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.

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.

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.

Background: Cardiovascular complications related to dyslipidemia are common in patients with chronic kidney disease, particularly among those undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). Glucose-based PD solutions may contribute to metabolic disturbances such as insulin resistance and altered lipid profiles. Elevated erythrocyte membrane oleic acid (OA) levels have been observed in PD patients compared with those on hemodialysis. This study compared the effects of icodextrin-based PD solutions on serum triglyceride and erythrocyte OA levels in PD patients. Methods: In this multicenter, open-label, randomized crossover trial, 22 PD patients were enrolled, and 15 completed all study phases. Participants received either glucose- or icodextrin-based PD solutions for 12 weeks, followed by a 12-week washout period and crossover to the alternate solution. Blood and erythrocyte membrane samples were analyzed for lipid profiles and fatty acid composition. Results: The mean age of participants was 63.6±9.5 years, and the mean PD duration was 10.8±5.9 months. Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. Use of icodextrin-based PD solutions was associated with trends toward reductions in triglycerides (p=0.093) and erythrocyte membrane OA content, although these changes did not reach statistical significance. In contrast, prolonged use of glucose-based PD solutions led to significant increases in insulin (p<0.05), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, OA (p=0.009), and monounsaturated fatty acid content. Conclusions Extended use of glucose-based PD solutions may worsen metabolic profiles, whereas icodextrin-based solutions may provide metabolic benefits. Larger, long-term studies are warranted to confirm these findings. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02166359)

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the mediating role of nursing professionalism in the relationship between critical thinking disposition and medication safety competency among peri-anesthesia nurses. Methods: Data were collected from 128 peri-anesthesia nurses with at least six months of experience in recovery-related departments across medical institutions nationwide. The analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 24.0, including descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé tests, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, stepwise multiple regression, and the SPSS Process Macro. Results: Medication safety competency showed a significant positive correlation with critical thinking disposition (r=.79, p<.001) and nursing professionalism (r=.80, p<.001).Similarly, critical thinking disposition was positively correlated with nursing professionalism (r=.78, p<.001). Nursing professionalism was identified as a partial mediator in the relationship between critical thinking disposition and medication safety competency, with a 95% confidence interval of .11 to .63. Conclusion Critical thinking disposition significantly enhances medication safety competency, with nursing professionalism serving as a partial mediator.These findings underscore the importance of developing targeted educational programs to foster critical thinking skills and nursing professionalism, ultimately improving medication safety competency among peri-anesthesia nurses.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the mediating role of nursing professionalism in the relationship between critical thinking disposition and medication safety competency among peri-anesthesia nurses. Methods: Data were collected from 128 peri-anesthesia nurses with at least six months of experience in recovery-related departments across medical institutions nationwide. The analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 24.0, including descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé tests, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, stepwise multiple regression, and the SPSS Process Macro. Results: Medication safety competency showed a significant positive correlation with critical thinking disposition (r=.79, p<.001) and nursing professionalism (r=.80, p<.001).Similarly, critical thinking disposition was positively correlated with nursing professionalism (r=.78, p<.001). Nursing professionalism was identified as a partial mediator in the relationship between critical thinking disposition and medication safety competency, with a 95% confidence interval of .11 to .63. Conclusion Critical thinking disposition significantly enhances medication safety competency, with nursing professionalism serving as a partial mediator.These findings underscore the importance of developing targeted educational programs to foster critical thinking skills and nursing professionalism, ultimately improving medication safety competency among peri-anesthesia nurses.

Background: Anemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In patients with CKD-related anemia, an inverse relationship between vitamin D and hepcidin levels has been observed. Hepcidin is a key regulator of iron homeostasis, mediated via binding to ferroportin. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cholecalciferol and omega-3 fatty acids (FA) on hepcidin levels using 5/6 nephrectomized (Nx) rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: sham control, 5/6 Nx, 5/6 Nx treated with cholecalciferol, 5/6 Nx treated with omega-3 FA, and 5/6 Nx treated with both cholecalciferol and omega-3 FA. We measured the hepcidin and ferroportin levels in the kidney and liver by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and Western blots. We evaluated hepcidin expression in the kidney by immunohistochemical staining. Results: Among the five groups, 5/6 Nx rats exhibited the worst kidney function. Compared with the sham controls, 5/6 Nx rats showed significantly increased serum hepcidin levels and decreased vitamin D levels. Supplementation with either omega-3 FA or cholecalciferol decreased hepcidin and increased vitamin D levels, with a concurrent improvement of anemia. Furthermore, 5/6 Nx rats treated with omega-3 FA/cholecalciferol showed decreased ferroportin and ferritin levels, while iron and total iron-binding capacity levels increased. Conclusions Treatment with a combination of cholecalciferol and omega-3 FA may improve anemia in a CKD rat model by decreasing hepcidin levels.