Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia (UGRA) offers substantial benefits in perioperative pain management; however, it remains underutilized because of technical complexity and training demands. Assistive artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising solution to support UGRA by enhancing anatomical recognition, procedural accuracy, and user confidence. This narrative review outlines the AI development pipeline for nerve visualization, describes available commercial tools, and summarizes clinical evidence. Although these technologies have the potential to democratize UGRA and reduce interoperator variability, limitations remain, including data bias, narrow anatomical coverage, and lack of outcome-based validation. Future efforts should focus on standardized evaluation, clinician-centered design, and rigorous clinical trials to ensure safe and effective integration of AI into UGRA practice.

Background: Genetic alterations play a pivotal role in multiple myeloma (MM) development and therapeutic resistance. Traditionally, the genetic profiling of MM requires invasive bone marrow (BM) procedures; however, these procedures are associated with patient discomfort and cannot fully capture the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the disease.Therefore, we investigated the clinical implications of liquid biopsy using targeted deep sequencing. Methods: We analyzed the genetic profiles of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) by targeted deep sequencing from 102 patients, including those with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS, N = 7), smoldering MM (N = 6), and symptomatic MM (N = 89). Results: The number of ctDNA mutations increased with disease progression from MGUS to MM, with averages of 1.0 mutations in MGUS, 1.8 mutations in smoldering MM, and 1.9 mutations in MM, respectively. Shared mutations between BM and ctDNA were more prevalent in MM (68.9%) than in MGUS (25.0%). RAS/RAF and TP53 mutations were significantly enriched in MM ctDNA. Specific mutations were associated with clinical features in patients with MM: hypercalcemia and TET2 (P = 0.006), renal insufficiency and NRAS (P = 0.012), paramedullary myeloma and TP53(P = 0.02), and extramedullary myeloma and NRAS (P = 0.007). TET2 mutations significantly affected 2-yr progression-free survival (hazard ratio = 7.11, P = 0.003). Serial ctDNA profiling accurately predicted treatment response in patients with MM. Conclusions Our findings highlight the potential of liquid biopsy for understanding MM progression and prognosis utilizing a minimally invasive approach, paving the way for its integration into personalized treatment strategies and real-time disease monitoring.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the relationship between nurses’ job stress, self-leadership, and the quality of nursing services in integrated nursing and care service wards. Additionally, this research sought to identify factors that may affect the quality of nursing care provided by nurses. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in July 2023, targeting nurses from four general hospitals that provide comprehensive nursing services in Cheongju, Chungcheongnam-do. One hundred fifty-three participants working as nurses were recruited. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, an independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression with IBM SPSS 27.0 software. Results: Job stress and quality of nursing service were found to have negative correlations, while self-leadership and quality of nursing service were found to have positive correlations. The research variables that showed a significant effect on nursing service quality were self-leadership (β=.48, p<.001) and job stress (β=-.26, p=.002), with an explanatory power of 33.0%. Conclusion Self-leadership and job stress significantly influence the quality of nursing services in integrated nursing and care service wards. Therefore, it is essential to develop and implement educational programs for nurses that foster self-leadership, alleviate job-related burdens, and create diverse interventions and professional environments aimed at reducing job stress.

Objective: To improve our understanding of EPEC, this study focused on analyzing and comparing the genomic characteristics of EPEC isolates from humans and companion animals in Korea. Methods: The whole genome of 26 EPEC isolates from patients with diarrhea and 20 EPEC isolates from companion animals in Korea were sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq X (Illumina, USA) and Oxford Nanopore MinION (Oxford Nanopore Technologies, UK) platforms. Results: Most isolates were atypical EPEC, and did not harbor the bfpA gene. The most prevalent virulence genes were found to be ompT (humans: 61.5%; companion animals:60.0%) followed by lpfA (humans: 46.2%; companion animals: 60.0%). Although pangenome analyses showed no apparent correlation among the origin of the strains, virulence profiles, and antimicrobial resistance profiles, isolates included in clade A obtained from both humans and companion animals exhibited high similarity. Additionally, all the isolates included in clade A encoded the ompT gene and did not encode the hlyE gene. The two isolates from companion animals harbored an incomplete bundle-forming pilus region encoding bfpA and bfpB. Moreover, the type IV secretion system-associated genes tra and trb were found in the bfpA-encoding isolates from humans. Conclusions and Relevance: Whole-genome sequencing enabled a more accurate analysis of the phylogenetic structure of EPEC and provided better insights into the understanding of EPEC epidemiology and pathogenicity.

Background: Circadian misalignment is associated with metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to examine the association between circadian rhythm-disturbing factors and metabolic syndrome. Methods: We used data from the 7th and 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2016 and 2020, which surveyed 16,253 individuals. Circadian rhythm-disturbing factors were defined as follows: sleep duration outside the reference group (6–8 hours), irregular breakfast, shift work, and physical inactivity. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for metabolic syndrome was calculated based on the number of circadian rhythm-disturbing factors present in adults over the age of 19 years. Results: Among a total of 16,253 participants (mean age 48.2±15 years), metabolic syndrome was found in 5,237 participants (29.3 %). The participants were classified into three categories based on the number of circadian rhythm-disturbing factors as follows: 2,627 (15.6%) did not have any factors, 6,406 (38.13%) had one factor, and 7,220 (46.3%) had two or more factors. Participants with a single circadian rhythm-disturbing factor were 21% more likely to have metabolic syndrome (aOR, 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–1.36), and participants with two or more factors were 27% more likely to have metabolic syndrome (aOR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.12–1.43). Conclusion Circadian rhythm-disturbing factors were significantly associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Korean adults. This finding has potential clinical implications for maintaining circadian rhythms by avoiding certain factors to prevent metabolic syndrome. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.

Background/Aims: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the recent nationwide trends in major dietary risk factors for dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis. Methods: We estimated age-standardized mean intakes of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, whole grains, dietary fiber, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs); and mean percentage of energy intake from protein, total fat, saturated fat, and polyunsaturated fat using nationally representative samples from the Korean National Health Examination and Nutrition Survey 2013–2022. To assess overall diet quality, we calculated mean Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) (range 0–100, higher scores indicating greater diet quality). Results: In 2013–2022, there were overall decreasing trends in age-standardized mean KHEI score and intakes of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and dietary fiber; and overall increasing trends in mean intakes of SSBs, protein, and dietary fat among both male and female. The KHEI score increased in older adults aged ≥ 60 years, whereas it decreased among younger adults. Throughout the study period, younger adults tended to have lower intakes of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and whole grains; higher intakes of SSBs, protein, and dietary fat; and lower KHEI score. The mean KHEI score was lower in male (vs. female) and lower (vs. higher) income groups. Conclusions Our data suggest that, from 2013 to 2022, there was a trend toward an unhealthy diet in Korean adults. Our findings also suggest dietary inequalities among age, sex, and income groups, suggesting the need for more intense interventions targeting the vulnerable populations.

Background/Aims: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the recent nationwide trends in major dietary risk factors for dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis. Methods: We estimated age-standardized mean intakes of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, whole grains, dietary fiber, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs); and mean percentage of energy intake from protein, total fat, saturated fat, and polyunsaturated fat using nationally representative samples from the Korean National Health Examination and Nutrition Survey 2013–2022. To assess overall diet quality, we calculated mean Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) (range 0–100, higher scores indicating greater diet quality). Results: In 2013–2022, there were overall decreasing trends in age-standardized mean KHEI score and intakes of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and dietary fiber; and overall increasing trends in mean intakes of SSBs, protein, and dietary fat among both male and female. The KHEI score increased in older adults aged ≥ 60 years, whereas it decreased among younger adults. Throughout the study period, younger adults tended to have lower intakes of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and whole grains; higher intakes of SSBs, protein, and dietary fat; and lower KHEI score. The mean KHEI score was lower in male (vs. female) and lower (vs. higher) income groups. Conclusions Our data suggest that, from 2013 to 2022, there was a trend toward an unhealthy diet in Korean adults. Our findings also suggest dietary inequalities among age, sex, and income groups, suggesting the need for more intense interventions targeting the vulnerable populations.

Objective: To improve our understanding of EPEC, this study focused on analyzing and comparing the genomic characteristics of EPEC isolates from humans and companion animals in Korea. Methods: The whole genome of 26 EPEC isolates from patients with diarrhea and 20 EPEC isolates from companion animals in Korea were sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq X (Illumina, USA) and Oxford Nanopore MinION (Oxford Nanopore Technologies, UK) platforms. Results: Most isolates were atypical EPEC, and did not harbor the bfpA gene. The most prevalent virulence genes were found to be ompT (humans: 61.5%; companion animals:60.0%) followed by lpfA (humans: 46.2%; companion animals: 60.0%). Although pangenome analyses showed no apparent correlation among the origin of the strains, virulence profiles, and antimicrobial resistance profiles, isolates included in clade A obtained from both humans and companion animals exhibited high similarity. Additionally, all the isolates included in clade A encoded the ompT gene and did not encode the hlyE gene. The two isolates from companion animals harbored an incomplete bundle-forming pilus region encoding bfpA and bfpB. Moreover, the type IV secretion system-associated genes tra and trb were found in the bfpA-encoding isolates from humans. Conclusions and Relevance: Whole-genome sequencing enabled a more accurate analysis of the phylogenetic structure of EPEC and provided better insights into the understanding of EPEC epidemiology and pathogenicity.

Background: Circadian misalignment is associated with metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to examine the association between circadian rhythm-disturbing factors and metabolic syndrome. Methods: We used data from the 7th and 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2016 and 2020, which surveyed 16,253 individuals. Circadian rhythm-disturbing factors were defined as follows: sleep duration outside the reference group (6–8 hours), irregular breakfast, shift work, and physical inactivity. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for metabolic syndrome was calculated based on the number of circadian rhythm-disturbing factors present in adults over the age of 19 years. Results: Among a total of 16,253 participants (mean age 48.2±15 years), metabolic syndrome was found in 5,237 participants (29.3 %). The participants were classified into three categories based on the number of circadian rhythm-disturbing factors as follows: 2,627 (15.6%) did not have any factors, 6,406 (38.13%) had one factor, and 7,220 (46.3%) had two or more factors. Participants with a single circadian rhythm-disturbing factor were 21% more likely to have metabolic syndrome (aOR, 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–1.36), and participants with two or more factors were 27% more likely to have metabolic syndrome (aOR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.12–1.43). Conclusion Circadian rhythm-disturbing factors were significantly associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Korean adults. This finding has potential clinical implications for maintaining circadian rhythms by avoiding certain factors to prevent metabolic syndrome. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.

Background/Aims: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the recent nationwide trends in major dietary risk factors for dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis. Methods: We estimated age-standardized mean intakes of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, whole grains, dietary fiber, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs); and mean percentage of energy intake from protein, total fat, saturated fat, and polyunsaturated fat using nationally representative samples from the Korean National Health Examination and Nutrition Survey 2013–2022. To assess overall diet quality, we calculated mean Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) (range 0–100, higher scores indicating greater diet quality). Results: In 2013–2022, there were overall decreasing trends in age-standardized mean KHEI score and intakes of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and dietary fiber; and overall increasing trends in mean intakes of SSBs, protein, and dietary fat among both male and female. The KHEI score increased in older adults aged ≥ 60 years, whereas it decreased among younger adults. Throughout the study period, younger adults tended to have lower intakes of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and whole grains; higher intakes of SSBs, protein, and dietary fat; and lower KHEI score. The mean KHEI score was lower in male (vs. female) and lower (vs. higher) income groups. Conclusions Our data suggest that, from 2013 to 2022, there was a trend toward an unhealthy diet in Korean adults. Our findings also suggest dietary inequalities among age, sex, and income groups, suggesting the need for more intense interventions targeting the vulnerable populations.