Background: Fishing is a physically demanding occupation with a high risk of musculoskeletal disabilities (MSDs). Although previous studies have focused on ergonomic risk factors, little attention has been paid to sex differences in the prevalence of MSDs among fishers. This study aimed to assess whether female fishers experience a higher prevalence of MSDs than male fishers and to examine whether this difference persists after adjusting for socioeconomic and occupational factors. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from 898 Korean fishers (513 men and 385 women) who participated in the 2021–2022 Fisher Health Survey. MSDs in the upper extremities, lower back, and knees were defined as scores in the top 25% of the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH), Oswestry Disability Index, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index Short Form (WOMAC-SF), respectively. Modified Poisson regression was used to calculate the prevalence ratios (PRs) by sex, with stepwise adjustments for age, socioeconomic factors, and occupational factors. Results: Female fishers had significantly higher MSD risk than male fishers across all body regions (fully adjusted PRs: upper extremity, 1.59; lower back, 1.63; knee, 1.44). Sex disparities were most pronounced among those under 60 years of age and remained significant even in older age groups. Conclusions The elevated MSD risk among female fishers persisted despite adjusting for conventional risk factors, suggesting the influence of additional factors such as biological susceptibility, domestic labor, and gendered health reporting. Therefore, MSD prevention strategies should include sex-sensitive multidimensional approaches beyond ergonomic interventions.

Renal cancer continues to offer a great challenge for its successful therapy today, thus underscoring the need for effective chemotherapeutic agents. In the current study, we explored the anticancer effects of domperidone, a dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) antagonist, in renal cancer Caki-2 cells. Domperidone induced dose and time-dependent cytotoxic effects in Caki-2 cells, triggering intrinsic apoptosis via the stimulation of the caspase cascade and PARP cleavage. The cytotoxic effect of domperidone was found to be partially DRD2-dependent. Domperidone treatment markedly augmented the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species which induced the cell death of Caki-2 cells. In addition, domperidone suppressed Janus kinase 2 and STAT3 phosphorylation, leading to inhibition of survival and proliferation of these cells. Hence, domperidone can be considered a promising candidate for renal cancer treatment.

Background: and Purpose The pain lateralization in cluster headache (CH) may be related to the asymmetry in the functions of the brain hemispheres. The right-sided dominance of pain in CH has been found inconsistently across studies, and so we aimed to characterize this and identify the factors influencing pain lateralization during current and previous bouts. Methods: This study enrolled 227 patients from the Korean Cluster Headache Registry between October 2018 and December 2020. We evaluated the side of pain during current and previous bouts, demographic features, and clinical characteristics, including handedness. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the side of pain. Results: The 227 patients with CH included 131 (57.7%) with right-sided pain and 86 (37.9%) with left-sided pain during the current bout (p<0.001). The 189 patients with previous bouts of CH included 86.8% who consistently reported the same side of pain throughout multiple bouts (side-locked pain), with a higher prevalence of pain on the right than the left side (55.0% vs. 31.7%, p<0.001). Multivariable analyses revealed that higher age at diagnosis (odds ratio [OR]=1.045, p=0.031) and shorter CH attacks (OR=0.992, p=0.017) were associated with left-side-locked pain. However, handedness was not associated with the lateralization of leftside-locked pain. Conclusions This study has confirmed the predominance of right-sided pain throughout multiple CH bouts. We found that higher age at diagnosis and shorter CH attacks were associated with left-side-locked pain, suggesting that certain clinical factors are associated with the pain laterality. However, the underlying mechanisms linking these factors to lateralized pain remain unclear and therefore require further investigation.

Purpose: The optimal reconstruction method following distal gastrectomy has not been elucidated. Since Billroth-II (B-II) reconstruction is commonly associated with increased bile reflux, Braun jejunojejunostomy has been proposed to reduce this complication. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 325 patients with gastric cancer who underwent distal gastrectomy with B-II reconstruction between January 2015 and December 2017, comprising 159 patients without Braun anastomosis and 166 with Braun anastomosis.Outcomes were assessed over three years using annual gastroscopy based on the residual food, gastritis, and bile reflux criteria and the Los Angeles classification for reflux esophagitis. Results: In the first postoperative year, the group with Braun anastomosis showed a significant reduction in bile reflux compared to the group without Braun anastomosis (75.9% vs. 86.2%; P=0.019). Moreover, multivariate analysis identified Braun anastomosis as the sole factor associated with this outcome. Additionally, the group with Braun anastomosis had a lower incidence of heartburn (12.0% vs. 20.1%; P=0.047) and reduced use of prokinetics (P<0.001) and acid reducers (P=0.002) compared to the group without Braun anastomosis.However, these benefits diminished in subsequent years, with no significant differences in residual food, gastritis, or reflux esophagitis between the groups. Both groups showed similar body mass index scores and nutritional outcomes over the 3-year follow-up period. Conclusions Although Braun anastomosis offers short-term benefits in reducing bile reflux after B-II reconstruction, these effects are not sustainable. The routine use of Braun anastomosis should be reconsidered, though either approach remains a viable option depending on the patient’s circumstances.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.