Monoclonal protein (M-protein) is a crucial biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring monoclonal gammopathies, including multiple myeloma (MM). Traditionally, electrophoresis (EP)-based methods, such as protein EP and immunofixation EP, have been widely used for M-protein detection. However, these methods can show low sensitivity and inadequate quantification of small amounts of M-protein. To overcome these challenges, EP-based methods are often combined with the quantification of serum free light chains in automated immunoassays. Advances in mass spectrometry (MS) have introduced three main approaches for sample preparation: top-down, middle-down, and bottom-up. Middle-down approaches are commonly used with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-offlight MS and liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization (LC–ESI) quadrupole time-offlight MS, whereas the bottom-up approach is typically applied with LC–ESI Orbitrap MS. A review of studies, conducted from 2014 to 2024, on plasma cell disorders that utilized MS-based methods demonstrate improvements in the sensitivity and accuracy of M-protein identification and quantification. MM remains the most frequently studied disease, with significant therapeutic advancements leading to improved outcomes. Minimal residual disease has gained attention because of its correlation with better prognoses. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and amyloid light-chain amyloidosis are occasionally addressed, while studies on other rare diseases remain limited. This review highlights the clinical applications and advancements in MS-based methods, particularly in assessing M-protein levels for treatment responses, risk factors, and prognostic monitoring. Given their advantages—high sensitivity and specificity, automation, cost-effectiveness, and time efficiency—MS-based methods may eventually replace EP-based methods in clinical laboratories.

Pediatric kidney disease has a relatively lower prevalence than do other pediatric conditions and has a notably different etiology from kidney diseases observed in adults. Furthermore, the pediatric population is unique in that they experience ongoing growth and development, distinguishing them from adult patients. Consequently, pediatric patients with kidney disease require more specialized and meticulous nutritional management than do adults. To address this need and promote optimal dietary practices for pediatric patients with kidney disease, pediatric nephrologists from the Korean Society of Pediatric Nephrology and nutritionists from the Korean Society of Clinical Nutrition have collaborated to establish nutritional guidelines specifically tailored to Korean dietary patterns. These guidelines offer detailed, nutrient-specific recommendations covering energy, protein, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium consumption while providing practical, culturally relevant guidance intended to support both pediatric patients and their caregivers.

Pediatric kidney disease has a relatively lower prevalence than do other pediatric conditions and has a notably different etiology from kidney diseases observed in adults. Furthermore, the pediatric population is unique in that they experience ongoing growth and development, distinguishing them from adult patients. Consequently, pediatric patients with kidney disease require more specialized and meticulous nutritional management than do adults. To address this need and promote optimal dietary practices for pediatric patients with kidney disease, pediatric nephrologists from the Korean Society of Pediatric Nephrology and nutritionists from the Korean Society of Clinical Nutrition have collaborated to establish nutritional guidelines specifically tailored to Korean dietary patterns. These guidelines offer detailed, nutrient-specific recommendations covering energy, protein, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium consumption while providing practical, culturally relevant guidance intended to support both pediatric patients and their caregivers.

Background: Impaired executive function is common in older adults. This study examined the causal relationship between the use of information and communication technology (ICT) and executive function in older adults over time.Method: This study performed a secondary analysis of data from four waves (2016–2019) of the National Health and Aging Trends Study. A fixed-effect analysis was conducted to examine the effects of ICT on the executive function of older adults without dementia aged ≥65 years. This study analyzed data from 3,334 respondents. Results: We observed significant positive effects of ICT use on executive function over time (standardized β=0.043–0.045; 95% confidence interval, 0.001–0.043; p<0.05). Conclusion The current findings support the use of ICT as a protective approach to prevent decline in executive function in community-dwelling older adults.

Background: Impaired executive function is common in older adults. This study examined the causal relationship between the use of information and communication technology (ICT) and executive function in older adults over time.Method: This study performed a secondary analysis of data from four waves (2016–2019) of the National Health and Aging Trends Study. A fixed-effect analysis was conducted to examine the effects of ICT on the executive function of older adults without dementia aged ≥65 years. This study analyzed data from 3,334 respondents. Results: We observed significant positive effects of ICT use on executive function over time (standardized β=0.043–0.045; 95% confidence interval, 0.001–0.043; p<0.05). Conclusion The current findings support the use of ICT as a protective approach to prevent decline in executive function in community-dwelling older adults.

Objective: To evaluate human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine effectiveness in a cohort of Korean women infected with HPV. Methods: From 2010 to 2021, Korean women aged 20–60 years who diagnosed HPV-positive atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion were recruited from 6 hospitals. HPV vaccine effectiveness was estimated by observing the differences in pathological and clinical information and experimental results— prevalence, viral load (VL), physical state (PS), and HPV16/18 infection duration—between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Results: HPV16/18 prevalence declined from 18.5% to 11.8% as vaccination rates increased from 14.3% to 60.7% in the 1,757 registered cohort women. DNA analysis from 96 samples collected from the participants, indicated that HPV vaccination reduced HPV16 VL by 6 times and increased E2/E6 ratio for both HPV16 and HPV18 by 1.4 and 5 times, respectively. The HPV16 infection rate—lasting more than 18 months from 31.0% to 21.6%—and the HPV18 infection rate—lasting more than 12 and less than 24 months from 35.5% to 21.1%—were reduced by vaccination. We found VL and the infection duration to be directly proportional.Moreover, HPV vaccination reduced not only the VL to 1/4 in both the persistence and clearance groups but also the persistence rate from 90% (27/30) to 70.6% (12/17) in HPV16. Conclusion HPV vaccination reduced the prevalence and duration of infection and kept the PS in an episomal form for both HPV16 and HPV18. The tendency of persistence VL to be higher than clearance in the unvaccinated group implies that the vaccine’s effect of reducing VL in HPV16 may lower the risk of progression to cervical cancer by shortening the infection duration.

Objective: To evaluate human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine effectiveness in a cohort of Korean women infected with HPV. Methods: From 2010 to 2021, Korean women aged 20–60 years who diagnosed HPV-positive atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion were recruited from 6 hospitals. HPV vaccine effectiveness was estimated by observing the differences in pathological and clinical information and experimental results— prevalence, viral load (VL), physical state (PS), and HPV16/18 infection duration—between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Results: HPV16/18 prevalence declined from 18.5% to 11.8% as vaccination rates increased from 14.3% to 60.7% in the 1,757 registered cohort women. DNA analysis from 96 samples collected from the participants, indicated that HPV vaccination reduced HPV16 VL by 6 times and increased E2/E6 ratio for both HPV16 and HPV18 by 1.4 and 5 times, respectively. The HPV16 infection rate—lasting more than 18 months from 31.0% to 21.6%—and the HPV18 infection rate—lasting more than 12 and less than 24 months from 35.5% to 21.1%—were reduced by vaccination. We found VL and the infection duration to be directly proportional.Moreover, HPV vaccination reduced not only the VL to 1/4 in both the persistence and clearance groups but also the persistence rate from 90% (27/30) to 70.6% (12/17) in HPV16. Conclusion HPV vaccination reduced the prevalence and duration of infection and kept the PS in an episomal form for both HPV16 and HPV18. The tendency of persistence VL to be higher than clearance in the unvaccinated group implies that the vaccine’s effect of reducing VL in HPV16 may lower the risk of progression to cervical cancer by shortening the infection duration.

Purpose: The Korean Society of Medical Education (KSME) was founded in 1983 and celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2023. This study examines the evolution of topics discussed at KSME conferences from 1971 through 2023, highlighting shifts in the focus of medical education. Methods: We analyzed 90 KSME conferences over 5 decades (1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s), categorizing the topics into three eras based on emerging themes and continuity. Results: Consequently, 37 topics covered at the conference were categorized. Ten topics continuously appeared from the 1970s to the 2010s, including future directions of medical education, teaching methods, faculty development, and curriculum. The topics from the 1970s to the 1990s included 14 areas, such as medical education evaluation, non-undergraduate curriculum, community-related, and research. Thirteen new topics emerged after the 2000s, such as social accountability, student support, professionalism, and quality improvements. The most common topics under innovations in medical education, a case of curriculum innovation at universities that began after 2000, were clinical clerkship, curriculum development, and medical humanities. Conclusion KSME’s selection of conference topics has been strategically aligned with societal needs and the evolving landscape of medical education. Future topics should continue to address relevant societal and educational challenges.

Interprofessional education (IPE) fosters knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to interprofessional collaboration (IPC) for safe, quality patient care. In recent years, the importance of IPC has extended beyond the medical field to local community settings. However, IPE has only recently been introduced and has yet to become widespread. This study reviews the origin and development of IPE in Korean medical education by comparing it with established models in other countries that provide useful insights into future directions for IPE in Korea. Dedicated institutions led the IPE effort in other countries; however, IPE initiatives in Korea were mainly driven by individual professors’ and medical schools’ interest and commitment, without structural support systems. An important finding of this study is that the lack of awareness and organizational support within the medical education community resulted in the absence of a mandatory curriculum for IPE, as it was omitted from the accreditation standards. For more organized adoption and implementation of IPE in Korea, this study suggests the need to widely communicate the importance of IPE to the medical community and the public. It is also imperative to establish leadership capable of guiding IPE, share materials through trusted institutions with IPE experience, and include IPE in the accreditation standards. These steps are essential for actively implementing IPE and meeting societal healthcare needs in Korea.

Objective: To evaluate human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine effectiveness in a cohort of Korean women infected with HPV. Methods: From 2010 to 2021, Korean women aged 20–60 years who diagnosed HPV-positive atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion were recruited from 6 hospitals. HPV vaccine effectiveness was estimated by observing the differences in pathological and clinical information and experimental results— prevalence, viral load (VL), physical state (PS), and HPV16/18 infection duration—between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Results: HPV16/18 prevalence declined from 18.5% to 11.8% as vaccination rates increased from 14.3% to 60.7% in the 1,757 registered cohort women. DNA analysis from 96 samples collected from the participants, indicated that HPV vaccination reduced HPV16 VL by 6 times and increased E2/E6 ratio for both HPV16 and HPV18 by 1.4 and 5 times, respectively. The HPV16 infection rate—lasting more than 18 months from 31.0% to 21.6%—and the HPV18 infection rate—lasting more than 12 and less than 24 months from 35.5% to 21.1%—were reduced by vaccination. We found VL and the infection duration to be directly proportional.Moreover, HPV vaccination reduced not only the VL to 1/4 in both the persistence and clearance groups but also the persistence rate from 90% (27/30) to 70.6% (12/17) in HPV16. Conclusion HPV vaccination reduced the prevalence and duration of infection and kept the PS in an episomal form for both HPV16 and HPV18. The tendency of persistence VL to be higher than clearance in the unvaccinated group implies that the vaccine’s effect of reducing VL in HPV16 may lower the risk of progression to cervical cancer by shortening the infection duration.