Purpose: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a promising technique for postoperative pain control. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the TAP block in managing postoperative pain after laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair. Methods: In this retrospective study, medical records of patients who had received ultrasonography-guided TAP blocks after surgery from January 2019 to August 2023 were reviewed and compared with those of patients who had not received. Propensity score matching was controlled for age as a confounder. Postoperative pain levels were measured using the numeric rating scale (NRS). Results: After matching, 95 patients were included in each group. The TAP block group (2.7 vs. 4.0, P < 0.001) had significantly lower NRS scores immediately and early postoperative pain than the control group (1.9 vs. 2.5, P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of postoperative complications (P > 0.05). Conclusion TAP block is effective and safe for managing immediate and early postoperative pain in laparoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repair and does not increase the risk of complications.

Purpose: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a promising technique for postoperative pain control. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the TAP block in managing postoperative pain after laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair. Methods: In this retrospective study, medical records of patients who had received ultrasonography-guided TAP blocks after surgery from January 2019 to August 2023 were reviewed and compared with those of patients who had not received. Propensity score matching was controlled for age as a confounder. Postoperative pain levels were measured using the numeric rating scale (NRS). Results: After matching, 95 patients were included in each group. The TAP block group (2.7 vs. 4.0, P < 0.001) had significantly lower NRS scores immediately and early postoperative pain than the control group (1.9 vs. 2.5, P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of postoperative complications (P > 0.05). Conclusion TAP block is effective and safe for managing immediate and early postoperative pain in laparoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repair and does not increase the risk of complications.

Purpose: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a promising technique for postoperative pain control. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the TAP block in managing postoperative pain after laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair. Methods: In this retrospective study, medical records of patients who had received ultrasonography-guided TAP blocks after surgery from January 2019 to August 2023 were reviewed and compared with those of patients who had not received. Propensity score matching was controlled for age as a confounder. Postoperative pain levels were measured using the numeric rating scale (NRS). Results: After matching, 95 patients were included in each group. The TAP block group (2.7 vs. 4.0, P < 0.001) had significantly lower NRS scores immediately and early postoperative pain than the control group (1.9 vs. 2.5, P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of postoperative complications (P > 0.05). Conclusion TAP block is effective and safe for managing immediate and early postoperative pain in laparoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repair and does not increase the risk of complications.

Purpose: The duties of paramedics and emergency medical technicians (P&EMTs) are continuously changing due to developments in medical systems. This study presents evaluation goals for P&EMTs by analyzing their work, especially the tasks that new P&EMTs (with less than 3 years’ experience) find difficult, to foster the training of P&EMTs who could adapt to emergency situations after graduation. Methods: A questionnaire was created based on prior job analyses of P&EMTs. The survey questions were reviewed through focus group interviews, from which 253 task elements were derived. A survey was conducted from July 10, 2023 to October 13, 2023 on the frequency, importance, and difficulty of the 6 occupations in which P&EMTs were employed. Results: The P&EMTs’ most common tasks involved obtaining patients’ medical histories and measuring vital signs, whereas the most important task was cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The task elements that the P&EMTs found most difficult were newborn delivery and infant CPR. New paramedics reported that treating patients with fractures, poisoning, and childhood fever was difficult, while new EMTs reported that they had difficulty keeping diaries, managing ambulances, and controlling infection. Conclusion Communication was the most important item for P&EMTs, whereas CPR was the most important skill. It is important for P&EMTs to have knowledge of all tasks; however, they also need to master frequently performed tasks and those that pose difficulties in the field. By deriving goals for evaluating P&EMTs, changes could be made to their education, thereby making it possible to train more capable P&EMTs.

Background: Many studies have evaluated the prevalence of different reasons for retraction in samples of retraction notices. We aimed to perform a systematic review of such empirical studies of retraction causes. Methods: The PubMed/MEDLINE database and the Embase database were searched in June 2023. Eligible studies were those containing sufficient data on the reasons for retraction across samples of examined retracted notices. Results: A 11,181 potentially eligible items were identified, and 43 studies of retractions were included in this systematic review. Studies limited to retraction notices of a specific subspecialty or country, journal/publication type are emerging since 2015. We noticed that the reasons for retraction are becoming more specific and more diverse. In a meta-analysis of 17 studies focused on different subspecialties, misconduct was responsible for 60% (95% confidence interval [CI], 53–67%) of all retractions while error and publication issues contributed to 17% (95% CI, 12–22%) and 9% (95% CI, 6–13%), respectively. The end year of the retraction period in all included studies and the proportion of misconduct presented a weak positive association (coefficient = 1.3% per year, P = 0.002). Conclusion Misconduct seems to be the most frequently recorded reason for retraction across empirical analyses of retraction notices, but other reasons are not negligible. Greater specificity of causes and standardization is needed in retraction notices.

Cochlear afferent nerve fibers (ANF) are the first neurons in the ascending auditory pathway. We investigated the low-voltage activating K + channels expressed in ANF dendrites using isolated rat cochlear segments. Whole cell patch clamp recordings were made from the dendritic terminals of ANFs. Outward currents activating at membrane potentials as low as -64 mV were observed in all dendrites studied. These currents were inhibited by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), a blocker known to preferentially inhibit low-voltage activating K + currents (I KL ) in CNS auditory neurons and spiral ganglion neurons. When the dendritic I KL was blocked by 4-AP, the EPSP decay time was significantly prolonged, suggesting that dendritic I KL speeds up the decay of EPSPs and likely modulates action potentials of ANFs. To reveal molecular subtype of dendritic I KL , α-dendrotoxin (α-DTX), a selective inhibitor for K v 1.1, Kv 1.2, and K v 1.6 containing channels, was tested. α-DTX inhibited 23±9% of dendritic I KL . To identify the α-DTXsensitive and α-DTX-insensitive components of I KL , immunofluorescence labeling was performed. Strong K v 1.1- and K v 1.2-immunoreactivity was found at unmyelinated dendritic segments, nodes of Ranvier, and cell bodies of most ANFs. A small fraction of ANF dendrites showed K v 7.2-immunoreactivity. These data suggest that dendritic I KL is conducted through K v 1.1and K v 1.2 channels, with a minor contribution from K v 7.2 and other as yet unidentified channels.

Background: Topical corticosteroids (TCs) are available both as over-the-counter drugs and prescription medicines at pharmacies.Although they are generally safe drugs, inappropriate and excessive use could result in potential side effects. Thus, it is important to have appropriate knowledge regarding the use of TCs. We performed a cross-sectional survey to assess public knowledge and the potential misuse or overuse of TCs. Methods: A cross-sectional and nationwide online survey was conducted among participants who were aware of TCs. The survey items included sources of information, indications, potential side effects, and methods of application of TCs. A comparative analysis was conducted between those with (TC users) and without (TC non-users) an experience of using TCs. Results: Among 3,000 participants, 74.4% were TC users. The mass media was the most common information source of TCs, and only one-third of the surveyed people relied on pharmacists or doctors for information. Regarding indications and application methods, incorrect answer rate was high in some items, but respondents showed adequate knowledge. However, awareness of the safety of TCs was low. Overall, the TC users showed a higher knowledge of TCs than TC non-users. Conclusions Public knowledge of the use of TCs appears to be appropriate. However, we found potential misuse or overuse of some items and a lack of awareness of the side effects concerning TCs. Thus, healthcare professionals’ significant role is required.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has shown excellent clinical effectiveness; however, adverse events of the vaccine remain a concern in Korea. We surveyed adverse events in 2498 healthcare workers vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a university hospital. The survey was conducted using a diary card for 7 days following each injection. The questionnaire response rate was 75.1% (1876/2498) for the first dose and 73.8% (1840/2493) for the second dose. Among local reactions, pain was the most commonly reported (84.9% after the first dose and 90.4% after the second dose). After the second dose, two people visited the emergency room due to severe local pain, but no hospitalization or skin necrosis occurred. Among systemic reactions, fatigue was most frequently reported (52.8% after the first dose and 77.0% after the second dose), followed by myalgia (49.0% and 76.1%), headache (28.7% and 59.2%), chills (16.7% and 54.0%), and arthralgia (11.4% and 39.2%). One or more critical adverse events occurred in 0.2% and 0.7% of the vaccinees. Except for urticaria, more adverse events were reported after the second dose than after the first dose. In the future, adverse events should be investigated in older adults, and a future study with a longer observation period should be conducted.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to understand the lived experience of illness among older females with cancer in South Korea. Methods: Data were collected from May to December of 2019 through individual in-depth interviews with eight older females with cancer who have undergone thorough cancer diagnosis and treatments. Transcribed data were analyzed using the hermeneutic phenomenological method developed by van Manen. Results: Six essential themes emerged: old body physically devastated through the fight against cancer; tug of war for symbiosis between cancer and the old body; home that does not provide comfort anymore; twilight years with no regrets even with cancer; womanhood to keep for a lifetime even in old age; and putting pieces together of the relationships around oneself. Conclusion Based on the participants’ illness experience, efforts need to be made to develop and implement effective strategies to improve nurses’ understanding of the life experiences of illness among older females with cancer in the Korean socio-cultural context, and to provide patient and family-centered nursing interventions that reflect patients’ age and gender characteristics.

Background: Whether hyperthyroidism is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events remains controversial. We aimed to evaluate the association of overt and subclinical hyperthyroidism with the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, heart failure, and cardiovascular mortality. Methods: Studies regarding the association between hyperthyroidism and cardiovascular events were searched on PubMed and Embase databases. The cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk was classified as high and low, based on pre-existing diseases, including history of coronary, cerebral, or peripheral artery disease; heart failure; atrial fibrillation; diabetes mellitus; or chronic kidney disease. Results: Thirty-seven cohort studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled hazard ratio for subjects with overt hyperthyroidism compared with the control group was 1.11 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 1.19) for IHD, 1.35 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.75) for stroke, and 1.20 (95% CI, 1.00 to 1.46) for cardiovascular mortality. For subjects with subclinical hyperthyroidism, the pooled hazard ratio was 1.24 (95% CI, 1.07 to 1.45) for IHD, when compared with the control group. Subgroup analysis by CVD risk showed that the risk of stroke in overt hyperthyroidism was increased in the low CVD risk group; however, these association was not observed in the high CVD risk group. Similarly, the risk of IHD in subjects with subclinical hyperthyroidism was significantly increased in the low CVD risk group. Conclusion Overt hyperthyroidism is associated with increased risk of IHD, stroke, and cardiovascular mortality, and subclinical hyperthyroidism is associated with increased risk of IHD. These associations were particularly observed in the low risk CVD group without underlying CVD.