Rectal cancer, which accounts for approximately 40% of colorectal cancers, remains a major clinical concern. Recent advances in diagnostic imaging, surgical techniques, radiotherapy, and systemic treatment have steadily improved rectal cancer outcomes. Considering this, the Korean Rectal Cancer Multidisciplinary (KRCM) Committee has aimed to provide clinicians and policymakers with up-to-date, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to support optimal decision-making, reflecting current evidence, the Korean healthcare context, and patient values and preferences. The Clinical Practice Guidelines for Rectal Cancer version 2.0 were developed through multidisciplinary collaboration with related academic societies, building upon and updating the KRCM Clinical Practice Guidelines version 1.0 (titled “Multidisciplinary guidelines for the management of rectal cancer”). These consensus guidelines of the KRCM were established based on a comprehensive literature review, evidence synthesis, with recommendation development guided by the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology, and consideration of applicability in real-world clinical practice under the national health insurance system. Each recommendation has been presented with its strength and level of evidence.

The proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are key contributors to the development of atherosclerosis and restenosis. We investigated the impact of rosuvastatin (RSV) on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs, with a focus on the Akt/mTORautophagy signaling pathways. The cytotoxicity of RSV was assessed using MTT and annexin V staining, while the proliferation and migration capabilities of PDGF-BBinduced VSMCs were evaluated using MTT and cell migration assays. Confocal microscopy was employed to examine autophagic cell images, and protein expressions were analyzed via Western blotting. Our key findings revealed that RSV inhibited PDGF-BB-induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs, significantly reducing the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and matrix metalloproteinase-2, which are crucial for these processes. RSV also enhanced autophagy in PDGF-BBstimulated cells by inducing the maturation of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 and increasing the expression of Beclin-1, autophagy related (Atg)3, Atg5, and Atg7. The regulatory effects of RSV on PDGF-BB-induced autophagy, proliferation, and migration were associated with the suppression of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. These findings suggest that RSV may have potential therapeutic benefits in preventing and treating vascular diseases by targeting the Akt/mTOR pathway and inducing autophagy.

The proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are key contributors to the development of atherosclerosis and restenosis. We investigated the impact of rosuvastatin (RSV) on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs, with a focus on the Akt/mTORautophagy signaling pathways. The cytotoxicity of RSV was assessed using MTT and annexin V staining, while the proliferation and migration capabilities of PDGF-BBinduced VSMCs were evaluated using MTT and cell migration assays. Confocal microscopy was employed to examine autophagic cell images, and protein expressions were analyzed via Western blotting. Our key findings revealed that RSV inhibited PDGF-BB-induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs, significantly reducing the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and matrix metalloproteinase-2, which are crucial for these processes. RSV also enhanced autophagy in PDGF-BBstimulated cells by inducing the maturation of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 and increasing the expression of Beclin-1, autophagy related (Atg)3, Atg5, and Atg7. The regulatory effects of RSV on PDGF-BB-induced autophagy, proliferation, and migration were associated with the suppression of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. These findings suggest that RSV may have potential therapeutic benefits in preventing and treating vascular diseases by targeting the Akt/mTOR pathway and inducing autophagy.

The proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are key contributors to the development of atherosclerosis and restenosis. We investigated the impact of rosuvastatin (RSV) on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs, with a focus on the Akt/mTORautophagy signaling pathways. The cytotoxicity of RSV was assessed using MTT and annexin V staining, while the proliferation and migration capabilities of PDGF-BBinduced VSMCs were evaluated using MTT and cell migration assays. Confocal microscopy was employed to examine autophagic cell images, and protein expressions were analyzed via Western blotting. Our key findings revealed that RSV inhibited PDGF-BB-induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs, significantly reducing the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and matrix metalloproteinase-2, which are crucial for these processes. RSV also enhanced autophagy in PDGF-BBstimulated cells by inducing the maturation of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 and increasing the expression of Beclin-1, autophagy related (Atg)3, Atg5, and Atg7. The regulatory effects of RSV on PDGF-BB-induced autophagy, proliferation, and migration were associated with the suppression of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. These findings suggest that RSV may have potential therapeutic benefits in preventing and treating vascular diseases by targeting the Akt/mTOR pathway and inducing autophagy.

This study investigated the molecular mechanism of phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which play a crucial role in vascular remodeling using 9H-Carbazol-3-yl 4-aminobenzoate (CAB). CAB significantly attenuated platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced VSMC proliferation and migration. CAB suppressed PDGF-induced STAT3 activation by directly binding to the SH2 domain of STAT3. Downregulation of STAT3 phosphorylation by CAB attenuated CIAPIN1/JAK2/STAT3 axis through a decrease in CIAPIN1 transcription. Furthermore, abrogated CIAPIN1 decreased KLF4-mediated VSMC dedifferentiation and increased CDKN1B-induced cell cycle arrest and MMP9 suppression. CAB inhibited intimal hyperplasia in injury-induced neointima animal models by inhibition of the CIAPIN1/JAK2/STAT3 axis. However, CIAPIN1 overexpression attenuated CAB-mediated suppression of VSMC proliferation, migration, phenotypic switching, and intimal hyperplasia. Our study clarified the molecular mechanism underlying STAT3 inhibition of VSMC phenotypic switching and vascular remodeling and identified novel active CAB. These findings demonstrated that STAT3 can be a major regulator to control CIAPIN1/JAK2/STAT3 axis that may be a therapeutic target for treating vascular proliferative diseases.

The proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are key contributors to the development of atherosclerosis and restenosis. We investigated the impact of rosuvastatin (RSV) on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs, with a focus on the Akt/mTORautophagy signaling pathways. The cytotoxicity of RSV was assessed using MTT and annexin V staining, while the proliferation and migration capabilities of PDGF-BBinduced VSMCs were evaluated using MTT and cell migration assays. Confocal microscopy was employed to examine autophagic cell images, and protein expressions were analyzed via Western blotting. Our key findings revealed that RSV inhibited PDGF-BB-induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs, significantly reducing the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and matrix metalloproteinase-2, which are crucial for these processes. RSV also enhanced autophagy in PDGF-BBstimulated cells by inducing the maturation of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 and increasing the expression of Beclin-1, autophagy related (Atg)3, Atg5, and Atg7. The regulatory effects of RSV on PDGF-BB-induced autophagy, proliferation, and migration were associated with the suppression of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. These findings suggest that RSV may have potential therapeutic benefits in preventing and treating vascular diseases by targeting the Akt/mTOR pathway and inducing autophagy.

The proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are key contributors to the development of atherosclerosis and restenosis. We investigated the impact of rosuvastatin (RSV) on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs, with a focus on the Akt/mTORautophagy signaling pathways. The cytotoxicity of RSV was assessed using MTT and annexin V staining, while the proliferation and migration capabilities of PDGF-BBinduced VSMCs were evaluated using MTT and cell migration assays. Confocal microscopy was employed to examine autophagic cell images, and protein expressions were analyzed via Western blotting. Our key findings revealed that RSV inhibited PDGF-BB-induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs, significantly reducing the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and matrix metalloproteinase-2, which are crucial for these processes. RSV also enhanced autophagy in PDGF-BBstimulated cells by inducing the maturation of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 and increasing the expression of Beclin-1, autophagy related (Atg)3, Atg5, and Atg7. The regulatory effects of RSV on PDGF-BB-induced autophagy, proliferation, and migration were associated with the suppression of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. These findings suggest that RSV may have potential therapeutic benefits in preventing and treating vascular diseases by targeting the Akt/mTOR pathway and inducing autophagy.

Objective: Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients often find it difficult to visit hospitals because of motor symptoms, distance to the hospital, or the absence of caregivers. Telemedicine is one way to solve this problem. Methods: We surveyed 554 PD patients from eight university hospitals in Korea. The questionnaire consisted of the clinical characteristics of the participants, possible teleconferencing methods, and preferences for telemedicine. Results: A total of 385 patients (70%) expressed interest in receiving telemedicine. Among them, 174 preferred telemedicine whereas 211 preferred in-person visits. The longer the duration of disease, and the longer the time required to visit the hospital, the more patients were interested in receiving telemedicine. Conclusion This is the first study on PD patients’ preferences regarding telemedicine in Korea. Although the majority of patients with PD have a positive view of telemedicine, their interest in receiving telemedicine depends on their different circumstances.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore and assess the experiences of cancer patients and their caregivers who had been admitted to comprehensive nursing care service wards. Methods: Data were collected from 10 patients and 10 caregivers by in-depth interviews. The data were analyzed using content analysis of Downe-Wamboldt. Results: Three categories and seven subcategories were extracted. 1) Realizing institutional limitations of comprehensive nursing care service: ‘Wishing for precise operating systems based on patient severity,’ ‘Anticipating active caregiver participation in treatment process,’ ‘Requiring a countermeasure for safety accidents,’ 2) Professional nursing service which provides relief: ‘Patient-centered professional nursing service,’ ‘Inpatient service that provides relief for patients and caregivers,’ 3) Anticipating continuous use of the service: ‘Inpatient service which users are willing to reuse,’ ‘Wishing for expansion and reinforcement of the service.’ Conclusion Cancer patients and their caregivers experienced institutional limitations while satisfied with professional nursing service and willing to reuse the service. To improve this situation, institutional support such as separate wards for severe patients, measures for active caregiver participation and prevention of safety accidents, and adequate staffing would be helpful for relatively severe level cancer patients and their caregivers.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore and assess the experiences of cancer patients and their caregivers who had been admitted to comprehensive nursing care service wards. Methods: Data were collected from 10 patients and 10 caregivers by in-depth interviews. The data were analyzed using content analysis of Downe-Wamboldt. Results: Three categories and seven subcategories were extracted. 1) Realizing institutional limitations of comprehensive nursing care service: ‘Wishing for precise operating systems based on patient severity,’ ‘Anticipating active caregiver participation in treatment process,’ ‘Requiring a countermeasure for safety accidents,’ 2) Professional nursing service which provides relief: ‘Patient-centered professional nursing service,’ ‘Inpatient service that provides relief for patients and caregivers,’ 3) Anticipating continuous use of the service: ‘Inpatient service which users are willing to reuse,’ ‘Wishing for expansion and reinforcement of the service.’ Conclusion Cancer patients and their caregivers experienced institutional limitations while satisfied with professional nursing service and willing to reuse the service. To improve this situation, institutional support such as separate wards for severe patients, measures for active caregiver participation and prevention of safety accidents, and adequate staffing would be helpful for relatively severe level cancer patients and their caregivers.