Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality used as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules, recurrent thyroid cancers (RTCs), and primary thyroid microcarcinomas. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) initially developed recommendations for the optimal use of RFA for thyroid tumors in 2009 and revised them in 2012 and 2017. As new meaningful evidence has accumulated since 2017 and in response to a growing global interest in the use of RFA for treating malignant thyroid lesions, the task force committee members of the KSThR decided to update the guidelines on the use of RFA for the management of RTCs based on a comprehensive analysis of current literature and expert consensus.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the key factors in nursing workforce management for pandemic response in general hospitals and long-term care hospitals and to analyze the relative importance of these factors. Methods: A validity test was conducted with experts to select four categories and 30 key factors related to nursing workforce management for pandemic response. Surveys were collected from 25 nursing managers in general hospitals and 21 nursing managers in long-term care hospitals, and the relative importance of the key factors was analyzed using the analytic hierarchy process method. Results: Differences were found between the two groups in the relative importance of nursing workforce management for pandemic response. Specifically, the highest-ranking category was “workforce recruitment and redeployment” for general hospitals, but “workforce support and protection” for long-term care hospitals. The most important factor regarding nursing workforce management was the “nurse-to-patient ratio” for both general and long-term care hospitals. Conclusion General and long-term care hospitals need to establish nursing workforce management strategies to effectively respond to pandemics with appropriate consideration of the relative importance and prioritization of key factors based on hospital characteristics.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the key factors in nursing workforce management for pandemic response in general hospitals and long-term care hospitals and to analyze the relative importance of these factors. Methods: A validity test was conducted with experts to select four categories and 30 key factors related to nursing workforce management for pandemic response. Surveys were collected from 25 nursing managers in general hospitals and 21 nursing managers in long-term care hospitals, and the relative importance of the key factors was analyzed using the analytic hierarchy process method. Results: Differences were found between the two groups in the relative importance of nursing workforce management for pandemic response. Specifically, the highest-ranking category was “workforce recruitment and redeployment” for general hospitals, but “workforce support and protection” for long-term care hospitals. The most important factor regarding nursing workforce management was the “nurse-to-patient ratio” for both general and long-term care hospitals. Conclusion General and long-term care hospitals need to establish nursing workforce management strategies to effectively respond to pandemics with appropriate consideration of the relative importance and prioritization of key factors based on hospital characteristics.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality used as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules, recurrent thyroid cancers (RTCs), and primary thyroid microcarcinomas. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) initially developed recommendations for the optimal use of RFA for thyroid tumors in 2009 and revised them in 2012 and 2017. As new meaningful evidence has accumulated since 2017 and in response to a growing global interest in the use of RFA for treating malignant thyroid lesions, the task force committee members of the KSThR decided to update the guidelines on the use of RFA for the management of RTCs based on a comprehensive analysis of current literature and expert consensus.

This review examines the challenges associated with occupational disease surveillance in Korea, particularly emphasizing the limitations of current data sources such as the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) statistics and special health examinations. The IACI system undercounts cases due to its emphasis on severe diseases and restrictions on approvals. Special health examinations, although they cover a broad workforce, are constrained by their annual scheduling, which leads to missed acute illnesses and subclinical conditions. The paper also explores the history of occupational disease surveillance in Korea, highlighting the fragmented and disease-specific approach of earlier systems. The authors introduce the newly established Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center (KODSC), a comprehensive nationwide system designed to gather, analyze, and interpret data on occupational diseases through a network of regional centers. By incorporating hospital-based surveillance and focusing on acute poisonings and other sentinel events, the KODSC aims to overcome the limitations of previous systems and promote collaboration with various agencies. Although it is still in the early stages of implementation, the KODSC demonstrates potential for improving data accuracy and contributing valuable insights for public health policy.

Background: Dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, reduces hyperglycemia and obesity by inhibiting renal glucose reabsorption. This post hoc study evaluated clinical factors influencing patient response to dapagliflozin. Methods: The analysis focused on patients treated with dapagliflozin (10 mg/day for 52 weeks) within the randomized, double-blind, parallel-group BEYOND trial. Adequate glycemic control (GC) was defined as a reduction in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of ≥ 1.0% or the achievement of an HbA1c level <7.0% at week 52. Significant weight loss (WL) referred to a reduction in body weight of ≥3.0% at week 52. Participants were classified into four groups based on their GC and WL responses: GC+/WL+, GC+/WL−, GC−/WL+, and GC−/WL−. Results: Among dapagliflozin recipients (n=56), at 52 weeks, HbA1c had decreased by 1.0%±0.8% from baseline, while body weight had declined by 2.4±3.1 kg. Overall, 69.6% of participants achieved GC+, and 57.1% achieved WL+. Male sex and shorter diabetes duration were significantly associated with achieving GC+. Conversely, higher estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly linked to WL+. The only factor significantly associated with both GC+ and WL+ was shorter diabetes duration (odds ratio, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.68 to 0.97; P=0.023). The GC+ and WL+ groups exhibited favorable responses beginning soon after dapagliflozin therapy was initiated. Furthermore, HbA1c decline was more strongly associated with reduction in visceral fat than with WL. Conclusion A short duration of diabetes and early response to treatment appear to represent key factors in maximizing the benefits of dapagliflozin for blood glucose and weight management.

Objective: Several miRNAs have been identified as differentially expressed in patients with poor ovarian response (POR) compared to those with normal responses. This study aims to assess the potential of serum miR-329-3p as a biomarker for diagnosing POR. Methods: We conducted a Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis to confirm the target genes of miR-329-3p. KGN cells were transfected with both miR-329-3p mimic and inhibitor to assess the differential expression of these target genes. In accordance with the Bologna criteria, we enrolled 16 control patients and 16 patients with POR. We collected patient samples, including serum from day 2 and the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) day, as well as granulosa and cumulus cells, to validate the expression of miR-329-3p using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: KEGG pathway analysis revealed that miR-329-3p targeted adenylyl cyclase 9 (ADCY9) and protein kinase A subunit beta (PRKACB), both of which are involved in ovarian steroidogenesis. In KGN cells treated with a miR-329-3p mimic, ADCY9 and PRKACB expression levels were significantly reduced (p<0.05). Elevated levels of miR-329-3p suppressed aromatase expression and 17β-estradiol production by modulating ADCY9 and PRKACB in KGN cells. These effects were also observed in POR patients. Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) expression was diminished in the granulosa cells of POR patients. On day 2, on hCG day, and in granulosa cells, miR-329-3p exhibited high expression levels in the serum of POR patients. Conclusion miR-329-3p exhibited increased expression in granulosa cells and in the sera of POR patients. Consequently, we propose that miR-329-3p may be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of POR.