Differential associations of physical job demands with cognitive impairment in Korean workers aged 45 and older: a 14-year longitudinal study using the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA).

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between subelements of physical job demands and cognitive impairment risk in middle-aged and older workers in Korea. DESIGN: Longitudinal study using eight waves (2006-2020) of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging. SETTING: Nationally representative sample of the Korean population aged 45 years and older. PARTICIPANTS: 2170 workers aged 45 and older at baseline. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Cognitive function was evaluated using the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination and cognitive impairment was defined as a score below 24. RESULTS: High physical strength demands were inversely associated with cognitive impairment (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.68 for 'always' vs 'never' category). Conversely, frequent heavy lifting (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.36 to 5.26) and bending, kneeling or squatting (OR 1.69, 95% CI 0.82 to 3.47) tasks were associated with increased impairment risk. Dose-response relationships were observed between all physical job demands and cognitive impairment, persisting among those with lower education but not among those with higher education. CONCLUSIONS: Different types of physical job demands have varying relationships with cognitive impairment in middle-aged and older workers. Tasks requiring high physical strength may protect against cognitive impairment while tasks involving heavy lifting and bending, kneeling or squatting may increase the risk. These findings highlight the need for tailored interventions that consider the type of physical job demands and workers' educational levels to mitigate cognitive impairment risks. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and validate these findings.

Real-world effectiveness of influenza vaccine over a decade during the 2011-2021 seasons-Implications of vaccine mismatch.

BACKGROUND: Influenza imposes a significant healthcare burden in Korea, leading the government to initiate a national immunization program. Previous studies on vaccine effectiveness (VE) were limited to single-season estimation in Korea. METHODS: This multicenter prospective cohort study enrolled patients with influenza-like illnesses at 10 medical centers in Korea from 2011 to 2021. The demographic and clinical data were collected from questionnaire surveys and electronic medical records. Using a test-negative design, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a seasonal influenza vaccine for antigenic matching of the vaccine and circulating viral strains over 10 seasons. RESULTS: Overall, 5322 adults aged ≥65 years were enrolled. Only three (33.3 %) of nine seasons showed >70 % antigenic match between vaccine and circulating strains. Influenza VE was significantly variable by season, ranging from -46.9 % (95 %confidence interval [CI]: -127.6-5.2) in the 2011/12 season to 47.7 % (95 %CI: 22.6-64.7) in the 2016/17 season. A significant difference was observed in the VE depending on whether the vaccine strains matched with epidemic strains: 28.8 % (95 %CI: 8.8-44.8) in matched seasons versus -12.0 % (95 %CI: -30.0-3.7) in mismatched seasons. Across the study period, influenza-related hospitalizations were reduced by 13.6 % (95 %CI: 0.7-24.8) with vaccination. In a subgroup analysis, the VE against influenza-related hospitalization was 48.4 % (95 %CI 29.6-62.2) in A/H3N2 dominant seasons and 53.8 % (95 %CI: -73.4-87.7) in A/H1N1 dominant seasons, respectively. CONCLUSION: Influenza vaccine mismatch was frequent over the study period, leading to negligibly low VE in mismatched seasons. Influenza vaccination reduces the risk of influenza-related hospitalizations.

UCHL1 Overexpression Is Related to the Aggressive Phenotype of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1), which encodes thiol protease that hydrolyzes a peptide bond at the C-terminal glycine residue of ubiquitin, regulates cell differentiation, proliferation, transcriptional regulation, and numerous other biological processes and may be involved in lung cancer progression. UCHL1 is mainly expressed in the brain and plays a tumor-promoting role in a few cancer types; however, there are limited reports regarding its role in lung cancer. METHODS: Single-cell RNA (scRNA) sequencing using 10X chromium v3 was performed on a paired normal-appearing and tumor tissue from surgical specimens of a patient who showed unusually rapid progression. To validate clinical implication of the identified biomarkers, immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis was performed on 48 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissue specimens, and the correlation with clinical parameters was evaluated. RESULTS: We identified 500 genes overexpressed in tumor tissue compared to those in normal tissue. Among them, UCHL1, brain expressed X-linked 3 (BEX3), and midkine (MDK), which are associated with tumor growth and progression, exhibited a 1.5-fold increase in expression compared to that in normal tissue. IHC analysis of NSCLC tissues showed that only UCHL1 was specifically overexpressed. Additionally, in 48 NSCLC specimens, UCHL1 was specifically upregulated in the cytoplasm and nuclear membrane of tumor cells. Multivariable logistic analysis identified several factors, including smoking, tumor size, and high-grade dysplasia, to be typically associated with UCHL1 overexpression. Survival analyses using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets revealed that UCHL1 overexpression is substantially associated with poor survival outcomes. Furthermore, a strong association was observed between UCHL1 expression and the clinicopathological features of patients with NSCLC. CONCLUSION: UCHL1 overexpression was associated with smoking, tumor size, and high-grade dysplasia, which are typically associated with a poor prognosis and survival outcome. These findings suggest that UCHL1 may serve as an effective biomarker of NSCLC.

Do Midnight Censuses Accurately Portray Hospital Bed Occupancy?

Hospital bed occupancy serves as an important indicator of healthcare system efficiency, directly impacting patient care quality and staff workload. This study delves into the efficacy of midnight census, a conventional method for assessing bed occupancy, in supporting hospital operational planning. Historically, the midnight census has been utilised to gauge bed occupancy; however, its reliability is debated due to fluctuations throughout the day. This paper presents an analysis of 5.5 years of patient flow data from one of the hospitals in Queensland, Australia, scrutinising the statistical associations between different occupancy levels, e.g., midnight, peak, average, and minimum. The findings shed light on the efficacy of the midnight census and suggest the adoption of an hourly-based occupancy rate for more accurate capacity planning and management.

Association Between Sickness Presenteeism and Depressive Symptoms by Occupation and Employment Type During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Sickness presenteeism (SP) has gained attention in occupational health. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between SP and depressive symptoms by occupation and employment type during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea. Methods: Community Health Survey data (August 16 to October 31, 2020-2021) were used to assess depressive symptoms and SP among workers (n = 221,241; mean age 46.0; 53.5% male). Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and SP was defined by the ability to rest at home when exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of depressive symptoms were estimated using multiple logistic regression analyses for each sex and year stratum. The interaction between SP and occupation on depressive symptoms was assessed using relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI). Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher in individuals with SP than in those without SP (4.22% [n = 696] vs. 1.89% [n = 3861], respectively). After adjusting for demographic and occupational variables, the association between SP and depressive symptoms was significant in both sexes in 2020 and 2021 (OR [95% CI]: 2.18 [1.82-2.62], 2.41 [1.97-2.93], 2.05 [1.77-2.38], 2.47 [2.11-2.88] for male-2020, male-2021, female-2020, and female-2021, respectively). A marginally significant interaction between service workers and SP on depressive symptoms was observed among male workers in 2021 (RERI = 2.37, 95% CI = [-0.04-4.78]) but not in other strata. Conclusion: SP is significantly associated with depressive symptoms in Korean workers across employment and occupational types, with a prominent association in service workers.

Association Between Organizational Downsizing and Depressive Symptoms Among Korean Workers: A Cross-sectional Analysis.

Background: Organizational downsizing may be significantly linked to depressive symptoms, yet research on this impact in Asian contexts is limited. This study investigates the association between downsizing during the COVID-19 pandemic and depressive symptoms across diverse employment statuses. Methods: This study used the data from 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey. Depressive symptoms were measured using WHO-5 well-being index with a cut-off of 50. Downsizing was defined as decrease in the number of employees during last three years. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for socio-demographic and occupational factors was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for depressive symptoms associated with downsizing, including subgroup analyses. Results: Among 26,247 Korean workers (mean age: 43.4, men: 47.5%), the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 29.5% (n = 7,751), and the proportion of downsizing was 15.2% (n = 3,978). The prevalence of depressive symptoms was significantly higher among the downsizing group (36.7%, n = 1,460) than among the no-downsizing group (28.3%, n = 6,291). The result of logistic regression revealed a significant association between downsizing and depressive symptoms (adjusted OR [95% CI]: 1.39 [1.29-1.50]), particularly pronounced among high socioeconomic status workers. Conclusion: This study underscores the significant association between depressive symptoms and organizational downsizing, especially high vulnerability of socioeconomically advantaged and stable workers. These findings highlight the necessity for targeted mental health support and further longitudinal research to clarify the relationship between employment changes and mental health within the Korean workforce.

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease Is Associated with Increased Risk of Kidney Cancer: A Nationwide Study.

Background: This study investigated the association between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and Kidney Cancer Risk, as the incidence of both diseases gradually increases owing to metabolic health issues. Methods: Participants (aged 20-79) undergoing a national health examination between 2009 and 2010 were monitored for new-onset kidney cancer. The MASLD spectrum was classified as non-MASLD, MASLD, or MASLD with increased alcohol uptake (MetALD). Kidney Cancer Risk associated with the MASLD spectrum was estimated using multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. Age- and sex-stratified analyses were also performed. Results: Among 8,829,510 participants (median follow-up 13.3 years), the proportion of non-MASLD, MASLD, and MetALD was 64.9%, 30.3%, and 4.7%, respectively, with newly developed kidney cancer in 17,555 participants. Kidney cancer was significantly increased with MASLD (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.46-1.56) and MetALD (aHR 1.51, 95% CI 1.42-1.61), compared with the non-MASLD group. Kidney Cancer Risk was the highest among young populations (aHR 1.93, 95% CI 1.77-2.11 for MASLD and aHR 1.91, 95% CI 1.65-2.22 for MetALD), according to stratification analysis. Furthermore, the cumulative relationship between metabolic dysfunction and Kidney Cancer Risk was confirmed across all MASLD spectra. Conclusions: Our study highlights the positive association between MASLD and Kidney Cancer Risk, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to metabolic health. This also serves as a call to devote closer attention to the metabolic health of younger patients.

Inequality in Mortality and Cardiovascular Risk Among Young, Low-Income, Self-Employed Workers: Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Self-employment is a significant component of South Korea's labor force; yet, it remains relatively understudied in the context of occupational safety and health. Owing to different guidelines for health checkup participation among economically active individuals, disparities in health maintenance may occur across varying employment statuses. Objective: This study aims to address such disparities by comparing the risk of all-cause mortality and comorbidities between the self-employed and employee populations in South Korea, using nationwide data. We sought to provide insights relevant to other countries with similar cultural, social, and economic contexts. Methods: This nationwide retrospective study used data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. Participants (aged 20-59 y) who maintained the same insurance type (self-employed or employee insurance) for ≥3 years (at least 2008-2010) were recruited for this study and monitored until death or December 2021-whichever occurred first. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. The secondary outcomes were ischemic heart disease, ischemic stroke, cancer, and hospitalization with a mental illness. Age-standardized cumulative incidence rates were estimated through an indirect method involving 5-unit age standardization. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI for each sex stratum. Subgroup analyses and an analysis of the effect modification of health checkup participation were also performed. Results: A total of 11,652,716 participants were analyzed (follow-up: median 10.92, IQR 10.92-10.92 y; age: median 42, IQR 35-50 y; male: n=7,975,116, 68.44%); all-cause mortality occurred in 1.27% (99,542/7,851,282) of employees and 3.29% (124,963/3,801,434) of self-employed individuals (P<.001). The 10-year cumulative incidence rates of all-cause mortality differed significantly by employment status (1.1% for employees and 2.8% for self-employed individuals; P<.001). The risk of all-cause mortality was significantly higher among the self-employed individuals when compared with that among employees, especially among female individuals, according to the final model (male: adjusted HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.42-1.45; female: adjusted HR 1.89, 95% CI 1.84-1.94; P<.001). The risk of the secondary outcomes, except all types of malignancies, was significantly higher among the self-employed individuals (all P values were <.001). According to subgroup analyses, this association was prominent in younger individuals with lower incomes who formed a part of the nonparticipation groups. Furthermore, health checkup participation acted as an effect modifier for the association between employment status and all-cause mortality in both sexes (male: relative excess risk due to interaction [RERI] 0.76, 95% CI 0.74-0.79; female: RERI 1.13, 95% CI 1.05-1.21). Conclusions: This study revealed that self-employed individuals face higher risks of all-cause mortality, cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, and mental illnesses when compared to employees. The mortality risk is particularly elevated in younger, lower-income individuals who do not engage in health checkups, with health checkup nonparticipation acting as an effect modifier for this association.

Guidelines for Antibacterial Treatment of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales Infections.

This guideline aims to promote the prudent use of antibacterial agents for managing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections in clinical practice in Korea. The general section encompasses recommendations for the management of common CRE infections and diagnostics, whereas each specific section is structured with key questions that are focused on antibacterial agents and disease-specific approaches. This guideline covers both currently available and upcoming antibacterial agents in Korea.

The Effect of Strength and Balance Training on Kinesiophobia, Ankle Instability, Function, and Performance in Elite Adolescent Soccer Players with Functional Ankle Instability: A Prospective Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

We aimed to implement strength and balance training for elite adolescent male soccer players with functional ankle instability (FAI) to assess kinesiophobia, ankle instability, ankle function, and performance. This cluster randomized controlled trial comprised 51 elite adolescent male soccer players with FAI recruited from six different teams, divided into strength, balance, and control groups (SG, n = 17; BG, n = 17; and CG, n = 17, respectively). The SG and BG underwent strength and balance training sessions three times per week for 6 weeks. Primary outcomes were the Tampa scale for kinesiophobia-17 (TSK) and Cumberland ankle instability tool (CAIT) scores to assess kinesiophobia and FAI, respectively. Secondary outcomes were ankle strength (four directions), dynamic balance, static balance (ellipse, displacement, velocity), and performance (figure 8 and side-hop tests). A significant interaction effect was observed for both TSK and CAIT post-intervention (both, P < 0.01). In post hoc analyses, the BG had significantly better outcomes in reducing TSK. The SG and BG showed greater improvements in CAIT scores. Regression analysis indicated that CAIT severity correlated significantly with TSK (P = 0.039, R = 0.289). For secondary outcomes, the SG and BG were superior in terms of ankle dorsiflexion/inversion strength, static balance displacement, and figure-8 and side-hop tests (all, P < 0.05). The BG showed significantly better static balance ellipse results (P < 0.05). The 6-week intervention significantly enhanced kinesiophobia management, ankle stability, and performance. Balance training effectively mitigated kinesiophobia and improved balance, compared with strength training alone. Even small variations in CAIT severity can influence kinesiophobia, highlighting the potential benefits of balance training. Integrating balance training into training programs can address both physical and psychological aspects of ankle instability. Research is recommended to explore the longitudinal effects of these interventions and their potential to prevent injury recurrence.

Neighborhood Safety Concerns and the Onset of Depressive Symptoms Among Women: A Population-based Prospective Cohort Study in South Korea.

Neighborhood safety is crucial for the well-being of residents; however, longitudinal evidence is scarce. This study explored the association between neighborhood safety concerns and depressive symptoms among women. A nationally representative sample of 10,008 women was surveyed in 2016. Six dimensions of neighborhood safety concerns were assessed: crime, food, safety at night, traffic accidents, building and facility, and general safety. The total score for neighborhood safety concerns ranged from 6 to 24, with higher scores indicating greater concerns. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 10-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression. For cross-sectional analyses, we explored how neighborhood safety concerns were associated with concurrent depressive symptoms at baseline. For the longitudinal analyses, we explored how they were associated with depressive symptom onset at the 2-year follow-up (2018) among women without depressive symptoms at baseline (n = 7,643). Logistic regressions were employed. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) of the neighborhood safety concern score was 12.7 (3.3). In the cross-sectional analysis, a 1-SD increase in neighborhood safety concern score was associated with 1.23-fold (95% CI: 1.13-1.35) increase in the odds of concurrent depressive symptoms at the baseline year. In the longitudinal analysis, a 1-SD increase in neighborhood safety concern score was associated with 1.15-fold (95% CI: 1.03-1.29) increase in the odds of experiencing the onset of depressive symptoms at the follow-up year. This study suggests that neighborhood safety concerns are risk factors for the development of depressive symptoms of female residents. Policy efforts are necessary to ensure community safety.

Suicidality is most centrally situated within network of depression symptom criteria in unipolar depression patients with mood stabilizer in Asia.

Lithium and mood stabilizers are considered effective augmentation agents of antidepressants for treatment-resistant depression. Thus, this study aimed to estimate the network structure of depression symptom criteria among unipolar depression patients with mood stabilizers, using data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for mood stabilizers (REAP-MS). We estimated a network of the 9 depression symptom criteria among 411 unipolar depression patients in Asia. Each of the depression symptom criteria was considered to be a dichotomous categorical variable. Suicidality (suicidal ideation or attempt) was the most centrally situated within the network of depression symptoms, followed by depressed mood, loss of energy, anhedonia and weight loss or gain. Contrastingly, concentration problem was the least interconnected. The depression symptom criteria were organized into 4 clusters by the community detection method. The findings suggest that suicidality may be one of the significant therapeutic target symptoms in unipolar depression patients with mood stabilizers.

Objective and subjective measurement of sleep in people who use substances: Emerging evidence and recommendations from a systematic review.

People who use substances commonly experience sleep disruptions, affecting the regulation of physical and mental health, and presenting a significant barrier to treatment success. Sleep impairments are noted in all phases of substance use; however, differences between subjective versus objective methods used to measure sleep quality have been reported. While polysomnography is the gold-standard for sleep measurement, recent advances in actigraphy may help address the discordance between subjective and objective sleep reports. This systematic review examined emerging evidence (2016-present) for sleep impairment in people who use substances, with the twofold goal of: (1) identifying whether sleep outcomes vary across substance type (alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine and opioids); and (2) contrasting results from subjective and objective measures. While some differences between subjective and objective sleep were noted, there was overwhelming evidence of clinically relevant sleep impairment in people who use alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, methamphetamine and opioids, with less consistent results for cannabis. Gaps in the literature are identified and future recommendations are presented, including utilization of common methodological frameworks, identification of mechanisms, and closer examination of sleep across stages of substance use and the interconnection between sleep and return to use.

TERT mutations and aggressive histopathologic characteristics of radioiodine-refractory papillary thyroid cancer.

Background: Radioiodine (RI) ablation following thyroid-stimulating hormone suppression is an effective treatment for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), typically leading to favorable outcomes. However, RI-refractory tumors exhibit aggressive behavior and poor prognoses. Recent studies highlight the role of genetic abnormalities in PTC signaling pathways, including the activation of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), and the correlation of mutations with adverse outcomes. Methods: This study analyzed mutations in BRAF V600E and the TERT-promoter genes, comparing clinicopathological features between RI-refractory and RI-responsive PTCs. Among 82 RI-refractory patients, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from initial surgeries were available for 26. Another 89 without distant metastasis over 5 years formed a matched RI-responsive control group. Results: Histopathologically, RI-refractory PTCs showed increased frequencies of small tumor clusters without fibrovascular cores, hobnail features, and a high height-to-width ratio of tumor cells. These tumors were more likely to exhibit necrosis, mitosis, lymph node metastasis, extrathyroidal extension, and involvement of resection margins. TERT-promoter mutations were statistically significantly associated with these aggressive clinicopathologic features. Immunohistochemically, decreased expression of sodium iodide symporter and thyroglobulin stimulating hormone receptor proteins was common in RI-refractory PTCs, along with lower levels of oncogenic proteins such as vascular endothelial cell growth factor, vascular endothelial cell growth factor receptor 2, and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells. Total loss of PTEN expression was occasionally observed. In contrast, all cases tested positive for cytoplasmic ß-catenin. Conclusions: RI-refractory PTCs are linked to TERT mutations and exhibit specific aggressive histopathologic features, particularly in tumor centers.

Impact of ibrutinib on inflammation in a mouse model of Graves' orbitopathy.

Introduction: Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) and interleukin (IL)-2 Inducible T-cell Kinase (ITK) inhibitors have anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated the therapeutic effect of ibrutinib, an orally bioavailable BTK/ITK inhibitor, in a mouse model of Graves' orbitopathy (GO). Methods: Genetic immunization was performed through intramuscular administration of the recombinant plasmid, pCMV6-hTSHR cDNA, to 8-week-old female BALB/c mice. Serum levels of T3, T4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) antibodies (TRAbs) were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histopathological changes in orbital tissues were examined using immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining for TSHR and various inflammatory markers. Following successful genetic immunization, ibrutinib was orally administered daily for 2 weeks in the GO model mice. After treatment, the mRNA and protein expression levels of BTK, ITK, IL-1ß, and IL-6 in orbital tissues were evaluated using real-time PCR and Western blotting. Results: In total, 20 mice were sacrificed to confirm successful genetic immunization. The GO mouse group exhibited significantly increased serum T3, T4, and TRAb levels. IHC revealed increased expression of TSHR, IL-1ß, IL-6, transforming growth factor-ß1, interferon-γ, CD40, CD4, BTK, and ITK in the GO mouse model. The orbital inflammation was significantly attenuated in ibrutinib-treated mice. The mRNA and protein expression levels of BTK, ITK, IL-1ß, and IL-6 in orbital tissue were lower in ibrutinib-treated GO mouse group compared to the phosphate-buffered saline-treated GO mouse group. Conclusion: The GO mouse model demonstrated enhanced BTK and ITK expression. Ibrutinib, a BTK/ITK inhibitor, suppressed the inflammatory cytokine production. These findings highlight the potential involvement of BTK/ITK in the inflammatory pathogenesis of GO, suggesting its role as a novel therapeutic target.

Pentraxin3 mediates inflammation and adipogenesis in Graves' orbitopathy pathogenesis.

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a prototypic humoral soluble pattern-recognition molecule known to function in immunity-related inflammation. Given the lack of information on the precise functions of PTX3 in the pathogenesis of Graves' orbitopathy (GO), this study investigated the role of PTX3 in the inflammation and adipogenesis mechanism of GO. We first compared the PTX3 expression between orbital tissues from patients with GO and normal controls, using real-time polymerase chain reaction, which estimated significantly higher PTX3 transcript levels in the GO tissues than in the normal tissues. In addition, PTX3 production was markedly increased upon interleukin (IL)-1ß and adipogenic stimulation. We then evaluated the effects of silencing PTX3 in primary orbital fibroblast cultures by analyzing the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, adipogenesis-related proteins, and downstream transcription factors in cells transfected with or without a small interfering RNA against PTX3, using western blot. Silencing PTX3 attenuated the IL-1ß-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-8, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and cyclooxygenase-2, and suppressed the IL-1ß-mediated activation of p38 kinase, nuclear factor-κB, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Moreover, PTX3 knockdown suppressed adipogenic differentiation, as assessed using Oil Red O staining, as well as the expression of adipogenesis-associated transcription factors including peroxisome proliferator activator-γ, CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins α and ß, adipocyte protein 2, adiponectin, and leptin. Thus, this study suggests that PTX3 plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of GO and may serve as a novel therapeutic target for the condition.

The gut microbiota modifies antibody durability and booster responses after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines are pivotal in combating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, the declining antibody titers postvaccination pose challenges for sustained protection and herd immunity. Although gut microbiome is reported to affect the early antibody response after vaccination, its impact on the longevity of vaccine-induced antibodies remains unexplored. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted involving 44 healthy adults who received two doses of either the BNT162b2 or ChAdOx1 vaccine, followed by a BNT162b2 booster at six months. The gut microbiome was serially analyzed using 16S rRNA and shotgun sequencing, while humoral immune response was assessed using a SARS-CoV-2 spike protein immunoassay. RESULTS: Faecalibacterium prausnitzii was associated with robust and persistent antibody responses post-BNT162b2 vaccination. In comparison, Escherichia coli was associated with a slower antibody decay following ChAdOx1 vaccination. The booster immune response was correlated with metabolic pathways involving cellular functions and aromatic amino acid synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study underscored the potential interaction between the gut microbiome and the longevity/boosting effect of antibodies following vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The identification of specific microbial associations suggests the prospect of microbiome-based strategies for enhancing vaccine efficacy.

Association between life satisfaction, self-esteem, and health checkup participation: A population-based longitudinal study in South Korea.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that background sociodemographic factors are associated with health checkup participation. However, little is known about the psychological determinants of health checkup participation in longitudinal studies. This study explored the psychological determinants of health checkup participation based on a longitudinal study in South Korea. METHODS: Data were retrieved from a nationwide, longitudinal panel study in South Korea, which included community-dwelling general adults, conducted from 2005 to 2022. Established scales for assessing life satisfaction and self-esteem were employed, and life satisfaction and self-esteem levels were categorized into four groups based on quartile values (lowest, low, high, and highest). Respondents reported whether they had undergone a health checkup in the past year. Fixed effects logistic regressions were fitted to determine within-individual associations between life satisfaction, self-esteem, and health checkup participation (n = 15,771; 171,943 observations). Odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) were determined. RESULTS: Compared with the lowest life satisfaction, the highest life satisfaction is associated with increased odds of health checkup participation (OR: 1.17, 95 % CI: 1.13-1.23). Compared to the lowest self-esteem level, the highest self-esteem level was positively associated with health checkup participation (OR, 1.14; 95 % CI: 1.10-1.18). The odds of participating in health checkups were also positively associated with age, income, and educational level. CONCLUSION: Although the effect sizes were modest, high life satisfaction and self-esteem were associated with an increased likelihood of participating in health checkups.

The Disease-Modifying Effects of a Single Intra-Articular Corticosteroid Injection during the Freezing Phase of Frozen Shoulder in an Animal Model.

Although frequently prescribed for frozen shoulder, it is not known if corticosteroid injections improve the course of frozen shoulder. This study aimed to assess the disease-modifying effects of an intra-articular corticosteroid administration at the freezing phase of frozen shoulder. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. Their unilateral shoulders were immobilized for the first 3 days in all groups, followed by an intra-articular corticosteroid injection in Group A, an injection and the cessation of immobilization in Group B, no further intervention in Group C, and the cessation of immobilization in Group D. All rats were sacrificed in Week 3 of study, at which point the passive shoulder abduction angles were measured and the axillary recess tissues were retrieved for histological and Western blot analyses. The passive shoulder abduction angles at the time of sacrifice were 138° ± 8° (Group A), 146° ± 5° (Group B), 95° ± 11° (Group C), 132° ± 8° (Group D), and 158° ± 2° (Control). The histological assessments and Western blots showed greater fibrosis and inflammation in the groups that did not receive the corticosteroid injection (Groups C and D) compared to the corticosteroid-injected groups (Groups A and B). These findings demonstrate the anti-inflammatory and disease-modifying effects of corticosteroid injections during the freezing phase of frozen shoulder in an animal model.

Long working hours and preventive oral health behaviors: a nationwide study in Korea (2007-2021).

BACKGROUND: This study explored the association between working hours and preventive oral health behaviors. METHODS: In total, 48,599 workers (22,992 females) were included from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2021). Weekly working hours were self-reported. The following three preventive oral health behaviors were set as outcomes: participation in annual dental check-ups; adherence to the recommended toothbrushing frequency (≥twice a day); and use of interdental cleaning devices. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using logistic regression. RESULTS: In male workers, the adjusted OR (95% CI) of the association between working ≥55 h/week and each outcome was 0.84 (0.77-0.92) for dental check-ups, 0.82 (0.72-0.94) for toothbrushing ≥twice a day, and 0.83 (0.76-0.92) for utilization of interdental cleaning device when compared to 35-40 h/week. In female workers, the adjusted OR (95% CI) of the association between working ≥55 h/week and each outcome was 0.79 (0.70-0.89) for dental check-ups, 0.88 (0.70-1.11) for toothbrushing ≥twice a day, and 0.80 (0.71-0.90) for utilization of interdental cleaning device when compared to 35-40 h/week. Additionally, low socio-economic status, such as low educational attainment, low income level, and blue-collar occupations, were major risk factors associated with non-adherence to preventive oral health behaviors in both male and female workers. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that individuals who work long hours are more likely to exhibit undesirable oral health behaviors.