Background: and Purpose: Amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques are key in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with Aβ positron emission tomography imaging enabling non-invasive quantification.To address regional Aβ deposition, we developed regional Centiloid scales (rdcCL) and commercialized them through the computed tomography (CT)-based BeauBrain Amylo platform, eliminating the need for three-dimensional T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Objective: We aimed to establish robust regional Aβ cutoffs using the commercialized BeauBrain Amylo platform and to explore the prevalence of subgroups defined by global, regional, and striatal Aβ cutoffs across cognitive stages. Methods: We included 2,428 individuals recruited from the Korea-Registries to Overcome Dementia and Accelerate Dementia Research project. We calculated regional Aβ cutoffs using Gaussian Mixture Modeling. Participants were classified into subgroups based on global, regional, and striatal Aβ positivity across cognitive stages (cognitively unimpaired [CU], mild cognitive impairment, and dementia of the Alzheimer’s type). Results: MRI-based and CT-based global Aβ cutoffs were highly comparable and consistent with previously reported Centiloid values. Regional cutoffs revealed both similarities and differences between MRI- and CT-based methods, reflecting modality-specific segmentation processes. Subgroups such as global(−)regional(+) were more frequent in non-dementia stages, while global(+)striatal(−) was primarily observed in CU individuals. Conclusions Our study established robust regional Aβ cutoffs using a CT-based rdcCL method and demonstrated its clinical utility in classifying amyloid subgroups across cognitive stages. These findings highlight the importance of regional Aβ quantification in understanding amyloid pathology and its implications for biomarker-guided diagnosis and treatment in AD.

Background: and Purpose: Amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques are key in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with Aβ positron emission tomography imaging enabling non-invasive quantification.To address regional Aβ deposition, we developed regional Centiloid scales (rdcCL) and commercialized them through the computed tomography (CT)-based BeauBrain Amylo platform, eliminating the need for three-dimensional T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Objective: We aimed to establish robust regional Aβ cutoffs using the commercialized BeauBrain Amylo platform and to explore the prevalence of subgroups defined by global, regional, and striatal Aβ cutoffs across cognitive stages. Methods: We included 2,428 individuals recruited from the Korea-Registries to Overcome Dementia and Accelerate Dementia Research project. We calculated regional Aβ cutoffs using Gaussian Mixture Modeling. Participants were classified into subgroups based on global, regional, and striatal Aβ positivity across cognitive stages (cognitively unimpaired [CU], mild cognitive impairment, and dementia of the Alzheimer’s type). Results: MRI-based and CT-based global Aβ cutoffs were highly comparable and consistent with previously reported Centiloid values. Regional cutoffs revealed both similarities and differences between MRI- and CT-based methods, reflecting modality-specific segmentation processes. Subgroups such as global(−)regional(+) were more frequent in non-dementia stages, while global(+)striatal(−) was primarily observed in CU individuals. Conclusions Our study established robust regional Aβ cutoffs using a CT-based rdcCL method and demonstrated its clinical utility in classifying amyloid subgroups across cognitive stages. These findings highlight the importance of regional Aβ quantification in understanding amyloid pathology and its implications for biomarker-guided diagnosis and treatment in AD.

Background: and Purpose: Amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques are key in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with Aβ positron emission tomography imaging enabling non-invasive quantification.To address regional Aβ deposition, we developed regional Centiloid scales (rdcCL) and commercialized them through the computed tomography (CT)-based BeauBrain Amylo platform, eliminating the need for three-dimensional T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Objective: We aimed to establish robust regional Aβ cutoffs using the commercialized BeauBrain Amylo platform and to explore the prevalence of subgroups defined by global, regional, and striatal Aβ cutoffs across cognitive stages. Methods: We included 2,428 individuals recruited from the Korea-Registries to Overcome Dementia and Accelerate Dementia Research project. We calculated regional Aβ cutoffs using Gaussian Mixture Modeling. Participants were classified into subgroups based on global, regional, and striatal Aβ positivity across cognitive stages (cognitively unimpaired [CU], mild cognitive impairment, and dementia of the Alzheimer’s type). Results: MRI-based and CT-based global Aβ cutoffs were highly comparable and consistent with previously reported Centiloid values. Regional cutoffs revealed both similarities and differences between MRI- and CT-based methods, reflecting modality-specific segmentation processes. Subgroups such as global(−)regional(+) were more frequent in non-dementia stages, while global(+)striatal(−) was primarily observed in CU individuals. Conclusions Our study established robust regional Aβ cutoffs using a CT-based rdcCL method and demonstrated its clinical utility in classifying amyloid subgroups across cognitive stages. These findings highlight the importance of regional Aβ quantification in understanding amyloid pathology and its implications for biomarker-guided diagnosis and treatment in AD.

Background: and Purpose: Amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques are key in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with Aβ positron emission tomography imaging enabling non-invasive quantification.To address regional Aβ deposition, we developed regional Centiloid scales (rdcCL) and commercialized them through the computed tomography (CT)-based BeauBrain Amylo platform, eliminating the need for three-dimensional T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Objective: We aimed to establish robust regional Aβ cutoffs using the commercialized BeauBrain Amylo platform and to explore the prevalence of subgroups defined by global, regional, and striatal Aβ cutoffs across cognitive stages. Methods: We included 2,428 individuals recruited from the Korea-Registries to Overcome Dementia and Accelerate Dementia Research project. We calculated regional Aβ cutoffs using Gaussian Mixture Modeling. Participants were classified into subgroups based on global, regional, and striatal Aβ positivity across cognitive stages (cognitively unimpaired [CU], mild cognitive impairment, and dementia of the Alzheimer’s type). Results: MRI-based and CT-based global Aβ cutoffs were highly comparable and consistent with previously reported Centiloid values. Regional cutoffs revealed both similarities and differences between MRI- and CT-based methods, reflecting modality-specific segmentation processes. Subgroups such as global(−)regional(+) were more frequent in non-dementia stages, while global(+)striatal(−) was primarily observed in CU individuals. Conclusions Our study established robust regional Aβ cutoffs using a CT-based rdcCL method and demonstrated its clinical utility in classifying amyloid subgroups across cognitive stages. These findings highlight the importance of regional Aβ quantification in understanding amyloid pathology and its implications for biomarker-guided diagnosis and treatment in AD.

Globally, the issue of palliative and end-of-life care (PEOLC) in nursing homes is a common concern, and the need to measure the preparedness of nursing staff for end-of-life care is increasing. This study aimed to verify the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the self-reported scale for the Staff Preparedness for PEOLC in long-term care homes. Methods: A total of 161 staff took part in the study; among them were nine nurses, 19 nursing assistants, 133 care workers at four nursing homes located in Wonju and Suncheon cities, South Korea. The scale was translated according to the guidelines of World Health Organization guidelines and Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments, and its reliability and validity were evaluated through assessing its internal consistency, stability, and construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis, CFA). Results: CFA confirmed that the measurement tool had a good fit (comparative fit index=.96, Turker-Lewis index=.95, root mean-squared error of approximation=.07). The items’ internal consistencies of the items were found to be reliable with Cronbach’s alpha=.94; the Pearson’s correlation coefficient between test and retest of the tool was .86 (p<.001); and the intraclass correlation coefficient value was .91 (95% confidence interval: .85~.96). Conclusion: The Korean version of the Staff Preparedness for PEOLC in long-term care homes was confirmed to be a useful and reliable scale for measuring the preparedness of nursing staff in Korean long-term care facilities in Korea for PEOLC.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the needs for the managerial competencies of nurse managers in general hospitals. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used. The participants were 203 nurse managers, 141 head nurses or unit managers, and 62 directors or team managers from 17 general hospitals. Data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire with 42 nursing management competencies and 181 behavioral indicators. Participants rated the importance and performance of each indicator. Data were analyzed using a paired t-test, independent t-test, importance-performance analysis, Borich’s needs assessment model, and locus for focus model. Results: In all 42 competencies, importance was rated significantly higher than performance. The head nurses or unit managers had high demands for “human resource development,” “performance management,” and “information management,” while the directors or team managers had high demands for “change management.” Competencies in high demand in both groups were “development of nursing standards” and “self-management.” Conclusion Based on the results, it is necessary to select priorities and prepare educational content when developing educational programs to strengthen the nursing management competencies of general hospitals’ nurse managers.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore and describe the school life experience of male nursing students reinstated at school after military service. METHODS: The participants in the current study were 20 male nursing students from three universities. The data were collected in focus group interviews, and an inductive content analysis was performed on the data obtained from six focus groups. RESULTS: The content relating to the school experience of the participants was categorized into four themes: making a new start, facing challenges, trying to find one's place, and confusion about one's professional identity. CONCLUSION: Nursing education in Korea needs to be reconsidered, as it adheres to a gender-stereotyped identity. This study provides implications for improving the content and quality of nursing education.
Education, Nursing ; Focus Groups ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Change Events* ; Male* ; Military Personnel* ; Nurses, Male ; Nursing* ; Students, Nursing*

PURPOSE: The present study was designed to examine the impact of socioeconomic, health-related, and health behavioral factors on Korean people's intention to quit smoking. METHODS: The subjects were 851 men and 145 women, aged 19 or more who had participated in the 2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The intention to quit smoking was categorized as “within 6 months,”“after 6 months,” or “no intention”. The associations of the intention to quit smoking with sociodemographic, health related, and health behavioral factors were examined in a logistic regression. RESULTS: In male smokers, the number of diseases, perceived somatotype, vigorous intensity leisure activity, aerobic physical activity, and smoking intensity had a significant influence on the intention to quit smoking. In female somkers, the economic status, number of diseases, walking activity, and moderate intensity leisure activity were significantly influential on the intention to quit smoking. CONCLUSION: To increase male smokers' intention to quit smoking, it should be emphasized that smoking is harmful to. Moreover, special attention should be paid to low-educated female smokers to increase their intention to quit smoking.
Adult* ; Female ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Intention* ; Korea* ; Leisure Activities ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Motor Activity ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Smoke* ; Smoking Cessation ; Smoking* ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Somatotypes ; Walking

PURPOSE: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study in which an exploration was done of how nursing students perceive debriefing and what they think are the most effective debriefing methods for simulation-based nursing education. METHODS: A convenience sample of 296 sophomore, junior and senior nursing students from three universities and who had attended simulation classes participated in this study. Survey data garnered was analyzed using descriptive analysis and χ² test. RESULTS: A high majority of the participants (98.3%) saw debriefing as “learning from mistakes”, while 62.8% considered it more important than simulations/scenarios. They also perceived debriefing to be effective when they analyzed their colleagues'and their own performances and received feedback. Sophomore students preferred writing a reflection paper as an effective debriefing method compared to junior and senior students. CONCLUSION: The study findings indicate that debriefing is an important component of simulation-based education and should be considered part of the teaching strategies with debriefing methods dependent on themes and scenarios and what is needed to achieve learning outcomes.
Education* ; Education, Nursing ; Humans ; Learning ; Methods* ; Nursing* ; Patient Simulation ; Students, Nursing ; Writing

PURPOSE: The present study examines the current influenza immunization rate among kidney transplant patients in an effort to identify the factors influencing their decisions pertaining to the immunization. METHODS: Participants in the study included 150 adults over the age of 64 years who visited a General Surgery Department in Korea on April 2015, who had had a kidney transplant at least two years prior to the visit. We compared the characteristics of transplant patients who were immunized against those of the patients who had not been immunized. RESULTS: The average age of the participants was 48.5±9.6 years, consisting of 87 males (58.0%) and 63 females (42.0%). The average post-surgery period was 91.0±59.0 months. Between September and December 2014, the immunization rate among these participants was 61.3%. Factors which influenced the participant's decision to get immunized in 2014 and drove up the immunization rate were: previous immunization in 2013 (OR=24.57, CI= 8.79-68.70, p<.001), marital status (OR=3.33, CI 1.05-10.56, p=.041), and awareness (OR=1.58, CI=0.99-2.52, p=.056). CONCLUSION: The current study found that the previous year's immunization record, marital status, and awareness increased the rate of immunization among the participants.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Immunization* ; Influenza, Human* ; Kidney* ; Korea ; Male ; Marital Status ; Vaccination*