BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Older men who live alone are more vulnerable to poor nutrition. However, little attention has been paid to malnutrition among this population.This study aimed to examine malnutrition and its associated factors among communitydwelling older men living alone. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study used cohort data of communitydwelling older adults living alone in South Korea. A total of 230 older men aged 65 and over were included in this study. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form. Multidimensional factors (sociodemographic, health-related, psychosocial, and lifestyle characteristics) were evaluated. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the malnutrition-related factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of malnutrition was 32.2% in older men living alone. Low income (odds ratio [OR], 2.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–5.90), polypharmacy (OR, 2.23;95% CI, 1.16–4.28), suicidal ideation (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.02–4.45), meal skipping (OR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.60–6.64), and smoking (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.43–5.73) were significantly associated with malnutrition. CONCLUSION Malnutrition is a severe health problem in older men living alone. This study highlights the importance of comprehensive and tailored interventions to mitigate malnutrition among older men living alone.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Older men who live alone are more vulnerable to poor nutrition. However, little attention has been paid to malnutrition among this population.This study aimed to examine malnutrition and its associated factors among communitydwelling older men living alone. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study used cohort data of communitydwelling older adults living alone in South Korea. A total of 230 older men aged 65 and over were included in this study. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form. Multidimensional factors (sociodemographic, health-related, psychosocial, and lifestyle characteristics) were evaluated. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the malnutrition-related factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of malnutrition was 32.2% in older men living alone. Low income (odds ratio [OR], 2.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–5.90), polypharmacy (OR, 2.23;95% CI, 1.16–4.28), suicidal ideation (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.02–4.45), meal skipping (OR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.60–6.64), and smoking (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.43–5.73) were significantly associated with malnutrition. CONCLUSION Malnutrition is a severe health problem in older men living alone. This study highlights the importance of comprehensive and tailored interventions to mitigate malnutrition among older men living alone.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Older men who live alone are more vulnerable to poor nutrition. However, little attention has been paid to malnutrition among this population.This study aimed to examine malnutrition and its associated factors among communitydwelling older men living alone. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study used cohort data of communitydwelling older adults living alone in South Korea. A total of 230 older men aged 65 and over were included in this study. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form. Multidimensional factors (sociodemographic, health-related, psychosocial, and lifestyle characteristics) were evaluated. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the malnutrition-related factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of malnutrition was 32.2% in older men living alone. Low income (odds ratio [OR], 2.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–5.90), polypharmacy (OR, 2.23;95% CI, 1.16–4.28), suicidal ideation (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.02–4.45), meal skipping (OR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.60–6.64), and smoking (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.43–5.73) were significantly associated with malnutrition. CONCLUSION Malnutrition is a severe health problem in older men living alone. This study highlights the importance of comprehensive and tailored interventions to mitigate malnutrition among older men living alone.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Older men who live alone are more vulnerable to poor nutrition. However, little attention has been paid to malnutrition among this population.This study aimed to examine malnutrition and its associated factors among communitydwelling older men living alone. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study used cohort data of communitydwelling older adults living alone in South Korea. A total of 230 older men aged 65 and over were included in this study. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form. Multidimensional factors (sociodemographic, health-related, psychosocial, and lifestyle characteristics) were evaluated. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the malnutrition-related factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of malnutrition was 32.2% in older men living alone. Low income (odds ratio [OR], 2.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–5.90), polypharmacy (OR, 2.23;95% CI, 1.16–4.28), suicidal ideation (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.02–4.45), meal skipping (OR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.60–6.64), and smoking (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.43–5.73) were significantly associated with malnutrition. CONCLUSION Malnutrition is a severe health problem in older men living alone. This study highlights the importance of comprehensive and tailored interventions to mitigate malnutrition among older men living alone.

Background: and Purpose: The increased demand for donor organs has made it crucial to keep the organs of patients with impending brain death (PWIBDs) suitable for transplantation during the process of determining brain death. This study aimed to identify the time taken to determine brain death (TT-BD) in PWIBDs and the associated influencing factors. Methods: This study analyzed data collected by the Korean Organ Donation Agency from 15 hospitals in the Yeongnam region of South Korea. There were 414 PWIBDs eligible for inclusion in this study. The data consisted of the TT-BD for PWIBDs and the potential variables influencing the TT-BD. Results: The mean age of the 414 PWIBDs was 48.9 years, and 120 of them were female (29.0%). The mean TT-BD was 8.5 days. The presence of spontaneous movements (SMs) and craniotomy significantly affected the TT-BD. The mean TT-BDs were 13.9 and 8.2 days in the PWIBDs with and without SMs, respectively, and 9.8 and 8.0 days in the PWIBDs with and without craniotomy, respectively. Conclusions The SMs in PWIBDs and a craniotomy performed immediately before starting the process of determining brain death seem to be related to lengthening the TT-BD.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the white matter microstructure of dyslexic children with normal children using diffusion tensor imaging. METHODS: Twenty one dyslexic children and 24 normal control children were recruited in the second and third grade of elementary school students. The fractional anisotropy (FA) values of 20 representative white matter tracts were estimated from the diffusion tensor imaging data of each subject using the Johns Hopkins University-white matter tractography atlas to determine the difference in white matter integrity between the dyslexic children and normal children. RESULTS: Compared to the normal control group, the FA values of the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus [F(1,39)=5.908, p<0.05] and temporal part of the right superior longitudinal fasciculus [F(1,39)=7.328, p=0.010] were significantly higher in the dyslexic group and there was no significant difference in the other tracts. CONCLUSION: In dyslexic children, compensatory pathways develop in the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus and in the temporal part of the right superior longitudinal fasciculus.
Anisotropy ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging ; Dyslexia ; Humans ; White Matter

Background: Mast cells are skin immune sentinels located in the upper dermis, where wheal formation and sensory nerve stimulation take place. Skin inflammation is occasionally accompanied by mast cell-driven responses with wheals, angioedema, or both. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies are regarded as typical stimuli to drive mast cell activation. However, various causative factors, including microbial infections, can drive IgE-independent mast cell response. When infected, the innate immunity orchestrates an immune response by activating receptor signaling via Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Objective: In this study, we determined the effect of TLR7 stimulation on mast cells to investigate the possible mechanism of IgE-independent inflammatory response. Methods: Human mast cell (HMC) line, HMC-1 cells were treated with TLR7 agonist and the morphologic alteration was observed in transmission electron microscopy. Further, TLR7 agonist treated HMC-1 cells were conducted to RNA sequencing to compare transcriptomic features. Results: HMC-1 cells treated with TLR7 agonist reveals increase of intracellular vesicles, lipid droplets, and ribosomes. Also, genes involved in pro-inflammatory responses such as angiogenesis are highly expressed, and Il12rb2 was the most highly upregulated gene. Conclusion Our data suggest that TLR7 signaling on mast cells might be a potential therapeutic target for mast cell-driven, IgE-independent skin inflammation.

Background: Mast cells are skin immune sentinels located in the upper dermis, where wheal formation and sensory nerve stimulation take place. Skin inflammation is occasionally accompanied by mast cell-driven responses with wheals, angioedema, or both. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies are regarded as typical stimuli to drive mast cell activation. However, various causative factors, including microbial infections, can drive IgE-independent mast cell response. When infected, the innate immunity orchestrates an immune response by activating receptor signaling via Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Objective: In this study, we determined the effect of TLR7 stimulation on mast cells to investigate the possible mechanism of IgE-independent inflammatory response. Methods: Human mast cell (HMC) line, HMC-1 cells were treated with TLR7 agonist and the morphologic alteration was observed in transmission electron microscopy. Further, TLR7 agonist treated HMC-1 cells were conducted to RNA sequencing to compare transcriptomic features. Results: HMC-1 cells treated with TLR7 agonist reveals increase of intracellular vesicles, lipid droplets, and ribosomes. Also, genes involved in pro-inflammatory responses such as angiogenesis are highly expressed, and Il12rb2 was the most highly upregulated gene. Conclusion Our data suggest that TLR7 signaling on mast cells might be a potential therapeutic target for mast cell-driven, IgE-independent skin inflammation.

Objectives: This study was conducted to develop a mobile application for digital health coaching to support self-management in older adults with multiple chronic conditions. Additionally, the usability of this application was evaluated. Methods: The HAHA2022 mobile application was developed through a multidisciplinary team approach, incorporating digital health coaching strategies targeting community-dwelling older adults with multiple chronic conditions. Usability was assessed with the Korean version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale. The usability tests involved eight expert panel members and 10 older adults (mean age, 74 ± 3 years; 90% women) from one senior welfare center. Results: HAHA2022 is an Android-based mobile application that is also integrated into wearable devices to track physical activity. It features an age-friendly design and includes five main menus: Home, Action Plan, Education, Health Log, and Community. The average overall usability test scores—covering engagement, functionality, aesthetics, and information—were 4.27 of 5 for the expert panel and 4.53 of 5 for the older adults. Conclusions The HAHA2022 application was developed to improve self-management among communitydwelling older adults with multiple chronic conditions. Usability tests indicate that the application is highly acceptable and feasible for use by this population. Consequently, HAHA2022 is anticipated to be widely implemented. Nonetheless, further research is required to confirm its effectiveness through digital health intervention.

Objectives: This study was conducted to develop a mobile application for digital health coaching to support self-management in older adults with multiple chronic conditions. Additionally, the usability of this application was evaluated. Methods: The HAHA2022 mobile application was developed through a multidisciplinary team approach, incorporating digital health coaching strategies targeting community-dwelling older adults with multiple chronic conditions. Usability was assessed with the Korean version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale. The usability tests involved eight expert panel members and 10 older adults (mean age, 74 ± 3 years; 90% women) from one senior welfare center. Results: HAHA2022 is an Android-based mobile application that is also integrated into wearable devices to track physical activity. It features an age-friendly design and includes five main menus: Home, Action Plan, Education, Health Log, and Community. The average overall usability test scores—covering engagement, functionality, aesthetics, and information—were 4.27 of 5 for the expert panel and 4.53 of 5 for the older adults. Conclusions The HAHA2022 application was developed to improve self-management among communitydwelling older adults with multiple chronic conditions. Usability tests indicate that the application is highly acceptable and feasible for use by this population. Consequently, HAHA2022 is anticipated to be widely implemented. Nonetheless, further research is required to confirm its effectiveness through digital health intervention.