Developing Topics.

Background: Research on social isolation has been ongoing, recognizing it as a significant social problem due to the disruption or absence of meaningful relationships providing essential resources for life maintenance. This study aims to analyze the social isolation research trend using quantitative bibliographic methods.

Method: This study collected literature containing 'social isolation' in the title using the Web of Science database and analyzed the number of publications anually and research fields.

Developing Topics.

Background: Despite Korea's efforts to promote dementia-prevention lifestyles and health behaviors, adherence among older adults is low. This underscores the importance of identifying factors, "beliefs, and attitudes" that influence lifestyle and health behavior changes to reduce dementia risk. The effectiveness of the scale used to measure these changes has been proven in different cultural contexts, but its suitability for the Korean population has yet to be investigated.

Developing Topics.

Background: This systematic review aims to examine recent interventions targeting social isolation among middle-aged adults, identifying trends in intervention types and their effectiveness. It highlights the urgent need for establishing a foundation for social isolation research across all ages.

Method: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases from January 1, 2014, to January 1, 2024.

Developing Topics.

Background: As populations age, fostering the social participation of older adults is crucial to addressing issues like isolation. This study introduced a subject-led social participation program to encourage independent engagement among older adults, utilizing a custom-designed menu of activities. The program's impact on social well-being was assessed to explore its practical application and identify potential improvements.

Developing Topics.

Background: Retirement for elderly people marks a critical turning point in life, acting as a significant personal and social event associated with both positive and negative health impacts. Studies on elderly populations from the successful aging perspective suggest that individual efforts and external support are necessary for successful aging. The WHO emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle in achieving health and well-being in human life and indicates the need for professional programs.

Optimization of 18 S rRNA metabarcoding for the simultaneous diagnosis of intestinal parasites.

Recent advancements in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have created new opportunities for comprehensive screening of multiple parasite species. In this study, we cloned the 18 S rDNA V9 region of 11 species of intestinal parasites into plasmids. Equal amounts and concentrations of these 11 plasmids were pooled, and amplicon NGS targeting the 18 S rDNA V9 region was performed using the Illumina iSeq 100 platform.

Experimental evolution under different nutritional conditions changes the genomic architecture and virulence of Acinetobacter baumannii.

This study uncovers the molecular processes governing the adaptive evolution of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens without antibiotic pressure. Genomic analysis of MDR Acinetobacter baumannii cells cultured for 8000 generations under starvation conditions (EAB1) or nutrient-rich conditions (EAB2) revealed significant genomic changes, primarily by insertion sequence (IS)-mediated insertions and deletions. Only two Acinetobacter-specific prophage-related deletions and translocations were observed in the EAB1 strain.

Metabarcoding study of potential pathogens and zoonotic risks associated with dog feces in Seoul, South Korea.

Background: A significant portion of South Korea's population, approximately a quarter, owns pets, with dogs being the most popular choice among them. However, studies analyzing the fecal organism communities of dogs in South Korea are lacking, and limited efforts have been exerted to identify pathogens with potential zoonotic implications. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate potential pathogens using metabarcoding analysis and evaluate the risk of zoonotic diseases in dog feces in Seoul, South Korea.

Microbiome of lovebug () in Seoul, South Korea.

Lovebugs appeared in large numbers across a wide area in Seoul, South Korea, in June 2023. The sudden appearance of exotic insects not only discomforts people but also fosters anxiety, as their potential for pathogen transmission would be unknown. In this study, targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of the 16S rRNA gene V4 region was performed using iSeq 100 to screen for bacteria in lovebugs.

Metabarcoding of pathogenic parasites based on copro-DNA analysis of wild animals in South Korea.

Four species of dominant wild animals, namely, , , , and , are hosts of potential infectious agents, including helminths and protozoa. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the infectious agents present in these wild animals to monitor and control the spread of pathogens. In the present study, fecal samples from 51 wild animals were collected from the mountains of Yangpyeong, Hoengseong, and Cheongyang in South Korea and metabarcoding of the V9 region of the 18S rRNA gene was performed to identify various parasite species that infect these wild animals.

Effectiveness of community-based interventions for older adults living alone: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: This study examined the effectiveness of community-based interventions designed for older adults living alone through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: The study incorporated 4 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 5 non-RCTs to evaluate various interventions. The methodological quality of these studies was assessed using the Downs and Black checklist, while Q-statistic and I-square tests were performed to examine statistical heterogeneity.

The Mediating Role of Social Participation in Motoric Cognitive Risk and its Relation to Depression and Loneliness in Older Adults.

Background: Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) reduces the quality of life, independence, and social interaction in older adults. Social participation is a potentially modifiable factor that benefits cognitive and mental health. This study explored the mediating roles of social participation between MCR and depression and between MCR and loneliness.

Blue Light Sensing BlsA-Mediated Modulation of Meropenem Resistance and Biofilm Formation in Acinetobacter baumannii.

The presence or absence of BlsA, a protein with a blue light-sensing flavin domain in the genomes of Acinetobacter species has aroused curiosity about its roles in the regulation of bacterial lifestyle under light. Genomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed the loss of BlsA in several multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii strains as well as the light-mediated induction of , along with a possible BlsA-interacting partner BipA.

Zoo animal manure as an overlooked reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes and multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Animal fecal samples collected in the summer and winter from 11 herbivorous animals, including sable antelope (SA), long-tailed goral (LTG), and common eland (CE), at a public zoo were examined for the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Seven antibiotics, including meropenem and azithromycin, were used to isolate culturable multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. The manures from three animals (SA, LTG, and CE) contained 10-fold higher culturable MDR bacteria, including Chryseobacterium, Sphingobacterium, and Stenotrophomonas species, while fewer MDR bacteria were isolated from manure from water buffalo, rhinoceros, and elephant against all tested antibiotics.

Constitutive Phenotypic Modification of Lipid A in Clinical Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates.

The degree of polymyxin B (PMB) resistance was measured in 40 clinical Acinetobacter baumannii isolates obtained from health care facilities. All of the tested isolates possessed a multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotype against four classes of antibiotics (meropenem, doxycycline, gentamicin, and erythromycin), except for PMB. The gene was detected throughout the genetic analysis and experimental assay, indicating that all of the MDR strains were carbapenem-resistant A.