1.Human Understanding is Expected of the Physician: Proposing a Model of Disease Development
Sang-Heum PARK ; Samel PARK ; Jin Young KIM ; Hyeon Ah LEE ; Sang Mi LEE ; Tae Hoon LEE ; Sang Byung BAE ; Sung Hae CHANG ; Si Hyong JANG ; Sung Wan CHUN ; Jong Ho MOON
Korean Journal of Medicine 2025;100(1):44-
2.A New Agenda for Optimizing Roles and Infrastructure in a Mental Health Service Model for South Korea
Eunsoo KIM ; Hyeon-Ah LEE ; Yu-Ri LEE ; In Suk LEE ; Kyoung-Sae NA ; Seung-Hee AHN ; Chul-Hyun CHO ; Hwoyeon SEO ; Soo Bong JUNG ; Sung Joon CHO ; Hwa-Young LEE
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(1):26-39
Objective:
As the demand for community mental health services continues to grow, the need for well-equipped and organized services has become apparent. This study aimed to optimize the roles and infrastructure of mental health services, by establishing, among other initiatives, standardized operating models.
Methods:
The study was conducted in multiple phases from May 12, 2021, to December 29, 2021. Stakeholders within South Korea and metropolitan mental health welfare centers were targeted, but addiction management support centers, including officials, patients, and their families, were integrated as well. A literature review and survey, focus group interviews, a Delphi survey, and expert consultation contributed to comprehensive revisions and improvements of the mental health service model.
Results:
The proposed model for community mental health welfare centers emphasizes the expansion of personnel and infrastructure, with a focus on severe mental illnesses and suicide prevention. The model for metropolitan mental health welfare centers delineates essential tasks in areas such as project planning and establishment, community research, and education about severe mental illnesses. The establishment of a 24-hour emergency intervention center was a crucial feature. In the integrated addiction support center model, the need to promote addiction management is defined as an essential task and the establishment of national governance for addiction policies is recommended.
Conclusion
This study proposed standard operating models for three types of mental health service centers. To meet the increasing need for community care, robust mental health service delivery systems are of primary importance.
3.Target-Enhanced Whole-Genome Sequencing Shows Clinical Validity Equivalent to Commercially Available Targeted Oncology Panel
Sangmoon LEE ; Jin ROH ; Jun Sung PARK ; Islam Oguz TUNCAY ; Wonchul LEE ; Jung-Ah KIM ; Brian Baek-Lok OH ; Jong-Yeon SHIN ; Jeong Seok LEE ; Young Seok JU ; Ryul KIM ; Seongyeol PARK ; Jaemo KOO ; Hansol PARK ; Joonoh LIM ; Erin CONNOLLY-STRONG ; Tae-Hwan KIM ; Yong Won CHOI ; Mi Sun AHN ; Hyun Woo LEE ; Seokhwi KIM ; Jang-Hee KIM ; Minsuk KWON
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(2):350-361
Purpose:
Cancer poses a significant global health challenge, demanding precise genomic testing for individualized treatment strategies. Targeted-panel sequencing (TPS) has improved personalized oncology but often lacks comprehensive coverage of crucial cancer alterations. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) addresses this gap, offering extensive genomic testing. This study demonstrates the medical potential of WGS.
Materials and Methods:
This study evaluates target-enhanced WGS (TE-WGS), a clinical-grade WGS method sequencing both cancer and matched normal tissues. Forty-nine patients with various solid cancer types underwent both TE-WGS and TruSight Oncology 500 (TSO500), one of the mainstream TPS approaches.
Results:
TE-WGS detected all variants reported by TSO500 (100%, 498/498). A high correlation in variant allele fractions was observed between TE-WGS and TSO500 (r=0.978). Notably, 223 variants (44.8%) within the common set were discerned exclusively by TE-WGS in peripheral blood, suggesting their germline origin. Conversely, the remaining subset of 275 variants (55.2%) were not detected in peripheral blood using the TE-WGS, signifying them as bona fide somatic variants. Further, TE-WGS provided accurate copy number profiles, fusion genes, microsatellite instability, and homologous recombination deficiency scores, which were essential for clinical decision-making.
Conclusion
TE-WGS is a comprehensive approach in personalized oncology, matching TSO500’s key biomarker detection capabilities. It uniquely identifies germline variants and genomic instability markers, offering additional clinical actions. Its adaptability and cost-effectiveness underscore its clinical utility, making TE-WGS a valuable tool in personalized cancer treatment.
4.A New Agenda for Optimizing Roles and Infrastructure in a Mental Health Service Model for South Korea
Eunsoo KIM ; Hyeon-Ah LEE ; Yu-Ri LEE ; In Suk LEE ; Kyoung-Sae NA ; Seung-Hee AHN ; Chul-Hyun CHO ; Hwoyeon SEO ; Soo Bong JUNG ; Sung Joon CHO ; Hwa-Young LEE
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(1):26-39
Objective:
As the demand for community mental health services continues to grow, the need for well-equipped and organized services has become apparent. This study aimed to optimize the roles and infrastructure of mental health services, by establishing, among other initiatives, standardized operating models.
Methods:
The study was conducted in multiple phases from May 12, 2021, to December 29, 2021. Stakeholders within South Korea and metropolitan mental health welfare centers were targeted, but addiction management support centers, including officials, patients, and their families, were integrated as well. A literature review and survey, focus group interviews, a Delphi survey, and expert consultation contributed to comprehensive revisions and improvements of the mental health service model.
Results:
The proposed model for community mental health welfare centers emphasizes the expansion of personnel and infrastructure, with a focus on severe mental illnesses and suicide prevention. The model for metropolitan mental health welfare centers delineates essential tasks in areas such as project planning and establishment, community research, and education about severe mental illnesses. The establishment of a 24-hour emergency intervention center was a crucial feature. In the integrated addiction support center model, the need to promote addiction management is defined as an essential task and the establishment of national governance for addiction policies is recommended.
Conclusion
This study proposed standard operating models for three types of mental health service centers. To meet the increasing need for community care, robust mental health service delivery systems are of primary importance.
5.A New Agenda for Optimizing Roles and Infrastructure in a Mental Health Service Model for South Korea
Eunsoo KIM ; Hyeon-Ah LEE ; Yu-Ri LEE ; In Suk LEE ; Kyoung-Sae NA ; Seung-Hee AHN ; Chul-Hyun CHO ; Hwoyeon SEO ; Soo Bong JUNG ; Sung Joon CHO ; Hwa-Young LEE
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(1):26-39
Objective:
As the demand for community mental health services continues to grow, the need for well-equipped and organized services has become apparent. This study aimed to optimize the roles and infrastructure of mental health services, by establishing, among other initiatives, standardized operating models.
Methods:
The study was conducted in multiple phases from May 12, 2021, to December 29, 2021. Stakeholders within South Korea and metropolitan mental health welfare centers were targeted, but addiction management support centers, including officials, patients, and their families, were integrated as well. A literature review and survey, focus group interviews, a Delphi survey, and expert consultation contributed to comprehensive revisions and improvements of the mental health service model.
Results:
The proposed model for community mental health welfare centers emphasizes the expansion of personnel and infrastructure, with a focus on severe mental illnesses and suicide prevention. The model for metropolitan mental health welfare centers delineates essential tasks in areas such as project planning and establishment, community research, and education about severe mental illnesses. The establishment of a 24-hour emergency intervention center was a crucial feature. In the integrated addiction support center model, the need to promote addiction management is defined as an essential task and the establishment of national governance for addiction policies is recommended.
Conclusion
This study proposed standard operating models for three types of mental health service centers. To meet the increasing need for community care, robust mental health service delivery systems are of primary importance.
6.Human Understanding is Expected of the Physician: Proposing a Model of Disease Development
Sang-Heum PARK ; Samel PARK ; Jin Young KIM ; Hyeon Ah LEE ; Sang Mi LEE ; Tae Hoon LEE ; Sang Byung BAE ; Sung Hae CHANG ; Si Hyong JANG ; Sung Wan CHUN ; Jong Ho MOON
Korean Journal of Medicine 2025;100(1):44-
7.Radiation-Induced Meningiomas Have an Aggressive Clinical Course:Genetic Signature Is Limited to NF2Alterations, and Epigenetic Signature Is H3K27me3 Loss
Tae-Kyun KIM ; Jong Seok LEE ; Ji Hoon PHI ; Seung Ah CHOI ; Joo Whan KIM ; Chul-Kee PARK ; Hongseok YUN ; Young-Soo PARK ; Sung-Hye PARK ; Seung-Ki KIM
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(18):e62-
Background:
While the clinical course of radiation-induced meningioma (RIM) is considered to be more aggressive than that of sporadic meningioma (SM), the genetic predisposition for RIM is not established well. The present study aimed to analyze the clinical and genetic characteristics of RIMs to increase understanding of the tumorigenesis and prognosis of RIMs. Methods: We investigated a database of 24 patients who met the RIM criteria between January 2000 and April 2023. Genetic analysis through next-generation sequencing with a targeted gene panel was performed on 10 RIM samples. Clinical, radiological, and pathological parameters were evaluated with genetic analyses.
Results:
The median ages for receiving radiotherapy (RT) and RIM diagnosis were 8.0 and 27.5 years, respectively, with an interval of 17.5 years between RT and RIM diagnosis. RIMs tended to develop in non-skull bases and multifocal locations. Most primary pathologies included germ cell tumors and medulloblastoma. The tumor growth rate was 3.83 cm 3 per year, and the median doubling time was 0.8 years. All patients underwent surgical resection of RIMs. The histological grade of RIMs was World Health Organization grade 1 (64%) or 2 (36%). RIMs showed higher incidences in young-age (63%), high-dose (75%), and extendedfield (79%) RT groups. The recurrence rate was 21%. Genetic analysis revealed NF2 one copy loss in 90% of the patients, with truncating NF2 mutations and additional copy number aberrations in grade 2 RIMs. TERT promoter mutation and CDKN2A/B deletion were not identified. Notably, loss of H3K27me3 was identified in 26% of RIMs. H3K27me3 loss was associated with a higher prevalence of grade 2 RIMs (67%) and high recurrence rates (33%).
Conclusion
The study reveals a higher prevalence of high-grade tumors among RIMs with more rapid growth and higher recurrences than SMs. Genetically, RIMs are primarily associated with NF-2 alterations with chromosomal abnormalities in grade 2 tumors, along with a higher proportion of H3K27me3 loss.
8.Radiation-Induced Meningiomas Have an Aggressive Clinical Course:Genetic Signature Is Limited to NF2Alterations, and Epigenetic Signature Is H3K27me3 Loss
Tae-Kyun KIM ; Jong Seok LEE ; Ji Hoon PHI ; Seung Ah CHOI ; Joo Whan KIM ; Chul-Kee PARK ; Hongseok YUN ; Young-Soo PARK ; Sung-Hye PARK ; Seung-Ki KIM
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(18):e62-
Background:
While the clinical course of radiation-induced meningioma (RIM) is considered to be more aggressive than that of sporadic meningioma (SM), the genetic predisposition for RIM is not established well. The present study aimed to analyze the clinical and genetic characteristics of RIMs to increase understanding of the tumorigenesis and prognosis of RIMs. Methods: We investigated a database of 24 patients who met the RIM criteria between January 2000 and April 2023. Genetic analysis through next-generation sequencing with a targeted gene panel was performed on 10 RIM samples. Clinical, radiological, and pathological parameters were evaluated with genetic analyses.
Results:
The median ages for receiving radiotherapy (RT) and RIM diagnosis were 8.0 and 27.5 years, respectively, with an interval of 17.5 years between RT and RIM diagnosis. RIMs tended to develop in non-skull bases and multifocal locations. Most primary pathologies included germ cell tumors and medulloblastoma. The tumor growth rate was 3.83 cm 3 per year, and the median doubling time was 0.8 years. All patients underwent surgical resection of RIMs. The histological grade of RIMs was World Health Organization grade 1 (64%) or 2 (36%). RIMs showed higher incidences in young-age (63%), high-dose (75%), and extendedfield (79%) RT groups. The recurrence rate was 21%. Genetic analysis revealed NF2 one copy loss in 90% of the patients, with truncating NF2 mutations and additional copy number aberrations in grade 2 RIMs. TERT promoter mutation and CDKN2A/B deletion were not identified. Notably, loss of H3K27me3 was identified in 26% of RIMs. H3K27me3 loss was associated with a higher prevalence of grade 2 RIMs (67%) and high recurrence rates (33%).
Conclusion
The study reveals a higher prevalence of high-grade tumors among RIMs with more rapid growth and higher recurrences than SMs. Genetically, RIMs are primarily associated with NF-2 alterations with chromosomal abnormalities in grade 2 tumors, along with a higher proportion of H3K27me3 loss.
9.Comparison of High Versus Low Positive End-Expiratory Pressure in Mechanically Ventilated Patients With Acute Heart Failure: Rationale and Design of the HELP-AHF Trial
Junho HYUN ; In-Cheol KIM ; Ah-ram KIM ; Hee Jeong LEE ; Sang Eun LEE ; Sung-Cheol YUN ; Min-Seok KIM
International Journal of Heart Failure 2025;7(2):79-84
Background and Objectives:
Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) often necessitates invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) due to respiratory failure. Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is a critical component in MV management; however, the optimal PEEP level for patients with ADHF remains unclear. The High vErsus Low Positive end-expiratory pressure in mechanically ventilated patients with Acute Heart Failure (HELP-AHF) trial is a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled study designed to compare the efficacy and safety of high versus low PEEP strategies in this population.
Methods:
A total of 120 patients with ADHF requiring MV within 24 hours of initiation will be randomized 1:1 to a high PEEP group (target: 10 cmH2 O) or a low PEEP group (target: 3 cmH2 O).
Results:
The primary outcome is ventilator-free days at day 28. Key secondary outcomes include in-hospital mortality, duration of intensive care unit and hospital stay, vasoactive-inotropic support, and rates of heart transplantation or left ventricular assist device implantation. Safety outcomes include hemodynamic instability requiring mechanical circulatory support, pulmonary complications, and weaning-related adverse events.
Conclusions
This HELP-AHF trial aims to provide valuable insights into optimal PEEP strategies in ADHF patients receiving invasive MV. Findings from this study have the potential to inform ventilatory management practices and improve outcomes in this high-risk population.
10.A New Agenda for Optimizing Roles and Infrastructure in a Mental Health Service Model for South Korea
Eunsoo KIM ; Hyeon-Ah LEE ; Yu-Ri LEE ; In Suk LEE ; Kyoung-Sae NA ; Seung-Hee AHN ; Chul-Hyun CHO ; Hwoyeon SEO ; Soo Bong JUNG ; Sung Joon CHO ; Hwa-Young LEE
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(1):26-39
Objective:
As the demand for community mental health services continues to grow, the need for well-equipped and organized services has become apparent. This study aimed to optimize the roles and infrastructure of mental health services, by establishing, among other initiatives, standardized operating models.
Methods:
The study was conducted in multiple phases from May 12, 2021, to December 29, 2021. Stakeholders within South Korea and metropolitan mental health welfare centers were targeted, but addiction management support centers, including officials, patients, and their families, were integrated as well. A literature review and survey, focus group interviews, a Delphi survey, and expert consultation contributed to comprehensive revisions and improvements of the mental health service model.
Results:
The proposed model for community mental health welfare centers emphasizes the expansion of personnel and infrastructure, with a focus on severe mental illnesses and suicide prevention. The model for metropolitan mental health welfare centers delineates essential tasks in areas such as project planning and establishment, community research, and education about severe mental illnesses. The establishment of a 24-hour emergency intervention center was a crucial feature. In the integrated addiction support center model, the need to promote addiction management is defined as an essential task and the establishment of national governance for addiction policies is recommended.
Conclusion
This study proposed standard operating models for three types of mental health service centers. To meet the increasing need for community care, robust mental health service delivery systems are of primary importance.

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