Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

Background: Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is associated with reduced testosterone levels and an increase in various physical, mental, and emotional changes in men with age. Several lifestyle factors, including smoking, are reported to be related to LOH; however, very few studies have sufficiently investigated the relationships between smoking and the symptoms of LOH. This study aimed to use the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males (ADAM) questionnaire to assess the associations between smoking and LOH symptoms in Korean men. Methods: Men who underwent medical check-ups and transrectal ultrasonography at a university hospital between January 1, 2018 and March 31, 2021 (n=793) were included in this study. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the risk of LOH symptoms among non-smokers, exsmokers, and current smokers, with adjustments for age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, and exercise and education levels. Results: There were significant correlations between LOH symptoms, as assessed using the ADAM questionnaire, and smoking status. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors indicated that the risk of LOH symptoms was higher in the ex-smokers (odds ratio, 2.446; 95% confidential interval, 1.511–3.962) and current smokers (odds ratio, 6.664; 95% confidential interval, 3.485–12.74) groups. Conclusion These results indicate a positive correlation between smoking and LOH symptoms in Korean men. Nevertheless, large-scale studies are required to further validate these findings.

Fournier’s gangrene is infectious, necrotizing, life-threatening fasciitis of the perineal, genital, and perianal regions leading to soft-tissue necrosis and sepsis, and is treated with aggressive surgical debridement and antimicrobial agents. Negative-pressure wound therapy can be used if septic risk is controlled. An 82-year-old woman presented with Fournier’s gangrene and septic shock. After emergency debridement, perineal resection, a colostomy, and daily wound debridement was performed under general anesthesia (1 week). Multiple intubations and extubations under general anesthesia are a risk factor for poor patient outcomes. Therefore, negative-pressure wound therapy was performed under light sedation using noninvasive ventilation in the intensive care unit after extubation and for wound debridement. One month later, the perineum was reconstructed. Procedures performed under light sedation should be considered for patients requiring periodic invasive surgical procedures who are burdened by repeated general anesthesia. The number of general anesthesia sessions was significantly reduced by using noninvasive ventilation.

Objectives: Presenteeism is known to be a much more economically damaging social cost than disease rest while going to work despite physical pain. Since COVID-19, social discussions on the sickness benefit have been taking place as a countermeasure against presenteeism, and in particular, farmers and fishermen do not have an institutional mechanism for livelihood support when a disease other than work occurs. This study attempted to examine the relationship between agricultural, fishing, and forestry workers and presenteeism using the 6th Korean Work Conditions Survey. Methods: From October 2020 to January 2021, data from the 6th working conditions survey conducted on 17 cities and provinces in Korea were used, and a total of 34,981 people were studied. Control variables were gender, age, self-health assessment, education level, night work, shift work, monthly income, occupation, working hours per week, and employment status. Results: As a result of the analysis, farmers and fishermen showed the characteristics of the self-employed and the elderly, and as a result of the regression analysis, when farmers and fishermen analyzed the relationship with presenteeism tendency compared to other industry workers, farmers and fishermen increased by 23% compared to other industry groups. Conclusion This study is significant in that it has representation by utilizing the 6th working conditions survey and objectively suggests the need for a sickness benefit for farmers and fishermen who may be overlooked in the sickness benefit.

Tetraspanin superfamily proteins not only facilitate the trafficking of specific proteins to distinct plasma membrane domains but also influence cell-to-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. Among these proteins, Epithelial Membrane Protein 2 (EMP2), a member of the growth arrest-specific gene 3/peripheral myelin protein 22 (GAS3/PMP22) family, is known to affect key cellular processes. Recent studies have revealed that EMP2 modulates critical signaling pathways and interacts with adhesion molecules and growth factor receptors, underscoring its potential as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. These findings suggest that EMP2 expression patterns could provide valuable insights into tumorigenesis and metastasis. Moreover, EMP2 has emerged as a promising therapeutic target, with approaches aimed at inhibiting or modulating its activity showing potential to disrupt tumor growth and metastasis. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in understanding the multifaceted roles of EMP2 in cancer, with a focus on its underlying mechanisms and clinical significance.

Background: Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is associated with reduced testosterone levels and an increase in various physical, mental, and emotional changes in men with age. Several lifestyle factors, including smoking, are reported to be related to LOH; however, very few studies have sufficiently investigated the relationships between smoking and the symptoms of LOH. This study aimed to use the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males (ADAM) questionnaire to assess the associations between smoking and LOH symptoms in Korean men. Methods: Men who underwent medical check-ups and transrectal ultrasonography at a university hospital between January 1, 2018 and March 31, 2021 (n=793) were included in this study. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the risk of LOH symptoms among non-smokers, exsmokers, and current smokers, with adjustments for age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, and exercise and education levels. Results: There were significant correlations between LOH symptoms, as assessed using the ADAM questionnaire, and smoking status. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors indicated that the risk of LOH symptoms was higher in the ex-smokers (odds ratio, 2.446; 95% confidential interval, 1.511–3.962) and current smokers (odds ratio, 6.664; 95% confidential interval, 3.485–12.74) groups. Conclusion These results indicate a positive correlation between smoking and LOH symptoms in Korean men. Nevertheless, large-scale studies are required to further validate these findings.

To enhance the predictability of aesthetic treatment outcomes in aesthetic prosthetic restorations, considerations must include analysis of facial features, the relationship between teeth and lips, proportions of tooth width/length, gingival form, and more.Traditional diagnostic wax-ups have limitations in considering the patient’s facial features and are unable to facilitate rapid formmodifications. With recent advancements in digital technology, it is now possible to digitize the patient’s facial features in three dimensions, enabling the design of restorations that harmonize with facial features. These digital workflows not only improve efficiency but also provide patients with faster visualization of treatment outcomes, thereby enhancing motivation. Therefore, in this case, a treatment plan is devised to utilize digital diagnostic wax-ups considering the patient’s facial features for the finalprosthetic design.

Tetraspanin superfamily proteins not only facilitate the trafficking of specific proteins to distinct plasma membrane domains but also influence cell-to-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. Among these proteins, Epithelial Membrane Protein 2 (EMP2), a member of the growth arrest-specific gene 3/peripheral myelin protein 22 (GAS3/PMP22) family, is known to affect key cellular processes. Recent studies have revealed that EMP2 modulates critical signaling pathways and interacts with adhesion molecules and growth factor receptors, underscoring its potential as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. These findings suggest that EMP2 expression patterns could provide valuable insights into tumorigenesis and metastasis. Moreover, EMP2 has emerged as a promising therapeutic target, with approaches aimed at inhibiting or modulating its activity showing potential to disrupt tumor growth and metastasis. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in understanding the multifaceted roles of EMP2 in cancer, with a focus on its underlying mechanisms and clinical significance.