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The purpose of this study was to introduce photovoice as a pedagogical tool in an in-service program for geography teachers, demonstrate the implementation of this methodology, and examine its outcomes, strengths, and weaknesses. The applicability of photovoice as a pedagogical tool for secondary school geography as well as its strengths and weaknesses were clarified. As a pedagogical tool for geography, photovoice not only allowed in-service geography teachers to develop critical thinking, but also fostered active citizenship. In addition, photovoice afforded in-service geography teachers the opportunity to capture the public geography learned in the classroom in the field and subsequently add their own voice to discover their own personal geography. Despite these strengths, in order for geography teachers to employ photovoice in their classes, issues such as time, evaluation, place, and safety as well as inviting decision-makers and policymakers to the presentation process are challenges that need to be addressed. As this study focuses on geography teacher education, further research needs to be done with younger students.

This paper used content analysis to examine the way that animal identity and space were represented in South Korean world geography textbooks, from which it was found that animals were represented as being a passive result of the natural environment, objects worth preserving, and as a living bio-capital. It was concluded that these perspectives limited the opportunities for students to develop a critical eye when viewing animals. Future animal geography education should allow students to view animals as political and ethical subjects that have their own lives and needs and are even possibly self-aware. Therefore, this study proposes that a more-than-human geography education could provide students with alternative perspectives on animal identity and space.

This study examines the application of photovoice as a pedagogical tool in a geography class. The main stages of photovoice were modified to suit the context for learning about a geographical issue, animal rights in relation to street cats in South Korea. Data were collected, and grounded theory was applied for the analysis. Based on the results, the paper discusses the implications of photovoice as a pedagogical tool for helping student learn geography by studying place/community as well as engaging in active learning and citizenship, authentic learning and assessment, and social justice and change in a critical geographic context.

This study examines the identities of Korean English teachers who have lived in various English-speaking countries but now serve as certified public school teachers in Korea. Data were collected from in-depth interviews with seven teachers and analysed via critical discourse analysis. Despite being rated as near-native, the teachers with transnational experience still undervalued their English proficiency, possibly because they compared their proficiency to that of native speakers. They were also found to place emphasis on native-like pronunciation, particularly American pronunciation. They classified themselves as non-native speakers, stating that they would never be close to native speakers due to innate factors such as nationality or race. The skewed preference towards American English and native speakership was found to be heavily influenced by the socio-cultural ideologies embedded in institutional systems in Korea. These findings reveal the underlying ideologies of English and native speakership in Korea, which highlights the importance of considering teacher's perceptions of their identities in designing teacher training programmes.

Simple Summary: Established in 2002, the Korean Gynecologic Oncology Group (KGOG) has presented improved clinical outcomes based on multi-center clinical trials. To date, KGOG has approved 156 studies and published 68 KGOG-led studies. The organization aims to advance gynecologic cancer research through sustained efforts and international collaboration. The Korean Gynecologic Oncology Group (KGOG) was established in 2002 and is the only organization in Korea conducting multi-center clinical trials for gynecologic cancers. Since its re-establishment as a non-profit organization in 2021, KGOG has grown significantly, now including 207 gynecologic oncology specialists from 76 hospitals. This growth is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all those involved in the organization. KGOG is committed to maximizing the activation of multi-center clinical research through policies that support patients with rare diseases and gynecologic cancer research, focusing on strengthening institutional capacity, equalizing participation opportunities, and enhancing information sharing. A significant milestone for KGOG was becoming a member of the US Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) in 2005, allowing participation in GOG clinical trials. KGOG later joined the Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup (GCIG) and strengthened its capabilities by hosting the first Endometrial Cancer Consensus Conference—Clinical Research (ECCC-CR) in 2023. KGOG holds biannual meetings and symposia, as well as 224 operating committee meetings annually to review the discussions of the Tumor Site Committee. KGOG has conducted 156 investigator-initiated trial (IIT) or sponsor-initiated trial (SIT) studies as KGOG-led or participated in research. Currently, 18 studies are registered, and 10 are in preparation. To date, 68 papers have been published. KGOG conducts six national projects and collaborates with external organizations such as the NRG Oncology Foundation, Gynecologic Oncology Group Partners (GOG-P), GCIG, East Asian Gynecologic Oncology Trial group (EAGOT), and the Japanese Gynecologic Oncology Group (JGOG). Through collaboration with renowned international research institutions, KGOG has significantly expanded the scope of its research, achieving noteworthy clinical outcomes. This report not only introduces the history and recent status of KGOG but also presents the exciting future direction of the organization, filled with potential breakthroughs and advancements in gynecologic oncology research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to examine how concurrent working memory (WM) loads affect selective attention, and to explore developmental differences between young adults and children/adolescents aged 10 to 14 years. Methods: We employed a modified Stroop task with verbal or spatial WM loads to assess their impact on attention. Results: In adults, we found increased Stroop effects when WM load overlapped with target processing and decreased Stroop effects when WM load overlapped with distractor processing. Conversely, in children/adolescents, WM loads did not significantly impact target or distractor processing, indicating no change in Stroop effects under dual-task conditions. Interestingly, results from the correlational analyses revealed that as participants' ages increase, the interference effect under the WM load that shares resources with distractor processing in the attention task decreases. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the interaction between attention and WM differs across developmental stages. While adults showed distinctive effects of concurrent WM loads on attention processing depending on the cognitive resources utilized, children/adolescents failed to show the interaction between the two cognitive systems. Furthermore, a significant relationship between age and the effects of WM load on attention was observed, providing insights into the development of the interaction between WM and attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to develop and establish psychometric properties of the End-of-Life Nursing Competency Scale for Clinical Nurses. The initial items were derived from an in-depth literature review and field interviews. The content validation of these items was assessed over three rounds by experts in end-of-life nursing care. The study included 437 clinical nurses from four hospitals in S, E, and D cities in South Korea. The final exploratory factor analysis resulted in a scale consisting of 21 items with the following five factors that explained 68.44% of the total variance: Physical care—imminent end-of-life, legal and administrative processes, psychological care—patient and family, psychological care—nurses' self, and ethical nursing. The final model with these five subscales was validated through confirmatory factor analysis. Both item convergent-discriminant validity and known-group validity, which compared two groups based on clinical experience (p < 0.008) and working department (p < 0.008), were satisfactory. The internal consistency, as measured by Cronbach's α, ranged from 0.62 to 0.89 for the subscales and was 0.91 for the total scale. This scale has been validated as a reliable and effective instrument for clinical nurses to self-assess their end-of-life nursing competencies in a clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a custom neck collar with negative sensory feedback for the treatment of torticollis that was previously unresponsive to conservative or surgical treatment. Methods: Twenty-four children diagnosed with unresponsive or intractable torticollis were enrolled in this two-stage, single-arm study. The ipsilateral aspect of the orthosis is adjustable in height and designed to provide support between the clavicle and the mandibular angle on the tilted side. In stage 1 (the adjustment period), the orthosis with a smooth surface was applied for 2 h per day for 3 months. In stage 2, a rough surface with a hook-and-loop fastener (Velcro©) was attached to the collar, and it was worn for a further 2 h a day for 3 months. Twenty children (mean age 63.95 ± 13.44 months) were included in the analysis. Results: The mean torticollis angle was 17.60 ± 5.65° (mean ± SD) at baseline; 14.15 ± 3.62° directly after stage 1; and 6.00 ± 3.67° directly after stage 2 (X2 = 36.685, df = 19, p = 0.000). Conclusions: This study demonstrated the feasibility, therapeutic effect, and safety of a novel tactile feedback orthosis for the treatment of children with torticollis. The use of a custom neck collar with negative sensory feedback may be a viable therapeutic option for the treatment of unresolved or intractable torticollis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective and Background: This research aimed to examine the role of C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CXCL5) and C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8; also known as IL‐8) in neutrophilic inflammation triggered by peri‐implantitis and to shed light on the underlying mechanisms that link them to the development of this condition. Materials: This study included 40 patients who visited the Department of Periodontology at Kyungpook University Dental Hospital. They were divided into two groups based on their condition: healthy implant (HI) group (n = 20) and peri‐implantitis (PI) group (n = 20). Biopsy samples of PI tissue were collected from the patients under local anesthesia. HI tissue was obtained using the same method during the second implant surgery. To construct libraries for control and test RNAs, the QuantSeq 3′ mRNA‐Seq Library Prep Kit (Lexogen, Inc., Austria) was used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Samples were pooled based on representative cytokines obtained from RNA sequencing results and subjected to Reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). Hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis were performed to visually assess expression levels and analyze tissue histology. Student's t‐test was employed to conduct statistical analyses. Results: Initially, heatmaps were used to examine gene expression variations between the HI and PI groups based on the results of RNA sequencing. Notably, among various cytokines, CXCL5 and CXCL8 had the highest expression levels in the PI group compared with the HI group, and they are known to be associated with inflammatory responses. In the gingival tissues, the expression of genes encoding cytokines such as interleukin (IL)‐1β, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6, and CXCL5/CXCL8 was assessed via RT‐qPCR. The mRNA expression level of CXCL5/CXCL8 significantly increased in the PI group compared with the HI group (p <.045). Contrarily, the mRNA expression level of interleukin 36 receptor antagonist (IL36RN) significantly decreased (p <.008). IHC enabled examination of the distribution and intensity of CXCL5/CXCL8 protein expression within the tissue samples. Specifically, increased levels of CXCL5/CXCL8 promote inflammatory responses, cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion within the peri‐implant tissues. These effects are mediated through the activation of the PI3K/Akt/NF‐κB signaling pathway. Conclusions: This study found that the PI sites had higher gene expression level of CXCL8/CXCL5 in the soft tissue than HI sites, which could help achieve more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The mechanism of human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) has not been clearly elucidated, and the number of authenticated HPV (+) TSCC cell lines is extremely limited. Objectives: To establish and characterize a de novo HPV (+) TSCC cell line derived from a Korean patient with TSCC. Materials and methods: We performed in vitro and in vivo experiments for evaluation of tumorigenicity of our TSCC cell line. In addition, we evaluated the stemness traits of this cell. Finally, we examined the physical status of our cell whether this belonged to the episomal, integrated, or mixed type. Results: The novel tonsillar cancer cell line, designated as KUSCC-152, was identified as a de novo TSCC cell line positive for HPV-16. In addition, the KUSCC-152 cell line has cancer cell traits in vitro and can induce tumor formation and metastasis to the neck lymph nodes in heterotopic and orthotopic xenograft mice. Moreover, the KUSCC-152 cells exhibited a cancer stemness phenotype, including sphere-forming capacity and the expression of stemness markers. Finally, we suggested that KUSCC 152 may belong to an integrated HPV incorporation type. Conclusions and significance: We successfully established and characterized a novel integrated-type HPV (+) TSCC cell line from an East Asian patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Sulfuryl fluoride (SF) was introduced as a fumigant in 1957 and widely used against stored product insects and dry wood termites in wood structures in warm climates. We conducted several experiments on the quarantine treatment of Japanese termites (Reticulitermes speratus) with SF. The efficacy against R. speratus in wood, as well as the wood sorption and penetration capacity, of SF were investigated. The LCt50 and LCt99 values of SF were calculated at two different temperatures and the differences between dry and wet wood at several loading ratios were evaluated as insignificant. Complete pest mortality was proven in scale-up trials with a 90% loading ratio of SF. The fumigant concentration decreased below the threshold limit after 30 min of ventilation. Compared with other alternative methyl bromide fumigants, the main advantages of SF were outlined. SF caused 100% termite mortality with a 90% loading ratio in the scale-up trials (500 L). The present study provides a basis for the use of SF as an alternative to MB for the treatment of termites in wood. High-risk termites in wood imported to the Republic of Korea are currently treated with methyl bromide (MB), which has ozone-depleting properties and is highly toxic. This study evaluated the effectiveness of sulfuryl fluoride (SF) as a quarantine treatment against Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) in wood, along with its wood sorption and penetration capacity. The LCt50 and LCt99 values for SF were 30.87 and 42.53 mg h/L at 23 °C and 151.62 and 401.9 mg h/L at 5 °C, respectively. The SF Ct values did not significantly differ between dry and wet wood at loading ratios of 10%, 30%, and 50% at both 5 °C and 23 °C (p > 0.05). In a closed wooden cube, the LCt50 and LCt99 for SF for R. speratus were 31.59 and 53.34 mg h/L, respectively, indicating an excellent wood penetration ability. SF caused 100% termite mortality with a 90% loading ratio in the scale-up trials (500 L). The SF concentration during ventilation decreased below the threshold limit value (TLV) of 5 ppm within 30 min, confirming that the working conditions were safe. This study provides a basis for the use of SF as an alternative to MB for the treatment of termites in wood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to compare the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH) with those in people living without HIV (PLWoH). Methods: This nationwide descriptive epidemiological study was conducted in South Korea between January 2020 and February 2022. The National Health Insurance claim data, comprising the data of the entire Korean population, were collected through the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. Results: Among 3,653,808 individuals who were diagnosed with COVID‐19, 1311 (0.04%) were PLWH. All PLWH received antiretroviral therapy, and 26.47% had more than one underlying disease other than HIV infection. The overall in‐hospital mortality rates of PLWH and PLWoH were 0.76% and 0.25%, respectively (P = 0.002). According to the Cox proportional hazard model, no significant difference was observed in the in‐hospital mortality rate (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.70–4.67) between the PLWH and PLWoH. However, progression to severe or critical COVID‐19 was more common in PLWH (HR: 2.70, 95% CI: 1.37–5.33). In PLWH diagnosed with COVID‐19, a multivariable Cox regression analysis found old age (≥ 60 years) (HR: 6.9, 95% CI: 2.57–18.56) and diabetes mellitus (HR: 5.13, 95% CI: 2.02–13.00) as the independent risk factors for severe or critical COVID‐19. Conclusions: PLWH had a significantly higher risk of developing severe or critical COVID‐19 compared with PLWoH. Our findings suggest the need for implementing tailored strategies to decrease the impact of COVID‐19 on PLWH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobilization with movement (MWM) and myofascial release (MFR) are treatment techniques that increase ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM). Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) facilitates waste drainage and improves soft tissue tension in peripheral tissues. To date, no studies have investigated how the combination of MLD, MWM, and MFR influences the human body. The purpose of this study is to determine how the combination of MLD, MWM, and MFR affects DFROM and balance ability. We randomly assigned 16 individuals (26 feet) to one of three groups: MWM-MFR (MR), MWM-MLD (MD), or MWM-MFR-MLD (MRD) intervention. To confirm the intervention effect of each group, DFROM was assessed using a modified lunge test, and dynamic balance was measured using a modified star excursion balance test. In the results, differences were found between the MR and MRD groups in PL and mGCM activities in the 1 section (p = 0.008, p = 0.036) and between the MD and MRD groups in mGCM activity in the 4 and 5 sections (p = 0.049, p = 0.004). We suggest that the application of MRD is the most effective intervention for increasing muscle activation of the PL and mGCM during the modified star excursion balance test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional treatments for allergic rhinitis (AR) exhibit insufficiency and long-term use-related side effects. Considering the reported anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects of Bojungikgi-tang (BJIGT), we aimed to assess its efficacy on persistent AR (PAR). Patients with PAR were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio into high-dose BJIGT, standard-dose BJIGT, and placebo groups, followed by 1-week run-in and 4-week treatment periods. The primary outcome included the mean change in Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), with secondary outcomes encompassing the Korean Allergic Rhinitis-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire, biomarkers, overall assessment, TNSS by AR pattern identification, and the Sasang constitution. The mean TNSS change was more improved in the BJIGT group than in the placebo group; however, no statistically significant differences were observed. Additional interaction effect analysis revealed a statistically significant improvement in the high-dose BJIGT group compared with the placebo group from weeks 1–2 to weeks 3–4. Regarding secondary outcomes, the BJIGT group exhibited similar or improved results compared with the placebo group, showing no statistically significant differences. No serious adverse effects or clinically significant changes in safety assessments were observed. Given that this study validated clinical improvement and safety, it serves as potential groundwork for pertinent future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines college students' global competence acquisition at a US and Korean university and assesses the effect of cross- and inter-cultural online projects implemented simultaneously at both universities. The data were collected through a pre- and post-survey of the participating students. The findings were as follows: (1) overall, the projects significantly increased students' intercultural communication skills and knowledge of the other country, (2) among three antecedents, the global mass media had mixed effects on the global competence and the effect of the projects, (3) mass migration was identified as a significant influence on students' global competence and the effect of the projects, and (4) language barriers, technology, and time differences were found to be the main challenges of the project.

Summary: Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are frequently used in patients with cirrhosis. Aims: This study aimed to determine whether PPI use is associated with the prognosis of cirrhotic patients. Methods: We conducted a multicentre retrospective cohort study involving 1485 patients who had experienced hepatic encephalopathy (HE) from 7 referral centres in Korea. The primary outcome was overall survival and secondary outcomes included the development of cirrhotic complications, including recurrent HE, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), and gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients treated with PPI with a mean defined daily dose (mDDD) ≥0.5 (high‐dose PPI group) were compared to those treated with PPI of an mDDD < 0.5 (No or low‐dose PPI group) for each outcome. Results: Among 1485 patients (median age, 61 years; male, 61%), 232 were assigned to the high‐dose PPI group. High‐dose PPI use was independently associated with a higher risk of death (adjusted HR [aHR] = 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.38–2.11, p < 0.001). This result was reproducible after propensity score‐matching (PSM) (aHR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.49–2.44, p < 0.001). High‐dose PPI use was an independent risk factor of recurrent HE (before PSM: aHR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.66–2.51, p < 0.001; after PSM: aHR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.70–2.74, p < 0.001), SBP (before PSM: aHR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.43–2.43, p < 0.001; after PSM: aHR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.31–2.36, p = 0.002), HRS (before PSM: aHR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.02–2.15, p = 0.04; after PSM: aHR = 1.47, 95% CI = 0.95–2.28, p = 0.09), and gastrointestinal bleeding (before PSM: aHR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.12–1.90, p = 0.006; after PSM: aHR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.28–2.37, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The use of high‐dose PPI was independently associated with increased risks of mortality and cirrhotic complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nasal endoscopy is routinely performed to distinguish the pathological types of masses. There is a lack of studies on deep learning algorithms for discriminating a wide range of endoscopic nasal cavity mass lesions. Therefore, we aimed to develop an endoscopic-examination-based deep learning model to detect and classify nasal cavity mass lesions, including nasal polyps (NPs), benign tumors, and malignant tumors. The clinical feasibility of the model was evaluated by comparing the results to those of manual assessment. Biopsy-confirmed nasal endoscopic images were obtained from 17 hospitals in South Korea. Here, 400 images were used for the test set. The training and validation datasets consisted of 149,043 normal nasal cavity, 311,043 NP, 9,271 benign tumor, and 5,323 malignant tumor lesion images. The proposed Xception architecture achieved an overall accuracy of 0.792 with the following class accuracies on the test set: normal = 0.978 ± 0.016, NP = 0.790 ± 0.016, benign = 0.708 ± 0.100, and malignant = 0.698 ± 0.116. With an average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.947, the AUC values and F1 score were highest in the order of normal, NP, malignant tumor, and benign tumor classes. The classification performances of the proposed model were comparable with those of manual assessment in the normal and NP classes. The proposed model outperformed manual assessment in the benign and malignant tumor classes (sensitivities of 0.708 ± 0.100 vs. 0.549 ± 0.172, 0.698 ± 0.116 vs. 0.518 ± 0.153, respectively). In urgent (malignant) versus nonurgent binary predictions, the deep learning model achieved superior diagnostic accuracy. The developed model based on endoscopic images achieved satisfactory performance in classifying four classes of nasal cavity mass lesions, namely normal, NP, benign tumor, and malignant tumor. The developed model can therefore be used to screen nasal cavity lesions accurately and rapidly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19 has created tensions across different sectors of the society, but the impact has been unequal. Vulnerable people have been most affected, especially those with insecure employment and who have experienced economic hardships due to unemployment and lost wages. The combination of social change and economic hardships due to the pandemic increases the risk of poor mental health. Some countries have utilized financial assistance to alleviate economic hardships caused by COVID-19, and in South Korea, the central and local governments have implemented COVID-19 financial assistance. This study analysed the impact of financial assistance on mental health associated with working status during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. Methods: The participants of this study were randomly selected from residents of Gyeonggi-do after being proportionally allocated by resident registration population status. A total of 1,000 adult males and females aged 19 years or older in Gyeonggi-do who received financial assistance from the central and local governments were selected. A retrospective pre–post-study design was applied, and mental health surveys including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) were applied. Results: The results show that depression scores averaged 5.5 and anxiety scores averaged 4.4 before COVID-19 Financial Assistance. It is similar to the national average of 5.1 and 4.5 respectively at that time. After the assistance, depression scores dropped to 4.5, and anxiety scores dropped to 3.2. Before the assistance, depression and anxiety were higher among temporary day labourers with less job security, and they showed the most significant improvement in mental health. For full-time workers, there was no significant change in anxiety or depression after receiving the assistance. Conclusions: Financial assistance can provide material resources and also positively affect mental health. In particular, it had a greater impact on the relatively vulnerable groups, such as those in unstable employment. Key messages: • Those who are particularly socially and economically vulnerable when in dangerous situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have a greater risk of mental health deterioration. • Public financial assistance for these individuals is essential and can have a direct effect on alleviating economic difficulties and helping them feel more financially stable in difficult economic conditions. • Public financial assistance can greatly improve an individual's resilience and capacity to overcome economically difficult situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to determine whether self-regulation acts as a mediating factor in the relationship between obesity-related stress and weight control behavior, targeting Korean female college students. Obesity-related stress and weight control behaviors are important factors affecting an individual's health and well-being, and self-control, a psychological trait, can play a pivotal role in regulating how individuals respond to stress and engage in weight management behaviors. Methods: This study employed a descriptive correlational design. A total of 109 female college students with overweight and obesity participated in the study. We used a self-report questionnaire to measure obesity-related stress, self-control, and degree of weight control behavior. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis, and bootstrapping using Hayes' PROCESS macro for mediation. Results: Significant relationships between obesity-related stress and weight control behavior (r = 0.25, p < 0.001), obesity-related stress and self-control (r = −0.36, p < 0.001), and weight control behavior and self-control (r = 0.26, p < 0.001) were observed. Self-control showed an indirect mediating effect on the relationship between obesity-related stress and weight control behavior (Β = 0.37, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Through the research results, it was confirmed that self-control is a factor that has a mediating effect in the relationship between obesity-related stress and weight control behavior among female college students with overweight and obesity. These results underscore the importance of addressing self-control strategies in interventions aimed at promoting healthy weight management among female college students with overweight or obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the impact of term LBW on short-term neonatal and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in children 5–7 years of age. This is a population-based cohort study that merged national data from the Korea National Health Insurance claims and National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children. The participants were women who gave birth at a gestational age of ≥ 37 weeks between 2013 and 2015 in the Republic of Korea, and were tracked during 2020 for the neurodevelopmental surveillance of their children. Among 830,806 women who gave birth during the study period, 31,700 (3.8%) of their babies weighed less than 2500 g. By Cox proportional hazard analysis, children aged 5–7 years who had LBW were associated with any developmental, motor developmental delay, cognitive developmental delay, autism spectrum, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, and epileptic and febrile seizures.Children born with term LBW were more vulnerable to neurodevelopmental disorders at 5–7 years of age than those with normal and large birth weights. This study further substantiates counseling parents regarding the long-term outcomes of children being born underweight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate and understand various aspects related to participants' experiences in peer support activities, with a particular focus on their personal growth and the influence of these activities on their lives. In this qualitative study, peer support workers with mental illness were the main subjects, and they were recruited from G Metropolitan City, South Korea. The study used purposive sampling, guided by recommendations from peer support worker support organizations. A total of five participants were selected using purposive sampling to ensure maximum variability in the sample. Data collection involved semi-structured individual interviews, and data analysis was conducted using the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) method. Following the IPA procedure for data analysis, the study revealed six themes that encapsulated the recovery experiences of peer support workers with mental illness: (1) Facing confusion and challenges, (2) Rising and refining myself, (3) Navigating the paths of relationships, (4) Gazing at the desired horizons, (5) Awakening the inner hero, and (6) Standing as a person who cherishes life. This research underscores the positive impact of peer support activities on individuals who have faced mental health challenges. It emphasizes the significance of self-discovery, the development of supportive relationships, and the aspiration for a brighter future. These findings contribute to the expanding body of knowledge regarding the benefits of peer support in the context of mental health recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to characterize the latest antimicrobial resistance patterns and genetic diversity of Campylobacter spp. isolated from patients with acute diarrhea in Korea. In total, 371 clinical isolates (361 Campylobacter jejuni and 10 Campylobacter coli) were collected from patients with diarrhea in 106 medical institutions of six provinces during the seasonal peak (April–September 2022) in South Korea. We then assessed their antimicrobial susceptibility to eight antimicrobial agents and performed multilocus sequence typing (MLST). This study investigated the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles to tetracycline (32.3%), nalidixic acid (64.9%), and ciprofloxacin (83.3%), confirming high levels of the latter even after its Korean ban in 2010. However, tetracycline resistance displayed a decreasing trend. Alternatively, significantly lower resistance rates to clindamycin (0.8%), azithromycin (0.53%), erythromycin (0.53%), and gentamicin (0.53%) as well as absolute susceptibility to florfenicol (0%) were observed. Four C. jejuni and three C. coli isolates (7/371, 1.88%) were classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR) to at least three antimicrobial classes. MLST identified a high genetic diversity with 21 clonal complexes (CCs) and sixty-six sequence types (STs), including eight novel STs. The high CC frequency of C. jejuni comprised CC21 (37.7%), CC22 (13.8%), and CC206 (9.4%), while C. coli was predominated by CC828 (90%). The high CC21 and CC828 strain prevalence in this study was consistent with their worldwide distribution. This study highlights that quinolone- and tetracycline-resistant Campylobacter circulate in Korea with diverse genotypes, providing important information that could contribute to controlling and preventing increasing antimicrobial resistance in patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we conducted surveys during the 2018–2022 summers to investigate the impact of climate change-related changes in the phytoplankton community structure on the marine ecosystem in the South Sea of Korea. The average surface water temperature increased by ~1.07 °C at 0.0195 °C·yr−1 between 1968 and 2022. During the summers, the rate was 0.0211 °C·yr−1, with a total increase of ~1.16 °C, indicating a stronger increase in summer surface water temperature. Over the last 30 years, nutrient levels in the South Sea have decreased, particularly at the surface. Moreover, 29.3–90.0% of the phytoplankton community structure was dominated by nanoflagellates (≤20 μm). Based on the size of the phytoplankton chl-a, the average contribution rate of picophytoplankton was the highest (60.1%). Redundancy analysis revealed negative correlations between nutrients and water depth, excluding NH4. Increased stratification due to climate change is causing reduced nutrient availability at the surface mixed layer, and the size of the phytoplankton structure is progressively reducing. These changes are expected to manifest in a complex microbial food web centered on smaller phytoplankton with low primary productivity. This can reduce the efficiency of carbon transfer to higher consumer levels, suggesting a potential decrease in marine productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traffic injuries include acute low back pain (LBP) needing active treatment to prevent chronicity. This two-armed, parallel, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness and safety of progressive loading–motion style acupuncture treatment (PL-MSAT) for acute LBP following traffic accidents. Methods: Based on an effect size of 1.03, 104 participants were recruited and divided in a 1:1 ratio into PL-MAST and control groups using block randomization. Both groups underwent integrative Korean medicine treatment (IKMT) daily; only the PL-MSAT group underwent three PL-MSAT sessions. The outcomes were assessed before and after the treatment sessions and at 1 and 3 months post-discharge. The primary outcome was the difference in the numeric rating scale (NRS) for LBP. The secondary outcomes included a visual analog scale for LBP, leg pain status, the Oswestry disability index, lumbar active range of motion (ROM), quality of life, Patient Global Impression of Change, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist adverse events. Results: In the modified intention-to-treat analysis, 50 and 51 participants were included in the PL-MSAT and control groups. On Day 4, the mean LBP NRS score was 3.67 (3.44–3.90) in the PL-MSAT group, indicating a significantly lower NRS 0.77 (0.44–1.11) compared to 4.44 (4.20–4.68) for the control group (p < 0.001). The PL-MSAT group exhibited greater ROM flexion (−5.31; −8.15 to −2.48) and extension (−2.09; −3.39 to −0.80). No significant differences were found for the secondary outcomes and follow-ups. Conclusions: Compared with IKMT alone, PL-MSAT plus IKMT showed significantly better outcomes for reducing pain and increasing the ROM in acute LBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prehospital factors play a vital role in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivability, and they vary between countries and regions. We investigated the prehospital factors associated with OHCA outcomes in a single metropolitan city in the Republic of Korea. Methods: This study included adult medical OHCA patients enrolled prospectively, using data from the citywide OHCA registry for patients registered between 2018 and 2021. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the factors associated with the study population's clinical outcomes, adjusting for covariates. We performed a sensitivity analysis for clinical outcomes only for patients without prehospital return of spontaneous circulation prior to emergency medical service departure from the scene. Results: In multivariable logistic regression analysis, older age (odds ratio [OR] 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95–0.97), endotracheal intubation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.29; 95% [CIs] 0.17–0.51), supraglottic airway (aOR 0.29; 95% CI 0.17–0.51), prehospital mechanical chest compression device use (OR 0.13; 95% CI 0.08–0.18), and longer scene time interval (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.93–1.00) were negatively associated with survival. Shockable rhythm (OR 24.54; 95% CI 12.99–42.00), pulseless electrical activity (OR 3.11; 95% CI 1.74–5.67), and witnessed cardiac arrest (OR 1.59; 95% CI 1.07–2.38) were positively associated with survival. In the sensitivity analysis, endotracheal intubation, supraglottic airway, prehospital mechanical chest compression device use, and longer scene time intervals were associated with significantly lower survival to hospital discharge. Conclusions: Regional resuscitation protocol should be revised based on the results of this study, and modifiable prehospital factors associated with lower survival of OHCA should be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical practice is an important educational tool for nursing students, and their emotions during clinical practice should be accurately understood. This study aimed to develop and verify the validity and reliability of a clinical practicum transition shock scale (CPT-shock) to measure Korean nursing students' emotional responses when transitioning from a theoretical learning process to clinical practice. This research design was a methodological study and the content, construct, criterion validity, and reliability of the items were verified. Content validity was evaluated by seven experts. The preliminary survey was conducted on 24 nursing students, and the factor analysis was conducted on 331 nursing students in various regions of Korea. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the model fit (χ2/df = 1.741, GFI = 0.930, AGFI = 0.902, NFI = 0.869, TLI = 0.923, CFI = 0.938, RMR = 0.035, RMSEA = 0.047) and established discrimination and convergence validity. Positive and negative correlations were found with existing transition shock (r = 0.779) and clinical practice adaptation (r = −0.505), respectively (p < 0.001), thus establishing criterion validity. The reliability was good, with a Cronbach's α of 0.85. The clinical practicum transition shock scale reflects nursing students' practice environment and is expected to accurately measure nursing students' unique emotional shock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is considered a widespread mental health problem worldwide. Moreover, anxiety symptoms are very closely related to depression in patients, and it is known that the coexistence rate of depression and anxiety diagnosed simultaneously is high. Treatment and preventive management of depression and anxiety are essential for public health. Forest healing is attracting attention as a form of low-cost preventive medicine that is safe and has no side effects. However, although the physiological and psychological effects have been scientifically proven, it is insufficient to reveal a direct relationship between forest healing and depression. This study investigated the benefits of an urban forest healing program on depression and anxiety symptoms in depressive disorders. We employed a randomized controlled trial design. Forty-seven depressive patients were randomly divided into an urban forest healing program group and a control group. Measures included the Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale (MADRS), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaires. Our results revealed that the combination of general treatment and forest healing programs for patients with depression is more effective in improving depression and anxiety than routine treatment alone. We expect our work to serve as a starting point for more sophisticated research discussing the availability of non-pharmacological treatments in forest healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much has been written about how social media platforms enable the rise of networked activism. However, few studies have examined how these platforms' low-information environments shape how social movement activists, their opponents, and social media platforms interact. Hate speech reporting is one understudied area where such interactions occur. This article fills this gap by examining to what extent and how the gender and popularity of counterspeech in comment sections influence social media users' willingness to report hate speech on the #MeToo movement. Based on a survey experiment (n = 1250) conducted in South Korea, we find that YouTube users are more willing to report such sexist hate speech when the counterspeech is delivered by a female rather than a male user. However, when the female user's counterspeech received many upvotes, this was perceived to signal her enhanced status and decreased the intention to report hate speech, particularly among male users. No parallel patterns were found regarding other attitudes toward hate speech, counterspeech, YouTube, the #MeToo movement, and gender discrimination and hate speech legislation. These findings inform that users report hate speech based on potentially harmful content as well as their complex social interactions with other users and the platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can lead to a prothrombotic state, which significantly burdens public healthcare systems. This study investigated the relationship between NAFLD and the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in Korea using National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort 2.0 data. A population-based retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on 472,212 healthy individuals who underwent national health check-ups in Korea from 2009 to 2014. NAFLD was defined using the fatty liver index (FLI). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze the association between FLI and VTE. Individuals were categorized into four quartiles according to FLI values (first quartile [Q1], 0–5.7; second quartile [Q2], 5.8–15.3; third quartile [Q3], 15.4–37.2; and fourth quartile [Q4], > 37.2). The incidence of VTE tended to increase with increasing FLI values (Q1, 598 [0.5%]; Q2, 1,033 [0.9%]; Q3, 1,443 [1.2%]; and Q4, 1,425 [1.2%]). In the age- and sex-adjusted multivariate model, the hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 1.47 (1.33‒1.62) for Q4 compared with Q1. After adjusting for clinical variables with P < 0.1 in the univariate analyses, the HR (95% CI) was 1.45 (1.30‒1.62) for Q4 compared with Q1. FLI was related to VTE risk, as confirmed after adjusting for other risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an interstitial lung disease with chronic, progressive lung fibrosis with a poor prognosis. Recent studies have reported a high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in IPF patients and an association with poor prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical effects on mortality of OSA in patients with IPF. Methods: Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed in 167 patients with IPF at Haeundae-Paik Hospital, Republic of Korea. A type 4 portable device was used to monitor OSA, and an apnea-hypopnea index of 5 events per sleep hour and above was diagnosed as OSA. Results: The mean follow-up period and age were 26.9 months and 71.4 years, respectively, with male predominance. OSA was confirmed in 108 patients (64.7%). Mild OSA was the most common (62.1%). Independent risk factors for OSA in the multivariate logistic regression analysis were age (odds ratio [OR] 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.13, p = 0.007), body weight (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02–1.09, p = 0.002), and risk based on the Berlin questionnaire (OR 2.76, 95% CI 1.12–6.80, p = 0.028). Shorter six-minute walk distance (6MWD) (hazard ratio [HR] 1.00, 95% CI: 1.00–1.00, p < 0.001), acute exacerbation (AE) (HR 13.83, 95% CI: 5.71–33.47, p < 0.001), and higher percentage of cumulative time with oxygen saturation below 90% in total sleep time (HR 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02–1.14, p = 0.007) were risk factors for mortality in IPF patients in the Cox regression analysis. Conclusion: Approximately two-thirds of the IPF patients had OSA. Older age, higher body weight, and high risk based on the Berlin questionnaire were independent risk factors for OSA in IPF patients. Shorter 6MWD, experience of AE, and night hypoxemia during sleep were associated with a higher risk of mortality in patients with IPF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the long-term effectiveness of the national diabetes quality assessment program (NDQAP) in diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: From the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database, 399,984 individuals with diabetes who visited a primary care clinic from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013 were included and followed up until 31 May 2021. The NDQAP included five quality assessment indicators: regular outpatient visits, continuity of prescriptions, regular testing of glycated hemoglobin and lipids, and regular fundus examination. Cox proportional hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for diabetes complications and all-cause mortality by the achievement of quality assessment indicators. RESULTS: During the mean follow-up duration of 7.6 ± 1.8 years, 20,054 cases (5.0%) of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), 6,281 end-stage kidney diseases (ESKD; 1.6%), 1,943 amputations (0.5%), 9,706 myocardial infarctions (MIs; 2.4%), 26,975 strokes (6.7%), and 35,799 all-cause mortality (8.9%) occurred. Each achievement of quality assessment indicator was associated with a decreased risk of diabetes complications and all-cause mortality. Individuals who were managed in high-quality institutions had a lower risk of PDR (HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.80–0.85), ESKD (HR 0.77; 95% CI 0.73–0.81), amputation (HR 0.75; 95% CI 0.69–0.83), MI (HR 0.85; 95% CI 0.82–0.89), stroke (HR 0.86; 95% CI 0.84–0.88), and all-cause mortality (HR 0.96; 95% CI 0.94–0.98) than those who were not managed in high-quality institutions. CONCLUSIONS: In Korea, the achievement of NDQAP indicators was associated with a decreased risk of diabetes complications and all-cause mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This work aimed to classify the elderly according to fall risk factors and to identify the characteristics of the latent classes. Background: Falls mainly occur due to combinations of various risk factors, and each older adult has a different combination of risk factors. Design: This was a secondary data analysis using data from the 2017 National Survey of Older Persons conducted by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare. Methods: Latent class analysis and multiple logistic regression were performed using data from 1556 older adults who experienced at least one fall during 1 year (1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016). Indicator variables included eight fall risk factors. Results: A 3‐class solution was selected according to acceptable goodness of fit. The 'healthy falls risk class' included over half of the cohort, and the comprised older adults did not show typical health problems. The 'complex falls risk class' included older people with physical and mental problems, and the 'musculoskeletal falls risk class' included older people with osteoarthritis and back pain. Conclusion: The results identified combinations of fall risk factors and characteristics among community‐dwelling older adults that may contribute to the planning of effective fall prevention programmes. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Previous studies have analysed the impact of individual risk factors for falls. What this paper adds? This study classifies elderly persons having similar fall risk factors and identifies the characteristics of each class as 'healthy falls risk class', 'complex falls risk class', or 'musculoskeletal disease falls risk class'. The implications of this paper: The 'healthy falls risk class' included over half of the present study cohort indicating that fall prevention programmes are needed, even for relatively healthy older adults.Older women were more likely to be in the 'musculoskeletal disease falls risk class', possibly due to the higher prevalence rates of osteoarthritis, and lower back or sciatic pain among older women. For this class, early diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases will be important for fall prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This study is aimed at investigating the pattern of change occurring in respiratory pathogens before and after the outbreak of COVID-19, a type of viral pneumonia for which a pandemic was declared (March 2020). The results were analyzed by gender and age to identify the association between personal hygiene and prevention of infection by respiratory pathogens. Methods. A retrospective analysis was performed on 39,814 sputum, bronchial aspirate, and transtracheal aspirate samples obtained from 15,398 patients visiting a university hospital, located in Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea, between January 2018 and December 2021. From 4,454 patients whose samples were culture positive for bacteria, 6,389 strains were isolated and further cultured. Results. The mean age of the outpatients with respiratory pathogens was 66.2 years, and the comparison of the culture test results by gender showed that 64.9% (2,892/4,454) were male and 35.1% (1,562/4,454) were female. Compared to the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period, the number of outpatients with a request for respiratory microbial cultures after the onset of the pandemic was reduced by 20.7% and the number of outpatients with a positive culture result was reduced by 23.0%. The number of respiratory samples received was reduced by 6.7% after the pandemic, while the sample positive rate was reduced by 18.3%. Among the isolated microbial strains, there was a significant decrease of 43.1% for the Acinetobacter baumannii complex, 60.5% for Streptococcus pneumoniae, 67.2% for Haemophilus influenzae, and 78.1% for Moraxella catarrhalis when compared with pre-COVID-19 levels. The distribution of respiratory microbial strains by age group showed that the highest percentage of isolated strains was in patients in their 70s. Conclusions. The improvements in personal hygiene due to the COVID-19 pandemic exerted a substantial influence on the pattern of change in other common respiratory microorganisms, which highlights the importance of personal hygiene management in the prevention of respiratory infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among men. Treatment of PC becomes difficult after progression because PC that used to be androgen-dependent becomes androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC). Veratramine, an alkaloid extracted from the root of the Veratrum genus, has recently been reported to have anticancer effects that work against various cancers; however, its anticancer effects and the underlying mechanism of action in PC remain unknown. We investigated the anticancer effects of veratramine on AIPC using PC3 and DU145 cell lines, as well as a xenograft mouse model. The antitumor effects of veratramine were evaluated using the CCK-8, anchorage-independent colony formation, trans-well, wound healing assays, and flow cytometry in AIPC cell lines. Microarray and proteomics analyses were performed to investigate the differentially expressed genes and proteins induced by veratramine in AIPC cells. A xenograft mouse model was used to confirm the therapeutic response and in vivo efficacy of veratramine. Veratramine dose dependently reduced the proliferation of cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, veratramine treatment effectively suppressed the migration and invasion of PC cells. The immunoblot analysis revealed that veratramine significantly downregulated Cdk4/6 and cyclin D1 via the ATM/ATR and Akt pathways, both of which induce a DNA damage response that eventually leads to G1 phase arrest. In this study, we discovered that veratramine exerted antitumor effects on AIPC cells. We demonstrated that veratramine significantly inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells via G0/G1 phase arrest induced by the ATM/ATR and Akt pathways. These results suggest that veratramine is a promising natural therapeutic agent for AIPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open communication about patient safety concerns is necessary to enable a learning environment where lessons can be learned to improve patient safety, but nurses often hesitate to speak up even in situations where their patients may be at risk. One way to create a safe environment for speaking up is through the use of unit-level daily huddles. This study aimed to assess the effects of a 12-week huddle intervention on nine unit, nurse and patient care outcomes and describe nurses' experiences with the intervention. We used a single group, pre- and post-test mixed-methods design, with a dominant quantitative thread, and a final sample of 89 staff nurses. The intervention was conducted in four surgical units in a tertiary teaching hospital in Seoul, Korea. The intervention included two educational workshops for huddle leaders, two workshops for staff nurses, and 12-week huddles with coaching visits. We collected quantitative data on nine outcomes using online surveys before and after the intervention and qualitative data on nurse experiences of the intervention after the intervention. Paired t-tests were used for quantitative data analysis, and content analysis was used for qualitative data. We examined four unit-level outcomes (organizational learning, situation monitoring, mutual support, and speaking-up climate), three nurse-level outcomes (promotive and prohibitive voice behaviors and job satisfaction), and two patient care outcomes (patient safety and quality of care). Significant improvements were found in six of the nine outcomes. Findings from the qualitative data confirmed the benefits of the intervention but also identified challenges to huddle participation. Patient safety huddles can contribute to a learning environment by flattening hierarchies and encouraging nurses to speak up regarding safety issues. Leadership is a key in role modelling and creating the foundation for a more collaborative patient safety culture in healthcare organizations, for example, through the use of daily huddles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the new media practices of young North Korean defectors (YNKDs) who are portrayed in traditional media as the subject of South Korean stereotypes. Popular content on YouTube channels was examined to determine South Koreans' perceptions of North Korea and North Korean defectors. We also interviewed YNKD YouTubers and classified the types of practices in response to such perceptions. The results indicated that South Korean subscribers prefer content highlighting South Korea's superiority over North Korea. In response, YNKD YouTubers have produced content that may be characterized as "cultural assimilation," "conflict and compromise" and "seeking alternatives." This study found that the decisive factor that distinguishes these three response types is the pursuit of public interest, i.e., aiming to change South Koreans' perception of North Korean defectors. Inner conflicts over financial benefits limit YNKDs' practice and impede their move towards solidarity-based collective action. The findings suggest that YNKD YouTubers who want to change mainstream society's perceptions can contribute to unification by producing authentic and creative content about North Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four species of Erythrotrichia (E. biseriata, E. reflexa, E. tetraseriata, E. carnea) have been reported in Korea, but phylogenetic studies have not been conducted on them. We analyzed two newly collected Erythrotrichia isolates using rbcL DNA sequences and determined their species status using four DNA-based species delimitation methods. One isolate (KNU-1) grouped with E. carnea in three methods: Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning, both single-threshold and multiple-threshold general mixed yule coalescent, but grouped as a distinct species in the statistical parsimony network analysis. A second isolate (KNU-2) was considered a distinct species in all the above species-delimitation methods. We propose the name, Erythrotrichia johnawestii sp. nov., for this new species. The new species was different from E. carnea in lacking a thick outer cell wall layer and with a smaller cell size. Mature monosporangia produced raised openings that released monospores. Cell walls were not detected in newly released monospores but began to appear when the spore attached to the substratum and produced rhizoids. Sexual reproduction was not observed during the four-year culture period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional studies are needed to confirm whether the use of renin-angiotensin system blockers (RASBs) induces survival benefits in patients on hemodialysis (HD). This study aimed to evaluate patient survival with the use of RASBs in a large sample of maintenance HD patients. This study used data from the national HD quality assessment program and claim data from South Korea (n = 54,903). A patient using RASBs was defined as someone who had received more than one prescription during the 6 months of each HD quality assessment period. The patients were divided into three groups as follows: Group 1, no prescription for anti-hypertensive drugs; Group 2, prescription for anti-hypertensive drugs other than RASBs; and Group 3, prescription for RASBs. The five-year survival rates in Groups 1, 2, and 3 were 72.1%, 64.5%, and 66.6%, respectively (p < 0.001 for Group 1 vs. Group 2 or 3; p = 0.001 for Group 2 vs. Group 3). Group 1 had the highest patient survival rates among the three groups, and Group 3 had higher patient survival rates compared to Group 2. Group 3 had higher patient survival rates than Group 2; however, the difference in patient survival rates between Group 2 and Group 3 was relatively small. Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed similar trends as those of univariate analyses. The highest survival rates from our study were those of patients who had not used anti-hypertensive drugs. Between patients treated with RASBs and those with other anti-hypertensive drugs, patient survival rates were higher in patients treated with RASBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There were insufficient pieces of evidence regarding the effect of the two drugs (allopurinol and febuxostat) on patient survival in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Herein, we aimed to compare the efficacy of uric acid-lowering drugs (ULDs) or the type of the drug on patient survival using a representative sample of maintenance HD patients in South Korea. Methods: This study used data from a national HD quality assessment program and the claims data. Use of ULDs was defined as more than one prescription during the 6 months of each HD quality assessment period. The patients were divided into three groups. Patients who were not prescribed allopurinol or febuxostat were included in group 1 (n = 43,251); patients who were prescribed allopurinol were included in group 2 (n = 9,987); and patients who were prescribed febuxostat were included in group 3 (n = 2,890). Results: Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the survival rate was greatest in group 3 and worst in group 1 among the three groups. Multivariable analysis showed that group 2 had better patient survival compared to group 1; however, there was no significant difference in patient survival between groups 2 and 3. In addition, patients with hyperuricemia or gout had better patient survival compared to those without these diseases. Conclusions: Our study showed that survival in patients receiving ULDs was not inferior to that of those not receiving ULDs. Patient survival between patients on HD receiving allopurinol and those receiving febuxostat was similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Developing effective treatment outcomes for multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MRAB) infections, with colistin and tigecycline the current frontline therapies, is challenging, because of the risk of renal toxicity and low blood concentrations of active ingredients when administered intravenously. This study aimed to identify the effect of combination therapy using conventional antimicrobial agents that are used for treating drug-resistant bacteria and the additional synergistic effect of four probiotic culture extracts isolated from the human body and Lactobacillus preparations. Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial combination and synergistic effect of adding Lactobacillus extract against 33 strains of A. baumannii isolated from pus, urine, and other specimens submitted to the Department of Laboratory Medicine of a university hospital, located in Gyeonggi-do, Korea, was investigated over a 3-year period between January 2017 and December 2019. Results: Antimicrobial susceptibility tests on bacteria isolated in clinical practice demonstrated that 26 strains (79%) were MRAB, while multi-locus sequence typing indicated that ST191 was the predominant type (45%; n = 15). Checkerboard test results demonstrated that combination therapy using meropenem and colistin had the highest synergistic effect (fractional inhibitory concentration index = 0.5), while the time–kill assay test using Lactobacillus spp. culture extract exhibited an inhibitory effect within 1 h and complete inhibition of MRAB within 3 h. Lactobacillus paracasei exhibited the fastest antimicrobial reactivity and longest sustained antimicrobial activity. Conclusion: These findings provide useful foundational data for an appropriate combination of colistin with other antimicrobial agents for treating MRAB infection in clinical settings, and the use of various probiotic culture extracts to reduce the required dosage, and therefore toxicity of colistin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined whether foreign language learner anxiety and motivational goal orientations remained stable across two different classroom contexts: a reading course and a conversation course. The researcher measured anxiety and four types of motivational goal orientations by surveying 59 Korean college students learning English in both courses. A repeated-measures MANCOVA was used to analyze the responses. The findings indicated that levels of anxiety can vary according to instructional contexts. The study found a significant difference for anxiety, with the students reporting higher levels of anxiety in the conversation course than in the reading course. By contrast, for goal orientation, students exhibited similar patterns across contexts. These Korean students displayed a high tendency toward a utilitarian goal regardless of context. The article also suggests teaching implications for reducing anxiety and enhancing motivation. (Contains 2 figures, 4 tables and 2 notes.)

This research investigated the influence of child characteristics, parenting behaviours and teacher-child relationships in order to ascertain peer victimization among 297 Korean preschool children. Peer victimization, child social behaviours and teacher-child relationships were assessed through teacher reports. Parents completed parenting behaviour questionnaires. Results suggested independent contributions from neglectful/rejected parenting, aggression, withdrawal and conflict in teacher-child relationships. Moreover, parental neglect/rejection moderated the association between aggression and peer victimization. Implications of the results for intervention initiatives are discussed. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are produced during incomplete combustion of organic matter. Many of them are likely to be carcinogenic and cause mutations. In this study, the PAH4 (benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), benz[a]anthracene (BaA), chrysene (CHR), benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF)) content in deep-fat fried pork was evaluated according to temperature and time, and a risk assessment was conducted. The high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) method for PAH4 analysis was validated by determining linearity (R2), recovery, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantitation (LOQ). The linearity was R2 ≥ 0.99. The PAH4 level was dependent on the temperature, time, and nature of the edible oil. Before heat treatment, the PAH4 content of pork was 0.38 μg/kg. The PAH4 content of deep-fat fried pork ranged from 0.86 to 6.86 μg/kg according to temperature (160, 180, 200 °C) and time (3, 6, 9 min). Exposure to PAH4 via the consumption of deep-fat fried pork for different age groups among the Korean population was 0.01–0.89 μg-TEQBaP/kg/day, with the margin of exposure calculated as 7.88 × 104–5.22 × 106. The PAH4 content and risk of exposure increased proportionally with the heat treatment temperature and time. The survey provided important information in terms of evaluating the health risks that PAH compounds can cause in people's diets due to the heat treatment of pork. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Telecommuting has expanded greatly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the advent of remote working from home, there has been an ongoing controversy about the positive or negative health-related impact of telecommuting. This study aimed to investigate change in the occupational health risk in South Korean workers involved in telecommuting during the pandemic period compared to daily commuters. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study of South Korean workers using the secondary data from the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey (2020–2021) was designed. A total of 12,354 white-collar wage employees were selected as the study sample. Telecommuting, depression, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, headache-eye strain, absenteeism, and presenteeism were measured by self-reported data. Multiple logistic regression models, including gender stratification analysis, were used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) for the health outcomes of telecommuters. Results: Among the study population, 338 males and 318 females were reported to be telecommuters. The entirely adjusted regression model showed a positive association between telecommuting and anxiety (AOR = 2.82; 95% CI, 1.93–4.10), insomnia (AOR = 1.93; 95% CI, 1.27–2.92), fatigue (AOR = 1.76; 95% CI, 1.30–2.37), musculoskeletal pain (AOR = 1,76; 95% CI, 1.33–2.32), headache-eye strain (AOR = 1.94; 95% CI, 1.48–2.54), presenteeism (AOR = 1.66; 95% CI, 1.20–2.28) respectively. Gender difference was identified in that only female telecommuters had a higher risk of depression (AOR = 1.62; 95% CI, 1.04–2.53) and insomnia (AOR = 2.07; 95% CI, 1.26–3.41) than daily commuters in the adjusted model. Conclusion: Telecommuting was significantly associated with an increased risk of various health problems among South Korean workers and females were identified as a more vulnerable group. Although further research is required to ascertain the causal relationship, public health intervention should be considered to prevent the negative effects of telecommuting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, there has been an urgent need to provide mental healthcare and share various practices for Ukrainian war refugees. This study urgently focuses on the need for art therapy to support the mental health of Ukrainian refugees, Koryo-saram, who are staying in the Republic of Korea due to the wartime emergency. It also examines the impact of art therapy intervention on anxiety and subjective stress. The single-session art therapy with the 54 Koryo-saram refugees aged 13-68 showed the effectiveness of the art therapy intervention. The results indicate that GAD-7 (t = 3.092, p = 0.003) and SUDs (t = 3.335, p = 0.002) were statistically significant within the intervention group. In addition, satisfaction assessments of the qualitatively analyzed participants showed that Ukrainian Koryo-saram had a positive experience of art therapy. Therefore single-session art therapy in this study demonstrated the efficacy of art therapy for the anxiety and subjective distress of Ukrainian Koryo-saram refugees. This result suggests that the intervention of art therapy as immediate mental healthcare for refugees facing war could benefit the mental health of Koryo-saram refugees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home is associated with depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms in South Korea, and work-family conflict has a mediating role in the associations. These findings were more clearly observed among male, child-bearing, and precarious workers. Objective: We aimed to investigate the association between working from home (WFH), depression/anxiety, and work-family conflict (WFC) among Korean workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We surveyed a total of 1074 workers online. Depression and anxiety were measured using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Mediating effects of WFC on the relationship between WFH and depression/anxiety were examined. Results: The WFH group had higher depression and anxiety scores than the daily commuting group. As WFC increased, the CES-D and BAI scores also increased. A possible mediating effect of WFC on the relationship between WFH and high CES-D and BAI scores was found. Conclusion: We observed a significant difference in depression/anxiety between WFH and daily commute workers, which was mediated by WFC, especially for young, child-growing, and precarious workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the difference in patient survival according to the type of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) treatment used in the Korean hemodialysis (HD) population. This retrospective study analyzed the laboratory data from a national HD quality assessment program and the claims of Korea. Included participants were divided into three groups according to the type of ESA used during the 6 months of each assessment period as follows: the EP group (n = 38,043, epoetin-α or epoetin-β), the DP group (n = 10,054, darbepoetin-α), and the MR group (2253, continuous erythropoietin receptor activator). The ESA doses in the EP, DP, and MR groups were 6451 ± 3586, 5959 ± 3857, and 3877 ± 2275 unit/week, respectively. The erythropoiesis resistance indexes (ERIs) in the three groups were 10.7 ± 6.7, 9.9 ± 7.6, and 6.3 ± 4.1 IU/kg/g/dL, respectively. Kaplan–Meier curves revealed similar rates of patient survival among the three groups (p = 0.530). A multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the hazard ratios in the DP group and MR group were 1.00 (p = 0.853) and 0.87 (p < 0.001), respectively, compared to that of the EP group. The hazard ratio in the MR group was 0.87 (p = 0.001) compared to that of the DP group. Our study shows that the MR group had comparable or better patient survival than the EP and DP groups in the multivariate analysis. However, the ESA doses and ERI were considerably different among the three groups. It was difficult to determine whether the better patient survival in the MR group originated from the ESA type, ESA dose, ERI, or other hidden factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Perineural invasion (PNI) in head and neck cancer is associated with a poor prognosis; however, the effect of PNI on the prognosis of laryngeal cancer remains under debate. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the effect of PNI in fresh or salvaged larynges on survival in patients who had undergone laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma. (2) Methods: This study enrolled 240 patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer who had undergone open surgery at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Korea. The effects of PNI, other histopathologic factors, and treatment history on survival and recurrence patterns were assessed. (3) Results: PNI was observed in 30 of 240 patients (12.5%). PNI (HR: 3.05; 95% CI: 1.90–4.88; p = 0.01) was a significant predictor of poor 5-year disease-free survival. In fresh cases, preepiglottic invasion (HR: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.45–3.88; p = 0.01) and PNI (HR: 2.96; 95% CI: 1.62–2.96; p = 0.01) were negative prognostic factors for 5-year disease-free survival. In the salvage group, however, only PNI (HR: 2.74; 95% CI: 1.26–5.92; p = 0.01) was a significant predictor of disease-free survival. Further, PNI significantly influenced high local recurrence (HR: 5.02, 95% CI: 1.28–9.66; p = 0.02). (4) Conclusions: Independent of treatment history, PNI is a prognostic factor for poor survival and local recurrence in laryngeal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]