Effects of establishing infection control program with core components of World Health Organization on reducing the risk of residents' infections and improving staff infection control competency in a nursing home.

Background: Nursing homes (NHs) are high-risk facilities with limited infection control resources and residents susceptible to infectious diseases. The evidence regarding World Health Organization (WHO) core components in NHs is lacking. This study evaluates the effectiveness of establishing an infection prevention and control (IPC) program with WHO's core components in an NH.

Longitudinal trajectories of health-related quality of life among critical care survivors: A latent class growth approach.

Objectives: This study explored the trajectories of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and the factors influencing these trajectories.

Research Methodology/design: Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting: 19 intensive care units (ICUs) in South Korea.

Incidence rate and risk factors for post-intensive care syndrome subtypes among critical care survivors three months after discharge: A prospective cohort study.

Objectives: To investigate the incidence of post-intensive care syndrome subtypes and their risk factors among intensive care unit survivors.

Research Methodology/design: This prospective observational cohort study assessed post-intensive care syndrome at three months after discharge in 475 survivors (median age of 62 years, 59.4 % male) admitted for more than 24 hours to 19 intensive care units.

Effectiveness of Simulation-Based Education for Caring Patients with COVID-19.

Purpose: The role of medical staff gained immense significance in the context of the prolonged coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. However, few studies had explored the impact of simulation-based education on the ability of nursing students to care for the patients of COVID-19. This study provided nursing students with simulation-based education in caring for the patients of COVID-19 and confirmed its effectiveness.

Sources of meaning in life among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.

Aim: This study aims to explore the sources of meaning in life (MIL) and its impact on South Korean older adults during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Design: This study had a qualitative descriptive study design.

Methods: The study participants included 18 older adults.

Highly Flexible and Durable Thermoelectric Power Generator Using CNT/PDMS Foam by Rapid Solvent Evaporation.

Using a simple, rapid solvent evaporation process, the authors produced 3D carbon nanotube (CNT)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) foams with both high thermoelectric (TE) and good mechanical performance and used them to fabricate highly flexible and durable TE generators. The numerous pores and interfaces in the CNT/PDMS foams, which have porosities exceeding 87%, afford very low thermal conductivity of 0.13 W m K .

Correlations between Changes in Medical Opioid Dispensing and Contributions of Fentanyl to Opioid-Related Overdose Fatalities: Exploratory Analyses from Canada.

Canada is experiencing an epidemic of opioid-related mortality, with increasing yet heterogeneous fatality patterns from illicit/synthetic (e.g., fentanyl) opioids.

69C>T Polymorphism and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Updated Meta-Analysis.

Background: The ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 is likely associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) β cell function modification, but the evidence on the association remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the 69C>T polymorphism and the risk of T2DM through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Materials And Methods: The PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched for qualified studies published until August 2020.

Implementation of a multimodal infection control strategy in the nursing home.

The main cause of morbidity and mortality among residents of nursing homes (NHs) is healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). We conducted infection control intervention by applying the WHO multimodal strategy for one year from January to December 2018 in the one NH in South Korea. Healthcare workers (HCWs) in NH were observed by infection control nurse from February to December 2018.

The effectiveness of the information-motivation-behavioral skills model-based intervention on preventive behaviors against respiratory infection among community-dwelling older adults.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model-based multi-component intervention on engagement and the quality of preventive behaviors against respiratory infections among community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: This study was a controlled pretest-posttest study in which 91 community-dwelling older adults aged above 65 years were included. The intervention group (n = 42) received the six-week intervention theoretically based on the IMB model that comprised weekly group education and 5-10 min of tele-counseling per week.

A systematic review on the causes of the transmission and control measures of outbreaks in long-term care facilities: Back to basics of infection control.

Background: The unique characteristics of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) including host factors and living conditions contribute to the spread of contagious pathogens. Control measures are essential to interrupt the transmission and to manage outbreaks effectively.

Aim: The aim of this systematic review was to verify the causes and problems contributing to transmission and to identify control measures during outbreaks in LTCFs.

Community-dwelling older adults' needs and acceptance regarding the use of robot technology to assist with daily living performance.

Background: The rate of aging in Korea is extremely fast compared to major countries. We examined the key demands of community-dwelling older adults with regard to Connected Active Space technology, which provides tailored assistance with daily living performance through robotic services.

Methods: This study is based on a mixed-method design, through a quantitative survey (n = 234) first phase, followed by a qualitative study with focus group interviews (n = 23) to explore the needs and acceptance of community-dwelling aged people concerning the application of robot technology in their daily lives.

Effect of Semi-Fluorinated Alkyl Side Chains on Conjugated Polymers with Planar Backbone in Organic Field-Effect Transistors.

Newly synthesized donor-acceptor (D-A) type of conjugated copolymer (PCTV-BTzF) with semi-fluorinated alkyl side chains, which has good solubility in common organic solvents, is described. Unlike polymers with hydrocarbon-based alkyl side chains, semi-fluorocabonated polymer leads to intriguing results. First, the self-organization behavior of the semi-fluoroalkyl side chains by the self-aggregate propensity between hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon induces patterned microstructural morphology in polymer films; second, it dominates the molecular orientation of polymers with planar back structure.

The long-term effects of the health coaching self-management program for nursing-home residents.

Background And Aims: Little is known about whether a self-management program for nursing-home residents (NHR) with cognitive impairment is likely to have an impact on the care of this growing population. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the health-coaching self-management program for NHR (HCSMP-NHR) on 1) self-efficacy and goal attainment scaling (GAS), 2) health status and quality of life (QoL) among older people, including those with cognitive impairment, in Korean nursing homes.

Methods: This was a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Precise Side-Chain Engineering of Thienylenevinylene-Benzotriazole-Based Conjugated Polymers with Coplanar Backbone for Organic Field Effect Transistors and CMOS-like Inverters.

Two donor-acceptor (D-A) alternating conjugated polymers based on thienylenevinylene-benzotriazole (TV-BTz), PTV6B with a linear side chain and PTVEhB with a branched side chain, were synthesized and characterized for organic field effect transistors (OFETs) and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-like inverters. According to density functional theory (DFT), polymers based on TV-BTz exhibit a coplanar and rigid structure with no significant twists, which could cause to an increase in charge-carrier mobility in OFETs. Alternating alkyl side chains of the polymers impacted neither the band gap nor the energy level.

[Efficacy of Lactose-free Milk in Korean Adults with Lactose Intolerance].

Background/aims: Lactose-free milk (LFM) is available for nutrient supply for those with lactose intolerance (LI). However, there are no consistent results of the efficacy of LFM in LI subjects. We aimed to examine the changes of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and hydrogen breath test (HBT) values after ingestion of lactose contained milk (LCM) vs.

A PHF8 homolog in C. elegans promotes DNA repair via homologous recombination.

PHF8 is a JmjC domain-containing histone demethylase, defects in which are associated with X-linked mental retardation. In this study, we examined the roles of two PHF8 homologs, JMJD-1.1 and JMJD-1.

Disseminated gonococcal infection presenting as bacteremia and liver abscesses in a healthy adult.

Herein, we describe a bacteremia caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae that presented as liver abscesses. The patient had no risk factors for disseminated gonococcal infection. Periodic fever, skin rashes, and papules were present and the results of an abdominal computed tomography scan indicated the presence of small liver abscesses.

Preparation of quercetin and rutin-loaded ceramide liposomes and drug-releasing effect in liposome-in-hydrogel complex system.

In this study, we developed a 2-step delivery system to enhance transdermal permeation of quercetin and its glycoside rutin, an antioxidant. Liposome-in-hydrogel complex systems were prepared by incorporating ceramide liposomes, which consist of biocompatible lipid membranes, into cellulose hydrogel. We evaluated the encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release behavior, and skin permeability of formulations that remained stable for over 3 weeks.

Meta-analysis identifies a MECOM gene as a novel predisposing factor of osteoporotic fracture.

Background: Osteoporotic fracture (OF) as a clinical endpoint is a major complication of osteoporosis. To screen for OF susceptibility genes, we performed a genome-wide association study and carried out de novo replication analysis of an East Asian population.

Methods: Association was tested using a logistic regression analysis.

Sacral nerve stimulation for treatment of chronic intractable anorectal pain -a case report-.

Despite recent methodological advancement of the practical pain medicine, many cases of the chronic anorectal pain have been intractable. A 54-year-old female patient who had a month history of a constant severe anorectal pain was referred to our clinic for further management. No organic or functional pathology was found.

Accuracy of live fluoroscopy to detect intravascular injection during lumbar transforaminal epidural injections.

Background: Complications following lumbar transforaminal epidural injection are frequently related to inadvertent vascular injection of corticosteroids. Several methods have been proposed to reduce the risk of vascular injection. The generally accepted technique during epidural steroid injection is intermittent fluoroscopy.

Protective effects of N-acetylcysteine and selenium against doxorubicin toxicity in rats.

To investigate the neutralizing effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and selenium (Se) against doxorubicin (DOX) toxicity in rats, NAC (140 mg/kg, p.o.) and Se (0.