Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of faculty-student interaction, psychological well-being, and the image of nurses with nursing professionalism in the COVID-19 pandemic situation. Methods: The participants of the study were 243 nursing college students located in Daegu, Kyungpook. Data collection was performed between August 11 and 20, 2021. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression using the IBM SPSS 21.0 program. Results: The multiple regression showed that nursing professionalism was associated with a positive image of nurses (β=.71, p<.001) and higher faculty-student interaction (β=.11, p=.023). Additionally, a negative impression about nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic was negatively associated with nursing professionalism (β=-.12, p=.003). The explanatory power of the factors was 67 percent of the total variances on nursing professionalism; however, psychological well-being was not an associated factor. Conclusion This study suggested that, to improve nursing student’s nursing professionalism in the COVID-19 pandemic situation, nursing colleges should systemize curricular and non-curricular programs to improve awareness of nurses’ efforts and faculty-student interaction.

Encephalitis that primarily involves limbic system structures such as the hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus has been described in early papers, most commonly characterized by a subacute progressive impairment of short-term memory, psychiatric features and seizures. While these findings might be caused by viral infections or systemic autoimmune disorders, many patients with limbic encephalitis have an immune-mediated etiology (paraneoplastic or not) characterized with serum or CSF antineuronal antibodies. This case reports about non-paraneoplastic autoantibody-negative limbic encephalitis in which there are no detection of antigens and no evidence of tumors.
Antibodies ; Encephalitis ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Limbic Encephalitis* ; Limbic System ; Memory* ; Memory, Short-Term ; Parahippocampal Gyrus ; Seizures

PURPOSE: It is becoming generally recognized that wheezing in early childhood is a heterogeneous condition and does not always develop into asthma. This study aimed to determine characteristics of wheezing phenotypes in early childhood and investigate their relation to asthma. METHODS: Two hundreds and sixty 6-8 year old children with past or present wheezeing were enrolled, and their history of wheezing was examined through medical records. Forty-three age- matched children who had never suffered from wheezing served as controls. Each subject underwent methacholine bronchial challenge and skin prick tests with airbone allergens. RESULTS: Forced expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1) % predicted value was significantly lower in early-onset persistent wheezers(EP group) and late-onset wheezers(LW group) than in non-wheezers (NW group)(P<0.01, P<0.05, respectively). EP and LW groups demonstrated enhanced bronchial hyperresponsiveness(BHR), compared with early-onset transient wheezers(ET group) and NW group(all P<0.001). But there was no significant difference between the ET and NW groups. Atopy was significantly more prevalent in EP and LW groups than ET and NW groups, and serum IgE levels also showed similar figures(all P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Persistent wheezing with early childhood onset and late-onset wheezing are associated with high levels of atopy and BHR. It suggests that these two wheezing phenotypes are more closely related to asthma than transient wheezing phenotype.
Allergens ; Asthma ; Child* ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Medical Records ; Methacholine Chloride ; Phenotype ; Respiratory Sounds* ; Skin

The role of infectious agents in the etiology of inflammatory diseases once believed to be non-infectious is increasingly being recognized. Many bacterial components in the indoor dust can evoke inflammatory lung diseases. Bacteria secrete nanometer-sized vesicles into the extracellular milieu, so-called extracellular vesicles (EV). which are pathophysiologically related to inflammatory diseases. Microbiota compositions in the indoor dust revealed the presence of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Escherichia coli is a model organism of Gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae. The repeated inhalation of E. coli-derived EVs caused neutrophilic inflammation and emphysema in a dose-dependent manner. The emphysema induced by E. coli-derived EVs was partially eliminated by the absence of Interferon-gamma or interleukin-17, suggesting that Th1 and/or Th17 cell responses are important in the emphysema development. Meanwhile, the repeated inhalation of Staphylococcus aureus-derived EVs did not induce emphysema, although they induced neutrophilic inflammation in the lung. In terms of microbial EV compositions in the indoor dust, genera Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, and Staphylococcus were dominant. As for the clinical significance of sensitization to EVs in the indoor dust, EV sensitization was closely associated with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and lung cancer. These data indicate that biological ultrafine particles in the indoor dust, which are mainly composed of microbial EVs, are important in the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases associated with neutrophilic inflammation. Taken together, microbial EVs in the indoor dust are an important diagnostic and therapeutic target for the control of chronic lung diseases, such as asthma, COPD, and lung cancer.
Acinetobacter ; Asthma ; Bacteria ; Dust ; Emphysema ; Enterobacter ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Escherichia coli ; Extracellular Vesicles ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; Inflammation ; Inhalation ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-17 ; Lung Diseases ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung ; Microbiota ; Neutrophils ; Particulate Matter ; Pseudomonas ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Staphylococcus ; Th17 Cells

Caffeic acid (CA) is a phenolic compound found naturally in plants and foods. CA and its natural derivatives are reported to have anti-cancer effects on many cancers, including melanoma. (E)-N-(4-Butylphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)acrylamide (4-BPCA) is an amide derivative of CA. Thus far, the anti-cancer effect and mechanism of 4-BPCA in melanoma cells remain unknown. Here we investigated whether 4-BPCA inhibits the growth of B16F10 cells, a mouse melanoma cell line. Of note, treatment of 4-BPCA at 5 M for 24 or 48 h significantly reduced the growth (survival) of B16F10 cells. On mechanistic levels, treatment with 4-BPCA for 24 h led to the activation of caspase-9/3, but not caspase-8, in B16F10 cells. 4-BPCA treatment for 2 or 4 h also decreased the expression levels of myeloid B-cell lymphoma 1 (Mcl-1) in B16F10 cells. However, 4-BPCA treatment for the times tested did not influence the expression levels of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) in B16F10 cells. Of interest, treatment of 4-BPCA for 2 or 4 h greatly reduced the phosphorylation levels of JAK-2 and STAT-5 without altering their total protein expression levels. 4-BPCA also had abilities to increase the expression and phosphorylation levels of glucose-regulated protein-78 (GRP-78) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor-2α (eIF-2α) in B16F10 cells. In summary, these results demonstrate firstly that 4-BPCA has a strong growth-inhibitory effect on B16F10 melanoma cells, mediated via activation of the intrinsic caspase pathway, inhibition of JAK-2 and STAT-5, and triggering endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress.

This study shows a case of neoadjuvant chemotherapy application for the management of a 34-year-old male patient diagnosed with invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), for which curative margin-negative resection initially seemed challenging. Five cycles of the FOLFIRINOX regimen (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) were administered preoperatively, resulting in a significant reduction of the intraductal mass size and deformity of the main vessels. The patient subsequently underwent a successful robotic pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy. Postoperatively, the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX, and after 5 months, showed no signs of tumor recurrence or specific complications. These findings suggest that neoadjuvant therapy can be a potentially effective strategy even in advanced invasive IPMN. Further research is necessary to establish guidelines for its application.

Background: This study aims to evaluate factors influencing assessment results in the new Health Technology Assessment (nHTA) in Korea. Methods: We analyzed publicly available nHTA reports obtained from the program’s website. A total of 258 reports, encompassing 305 technologies, were included. Reported details were categorized into three main areas: technical characteristics, evaluation methods, and publication types. To investigate differences in evidence level (high, medium, or low) and assessment results (pass or fail) according to these categories, we employed a chi-squared test. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were further conducted to identify factors associated with evidence level and assessment results. Results: nHTA reports employing meta-analysis and included randomized trials for evidence synthesis exhibited a higher likelihood of achieving high evidence level (odds ratio [OR], 5.008; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.265- 18.826 and OR, 27.052; 95% CI, 7.802-103.330, respectively). Increasing evidence level was significantly associated with a higher possibility of passing the assessment (OR 2.789; 95% CI, 1.284-6.057). However, in univariate analysis, neither performing meta-analysis nor including randomized trials, both of which were associated with evidence level, demonstrated a statistically significant association with assessment results. Conclusion This study represents the first systematic analysis of factors influencing nHTA assessment results in Korea. While increased evidence level was associated with positive assessment outcomes, factors affecting the evidence level itself did not directly influence assessment results. This suggests the need for further efforts to effectively integrate high-level evidence into assessment decisions within the nHTA program.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the efficacy and usefulness of chest auscultation and oxygen saturation measurement in the assessment of bronchial hyperresponsiveness to inhaled methacholine in pre-school wheezing children. METHODS: One hundred and four children with histories of wheezing underwent bronchial challenges with nebulized methacholine using chest auscultation and oxygen saturation measurement. The challenge was considered positive when PCW(provocation concentration at wheezing), PCSat(provocation concentration at 5% fall of oxygen saturation), or PCRR(provocation concentration at 50% increase in respiratory rate), was detected below 8 mg/mL of methacholine concentration. Patients were grouped according to their history of wheezing in the previous year:Group 1(children who had no episode, n=45), Group 2(children who wheezed one or two times, n=18), and Group 3(children who wheezed more than three times, n=41). Thirty-three children with no history of wheezing served as normal controls. RESULTS: The geometric means of PCW and PCSat of Group 2 and Group 3 were significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.0001). There were decreasing tendencies of the geometric means of PCW and PCSat in the order of Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3. The PCRR of Group 3 was significantly lower than the other groups. The proportions of positive responses tend to increase in the order of control group, Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3(P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: We propose that chest auscultation and oxygen saturation measurement for the assessment of bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine in pre-school children are effective and useful for diagnosis of asthma.
Asthma ; Auscultation* ; Child* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Methacholine Chloride ; Oxygen* ; Respiratory Rate ; Respiratory Sounds* ; Thorax*

Abstract: Diarrhea is the most common cause of death in calves, and remains a major health challenge. Although there are many studies on the related pathogens, the understanding of the clinicopathological changes is limited. This study aimed to identify the pathogens and observe the clinicopathological changes in electrolytes and acute phase proteins (APPs) associated with diarrhea.Blood samples and fecal samples were collected from 141 calves for the determination of APPs, electrolyte and acid-base status and identification of enteropathogens, respectively. Single or co-infections with enteropathogens, including virus (bovine viral diarrhea virus, coronavirus, and rotavirus), Eimeria, Cryptosporidium, and Escherichia coliK99 were detected in both non-diarrheic and diarrheic calves. Levels of APPs such as serum amyloid A, haptoglobin and fibrinogen were comparable between diarrheic and nondiarrheic calves. Hypoglycemia, high blood urea, electrolytes and acid-base imbalance (hyponatremia, hypochloremia, and decreased bicarbonate), and strong ion difference (SID) acidosis showed a significant association in diarrheic calves (p < 0.01). Particularly, significant hyponatremia, bicarbonate loss, SID acidosis, hypoglycemia, and elevated blood urea nitrogen were found in rotavirusinfected calves. Monitoring the clinicopathological parameters of APPs and electrolyte levels could be vital in the clinical management of diarrheic calves.

PURPOSE: The identification of risk factors for bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) is important in furthering the understanding of the cause of asthma. BHR is known to be related to atopy. We investigated the relations of BHR to sensitization to the five allergen groups in children aged 6-8 years. METHODS: Four hundred and seven 6-8 year old children with acute or chronic respiratory symptoms were enrolled. Each subject underwent methacholine bronchial challenge and skin-prick tests with airbone allergens. BHR was defined as PC20< or =8 mg/mL methacholine. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to study the independent relationship between BHR and sensitization to individual allergen group. RESULTS: The significant associations between BHR and skin-test response were against house dust mites (odds ratio=1.64, 95% confidence interval=1.02-2.65) and pollen (3.47, 1.18- 10.17) in total subjects, all after adjustment by sex, age, FEV1/FVC, total IgE, and a positive response to any of the other four allergen groups measured. In subjects with asthma, the significant association between BHR and positive skin-test response was observed only for house dust mites (2.53, 1.11-5.77). CONCLUSION: BHR was found to be related to atopy against house dust mite and pollen in subjects with respiratory symptoms, and against only house dust mites in subjects with asthma. These findings suggest atopy, especially against house dust mites, is an important risk factor for bronchial hyperresponsiveness in this age group.
Allergens ; Asthma ; Child* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Logistic Models ; Methacholine Chloride ; Pollen ; Pyroglyphidae ; Risk Factors