Objective: Since coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination began, abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) has occurred at a high rate. This study assessed the association between COVID-19 vaccination and AUB. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed mobile application data on menstrual cycles to investigate differences in the prevalence, duration, and amount of intermenstrual bleeding (IMB) after COVID-19 vaccination. We also analyzed the duration of menstruation, menstrual cycle length, and associated symptoms after the COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, we investigated the prevalence of IMB according to the vaccine type. Results: After vaccination, IMB prevalence increased to 3.35% (odds ratio [OR], 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46-1.76; p<0.0001) and IMB duration increased by 0.43 days (95% CI, 0.25-0.60; p<0.0001). The proportion of respondents whose amount of IMB was heavier than regular menstruation increased (OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.47-5.93; p=0.002). Menstrual duration decreased by -0.01 days (95% CI, -0.023 to 0.003; p=0.114), and menstrual cycle length increased by 1.39 days (95% CI, 1.30-1.48; p<0.0001). The proportion of participants who answered that there was a difference in menstruation amount increased (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.41-1.64; p<0.0001). The prevalence of IMB increased regardless of the vaccine type. Conclusion There were statistically significant differences in the prevalence, duration and amount of IMB, menstrual duration, menstrual cycle length, and menstrual amount after COVID-19 vaccination. However, these values were not clinically meaningful and could be regarded as within the normal menstruation range.

Background: This study analyzed occupational diseases compensated through the government system in the Korean electronics industry and observed changes in the rationale for compensation. Methods: Data from the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service (KWCWS) from 2012 to 2023 were analyzed to examine occupational disease issues in South Korea's semiconductor and display industries. Results: KWCWS received 174 occupational disease claims between 2012 and 2023, with 88 (50.6%) approved. The case of a 22-year-old semiconductor worker who died from leukemia has raised awareness and appears to be leading to more claims and higher approval rates. Cancer-related claims, particularly for breast and blood cancers, were the most common. Since 2018, the approval rate for occupational diseases has increased to 60%, which may have been influenced by the Supreme Court's Principle of Presumption of Occupational Diseases and the government’s reduction of the burden of proof. However, approval rates remain lower in small- and medium-sized enterprises (38.0%) compared to large corporations (55.6%), likely because of better documentation and unionization in the latter. The semiconductor industry had more claims and approvals than the LCD industry, primarily due to its longer operational history and greater chemical exposure. Conclusions In South Korea, the increasing approval rate of occupational diseases in the electronics industry from 2012 to 2023 appears to reflect changes in how causal relationships and occupational health policies have been implemented and this is likely due to stakeholder involvement and relevant legal decisions.

Purpose: Regenerative medicine is expected to offer an alternative to liver transplantation for treating liver diseases in the future, with one significant challenge being the establishment of an effective stem cell administration route. This study assessed the antifibrogenic effects of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in a liver fibrosis mouse model, focusing on 2 methods of delivery: intravenous injection and scaffold implantation. Methods: An extracellular matrix mimic scaffold was utilized for culturing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha–overexpressing ASCs (tASCs). These scaffolds, laden with tASCs, were then implanted subcutaneously in mice exhibiting liver fibrosis. In contrast, the Cell groups received biweekly intravenous injections of tASCs for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, tissue samples were harvested from the euthanized mice for subsequent analysis. Results: Real-time PCR and Western blot analyses on liver tissues, focusing on markers like alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), matrix metalloproteinase-2, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), showed that both delivery routes substantially lowered fibrotic and inflammatory markers compared to controls (P < 0.05), with no significant differences between the routes. Histological examinations, along with immunohistochemical analysis of α-SMA, collagen type I alpha, and TGF-β1, revealed that the scaffold implantation approach resulted in a greater reduction in fibrosis and lower immunoreactivity for fibrotic markers than intravenous delivery (P < 0.05). Conclusion These findings indicate that delivering tASCs via a scaffold could be more effective, or at least similarly effective, in treating liver fibrosis compared to intravenous delivery. Scaffold implantation could offer a beneficial alternative to frequent intravenous treatments, suggesting its potential utility in clinical applications for liver disease treatment.

Objective: Since coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination began, abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) has occurred at a high rate. This study assessed the association between COVID-19 vaccination and AUB. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed mobile application data on menstrual cycles to investigate differences in the prevalence, duration, and amount of intermenstrual bleeding (IMB) after COVID-19 vaccination. We also analyzed the duration of menstruation, menstrual cycle length, and associated symptoms after the COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, we investigated the prevalence of IMB according to the vaccine type. Results: After vaccination, IMB prevalence increased to 3.35% (odds ratio [OR], 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46-1.76; p<0.0001) and IMB duration increased by 0.43 days (95% CI, 0.25-0.60; p<0.0001). The proportion of respondents whose amount of IMB was heavier than regular menstruation increased (OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.47-5.93; p=0.002). Menstrual duration decreased by -0.01 days (95% CI, -0.023 to 0.003; p=0.114), and menstrual cycle length increased by 1.39 days (95% CI, 1.30-1.48; p<0.0001). The proportion of participants who answered that there was a difference in menstruation amount increased (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.41-1.64; p<0.0001). The prevalence of IMB increased regardless of the vaccine type. Conclusion There were statistically significant differences in the prevalence, duration and amount of IMB, menstrual duration, menstrual cycle length, and menstrual amount after COVID-19 vaccination. However, these values were not clinically meaningful and could be regarded as within the normal menstruation range.

Objective: Since coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination began, abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) has occurred at a high rate. This study assessed the association between COVID-19 vaccination and AUB. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed mobile application data on menstrual cycles to investigate differences in the prevalence, duration, and amount of intermenstrual bleeding (IMB) after COVID-19 vaccination. We also analyzed the duration of menstruation, menstrual cycle length, and associated symptoms after the COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, we investigated the prevalence of IMB according to the vaccine type. Results: After vaccination, IMB prevalence increased to 3.35% (odds ratio [OR], 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46-1.76; p<0.0001) and IMB duration increased by 0.43 days (95% CI, 0.25-0.60; p<0.0001). The proportion of respondents whose amount of IMB was heavier than regular menstruation increased (OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.47-5.93; p=0.002). Menstrual duration decreased by -0.01 days (95% CI, -0.023 to 0.003; p=0.114), and menstrual cycle length increased by 1.39 days (95% CI, 1.30-1.48; p<0.0001). The proportion of participants who answered that there was a difference in menstruation amount increased (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.41-1.64; p<0.0001). The prevalence of IMB increased regardless of the vaccine type. Conclusion There were statistically significant differences in the prevalence, duration and amount of IMB, menstrual duration, menstrual cycle length, and menstrual amount after COVID-19 vaccination. However, these values were not clinically meaningful and could be regarded as within the normal menstruation range.

The Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology has updated its clinical practice guidelines for endometrial cancer to incorporate advancements in recent high-quality randomized controlled trials. These guidelines address evolving treatment paradigms, and are tailored to the Korean medical context. Key updates include a strong recommendation for doxorubicin/trabectedin combination therapy in metastatic or recurrent unresectable leiomyosarcoma based on the significant survival benefits demonstrated in a randomized controlled trial. For advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer, immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with chemotherapy have received strong recommendations, owing to their proven efficacy and increased accessibility in Korea. Conditional recommendations were made for combination therapies involving durvalumab and olaparib, reflecting their potential benefits, but acknowledging regulatory and accessibility constraints. These guidelines aim to provide evidence-based, practical strategies to optimize care for patients with endometrial cancer while addressing unmet clinical needs and adapting global advancements to Korea’s healthcare environment.

Background: This study analyzed occupational diseases compensated through the government system in the Korean electronics industry and observed changes in the rationale for compensation. Methods: Data from the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service (KWCWS) from 2012 to 2023 were analyzed to examine occupational disease issues in South Korea's semiconductor and display industries. Results: KWCWS received 174 occupational disease claims between 2012 and 2023, with 88 (50.6%) approved. The case of a 22-year-old semiconductor worker who died from leukemia has raised awareness and appears to be leading to more claims and higher approval rates. Cancer-related claims, particularly for breast and blood cancers, were the most common. Since 2018, the approval rate for occupational diseases has increased to 60%, which may have been influenced by the Supreme Court's Principle of Presumption of Occupational Diseases and the government’s reduction of the burden of proof. However, approval rates remain lower in small- and medium-sized enterprises (38.0%) compared to large corporations (55.6%), likely because of better documentation and unionization in the latter. The semiconductor industry had more claims and approvals than the LCD industry, primarily due to its longer operational history and greater chemical exposure. Conclusions In South Korea, the increasing approval rate of occupational diseases in the electronics industry from 2012 to 2023 appears to reflect changes in how causal relationships and occupational health policies have been implemented and this is likely due to stakeholder involvement and relevant legal decisions.

Purpose: Regenerative medicine is expected to offer an alternative to liver transplantation for treating liver diseases in the future, with one significant challenge being the establishment of an effective stem cell administration route. This study assessed the antifibrogenic effects of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in a liver fibrosis mouse model, focusing on 2 methods of delivery: intravenous injection and scaffold implantation. Methods: An extracellular matrix mimic scaffold was utilized for culturing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha–overexpressing ASCs (tASCs). These scaffolds, laden with tASCs, were then implanted subcutaneously in mice exhibiting liver fibrosis. In contrast, the Cell groups received biweekly intravenous injections of tASCs for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, tissue samples were harvested from the euthanized mice for subsequent analysis. Results: Real-time PCR and Western blot analyses on liver tissues, focusing on markers like alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), matrix metalloproteinase-2, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), showed that both delivery routes substantially lowered fibrotic and inflammatory markers compared to controls (P < 0.05), with no significant differences between the routes. Histological examinations, along with immunohistochemical analysis of α-SMA, collagen type I alpha, and TGF-β1, revealed that the scaffold implantation approach resulted in a greater reduction in fibrosis and lower immunoreactivity for fibrotic markers than intravenous delivery (P < 0.05). Conclusion These findings indicate that delivering tASCs via a scaffold could be more effective, or at least similarly effective, in treating liver fibrosis compared to intravenous delivery. Scaffold implantation could offer a beneficial alternative to frequent intravenous treatments, suggesting its potential utility in clinical applications for liver disease treatment.

The Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology has updated its clinical practice guidelines for endometrial cancer to incorporate advancements in recent high-quality randomized controlled trials. These guidelines address evolving treatment paradigms, and are tailored to the Korean medical context. Key updates include a strong recommendation for doxorubicin/trabectedin combination therapy in metastatic or recurrent unresectable leiomyosarcoma based on the significant survival benefits demonstrated in a randomized controlled trial. For advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer, immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with chemotherapy have received strong recommendations, owing to their proven efficacy and increased accessibility in Korea. Conditional recommendations were made for combination therapies involving durvalumab and olaparib, reflecting their potential benefits, but acknowledging regulatory and accessibility constraints. These guidelines aim to provide evidence-based, practical strategies to optimize care for patients with endometrial cancer while addressing unmet clinical needs and adapting global advancements to Korea’s healthcare environment.

Objective: Since coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination began, abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) has occurred at a high rate. This study assessed the association between COVID-19 vaccination and AUB. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed mobile application data on menstrual cycles to investigate differences in the prevalence, duration, and amount of intermenstrual bleeding (IMB) after COVID-19 vaccination. We also analyzed the duration of menstruation, menstrual cycle length, and associated symptoms after the COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, we investigated the prevalence of IMB according to the vaccine type. Results: After vaccination, IMB prevalence increased to 3.35% (odds ratio [OR], 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46-1.76; p<0.0001) and IMB duration increased by 0.43 days (95% CI, 0.25-0.60; p<0.0001). The proportion of respondents whose amount of IMB was heavier than regular menstruation increased (OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.47-5.93; p=0.002). Menstrual duration decreased by -0.01 days (95% CI, -0.023 to 0.003; p=0.114), and menstrual cycle length increased by 1.39 days (95% CI, 1.30-1.48; p<0.0001). The proportion of participants who answered that there was a difference in menstruation amount increased (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.41-1.64; p<0.0001). The prevalence of IMB increased regardless of the vaccine type. Conclusion There were statistically significant differences in the prevalence, duration and amount of IMB, menstrual duration, menstrual cycle length, and menstrual amount after COVID-19 vaccination. However, these values were not clinically meaningful and could be regarded as within the normal menstruation range.