The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of masticatory muscle activity and various oral condition factors, and to analyze their associations in order to improve the prevention and diagnosis of masticatory musclerelated diseases. This study included 30 Korean females (mean age of 20 years, age range of 19–21 years). Participants were instructed to complete a self-written questionnaire on factors that may affect their muscle activity. Surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles. We also observed the buccal mucosa ridge, tongue indentation, tooth cracks and fractures, and mandibular tori in the oral cavity. Spearman correlation analysis and the nonparametric Mann–Whitney U test were applied to the data. When subjects had temporomandibular disorder, the right temporalis muscle exhibited significantly lower activity (P<0.05). Those who had received orthodontic treatment within the previous 2 years showed significantly lower activity of the left masseter muscle (P<0.05). Those who had a left buccal mucosa ridge exhibited lower activity of the left masseter muscle and higher activity of the right temporalis muscle compared with those without such a ridge (P<0.05). Participants with no tongue indentation showed significantly higher activity in the left masseter muscle (P<0.05). These results indicate that there are relationships between masticatory muscle activity and various factors related to the oral condition.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to examine the reciprocal causal relationship between social activities and health with reference to the cognitive function level among community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal data analysis using the 4(th) (Time 1) and 5(th) (Time 2) waves from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing adopting cross-lagged panel analysis (CLPA). RESULTS: A total of 3,473 community-dwelling older adults were included in the analysis: 2,053 in the normal cognitive function group, 912 in the mild cognitive impairment group, and 508 in the moderate to severe cognitive impairment group. The CLPA revealed that higher levels of social activities at Time 1 significantly influenced better subjective health perception at Time 2 in all three groups. In addition, better subjective health perception at Time 1 significantly influenced higher levels of social activities at time 2 only in the normal cognitive function group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that participating in social activities has positive effects on health regardless of the cognitive function level in community-dwelling older adults. This finding suggests that there is a need to develop strategies that can be used to encourage older adults with cognitive decline to maintain participation in social activities.
Adult* ; Cognition Disorders ; Cognition* ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Mild Cognitive Impairment ; Social Participation ; Statistics as Topic

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the relationships among job characteristics, knowledge sharing, organizational culture, and organizational commitment in occupational health nurses (OHN) and clinical nurses (CN) to identify factors that might influence organizational commitment. It aimed to contribute to the improvement of knowledge management in health care organizations, including industrial workplaces and hospitals. METHODS: A convenience sample of 188 nurses, specifically 100 OHN and 88 CN, was selected. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-tests, correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: OHNs had a significantly higher education level and current work experience; higher proportion of participants with contract employment status, day work shift, less turnover experience, good lifestyle; and higher scores on organizational culture (3.3±0.61) and organizational commitment (3.1±0.60). Additionally, the correlations among organizational commitment, job characteristics, knowledge sharing, and organizational culture ware higher (r=.38~.57) among OHNs as compared to those among CNs. Further, the organizational commitment of OHNs was significantly influenced by knowledge sharing, organizational culture, working hours, and salary (R²=.32), while that of CNs was influenced by organizational culture and life event stress (R²=.11). CONCLUSION: There is a need to develop measures to enable nurses to contribute to the improvement of knowledge management in health care organizations as major human resources, by including interventions for the major factors leading to between-group differences in organizational performance.
Delivery of Health Care ; Education ; Employment ; Humans ; Knowledge Management ; Life Style ; Occupational Health* ; Organizational Culture* ; Salaries and Fringe Benefits

Purpose: To verify the anti-microbiotic activity and to develop eco-friendly surface disinfectants using the Opuntia ficus-indica extract. Methods: The stem and fruits of the Opuntia cultivated in Jeju Island were extracted with hot water, 70% EtOH and 100% MeOH, respectively. To examine the antimicrobial activity of the extracts, gram positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus), gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium), yeast (Candida albicans), mold (Aspergillus flavus) and antibiotic resistant bacteria (E. coli, S. aureus) were measured to form a clear zone. Results: The antibacterial activity of the fruit extract was higher than that of the stem extract, and the antibacterial activity of the 100% MeOH (FM) extract and the 70% EtOH (FE) extract of the palm cactus fruit was suitable for the surface disinfectant overall, and clear-zone formed even at relatively low concentrations (250 mg/mL). The FM and FE have antibacterial activity against various bacteria, therefore they can be used as disinfectants. Conclusion The antimicrobial activity of Opuntia ficus-indica extract from Jeju Island by stem and fruit was determined at relatively low concentrations (250 mg/mL). The Opuntia ficus-indica extract will be useful for surface disinfectants dissolving the patients’ bath, oral gargling, and powdered powder in water or ethanol in appropriate concentrations.

This study aims to identify factors influencing the caring behavior of the primary caregivers of older adults with dementia at home. Methods: A total of 125 primary family caregivers, responsible for the care of older adults with dementia across eight dementia care centers, participated in the study. Data were collected from August 1 through September 8, 2022, and analyzed using t-tests, analysis of variance, the Scheffé test, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple linear regression. Results: Participants had a mean age of 47.4±14.2 years, and the mean score for caring behavior was 3.89±0.40. Caring behavior was influenced by the availability of help (β=.22, p=.015), the educational level of older adults with dementia (middle school β=.32, p=.008; high school β=.24, p=.045), care experience evaluation (β=.21, p=.023), and family resilience (β=.22, p=.014). The explanatory power was 25.4% (F=6.27, p<.001, adjusted R²=.25). Conclusion: To enhance the caring behavior of primary caregivers for older adults with dementia at home, nursing interventions that positively impact dementia care experiences are necessary. Regular access to community resources for assistance is crucial. Additionally, programs should be developed to strengthen family resilience, enabling family members to support each other during challenging situations. Emphasizing education is essential to enhance awareness of care aspects among primary caregivers of older adults with dementia.

Gastric cancer is a malignancy with high incidence and mortality worldwide. In gastric cancer, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis further increase the mortality rate. Trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) has been reported as a protective factor in the gastric mucosa. In this study, TFF1 inhibited the migration and invasive capability of gastric cancer cells. Elevated TFF1 levels induced the expression of E-cadherin, the epithelial marker, and reduced the expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, Snail, Twist, Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox (ZEB) 1 and ZEB2, well-known repressors of E-cadherin expression. In addition, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-7 and MMP-9, which are major markers of cancer metastasis, was suppressed by TFF1. Upregulation of TFF1 inhibited TGF-β, a major signaling for EMT induction, and the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 activated by TGF-β in AGS cells. In conclusion, TFF1 inhibits EMT through suppression of TGF-β signaling in AGS cells, which might be used in therapeutic strategies for reducing metastatic potential and invasiveness of these cells.

Gastric cancer is a malignancy with high incidence and mortality worldwide. In gastric cancer, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis further increase the mortality rate. Trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) has been reported as a protective factor in the gastric mucosa. In this study, TFF1 inhibited the migration and invasive capability of gastric cancer cells. Elevated TFF1 levels induced the expression of E-cadherin, the epithelial marker, and reduced the expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, Snail, Twist, Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox (ZEB) 1 and ZEB2, well-known repressors of E-cadherin expression. In addition, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-7 and MMP-9, which are major markers of cancer metastasis, was suppressed by TFF1. Upregulation of TFF1 inhibited TGF-β, a major signaling for EMT induction, and the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 activated by TGF-β in AGS cells. In conclusion, TFF1 inhibits EMT through suppression of TGF-β signaling in AGS cells, which might be used in therapeutic strategies for reducing metastatic potential and invasiveness of these cells.

Intravital imaging via two-photon microscopy (TPM) is a useful tool for observing and delineating biological events at the cellular and molecular levels in live animals in a time-lapse manner. This imaging method provides spatiotemporal information with minimal phototoxicity while penetrating a considerable depth of intact organs in live animals.Although various organs can be visualized using intravital imaging, in the field of neuroscience, the brain is the main organ whose cell-to-cell interactions are imaged using this technique. Intravital imaging of brain disease in mouse models acts as an abundant source of novel findings for studying cerebral etiology. Neutrophil infiltration is a wellknown hallmark of inflammation; in particular, the crucial impact of neutrophils on the inflamed brain has frequently been reported in literature. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have drawn attention as an intriguing feature over the last couple of decades, opening a new era of research on their underlying mechanisms and biological effects.However, the actual role of NETs in the body is still controversial and is in parallel with a poor understanding of NETs in vivo. Although several experimental methods have been used to determine NET generation in vitro, some research groups have applied intravital imaging to detect NET formation in the inflamed organs of live mice. In this review, we summarize the advantages of intravital imaging via TPM that can also be used to characterize NET formation, especially in inflamed brains triggered by systemic inflammation. To study the function and migratory pattern of neutrophils, which is critical in triggering the innate immune response in the brain, intravital imaging via TPM can provide new perspectives to understand inflammation and the resolution process.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise in patients with hemophilia. Methods: We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis guidelines. A literature search was conducted of published randomized controlled trials for exercise interventions from January 1, 2014 to March 15, 2023. To estimate the size of the effects of exercise, a meta-analysis was performed using the R package “meta.” Results: Five databases were searched to obtain articles published in Korean or English. Of 1,150 articles reviewed, 13 were included in the systematic review and 9 in the meta-analysis. The risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2.0. Results: The overall effect sizes of exercise interventions, calculated as the standardized mean difference, were -0.11 (95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.41 to –1.20) for pain, -2.13 (95% CI = -3.33 to -0.93) for joint health, 9.96 (95% CI = 7.51 to 12.28) for physical activity, and 0.59 (95% CI = -0.39 to -1.56) for quality of life. Conclusion These findings suggest that exercise is useful for improving the joint health and physical activity of patients with hemophilia. Thus, it is necessary to develop and apply exercise interventions for patients with hemophilia to reduce their pain and improve their quality of life.

The incidence of mite- and tick-borne infectious disease is increasing with climate change and the development of diagnostic tools. Tick-borne infectious diseases include Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), and Japanese spotted fever. Rickettsial pox and scrub typhus are mite-borne infectious diseases. Scrub typhus and SFTS are the most common mite- and tick-borne infectious diseases in Korea, respectively. They are often difficult to diagnose at an early stage of disease. To make a definite diagnosis of mite- and tick-borne infectious disease, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests or serologic testing for antibodies during the acute and convalescent periods are necessary. If patients with nonspecific symptoms, such as fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting, have a history of outdoor activity or a tick bite, it is reasonable to consider the possibility of mite- or tick-borne infectious diseases clinically. There are no vaccinations against mite- and tick-borne infectious diseases. Therefore, preventing mite or tick bites is the best way to prevent the diseases.
Anaplasmosis ; Animals ; Antibodies ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Climate Change ; Communicable Diseases* ; Diagnosis ; Ehrlichiosis ; Fever* ; Headache ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Lyme Disease ; Mites ; Nausea ; Phlebovirus ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Scrub Typhus* ; Serologic Tests ; Thrombocytopenia* ; Tick Bites ; Tick-Borne Diseases ; Vaccination ; Vomiting