Korean transgender and nonbinary workers' development of critical consciousness through interpersonal relationships at work: A grounded theory.

Research on the experiences of transgender and nonbinary (TNB) individuals in counseling psychology is expanding, but studies focusing on their work experiences remain limited and primarily address workplace discrimination. This study aimed to develop a grounded theory on Korean TNB workers' interpersonal experiences at work, exploring not only their challenges but also their growth through workplace relationships. Using constructivist grounded theory methodology, the authors interviewed 16 Korean TNB workers from diverse professions and industries.

Impact of linkage level on inferences from big data analyses in health and medical research: an empirical study.

Background: Linkage errors that occur according to linkage levels can adversely affect the accuracy and reliability of analysis results. This study aimed to identify the differences in results according to personally identifiable information linkage level, sample size, and analysis methods through empirical analysis.

Methods: The difference between the results of linkage in directly identifiable information (DII) and indirectly identifiable information (III) linkage levels was set as III linkage based on name, date of birth, and sex and DII linkage based on resident registration number.

Effect of Surgeon-Performed Thoracic Paravertebral Block on Postoperative Pain in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) causes severe postoperative pain. Thoracic paravertebral block (PVB) provides excellent analgesia during various surgeries. We examined the effects of PVB on postoperative analgesia in children undergoing AIS surgery.

Propensity score matching for comparative studies: a tutorial with R and Rex.

Recently, there has been considerable progress in developing new technologies and equipment for the medical field, including minimally invasive surgeries. Evaluating the effectiveness of these treatments requires study designs like randomized controlled trials. However, due to the nature of certain treatments, randomization is not always feasible, leading to the use of observational studies.

Optimal approach for diagnosing peripheral lung nodules by combining electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy and radial probe endobronchial ultrasound.

Introduction: Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) and radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (RP-EBUS) are essential bronchoscopic procedures for diagnosing peripheral lung lesions. Despite their individual advantages, the optimal circumstances for their combination remain uncertain.

Methods: This single-center retrospective study enrolled 473 patients with 529 pulmonary nodules who underwent ENB and/or RP-EBUS biopsies between December 2021 and December 2022.

Three-axis load analysis of high-speed handpiece on dental training teeth and computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing blocks.

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the mechanical properties of dental training teeth with subtractive and additive computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) materials used to fabricate dental simulation models. Therefore, the three-axis load generated during cutting movements, including drilling and milling performed using a dental handpiece, was measured and compared. The samples were cut vertically downward by 1.

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Analgesic Effectiveness of Periarticular Injections and Pericapsular Nerve Group Block for Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block and periarticular injection (PAI) provide motor-sparing analgesia following hip surgery. We hypothesized that PAI offers non-inferior pain relief compared with PENG block in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). In this randomized trial, 66 patients who underwent primary THA under spinal anesthesia were assigned to the PENG or PAI groups.

Sulforaphane Inhibits IL-1β-Induced IL-6 by Suppressing ROS Production, AP-1, and STAT3 in Colorectal Cancer HT-29 Cells.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) stands as a major cause of cancer-related mortality globally, accounting for approximately 881,000 deaths each year. Traditional approaches such as chemotherapy and surgery have been the primary treatment modalities, yet the outcomes for patients with metastatic CRC are often unsatisfactory. Recent research has focused on targeting the pathways involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, and metastasis to enhance the survival of CRC patients.

Development and validation of novel simple prognostic model for predicting mortality in Korean intensive care units using national insurance claims data.

Background/aims: Intensive care unit (ICU) quality is largely determined by the mortality rate. Therefore, we aimed to develop and validate a novel prognostic model for predicting mortality in Korean ICUs, using national insurance claims data.

Methods: Data were obtained from the health insurance claims database maintained by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service of South Korea.

Continuous Superior Trunk Block versus Single-Shot Superior Trunk Block with Intravenous Dexmedetomidine for Postoperative Analgesia in Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Intravenous dexmedetomidine (DEX) can increase the analgesia duration of peripheral nerve block; however, its effect in combination with superior trunk block (STB) remains unclear. We examined whether combining single-shot STB (SSTB) with intravenous DEX would provide noninferior postoperative analgesia comparable to that provided by continuous STB (CSTB). Ninety-two patients scheduled for elective arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were enrolled in this prospective randomized trial.

Long-term impact of weight loss in people with class II obesity on the overall burden of disease: Evidence from the National Health Screening Cohort in Korea.

Background: Obesity is known to increase overall disease burden but does obesity management actually help reduce disease burden?

Objectives: To investigate the effects of weight loss on disease burden in people with obesity using the National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort (NHIS-HEALS) in Korea.

Setting: Pure longitudinal observational study using Nationwide cohort database.

Methods: Out of 514,866 NHIS-HEALS cohort, participants with class II obesity in Asia-Pacific region (30 ≤ body mass index [BMI] < 35) who underwent health check-up provided by NHIS during 2003-2004 (index date) were included.

Ultrasound estimates of the epidural depth in the paramedian sagittal oblique and transverse median planes: the correlation between estimated and actual depth to the epidural space in children with scoliosis.

Introduction: The present study aimed to compare the correlation and agreement of epidural depth estimation using ultrasound in the paramedian sagittal oblique (PSO) versus the transverse median (TM) plane relative to the actual epidural depth observed during midline epidural punctures in children with scoliosis.

Methods: In this prospective observational study, we enrolled 55 children aged 3-14 years with thoracolumbar scoliosis (Cobb angle >10°) requesting postoperative epidural analgesia. Ultrasound imaging was performed to estimate the distance from the skin to the epidural space in the bilateral PSO and TM planes.

Repurposing Metabolic Inhibitors in the Treatment of Colon Adenocarcinoma Patient-Derived Models.

The effect of agonists on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), mainly metformin and phenformin, has been appreciated in the treatment of multiple types of tumors. Specifically, the antitumor activity of phenformin has been demonstrated in melanomas containing the v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) activating mutation. In this report, we elucidated the synergistic antitumor effects of biguanides with metabolism inhibitors on colon tumors.

Real-world survival after colorectal surgery for malignancy in Korean patients with chronic kidney disease: an analysis of Korean healthcare big data, 2002-2019.

Purpose: Globally, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common and has been associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). There is a dearth of literature on the real-world morbidity and mortality associated with CKD comorbid with CRC. This study was performed to evaluate real-world survival outcomes of colorectal malignancy in Korean CKD patients.

Hemo-metabolic impairment in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: Data from the INTERSTELLAR registry.

Background: Not only hemo-dynamic (HD) factors but also hemo-metabolic (HM) risk factors reflecting multi-organ injuries are considered as important prognostic factors in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, studies regarding HM risk factors in STEMI patients are currently limited.

Method: Under analysis were 1,524 patients with STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention in the INTERSTELLAR registry.

Risk of gastric cancer among long-term proton pump inhibitor users: a population-based cohort study.

Purpose: To elucidate whether long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) users have an increased gastric cancer (GC) risk.

Methods: We searched the 2009-2019 Korean National Health Insurance Services Database for patients aged > 40 years who claimed for Helicobacter pylori eradication (HPE) during 2009-2014. The GC incidence following a PPI exposure of > 180 cumulative defined daily dose (cDDD) and that following an exposure of < 180 cDDD were compared.

Identification of Long Non-Coding RNA Profiles and Potential Therapeutic Agents for Fibrolamellar Carcinoma Based on RNA-Sequencing Data.

Background: Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is a rare type of liver cancer that primarily affects adolescents and young adults without prior liver disease or viral infections. Patients with FLC generally have non-specific symptoms, are often diagnosed at a later stage, and experience a higher frequency of metastases compared to patients with other liver cancers. A fusion transcript of DNAJB1 and PRKACA, which can lead to increased activity of PKA and cellular proliferation, has been identified in all FLC patients, but the exact mechanism through which FLC develops remains unclear.

Reactive Oxygen Species and Infection: A Comprehensive Review of Their Roles in Gastric Cancer Development.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and makes up a significant component of the global cancer burden. () is the most influential risk factor for GC, with the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifying it as a Class I carcinogen for GC. has been shown to persist in stomach acid for decades, causing damage to the stomach's mucosal lining, altering gastric hormone release patterns, and potentially altering gastric function.

Peripheral Nerve Blockade in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Study with Propensity Score Matching.

The effect of peripheral nerve block (PNB) according to leg lengthening following total hip arthroplasty (THA) has not been studied yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PNB according to the change in leg length after THA. From January 2016 to August 2021, 353 patients who underwent unilateral THA for osteonecrosis of the femoral head or osteoarthritis of the hip joint were retrospectively reviewed.