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Background and objective: <i>Kirengeshoma koreana</i> Nakai is an endemic and endangered species in South Korea. We conducted <i>in vitro</i> propagation and regeneration of <i>K. koreana</i> from stem cuttings to investigate the effects of nine different basal culture media and five different carbohydrate sources on its growth.Methods: Apical segments (at least 1 cm long) collected randomly from a six-week-old <i>K. koreana</i> plantlet grown <i>in vitro</i> were used as explants. In the first experiment, the explants were transferred into square vessels containing 50 mL of nine different basal culture media supplemented with 30 g⋅L^-1 sucrose and 3 g⋅L^-1 Phytagel. In the second experiment, the explants were transferred into square vessels containing 50 mL half-strength SH medium supplemented with five different carbohydrate sources at 30 g⋅L^-1. Each medium was solidified with 3 g⋅L^-1 Phytagel. All experiments contained 4 cultures, and the experiments were repeated four times to enhance reproducibility. Data on stem length, shoot fresh weight, leaf width, leaf length, root count, and root length were collected at the end of 8 weeks of culture.Results: ANOVA showed that the basal culture medium had a significant effect on <i>K. koreana</i> growth (<i>p</i> < .001). The half-strength SH medium was the best condition for stem length, shoot fresh weight, leaf width and root length (3.76 ± 0.12 cm, 0.60 ± 0.06 g, 1.19 ± 0.05 cm, and 2.83 ± 0.13 cm, respectively). However, the highest percentage increase in root count (13.00 ± 0.90) was found to occur with half-strength WPM. The effect of different carbohydrate sources on <i>K. koreana</i> growth was significantly different (<i>p</i> < .001), with the exception of stem length and leaf width (<i>p</i> = .26 and <i>p</i> = .09, respectively). Maltose was the best condition for shoot fresh weight (0.90 ± 0.09 g). Although there was no significant difference, sucrose was found to be best for leaf width, leaf length and root length (1.34 ± 0.07 cm, 2.34 ± 0.10 cm, and 3.86 ± 0.19 cm, respectively).Conclusion: This <i>in vitro</i> propagation and regeneration system for <i>K. koreana</i> shows promise in terms of scalability and could help greatly with germplasm conservation and restoration efforts for the species.

BACKGROUND Adjuvant computed tomography-based conformal electron beam radiation therapy (RT) for patients with keloids enables radiation oncologists to customize the target volume with precision and deliver the maximal prescription dose while sparing normal surrounding tissues. OBJECTIVE To report treatment and cosmetic outcomes by the patient's self-assessment survey. METHODS Medical records of patients with keloids, who were treated with postoperative electron beam RT between January 2015 and December 2020, were reviewed. A total of 85 consecutive patients with 136 keloids were included in this study. Subjective cosmetic outcomes were scored by each patient using a 5-point Likert scale survey. RESULTS The median follow-up time was 29.0 months (range, 12.1-77.9 months), and local recurrence was observed in 10 lesions (7.4%). The recurrence rate of keloids occurring in the ear was 5.4%, whereas the recurrence rate of keloids occurring at other body sites was 11.4%. Among the patients who responded to the questionnaire about the cosmetic outcome, 70.2% of patients declared being either very satisfied (44.7%) or satisfied (25.5%). CONCLUSION Surgical excision, followed by CT-based conformal electron beam RT, for patients with keloids ensures a high degree of local control resulting in good cosmetic outcomes.

The purpose of this study was to identify a support method for the introduction of metaverse-based classes (MBC) in home economics (HE) education. This was achieved by diagnosing the stages of concern and levels of use exhibited by HE teachers applying the concerns-based adoption model (CBAM). Questionnaires were sent to a convenience sample of middle- and high-school HE teachers using the KSDC (Korea Social Science Data Center). Overall, 271 responses were received, and the data were analyzed using KSDC E-STAT 3.0 and SPSS 28.0.1.1. The results were as follows: First, regarding the level of knowledge of MBC, the introductory level was the most common (139 respondents, 51.3%,), followed by the beginner level (81, 29.9%), the intermediate level (28, 10.3%,), the advanced level (12, 4.4%), and the master level (11, 4.1%). Average responses on a 5-point Likert scale to questions about the use of metaverse in HE classes were as follows: possibility (4.02), necessity (3.82), and usefulness (3.90). Second, HE teachers' stages of concern in MBC were as follows (in descending order): unconcerned - stage 0, and information - stage 1 (86.9), personal - stage 2 (85.6), management - stage 3 (80.9), collaboration - stage 5 (57.5), consequence - stage 4 (57.4), and refocusing - stage 6 (55.2). Third, the use of MBC was highest for orientation - level 1 (173 respondents, 63.8%), followed by non-use - level 0 (34, 12.5%), preparation - level 2 (29, 10.7%), mechanical - level 3 (15, 5.5%), refinement - level 5 (8, 3.0%), renewal - level 7 (8, 3.0%), routine - level 4 (3, 1.1%), and integration - level 6 (1, 0.4%). Many HE teachers had heard about MBC but were in the introductory level of not knowing what it is, and at the stage of being unconcerned or wanting to know about MBC. Of the 271 respondents, only 35 used metaverse in classes. Therefore, it is necessary to provide teacher training opportunities that provide basic information on the significance and implementation of MBC for HE teachers. Also, an MBC guideline book should be developed and distributed to HE teachers. Finally, a teacher community meeting is needed to share the expertise of teachers with substantial experience in using MBC.

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