Importance-Performance Analysis of Health Perception among Korean Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study assessed the health perceptions of 333 Korean adolescents during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic via an online questionnaire administered in October 2020, which queried the perceived importance and actual performance of health behaviors. The health perception scales used in the survey consists of the six dimensions of mental health, disease, physical activity, sleep, diet, and sanitary health. The data were primarily analyzed using paired sample t-test for analysis of difference and importance-performance analysis (IPA).

Association between Cigarette Smoking and Physical Fitness Level of Korean Adults and the Elderly.

Although previous studies have examined the relationship between smoking and physical fitness, they only considered current smoking status and the same fitness measurements regardless of age. This study investigated differences in physical fitness based on tobacco smoking habits. A total of 2830 non-elderly adults (NEA; 19-64 years) and 629 elderly (65-89 years) participated in the study, using data extracted from a Korean national database.

Effects of a Rice Bran Dietary Intervention on the Composition of the Intestinal Microbiota of Adults with a High Risk of Colorectal Cancer: A Pilot Randomised-Controlled Trial.

Rice bran exhibits chemopreventive properties that may help to prevent colorectal cancer (CRC), and a short-term rice bran dietary intervention may promote intestinal health via modification of the intestinal microbiota. We conducted a pilot, double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial to assess the feasibility of implementing a long-term (24-week) rice bran dietary intervention in Chinese subjects with a high risk of CRC, and to examine its effects on the composition of their intestinal microbiota. Forty subjects were randomised into the intervention group ( = 19) or the control group ( = 20).

Antimicrobial stewardship perspectives from a New York City hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges and opportunities.

Purpose: To share challenges and opportunities for antimicrobial stewardship programs based on one center's experience during the early weeks of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Summary: In the spring of 2020, New York City quickly became a hotspot for the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, putting a strain on local healthcare systems. Antimicrobial stewardship programs faced diagnostic and therapeutic uncertainties as well as healthcare resource challenges.

Shortened relative leukocyte telomere length is associated with all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetes- analysis from the Hong Kong Diabetes Register.

Aims: Few studies have investigated the relationship between rLTL and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes in a large prospective study, particularly in the Asian population. This study investigates the relationship between rLTL and the risk of death in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Consecutive Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (N = 5349) from the Hong Kong Diabetes Register with stored baseline DNA and available follow-up data were studied.

Translation and validation of the Traditional Chinese version of the COmprehensive Score for financial Toxicity-Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (Version 2).

Background: Cancer patients often experience severe financial distress due to the high cost of their treatment, and strategies are needed to objectively measure this financial distress. The COmprehensive Score for financial Toxicity-Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (COST-FACIT) is one instrument used to measure such financial distress. This study aimed to translate the COST-FACIT (Version 2) [COST-FACIT-v2] instrument into traditional Chinese (COST-FACIT-v2 [TC]) and evaluate its psychometric properties.

Comparison of two cortical measures of binaural hearing acuity.

Objective: Multiple studies have demonstrated binaural hearing deficits in the aging and those with hearing loss. Consequently, there is great interest in developing efficient clinical tests of binaural hearing acuity to improve diagnostic assessments and to assist clinicians when fitting binaural hearing aids and/or cochlear implants.

Design: Two cortical measures of interaural phase difference sensitivity, the acoustic change complex (ACC) and interaural phase modulation following response (IPM-FR), were compared on three metrics using five different stimulus interaural phase differences (IPDs; 0°, ±22.

Treating peritoneal dialysis catheter exit-site granulomas with chlorhexidine swabstick: A pilot study.

Background: Silver nitrate cauterisation is the conventional treatment for peritoneal dialysis catheter exit-site granulomas. However, it requires to be performed by nurses, patients often experience pain and chemical burns. Therefore, the appropriateness and applicability of using 2% aqueous chlorhexidine swabstick as an alternative was explored in two nephrology centres in Hong Kong.

Preservice teachers' neuroscience literacy and perceptions of neuroscience in education: Implications for teacher education.

Background: Owing to the prevalence of neuromyths in education, there has been a call for more teacher training in neuroscience. However, neuroscience is rarely featured in teacher education. This study investigated the neuroscience literacy and perceptions of neuroscience in education among preservice teachers in order to inform future development of initial teacher education.

A machine learning approach for retinal images analysis as an objective screening method for children with autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterised by many of features including problem in social interactions, different ways of learning, some children showing a keen interest in specific subjects, inclination to routines, challenges in typical communication, and particular ways of processing sensory information. Early intervention and suitable supports for these children may make a significant contribution to their development. However, considerable difficulties have been encountered in the screening and diagnosis of ASD.

A long noncoding RNA, , modulates chromatin accessibility to regulate muscle stem cell myogenic lineage progression.

Epigenetics regulation plays a critical role in determining cell identity by controlling the accessibility of lineage-specific regulatory regions. In muscle stem cells, epigenetic mechanisms of how chromatin accessibility is modulated during cell fate determination are not fully understood. Here, we identified a long noncoding RNA, , that functions as a chromatin modulator for myogenic lineage determination and progression.

Challenges encountered by patients with end-stage kidney disease in accessing symptom management services: A narrative inquiry.

Aim: To understand the storied experiences of accessing symptom management services of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) who are receiving maintenance dialysis.

Design: Narrative inquiry.

Methods: Ten patients with ESKD who were receiving dialysis were recruited at two regional hospitals in Hong Kong and interviewed three times each between July 2017-July 2018 to capture their narratives.

Comparing Mindful and Non-Mindful Exercises on Alleviating Anxiety Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: In recent years, studies and reviews have reported the therapeutic benefits of both mindful and non-mindful exercises in reducing anxiety. However, there have not been any systematic reviews to compare their relative effectiveness for therapeutic application, especially among the non-clinical population. Thus, the aim of this review is to compare the effectiveness between mindful and non-mindful exercise on treating anxiety among non-clinical samples.

Essential oncology nursing care along the cancer continuum.

Oncology nurses are at the heart of tackling the increasing global burden of cancer. Their contribution is unique because of the scale and the diversity of care roles and responsibilities in cancer care. In this Series paper, to celebrate the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, we highlight the contribution and impact of oncology nurses along the cancer care continuum.

Robot dramas may improve joint attention of Chinese-speaking low-functioning children with autism: stepped wedge trials.

Introduction: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), especially those with low cognitive functioning, have deficits in joint attention. Previous research has found that these children are interested in engaging with social robots.

Purpose: In the present study, we designed a robot drama intervention for promoting responses to joint attention abilities (RJA) of children with low-functioning autism (IQs < 70).

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Towards COVID-19 Amongst Ethnic Minorities in Hong Kong.

This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among South Asians in Hong Kong and examined the factors that affect KAP towards COVID-19 in this population. This cross-sectional descriptive study recruited participants with assistance from South Asian community centres and organisations. A total of 352 participants completed questionnaires to assess their level of KAP towards COVID-19.

Effectiveness of motivational interviewing in enhancing cancer screening uptake amongst average-risk individuals: A systematic review.

Background: Although cancer is a worldwide public health problem, it can be detected early and prevented through cancer screening. Recommendations for screening methods and screening intervals are currently available for several types of cancer. However, not all average-risk individuals are motivated to undergo cancer screening.

AtMYB109 negatively regulates stomatal closure under osmotic stress in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Osmotic stress, caused by drought, salinity, or PEG (polyethylene glycol), is one of the most important abiotic factors that hinder plant growth and development. In Arabidopsis, more than 100 R2R3-MYB transcription factors (TFs) have been identified, and many of them are involved in the transcriptional regulation of a variety of biological processes related to growth and development, as well as responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the MYB TF involving in both plant development and stress response has rarely been reported.

Cancer Nursing's Potential to Reduce the Growing Burden of Cancer Across the World.

Cancer is the first or second leading cause of premature death (i.e., at ages 30-69 years) in 134 of 183 countries, and it ranks third or fourth in an additional 45 countries.

Peripartum clinical manifestations of a mesentericorenocaval shunt in a Burmese cat.

Case Summary: A 3-year-old entire female Burmese cat was presented for investigation of intermittent lethargy during gestation followed by persistent hypersalivation and ataxia postpartum. The cat had queened three litters in total, with clinical signs worsening during the most recent lactation period. Mild anaemia (26%), hypoglycaemia (2.