Purpose: This study examined the awareness and knowledge levels regarding food additives among single-person adult households. Methods: An online survey was conducted with 715 single-person households aged between 19 and 64 years, residing in urban areas across 17 metropolitan cities and provinces nationwide. The questionnaire included items on the demographic characteristics, nutrition quotient, awareness of food additives and sources of information, trust in information sources, and knowledge related to food additives. Awareness and knowledge of food additives were analyzed according to the participants’ gender, age group, nutrition quotient grade, and reported awareness of food additives. Results: The proportion of respondents who reported an awareness of food additives was 53.0%, with significantly higher awareness among women and those classified in the medium or high nutrition quotient categories. Participants who were aware of food additives obtained information primarily from the internet, television, or radio. By contrast, those who were unaware attributed this to insufficient promotion and information, or to difficulty understanding the content related to food additives. The information provided by physicians, pharmacists, and professional literature was considered trustworthy, while trust in information disseminated by government agencies was notably low (< 20%). The perceived health risk score of food additives was 3.32, and significantly higher scores were observed among the subjects aged 50–64 years and those with medium or high nutrition quotient grades. The knowledge levels regarding food additives were significantly greater among older subjects, those with medium or high nutrition quotient grades, and those who reported awareness of food additives. Conclusion This study provides baseline data for developing food additive education tailored to single-person adult households, supporting educational media, program design, and promotional strategies, and extending its relevance from academic research to practical contributions in public health and consumer awareness.

Background and Objectives: Age-related hearing loss is a modifiable risk factor for mild cognitive impairment (MCI); however, the potential mechanisms linking these conditions remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the cognitive function profiles of elderly patients with hearing loss via functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to determine the cortical activity differences between patients at risk of MCI and those with normal cognition. Materials and Methods: Sixty-three elderly patients with bilateral, moderate, or severe hearing loss were prospectively recruited for this study. Their demographic information was obtained, and audiological evaluations and cognitive function tests were performed. Various instruments were used to assess the cognitive and depression domains. Additionally, fNIRS was used to image the brains of the normal group and group at risk of MCI. Results: fNIRS analysis of individual cognitive task data revealed that the normal group exhibited significantly higher oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) levels in all cognitive function tasks, except the Stroop color and word test, than the group at risk of MCI. Detailed comparisons of the Brodmann areas revealed that, compared to the group at risk of MCI, normal group exhibited significantly higher HbO2 levels in the right and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortices, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, frontopolar cortex, and orbitofrontal cortex in the J1 task, right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex in the J2 task, and right orbitofrontal cortex in the J6 task. Conclusions Measurement of fNIRS signals in the frontal lobes revealed different HbO2 signals between the normal group and group at risk of MCI during minimal hearing loss. Future studies should explore the causal link between hearing loss and cognitive impairment by analyzing the changes in cognitive function after auditory rehabilitation.

Background and Objectives: Age-related hearing loss is a modifiable risk factor for mild cognitive impairment (MCI); however, the potential mechanisms linking these conditions remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the cognitive function profiles of elderly patients with hearing loss via functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to determine the cortical activity differences between patients at risk of MCI and those with normal cognition. Materials and Methods: Sixty-three elderly patients with bilateral, moderate, or severe hearing loss were prospectively recruited for this study. Their demographic information was obtained, and audiological evaluations and cognitive function tests were performed. Various instruments were used to assess the cognitive and depression domains. Additionally, fNIRS was used to image the brains of the normal group and group at risk of MCI. Results: fNIRS analysis of individual cognitive task data revealed that the normal group exhibited significantly higher oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) levels in all cognitive function tasks, except the Stroop color and word test, than the group at risk of MCI. Detailed comparisons of the Brodmann areas revealed that, compared to the group at risk of MCI, normal group exhibited significantly higher HbO2 levels in the right and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortices, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, frontopolar cortex, and orbitofrontal cortex in the J1 task, right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex in the J2 task, and right orbitofrontal cortex in the J6 task. Conclusions Measurement of fNIRS signals in the frontal lobes revealed different HbO2 signals between the normal group and group at risk of MCI during minimal hearing loss. Future studies should explore the causal link between hearing loss and cognitive impairment by analyzing the changes in cognitive function after auditory rehabilitation.

Background and Objectives: Age-related hearing loss is a modifiable risk factor for mild cognitive impairment (MCI); however, the potential mechanisms linking these conditions remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the cognitive function profiles of elderly patients with hearing loss via functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to determine the cortical activity differences between patients at risk of MCI and those with normal cognition. Materials and Methods: Sixty-three elderly patients with bilateral, moderate, or severe hearing loss were prospectively recruited for this study. Their demographic information was obtained, and audiological evaluations and cognitive function tests were performed. Various instruments were used to assess the cognitive and depression domains. Additionally, fNIRS was used to image the brains of the normal group and group at risk of MCI. Results: fNIRS analysis of individual cognitive task data revealed that the normal group exhibited significantly higher oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) levels in all cognitive function tasks, except the Stroop color and word test, than the group at risk of MCI. Detailed comparisons of the Brodmann areas revealed that, compared to the group at risk of MCI, normal group exhibited significantly higher HbO2 levels in the right and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortices, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, frontopolar cortex, and orbitofrontal cortex in the J1 task, right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex in the J2 task, and right orbitofrontal cortex in the J6 task. Conclusions Measurement of fNIRS signals in the frontal lobes revealed different HbO2 signals between the normal group and group at risk of MCI during minimal hearing loss. Future studies should explore the causal link between hearing loss and cognitive impairment by analyzing the changes in cognitive function after auditory rehabilitation.

Background: Calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) toxicity is a significant cause of graft dysfunction in kidney transplant recipients, yet distinguishing it from acute rejection (AR) and acute tubular necrosis (ATN) remains challenging. This study investigated the use of urinary mRNA biomarkers as a noninvasive tool for identifying CNI toxicity. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 110 kidney transplant recipients and classified them into four groups based on pathological findings: stable graft function (n=35), CNI toxicity (n=25), AR (n=30), and ATN (n=20). Candidate biomarkers were selected using the GEO database. Urinary mRNA was extracted from cell pellets, reverse-transcribed, and quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Estimated glomerular filtration rates were comparable among the CNI toxicity, AR, and ATN groups. Four transcripts (LTF, NNMT, WFDC2, and HIF1A) were identified as candidate biomarkers. Urinary mRNA levels of LTF, NNMT, and HIF1A were significantly lower in the CNI toxicity group than the AR group. NNMT and HIF1A levels were also significantly lower than those observed in the ATN group. In contrast, WFDC2 levels did not differ significantly across groups. A three-gene signature (LTF, NNMT, and HIF1A) effectively differentiated CNI toxicity from AR and ATN (area under the curve [AUC], 0.867;95% confidence interval [CI], 0.787–0.947) and significantly enhanced the diagnostic performance of the clinical variable-based model (AUC increased from 0.776; 95% CI, 0.660–0.892, to 0.934; 95% CI, 0.881–0.986). Conclusions Urinary mRNA levels of LTF, NNMT, and HIF1A may serve as useful biomarkers for identifying CNI toxicity in kidney transplant recipients with graft dysfunction.

Background and Objectives: Localization of a sound source in the horizontal plane depends on the listener’s interaural comparison of arrival time and level. Hearing loss (HL) can reduce access to these binaural cues, possibly disrupting the localization and memory of spatial information. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the horizontal sound localization performance and the spatial short-term memory in listeners with actual and simulated HL. Subjects and Methods: Seventeen listeners with bilateral symmetric HL and 17 listeners with normal hearing (NH) participated in the study. The hearing thresholds of NH listeners were elevated by a spectrally shaped masking noise for the simulations of unilateral hearing loss (UHL) and bilateral hearing loss (BHL). The localization accuracy and errors as well as the spatial short-term memory span were measured in the free field using a set of 11 loudspeakers arrayed over a 150° arc. Results: The localization abilities and spatial short-term memory span did not significantly differ between actual BHL listeners and BHL-simulated NH listeners. Overall, the localization performance with the UHL simulation was approximately twofold worse than that with the BHL simulation, and the hearing asymmetry led to a detrimental effect on spatial memory. The mean localization score as a function of stimulus location in the UHL simulation was less than 30% even for the front (0° azimuth) stimuli and much worse on the side closer to the simulated ear. In the UHL simulation, the localization responses were biased toward the side of the intact ear even when sounds were coming from the front. Conclusions Hearing asymmetry induced by the UHL simulation substantially disrupted the localization performance and recall abilities of spatial positions encoded and stored in the memory, due to fewer chances to learn strategies to improve localization. The marked effect of hearing asymmetry on sound localization highlights the need for clinical assessments of spatial hearing in addition to conventional hearing tests.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a four-hour food additive education program for elementary school students to provide them with accurate information on food additives. Methods: A survey was conducted among 133 elementary school students living in Gyeonggi Province to identify the level of food additive awareness. A four-hour food additive education program and educational materials (PPT, activity sheets, and teacher guidelines) were developed based on the results of the food additive awareness survey. The developed educational programs were based on the Theoretical Model of Stages of Behavior Change.An elementary school nutrition teacher conducted a pilot education for 83 elementary school students to evaluate the feasibility of the developed education program. A survey was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and satisfaction of the pilot education program. Results: The results of the Food Additive Awareness Survey showed that only 42.1% of people were aware of food additives; 46.3% wanted to know more about food additives, and 54.3% required food additive education. Food coloring (44.7%) and artificial sweeteners (18.7%) were the most common food additives of interest. What they wanted to know about food additives was the safety of food additives (36.8%) and the role and function of food additives (20.3%). After the pilot training on food additives, the level of awareness of food additives was improved significantly, and the percentage of participants who recognized the need for food additive education and promotion increased. According to the satisfaction survey of the food additives education, the interest, understanding, real-life application, learning method, and content amount were approximately 90%. Conclusion The educational program developed through this study will change the negative perceptions of food additives in elementary school students to a positive one. It will do so by helping nutrition educators educate students on this important subject.

Purpose: This study was conducted to update nursing practice guidelines for intravenous infusion published in 2017. Methods: The guideline update process was carried out using 22 steps developed by NICE and SIGN. It was agreed to update domains related to central venous infusion therapy. Contents related to peripheral infusion would be updated later. Results: Updated guidelines for central venous infusion therapy consisted of 6 domains and 195 recommendations. The number of recommendations by domain was 11 for general instruction, 14 for central vascular access devices (CVAD) and add-on devices, 13 for nursing management before insertion of CVAD, 30 for management during insertion of CVAD, 51 for management after insertion of CVAD, and 76 for complications. A grade was 29 (14.9%), B grade was 87 (44.6%), and C grade was 79 (40.5%) in the strength of recommendations. A total of 37 (19.0%) recommendations were newly developed and 23 (12.3%) previous recommendations have been modified. The newly developed recommendations were mainly related to the infection control methods. Conclusion The updated guideline is focused on safe maintenance of central venous infusion therapy. Through this guideline, it is hoped to minimize the occurrence of complications and improve the standardization and efficiency of nursing practice.

OBJECTIVES: We estimated the population prevalence of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including unreported infections, through a Korea Seroprevalence Study of Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Retention and Transmission (K-SEROSMART) in 258 communities throughout Korea. METHODS: In August 2022, a survey was conducted among 10,000 household members aged 5 years and older, in households selected through two stage probability random sampling. During face-to-face household interviews, participants self-reported their health status, COVID-19 diagnosis and vaccination history, and general characteristics. Subsequently, participants visited a community health center or medical clinic for blood sampling. Blood samples were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to spike proteins (anti-S) and antibodies to nucleocapsid proteins (anti-N) SARS-CoV-2 proteins using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. To estimate the population prevalence, the PROC SURVEYMEANS statistical procedure was employed, with weighting to reflect demographic data from July 2022. RESULTS: In total, 9,945 individuals from 5,041 households were surveyed across 258 communities, representing all basic local governments in Korea. The overall population-adjusted prevalence rates of anti-S and anti-N were 97.6% and 57.1%, respectively. Since the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has reported a cumulative incidence of confirmed cases of 37.8% through July 31, 2022, the proportion of unreported infections among all COVID-19 infection was suggested to be 33.9%. CONCLUSIONS The K-SEROSMART represents the first nationwide, community-based seroepidemiologic survey of COVID-19, confirming that most individuals possess antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and that a significant number of unreported cases existed. Furthermore, this study lays the foundation for a surveillance system to continuously monitor transmission at the community level and the response to COVID-19.

Background: Fingertip injuries are the most common type of traumatic injury treated at emergency departments and require prompt and adequate interventions for favorable wound survival outcomes. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy is well known for its many positive effects on wound healing. We hypothesized that treatment with HBO2 would improve the graft survival outcomes of amputated fingertip injuries treated with composite grafts. Methods: This retrospective observational study included fingertip amputations that were treated between January 2013 and December 2017. A conventional group and an HBO2 therapy group were statistically compared to evaluate the effect of HBO2 treatment. Graft survival was categorized as either success or failure. Results: Among 55 cases (digits), 34 digits were conventionally treated, while 21 digits were treated with HBO2. No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups with regard to general characteristics. Among patients with guillotine-type injuries, the composite graft success rate was statistically significantly higher in the group that received HBO2 therapy than in the conventional group (P=0.0337). Overall, the HBO2 group also demonstrated a statistically significantly shorter healing time than the conventional group (P=0.0075). As such, HBO2 treatment facilitates composite graft survival in cases of fingertip injury. Conclusions HBO2 treatment was associated with an increased composite graft survival rate in guillotine-type fingertip injuries and reduced the time required for grafts to heal.