Purpose: This study aimed to compare perioperative and postoperative outcomes of single-port laparoscopic articulated instrument-assisted versus da Vinci SP-assisted totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair using a propensity score-matched multi-institutional cohort. Methods: Between April 2022 and July 2025, 221 patients underwent TEP unilateral inguinal hernia repair at four institutions. Among them, 33 patients underwent da Vinci SP-assisted repair (Intuitive Surgical) and 188 underwent single-port laparoscopy using the articulated instrument, ArtiSential (LivsMed). Propensity score matching was performed in a 1:1 ratio based on demographic and clinical variables, resulting in 30 matched patients in each group. Perioperative outcomes and postoperative complications were analyzed. Results: After matching, baseline characteristics were well balanced between the groups.Operative time was significantly longer in the da Vinci SP group than in the ArtiSential group (median [interquartile range], 82.0 [67.5–105.0] vs. 35.0 [28.5–47.5] minutes; p < 0.001). No open conversions occurred, and conversions to transabdominal preperitoneal repair were rare and comparable. Mesh size selection differed significantly, with smaller meshes more frequently used in the da Vinci SP group (p < 0.001). Postoperative outcomes, including length of hospital stay, overall complication rates, chronic pain, and recurrence, were similar between the groups. No major complications, readmissions, or reoperations were observed. Conclusion Articulated instrument-assisted TEP inguinal hernia repair demonstrated a significantly shorter operative time than da Vinci SP-assisted repair, while perioperative safety and postoperative outcomes were comparable.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the relationships between artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and utilization ability, and their influence on communication competence in nursing students. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 160 nursing students from three universities in Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea, between September 12 and 19, 2025. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires to assess AI knowledge, attitudes, perception and utilization ability, and communication competence. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression using IBM SPSS version 26.0. Results: The mean scores for communication competence were 180.63±16.56. The scores for AI knowledge, positive attitudes, negative attitudes, and perception/utilization ability were 10.53±3.59, 45.06±4.44, 22.25±3.80, and 88.33±12.50, respectively. Significant predictors of communication competence included positive attitudes toward AI (B=0.95, p=.003), perceived ease of use (B=1.15, p=.009), and AI usage time of five hours or more per week (B=8.23, p=.015). These factors explained 22.0% of the variance in communication competence. Conclusion Educational interventions that foster positive attitudes toward AI, enhance perceived ease of use through user-friendly tools, and provide sufficient hands-on experience with AI programs may effectively improve nursing students’ communication competence.

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of aroma inhalation on sleep quality, professional quality of life (QoL), and near-misses in medication errors during night shifts among emergency room nurses. Methods: A randomized crossover experimental design was used to determine the effects of this intervention. The research participants included 55 nurses (29 in group 1 and 26 in group 2) who worked as nurses in the emergency room at a tertiary general hospital in Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea. Aroma inhalation was conducted on the night shift. Sleep quality, professional QoL, and near-misses in medication were measured before and after inhalation of the aroma. Data was analyzed using the independent t-test, the chi-square test, and a linear mixed-effects model. Results: The aroma treatment group had significantly better sleep quality than the non-treatment group (p < .010), and the sleep time on the third day of aroma treatment was longer than that of the non-treatment group (p = .008). However, there were no signs of improvement in professional QoL or near-misses in medication errors in response to aroma treatment. Conclusion Aroma inhalation effectively improved sleep quality and increased sleep duration in emergency room nurses. Therefore, aroma inhalation is suggested as an intervention to improve the sleep quality of emergency room nurses who work night shifts. Follow-up studies are needed to build a more robust evidence base to inform strategies for improving nurses' professional QoL and patient safety during medication management.

Purpose: To investigate the short-term outcomes of intravitreal injections of the ranibizumab biosimilar SB11 in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: This retrospective comparative study assessed changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) in patients diagnosed with neovascular AMD who received three monthly injections of SB11. The outcomes were compared to those of patients who received the same treatment using the ranibizumab originator. Within the SB11 group, comparisons were made between BCVA and CRT at diagnosis and after three injections. The proportion of patients with resolved subretinal fluid/intraretinal fluid was also evaluated. Results: The study included 46 eyes. In the SB11 group (n = 23), the average BCVA improved significantly from a baseline of logarithm of minimal angle of resolution 0.54 ± 0.42 to 0.40 ± 0.32 after three injections (p = 0.008). The average CRT decreased significantly from 447.4 ± 167.7 µm at baseline to 267.9 ± 66.9 µm after treatment (p < 0.001). Complete resolution of macular edema was observed in 19 eyes (82.7%). No significant differences were found in the degree of change in BCVA (p = 0.883) and CRT (p = 0.629) when compared to the ranibizumab originator group (n = 23). No complications such as intraocular inflammation or retinal detachment were noted. Conclusions Treatment with SB11 loading injections in neovascular AMD led to significant improvements in vision and reductions in macular thickness. The extent of improvement was comparable to that achieved with the ranibizumab originator and no severe complications were observed.

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of aroma inhalation on sleep quality, professional quality of life (QoL), and near-misses in medication errors during night shifts among emergency room nurses. Methods: A randomized crossover experimental design was used to determine the effects of this intervention. The research participants included 55 nurses (29 in group 1 and 26 in group 2) who worked as nurses in the emergency room at a tertiary general hospital in Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea. Aroma inhalation was conducted on the night shift. Sleep quality, professional QoL, and near-misses in medication were measured before and after inhalation of the aroma. Data was analyzed using the independent t-test, the chi-square test, and a linear mixed-effects model. Results: The aroma treatment group had significantly better sleep quality than the non-treatment group (p < .010), and the sleep time on the third day of aroma treatment was longer than that of the non-treatment group (p = .008). However, there were no signs of improvement in professional QoL or near-misses in medication errors in response to aroma treatment. Conclusion Aroma inhalation effectively improved sleep quality and increased sleep duration in emergency room nurses. Therefore, aroma inhalation is suggested as an intervention to improve the sleep quality of emergency room nurses who work night shifts. Follow-up studies are needed to build a more robust evidence base to inform strategies for improving nurses' professional QoL and patient safety during medication management.

Epidemiological evidence has shown that diabetes is associated with overt heart failure (HF) and worse clinical outcomes. However, the presence of a distinct primary diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) has not been easy to prove because the association between diabetes and HF is confounded by hypertension, obesity, microvascular dysfunction, and autonomic neuropathy. In addition, the molecular mechanisms underlying DCM are not yet fully understood, DCM usually remains asymptomatic in the early stage, and no specific biomarkers have been identified. Nonetheless, several mechanistic associations at the systemic, cardiac, and cellular/molecular levels explain different aspects of myocardial dysfunction, including impaired cardiac relaxation, compliance, and contractility. In this review, we focus on recent clinical and preclinical advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of DCM and the role of anti-hyperglycemic agents in preventing DCM beyond their glucose lowering effect.

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of aroma inhalation on sleep quality, professional quality of life (QoL), and near-misses in medication errors during night shifts among emergency room nurses. Methods: A randomized crossover experimental design was used to determine the effects of this intervention. The research participants included 55 nurses (29 in group 1 and 26 in group 2) who worked as nurses in the emergency room at a tertiary general hospital in Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea. Aroma inhalation was conducted on the night shift. Sleep quality, professional QoL, and near-misses in medication were measured before and after inhalation of the aroma. Data was analyzed using the independent t-test, the chi-square test, and a linear mixed-effects model. Results: The aroma treatment group had significantly better sleep quality than the non-treatment group (p < .010), and the sleep time on the third day of aroma treatment was longer than that of the non-treatment group (p = .008). However, there were no signs of improvement in professional QoL or near-misses in medication errors in response to aroma treatment. Conclusion Aroma inhalation effectively improved sleep quality and increased sleep duration in emergency room nurses. Therefore, aroma inhalation is suggested as an intervention to improve the sleep quality of emergency room nurses who work night shifts. Follow-up studies are needed to build a more robust evidence base to inform strategies for improving nurses' professional QoL and patient safety during medication management.

Epidemiological evidence has shown that diabetes is associated with overt heart failure (HF) and worse clinical outcomes. However, the presence of a distinct primary diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) has not been easy to prove because the association between diabetes and HF is confounded by hypertension, obesity, microvascular dysfunction, and autonomic neuropathy. In addition, the molecular mechanisms underlying DCM are not yet fully understood, DCM usually remains asymptomatic in the early stage, and no specific biomarkers have been identified. Nonetheless, several mechanistic associations at the systemic, cardiac, and cellular/molecular levels explain different aspects of myocardial dysfunction, including impaired cardiac relaxation, compliance, and contractility. In this review, we focus on recent clinical and preclinical advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of DCM and the role of anti-hyperglycemic agents in preventing DCM beyond their glucose lowering effect.

Purpose: The long-term outcomes and efficacy of partial stapled hemorrhoidopexy (PSH) compared with those of conventional hemorrhoidectomy (CH) are not fully understood. This study aimed to introduce a modified PSH (mPSH) and compare its clinical efficacy and safety with those of CH. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. This study was performed at a single hospital and involved 6 colorectal surgeons. In total, 110 patients were enrolled between July 2019 and September 2020. Patients were randomly assigned to undergo either mPSH group (n=55) or CH group (n=55). The primary outcome was to compare postoperative average pain and postoperative peak pain using visual analog scale score between the 2 groups. Results: The required duration of analgesia was shorter in the mPSH group than in the CH group, although the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.096). However, the laxative requirement duration (P<0.010), return to work (P<0.010), satisfaction score (P<0.010), and Vaizey score (P=0.014) were significantly better in the mPSH group. The average and peak postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the mPSH group during the 15 days after surgery (P<0.001). The overall complication rate in both groups was 9.1%, with no significant difference between the groups (P=0.867). Conclusion The mPSH group demonstrated better improvement in symptoms, lower pain scores, and greater patient early satisfaction after surgery than the CH group. Therefore, this surgical technique appears to be a safe and effective alternative for CH.