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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease involving cognitive impairment and abnormalities in speech and language. Here, we examine how AD affects the fidelity of auditory feedback predictions during speaking. We focus on the phenomenon of speaking-induced suppression (SIS), the auditory cortical responses' suppression during auditory feedback processing. SIS is determined by subtracting the magnitude of auditory cortical responses during speaking from listening to playback of the same speech. Our state feedback control (SFC) model of speech motor control explains SIS as arising from the onset of auditory feedback matching a prediction of that feedback onset during speaking, a prediction that is absent during passive listening to playback of the auditory feedback. Our model hypothesizes that the auditory cortical response to auditory feedback reflects the mismatch with the prediction: small during speaking, large during listening, with the difference being SIS. Normally, during speaking, auditory feedback matches its predictions, then SIS will be large. Any reductions in SIS will indicate inaccuracy in auditory feedback prediction not matching the actual feedback. We investigated SIS in AD patients [n = 20; mean (SD) age, 60.77 (10.04); female (%), 55.00] and healthy controls [n = 12; mean (SD) age, 63.68 (6.07); female (%), 83.33] through magnetoencephalography (MEG)-based functional imaging. We found a significant reduction in SIS at ∼100 ms in AD patients compared with healthy controls (linear mixed effects model, F (1,57.5) = 6.849, p = 0.011). The results suggest that AD patients generate inaccurate auditory feedback predictions, contributing to abnormalities in AD speech.

Auditory cortex neurons nonlinearly integrate synaptic inputs from the thalamus and cortex, and generate spiking outputs for simple and complex sounds. Directly comparing synaptic and spiking activity can determine whether this input-output transformation is stimulus-dependent. We employ in vivo whole-cell recordings in the mouse primary auditory cortex, using pure tones and broadband dynamic moving ripple stimuli, to examine properties of functional integration in tonal (TRFs) and spectrotemporal (STRFs) receptive fields. Spectral tuning in STRFs derived from synaptic, subthreshold and spiking responses proves to be substantially more selective than for TRFs. We describe diverse spectral and temporal modulation preferences and distinct nonlinearities, and their modifications between the input and output stages of neural processing. These results characterize specific processing differences at the level of synaptic convergence, integration and spike generation resulting in stimulus-dependent transformation patterns in the primary auditory cortex.

SUMMARY: Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs) are well known for their ability to catalyze diverse oxidation reactions, playing a significant role in the biosynthesis of various natural products. In the realm of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs), one of the largest groups of alkaloids in nature, CYPs are integral to reactions such as hydroxylation, epoxidation, ring opening, ring rearrangement, and aromatization, contributing to the extensive diversification of these compounds. In this study, we investigate the transcriptome, metabolome, and MIA biosynthesis in Tabernaemontana litoralis (milky way tree), a prolific producer of rare pseudoaspidosperma‐type MIAs. Alongside known pseudoaspidosperma biosynthetic genes, we identify and characterize three new CYPs that facilitate regio‐ and stereospecific oxidation of four MIA skeletons: iboga, aspidosperma, pseudoaspidosperma, and quebrachamine. Notably, the tabersonine 14,15‐β‐epoxidase catalyzes the formation of pachysiphine, the stereoisomer of 14,15‐α‐epoxytabersonine (lochnericine) found in Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle) roots. The pseudovincadifformine 18‐hydroxylase is the first CYP identified to modify a pseudoaspidosperma skeleton. Additionally, we demonstrate that the enzyme responsible for C10‐hydroxylation of the iboga MIA coronaridine also catalyzes C10‐hydroxylation of voaphylline, which bears a quebrachamine skeleton. With the discovery of a new MIA, 11‐hydroxypseudovincadifformine, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of MIA biosynthesis and diversification in T. litoralis, highlighting its potential for further exploration. Significance Statement: New cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYP) from Tabernaemontana litoralis can oxidize four different monoterpenoid indole alkaloid (MIA) skeletons, including the rare pseudovincadifformine alkaloid. Our discovery highlights the remarkable versatility of CYP enzymes as catalysts in the biosynthesis of natural products. Such flexibility is a key factor driving the structural diversity of medicinal MIAs, which encompass over 3000 unique structures and hold significant potential for therapeutic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify the relationship between the safety leadership of safety and health managers, the safety climate of the organization, and the safety behavior of workers in the electronics industry in order to develop a sustainable industrial safety and health policy. The study included 842 individuals working at electronics industry cooperators. After analyzing the correlation between safety leadership of managers, safety climate, and safety behavior using SPSS 23.0, measurement model analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were performed using AMOS 26.0 to evaluate their relationships. We observed that the safety leadership of managers was associated with safety climate and safety behavior. Additionally, among the sub-dimensional variables of safety climate, the management's commitment to safety and health and the delivery and communication of safety and health information were related to safety behavior. Therefore, enhancing worker participation and behavior requires strengthening the safety leadership of managers, increasing management's commitment to safety and health, and improving the effectiveness of safety and health information delivery and communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In monastic Tibetan Buddhists, we explored the psychological construct of self-essentialism, looking at links to satisfaction with life and meaning in life. We selected this population due to their deep commitment to teachings that emphasize the notion of "non-self." We further explored the role of self-construal in the association between self-essentialism and psychological well-being. Finally, we explored how differences between the formal learning stages in Tibetan Buddhism affected our outcome variables. Replicating findings with other samples, there was small positive endorsement of self-essentialism, and a positive association between psychological essentialism and psychological well-being in this Tibetan Buddhist sample. Those on the highest learning stage in Tibetan Buddhism indicated greater self-essentialism, satisfaction with life, and search for life-meaning compared with the other stages. Interdependent self-construal moderated the association of self-essentialism with satisfaction with life. Contextualizing these findings within Tibetan Buddhist doctrine, it appears that Tibetan Buddhist monks utilize self-essentialism to clearly identify their path from the self toward "non-self." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: New intensive care unit (ICU) nurses often experience stress because of concerns about potentially harming their patients in a work environment that demands the rapid development of several skills in a limited training period. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the prioritisation of educational needs within adult ICUs, focusing on how new nurses evaluate their current knowledge and perceive the most critical competencies. Study Design: A cross‐sectional study was conducted among a convenience sample of 102 new ICU nurses in general and tertiary hospitals in South Korea. Educational needs were assessed using a structured questionnaire for new ICU nurses. This study investigated educational needs using paired t‐tests, Borich's assessment model and the Locus for Focus model. Results: Only 48% of participants were satisfied with their education. The highest‐rated educational content included preparing to use a defibrillator (95% CI = 2.44–3.28, p <.001), administering emergency drugs for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (95% CI = 2.09–2.91, p <.001), starting and maintaining continuous renal replacement therapy (95% CI = 1.50–2.42, p <.001), applying and maintaining a ventilator (95% CI = 1.42–2.08, p <.001), preparing for intubation (95% CI = 1.23–1.97, p <.001), reporting to the emergency team, preparing equipment for CPR (95% CI = 1.12–1.94, p <.001) and drug calculation (95% CI = 0.87–1.53, p <.001). Conclusions: These findings indicate that educational programmes for new ICU nurses should be developed considering the aforementioned priorities. Furthermore, nurse educators should adopt a practical and active instructional method to repeatedly clarify content, prioritising the improvement of knowledge and performance of new ICU nurses. Relevance to Clinical Practice: This study guides clinical educators and managers in focusing on areas where new ICU nurses need additional training. Effective nurse residency programmes tailored to the specific needs of new ICU nurses can enhance their confidence and ability to handle ICU nursing challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Turnover rates among newly graduated nurses are high, increasing the workload for other nurses and hampering organizational productivity. This study investigates the effects of a nurse residency program (NRP), examining clinical competence, job satisfaction, organizational socialization, turnover intention, and turnover rates. Method: This study was conducted among newly employed graduate nurses in South Korea. Participants (N = 167) included nurses with less than 6 months of experience (NRP group, n = 52; control group, n = 115). The current results were measured 1 year after initiation of the NRP. Results: The NRP group showed significantly lower turnover intention and turnover rates and substantially better clinical competence, job satisfaction, and organizational socialization. Conclusion: Even when applied in the unique South Korean cultural and medical context, the NRP improved job performance and satisfaction as well as organizational socialization and reduced turnover rates and turnover intention among new nurses. Therefore, a systematized NRP should be actively used when new nurses are onboarded. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2024;55(8):393–397.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In South Korea, because of manpower and budgetary limitations, antimicrobial stewardship programs have relied on preauthorization. This study analyzed the impact of a prospective audit and feedback (PAF) program targeting inpatients undergoing intermittent hemodialysis or continuous renal replacement therapy, which was implemented at two community-based university hospitals. During three years of PAF, 27,906 antimicrobial prescriptions were reviewed, with 622 (2.2%) interventions. The mean incidence density per 1000 patient days of multidrug-resistant organisms, except for carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, decreased in the study population, whereas it increased among inpatients. Multivariable Poisson regression analysis revealed that after PAF, the incidences of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus and mortality decreased (incidence risk ratio, 95% confidence interval: 0.53, 0.31–0.93 and 0.70, 0.55–0.90, respectively). Notably, after PAF, incorrect antimicrobial dosing rates significantly decreased (tau −0.244; p = 0.02). However, the incidences of other multidrug-resistant organisms, Clostridioides difficile, length of stay, and readmission did not significantly change. This study shows that in patients undergoing intermittent hemodialysis or continuous renal replacement, targeted PAF can significantly reduce multidrug-resistant organism rates and all-cause hospital mortality, despite limited resources. Furthermore, it can improve antimicrobial dosage accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is limited research exploring the behavioral intentions, beliefs, and application of theoretical models in relation to self-care in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Objective: This study aimed to identify the factors that influence self-care behavior in patients with AF. Methods: The study used an integrated behavioral model and collected data from 216 patients diagnosed with AF. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 and AMOS/WIN 24.0 to verify the fit of the hypothesis model, confirm factor analysis, and the validity of the hypothesis itself. Results: Self-care behavioral intention (β = 0.433, p <.001) and habit (β = 0.395, p =.005) had a significant direct effect, while instrumental attitude (β = 0.077, p =.045), injunctive norm (β = 0.084, p =.037), and self-efficacy (β = 0.249, p =.011) had a significant indirect effect on self-care behavior, explaining 64.4% of the variance. Conclusion: The final model validated the factors that impact self-care behavior in patients with AF, highlighting the importance of fostering positive recognition of instrumental attitude, bolstering social influence and self-efficacy through significant individuals to improve self-care behavior. It is recommended to create an intervention program that encourages intentions and motivations for self-care behavior and incorporates tactics to make self-care behavior a habit. The study's path diagram can serve as a conceptual framework for designing strategies to enhance self-care behavior in patients with AF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The proportion of adolescents experiencing unwanted pregnancy and abortion caused by the premature initiation of sexual intercourse is increasing at an alarming rate in Korea. This study aimed at developing a theoretical model for identifying individual and environmental risk factors affecting the initiation of sexual intercourse by adolescents. Methods: A descriptive survey was used to identify the predictors of sexual intercourse among Korean adolescents. Data were collected from students attending 10 senior high schools in 2 cities and 3 provinces in Korea. A total of 1012 students were chosen by convenience sampling, with 50 of them being excluded due to their failing to respond properly. Results: Logistic regression analysis of the data showed that gender, socialization traits, and disinhibition were the statistically significant individual factors, and that parental living arrangement, career track, school record, having a boy-/girlfriend, and sexual permissiveness with a boy-/girlfriend were the statistically significant environmental factors associated with sexual intercourse by adolescents. Conclusion: The theoretical model developed on the basis of the above findings should be useful in the development of effective counseling and preventive intervention programs provided to adolescents by school and community nurses. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)