, B=0.69). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that the level of surgery, sex, age, and body mass index had no significant relationship with back pain scores after 12 months. Conclusion : In patients who underwent microdiscectomy, the DH ratios at 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery were prognostic factors for back pain scores at 12 months after surgery. Aggressive discectomy is recommended for lower postoperative DH ratios and Visual analog scale scores, leading to improved patient satisfaction.

Background: Hand hygiene is considered the simplest and most cost-effective method of infection prevention. Regular observation and feedback on hand hygiene compliance are key strategies for its enhancement. This study evaluated the effectiveness of hand hygiene surveillance, including direct observation and feedback, by comprehensively analyzing the reported hand hygiene compliance within the Korean National Healthcare-Associated Infections Surveillance System from 2019 to 2022. Methods: Participating medical institutions included general hospitals and hospitals with infection control departments that consented to participate. Hand hygiene surveillance was conducted using direct observation. Collected data, including healthcare workers, clinical areas, hand hygiene moments, and hand hygiene compliance, were recorded to calculate hand hygiene compliance rates. Additionally, the volume of alcohol-based hand sanitizers used per patient per day was investigated as an indirect indicator of hand hygiene compliance. The study was conducted from July 2019 to December 2022. Results: Hand hygiene compliance increased from 87.2% in Q3 2019 to 89.9% in 2022. Nurses and medical technologists showed the highest compliance rates, whereas doctors showed the lowest compliance rates. Intensive care units excelled in compliance, whereas emergency de partments lagged. Compliance was highest after patient contact and lowest when the patient’s surroundings were touched. Larger hospitals consumed more alcohol-based hand sanitizers than smaller hospitals did. Conclusion This study confirmed an improvement in hand hygiene compliance through sustained surveillance, indicating its contribution not only to preventing infection transfer within healthcare facilities but also to fostering a culture of hand hygiene in the country.

Tinea capitis is an infection of the scalp hair follicles and surrounding skin that primarily occurs in prepubertal children. Microsporum canis remains the most common pathogen causing tinea capitis in Asian countries, including South Korea, although the causative organism of this condition varies across geographical regions and time periods. Systemic antifungal agents are the mainstay treatments for tinea capitis; however, the therapeutic responses to antifungal drugs may vary depending on the causative species, and treatment failure may occur owing to drug resistance. Although dermatophytosis resistant to clinical treatment have been increasingly encountered, recalcitrant tinea capitis cases have rarely been reported. Herein, we report three cases of tinea capitis caused by M. canis in children. All three patients showed unsatisfactory clinical responses to prolonged courses of oral terbinafine or itraconazole without achieving mycological cure; however, they were successfully treated with oral griseofulvin. Although griseofulvin is not currently available or licensed for use in many countries, including South Korea, it is one of the most effective agents against Microsporum species and remains the most widely used first-line treatment for tinea capitis in children, based on dermatology textbooks and reliable treatment guidelines.

Background: Pityriasis rotunda (PR) is a rare dermatosis characterized by the presence of multiple, strikingly circular or oval-shaped, sharply demarcated, and scaly hyperpigmented patches. Its etiology remains poorly understood. To date, there have been no comprehensive analyses of PR in Koreans. Objective: To investigate the clinical, pathological, and dermoscopic features of PR. Methods: Sixteen patients with PR were evaluated. Results: A female preponderance was observed (male:female ratio 1:7), and the mean age of the patients was 33.2±16.1 years (range, 15∼68 years), with the peak incidence observed in patients in their 20s. Notably, all the lesions developed on the trunk. The most common clinical diagnosis is PR. Histologically, PR appears similar to ichthyosis vulgaris. Hyperkeratosis was mainly ortho-keratotic, with plugs observed within hair follicles, elongated rete ridges, diminished stratum granulosum, enhanced pigmentation of the basal layer, pigmentary incontinence, and sparse superficial perivascular lymphoid cell inflammatory infiltrate. Periodic acid-Schiff staining was negative for fungi. Hyperpigmented patches with occasional scales were separated from each other by paler striae on dermoscopy. Conclusion PR commonly presents as multiple round lesions of variable sizes on the trunk of patients in their 20s. They showed characteristic findings, including hyperkeratosis with relative focal hypogranulosis, histopathologically, and some lesions showed dark and light brown polygonal patches with paler striae arranged dermoscopically, in a mosaic pattern. This was a retrospective single-center study with a small sample size; however, we believe that this paper will contribute to the clarification and understanding of PR.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two ginsenoside Rb1 (G-Rb1) loaded films on oral wound healing. Two types of G-Rb1 films, G-Rb1 loaded carboxymethyl cellulose (GCMC) film and G-Rb1 loaded hyaluronic acid (GHA) film, were developed. A total of 36 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups: control, GCMC, and GHA. After wound formation on midpalate, the control group was left without treatment, whereas the experimental groups had films attached. The specimen was analyzed clinically and histologically after 7 and 21 days. For clinical analysis, the area of incompletely re-epithelialized wound was measured. For histological analysis, the distance between the margins of the wound (soft tissue gap) was measured and the percentage of the collagen-stained area on the specimen was calculated. In clinical and soft tissue gap analysis, the GCMC group presented improved healing compared to the GHA group and the control at day 7 (p < 0.05). And, both GCMC (9.74 ± 10.12%) and GHA groups (19.50 ± 14.47%) presented greater collagen-positive pixels compared to control (0.89 ± 1.60%) at day 7 (p < 0.05). However, there were no differences in these parameters among the groups on day 21. Therefore, G-Rb1 loaded films improved oral wound healing.

Purpose: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a prognostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the prognostic value of AFP levels in patients who achieved complete response (CR) to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for HCC. Materials and Methods: Between 2005 and 2018, 890 patients with HCC who achieved a CR to TACE were recruited. An AFP responder was defined as a patient who showed elevated levels of AFP (>10 ng/mL) during TACE, but showed normalization or a >50% reduction in AFP levels after achieving a CR. Results: Among the recruited patients, 569 (63.9%) with naïve HCC and 321 (36.1%) with recurrent HCC after complete resection were treated. Before TACE, 305 (34.3%) patients had multiple tumors, 219 (24.6%) had a maximal tumor size >3 cm, and 22 (2.5%) had portal vein tumor thrombosis. The median AFP level after achieving a CR was 6.36 ng/mL. After a CR, 473 (53.1%) patients experienced recurrence, and 417 (46.9%) died [median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of 16.3 and 62.8 months, respectively]. High AFP levels at CR (>20 ng/mL) were independently associated with a shorter PFS [hazard ratio (HR)=1.403] and OS (HR=1.284), together with tumor multiplicity at TACE (HR=1.518 and 1.666, respectively). AFP non-responders at CR (76.2%, n=359 of 471) showed a shorter PFS (median 10.5 months vs. 15.5 months, HR=1.375) and OS (median 41.4 months vs. 61.8 months, HR=1.424) than AFP responders (all p=0.001). Conclusion High AFP levels and AFP non-responders were independently associated with poor outcomes after TACE. AFP holds clinical implications for detailed risk stratification upon achieving a CR after TACE.