The Effect of Socioeconomic Status to Depression of Perimenopause Women: Pathway Analysis Using the Reserve Capacity Model

Purpose@#Based on the Reserve Capacity Model, this study investigated the effects of pre- and postmenopausal women’s socioeconomic status (SES) on depression, focusing on the mediating effects of self-esteem, happiness, and family relationship satisfaction with social network relationships. @*Methods@#This cross-sectional study involved secondary analysis of national data on 771 perimenopause women gathered from the 16th Korea Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS) 2021. A path analysis model was constructed to evaluate the relationship between SES, social network satisfaction, self-esteem, perceived health status, and depression. Data were analyzed using ADANCO 2.3.1 and Mplus 8.4. @*Results@#Although SES had no direct effect on depression, it did affect depression through self-esteem, happiness, and satisfaction with family relationships. @*Conclusion@#The findings of this study indicate that perimenopausal women’s personal resources—psychosocial variables such as self-esteem and happiness—had a higher effect on depression than tangible reserves like SES. Therefore, interventions for enhancing self-esteem and happiness may prevent depression in perimenopausal women effectively.

Long-Term Outcome of Unilateral Acoustic Neuromas With or Without Hearing Loss: Over 10 Years and Beyond After Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

Background@#Since the long-term outcomes of 162 patients who underwent gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) as an initial or adjuvant treatment for acoustic neuromas (ANs) with unilateral hearing loss were first reported in 1998, there has been no report of a comprehensive analysis of what has changed in GKS practice. @*Methods@#We performed a retrospective study of the long-term outcomes of 106 patients with unilateral sporadic ANs who underwent GKS as an initial treatment. The mean patient age was 50 years, and the mean initial tumor volume was 3.68 cm 3 (range, 0.10–23.30 cm 3 ).The median marginal tumor dose was 12.5 Gy (range, 8.0–15.0 Gy) and the median follow-up duration was 153 months (range, 120–216 months). @*Results@#The tumor volume increased in 11 patients (10.4%), remained stationary in 27 (25.5%), and decreased in 68 patients (64.2%). The actuarial 3, 5, 10, and 15-year tumor control rates were 95.3 ± 2.1%, 94.3 ± 2.2%, 87.7 ± 3.2%, and 86.6 ± 3.3%, respectively.The 10-year actuarial tumor control rate was significantly lower in the patients with tumor volumes of ≥ 8 cm 3 (P = 0.010). The rate of maintaining the same Gardner-Robertson scale grade was 28.6%, and that of serviceable hearing was 46.4%. The rates of newly developed facial and trigeminal neuropathy were 2.8% and 4.7%, respectively. The patients who received marginal doses of less than 12 Gy revealed higher tumor control failure rates (P = 0.129) and newly occurred facial or trigeminal neuropathy rates (P = 0.040 and 0.313, respectively). @*Conclusion@#GKS as an initial treatment for ANs could be helpful in terms of tumor control, the preservation of serviceable hearing, and the prevention of cranial neuropathy. It is recommended to perform GKS as soon as possible not only for tumor control in unilateral ANs with hearing loss but also for hearing preservation in those without hearing loss.

Nursing Care Workers’ Experience of Care Giving Infected Patients in Long-term Care Hospital / 재활간호학회지

Purpose@#The purpose of this study is to explore nursing care worker's experience of care services for infected patients in long-term care hospital. @*Methods@#For this study, the researcher used the convenience sampling method to recruit 9 nursing care workers in long-term care hospitals. Data were collected through in-depth interview with them. The data collected were analyzed using the thematic analysis method. @*Results@#24 codes were extracted, and through the process of organizing the meanings, 8 sub-themes and 4 themes were deduced. The themes deduced were ‘Diversely coexisting psychological responses’, ‘Caring for an infected patient at a given position’, ‘Obstacles to implementation of principled infection control guidelines’, ‘Needs for customized education of caregiver for infected patients’. @*Conclusion@#This study would be deemed significant in that it has provided for some basic data to the education of the nursing care workers and the development of an intervention program.

The Utilization of Dental Hygienists in Oral Healthcare Exchanges between the South and North Korea / 치위생과학회지

Background@#This study aimed to identify the role of dental hygienists in exchanges between North and South Korea to lower gaps in the level of dental healthcare between the two countries by conducting a Delphi survey with specialists and identifying alternative policies regarding the utilization of dental hygienists in such exchanges. @*Methods@#Two Delphi surveys were conducted with the participation of nine specialists, and descriptive statistical analyses including mean and standard deviation were performed on the collected data. @*Results@#Among methods of exchange and cooperation regarding oral healthcare under the current North Korean medical system, the issue considered most urgent was the “establishment of oral healthcare infrastructure.” The most important short-term strategy was identified as the “selection and formation of partnerships in the field of inter-Korean oral health exchange and cooperation.” The mid-term strategy was identified as the “establishment of cooperation in the dental industry, centered on educational cooperation projects.” The long-term strategy included “joint R&D projects, oral health surveys, and business development.” In order to determine how best to use dental hygienists during inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, the respondents placed urgency on the “establishment of joint cooperation projects for oral health promotion and early examination and the treatment of dental diseases and planning of community research projects” and “the role of oral health education and media development for residents.” Conclusion: Cooperation is necessary regarding the preparation of oral healthcare exchanges that aim to encourage unity between North and South Korea and reduce the gaps between the North and South regarding oral health conditions. Therefore, continuous and reasonable discussions and research are needed regarding the utilization of dental hygienists in such exchanges.

Optimization of Agrobacterium tumefaciens-Mediated Transformation of Xylaria grammica EL000614, an Endolichenic Fungus Producing Grammicin

An endolichenic fungus Xylaria grammica EL000614 produces grammicin, a potent nematicidal pyrone derivative that can serve as a new control option for root-knot nematodes. We optimized an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) protocol for X.grammica to support genetic studies. Transformants were successfully generated after co-cultivation of homogenized young mycelia of X.grammica with A. tumefaciens strain AGL-1 carrying a binary vector that contains the bacterial hygromycin B phosphotransferase (hph) gene and the eGFP gene in T-DNA. The resulting transformants were mitotically stable, and PCR analysis showed the integratin of both genes in the genome of transformants.Expression of eGFP was confirmed via fluorescence microscopy. Southern analysis showed that 131 (78.9%) out of 166 transformants contained a single T-DNA insertion. Crucial factors for producing predominantly single T-DNA transformants include 48 h of co-cultivation, pretreatment of A. tumefaciens cells with acetosyringone before co-cultivation, and using freshly prepared mycelia. The established ATMT protocol offers an efficient tool for random insertional mutagenesis and gene transfer in studying the biology and ecology ofX.grammica.

Central Sarcopenia, Frailty and Comorbidity as Predictor of Surgical Outcome in Elderly Patients with Degenerative Spine Disease

Objective@#: People are living longer and the elderly population continues to increase. The incidence of degenerative spinal diseases (DSDs) in the elderly population is quite high. Therefore, we are facing more cases of DSD and offering more surgical solutions in geriatric patients. Understanding the significance and association of frailty and central sarcopenia as risk factors for spinal surgery in elderly patients will be helpful in improving surgical outcomes. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of prospectively collected data to assess the impact of preoperative central sarcopenia, frailty, and comorbidity on surgical outcome in elderly patients with DSD. @*Methods@#: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent elective spinal surgery performed from January 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020 at our hospital. We included patients aged 65 and over who underwent surgery on the thoracic or lumbar spine and were diagnosed as DSD. Central sarcopenia was measured by the 50th percentile of psoas : L4 vertebral index (PLVI) using the cross-sectional area of the psoas muscle. We used the Korean version of the fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illnesses, and loss of weight (K-FRAIL) scale to measure frailty. Comorbidity was confirmed and scored using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). As a tool for measuring surgical outcome, we used the Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification for postoperative complications and the length of stay (LOS). @*Results@#: This study included 85 patients (35 males and 50 females). The mean age was 74.05±6.47 years. Using the K-FRAIL scale, four patients were scored as robust, 44 patients were pre-frail and 37 patients were frail. The mean PLVI was 0.61±0.19. According to the CD classification, 50 patients were classified as grade 1, 19 as grade 2, and four as grade 4. The mean LOS was 12.35±8.17 days. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that postoperative complication was significantly associated with surgical invasiveness and K-FRAIL scale. LOS was significantly associated with surgical invasiveness and CCI. K-FRAIL scale showed a significant correlation with CCI and PLVI. @*Conclusion@#: The present study demonstrates that frailty, comorbidity, and surgical invasiveness are important risk factors for postoperative complications and LOS in elderly patients with DSD. Preoperative recognition of these factors may be useful for perioperative optimization, risk stratification, and patient counseling.

Differences in perceived parental stress between parents with very low birth weight infants and nurses in neonatal intensive care units, South Korea

Purpose@#This descriptive study compared the perceived parental stress levels between parents with very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs) and nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). @*Methods@#In total, 83 parents of VLBWIs and 78 NICU nurses were enrolled. Data were collected with the Parental Stress Scale (PSS) and analyzed using the t-test and analysis of variance in SAS version 9.4. @*Results@#The average PSS score was 3.31 among parents and 3.45 among nurses. The stress score was significantly higher among nurses with children (t=2.46, p=.016) and senior nurses (t=2.12, p=.037). There was a significant difference in the stress score according to parents' education (t=3.29, p=.002) and occupation (F=3.14, p=.049) in the sights and sounds subscale. Mothers had significantly higher stress scores than fathers in the parental role alterations subscale (t=2.32, p=.023). Parental stress scores were higher than those perceived by nurses in the infant's appearance and behaviors subscale for breathing patterns (t=2.95, p=.004), followed by jerky/ restless behavior (t=2.70, p=.008). @*Conclusion@#Nurses should provide explanations to parents of VLBWIs in order to reduce parental stress about the appearances and behavior of VLBWIs. This is more important than aspect of the NICU environment and education about parental roles.

Draft Genome Sequence of Xylaria grammica EL000614, a Strain Producing Grammicin, a Potent Nematicidal Compound

An endolichenic fungus, Xylaria grammica strain EL000614, showed strong nematicidal effects against plant pathogenic nematode, Meloidogyne incognita by producing grammicin.We report genome assembly of X. grammica EL000614 comprised of 25 scaffolds with a total length of 54.73 Mb, N50 of 4.60 Mb, and 99.8% of BUSCO completeness. GC contents of this genome were 44.02%. Gene families associated with biosynthesis of secondary metabolites or regulatory proteins were identified out of 13,730 gene models predicted.

Draft Genome Sequence of Xylaria grammica EL000614, a Strain Producing Grammicin, a Potent Nematicidal Compound

An endolichenic fungus,Xylaria grammica strain EL000614, showed strong nematicidal effects against plant pathogenic nematode, Meloidogyne incognita by producing grammicin. We report genome assembly of X. grammica EL000614 comprised of 25 scaffolds with a total length of 54.73 Mb, N50 of 4.60 Mb, and 99.8% of BUSCO completeness. GC contents of this genome were 44.02%. Gene families associated with biosynthesis of secondary metabolites or regulatory proteins were identified out of 13,730 gene models predicted.

Long-term Outcome of Microscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery for Prolactinomas as an Alternative to Dopamine Agonists

Background@#Although long-term dopamine agonist (DA) therapy is recommended as a first-line treatment for prolactinoma, some patients may prefer surgical treatment because of the potential adverse effects of long-term medication, or the desire to become pregnant. This study aimed to determine whether surgical treatment of prolactinomas could be an alternative to DA therapy. @*Methods@#In this retrospective study, 96 consecutive patients (74 female, 22 male) underwent primary pituitary surgery without long-term DA treatment for prolactinomas at a single institution from 1990 to 2010. All patients underwent primary surgical treatment in the microscopic transsphenoidal approach (TSA). @*Results@#The median age and median follow-up period were 31 (16–73) years and 139.1 (12.2–319.6) months, respectively. An initial overall remission was accomplished in 47.9% (46 of 96 patients, 33 macroadenomas, and 13 microadenomas) of patients. DA dose reduction was achieved in all patients after TSA. A better remission rate was independently predicted by lower diagnostic prolactin levels and by a greater extent of surgical resection. Overall remission at the last follow-up was 33.3%, and the overall recurrence rate was 30.4%. The permanent complication rate was 3.1%, and there was no mortality. @*Conclusion@#TSA can be considered a safe and potentially curative treatment for selective microprolactinomas as an alternative to treatment with a long-term DA.

Tumor Spheroids of an Aggressive Form of Central Neurocytoma Have Transit-Amplifying Progenitor Characteristics with Enhanced EGFR and Tumor Stem Cell Signaling

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.

Long-term Outcome of Microscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery for Prolactinomas as an Alternative to Dopamine Agonists

Background@#Although long-term dopamine agonist (DA) therapy is recommended as a first-line treatment for prolactinoma, some patients may prefer surgical treatment because of the potential adverse effects of long-term medication, or the desire to become pregnant. This study aimed to determine whether surgical treatment of prolactinomas could be an alternative to DA therapy. @*Methods@#In this retrospective study, 96 consecutive patients (74 female, 22 male) underwent primary pituitary surgery without long-term DA treatment for prolactinomas at a single institution from 1990 to 2010. All patients underwent primary surgical treatment in the microscopic transsphenoidal approach (TSA). @*Results@#The median age and median follow-up period were 31 (16–73) years and 139.1 (12.2–319.6) months, respectively. An initial overall remission was accomplished in 47.9% (46 of 96 patients, 33 macroadenomas, and 13 microadenomas) of patients. DA dose reduction was achieved in all patients after TSA. A better remission rate was independently predicted by lower diagnostic prolactin levels and by a greater extent of surgical resection. Overall remission at the last follow-up was 33.3%, and the overall recurrence rate was 30.4%. The permanent complication rate was 3.1%, and there was no mortality. @*Conclusion@#TSA can be considered a safe and potentially curative treatment for selective microprolactinomas as an alternative to treatment with a long-term DA.

Tumor Spheroids of an Aggressive Form of Central Neurocytoma Have Transit-Amplifying Progenitor Characteristics with Enhanced EGFR and Tumor Stem Cell Signaling

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.

Draft Genome Sequence of Xylaria grammica EL000614, a Strain Producing Grammicin, a Potent Nematicidal Compound

An endolichenic fungus, Xylaria grammica strain EL000614, showed strong nematicidal effects against plant pathogenic nematode, Meloidogyne incognita by producing grammicin.We report genome assembly of X. grammica EL000614 comprised of 25 scaffolds with a total length of 54.73 Mb, N50 of 4.60 Mb, and 99.8% of BUSCO completeness. GC contents of this genome were 44.02%. Gene families associated with biosynthesis of secondary metabolites or regulatory proteins were identified out of 13,730 gene models predicted.

Draft Genome Sequence of Xylaria grammica EL000614, a Strain Producing Grammicin, a Potent Nematicidal Compound

An endolichenic fungus,Xylaria grammica strain EL000614, showed strong nematicidal effects against plant pathogenic nematode, Meloidogyne incognita by producing grammicin. We report genome assembly of X. grammica EL000614 comprised of 25 scaffolds with a total length of 54.73 Mb, N50 of 4.60 Mb, and 99.8% of BUSCO completeness. GC contents of this genome were 44.02%. Gene families associated with biosynthesis of secondary metabolites or regulatory proteins were identified out of 13,730 gene models predicted.

Persicaria senticosa Ameliorates Imiquimod-induced Psoriasis-like Skin Lesions in Mice via Suppression of IL-6/STAT3 Expression and Proliferation of Keratinocytes

Psoriasis is one of the most common inflammatory skin disorders, with a global prevalence of 2% – 3%. It is an autoimmune skin disorder characterized by excessive generation of plaques on the skin with typical long-lasting red, itchy, and scaly lesions. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the anti-psoriatic effect of the methanolic extract of Persicaria senticosa (PS), a bioactive edible plant extract used in traditional medicine, using a mouse model of imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis. The daily topical application of IMQ could induce human psoriasis-like lesion. The extract ameliorated IMQ-induced psoriasis. Furthermore, hematoxylin and eosin staining and the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores indicated that topical application of PS led to an improvement in erythema, scaling, and thickness scores of the mouse dorsal skin and a considerable decrease in the epidermal thickness of the ear and dorsal skin in the IMQ-induced psoriatic mouse model. We also studied the effect of PS on the proliferation of keratinocytes using HaCaT cells. The extract inhibited cell proliferation and IL-6 and pSTAT3 expression induced by M5 cocktail (comprising interleukin [IL]-1α, IL-17A, IL-22, oncostatin M, and tumor necrosis factor-α) in HaCaT cells. Thus, PS might serve as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of psoriasis.

The Influence of Comorbidities on Reoperations Following Primary Surgery of Lumbar Degenerative Diseases : A Nationwide Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study from 2009–2016

Objective@#: Spinal degeneration is a progressive disease, worsening over time. Lumbar degenerative disease (LDD) is a major spinal disease in elderly patients. Surgical treatment is considered for medically intractable patients with LDD and reoperation after primary surgery is not uncommon. The surgical outcome is occasionally unpredictable because of comorbidities. In the present study, the relationship between comorbidities and the incidence of reoperation for LDD over time was determined. @*Methods@#: The claims data of the health insurance national database were used to identify a cohort of patients who underwent spinal surgery for LDD in 2009. The patients were followed up until 2016. Medical comorbidity was assessed according to the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Cox proportional hazard regression modeling was used to identify significant differences in sex, surgery, age, causative disease, and comorbidity. @*Results@#: The study cohort included 78241 patients; 10328 patients (13.2%) underwent reoperation during the observation period. The reoperation rate was statistically higher (p<0.01) in males, patients 55–74 years and 65–74 years of age, and patients with decompression or discectomy. Significant association was found between increasing reoperation rate and CCI score (p<0.01). Based on multivariate analysis of comorbidities, the significantly higher reoperation rates were observed in patients with peripheral vascular disease, pulmonary lung disease, peptic ulcer, diabetes, and diabetes complications (p<0.01). @*Conclusion@#: The study results indicate the reoperation rate for LDD is associated with patient comorbidities. The comorbidities identified in this study could be helpful in future LDD studies.

National Trends in the Treatment of Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysms in Korea Using an Age-adjusted Method

Background@#Two primary treatment methods are used for ruptured cerebral aneurysms, surgical clipping and endovascular coiling. In recent decades, endovascular coiling has shown remarkable progress compared to surgical clipping, along with technological developments. The aim of this study was to investigate the recent trends in treatments for ruptured cerebral aneurysms in Korea. @*Methods@#The data were obtained from the National Health Insurance database. We evaluated the trends in endovascular coiling and surgical clipping for ruptured aneurysms for the period 2000–2017. We obtained the number of prescriptions with International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, clinical modification codes related to nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage and prescription codes S4641/4642 for surgical clipping and M1661/1662 for endovascular coiling. The medical expenses for each prescription were also obtained. The primary outcomes included the cumulative number of patients, patient rates per 100,000 people, and the correlation between patient rates and the percentage of the population in each age group. @*Results@#In the case of surgical clipping, there were no increasing or decreasing trends in the cumulative number of patients when the population/age group was ignored. When examining the trends in patient rates per 100,000 population at each year in male, there was no increasing or decreasing trend in the number of surgical clippings between the age groups, in spite of a decreasing tendency in the number of surgical clipping in male in their 40s and older than 60. In females, the surgical clipping rates tended to decrease only in patients older than 60 years, but there was no tendency to increase or decrease in the other ages. In contrast, the cumulative number of patients who underwent endovascular coiling for ruptured cerebral aneurysms increased year by year regardless of the population/age group. In both male and female, there was no increasing or decreasing trend only in the group aged 40 or younger and there was an increasing tendency in the rest of the age groups. In the trend of medical expenses, both the cost of surgical clipping and endovascular coiling showed increases. Specifically, the medical expense trend in endovascular coiling increased more rapidly than that for surgical clipping. @*Conclusion@#There was a significant increase in the proportion of patients with ruptured aneurysms undergoing endovascular coiling between 2010 and 2017, whereas the use of surgical clipping decreased. The endovascular coiling was significantly increased in all age groups and surgical clipping was decreased in all age groups, especially in patients under 50 years of age.

Cancer Statistics in Korea: Incidence, Mortality, Survival, andPrevalence in 2017 / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#This study reports the cancer statistics and temporal trends in Korea on a nationwide scale,including incidence, survival, prevalence, and mortality in 2017. @*Materials and Methods@#The incidence, survival, and prevalence rates of cancer were evaluated using data from theKorea National Cancer Incidence Database from 1999 to 2017 with follow-up until December31, 2018. Deaths from cancer were assessed using cause-of-death data from 1983 to2017, obtained from Statistics Korea. Crude and age-standardized rates (ASRs) for incidence,mortality, and prevalence, and 5-year relative survival rates were calculated andtrend analysis was performed. @*Results@#In 2017, newly diagnosed cancer cases and deaths from cancer numbered 232,255 (ASR,264.4 per 100,000) and 78,863 (ASR, 76.6 per 100,000), respectively. The overall cancerincidence rates increased annually by 3.5% from 1999 to 2011 and decreased by 2.7%annually thereafter. Cancer mortality rates have been decreasing since 2002, by 2.8%annually. The 5-year relative survival rate for all patients diagnosed with cancer between2013 and 2017 was 70.4%, which contributed to a prevalence of approximately 1.87 millioncases by the end of 2017. @*Conclusion@#The burden of cancer measured by incidence and mortality rates have improved in Korea,with the exception of a few particular cancers that are associated with increasing incidenceor mortality rates. However, cancer prevalence is increasing rapidly, with the dramaticimprovement in survival during the past several years. Comprehensive cancer control strategiesand efforts should continue, based on the changes of cancer statistics.

Level of professional ethics awareness and medical ethics competency of dental hygienists and dental hygiene students: the need to add ethics items to the Korean Dental Hygienist Licensing Examination / 보건의료교육평가

Purpose@#This study aimed to evaluate the level of professional ethics awareness and medical ethics competency in order to assess the potential need for ethics items to be included on the Korean Dental Hygienist Licensing Examination. @*Methods@#In total, 358 clinical dental hygienists and dental hygiene students completed a structured questionnaire to evaluate their level of ethical awareness and medical ethics competency. The sub-factors of medical ethics were classified into relationships with patients, medical and social relations, and individual specialized fields. @*Results@#Only 32.1% of participants indicated that they had taken a course on professional ethics in the university curriculum, but 95.2% of respondents considered professional ethics to be important. The overall score for medical ethics competency was average (3.37 out of 5). The score for relationships with patients was 3.75 points, followed by medical and social relations (3.19 points) and individual specialized fields (3.16 points). The level of professional ethics awareness was higher among participants who had taken a course on professional ethics than among those who had not done so or who did not remember whether they had done so. @*Conclusion@#Dental hygienists were aware of the importance of professional ethics, but their medical ethics competency was moderate. Therefore, medical ethics should be treated as a required subject in the university curriculum, and medical ethics competency evaluations should be strengthened by adding ethics items to the Korean Dental Hygienist Licensing Examination.