Purpose: To investigate whether a new phospholipid-releasing soft contact lens can improve symptoms of dry eyes. Methods: The study used 2.5-3.0 kg New Zealand rabbits including both normal non-dry eye rabbits and dry eye rabbits, the latter having undergone electrocauterization of the meibomian glands to block the gland orifices. Each rabbit wore a control contact lens on one eye and a phospholipid-releasing contact lens on the other eye daily. Phospholipid-releasing and control contact lenses were provided by NEOVISION Co., Ltd. The parameters assessed included tear film break-up time, tear osmolarity, ocular surface staining, and central corneal thickness. After the experiment, the rabbits were euthanized and their conjunctival tissue was stained with Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) to observe conjunctival goblet cells. Results: In both dry eye and normal non-dry eye rabbits, tear film break-up time was longer and tear osmolarity was lower when using the phospholipid-releasing contact lens compared to the control contact lens. The ocular surface remained unstained in normal non-dry eye rabbits while staining was observed in dry eye rabbits. There was no significant difference in central corneal thickness between the control and phospholipid-releasing contact lenses in either group. PAS staining showed no difference in conjunctival goblet cell density between the two lens types in normal non-dry eye rabbits. However, in dry eye rabbits, the conjunctival goblet cell density tended to be slightly higher with the phospholipid-releasing contact lens compared to the control lens. Conclusions Phospholipid-releasing contact lenses may help reduce dry eye symptoms and minimize contact lens-related complications by stabilizing the tear film and lowering tear osmolarity.

Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in South Korea, imposing substantial physical, emotional, and financial burdens on patients and society. Despite the high burden of symptom and complex care needs of HF patients, palliative care and hospice services remain underutilized in South Korea due to cultural, institutional, and knowledge-related barriers. This position statement from the Korean Society of Heart Failure emphasizes the need for integrating palliative and hospice care into HF management to improve quality of life and support holistic care for patients and their families. By clarifying the role of palliative care in HF and proposing practical referral criteria, this position statement aims to bridge the gap between HF and palliative care services in South Korea, ultimately improving patient-centered outcomes and aligning treatment with the goals and values of HF patients.

Purpose: To investigate whether a new phospholipid-releasing soft contact lens can improve symptoms of dry eyes. Methods: The study used 2.5-3.0 kg New Zealand rabbits including both normal non-dry eye rabbits and dry eye rabbits, the latter having undergone electrocauterization of the meibomian glands to block the gland orifices. Each rabbit wore a control contact lens on one eye and a phospholipid-releasing contact lens on the other eye daily. Phospholipid-releasing and control contact lenses were provided by NEOVISION Co., Ltd. The parameters assessed included tear film break-up time, tear osmolarity, ocular surface staining, and central corneal thickness. After the experiment, the rabbits were euthanized and their conjunctival tissue was stained with Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) to observe conjunctival goblet cells. Results: In both dry eye and normal non-dry eye rabbits, tear film break-up time was longer and tear osmolarity was lower when using the phospholipid-releasing contact lens compared to the control contact lens. The ocular surface remained unstained in normal non-dry eye rabbits while staining was observed in dry eye rabbits. There was no significant difference in central corneal thickness between the control and phospholipid-releasing contact lenses in either group. PAS staining showed no difference in conjunctival goblet cell density between the two lens types in normal non-dry eye rabbits. However, in dry eye rabbits, the conjunctival goblet cell density tended to be slightly higher with the phospholipid-releasing contact lens compared to the control lens. Conclusions Phospholipid-releasing contact lenses may help reduce dry eye symptoms and minimize contact lens-related complications by stabilizing the tear film and lowering tear osmolarity.

Purpose: To investigate whether a new phospholipid-releasing soft contact lens can improve symptoms of dry eyes. Methods: The study used 2.5-3.0 kg New Zealand rabbits including both normal non-dry eye rabbits and dry eye rabbits, the latter having undergone electrocauterization of the meibomian glands to block the gland orifices. Each rabbit wore a control contact lens on one eye and a phospholipid-releasing contact lens on the other eye daily. Phospholipid-releasing and control contact lenses were provided by NEOVISION Co., Ltd. The parameters assessed included tear film break-up time, tear osmolarity, ocular surface staining, and central corneal thickness. After the experiment, the rabbits were euthanized and their conjunctival tissue was stained with Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) to observe conjunctival goblet cells. Results: In both dry eye and normal non-dry eye rabbits, tear film break-up time was longer and tear osmolarity was lower when using the phospholipid-releasing contact lens compared to the control contact lens. The ocular surface remained unstained in normal non-dry eye rabbits while staining was observed in dry eye rabbits. There was no significant difference in central corneal thickness between the control and phospholipid-releasing contact lenses in either group. PAS staining showed no difference in conjunctival goblet cell density between the two lens types in normal non-dry eye rabbits. However, in dry eye rabbits, the conjunctival goblet cell density tended to be slightly higher with the phospholipid-releasing contact lens compared to the control lens. Conclusions Phospholipid-releasing contact lenses may help reduce dry eye symptoms and minimize contact lens-related complications by stabilizing the tear film and lowering tear osmolarity.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of ethanol extracts of Cornus alba (ECA) against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in vitro and in vivo. Materials and Methods: The prostate stromal cells (WPMY-1) and epithelial cells (RWPE-1) were used to examine the action mechanism of ECA in BPH in vitro. ECA efficacy was evaluated in vivo using a testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH rat model. Results: Treatment with ECA inhibited the proliferation of prostate cells by inducing G1-phase cell cycle arrest through the regulation of positive and negative proteins. Treatment of prostate cells with ECA resulted in alterations in the mitogen-activated protein kinases and protein kinase B signaling pathways. The transcriptional binding activity of the NF-κB motif was suppressed in both ECA-treated prostate cells. In addition, treatment with ECA altered the level of BPH-associated axis markers (5α-reductase, fibroblast growth factor-2, androgen receptor, epidermal growth factor, Bcl-2, and Bax) in both cell lines. Finally, the administration of ECA attenuated the enlargement of prostatic tissues in the TP-induced BPH rat model, accompanied by histology, immunoblot, and serum dihydrotestosterone levels. Conclusions These results demonstrated that ECA exerted beneficial effects on BPH both in vitro and in vivo and might provide valuable information in the development of preventive or therapeutic agents for improving BPH.

Background and Objectives: Angiographic assessment of coronary stenosis severity using quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) is often inconsistent with that based on fractional flow reserve (FFR) or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). We investigated the incidence of discrepancies between QCA and FFR or IVUS, and the outcomes of FFR- and IVUS-guided strategies in discordant coronary lesions. Methods: This study was a post-hoc analysis of the FLAVOUR study. We used a QCA-derived diameter stenosis (DS) of 60% or greater, the highest tertile, to classify coronary lesions as concordant or discordant with FFR or IVUS criteria for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The patient-oriented composite outcome (POCO) was defined as a composite of death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization at 24 months. Results: The discordance rate between QCA and FFR or IVUS was 30.2% (n=551). The QCAFFR discordance rate was numerically lower than the QCA-IVUS discordance rate (28.2% vs. 32.4%, p=0.050). In 200 patients with ≥60% DS, PCI was deferred according to negative FFR (n=141) and negative IVUS (n=59) (15.3% vs. 6.5%, p<0.001). The POCO incidence was comparable between the FFR- and IVUS-guided deferral strategies (5.9% vs. 3.4%, p=0.479).Conversely, 351 patients with DS <60% underwent PCI according to positive FFR (n=118) and positive IVUS (n=233) (12.8% vs. 25.9%, p<0.001). FFR- and IVUS-guided PCI did not differ in the incidence of POCO (9.5% vs. 6.5%, p=0.294). Conclusions The proportion of QCA-FFR or IVUS discordance was approximately one third for intermediate coronary lesions. FFR- or IVUS-guided strategies for these lesions were comparable with respect to POCO at 24 months.

The Korean Society of Infectious Diseases has been regularly publishing guidelines for adult immunization since 2007. Following the release of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination recommendations in 2023, significant changes have occurred due to the emergence of new variant strains and the waning immunity from previous vaccinations. This article provides a comprehensive update as of November 2024, incorporating the latest evidence and guidelines. Focusing on the 2024–2025 season, this article reviews vaccines currently authorized in Korea and assesses their effectiveness against the predominant JN.1 lineage variants. The updated recommendations prioritize high-risk groups, including adults aged 65 and older, individuals with underlying medical conditions, residents of facilities vulnerable to infection, pregnant women, and healthcare workers, for vaccination with updated vaccines targeting the JN.1 strain. Additionally, COVID-19 vaccination is available for all individuals aged 6 months and older. For most adults, a single-dose strategy is emphasized, while tailored schedules may be recommended for immunocompromised individuals. This update aims to optimize vaccination strategies in Korea to ensure comprehensive protection for high-risk populations.