Pathways from economic hardship to couple conflict by socioeconomic status during COVID-19 in Korea.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the direct and indirect relationships among economic hardship, economic strain, emotional stress, and couple conflict for married Koreans during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, we investigated whether these pathways were different between lower and higher socioeconomic status (SES) groups. Background: Due to the global economic downturn brought on by COVID-19, many couples experienced economic hardship including increased household debt, job loss, and reduced work hours. This context provides a valuable opportunity to test the family stress model (FSM) of romantic relationships, which explains the indirect pathways from economic hardship to couple-level outcomes. Method: We collected the data using an online survey in May 2020, when the Seoul metropolitan area experienced the first surge of COVID-19 cases. The sample came from 605 married Korean adults (282 women, 323 men) and was analyzed using multigroup path analysis. Results: Among the three markers of economic hardship, increased household debt had a stronger association with couple conflict for lower SES respondents directly and indirectly through elevated economic strain and emotional distress. The total effects of job loss and reduced work hours on more frequent couple conflict were stronger for the higher SES group. Conclusion: The process from the three markers of economic hardship to couple conflict was different depending on socioeconomic resources. Implications: Family practitioners need to consider SES variations and to work with financial counselors to better support couples with both economic and relationship difficulties.

The link between serum vitamin D level, sensitization to food allergens, and the severity of atopic dermatitis in infancy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between serum vitamin D levels, sensitization to food allergens, and the severity of atopic dermatitis in infants. STUDY DESIGN: We investigated serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and specific immunoglobulin E levels to common or suspected food allergens in 226 infants with atopic dermatitis or food allergy. The severity of atopic dermatitis by the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis index and amount of vitamin D intake was measured in subcohort children. Sensitization to food allergen was categorized by the number (non-, mono-, and poly-) of sensitized allergens and the degree (undetected-, low-, and high-level) of sensitization. RESULTS: Significant differences in 25(OH)D levels were found between groups on number (P = .006) and degree (P = .005) of food sensitization. The polysensitization group had significantly lower levels of 25(OH)D than the nonsensitization (P = .001) and monosensitization (P = .023) group. High-level sensitization group had significantly lower 25(OH)D levels compared with undetected (P = .005) and low-level (P = .009) sensitization group. Vitamin D deficiency increased the risk of sensitization to food allergens (OR 5.0; 95% CI 1.8-14.1), especially to milk (OR 10.4; 95% CI 3.3-32.7) and wheat (OR 4.2; 95% CI 1.1-15.8). In addition, the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis index was independently related to 25(OH)D levels after adjusting for the level of sensitization (adjusted R(2) = 0.112, P = .031). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of sensitization to food allergens and that atopic dermatitis may be more severe in infants with vitamin D deficiency.

The effect of cardioplegic solution-induced sodium concentration fluctuation on postoperative seizure in pediatric cardiac patients.

BACKGROUND: Despite potential benefits of histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution as a cardioplegic solution, it can cause hyponatremia, especially in pediatric patients. Fluctuations in the sodium concentration during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) can adversely affect the central nervous system. We evaluated the relationship between the cardioplegic solution, the fluctuation of sodium concentration, and the incidence of postoperative seizure in pediatric cardiac patients. METHODS: The medical records of 628 patients were reviewed for the occurrence of a postoperative seizure, type of cardioplegic solution (HTK or del Nido solution), and intraoperative data. A change of sodium concentration exceeding 15 mmol/L (ΔNa>15) during CPB was defined as a significant fluctuation of sodium concentration. RESULTS: Postoperative seizures were detected in 18 patients (2.9%). The ΔNa>15 was detected in 63 of 189 patients (33.3%) who received the HTK solution and in 14 of 439 patients (3.2%) who received the del Nido solution (p<0.001). The incidence of ΔNa>15 was strongly associated with postoperative seizure (odds ratio, 6.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.4 to 16.4, p=0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, the ΔNa>15 remained significantly associated with postoperative seizure (odds ratio, 3.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 12.3, p=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution during CPB frequently causes fluctuations of sodium concentration, usually combined with hyponatremia, which is associated with postoperative seizure. Special attention to sodium concentration is required, particularly when HTK solution is used in pediatric cardiac patients.

Effect of chlorhexidine application methods on microtensile bond strength to dentin in Class I cavities.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of chlorhexidine with different application methods on the microtensile bond strength (microTBS) to dentin in Class I cavities. METHODS: Flat dentinal surfaces with Class I cavities (4 mm long, 4 mm wide, 2 mm deep) in 50 molars were bonded with Adper Single Bond 2 etch-and-rinse adhesive system after: 1) Chlorhexidine (CHX) + rinsing + etching; 2) CHX + no rinsing + etching; 3) Etching + CHX + rinsing; 4) Etching + CHX + no rinsing; 5) Etching only as a control group. Resin composite buildups were constructed with Z-350 (3M ESPE) using a bulk method and they were polymerized for 40 seconds. For each condition, half of the specimens were immediately submitted to microtensile bond strength and half of the same group was submitted to 10,000 cycles of thermocycling between 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C before testing. The data were analyzed using the two-way ANOVA and Student t-test at a 95% significance level. RESULTS: Chlorhexidine pretreatment did not affect the bond strength of specimens tested at the immediate testing period, regardless of the application method used, compared to the control group. However, after 10,000 thermocycles, a significant bond strength reduction was found in the control group. In general, the chlorhexidine application method did not demonstrate a significant difference among the groups treated with chlorhexidine. However, there was a significant difference after thermocycling in the groups treated with chlorhexidine before etching and no significant difference in the groups treated with chlorhexidine after etching. CONCLUSION: Considering the amount of reduction in bond strength after thermocycling, the current study showed improved dentin bond strength with chlorhexidine when used after etching.

Fabrication and gas sensing properties of hollow SnO2 hemispheres.

Close packed arrays of hollow SnO2 hemispheres were prepared using PMMA microspheres as sacrificial templates for subsequent sputter-deposition of SnO2 films, leading to a threefold enhancement in gas sensitivity compared to non-templated (flat) films.