Leaky mutations in the zeaxanthin epoxidase in Capsicum annuum result in bright-red fruit containing a high amount of zeaxanthin.

Fruit color is one of the most important traits in peppers due to its esthetic value and nutritional benefits and is determined by carotenoid composition, resulting from diverse mutations of carotenoid biosynthetic genes. The EMS204 line, derived from an EMS mutant population, presents bright-red color, compared with the wild type Yuwolcho cultivar. HPLC analysis indicates that EMS204 fruit contains more zeaxanthin and less capsanthin and capsorubin than Yuwolcho. MutMap was used to reveal the color variation of EMS204 using an F3 population derived from a cross of EMS204 and Yuwolcho, and the locus was mapped to a 2.5-Mbp region on chromosome 2. Among the genes in the region, a missense mutation was found in ZEP (zeaxanthin epoxidase) that results in an amino acid sequence alteration (V291 → I). A color complementation experiment with Escherichia coli and ZEP in vitro assay using thylakoid membranes revealed decreased enzymatic activity of EMS204 ZEP. Analysis of endogenous plant hormones revealed a significant reduction in abscisic acid content in EMS204. Germination assays and salinity stress experiments corroborated the lower ABA levels in the seeds. Virus-induced gene silencing showed that ZEP silencing also results in bright-red fruit containing less capsanthin but more zeaxanthin than control. A germplasm survey of red color accessions revealed no similar carotenoid profiles to EMS204. However, a breeding line containing a ZEP mutation showed a very similar carotenoid profile to EMS204. Our results provide a novel breeding strategy to develop red pepper cultivars containing high zeaxanthin contents using ZEP mutations.

Effect of Poria cocos Terpenes: Verifying Modes of Action Using Molecular Docking, Drug-Induced Transcriptomes, and Diffusion Network Analyses.

We characterized the therapeutic biological modes of action of several terpenes in Poria cocos F.A Wolf (PC) and proposed a broad therapeutic mode of action for PC. Molecular docking and drug-induced transcriptome analysis were performed to confirm the pharmacological mechanism of PC terpene, and a new analysis method, namely diffusion network analysis, was proposed to verify the mechanism of action against Alzheimer's disease. We confirmed that the compound that exists only in PC has a unique mechanism through statistical-based docking analysis. Also, docking and transcriptomic analysis results could reflect results in clinical practice when used complementarily. The detailed pharmacological mechanism of PC was confirmed by constructing and analyzing the Alzheimer's disease diffusion network, and the antioxidant activity based on microglial cells was verified. In this study, we used two bioinformatics approaches to reveal PC's broad mode of action while also using diffusion networks to identify its detailed pharmacological mechanisms of action. The results of this study provide evidence that future pharmacological mechanism analysis should simultaneously consider complementary docking and transcriptomics and suggest diffusion network analysis, a new method to derive pharmacological mechanisms based on natural complex compounds.

Epileptic seizures associated with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in HIV-infected patients in Korea.

We investigated the incidence and risk factors of seizures related to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in Korean patients infected with HIV. Of the 34 patients, 14 (41.2%) developed epileptic seizures during a median follow-up of 82 months. The median time from PML diagnosis to seizure onset was 44 months, ranging from 0 to 133 months. Patients with PML who developed seizures more commonly had cognitive impairment and multiple or diffuse lesions on brain MRI. These findings highlight the increased seizure risk among HIV-infected patients with PML at any stage of the disease, particularly in cases with extensive involvement.

Hepatic arterial infusion in combination with systemic chemotherapy in patients with hepatic metastasis from colorectal cancer: a randomized phase II study - (NCT05103020) - study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Although 80% of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) experience liver metastases, only 10-25% undergo resection at the time of diagnosis. Even in initially unresectable conditions, if appropriate treatment is provided, such as surgical conversion through a combination of hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy and systemic chemotherapy (sys-CT), better overall survival can be expected. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy of HAI oxaliplatin in combination with sys-CT plus targeted therapy in patients with unresectable CRC with liver-only metastasis. METHODS: This is a single-center, randomized, open-label phase II trial (NCT05103020). Patients with untreated CRC, who have liver-only metastases and for whom liver resection is potentially possible but deemed infeasible at the time of initial diagnosis by a multidisciplinary team, will be eligible. Patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the combined HAI oxaliplatin and modified systemic 5-fluorouracil, folinic acid, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) plus targeted therapy group or the systemic FOLFIRI plus targeted therapy group. Both regimens will be repeated every 2 weeks for a total of 12 cycles. The primary objective of this study is to compare the rate of conversion to liver resection. The surgical conversion rate is expected to increase by 25% with HAI oxaliplatin in combination with sys-CT plus targeted therapy (40% in the experimental arm versus 15% in the control arm) (power, 80%; two-sided alpha-risk, 5%). The secondary objectives include overall survival, progression-free survival, and objective response rate. DISCUSSION: This is the first randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of HAI oxaliplatin in combination with sys-CT plus targeted therapy as first-line treatment from the initial diagnosis in patients with unresectable CRC with liver-only metastasis, aiming to significantly increase the surgical conversion rate. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, (NCT05103020). Trial registration date: November 2, 2021.

Headache in Pediatric Moyamoya Disease after Revascularization Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with moyamoya disease (MMD) often have headaches after successful revascularization surgery. We aimed to characterize headache in surgically treated MMD patients and elucidate its clinical meaning and pathophysiology. METHODS: Headache and related symptoms were surveyed using structured questionnaires in pediatric MMD patients with follow-up for 6 months or longer after indirect revascularization surgery. Clinical information including initial presentation, surgical method, and outcome was collected from medical records. Surgical outcomes were assessed clinically and by perfusion imaging. We defined "headache associated with MMD" as the headache accompanied by a transient ischemic attack or provoked by hyperventilation. Other headaches were further classified based on the diagnostic criteria of the International Headache Society-3. We analyzed the characteristics of "headache associated with MMD" and newly developed headache after surgery. RESULTS: Among 90 participants, 65 (72.2%) had headaches within the last year before survey, including 28 (43.1%) with "headaches associated with MMD," 10 (15.3%) with probable migraines, 2 (3.1%) with infrequent episodic tension-type headaches, and 4 (6.2%) with probable tension-type headaches. Headache quality was pulsatile in 27 (41.5%) patients and pressing or tightening in 27 (41.5%) patients. Nausea or vomiting was accompanied in 30 (46.2%) patients. Headache upon awakening was reported in 37 (57.8%) patients. Headache disturbed daily life in 12 (18.5%) patients. Among the 32 (35.6%) patients who suffered headache during both the pre- and postoperative period, the headache quality was similar in 27 (84.4%) patients, and its severity decreased in 24 (75.0%) and did not change in 8 (25.0%) patients. Twelve (13.3%) patients experienced newly developed headaches after surgery. Among them, six (50.0%) were classified as having "headaches associated with MMD." They were predominantly electric shock-like or stabbing in 5 (45.6%) patients and nondisturbing in all patients. All 90 patients achieved improvement of ischemic symptoms after surgery. CONCLUSION: Headaches often persist or newly develop after revascularization surgery in MMD patients. Accompanying nausea or vomiting and occurrence upon awakening are characteristic features. Postoperative headache does not necessarily imply insufficient disease control.

Gender and Age Bias in the Evaluation of Suicide Attempt Behavior in an Emergency Department.

We aimed to investigate whether demographic characteristics such as age and gender of attempted suicide patients are associated with bias in the post-Emergency Department (ED) discharge program manager's evaluation of genuineness of the patients' suicide attempts. In the ED-Based Post-Suicide Attempt Case Management (ED-PSACM) program, the manager interviews patients with suicide attempts and makes subjective judgement on the patient's genuineness of the suicide attempt. After patients' discharge, the manager provides follow-up post-discharge care management services. Compared to ≥ 65 years old male patients as a reference group, 18-39 years old female patients showed significantly lower judgment for a genuine suicide attempt (OR = 0.34; 95% CI 0.12-0.81). Other groups did not show significant differences from the reference group. Our study result suggests the possibility of the effects of bias on young females on the judgment of the suicide attempt genuineness. Medical staff and interventions managers in the ED should be concerned to avoid knowledge-mediated bias, especially by gender and age.

Longitudinal Transcription Profiling of Bladder Cancers Dictate the Response to BCG Treatment and Disease Progression.

Although the intravesical instillation of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is widely used as adjuvant treatment for nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancers, the clinical benefit is variable across patients, and the molecular mechanisms underlying the sensitivity to BCG administration and disease progression are poorly understood. To establish the molecular signatures that predict the responsiveness and disease progression of bladder cancers treated with BCG, we performed transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) for 13 treatment-naïve and 22 post-treatment specimens obtained from 14 bladder cancer patients. To overcome disease heterogeneity, we used non-negative matrix factorization to identify the latent molecular features associated with drug responsiveness and disease progression. At least 12 molecular features were present, among which the immune-related feature was associated with drug responsiveness, indicating that pre-treatment anti-cancer immunity might dictate BCG responsiveness. We also identified disease progression-associated molecular features indicative of elevated cellular proliferation in post-treatment specimens. The progression-associated molecular features were validated in an extended cohort of BCG-treated bladder cancers. Our study advances understanding of the molecular mechanisms of BCG activity in bladder cancers and provides clinically relevant gene markers for evaluating and monitoring patients.

Comparisons of musculoskeletal injuries among three different modalities of Taekwondo (Kyorugi, Poomsae, and Shibum): a one-year follow-up prospective epidemiologic study.

The purpose of the study was to report the injury rates and characteristics (body location, type, mechanism, and severity) of musculoskeletal injuries in Kyorugi, Poomsae, and Shibum. A total of 137 Korean collegiate Taekwondo players - Kyorugi (n = 44), Poomsae (n = 46), and Shibum (n = 47) - were prospectively studied in 2019. Injury rates per 1,000 athlete-exposures (AEs) and time-exposures (TEs) during training and competition were calculated. Additionally, body location, type, mechanism, and severity of injury were analysed. The highest injury rate was recorded in Poomsae (172.0/1,000 AEs and 79.5/1,000 TEs) followed by Kyorugi (47.1/1,000 AEs and 25.9/1,000 TEs) and Shibum (57.5/1,000 AEs and 17.0/1,000 TEs). The frequently injured body location was the thigh (Kyorugi = 17%; Poomsae = 25%; Shibum = 18%). The common injury types were muscle cramps/spasms in Kyorugi (33%) and Poomsae (59%), and sprain in Shibum (41%). The common injury mechanisms were gradual onset in Kyorugi (40%) and Shibum (49%), and non-contact trauma in Poomsae (91%). Regarding the severity, the number of days from the injury onset to recovery > 1 week were higher in the order of Kyorugi (78%), Shibum (54%), and Poomsae (28%). Our data provide preliminary evidence that different injury prevention strategies should be applied to each modality of Taekwondo.

A mutation in Zeaxanthin epoxidase contributes to orange coloration and alters carotenoid contents in pepper fruit (Capsicum annuum).

Phytoene synthase (PSY1), capsanthin-capsorubin synthase (CCS), and pseudo-response regulator 2 (PRR2) are three major genes controlling fruit color in pepper (Capsicum spp.). However, the diversity of fruit color in pepper cannot be completely explained by these three genes. Here, we used an F2 population derived from Capsicum annuum 'SNU-mini Orange' (SO) and C. annuum 'SNU-mini Yellow' (SY), both harboring functional PSY1 and mutated CCS, and observed that yellow color was dominant over orange color. We performed genotyping-by-sequencing and mapped the genetic locus to a 6.8-Mb region on chromosome 2, which we named CaOr. We discovered a splicing mutation in the zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP) gene within this region leading to a premature stop codon. HPLC analysis showed that SO contained higher amounts of zeaxanthin and total carotenoids in mature fruits than SY. A color complementation assay using Escherichia coli harboring carotenoid biosynthetic genes showed that the mutant ZEP protein had reduced enzymatic activity. Transmission electron microscopy of plastids revealed that the ZEP mutation affected plastid development with more rod-shaped inner membrane structures in chromoplasts of mature SO fruits. To validate the role of ZEP in fruit color formation, we performed virus-induced gene silencing of ZEP in the yellow-fruit cultivar C. annuum 'Micropep Yellow' (MY). The silencing of ZEP caused significant changes in the ratios of zeaxanthin to its downstream products and increased total carotenoid contents. Thus, we conclude that the ZEP genotype can determine orange or yellow mature fruit color in pepper.

A focus group interview with health professionals: establishing efficient transition care plan for older adult patients in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Although transition care planning can affect the functional status and quality of life after acute hospitalization in older adults, little is known on problems associated with discharge planning in acute care hospitals in Korea. We aimed to investigate barriers and possible solutions on transfer planning of complex older patients in this study. METHODS: We used focus group interviews with the application of framework analysis. Twelve physicians providing inpatient care from 6 different institutions in Korea participated in the interview. Facilitating questions were extracted from 2 roundtable meetings prior to the primary interview. From transcribed verbatim, themes were constructed from corresponding remarks by participants. RESULTS: We revealed two main domains of the barrier, which included multiple subdomains for each of them. The first domain was a patient factor barrier, a composite of misperception of medical providers' intentions, incomprehension of the healthcare system, and communication failure between the caregivers or decision-makers. The second domain, institutional factors included different fee structures across the different levels of care, high barrier to accessing health service in tertiary hospitals or to be referred to, the hardship of communication between institutions, and insufficient subacute rehabilitation service across the country. CONCLUSIONS: Through the interview, physicians in the field recognized barriers to a smooth transition care process from tertiary level hospitals to community care, especially for older adults. Participants emphasized both the patients and hospital sides of adjustment on behaviors, communication, and greater attention for the individuals during the transition period.

Real-world prescribing trends of valproate in women with epilepsy in Korea.

Avoiding valproate is recommended in women of childbearing age due to possible teratogenicity and infertility. We aimed to examine the recent trend of valproate prescriptions in Korea to review the adequacy of anticonvulsant prescriptions in women with epilepsy (WWE). Oral valproate utilization was assessed using nationwide and unselected data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service from 2009 to 2017. The temporal trends of the proportions of valproate prescriptions were analyzed using the Poisson regression model and expressed as average annual percentage change (AAPC). Among the WWE of childbearing age, valproate was prescribed in 37.0% overall and 29.4% as initial prescription in 2017. The proportion of valproate utilization showed a decreasing trend in overall prescription (AAPC = -1.10%) and initial prescription (AAPC = -2.63%). However, the proportion was static over time in the initial monotherapy group (AAPC = -0. 53%), while it was significantly decreasing in the initial polytherapy group (AAPC = -8.25%). A noticeable proportion of WWE was still being prescribed valproate in Korea. In particular, the use of valproate for initial monotherapy has not decreased over the past nine years. This result calls not only for reinforcement of education regarding anticonvulsant selection but also for monitoring the actual prescription.

Sex differences in seizure effects on social anxiety in persons with epilepsy.

PURPOSE: We investigated sex differences in the effect of seizures on social anxiety in persons with epilepsy. METHOD: In this cross-sectional multicenter study, social anxiety was measured using the short forms of the Social Phobia Scale (SPS-6) and Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS-6). SPS-6 scores ≥ 9 and SIAS-6 scores ≥ 12 were considered to indicate social phobia and social interaction anxiety, respectively. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Stigma Scale-Revised, and Family Adaptation-Partnership-Growth-Affection-Resolve scale were also completed. A logistic regression analysis with an interaction term was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Out of 285 participants, a SPS-6 score ≥ 9 and a SIAS-6 score ≥ 12 were noted in 62 (21.8%) and 36 (12.6%) of participants, respectively. There was no difference in the prevalence of social anxiety between men and women. Intractable seizures and lack of seizure freedom were associated with a SPS-6 score ≥ 9 and a SIAS-6 score ≥ 12, but statistical significance was lost in the adjusted models. However, intractable seizures and lack of seizure freedom significantly interacted with sex for a SPS-6 score ≥ 9 (p = 0.018) and a SIAS-6 score ≥ 12 (p = 0.048) in both the separate and adjusted models. Specifically, intractable seizures tended to be positively associated with SPS-6 scores ≥ 9 than non-intractable seizures in men only (odds ratio = 2.602, p = 0.068), whereas lack of seizure freedom tended to be negatively associated with SIAS-6 scores ≥ 12 than seizure freedom in women only (odds ratio = 4.804, p = 0.053). CONCLUSION: We found significant sex differences in seizure effects on social anxiety. Intractable seizures were associated with social phobia in men, whereas lack of seizure freedom in the last year was associated with social interaction anxiety in women.

Clinical outcomes associated with anticholinergic burden in older hospitalized patients with advanced cancer: a single-center database study.

PURPOSE: Although anticholinergic burden has been known to be associated with adverse outcomes in older adults, its clinical importance has been less studied in patients with advanced cancer. We aimed to assess clinical impacts of using anticholinergic medications in older patients with cancer. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective database study. This study included patients with stage IV solid cancer aged 65 years or older who were hospitalized in a hospitalist-operated medical unit of a tertiary hospital. We calculated anticholinergic cognitive burden (ACB) scores on admission and during hospitalization by reviewing all medications during hospital stays and collected the following data: demographic, medical history and clinical severity, occurrence of delirium, location of discharge, in-hospital mortality, and after discharge mortality data. RESULTS: When we divided the patients into two groups based on the change in ACB during hospitalization, the in-hospital mortality rate, incidence of delirium, frequency of transfers to long-term care hospitals, and length of hospital stay were higher in the ACB-increased group than those in the non-increased group. Even after excluding patients with clinically detected delirium, increased ACB were associated with increased in-hospital mortality. Patients in the ACB-increased group showed higher mortality risk after discharge than those in the non-increased group based on the Cox proportional hazard model. CONCLUSION: Increased ACB during hospitalization is a predictor of worsening clinical features and higher mortality in older patients with cancer. Further studies investigating causal relationship between an increased ACB and poor prognosis are warranted.

Differential Transcriptional Regulation of Polymorphic p53 Codon 72 in Metabolic Pathways.

p53 is a transcription factor that is activated under DNA damage stress and regulates the expression of proapoptotic genes including the expression of growth arrest genes to subsequently determine the fate of cells. To investigate the functional differences of polymorphic p53 codon 72, we constructed isogenic lines encoding each polymorphic p53 codon 72 based on induced pluripotent stem cells, which can endogenously express each polymorphic p53 protein only, encoding either the arginine 72 (R72) variant or proline 72 (P72) variant, respectively. We found that there was no significant functional difference between P72 and R72 cells in growth arrest or apoptosis as a representative function of p53. In the comprehensive analysis, the expression pattern of the common p53 target genes, including cell cycle arrest or apoptosis, was also increased regardless of the polymorphic p53 codon 72 status, whereas the expression pattern involved in metabolism was decreased and more significant in R72 than in P72 cells. This study noted that polymorphic p53 codon 72 differentially regulated the functional categories of metabolism and not the pathways that determine cell fate, such as growth arrest and apoptosis in cells exposed to genotoxic stress.

Does the new Korean term for epilepsy reduce the stigma for Korean adults with epilepsy?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in stigma, disclosure management of epilepsy, and knowledge about epilepsy between patients with epilepsy who recognized and did not recognize the new Korean term for epilepsy. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, multicenter study. The Stigma Scale-Revised, the Disclosure Management Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and a questionnaire assessing knowledge about epilepsy were used. The set of questionnaires had two versions, using either the old or new name for epilepsy. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. RESULTS: A total of 341 patients with epilepsy and 509 family members were recruited. Approximately 62% of patients felt some degree of epilepsy-related stigma. Mild stigma, severe concealment of epilepsy diagnosis, and increased knowledge about epilepsy were independently identified as factors associated with recognition of the new term in patients. Recognition of the new term was more prevalent in patients and family members with higher education, female family members, and family members having patients with younger age at seizure onset and shorter duration of epilepsy. There were no significant differences between the two types of questionnaires. About 81% of patients and 93% of family members had a positive attitude about renaming epilepsy. CONCLUSION: The use of the new Korean term for epilepsy (cerebroelectric disorder) increased knowledge about epilepsy but did not reduce stigma and concealment of epilepsy diagnosis in Korean adults with epilepsy. Higher education may be an important factor for knowing the new term in patients and family members.

Factors associated with stigma and depressive symptoms in family members of patients with epilepsy.

PURPOSE: Literature regarding family stigma related to epilepsy is scarce. This study investigated the prevalence of family stigma and depressive symptoms and the associated factors among the family members of patients with epilepsy. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, Stigma Scale-Revised score ≥ 4 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥ 10 were considered indicative of moderate-to-severe stigma and depressive symptoms, respectively. Stepwise logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Of the 482 family members, a mean age was 47.1 ±â€¯9.4 years, and 73.4% were female. Of the patients, a mean age was 25.5 ±â€¯16.7 years, and 45.0% were female. Idiopathic generalized epilepsy and focal epilepsy were noted in 22.4% and 65.6% of patients, respectively. Family stigma and depressive symptoms were noted in 10.0% and 11.2% of family members, respectively. Family stigma was significantly associated with high seizure frequency and being a sibling or offspring of a patient independent of their depressive symptoms. By contrast, depressive symptoms in family members were significantly associated with polytherapy, being parents of a patient, and neurological comorbidities independent of family stigma. In a subset of patients and their family, patients had higher proportion of stigma and depressive symptoms than their family. Depressive symptoms and stigma among patients were significantly correlated with those among parents, but not spouse. CONCLUSION: Family stigma is common in families with epilepsy and is closely related to depressive symptoms. Frequent seizures, polytherapy, neurological comorbidities, and the relationship to a patient may be factors that are independently associated with family stigma and depressive symptoms in family members.

Elimination of Teratogenic Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells by Bee Venom via Calcium-Calpain Pathway.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are regarded as a promising option for cell-based regenerative medicine. To obtain safe and efficient iPSC-based cell products, it is necessary to selectively eliminate the residual iPSCs prior to in vivo implantation due to the risk of teratoma formation. Bee venom (BV) has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat inflammatory diseases and relieve pain, and has been shown to exhibit anti-cancer, anti-mutagenic, anti-nociceptive, and radioprotective activities. However, the potential benefits of BV in iPSC therapy, particularly its anti-teratoma activity, have not been examined. In this study, we found that BV selectively induced cell death in iPSCs, but not in iPSC-derived differentiated cells (iPSCs-Diff). BV rapidly disrupted cell membrane integrity and focal adhesions, followed by induction of apoptosis and necroptosis in iPSCs. We also found that BV remarkably enhanced intracellular calcium levels, calpain activation, and reactive oxygen speciesgeneration in iPSCs. BV treatment before in ovo grafting efficiently prevented iPSC-derived teratoma formation. In contrast, no DNA damage was observed in iPSCs-Diff following BV treatment, further demonstrating the safety of BV for use with iPSCs-Diff. Taken together, these findings show that BV has potent anti-teratoma activity by eliminating residual iPSCs, and can be used for the development of effective and safe iPSC-based cell therapies.

Extensive left atrial ablation was associated with exacerbation of left atrial stiffness and dyspnea.

INTRODUCTION: The left atrium (LA), including the pulmonary vein antrum, is the main target of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there is a lack of data on the effect of extensive LA ablation on LA stiffness. This study sought to investigate the impact of extensive LA ablation on LA stiffness and dyspnea after the restoration of sinus rhythm. METHODS: In total, 97 patients with AF (80 patients who only underwent pulmonary vein isolation [PVI] and 17 patients who underwent extensive LA ablation) were investigated. Extensive LA ablation was defined as PVI plus at least two sets of LA linear-line ablation. LA stiffness was estimated using the ratio of E/e' to global longitudinal LA strain, as measured by echocardiography. The clinical outcomes we evaluated were AF recurrence and composite dyspnea, which we defined as newly prescribed diuretics or hospitalization for heart failure. RESULTS: Patients were 59.3 ± 10.0 years old on average, and 68 (70.1%) were male. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics or echocardiographic parameters before ablation between the two groups. After ablation, LA stiffness was higher in the extensive ablation group compared with that in the PVI group (0.9 ± 0.6 vs 0.5 ± 0.3, respectively, P = .017). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that extensive ablation increased LA stiffness (ß = 0.363, P < .001). AF recurrence was similar in both groups; however, composite dyspnea outcomes were worse in the extensive ablation group (P = .003). CONCLUSION: Extensive LA ablation was associated with a worsening of LA stiffness. This might explain dyspnea despite the successful restoration of sinus rhythm.

Retraction Note: Effect of rosuvastatin on fasting and postprandial endothelial biomarker levels and microvascular reactivity in patients with type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia: a preliminary report.

The authors have retracted this article [1] because they have identified serious errors in their data analysis which change the conclusions of their study. All authors agree with this retraction.

Factors associated with social anxiety in South Korean adults with epilepsy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine social anxiety in South Korean adults with epilepsy and to identify associated factors. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional, multicenter study in South Korea. Social anxiety was assessed using short forms of the Social Phobia Scale (SPS-6) and Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS-6). The SPS-6 scores ≥9 and SIAS-6 scores ≥12 were considered indicative of social phobia and social interaction anxiety, respectively. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); Stigma Scale-Revised (SS-R); Disclosure Management Scale; Family Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, Resolve (F-APGAR) scale; and a questionnaire assessing knowledge about epilepsy were also used. RESULTS: Of a total of 219 patients with epilepsy, 21% and 11% had SPS-6 scores ≥9 and SIAS-6 scores ≥12, respectively. In logistic regression analysis, SPS-6 scores ≥9 were independently associated with SS-R scores of 4-9 (odds ratio [OR]: 8.626, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.515-29.587, p = .001), SS-R scores 1-3 (OR: 5.496, 95% CI: 1.757-17.197, p = .003), and PHQ-9 scores ≥10 (OR: 4.092, 95% CI: 1.823-9.185, p = .001). In contrast, SIAS-6 scores ≥12 were related only to PHQ-9 scores ≥10 (OR: 8.740, 95% CI: 3.237-23.599, p < .001). Belonging to a dysfunctional family and lack of knowledge about epilepsy tended to be associated with social phobia (p = .071) and social interaction anxiety (p = .090), respectively. Epilepsy-related variables were not related to social anxiety. CONCLUSION: Social anxiety is not rare in patients with epilepsy. In this study, social phobia was associated with perceived stigma and depressive symptoms, whereas social interaction anxiety was related only to depressive symptoms in patients with epilepsy.