Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a situation-specific theory to explain the disease management experience of patients with asthma. Methods: Twenty participants with asthma were selected using the theoretical sampling method. The data were acquired through in-depth interviews conducted from June to October 2018 and analyzed using the grounded theory approach of Strauss and Corbin. Results: In total, 69 concepts, 30 subcategories, and 13 categories were generated to explain the disease management experience of patients with asthma. The core category of the disease management experience of patients with asthma was ‘management of the disease to prevent aggravation of symptoms over the lifetime’. The disease management process of asthma patients included three steps: the ‘cognition phase’, the ‘adjustment phase’, and the ‘maintenance phase’. However, some patients remained in the ‘stagnation phase’ of disease management, which represents the result of the continual pursuit of risky health behavior. There were three types of disease management experiences among patients with asthma: ‘self-managing’, ‘partially self-managing’, and ‘avoidant’. Conclusion This study shows that patients with asthma must lead their disease management process to prevent exacerbation of their symptoms. It is imperative to develop nursing strategies and establish policies for effective disease management of patients with asthma based on their individual disease management processes and types.

BACKGROUND: O'Bryant et al. (2008) argued that the CDR Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) can be used to distinguish MCI from very early dementia in patients with CDR-GS of 0.5. They reported that the optimal CDR-SB cut-off score was 2.5. The present study was conducted to examine whether the subgroups classified with CDR-SB scores showed the corresponding group differences on the cognitive tests. METHODS: The subjects were 45 amnestic multi-domain MCI (amMCI) and 53 vascular MCI (VaMCI) with CDR-GS of 0.5. Each patient group was classified into "mild (0.5-2.0)" and "severe (2.5-4.0)" subgroups based on the CDR-SB. As the result, 4 groups were formed such as mild amMCI (n=23), severe amMCI (n=22), mild VaMCI (n=29), and severe VaMCI (n=24). The subjects were given the MMSE, HDS-R, and MoCA. The MANCOVA was conducted separately for each test with a Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Severe groups of both amMCI and VaMCI showed significantly lower performances than two mild groups in MMSE, HDS-R, and MoCA. It was found that "serial 100-7" was a good item to discriminate between the mild and severe groups in both amMCI and VaMCI. Items measuring "orientation" or "naming" showed significant subgroup differences in the amMCI, whereas items related to "memory," "visuospatial construction," or "frontal/executive function" showed significant subgroup differences in the VaMCI. CONCLUSION: These results showed that there were significant differences in cognitive functions between the two subgroups with CDR-GS of 0.5. The results about the items discriminating between subgroups in amMCI and VaMCI were consistent with the previous findings about the progression of cognitive impairments in AD and VaD. Therefore, these results support the use of CDR-SB as a guideline for distinguishing MCI from early dementia.
Dementia ; Humans ; Methylenebis(chloroaniline)* ; Mild Cognitive Impairment*

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the current situation and factors associated with emotional distress due to COVID-19 among people with physical disabilities living in the community, using a Social-Ecological Model. Methods: A secondary data analysis was performed using data from the 2020 National Survey of Disabled Persons. The study participants were 1,654 participants aged 19 years or older with physical disabilities. For data analysis, complex sample logistic regression was conducted to identify factors associated with emotional distress due to COVID-19 in people with physical disabilities. Results: The results showed that 55.7% of people with physical disabilities living in the community experienced emotional distress due to COVID-19. This emotional distress was influenced by various factors, including intrapersonal factors (activities of daily living, difficulty in getting information about COVID-19, difficulty in obtaining and using equipment related to COVID-19), interpersonal factors (satisfaction with the number of friends), and community/policy factor (support related to COVID-19 from national and local governments). Conclusion It is recommended to develop tailored interventions to prevent mental health issues among people with physical disabilities by considering the factors related to their emotional distress in the event of future infectious disease disasters.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the reproducibility of food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) designed for young female nurses in the Korea Nurses' Health Study. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The reproducibility of web-based, self-administered FFQs was evaluated among 243 Korean female nurses. The first FFQ (FFQ1) was administered from March 2014 to February 2019 and the second FFQ (FFQ2) from November 2019, with a mean interval of 2.8 years between the FFQs (range, 9 months–5.6 years). Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients (r values) and quartile agreements between FFQ1 and FFQ2 were calculated for intakes of energy, nutrients, and foods. RESULTS: Pearson correlation coefficients ranged from 0.41 to 0.55 (median r = 0.51) for energy and raw nutrients and from 0.16 to 0.46 (median r = 0.36) for energy-adjusted nutrients. Spearman correlation coefficients ranged from 0.25 to 0.72 (median r = 0.41) for food items. The percentages of women who were classified into the same or adjacent quartile were 77% to 84% (median = 82%) for raw nutrients and 69% to 86% (median = 78%) for foods. CONCLUSIONS The results indicated that the web-based FFQ used in the Korea Nurses' Health Study has acceptable reproducibility.

PURPOSE: In the gastric mucosa of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-infected patients with gastritis or adenocarcinoma, proliferation of gastric epithelial cells is increased. Hyperproliferation is related to induction of oncogenes, such as β-catenin and c-myc. Even though transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1 are activated in H. pylori-infected cells, whether NF-κB or AP-1 regulates the expression of β-catenein or c-myc in H. pylori-infected cells has not been clarified. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether H. pylori-induced activation of NF-κB and AP-1 mediates the expression of oncogenes and hyperproliferation of gastric epithelial cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gastric epithelial AGS cells were transiently transfected with mutant genes for IκBα (MAD3) and c-Jun (TAM67) or treated with a specific NF-κB inhibitor caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) or a selective AP-1 inhibitor SR-11302 to suppress activation of NF-κB or AP-1, respecively. As reference cells, the control vector pcDNA was transfected to the cells. Wild-type cells or transfected cells were cultured with or without H. pylori. RESULTS: H. pylori induced activation of NF-κB and AP-1, cell proliferation, and expression of oncogenes (β-catenein, c-myc) in AGS cells, which was inhibited by transfection of MAD3 and TAM67. Wild-type cells and the cells transfected with pcDNA showed similar activities of NF-κB and AP-1, proliferation, and oncogene expression regardless of treatment with H. pylori. Both CAPE and SR-11302 inhibited cell proliferation and expression of oncogenes in H. pylori-infected cells. CONCLUSION: H. pylori-induced activation of NF-κB and AP-1 regulates transcription of oncogenes and mediates hyperproliferation in gastric epithelial cells.
Blotting, Western ; Caffeic Acids ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; DNA, Bacterial/analysis/genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins/*metabolism ; Epithelial Cells/*metabolism ; Gastric Mucosa/*metabolism/pathology ; Gastritis/pathology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Helicobacter Infections/metabolism/pathology/physiopathology ; Helicobacter pylori/pathogenicity/physiology ; Humans ; NF-kappa B/antagonists & inhibitors/*biosynthesis/metabolism ; Peptide Fragments ; Phenylethyl Alcohol/analogs & derivatives ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; Repressor Proteins ; Transcription Factor AP-1/*biosynthesis ; Transcription Factors/*metabolism ; beta Catenin/*metabolism

Purpose: Recent studies have focused on policies aimed at supporting the independence of individuals with disabilities in communities. As part of this initiative, supportive housing, integrated care, and residential spaces offer tailored services based on individual needs and autonomy. The attitudes and knowledge of the administrators supporting supportive housing residents regarding health management can influence the well-being of individuals with disabilities. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the challenges faced by supporting housing workers in enhancing the self-management skills of individuals with disabilities. Methods: In this qualitative study, focus group interviews were conducted in August 2023 with nine administrators working to support housing in Seoul. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the interview data. Results: The needs and challenges in enhancing the self-management skills of individuals with disabilities were as follows: (1) the complexity of health management challenges, (2) bidirectional strategies for strengthening health management capabilities, and (3) support for systematic health management. Additionally, eight subthemes were derived. Conclusion By investigating the difficulties experienced and identifying the necessary support requirements for supportive housing workers, this study seeks to uncover insights and identifies areas for improvement and strategies for health management. This study acknowledges the educational and institutional support necessary to improve the health and quality of life of individuals with disabilities residing in supportive housing.

Background: The olfactory mucosa (OM) is crucial for odorant perception in the main olfactory system. The terminal carbohydrates of glycoconjugates influence chemoreception in the olfactory epithelium (OE). Objectives: The histological characteristics and glycoconjugate composition of the OM of Korean native cattle (Hanwoo, Bos taurus coreae) were examined to characterize their morphology and possible functions during postnatal development. Methods: The OM of neonate and adult Korean native cattle was evaluated using histological, immunohistochemical, and lectin histochemical methods. Results: Histologically, the OM in both neonates and adults consists of the olfactory epithelium and the lamina propria. Additionally, using periodic acid Schiff and Alcian blue (pH 2.5), the mucus specificity of the Bowman’s gland duct and acini in the lamina propria was determined. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that mature and immature olfactory sensory neurons of OEs express the olfactory marker protein and growth associated protein-43, respectively. Lectin histochemistry indicated that numerous glycoconjugates, including as N-acetylglucosamine, mannose, galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, complex type N-glycan, and fucose groups, were expressed at varied levels in the different cell types in the OMs of neonates and adults at varying levels. According to our observations, the cattle possessed a well-developed olfactory system, and the expression patterns of glycoconjugates in neonatal and adult OMs varied considerably. Conclusions This is the first study to describe the morphological assessment of the OM of Korean native cattle with a focus on lectin histochemistry. The findings suggest that glycoconjugates may play a role in olfactory chemoreception, and that their labeling properties may be closely related to OM development and maturity.

BACKGROUND: Under certain situations, women with twin pregnancies may be counseled to undergo invasive prenatal diagnostic testing. Chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis are the two generally performed invasive prenatal diagnostic tests. Studies comparing procedure-related fetal loss between first-trimester chorionic villus sampling and second-trimester amniocentesis in twin pregnancies are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the procedure-related fetal loss and the obstetrical outcomes of these two procedures, chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis in twin pregnancies. METHODS: The data from dichorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancies on which first-trimester chorionic villus sampling (n = 54) or second-trimester amniocentesis (n = 170) was performed between December 2006 and January 2017 in a single center were retrospectively analyzed. The procedure-related fetal loss was classified as loss of one or all fetuses within 4 weeks of procedure, and overall fetal loss was classified as loss of one or all fetuses during the gestation. The groups were compared with respect to the procedure-related and obstetrical outcomes. RESULTS: The difference in proportion of procedure-related fetal loss rate (1.9% for chorionic villus sampling vs. 1.8% for amniocentesis; P = 1.000) and the overall fetal loss rate (7.4% for chorionic villus sampling vs. 4.7% for amniocentesis; P = 0.489) between the two groups was not significant. The mean gestational ages at delivery were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Both the overall fetal loss rate and the procedure-related fetal loss rate of chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis in dichorionic twin pregnancies had no statistical significance. Both procedures can be safely used individually.
Amniocentesis ; Chorion ; Chorionic Villi Sampling ; Chorionic Villi ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Female ; Fetus ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Retrospective Studies ; Twins

The aim of this study was to determine predictive risk factors implicated in complications in dogs with esophageal foreign bodies. Medical records of 72 dogs diagnosed with esophageal foreign bodies by endoscopy were reviewed retrospectively. Factors analyzed included age; breed; gender; body weight, location, dimension, and type of foreign body; and duration of impaction. To identify risk factors associated with complications after foreign body ingestion, categorical variables were analyzed using the chi-square or Fisher's exact tests and multivariate analysis, as appropriate. Complications secondary to esophageal foreign body ingestion included megaesophagus, esophagitis, perforation, laceration, diverticulum, and pleuritis. Univariate analysis revealed that the location and duration of impaction after foreign body ingestion were associated with an increased risk of esophageal laceration and perforation. Multivariate analysis showed that age, duration of impaction, and foreign body dimension were significant independent risk factors associated with the development of complications in dogs with esophageal foreign bodies. In conclusion, these results showed that longer duration of impaction and larger foreign body dimensions may increase the risks of esophageal laceration, perforation, and plueritis in dogs.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Diverticulum ; Diverticulum, Esophageal ; Dogs ; Eating ; Endoscopy ; Esophageal Achalasia ; Esophageal Perforation ; Esophagitis ; Foreign Bodies ; Lacerations ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pleurisy ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors