A systematic review for non-targeted analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

This review follows the PRISMA guidelines to provide a systematic review of 115 peer reviewed articles that used non-targeted analysis (NTA) methods to detect per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS). This literature highlights the significant positive impact of NTA in understanding PFAS in the environment. Within the literature a geographical bias exists, with most NTA studies (∼60 %) conducted in the United States and China.

Controllable construction of γ-FeO nanocubes anchored on carbon nanotube nanoribbons; boosting electrocatalytic activity for organic pollutant detection in vegetables.

Developing a highly efficient electrocatalyst for detecting hazardous bisphenol S (BPS) is essential to minimize health risks. Herein, we fabricate γ-FeO nanocubes (IONCs) anchored on carbon nanotube nanoribbons (CNRs) (denoted as IONCs-CNRs) for the electrochemical detection of BPS in vegetables. Importantly, the IONCs can be selectively formed only on CNRs via amperometric deposition, while γ-FeO cubic clusters (IOCCs) form in the absence of CNRs.

The relationship between maternal age, obesity, and child mortality: A cross-sectional study using 2013-2014 Demographic and Health Survey in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between maternal age and nutritional status, and test associations between maternal nutritional status and child mortality with a focus on maternal obesity.

Design: Secondary analysis of data from nationally representative cross-sectional sample of women of reproductive ages (15-49 years) and their children under five years. The outcome variable for maternal nutritional status was Body Mass Index (BMI), classified into underweight (BMI < 18.

Epidemiology of Infections in the Households of Cholera Patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: PICHA7 Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: The aim of this prospective cohort study is to build evidence on transmission dynamics and risk factors for infections in cholera patient households.

Methods: Household contacts of cholera patients were observed for 1-month after the index cholera patient was admitted to a health facility for stool, serum, and water collection in urban Bukavu in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. A infection was defined as a bacterial culture positive result during the 1-month surveillance period and/or a four-fold rise in a O1 serological antibody from baseline to the 1-month follow-up.

Needs Assessment for Public Health Competency in Infection Prevention and Control: Importance and Performance Analysis (IPA) of Infectious Disease Response Practitioners.

Background: The Field Epidemiology Training Program Frontline, initiated by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in 2019, aims to enhance the competencies of infectious disease practitioners across 17 regions in South Korea. With the September 2024 amendment to the Infectious Disease Prevention Act mandating infectious disease prevention and crisis response training for government employees who are associated with infectious diseases responses, there is an urgent need to assess and optimize the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of such competency-based education programs amidst constraints of budget and manpower.

Methods: This study examined the educational needs and priorities of public health competencies among infectious disease practitioners.

Freestanding Wide-Bandgap Semiconductors Nanomembrane from 2D to 3D Materials and Their Applications.

Wide-bandgap semiconductors (WBGS) with energy bandgaps larger than 3.4 eV for GaN and 3.2 eV for SiC have gained attention for their superior electrical and thermal properties, which enable high-power, high-frequency, and harsh-environment devices beyond the capabilities of conventional semiconductors.

Socioeconomic disparities in influenza vaccination uptake: impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the sociodemographic and behavioral factors related to increased influenza vaccination uptake during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, particularly among adults not eligible for free vaccination.

Methods: Analyzing data from 78,815 participants in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2021), we assessed trends in influenza vaccination coverage. Various sociodemographic factors, behavioral aspects, and psychological stress levels were assessed using multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the difference in vaccination response during pre-/post-COVID-19 periods.

Changes in the number and characteristics of tertiary hospital psychiatric admissions in south Croatia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective study.

Background: There is mixed evidence on the impact of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on psychiatric hospital care for people with severe mental diseases, possibly due to regional differences. There is a significant gap in knowledge regarding the specific impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in Croatia, a country in South-Eastern Europe. Our study aimed to evaluate the number and characteristics of psychiatric hospitalizations in the year before and during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary hospital in south Croatia.

6-hydroxygenistein attenuates hypoxia-induced injury via activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in PC12 cells.

4',5,6,7-tetrahydoxyisoflavone (6-hydroxygenistein, 6-OHG) is a hydroxylated derivative of genistein with excellent antioxidant activity, but whether 6-OHG can protect hypoxia-induced damage is unclear. The objective of current study was to evaluate the protective effect and underling mechanism of 6-OHG against hypoxia-induced injury via network pharmacology and cellular experiments. 6-OHG-related and hypoxia injury-related targets were screened by public databases.

Cell free supernatants of Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Bifidobacterium longum suppress the tumor growth in colorectal cancer organoid model.

The probiotic gut microbiome and its metabolites are pivotal in regulating host metabolism, inflammation, and immunity. Host genetics, colonization at birth, the host lifestyle, and exposure to diseases and drugs determine microbial composition. Dysbiosis and disruption of homeostasis in the beneficial microbiome have been reported to be involved in the tumorigenesis and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Self-Healing Flexible Fiber Optic Sensors for Safe Underwater Monitoring.

The advancement of underwater monitoring technologies has been significantly hampered by the limitations of traditional electrical sensors, particularly in the presence of electromagnetic interference and safety concerns in aquatic environments. Fiber optic sensors are therefore nowadays widely applied to underwater monitoring devices. However, silicon- and polymer-based optical fibers often face challenges, such as rigidity, susceptibility to environmental stress, and limited operational flexibility.

Mixed-methods reproductive health knowledge, attitudes and practices survey of IDPs, returnees and host communities in Jonglei State, South Sudan.

Objectives: To understand the current state of maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) among internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees and host communities in remote counties of Jonglei state.

Design: Cross-sectional, randomly sampled, mixed-methods, population-based household study.

Setting: Ayod, Nyirol, Fangak and Pigi counties of Jonglei, South Sudan.

Novel contribution to the taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of scuticociliates (Protozoa): Resolving the non-monophyly of the genus Paranophrys Thompson and Berger, 1965 and the establishment of the genus Anteparanophrys n. Gen.

During a field survey of parasitic ciliates diversity in South Korea, a scuticociliate was found in a water sample collected during scuba diving. At first glance, the species looks similar to members of the genus Paranophrys especially P. magna but they differ mainly in the body size and the number of somatic kineties.

Proton Beam Therapy for Pancreatic Tumors: A Consensus Statement from the Particle Therapy Cooperative Group Gastrointestinal Subcommittee.

Objectives: Radiotherapy manages pancreatic cancer in various settings; however, the proximity of gastrointestinal (GI) luminal organs-at-risk (OAR) poses challenges to conventional radiotherapy. Proton beam therapy (PBT) may reduce toxicities compared to photon therapy. This consensus statement summarizes PBT's safe and optimal delivery for pancreatic tumors.

Topic Modeling of Nursing Issues in the Media During 4 Emerging Infectious Disease Epidemics in South Korea: Descriptive Analysis.

Background: Emerging infectious disease disasters receive extensive media coverage and public attention. Nurse burnout and attrition peak during health crises such as pandemics. However, there is limited research on nursing issues related to repeated emerging infectious disease crises over time.

A Core Outcome Set for Adult General ICU Patients.

Objectives: Randomized clinical trials informing clinical practice (e.g., like large, pragmatic, and late-phase trials) should ideally mostly use harmonized outcomes that are important to patients, family members, clinicians, and researchers.

Validation of the International Trauma Interview (ITI) among treatment-seeking people with adverse childhood experiences in South Korea.

The International Trauma Interview (ITI) is a clinician-administered assessment that has been newly developed for the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) diagnoses of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD). The current study evaluated the psychometric properties of the ITI for treatment-seeking people with adverse childhood experiences (ACE) in South Korea, with the aims of verifying the validity and reliability of ITI as well as examining the differentiation of ICD-11 CPTSD and borderline personality disorder (BPD). In total, data of 103 people were analysed.

Prevalence of pathogens in abnormal honey bees in South Korea, 2020-2023.

South Korea's beekeeping industry has been facing a major crisis due to colony collapse disorder (CCD), manifesting since the winter of 2021. CCD in South Korea is presumed to be caused by a combination of factors, including an abnormal climate, pesticide use, declining source plants, and increased honey bee diseases. We examined the prevalence of 12 major honey bee () pathogens by sampling 3,707 colonies with abnormal behavior and suspected pathogen infections from 1,378 apiaries nationwide between 2020 and 2023.

A Narrative Review with Strategic Analysis of Home Care Services for Older Adults in Seoul, South Korea: Toward a Comprehensive Care Approach.

Purpose: This study aimed to establish a role framework and organizational redesign for home care services in response to the evolving internal and external environments in South Korea. The specific objectives were: (1) to perform a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) analysis based on the external and internal factors related to home care services; (2) to propose key ideas for restructuring services and human resources; and (3) to suggest strategies for enhancing the quality of home-based care services.

Patients And Methods: The policy landscape for older adult healthcare in Seoul, South Korea along with the current state and challenges of home care services were reviewed.