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: This study evaluated whether patient activation and nurse trust mediate the relationship between a person-centered climate and patient satisfaction in cancer patients. Methods: A total of 179 participants, who were admitted in a tertiary hospital of J city, were surveyed in a cross-sectional study. Data were collected from March 1 to June 10, 2023. The descriptive statistics and mediating effects were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 25.0 and PROCESS macro program. Results: A person-centered climate directly affected patient satisfaction (direct effect=0.21, p<.001; direct effect=0.34, p<.001). Patient activation had a mediating effect between a person-centered climate and patient satisfaction (indirect effect=0.31, 95% Boot confidence interval=0.24~0.39). Nurse trust had a mediating effect between a person-centered climate and patient satisfaction (indirect effect=0.19, 95% Boot confidence interval=0.10~0.27). Conclusion This indicates the importance of developing a person-centered climate, patient activation and nurse trust to improve satisfaction for cancer patients. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the level of trust in nurses to improve and strengthen trust in them and to develop various program to focus on patient activation in cancer patients.

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma is an uncommon malignant salivary gland tumor that arises from a longstanding pleomorphic adenoma. The carcinomatous component of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma can possess virtually any histologic subtype of salivary gland cancer. We experienced a case of a 61-year-old patient who presented with a right parotid mass that was initially palpated 20 years ago, with a sudden increase in size in the last few months. Radiological and cytological findings from fine needle aspiration biopsy could not exclude malignancy. Total parotidectomy and selective neck dissection were performed for treatment, and carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma with mixed carcinoma components of salivary duct carcinoma and myoepithelial carcinoma was diagnosed. After receiving postoperative radiation of 6000 cGy over 6 weeks, there has been no recurrence up to the 18-month follow-up. We report this rare case of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma with mixed malignancy subtypes, accompanied by a review of literature.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of uncomplicated cataract surgery on the measurement of Bruch’s membrane opening-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. Methods: This retrospective study included 63 eyes of 63 patients, including 32 POAG eyes and 31 normal eyes who underwent uneventful cataract surgery and follow-up for at least 6 months. Using SD-OCT, BMO-MRW and RNFLT were measured preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 months. Paired t-test was used to compare intraocular pressure (IOP), BMO-MRW, RNFLT, and image quality before and after surgery. These parameters and their changes were compared between POAG and normal groups. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with the postoperative change (Δ) in RNFLT and BMO-MRW. Results: BMO-MRW and RNFLT were significantly increased and IOP was decreased after phacoemulsification in both groups (p < 0.001, respectively). The ΔRNFLT was significantly greater in POAG eyes compared with the normal eyes (p < 0.001). The ΔRNFLT was associated with the postoperative IOP reduction and glaucoma diagnosis (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). In the normal group, only the ΔIOP had a significant influence on the ΔRNFLT (p = 0.003), but in the POAG group, not only the ΔIOP (p = 0.044) but also preoperative visual field mean deviation (p = 0.029) showed a significant influence. The ΔBMO-MRW showed no difference between POAG and normal eyes. Conclusions The postoperative increase of RNFLT was significantly greater in the POAG group, and the postoperative increase of RNFLT was associated with the preoperative visual field mean deviation and ΔIOP in POAG eyes and with the ΔIOP in normal eyes. Our results imply that RNFLT is more affected than BMO-MRW in POAG eyes compared to normal eyes by cataract surgery.

Purpose: To investigate the safety of single and combined use of epinephrine and indocyanine green during cataract surgery by evaluating the effects on corneal endothelial cells. Methods: From January 2017 to October 2021, 121 patients (132 eyes) who underwent cataract surgery were enrolled. Patients were divided into 4 groups: epinephrine (n = 20), indocyanine green (n = 49), epinephrine and indocyanine green combination (n = 12), and control (n = 51). Retrospective medical chart findings and endothelial cell count change data were compared among study groups before and after operation. Results: Endothelial cell count change (△ECC) decreased for all groups; however, a significant difference among groups was not observed (p = 0.822). Univariate linear regression showed that △ECC was associated with postoperative hexagonality, nuclear sclerosis grade, ultrasound time, and cumulative dissipated energy (beta = -0.216, 0.254, 0.368, 0.351 and p = 0.013, p = 0.003, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression showed that △ECC was associated with postoperative hexagonality and ultrasound time (beta = -0.215, 0.367, p = 0.010, p < 0.001). Conclusions Factors closely associated with postoperative endothelial cell loss were postoperative hexagonality and ultrasound time. No significant damage to the corneal endothelium was observed when epinephrine and indocyanine green were used alone or in combination. Thus, these agents appear safe for use in this context.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate hemato-oncology patients' discomfort and bleeding in relation to the bedrest time after bone marrow examination. METHODS: A descriptive correlational study was conducted. The data were collected using self-report questionnaire from total of 131 patients who underwent bone marrow examination from January 2017 to September 2017. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon Signed-rank test, McNemar's test and logistic regression. RESULTS: The level of discomfort after 4 hours of bedrest was significantly higher when compared to 2 hours of bedrest(p<.001). The occurrence of bleeding after 2 hours of bedrest was significantly higher than 4 hours of bedrest(p<.001), however the degree of bleeding was slight. No bleeding occurred in 84% of the patients after 2 hours of bedrest. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that shortening the bed rest time after bone marrow examination was helpful in improving the patient's well-being. Bedrest time could be shortened according to the site of bone marrow examination and patient's condition.
Bed Rest ; Bone Marrow Examination ; Bone Marrow ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Logistic Models

PURPOSE: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is involved in the pathology of numerous diseases including atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a significant role in tissue remodeling related to various processes such as morphogenesis, angiogenesis, tissue repair, invasion, and metastasis. We investigated the effects of PPARγ on MMP expression and invasion in breast cancer cells. METHODS: MCF-7 cells were cultured and then cell viability was monitored in an MTT assay. Western blotting, gelatin zymography, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and luciferase assays were performed to investigate the effect of the synthetic PPARγ ligand troglitazone on MMP expression. Transcription factor DNA binding was analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. A Matrigel invasion assay was used to assess the effects of troglitazone on MCF-7 cells. RESULTS: Troglitazone did not affect MCF-7 cell viability. 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced MMP-9 expression and invasion in MCF-7 cell. However, these effects were decreased by troglitazone. TPA increased nuclear factor κB and activator protein-1 DNA binding, while troglitazone inhibited these effects. The selective PPARγ antagonist GW9662 reversed MMP-9 inhibition by troglitazone in TPA-treated MCF-7 cells. CONCLUSION: Troglitazone inhibited nuclear factor κB and activator protein-1-mediated MMP-9 expression and invasion of MCF-7 cells through a PPARγ-dependent mechanism.
Atherosclerosis ; Blotting, Western ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Cell Survival ; DNA ; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay ; Gelatin ; Luciferases ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9* ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; MCF-7 Cells ; Morphogenesis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; NF-kappa B ; Obesity ; Pathology ; Peroxisomes* ; PPAR gamma ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; Transcription Factors

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The pathogenesis of moyamoya disease (MMD) remains poorly understood, and no reliable molecular biomarkers for MMD have been identified to date. The present study aimed to identify epigenetic biomarkers for use in the diagnosis of MMD. METHODS: We performed integrated analyses of gene expression profiles and DNA methylation profiles in endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) from three patients with MMD and two healthy individuals. Candidate gene mRNA expression and DNA methylation status were further validated using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and pyrosequencing analysis of an expanded ECFC sample set from nine patients with MMD and ten controls. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the potential biomarkers identified here using receiver operating characteristic curve analyses and further measured major angiogenic factor expression levels using a tube formation assay and RT-qPCR. RESULTS: Five candidate genes were selected via integrated analysis; all five were upregulated by hypomethylation of specific promoter CpG sites. After further validation in an expanded sample set, we identified a candidate biomarker gene, sortilin 1 (SORT1). DNA methylation status at a specific SORT1 promoter CpG site in ECFCs readily distinguished patients with MMD from the normal controls with high accuracy (area under the curve 0.98, sensitivity 83.33%, specificity 100%). Furthermore, SORT1 overexpression suppressed endothelial cell tube formation and modulated major angiogenic factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression, implying SORT1 involvement in MMD pathogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that DNA methylation status at the SORT1 promoter CpG site may be a potential biomarker for MMD.
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; Biomarkers ; Diagnosis ; DNA Methylation ; Endothelial Cells ; Epigenomics ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; Moyamoya Disease* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Transcriptome

PURPOSE: To investigate the changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and associated systemic factors over 7 years in a healthy Korean population. METHODS: This longitudinal study included healthy subjects with no history of ocular disease and who had been receiving health examinations seven years apart at the Konkuk University Medical Center, Healthcare Center. The participants completed lifestyle questionnaires and underwent general health examinations (blood pressure, height and weight, and blood biochemical tests) and ocular examinations including noncontact tonometry and fundus photography. Subjects with abnormal fundus photography findings and ocular hypertension were excluded. Changes in IOP and systemic factors over 7 years were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 524 possible subjects, 469 were enrolled (55 subjects were excluded: 50 due to abnormal fundus photography and 5 for missing data). The left eye was analyzed in all patients. In all subjects, initial IOP (mean 14.50 ± 3.14 mmHg) was not significantly different from final IOP (14.72 ± 3.38 mmHg) (paired t-test, p = 0.074). In male patients, the final IOP was significantly higher than the initial IOP (paired t-test, p = 0.035). Lifestyle questionnaire variables were associated with a final IOP that was significantly higher than the initial IOP (smokers, alcohol drinkers and less exercisers, paired t-test; p = 0.014, 0.010 and 0.024, respectively). A linear mixed-effects model analysis showed that the change in IOP was negatively associated with age, but this was not statistically significant. Changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol (T.Chol) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were positively correlated with change in IOP. CONCLUSIONS: A linear mixed-model analysis showed IOP decreased with age but this was not statistically significant. Changes in SBP, BMI, T.Chol and LDL were significantly positively correlated with change in IOP.
Academic Medical Centers ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Delivery of Health Care ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure* ; Life Style ; Lipoproteins ; Longitudinal Studies* ; Male ; Manometry ; Ocular Hypertension ; Photography

This study was performed to measure early changes in the serotype distribution of pneumococci isolated from children with invasive disease during the 3-year period following the introduction of 10- and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) in Korea. From January 2011 to December 2013 at 25 hospitals located throughout Korea, pneumococci were isolated among children who had invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Serotypes were determined using the Quellung reaction, and the change in serotype distribution was analyzed. Seventy-five cases of IPD were included. Eighty percent of patients were aged 3-59 months, and 32% had a comorbidity that increased the risk of pneumococcal infection. The most common serotypes were 19A (32.0%), 10A (8.0%), and 15C (6.7%). The PCV7 serotypes (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, 23F, and 6A) accounted for 14.7% of the total isolates and the PCV13 minus PCV7 types (1, 3, 5, 7F and 19A) accounted for 32.0% of the total isolates. Serotype 19A was the only serotype in the PCV13 minus PCV7 group. The proportion of serotype 19A showed decreasing tendency from 37.5% in 2011 to 22.2% in 2013 (P = 0.309), while the proportion of non-PCV13 types showed increasing tendency from 45.8% in 2011 to 72.2% in 2013 (P = 0.108). Shortly after the introduction of extended-valent PCVs in Korea, serotype 19A continued to be the most common serotype causing IPD in children. Subsequently, the proportion of 19A decreased, and non-vaccine serotypes emerged as an important cause of IPD. The impact of extended-valent vaccines must be continuously monitored.
Adolescent ; Bacteremia/complications/diagnosis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Pneumococcal Infections/microbiology/*prevention & control ; Pneumococcal Vaccines/*immunology ; Republic of Korea ; Serotyping ; Streptococcus pneumoniae/*classification/isolation & purification ; Vaccines, Conjugate/*immunology