Purpose: This study aimed to explore the work experiences of physician assistant (dedicated nurses in Korea) during the medical service gap caused by physician–government conflicts. Methods: A qualitative design employing individual in-depth interviews was used. Data were collected from July 18 to August 13, 2025. Fifteen nurses who worked as physician assistant 5 during the healthcare service gap participated in the study. Participants were categorized as follows: (1) nurses in the role before the period of healthcare disruption, (2) those who voluntarily applied after the period of healthcare disruption, and (3) those involuntarily assigned during the period of healthcare disruption. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: Three categories with six subcategories were identified: (1) reconstructing inner experience within an expanded role (unprepared responsibility and burden, inner fulfillment discovered through continuity of care); (2) reconfiguring relationships from a boundary position (feeling distant as “the same yet different” nurses, expansion of mutual understanding in a crisis context); and (3) precarious positioning within an unestablished system (uncertain standing after residents’ return, episodic implementation of non-standardized training). Conclusion This study showed that physician assistant who filled residents’ gaps in an incomplete system experienced heavier role burdens, blurred job identity, unequal conditions, and unstable affiliation, while some also found renewed meaning and fulfillment through continuity of care and closer collaboration. With structured education, clearly defined scopes of practice after residents’ return, and stable legal and organizational support, these nurses can function as more than temporary substitutes and help sustain continuity and quality of patient care.

The comprehensive in vitro proarrhythmia assay (CiPA) initiative, led by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), provides a framework for predicting drug-induced arrhythmia risk. To support domestic CiPA implementation, we evaluated the proarrhythmic risk of sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. Sildenafil has been misused recreationally, with reports of highdose non-medical intake. To simulate misuse, in vitro assays were conducted using concentrations up to 100× the maximum therapeutic plasma concentration (Cmax). The assessment followed the three core components of the CiPA paradigm. Patch clamp assays were conducted in Human Embryonic Kidney 293 (HEK293) and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transiently expressing Nav1.5, Cav1.2, and hERG ion channels. In silico modeling was performed using the CiPAORdv1.0 model based on IC₅₀ and Hill coefficient values. Functional evaluation included multi-electrode array (MEA) recordings in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs), and in vivo electrocardiography (ECG) analysis in rats was performed to observe QT interval prolongation. Sildenafil significantly inhibited hERG currents by 40.5% at 100× Cmax. In silico modeling predicted a low Torsades de Pointes (TdP) risk based on qNet biomarkers. In contrast, MEA recordings showed a concentration-dependent prolongation of corrected field potential duration (FPDc), with a significant 13.3% increase at 100× Cmax. The TdP risk estimated from MEA modeling was 64%. In vivo ECG analysis revealed significant QT prolongation at 50× Cmax. Despite low in silico TdP predictions, functional assays suggest that high concentrations of sildenafil as in misuse may pose a clinically relevant risk of QT prolongation and arrhythmia.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of physical activity on dementia risk among cancer survivors in South Korea. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, population-based cohort study included 344,152 cancer survivors identified from the National Health Insurance Service database in South Korea. The mean follow-up time was 5.81 years. Different levels of physical activity post-cancer diagnosis, ranging from inactive to highly active, were assessed. The primary outcome was the incidence of overall dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and vascular dementia. Secondary outcomes included dementia risk stratified by cancer type and treatment (chemotherapy and radiation). Results: Of the total participants, 24,363 (7.08%) developed dementia. The risk of overall dementia decreased sequentially across the exercise groups compared to the inactive group: insufficiently active (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86 to 0.92), active (adjusted HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.83 to 0.88), and highly active (adjusted HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.76 to 0.82). This inverse relationship between exercise and dementia risk was statistically significant across various cancer types and was consistent regardless of age, comorbidities, and whether or not excluding the first 1, 2 years. Conclusion Among cancer survivors in South Korea, increased physical activity post-diagnosis was associated with a significantly lower risk of dementia. These findings underscore the importance of promoting physical activity in cancer survivors for cognitive health.

Purpose: Many breast cancer patients experience genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) symptoms. Concerns about systemic absorption limit the use of local estrogen therapy, and clinicians are often hesitant to prescribe it to breast cancer survivors.Therefore, other treatment options are essential. The aim of this study was to examine the safety and effectiveness of fractional CO2 laser treatment in breast cancer survivors experiencing GSM. Materials and Methods: Each woman received three fractional CO2 treatments at 4-week intervals between sessions: baseline (V1), 4-week follow-up (V2), 8-week follow-up (V3), and a final follow-up at 12 weeks (V4). Breast cancer survivors who had one or more symptoms related to GSM qualified for inclusion in this study. Severity of symptoms was assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS) at baseline and every follow-up visit. We also measured GSM objectively using the vaginal health index score (VHIS) at every visit. At V4, patients evaluated their satisfaction with laser therapy using a 5-point Likert scale. Results: Twenty-four women were included in the study. Almost all symptoms showed improvement based on mean VAS score after treatment. Vaginal dryness and urgency improved after the second treatment. After completion of all treatments, all symptoms except frequency showed improvement. VHIS increased significantly after completion of laser treatment (8.5±3.1 at baseline vs. 16.2±2.9 at V4; p<0.001). Conclusion Fractional CO2 laser treatment appears to be an effective and safe method in breast cancer survivors with GSM.

PURPOSE: . The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate how variations in scan body geometry, specifically body height and the length of the flat indexing surface (FIS), affect linear and angular accuracy when combined with truncated or full-geometry library files. MATERIALS AND METHODS: . Nine scan body geometries were fabricated by combining three body heights (4, 5, and 6 mm) with three FIS lengths (1, 2, and 3 mm). Digital impressions were superimposed onto truncated or full-geometry library files. Linear deviation (ΔD) and angular deviation (ΔA) were calculated by comparing aligned scan bodies with coordinate measuring machine references. Linear and angular deviations were compared between library types using the Mann–Whitney U test, and differences among body heights and FIS lengths were evaluated using the Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunn’s post-hoc test (α = .05). RESULTS: . Linear deviation remained within a comparable range, and most geometry–library comparisons did not show a significant difference from body height, FIS length, or library morphology (P > .05). Angular deviation demonstrated geometry-dependent behavior, increasing only in the 4-mm body paired with larger FIS lengths, particularly when fullgeometry libraries were used. No significant angular differences were observed in the 5-mm or 6-mm body groups. CONCLUSION . Digital implant registration remained stable across most configurations. Shortened scan bodies performed reliably when FIS dimensions were preserved. Angular accuracy was more sensitive to geometry-library interactions, with truncated libraries improving stability.

Purpose: The living arrangements of elderly persons can play a crucial role in their health.This study evaluated the association between living arrangements and frailty among elderly Korean men. Methods: The cross-sectional data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014–2019) were used. A total of 3,198 men aged 65 years or older were divided into a living alone group (LA, n = 393) and a not living alone group (NLA, n = 2,805). The dietary intake data was obtained from a single 24-hour recall. The food variety score (FVS) was defined as the number of foods items consumed in one day. Frailty was defined as the presence of three or more of the modified Fried frailty phenotype criteria. The association between living arrangements and frailty was analyzed by multiple nominal logistic regression. Results: The LA group showed significantly lower FVSs than the NLA group. The intakes of fruit, vegetables, fish and shellfish, fiber, and key antioxidant nutrients such as vitamins A and C, were lower in LA than in NLA. Multiple nominal logistic regression revealed a higher odds ratio (OR) for frailty in the LA group compared to the NLA group (OR [95% confidence interval], 2.05 [1.12–3.74]; p = 0.019). Conclusion These findings suggest that the increased risk of frailty among elderly men living alone may be partially associated with their lower dietary variety, particularly reduced intake of essential nutrients from fruit, vegetables, fish, and shellfish, highlighting their vulnerability to suboptimal nutrition. Thus, increasing diversity in food intake could be a useful dietary strategy to prevent the frailty of the living alone elderly.

Secondary dyslipidemia, characterized by elevated blood cholesterol and triglycerides, arises from various underlying conditions. The identification and appropriate handling of these causes is crucial for effective treatment. Major contributors include unhealthy diets, diseases impacting lipid metabolism, and medication side effects. Prioritizing the correction of secondary causes before initiating conventional lipid-lowering therapies is essential. Subsequent lipid profiles guide the selection of appropriate guideline-based lipid-lowering interventions.

Atopic dermatitis is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease in children and adolescents. The Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease published the Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Guideline in 2008, which has been helpful in atopic dermatitis treatment until now. Various reports on the development and effectiveness of new drugs have suggested that there is a need to develop and revise old treatment guidelines. Part 1 aimed to provide evidence-based recommendations for skin care management and topical treatment for atopic dermatitis. Part 2 focuses on systemic treatment, novel therapeutics, and adjuvant therapy. The goal of this guideline is intended to assist front-line doctors treating pediatric and adolescent atopic dermatitis patients make safer, more effective, and more rational decisions regarding systemic treatment, novel therapeutics, and adjuvant therapy by providing evidence-based recommendations with a clear level of evidence and benefit regarding treatment.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a comprehensive practical guide for enteral nutrition (EN) designed to enhance patient safety and reduce complications in Korea. Under the leadership of the Korean Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (KSPEN), the initiative sought to standardize EN procedures, improve decision-making, and promote effective multidisciplinary communication. Methods: The KSPEN EN committee identified key questions related to EN practices and organized them into seven sections such as prescribing, delivery route selection, formula preparation, administration, and quality management. Twenty-one experts, selected based on their expertise, conducted a thorough literature review to formulate evidence-based recommendations. Drafts underwent peer review both within and across disciplines, with final revisions completed by the KSPEN Guideline Committee. The guide, which will be published in three installments, addresses critical elements of EN therapy and safety protocols. Results: The practical guide recommends that EN orders include detailed elements and advocates the use of electronic medical records for communication. Standardized prescription forms and supplementary safety measures are outlined. Review frequency is adjusted according to patient condition—daily for critically ill or unstable patients and as dictated by institutional protocols for stable patients. Evidence indicates that adherence to these protocols reduces mortality, complications, and prescription errors. Conclusion The KSPEN practical guide offers a robust framework for the safe delivery of EN tailored to Korea’s healthcare context. It emphasizes standardized protocols and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve nutritional outcomes, patient safety, and operational efficiency. Rigorous implementation and monitoring of adherence are critical for its success.