Purpose: This study aimed to assess dementia awareness and educational needs among elderly care facility workers and to explore their experiences in caring for older adults with dementia through a mixed-methods approach. Methods: From May 1 to 31, 2023, 311 workers from dementia-related institutions in S City participated in a survey. Following the quantitative phase, 10 individuals participated in focus group interviews to further explore their experiences and needs. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 25.0, and thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data. Results: The average dementia awareness score was 0.83±0.13 (out of 12), with the highest correct response rate (93%) in the "prevention and t reatment" category. The most requested education topics included managing "agitation and aggression" and improving "communication" skills. Qualitative analysis revealed two main themes with five subthemes, capturing staff experiences in dementia care and their perceived educational needs. Conclusion The findings highlight a strong demand for practical, structured training programs tailored to address behavioral management and communication challenges faced by facility staff.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess dementia awareness and educational needs among elderly care facility workers and to explore their experiences in caring for older adults with dementia through a mixed-methods approach. Methods: From May 1 to 31, 2023, 311 workers from dementia-related institutions in S City participated in a survey. Following the quantitative phase, 10 individuals participated in focus group interviews to further explore their experiences and needs. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 25.0, and thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data. Results: The average dementia awareness score was 0.83±0.13 (out of 12), with the highest correct response rate (93%) in the "prevention and t reatment" category. The most requested education topics included managing "agitation and aggression" and improving "communication" skills. Qualitative analysis revealed two main themes with five subthemes, capturing staff experiences in dementia care and their perceived educational needs. Conclusion The findings highlight a strong demand for practical, structured training programs tailored to address behavioral management and communication challenges faced by facility staff.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess dementia awareness and educational needs among elderly care facility workers and to explore their experiences in caring for older adults with dementia through a mixed-methods approach. Methods: From May 1 to 31, 2023, 311 workers from dementia-related institutions in S City participated in a survey. Following the quantitative phase, 10 individuals participated in focus group interviews to further explore their experiences and needs. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 25.0, and thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data. Results: The average dementia awareness score was 0.83±0.13 (out of 12), with the highest correct response rate (93%) in the "prevention and t reatment" category. The most requested education topics included managing "agitation and aggression" and improving "communication" skills. Qualitative analysis revealed two main themes with five subthemes, capturing staff experiences in dementia care and their perceived educational needs. Conclusion The findings highlight a strong demand for practical, structured training programs tailored to address behavioral management and communication challenges faced by facility staff.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess dementia awareness and educational needs among elderly care facility workers and to explore their experiences in caring for older adults with dementia through a mixed-methods approach. Methods: From May 1 to 31, 2023, 311 workers from dementia-related institutions in S City participated in a survey. Following the quantitative phase, 10 individuals participated in focus group interviews to further explore their experiences and needs. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 25.0, and thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data. Results: The average dementia awareness score was 0.83±0.13 (out of 12), with the highest correct response rate (93%) in the "prevention and t reatment" category. The most requested education topics included managing "agitation and aggression" and improving "communication" skills. Qualitative analysis revealed two main themes with five subthemes, capturing staff experiences in dementia care and their perceived educational needs. Conclusion The findings highlight a strong demand for practical, structured training programs tailored to address behavioral management and communication challenges faced by facility staff.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess dementia awareness and educational needs among elderly care facility workers and to explore their experiences in caring for older adults with dementia through a mixed-methods approach. Methods: From May 1 to 31, 2023, 311 workers from dementia-related institutions in S City participated in a survey. Following the quantitative phase, 10 individuals participated in focus group interviews to further explore their experiences and needs. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 25.0, and thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data. Results: The average dementia awareness score was 0.83±0.13 (out of 12), with the highest correct response rate (93%) in the "prevention and t reatment" category. The most requested education topics included managing "agitation and aggression" and improving "communication" skills. Qualitative analysis revealed two main themes with five subthemes, capturing staff experiences in dementia care and their perceived educational needs. Conclusion The findings highlight a strong demand for practical, structured training programs tailored to address behavioral management and communication challenges faced by facility staff.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination may non-specifically alter the host immune system. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on hepatitis B surface Ag (HBsAg) titer and host immunity in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Consecutive 2,797 CHB patients who had serial HBsAg measurements during antiviral treatment were included in this study. Changes in the HBsAg levels after COVID-19 vaccination were analyzed. The dynamics of NK cells following COVID-19 vaccination were also examined using serial blood samples collected prospectively from 25 healthy volunteers. Vaccinated CHB patients (n=2,329) had significantly lower HBsAg levels 1–30 days post-vaccination compared to baseline (median, −21.4 IU/ml from baseline), but the levels reverted to baseline by 91–180 days (median, −3.8 IU/ml). The velocity of the HBsAg decline was transiently accelerated within 30 days after vaccination (median velocity: −0.06, −0.39, and −0.04 log 10 IU/ml/year in pre-vaccination period, days 1–30, and days 31–90, respectively). In contrast, unvaccinated patients (n=468) had no change in HBsAg levels. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the frequency of NK cells expressing NKG2A, an NK inhibitory receptor, significantly decreased within 7 days after the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine (median, −13.1% from baseline; p<0.001). The decrease in the frequency of NKG2A + NK cells was observed in the CD56dimCD16+ NK cell population regardless of type of COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccination leads to a rapid, transient decline in HBsAg titer and a decrease in the frequency of NKG2A + NK cells.

Objective: To investigate the long-term clinical outcomes of pallidal deep brain stimulation (GPi-DBS) in patients with pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN). Methods: We reviewed the records of patients with genetically confirmed PKAN who received bilateral GPi-DBS for refractory dystonia and were clinically followed up for at least 2 years postoperatively at two centers in Korea. Pre- and postoperative Burke– Fahn–Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale motor subscale (BFMDRS-M) scores, disability subscale (BFMDRS-D) scores, and qualitative clinical information were prospectively collected. Descriptive analysis was performed for BFMDRS-M scores, BFMDRSD scores, and the orofacial, axial, and limb subscores of the BFMDRS-M at 6–12, 24–36, and 60–72 months postoperatively. Results: Five classic-type, four atypical-type, and one unknown-type PKAN cases were identified. The mean preoperative BFMDRS-M score was 92.1 for the classic type and 38.5 for the atypical or unknown type, with a mean BFMDRS follow-up of 50.7 months and a clinical follow-up of 69.0 months. The mean improvements in BFMDRS-M score were 11.3%, 41.3%, and 30.5% at 6–12, 24–36, and 60–72 months, respectively. In four patients with full regular evaluations until 60–72 months, improvements in the orofacial, axial, and limb subscores persisted, but the disability scores worsened from 24–36 months post-operation compared to the baseline, mainly owing to the aggravation of eating and feeding disabilities. Conclusion The benefits of GPi-DBS on dystonia may persist for more than 5 years in PKAN. The effects on patients’ subjective disability may have a shorter duration despite improvements in dystonia owing to the complex manifestations of PKAN.

Central neurocytoma (CN) has been known as a benign neuronal tumor. In rare cases, CN undergoes malignant transformation to glioblastomas (GBM). Here we examined its cellular origin by characterizing differentiation potential and gene expression of CN-spheroids. First, we demonstrate that both CN tissue and cultured primary cells recapitulate the hierarchal cellular composition of subventricular zone (SVZ), which is comprised of neural stem cells (NSCs), transit amplifying progenitors (TAPs), and neuroblasts. We then derived spheroids from CN which displayed EGFR+/ MASH+ TAP and BLBP+ radial glial cell (RGC) characteristic, and mitotic neurogenesis and gliogenesis by single spheroids were observed with cycling multipotential cells. CN-spheroids expressed increased levels of pluripotency and tumor stem cell genes such as KLF4 and TPD5L1, when compared to their differentiated cells and human NSCs. Importantly, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis showed that gene sets of GBM-Spheroids, EGFR Signaling, and Packaging of Telomere Ends are enriched in CN-spheroids in comparison with their differentiated cells. We speculate that CN tumor stem cells have TAP and RGC characteristics, and upregulation of EGFR signaling as well as downregulation of eph-ephrin signaling have critical roles in tumorigenesis of CN. And their ephemeral nature of TAPs destined to neuroblasts, might reflect benign nature of CN.

Background: Korean health authority plans to vaccinate adolescents against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) starting high school seniors during the summer vacation of 2021.However, the myocarditis/pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccine has been reported recently in adolescents and young adults. This study was performed to answer the urgent questions about the basic epidemiology and clinical course of myocarditis/pericarditis in hospitalized patients prior to the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines in pediatric population. Methods: A retrospective medical record analysis including frequency, clinical characteristics, etiology and outcome of myocarditis/pericarditis was conducted in 17 years and younger patients who were hospitalized in two referral hospitals in Korea between 2010 and 2019. Results: Total 142 patients with myocarditis (n = 119) and/or pericarditis (n = 23) were identified. Median age was 5.4 years (interquartile range, 0.6–12.9 years; range, 11 days–17.8 years), and male was 61%. In adolescents aged 12–17 years, the male to female ratio was 3.2. Myocarditis/pericarditis occurred 0.70 per 1,000 in-patients during the study period: 0.96 (< 1 year), 0.50 (1–5 years), 0.67 (6–11 years) and 1.22 (12–17 years) per 1,000 in-patients, respectively. There was an increasing tendency for the annual frequency from 0.34 in 2010 to 1.25 per 1,000 in-patients in 2019 (P = 0.021). Among the 56 (40%) proven pathogens at admission, Mycoplasma pneumoniae (n = 11, 8%) and enterovirus (n = 10, 7%) were most common. Of the 142 patients, 99 (70%) required pediatric intensive care unit care and 10 (7%) received heart transplantation. In addition, 61 patients (61/131, 47%) without heart medication at admission needed heart medication when they were discharged. Eleven (7.7%) patients died, of which five patients were previously healthy. The median age of deceased patients was lower than the survival group (0.8 vs. 6.3 years, P = 0.014). Conclusion The frequency of myocarditis/pericarditis was highest among male adolescent in-patients; however, the outcome was favorable in this group without any mortality.

Objectives: ：This study was aimed to investigate the changes in metabolic syndrome (MetS) status and long-term impact of its components over a 10-year period in severe mental illness (SMI) patients in a national mental hospital. Methods: ：A total of 93 patients (schizophrenia=88, bipolar disorder=5) who met the diagnosis of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) and participated in the MetS study in 2011 were included. MetS was defined by revised National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (revised NCEP-ATP-III) guidelines. Results: ：The prevalence of MetS was significantly increased from 40.9% in 2011 to 60.2% in 2020. There were significant differences in admission status and hospitalization months, compared to the groups with and without MetS. Upon reviewing the changes over a decade, systolic blood pressure (SBP) was a significant factor in the group without MetS. In the group with MetS, SBP, waist circumference, and BMI (body mass index) were significant factors. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that hospitalization during follow-up periods [odds ratio (OR)=0.969, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.948-0.991] and BMI (OR=1.426, 95% CI: 1.196-1.701) were significantly associated with MetS in subjects. Conclusion ：The prevalence of MetS in patients with SMI significantly increased over time. The admission status and hospitalization were also confirmed to be the significant values of MetS.