Purpose: This paper used the Delphi technique to establish an expert consensus on the nursing competencies required for general nurses caring for patients with breast cancer and to evaluate their appropriateness. Methods: This descriptive study employed the Delphi technique. Breast cancer nursing clinical competency items were derived through three Delphi rounds with 21 experts, followed by an appropriateness evaluation in the fourth round with 100 general nurses. Results: A total of 133 items were derived from the Delphi survey and classified into three categories across eight subject areas and 20 subthemes: knowledge (42 items), skills (39 items), and attitudes (52 items). The evaluation in the fourth round showed high knowledge scores for general breast cancer characteristics, early detection, and imaging, whereas scores for pregnancy and fertility preservation were low. In the skills category, high scores were observed for privacy and information protection, as well as the six rights of chemotherapy administration, whereas scores for pregnancy and fertility preservation were low. All attitude items showed high mean scores (≥3.30), and significant differences between skills and attitudes were identified in 34 of the 39 items (p<.05). Conclusion The 133 items derived from this research provide a basis for developing a tool to objectively assess the clinical competence of nurses caring for patients with breast cancer.

Purpose: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in children, adolescents, and young adults is rare and differs from older adults. This study evaluated the outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in young Korean CML patients during the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) era. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 35 CML patients aged < 40 years who underwent allogeneic HSCT from 2009 to 2019 was conducted using Korean Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry data. Patients were grouped by age < 20 years at HSCT (group 1, n=15) and 20-40 years at HSCT (group 2, n=20). Survival outcomes including overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), and event-free survival (EFS) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The median time between diagnosis and HSCT was 8.9 months. All the patients achieved engraftment but platelet recovery was significantly slower in group 1 (p=0.034). Acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease occurred in 54.3% and 34.3%, respectively. Five-year OS, RFS, and EFS rates of total patients were 66.8%, 50.8%, and 47.6%, with better OS was observed in group 1 by multivariable analysis (p=0.048). Disease status at HSCT was a significant predictor of OS (p=0.028), RFS (p=0.003), and EFS (p=0.004). Disease progression occurred in 13 out of 35 patients (37.1%); treatment-related mortality accounted for 63.6% of deaths (7 out of 11). Conclusion When performed at a younger age, allogeneic HSCT result in superior outcome in CML. Achieving remission before HSCT is critical for improved outcomes, highlighting the importance of pretransplant remission via optimal TKI strategies and minimal residual disease monitoring.

The global shortage of healthcare personnel, especially in low- and middle-income countries, has raised concerns about the quality and availability of medical education across these economies. Therefore, standardization and accreditation of medical education are essential to ensure the competence of healthcare professionals. This study reports the first-ever application of the set of standards developed by the Korean Institute of Medical Education and Evaluation (KIMEE) to assess a Vietnamese medical school. Under this initiative, the Accreditation Standards of KIMEE 2019 (ASK 2019) was implemented under the auspices of a Korea International Cooperation Agency Development Project. This study compared the evaluation results of a Vietnamese medical school’s performance with that of accredited Korean medical schools. The findings revealed both strengths and areas requiring significant improvement and underscore the need for Vietnam to develop its own contextually appropriate accreditation system.

Background and Objectives: Among various emerging catheter-based treatments for severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), the spacer device can reduce the regurgitation orifice without manipulating the valve leaflet. However, its clinical application has been hampered by traumatic anchoring to the myocardium and the coaxial alignment of the balloon resulting in insufficient TR reduction. This study aimed to evaluate the early-stage safety, technical feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of the novel atraumatic vertical spacer in patients with isolated severe TR. Methods: All procedures were guided by fluoroscopy and transthoracic echocardiography.The maximum device placement time with an inflated balloon was 24 hours. Changes in the amount of TR, right ventricular function, and patient hemodynamics were measured during balloon deployment. Results: A total of 7 patients (median age 74), underwent successful device implantation without procedure-related complications. During balloon inflation (median 25 minutes), there were no symptoms or signs indicative of TR intolerance. TR was reduced by 1 grade or greater in all patients, with 2 patients exhibiting a reduction of 3 grades, from torrential TR to a moderate degree. Mild TR after balloon inflation was achieved in 3 patients with baseline severe TR. The TR reduction observed during initial balloon deployment was sustained during the subsequent balloon maintenance period. Conclusions The Pivot-balloon procedure was safe, technically feasible, and effective in reducing TR in patients with severe TR. No periprocedural complications or adverse cardiovascular events were reported during device placement with TR reduction observed in all patients. However, longer-term follow-up is needed to confirm safety and treatment effect.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the educational content of breast cancer nursing literature and to identify the educational needs of nurses in caring for breast cancer patients. Methods: This descriptive study was employed using a mixed method that applied both deductive and inductive approaches to analyze the educational content of literature and to evaluate the educational needs of nurses. Results: Breast cancer nursing literature was organized into 4 categories, 16 subcategories, and 39 contents, with the categories consisting of “Concept of Breast Cancer,” “Diagnosing Breast Cancer,” “Treatment of Breast Cancer,” and “Management of Breast Cancer Patients.” In addition, educational needs for nursing breast cancer patients were categorized into 5 categories, with 13 subcategories based on 146 main statements. The categories consisted of “Need to Provide Structured Training Opportunities,” “Preference for Media-Based Educational Methods,” “Education Reflecting Clinical Practice,” “Education for Strengthening Competence in Emotional Care,” and “Difficulty and Stress in Performing Nursing Skills.” The analysis results of educational needs showed that nurses desire to systematically and sufficiently receive practical and educational content through preferred educational methods. However, analysis of breast cancer nursing literature revealed a gap between the educational content provided and educational needs due to the lack of practice-oriented breast cancer nursing information and the latest opinions. Conclusion This study suggests the need to develop a practical and effective breast cancer nursing education program to enhance the breast cancer nursing competency of clinical nurses.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the educational content of breast cancer nursing literature and to identify the educational needs of nurses in caring for breast cancer patients. Methods: This descriptive study was employed using a mixed method that applied both deductive and inductive approaches to analyze the educational content of literature and to evaluate the educational needs of nurses. Results: Breast cancer nursing literature was organized into 4 categories, 16 subcategories, and 39 contents, with the categories consisting of “Concept of Breast Cancer,” “Diagnosing Breast Cancer,” “Treatment of Breast Cancer,” and “Management of Breast Cancer Patients.” In addition, educational needs for nursing breast cancer patients were categorized into 5 categories, with 13 subcategories based on 146 main statements. The categories consisted of “Need to Provide Structured Training Opportunities,” “Preference for Media-Based Educational Methods,” “Education Reflecting Clinical Practice,” “Education for Strengthening Competence in Emotional Care,” and “Difficulty and Stress in Performing Nursing Skills.” The analysis results of educational needs showed that nurses desire to systematically and sufficiently receive practical and educational content through preferred educational methods. However, analysis of breast cancer nursing literature revealed a gap between the educational content provided and educational needs due to the lack of practice-oriented breast cancer nursing information and the latest opinions. Conclusion This study suggests the need to develop a practical and effective breast cancer nursing education program to enhance the breast cancer nursing competency of clinical nurses.

Background and Objectives: Among various emerging catheter-based treatments for severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), the spacer device can reduce the regurgitation orifice without manipulating the valve leaflet. However, its clinical application has been hampered by traumatic anchoring to the myocardium and the coaxial alignment of the balloon resulting in insufficient TR reduction. This study aimed to evaluate the early-stage safety, technical feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of the novel atraumatic vertical spacer in patients with isolated severe TR. Methods: All procedures were guided by fluoroscopy and transthoracic echocardiography.The maximum device placement time with an inflated balloon was 24 hours. Changes in the amount of TR, right ventricular function, and patient hemodynamics were measured during balloon deployment. Results: A total of 7 patients (median age 74), underwent successful device implantation without procedure-related complications. During balloon inflation (median 25 minutes), there were no symptoms or signs indicative of TR intolerance. TR was reduced by 1 grade or greater in all patients, with 2 patients exhibiting a reduction of 3 grades, from torrential TR to a moderate degree. Mild TR after balloon inflation was achieved in 3 patients with baseline severe TR. The TR reduction observed during initial balloon deployment was sustained during the subsequent balloon maintenance period. Conclusions The Pivot-balloon procedure was safe, technically feasible, and effective in reducing TR in patients with severe TR. No periprocedural complications or adverse cardiovascular events were reported during device placement with TR reduction observed in all patients. However, longer-term follow-up is needed to confirm safety and treatment effect.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the educational content of breast cancer nursing literature and to identify the educational needs of nurses in caring for breast cancer patients. Methods: This descriptive study was employed using a mixed method that applied both deductive and inductive approaches to analyze the educational content of literature and to evaluate the educational needs of nurses. Results: Breast cancer nursing literature was organized into 4 categories, 16 subcategories, and 39 contents, with the categories consisting of “Concept of Breast Cancer,” “Diagnosing Breast Cancer,” “Treatment of Breast Cancer,” and “Management of Breast Cancer Patients.” In addition, educational needs for nursing breast cancer patients were categorized into 5 categories, with 13 subcategories based on 146 main statements. The categories consisted of “Need to Provide Structured Training Opportunities,” “Preference for Media-Based Educational Methods,” “Education Reflecting Clinical Practice,” “Education for Strengthening Competence in Emotional Care,” and “Difficulty and Stress in Performing Nursing Skills.” The analysis results of educational needs showed that nurses desire to systematically and sufficiently receive practical and educational content through preferred educational methods. However, analysis of breast cancer nursing literature revealed a gap between the educational content provided and educational needs due to the lack of practice-oriented breast cancer nursing information and the latest opinions. Conclusion This study suggests the need to develop a practical and effective breast cancer nursing education program to enhance the breast cancer nursing competency of clinical nurses.

Background: and Purpose This study evaluated the diagnostic utility of an anti-signal-recognition particle 54 (anti-SRP54) antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as well as the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of patients with SRP immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM). Methods: We evaluated 87 patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and 107 healthy participants between January 2002 and December 2023. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies were assessed, and the clinical profiles of patients with antiSRP54 antibodies were determined. Results: The ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies had a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 99%, respectively, along with a test–retest reliability of 0.92 (p<0.001). The 32 patients diagnosed with anti-SRP IMNM using a line-blot immunoassay included 28 (88%) who tested positive for anti-SRP54 antibodies using the ELISA, comprising 12 (43%) males and 16 (57%) females whose median ages at symptom onset and diagnosis were 43.0 years and 43.5 years, respectively. Symptoms included proximal muscle weakness in all 28 (100%) patients, neck weakness in 9 (32%), myalgia in 15 (54%), dysphagia in 5 (18%), dyspnea in 4 (14%), dysarthria in 2 (7%), interstitial lung disease in 2 (7%), and myocarditis in 2 (7%). The median serum creatine kinase (CK) level was 7,261 U/L (interquartile range: 5,086–10,007 U/L), and the median anti-SRP54 antibody level was 2.0 U/mL (interquartile range: 1.0–5.6 U/mL). The serum CK level was significantly higher in patients with coexisting anti-Ro-52 antibodies. Conclusions This study has confirmed the reliability of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies and provided insights into the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of South Korean patients with anti-SRP IMNM.

Background: and Purpose This study evaluated the diagnostic utility of an anti-signal-recognition particle 54 (anti-SRP54) antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as well as the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of patients with SRP immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM). Methods: We evaluated 87 patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and 107 healthy participants between January 2002 and December 2023. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies were assessed, and the clinical profiles of patients with antiSRP54 antibodies were determined. Results: The ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies had a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 99%, respectively, along with a test–retest reliability of 0.92 (p<0.001). The 32 patients diagnosed with anti-SRP IMNM using a line-blot immunoassay included 28 (88%) who tested positive for anti-SRP54 antibodies using the ELISA, comprising 12 (43%) males and 16 (57%) females whose median ages at symptom onset and diagnosis were 43.0 years and 43.5 years, respectively. Symptoms included proximal muscle weakness in all 28 (100%) patients, neck weakness in 9 (32%), myalgia in 15 (54%), dysphagia in 5 (18%), dyspnea in 4 (14%), dysarthria in 2 (7%), interstitial lung disease in 2 (7%), and myocarditis in 2 (7%). The median serum creatine kinase (CK) level was 7,261 U/L (interquartile range: 5,086–10,007 U/L), and the median anti-SRP54 antibody level was 2.0 U/mL (interquartile range: 1.0–5.6 U/mL). The serum CK level was significantly higher in patients with coexisting anti-Ro-52 antibodies. Conclusions This study has confirmed the reliability of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies and provided insights into the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of South Korean patients with anti-SRP IMNM.