The influence of eHealth literacy, reproductive health knowledge, and self-esteem on health-promoting behaviors in early adult women: a cross-sectional survey

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of eHealth literacy, reproductive health knowledge, and self-esteem on early adult women’s health-promoting behaviors (HPB). This study was based on Pender’s health promotion model as a theoretical underpinning. Methods Early adult women aged 18 to 35 years (n=165) were recruited by posting advertisements on social network sites for a student club and a faith-based community in Ansan, Korea. Willing individuals were invited to participate in the online survey from June 1 to June 30, 2022. Standardized instruments were used to measure HPB, eHealth literacy, reproductive health knowledge, and self-esteem. General characteristics included income level, perceived subjective health, and internet usage time. The collected data were analyzed using the independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression. Results The mean age of the respondents was 21.97±3.87 years. The total HPB score was 120.69, corresponding to a moderate level; and the total scores for eHealth literacy (30.24), knowledge of reproductive health (23.04), and self-esteem (35.62) were higher than the midpoint. The model explained 53.3% of variance in HPB, and self-esteem (β=.48, p<.001) was the most influential factor. Other influential factors were, in descending order, higher economic level, higher subjective health status, greater eHealth literacy, and less internet use time (<2 hours/day). Conclusion In order to promote the health of early adult women, counseling or programs that positively improve self-esteem appear promising, and eHealth literacy should be considered as a way to promote HPB using information technology

Predictive factors of resistance to intravenous immunoglobulin and coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease

PurposeWe conducted a study to determine which factors may be useful as predictive markers in identifying Kawasaki disease (KD) patients with a high risk of resistance to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and developing coronary artery lesions (CAL).MethodsWe enrolled 287 patients in acute phase of KD at a single center. The demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected retrospectively.ResultsThere were 34 patients in the IVIG resistant group. The IVIG resistant group had significantly higher serum N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic protein (NT-proBNP) levels (P<0.01) and polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) percentage (P<0.01) in comparison to the IVIG responders. The results yielded sensitivity (78.8%, 60.6%), specificity (58.2%, 90%) and cutoff value (628.6 pg/mL, 80.3%) of NT-proBNP and PMN respectively, in predicting IVIG resistance. Despite IVIG administration, 13 of the 287 patients developed CAL. The patients in the CAL group had higher NT-proBNP levels (P<0.01) and higher PMN percentage (P<0.01). In these patients, the results yielded sensitivity (73.3%, 56.7%), specificity (67.9%, 88.9%) and cutoff value (853.4 pg/mL, 80.3%) of NT-proBNP and PMN respectively, for predicting CAL. The area under the curve (AUC) for predicting resistance to IVIG was NT-proBNP 0.712, PMN 0.802. The AUC for predicting CAL was NT-proBNP 0.739, and PMN 0.773.ConclusionSerum NT-proBNP levels and PMN percentage were significantly elevated in patients with KD with IVIG resistance and CAL. Thus, they may be useful predicting markers for IVIG resistance and development of CAL in KD patients

Vertical ridge augmentation feasibility using unfixed collagen membranes and particulate bone substitutes: A 1- to 7-year retrospective single-cohort observational study

AIM To determine whether vertical ridge augmentation (VRA) can be obtained through guided bone regeneration (GBR) using exclusively resorbable collagen membranes and particulate bone substitutes without additional stabilization. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study retrospectively examined 22 participants who underwent VRA with staged or simultaneous implant placement. The vertical defects of all participants were filled with particulate bone substitutes and covered with resorbable collagen membranes. The augmented sites were stabilized with unfixed collagen membranes and the flap without any additional fixation. The augmented tissue height was assessed using cone-beam computed tomography at baseline, immediately after surgery, and at annual follow-ups. RESULTS The vertical bone gain of the 22 augmented sites amounted to 6.48 ± 2.19 mm (mean ± SD) immediately after surgery and 5.78 ± 1.72 mm at 1- to 7-year follow-up. Of the 22 augmented sites, 18 exhibited changes of less than 1 mm, while the other 4 showed changes of greater than 1 mm. Histological observation of three representative cases revealed new bone apposition on the remaining material. CONCLUSION The present findings indicate that GBR procedures using exclusively collagen membranes and particulate biomaterials without any additional fixation are feasible options for VRA

Characterization of Hydrogen-Storage Properties and Physical Properties of Zinc Borohydride and Transition Metals-Added Magnesium Hydride

In this work, 90 wt.% MgH2 + 5 wt.% Ni + 1.7 wt.% Zn(BH4)2 + 1.7 wt.% Ti + 1.7 wt.% Fe samples (named 90MgH2 + 5Ni + 1.7Zn(BH4)2 + 1.7Ti + 1.7Fe) were prepared by milling in a planetary ball mill in a hydrogen atmosphere. The fraction of additives was small (10 wt.%) in order to increase hydriding and dehydriding rates without decreasing the hydrogen storage capacity much. The hydrogen absorption and release properties of the prepared samples were investigated. 90MgH2 + 5Ni + 1.7Zn(BH4)2 + 1.7Ti + 1.7Fe had an effective hydrogen storage capacity of 5 wt.%. The activation of 90MgH2 + 5Ni + 1.7Zn(BH4)2 + 1.7Ti + 1.7Fe was completed after 2 hydriding-dehydriding cycles. At n = 3, the sample absorbed 4.14 wt.% H for 5 min and 5.00 wt.% H for 60 min at 593 K under 12 bar H2. The sample dehydrided at the 3rd hydriding-dehydriding cycle contained Mg and small amounts of β-MgH2, MgO, Mg2Ni, TiH1.924, and Fe. The BET specific surface areas of the sample after milling in a hydrogen atmosphere and after 3 hydriding-dehydriding cycles were 57.9 and 53.2 m2/g, respectively.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.23.1.14878</p

Nexus between directionality of THz waves and structural parameters in groove-patterned InAs

We have performed terahertz (THz)-time domain spectroscopy in various geometries, for characterizing the directivity of THz waves emitted from groove-patterned InAs structures. First, we have distinguished the THz emission mechanisms as a function of epilayer thickness. The carrier drift was predominant in thin sample group (10-70 nm) which the electronic diffusion motion was overriding the oppositely aligned drifting dipoles in thick sample group (370-900 nm) as revealed via amplitude and phase variations. By combined use of the electron-beam lithography and the inductively coupled plasma etching in 1 {\mu}m-thick InAs epilayers, we have further fabricated either asymmetric V-groove patterns or symmetric parabolic patterns. The THz amplitude was enhanced, particularly along line-of-sight transmissive direction when the groove patterns act as microscale reflective mirrors periodically separated by a scale of diffusion length.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Introduction of managed entry agreements in Korea : problem, policy, and politics

Objectives: This study aimed to understand Managed Entry Agreements (MEAs) in Korea through the framework of three streams of the policy window model and its practical management and impact on pricing and reimbursement scheme. Methods: An extensive literature review based on Kingdon's model was conducted. We also performed descriptive analyses of MEA implementation using data on medicines listed in Korea and compared its MEA scheme with four different countries. Results: As per problem streams, patients with rare disease or cancers have considerable difficulties in affording theire medicines and this has challenged the drug benefit system and raised an issue of patient’s access. Policy streams highlighted that MEAs were introduced as a benefit enhancement plan for four major diseases since January 2014. MEAs have also been strengthened as a bypass mechanism to expand the insurance coverage especially for new premium-priced medicines under Moon Care (Listing all non-listed services). In descriptive analysis of MEAs, a total of 48 medicines were contracted as MEAs from January 2014 to December 2020, accounting for 73.4% of listed medicines for cancer or rare diseases and 97.9% of the cases were finance-based contracts. Meanwhile, outcome-based contracts such as CED accounted for only 2.1%. The application of MEAs differs across countries, resulting in a kappa coefficient of 0.00-0.14(UK 0.03, Italy 0.00, Australia 0.14), indicating a lack of consistency compared to South Korea. Conclusion: MEAs, which were introduced as a bypass mechanism, have now superseded the standard process for anticancer agents or orphan drugs. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of the confidential agreements and effectiveness of new high-priced medicines with limited clinical data at launch

Collagen microarchitecture mechanically controls myofibroblast differentiation.

Altered microarchitecture of collagen type I is a hallmark of wound healing and cancer that is commonly attributed to myofibroblasts. However, it remains unknown which effect collagen microarchitecture has on myofibroblast differentiation. Here, we combined experimental and computational approaches to investigate the hypothesis that the microarchitecture of fibrillar collagen networks mechanically regulates myofibroblast differentiation of adipose stromal cells (ASCs) independent of bulk stiffness. Collagen gels with controlled fiber thickness and pore size were microfabricated by adjusting the gelation temperature while keeping their concentration constant. Rheological characterization and simulation data indicated that networks with thicker fibers and larger pores exhibited increased strain-stiffening relative to networks with thinner fibers and smaller pores. Accordingly, ASCs cultured in scaffolds with thicker fibers were more contractile, expressed myofibroblast markers, and deposited more extended fibronectin fibers. Consistent with elevated myofibroblast differentiation, ASCs in scaffolds with thicker fibers exhibited a more proangiogenic phenotype that promoted endothelial sprouting in a contractility-dependent manner. Our findings suggest that changes of collagen microarchitecture regulate myofibroblast differentiation and fibrosis independent of collagen quantity and bulk stiffness by locally modulating cellular mechanosignaling. These findings have implications for regenerative medicine and anticancer treatments

A Case of More Abundant and Dysplastic Adenomas in the Interposed Colon than in the Native Colon

We report a 60-year-old woman with intramucosal adenocarcinoma arising in the interposed colon, 40 years after the esophageal reconstruction for lye induced esophageal stricture. Although synchronous adenomas were also found in the native colon where the graft was taken, the number of adenomas was greater in the interposed colon and more dysplastic, even progressed to adenocarcinoma, than that of the native colon. The microsatellite instability-testing performed in the intramucosal carcinoma from interposed colon showed absence of microsatellite instability. Changing of location and functional deman]d of colonic segment, and the exposure to different intraluminal contents might have facilitated the adenomacarcinoma transformation in the interposed colon