Humans and animals have a fundamental ability to use experiences and environmental information to organize behavior. It often happens that humans and animals make decisions and prepare actions under uncertain situations. Uncertainty would significantly affect the state of animals' minds, but may not be reflected in behavior. How to "read animals' mind state" under different situations is a challenge. Here, we report that neuronal activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of rats can reflect the environmental uncertainty when the task situation changes from certain to uncertain. Rats were trained to perform behavioral tasks under certain and uncertain situations. Under certain situations, rats were required to simply repeat two nose-poking actions that each triggered short auditory tone feedback (single-task situation). Whereas under the uncertain situation, the feedback could randomly be either the previous tone or a short musical rhythm. No additional action was required upon the music feedback, and the same secondary nose-poking action was required upon the tone feedback (dual-task situation); therefore, the coming task was uncertain before action initiation. We recorded single-unit activity from the mPFC when the rats were performing the tasks. We found that in the dual task, when uncertainty was introduced, many mPFC neurons were actively engaged in dealing with the uncertainty before the task initiation, suggesting that the rats could be aware of the task situation change and encode the information in the mPFC before the action of task initiation.
Animals ; Prefrontal Cortex/cytology* ; Uncertainty ; Neurons/physiology* ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Long-Evans ; Action Potentials/physiology* ; Acoustic Stimulation

The incidence and spread of emerging infectious diseases are highly uncertain. This paper summarizes the uncertainty and complexity of emerging infectious disease, and suggests that for the response to the varied emerging infectious diseases in the future, it is still necessary for human to take the strategy of constantly strengthening the prevention and control capability and improving various preparedness protocols. For the better response to emerging infectious diseases and protection of people's health and life, the following measures can be taken, paying more attention to the layout of the infectious disease surveillance network, establishing and maintaining the laboratory surveillance network of infectious diseases, establishing and improving a "wartime-peacetime" transition mechanism or system of medical treatment and response, developing and improving the prevention and control plan for emerging infectious diseases, strengthening the training and rehearsal of emerging infectious disease treatment and response, establishing and improving the system for the grading, classification and stockpile of medical supplies for public health emergency response and establishing and maintaining the system of early warning of emerging infectious diseases and technical platform regulations.
Communicable Diseases/epidemiology* ; Communicable Diseases, Emerging/prevention & control* ; Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control* ; Humans ; Public Health ; Uncertainty

Bias ; Coronavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; transmission ; Humans ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; epidemiology ; transmission ; Uncertainty

Based on the analysis of the theoretical calculation model of axial resolution of optical coherence tomograph for the posterior segment of the human eye, a set of testing device for measuring its axial resolution is designed and developed. In view of a commercial ophthalmic optical coherence tomograph in clinical use, its axial resolution is calculated to be 5.07 μm theoretically, and the actual measurement value is 5.45 μm. The uncertainty of the detection device is evaluated and the result is (5.45±0.10) μm. The measurement error introduced by the testing device is very small. Meanwhile, the axial resolution measured by the testing device meets the requirements of the instrument(≤ 6 μm).
Algorithms ; Eye ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Uncertainty

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the cultural competence of nurses caring for foreign patients in general hospitals. METHODS: The subjects are 308 nurses who work in general hospitals in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. The data, collected using a structured questionnaire on cultural competence, coping strategy, multicultural experience, intercultural uncertainty, and intercultural anxiety, were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression. RESULTS: Cultural competence was significantly associated with marital status, level of education, type of ward, and number of cared foreign patients. In hierarchical multiple regression analysis, the level of cultural competence was significantly associated with married, master degree qualified, high level of coping strategy and multicultural experience, and low level of cultural uncertainty. CONCLUSION: The findings revealed the need for educational programs which can contribute to lower the intercultural uncertainty and to enhance coping strategies dealing with foreign patients. In addition, individual and organization efforts to provide opportunities to expand nurses' multicultural experience will affect nurses' cultural competence development.
Anxiety ; Cultural Competency ; Education ; Gyeonggi-do ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Marital Status ; Seoul ; Uncertainty

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to better understand the illness experiences and palliative care needs in community-dwelling persons with cardiometabolic diseases. METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study was conducted with 11 patients (and three family members) among 28 patients contacted. Interviews were led by the principal investigator in her office or at participants' home depending on their preference. All interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed by a research assistant. The interviews were analyzed by two independent researchers using a conventional method. RESULTS: Participants' ages ranged from 42 to 82 years (nine men and two women). Three themes were identified: (1) same disease, but different illness experiences; (2) I am in charge of my disease(s); (3) preparation for disease progression. Participants were informed of the name of their disease when they were diagnosed, but not provided with explanation of the diagnosis or meant or how to do self-care to delay the disease progression, which increased the feelings of uncertainty, hopelessness and anxiety. Taking medication was considered to be the primary treatment option and self-care a supplemental one. Advanced care plans were considered when they felt the progression of their disease(s) while refraining from sharing it with their family or health care professionals to save their concerns. All participants were willing to withhold life-sustaining treatment without making any preparation in writing. CONCLUSION: Education on self-care and advanced care planning should be provided to community-dwelling persons with cardiometabolic diseases. A patient-centered education program needs to be developed for this population.
Anxiety ; Chronic Disease ; Delivery of Health Care ; Diagnosis ; Disease Progression ; Education ; Humans ; Independent Living ; Male ; Methods ; Palliative Care ; Qualitative Research ; Research Personnel ; Self Care ; Uncertainty ; Writing

Leukocytospermia is an ill-defined and poorly understood condition affecting up to 30% of male factor infertility. Current guidelines on leukocytospermia vary significantly, although it has been linked to increased rates of infertility, uncertainty about its clinical significance, diagnosis, and treatment remains. The guidelines are conflicting with sparse data scattered across different specialties and continents. This study aims to compare and contrast available international guidelines and recommendations. In addition to these guidelines, we sought to consolidate the findings of trials over the last several decades. English language articles on human observational studies, retrospective, prospective, clinical trials and randomized control trials were searched for using the following terms: “leukocytospermia, pyospermia, and male infertility.” Articles about treatment and management of leukocytospermia that were published between January 2010 and April 2018 were included, as well as four articles referenced in best practice and guideline statements from urological and andrological associations. Disagreements on this topic are highlighted as some guidelines describe no correlation between leukocytospermia and infertility while others show that treatment leads to improvement of sperm quality by many measures including improved pregnancy rate. Various treatments have been suggested including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and frequent ejaculation. There is a need for definitive characterization of Leukocytospermia as an infectious or inflammatory marker and a re-evaluation of the leukocyte concentration threshold. Additional studies investigating rates of conception as a measure of outcome are needed, to provide greater level of evidence and generalizability of leukocytopsermia management.
Andrology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Diagnosis ; Ejaculation ; Fertilization ; Humans ; Infertility ; Infertility, Male ; Leukocytes ; Male ; Male ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Pregnancy Rate ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Semen ; Spermatozoa ; Uncertainty

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effects of a mobile navigation program on uncertainty, resilience, and growth through uncertainty in colorectal cancer patients. METHODS: To verify the effectiveness of the mobile navigation program, 61 participants diagnosed with colorectal cancer undergoing surgery were selected. A nonequivalent control group nonsynchronized design was used to evaluate the program. Uncertainty was measured using the Korean version of the Uncertainty in Illness Scale, resilience was measured using the Korean version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and growth through uncertainty was measured using the Growth through Uncertainty Scale. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, patients in the mobile navigation program group showed significant differences in scores for uncertainty (F=7.22, p=.009) and resilience (F=4.31, p=.042), but not for growth through uncertainty (F=2.76, p=.102). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the mobile navigation program has positive effects on decreasing uncertainty and increasing resilience among colorectal cancer patients. The mobile navigation program could play a significant role in assisting colorectal cancer patients in regard to the continuity and usability of the program.
Colorectal Neoplasms ; Humans ; Mobile Applications ; Patient Navigation ; Uncertainty

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore uncertainty, depression, and anxiety in isolated inpatients and to identify associations between them, with specific focus on state anxiety. METHODS: Data were collected using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, administered to isolated inpatients at an acute care hospital (N=92). The structured questionnaires consisted of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Multiple linear regression and content analysis were conducted. RESULTS: Isolated inpatients showed significant differences in uncertainty, depression, trait anxiety, and state anxiety according to gender, perception of sufficient information about isolation, and the type of isolation. State anxiety scores increased when sufficient information about isolation was not provided (β=.23, p=.005), with higher levels of depression (β=.24, p=.020) and trait anxiety (β=.49, p<.001). Through the content analysis, three themes were identified regarding patient's information needs about isolation specifically for disease, explanation, and environment. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings, it is crucial to improve the awareness of emotional responses of isolated patients experiencing uncertainty, depression, and anxiety. Our study findings are expected to support the development of nursing interventions to provide proper information and mental health support when caring for isolated inpatients.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Humans ; Information Seeking Behavior ; Inpatients ; Linear Models ; Mental Health ; Nursing ; Patient Isolation ; Uncertainty

Hemodynamically significant preterm patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) affects mortality; comorbidities such as necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia; and adverse long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants, particularly in very low birth weight infants. However, recent studies have indicated that there is no consensus on the causal relationship between PDA and neonatal outcomes, the benefit of PDA treatment, the factors guiding the need for treatment, and optimal treatment strategies. Such uncertainty has resulted in wide variations in practice for treating preterm PDA between units, regions, and nations. Nowadays, there has been a paradigm shift to more conservative treatment for preterm PDA, and suggestions regarding selective management of preterm PDA considering risk factors and hemodynamic significance are increasing. Neonatologist-performed echocardiography and advances in modalities to assess hemodynamic significance such as biologic markers and near-infrared spectroscopy also help improve the efficacy of selective treatment of preterm PDA.
Biomarkers ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Comorbidity ; Consensus ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Echocardiography ; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; Hemodynamics ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Mortality ; Risk Factors ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; Treatment Outcome ; Uncertainty