Rectal cancer, which accounts for approximately 40% of colorectal cancers, remains a major clinical concern. Recent advances in diagnostic imaging, surgical techniques, radiotherapy, and systemic treatment have steadily improved rectal cancer outcomes. Considering this, the Korean Rectal Cancer Multidisciplinary (KRCM) Committee has aimed to provide clinicians and policymakers with up-to-date, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to support optimal decision-making, reflecting current evidence, the Korean healthcare context, and patient values and preferences. The Clinical Practice Guidelines for Rectal Cancer version 2.0 were developed through multidisciplinary collaboration with related academic societies, building upon and updating the KRCM Clinical Practice Guidelines version 1.0 (titled “Multidisciplinary guidelines for the management of rectal cancer”). These consensus guidelines of the KRCM were established based on a comprehensive literature review, evidence synthesis, with recommendation development guided by the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology, and consideration of applicability in real-world clinical practice under the national health insurance system. Each recommendation has been presented with its strength and level of evidence.

Purpose: This study explored the experiences of physicians and nurses providing end-oflife care in Korean acute care hospitals. It aimed to identify the challenges faced in caring for dying patients and to suggest strategies for improving hospital-based end-of-life care. Methods: A qualitative exploratory design was employed using focus group interviews.Eleven healthcare professionals (five physicians and six nurses) working in tertiary or general hospitals participated in the study between July and August 2018. The interviews were conducted using a semi-structured guide covering seven thematic areas. All sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically following Braun and Clarke’s framework. Results: Six major themes emerged: (1) communication with patients and families, (2) physical care for dying patients, (3) psychological and spiritual support, (4) hospital environment and system constraints, (5) moral distress and emotional burden on healthcare providers, and (6) suggestions for improvement. The participants described difficulties in open communication, limited resources for comfort care, emotional strain from invasive treatment at the end of life, and the absence of standardized institutional protocols.They emphasized the need for structured communication training, multidisciplinary collaboration, and integration of palliative care principles into acute care practice. Conclusion Physicians and nurses play a pivotal yet emotionally demanding role in providing end-oflife care in acute hospitals. Institutional reforms, including education, protocol development, and supportive environments, are essential to ensuring dignified, patient-centered care and sustain healthcare providers in their professional roles.

Background: and Purpose Anti-agrin antibodies (agrin Abs) have recently been identified in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), sometimes in conjunction with antibodies (Abs) to the acetylcholine receptor (AChR), muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK), or low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4. This study aimed to develop an in-house cell-based assay (CBA) for detecting agrin Abs, and to test its application to serum samples collected from individuals diagnosed with MG. Methods: Agrin complementary DNA as cloned into a pCMV6-AC-GFP vector, which was subsequently transfected into human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cells. Transfected HEK293T cells were incubated with patient serum and antihuman immunoglobulin G Ab conjugated with a red fluorescent dye. Agrin Ab levels were measured using the CBA in 389 serum samples: 340 from patients with MG, 36 from patients with other neuromuscular diseases, and 13 from healthy controls. The presence of agrin Ab was determined based on the fluorescence intensity and colocalization using fluorescence microscopy. Results: The expression levels of agrin mRNA and protein in transfected HEK293T cells were confirmed using the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. Agrin expression in cells was further confirmed by immunocytochemistry.Two (0.6%) of the 340 patients with MG tested positive for agrin Ab: 1 of 191 AChR-positive patients and 1 of 54 MuSK-positive patients. Conclusions We have developed and validated a novel CBA for detecting agrin Abs. This CBA was successfully applied to detect agrin Abs in serum samples obtained from individuals with MG.

Background: and Purpose Anti-agrin antibodies (agrin Abs) have recently been identified in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), sometimes in conjunction with antibodies (Abs) to the acetylcholine receptor (AChR), muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK), or low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4. This study aimed to develop an in-house cell-based assay (CBA) for detecting agrin Abs, and to test its application to serum samples collected from individuals diagnosed with MG. Methods: Agrin complementary DNA as cloned into a pCMV6-AC-GFP vector, which was subsequently transfected into human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cells. Transfected HEK293T cells were incubated with patient serum and antihuman immunoglobulin G Ab conjugated with a red fluorescent dye. Agrin Ab levels were measured using the CBA in 389 serum samples: 340 from patients with MG, 36 from patients with other neuromuscular diseases, and 13 from healthy controls. The presence of agrin Ab was determined based on the fluorescence intensity and colocalization using fluorescence microscopy. Results: The expression levels of agrin mRNA and protein in transfected HEK293T cells were confirmed using the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. Agrin expression in cells was further confirmed by immunocytochemistry.Two (0.6%) of the 340 patients with MG tested positive for agrin Ab: 1 of 191 AChR-positive patients and 1 of 54 MuSK-positive patients. Conclusions We have developed and validated a novel CBA for detecting agrin Abs. This CBA was successfully applied to detect agrin Abs in serum samples obtained from individuals with MG.

Background: and Purpose Anti-agrin antibodies (agrin Abs) have recently been identified in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), sometimes in conjunction with antibodies (Abs) to the acetylcholine receptor (AChR), muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK), or low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4. This study aimed to develop an in-house cell-based assay (CBA) for detecting agrin Abs, and to test its application to serum samples collected from individuals diagnosed with MG. Methods: Agrin complementary DNA as cloned into a pCMV6-AC-GFP vector, which was subsequently transfected into human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cells. Transfected HEK293T cells were incubated with patient serum and antihuman immunoglobulin G Ab conjugated with a red fluorescent dye. Agrin Ab levels were measured using the CBA in 389 serum samples: 340 from patients with MG, 36 from patients with other neuromuscular diseases, and 13 from healthy controls. The presence of agrin Ab was determined based on the fluorescence intensity and colocalization using fluorescence microscopy. Results: The expression levels of agrin mRNA and protein in transfected HEK293T cells were confirmed using the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. Agrin expression in cells was further confirmed by immunocytochemistry.Two (0.6%) of the 340 patients with MG tested positive for agrin Ab: 1 of 191 AChR-positive patients and 1 of 54 MuSK-positive patients. Conclusions We have developed and validated a novel CBA for detecting agrin Abs. This CBA was successfully applied to detect agrin Abs in serum samples obtained from individuals with MG.

In the rapidly evolving healthcare environment, radiologists strive to establish their rightful place.Thus, there is a need for enhanced outpatient and clinical education within the Department of Radiology and exploration of its methodologies. Accordingly, the Korean Society of Radiology established a task force to investigate the clinical and outpatient practice status of radiologists overseas, current state of related education, involvement of other specialties in radiologic practices and education in Korea, and clinical and outpatient practice status among Korean radiologists. Furthermore, a survey on clinical competency enhancement was conducted among the members of the Korean Society of Radiology. These findings suggest the need for visibility and clinical competency enhancement in radiologists and methodologies for strengthening clinical competencies.

In the rapidly evolving healthcare environment, radiologists strive to establish their rightful place.Thus, there is a need for enhanced outpatient and clinical education within the Department of Radiology and exploration of its methodologies. Accordingly, the Korean Society of Radiology established a task force to investigate the clinical and outpatient practice status of radiologists overseas, current state of related education, involvement of other specialties in radiologic practices and education in Korea, and clinical and outpatient practice status among Korean radiologists. Furthermore, a survey on clinical competency enhancement was conducted among the members of the Korean Society of Radiology. These findings suggest the need for visibility and clinical competency enhancement in radiologists and methodologies for strengthening clinical competencies.