Clusterin deficiency exacerbates cholestatic liver disease through ER stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Background: Cholestatic liver disease, characterized by impaired bile flow, leads to the accumulation of harmful metabolites and toxins, resulting in liver damage. Inflammatory cytokines are crucial for the progression of this condition. Clusterin is a glycoprotein with roles in cell death, lipid transport, and cellular protection.

Five-year stability patterns of meaning in life among survivors and bereaved family members of the Sewol ferry disaster.

Objective: Frankl (1963) introduced the concept of "meaning in life" (MIL) as essential for individuals' stability, a view supported by Baumeister and Hippel (2020). This study suggests that MIL restoration follows a dynamic pattern after traumatic events.

Method: We conducted a longitudinal study with 135 family members affected by the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster in South Korea, examining changes in MIL over 5 years (2015-2019).

Recent Occurrence and Rapid Spread of Multidrug-Resistant Infantis in Broiler Flocks in Korea.

Infantis has recently been one of the most prevalent serotypes in poultry and has been identified in human salmonellosis cases worldwide. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Infantis has emerged as a significant threat to both poultry production and public health due to its increasing prevalence and global dissemination. We identified the occurrence of an MDR Infantis clone in broiler flocks in Korea, and the clone was characterized to explore potential genetic causes for its high prevalence and rapid spread in broiler production.

Analysis of Retinal Thickness in Patients With Chronic Diseases Using Standardized Optical Coherence Tomography Data: Database Study Based on the Radiology Common Data Model.

Background: The Observational Medical Outcome Partners-Common Data Model (OMOP-CDM) is an international standard for harmonizing electronic medical record (EMR) data. However, since it does not standardize unstructured data, such as medical imaging, using this data in multi-institutional collaborative research becomes challenging. To overcome this limitation, extensions such as the Radiology Common Data Model (R-CDM) have emerged to include and standardize these data types.

Clusterin inhibits lipopolysaccharide induced liver injury.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exacerbates liver injury by activating various inflammatory pathways. Clusterin, a glycoprotein involved in lipid transport, and cytoprotection, is known to have inhibitory effects on liver steatosis and fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the role of clusterin in regulating LPS-induced liver injury and its effects on liver injury in C57BL/6 mice and clusterin knockout mice injected with LPS for 3 h.

Age-related eye diseases and subsequent risk of mental disorders in older adults: A real-world multicenter study.

Background: The relationship between age-related eye diseases and the subsequent risk of dementia and depressive disorders remains inconsistent. Furthermore, the effects on anxiety disorders and sleep disorders have been underexplored. This study aims to comprehensively examine the impact of age-related eye diseases on common mental disorders in older adults, thereby enhancing our understanding of the mental health implications in these conditions.

Development and Validation of the COVID-19 Infection Fear Scale in a Collectivist Cultural Context: A Study From South Korea.

Objective: Understanding the specific fears associated with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), particularly within different cultural contexts, is crucial for developing effective mental health interventions. This study aims to develop and validate the COVID-19 Infection Fear Scale (CIFS) in a collectivist cultural context such as Korea.

Methods: A total of 1,002 adults aged 19 to 70 participated in an online survey in May 2020.

Effects of Nutrient Manipulation during Peripartum and Suckling Period on Productivity of Hanwoo Cows and Offspring.

This study investigated the effects of nutrient manipulation during the peripartum and suckling periods on the productivity of Hanwoo cows and their offspring. A total of 183 pregnant cows and their 180 offspring were randomly assigned to either a control group, fed a formula feed with 13.5% crude protein (CP) and 70.

Mortality Outcomes and Contributing Risk Factors in Patients with Hospital-Associated Disability.

: Hospital-associated disability (HAD), a functional decline following acute hospitalization, is a common complication associated with mortality and unfavorable prognoses in patients admitted to acute care hospitals. However, few studies have investigated mortality and associated factors in patients with HAD and have been limited by inconsistent HAD assessment tools and criteria. This study investigated mortality and risk factors in patients with HAD using specific criteria.

Treatment, Education, and Prognosis of Slow Learners (Borderline Intelligence).

Objectives: Borderline intelligence has been excluded from formal diagnostic systems and not included in disability diagnoses, leaving gaps in treatment, education, and social welfare despite various functional impairments. Therefore, we aimed to shed light on ways to enhance the intelligence and functioning of individuals with borderline intelligence by reviewing research on its progression, education, and treatment.

Methods: Ten studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the final literature review and analyzed according to detailed topics (participant characteristics, design, and results).

Effect of Rumen-Protected L-Tryptophan or L-Ascorbic Acid on Plasma Metabolites and Milk Production Characteristics of Lactating Holstein Cows during Summer Conditions.

This study investigated the effects of rumen-protected L-tryptophan or L-ascorbic acid supplementation on the productivity of lactating Holstein cows during a high-temperature period. Thirty cows were assigned to three dietary groups: control (CON), treatment 1 (TRT 1; rumen-protected L-tryptophan, 20 g/cow/d), and treatment 2 (TRT 2; rumen-protected L-ascorbic acid, 20 g/cow/d). As the high-temperature period progressed, the decrease in milk yield and dry matter intake (DMI) in the TRT 1 and TRT 2 groups was lower than that in the CON group.

The impact of coping strategies and positive resources on post-traumatic stress symptoms among bereaved families of the Sewol ferry disaster.

Introduction: This study investigated the long-term prevalence of, and factors associated with, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among the bereaved families of the Sewol ferry disaster, in which 250 students lost their lives during a school excursion.

Methods: Eight years after the disaster, 181 family members were surveyed, and the prevalence of clinical PTSD symptoms was estimated. The Positive Resources Test (POREST), the Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire, and the Brief COPE were evaluated using self-report measures.

Virulence Genes, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Genotypes of Isolated from Chicken Slaughterhouses in South Korea.

represents one of the leading causes of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans and is primarily linked to chicken meat contamination. In the present study, we analyzed the virulence and survival genes, antimicrobial resistance, and the clonal distribution of 50 isolates obtained from various sources in 14 chicken slaughterhouses across 8 provinces in South Korea from 2019 to 2022. Furthermore, we determined their genetic relatedness to human-derived isolates registered in PubMLST using multilocus sequence typing (MLST).

Predicting delirium and the effects of medications in hospitalized COVID-19 patients using machine learning: A retrospective study within the Korean Multidisciplinary Cohort for Delirium Prevention (KoMCoDe).

Objective: Delirium is commonly reported from the inpatients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. As delirium is closely associated with adverse clinical outcomes, prediction and prevention of delirium is critical. We developed a machine learning (ML) model to predict delirium in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and to identify modifiable factors to prevent delirium.

Lobeglitazone inhibits LPS-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and inflammation in the liver.

Liver inflammation is a common feature of chronic liver disease and is often associated with increased exposure of the liver to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Kupffer cells (KCs) are macrophages in the liver and produce various cytokines. Activation of KCs through the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway leads to release of proinflammatory cytokines and induces hepatocyte injury and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation.

How Can We Deal with Psychosocial Issues in an Emerging Infectious Disease Outbreak? Lessons from a Qualitative Study for the MERS Outbreak in Korea.

Background: The 2015 Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus outbreak in Korea led to profound emotional and social burdens, especially in patients and health care professionals.

Materials And Methods: Focus group interviews were conducted with 2 patients, 1 family member and 6 health care professionals about psychological distress related to MERS in 2017 and analyzed the interview data using the consensual qualitative research method.

Results: Four domains and 17 core ideas were identified within three interview groups, including psychological distress during the outbreak, problems regarding the response to the outbreak, positive experiences, and future directions for enhancing intervention to improve mental health and prevent psychosocial problems during the outbreak.

Work values and communication styles among Generation X, Y, and Z nurses: A cross-sectional study.

Aim: To compare and contrast nurses' work values and communication styles across Generation X, Y, and Z.

Background: Intergenerational differences in the work values of nurses are well known, but the commonalities remain largely uninvestigated. It is also unclear if there are intergenerational differences and commonalities in the rhetorical communication style of nurses.

Unusual skin pigmentation after unilateral adrenalectomy due to pheochromocytoma: a case report.

Background: Skin pigmentation after adrenalectomy occurs due to an increase in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) following adrenal insufficiency. ACTH-induced pigmentation usually appears as generalized hyperpigmentation and is known to appear after bilateral adrenalectomy. We report a case of unusual transient hyperpigmentation that developed immediately after unilateral adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma and spontaneously resolved without corticosteroid supplementation.

Guidelines for Infection Control and Burnout Prevention in Healthcare Workers Responding to COVID-19.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) suffered more distress from the possibility of contracting the virus, quarantine, social stigma, and prejudice against their families. Many studies have investigated the impact of the pandemic on HCWs; however, studies or guidelines presenting strategies to overcome these challenges are lacking. As part of a 2020 research project supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, titled "Health impact assessment of healthcare workers undertaking coronavirus disease 2019 treatment and management in Korea: Identifying problems and researching effective solutions" (HC20C0003), we created guidelines to respond to serious problems posed by infection control.

Time-Series Trends of Depressive Levels of Korean Adults During the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea.

Objective: This study aimed to observe the changes in people's depressive levels over 9 months since the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak as well as to identify the predictors of people's depressive levels including COVID-19 infection fear in the context of South Korea in 2020.

Methods: For these purposes, four cross-sectional surveys were periodically implemented from March to December 2020. We randomly recruited 6,142 Korean adults (aged 19 to 70) by using a quota survey.