Micronutrient Deficiency Independently Predicts Time to Event in Patients with Heart Failure

Background—Dietary micronutrient deficiencies have been shown to predict event‐free survival in other countries but have not been examined in patients with heart failure living in the United States. The purpose of this study was to determine whether number of dietary micronutrient deficiencies in patients with heart failure was associated with shorter event‐free survival, defined as a combined end point of all‐cause hospitalization and death. Methods and Results—Four‐day food diaries were collected from 246 patients with heart failure (age: 61.5±12 years; 67% male; 73% white; 45% New York Heart Association [NYHA] class III/IV) and analyzed using Nutrition Data Systems for Research. Micronutrient deficiencies were determined according to methods recommended by the Institute of Medicine. Patients were followed for 1 year to collect data on all‐cause hospitalization or death. Patients were divided according to number of dietary micronutrient deficiencies at a cut point of ≥ 7 for the high deficiency category versus \u3c 7 for the no to moderate deficiency category. In the full sample, 29.8% of patients experienced hospitalization or death during the year, including 44.3% in the high‐deficiency group and 25.1% in the no/moderate group. The difference in survival distribution was significant (log rank, P = 0.0065). In a Cox regression, micronutrient deficiency category predicted time to event with depression, NYHA classification, comorbidity burden, body mass index, calorie and sodium intake, and prescribed angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics, or β‐blockers included as covariates. Conclusions—This study provides additional convincing evidence that diet quality of patients with heart failure plays an important role in heart failure outcomes

Correction to: Metagenomic analysis of isolation methods of a targeted microbe, Campylobacter jejuni, from chicken feces with high microbial contamination

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported an error in Fig. 2. The correct figure is shown below

The Impact of Advance Directive Perspectives on the Completion of Life-Sustaining Treatment Decisions in Patients with Heart Failure: A Prospective Study

Evidence for non-modifiable and modifiable factors associated with the utilization of advance directives (ADs) in heart failure (HF) is lacking. The purpose of this study was to examine baseline-to-3-month changes in knowledge, attitudes, and benefits/barriers regarding ADs and their impact on the completion of life-sustaining treatment (LST) decisions at 3-month follow-up among patients with HF. Prospective, descriptive data on AD knowledge, attitudes, and benefits/barriers and LSTs were obtained at baseline and 3-month follow-up after outpatient visits. Of 64 patients (age, 68.6 years; male, 60.9%; New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes I/II, 70.3%), 53.1% at baseline and 43.8% at 3-month follow-up completed LST decisions. Advanced age (odds ratio (OR) = 0.91, p = 0.012) was associated with less likelihood of the completion of LST decisions at 3-month follow-up, while higher education (OR = 1.19, p = 0.025) and NYHA class III/IV (OR = 4.81, p = 0.049) were associated with more likelihood. In conclusion, advanced age predicted less likelihood of LST decisions at 3 months, while higher education and more functional impairment predicted more likelihood. These results imply that early AD discussion seems feasible in mild symptomatic HF patients with poor knowledge about ADs, considering the non-modifiable and modifiable factors

The rate of frequent co-existence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes in Escherichia coli isolates from retail raw chicken in South Korea

© 2022, The Korean Society of Food Science and Technology.Since plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance facilitates the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the increasing prevalence of Escherichia coli harboring plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes is a public health concern. The objective of this study is to investigate the co-existence of PMQR and ESBL genes in E. coli isolates from retail raw chicken in South Korea. Among 67 ESBL-producing E. coli isolates from 40 retail raw chicken, more than half of them carried PMQR genes, including qnrS, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, and oqxAB. The qnrS was predominantly (91.4%) detected in E. coli isolates carrying both PMQR and ESBL. The aac(6′)-Ib-cr was detected in seven ESBL-producing E. coli strains, and 85.7% of the aac(6′)-Ib-cr-positive strains also carried qnrS. Moreover, the strains co-harboring qnrS and aac(6′)-Ib-cr exhibited increased resistance to ciprofloxacin and kanamycin. These results demonstrate that PMQR genes are frequently detected in ESBL-producing E. coli isolates from retail raw chicken in South Korea.N

Comparisons of Cardiometabolic Biomarkers, Lifestyle Behaviors, and Dietary Sodium and Potassium Intake in a Representative Sample of Korean Adults with and without Cardio-cerebrovascular Diseases

Summary: Purpose: To compare the cardiometabolic condition of obesity, blood pressure (BP), cholesterol, dietary sodium and potassium intake, and lifestyle behaviors of persons with cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, with those who are disease-free in Korea. Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted using a representative sample of Korean adults. Results: Of 10,906 Korean adults (mean age 43.12 ± 0.24 years, women 50.4%), 9,074 were disease-free and 1,520 had hypertension, 137 stroke, and 175 ischemic heart disease. Compared with the disease-free group, obesity, BP, and total cholesterol were higher for the hypertensives. 25.5% of ischemic heart disease group were still smoking; 14.9% of hypertensives were heavy alcohol drinkers. Physical activity was lower in cardio-cerebrovascular diseases than disease-free group. No significant association was found between Na/K ratio adequacy and types of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. Conclusion: The cardiometabolic condition varied, with hypertensives having a higher prevalence for obesity, high BP, and cholesterol; poorer adherence to the behavioral recommendations was also noted in cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. Such variations in cardiovascular risks would provide implications for addressing vulnerability across groups. Keywords: cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular disease, health behavior, potassium, sodiu

Exploring Advance Directive Perspectives and Associations with Preferences for End-of-Life Life-Sustaining Treatments among Patients with Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators

Deactivation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a critical issue in the advance care planning (ACP) of ICD recipients; however, related perspectives have rarely been explored. Thus, this study aimed to provide an initial investigation of ICD recipients’ perceived susceptibility and barriers/benefits regarding ACP and/or advance directives (ADs), and associations of these modifiable factors with preferences for end-of-life life-sustaining treatments (LSTs) (cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), ventilator support, hemodialysis, and hospice care). Using a descriptive correlational design, 48 ICD recipients (age, 50.1 years; male, 85.4%) completed survey questionnaires. “No burden on family” was the most highly valued (59.1%), followed by “comfortable death” (20.4%), and both (11.4%). LST preference was 43.8% for ventilator support, 45.8% for both hemodialysis and hospice care, and 54.2% for CPR. Perceived susceptibility to having unexpected end-of-life experiences increased the likelihood of preference for aggressive LSTs, with preferences increasing by 15% for CPR, 17% for ventilator support, and 23% for hemodialysis. A non-modifiable factor, older age, was the only predictor of increased preference for hospice care (odds ratio = 1.09, p = 0.016). Among the modifiable factors, a higher perceived susceptibility increased the likelihood of aggressive LST preferences. The findings imply that to facilitate informed decisions for LSTs, early ACP discussion could be helpful and enhance these modifiable factors

Using a wireless touch screen tablet personal computer is feasible to assess the quality of Breast Cancer Survivorship

Background: Evidence supporting a tablet personal computer (PC)-based mode for a systemic approach to managing the breast cancer survival is limited. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether a tablet personal computer (PC) survey is feasible for screening the risks of the recurrence of breast cancer and the survivor issues associated with breast cancer treatment. Materials and methods: A descriptive study design was used. A pilot test of the tablet PC survey for its feasibility was undertaken using 40 breast cancer survivors at a university affiliated cancer management-survivorship clinic. The tablet PC survey was evaluated by structured questionnaires designed to assess patient experiences responding to the tablet PC-based surveys and user friendliness of the device itself. Results: Older patients and those with a lower education were more likely to have difficulty with the tablet PC administration and required assistance. Both physicians and nurses reported that the tablet PC survey was a useful tool that assisted healthcare professionals with providing quality of care. Conclusion: This pilot test supported the feasibility of a tablet PC survey as a vehicle for breast cancer survivorship management. Keywords: Breast cancer, Survivorship, Tablet, Surve

Factors Affecting Turnover Intention among New Graduate Nurses: Focusing on Job Stress and Sleep Disturbance

Despite the high prevalence of nurses’ turnover and the turnover intention of new nurses, there are insufficient studies examining turnover intention at the time when job orientation is completed and independent nursing commences. Thus, this study examined turnover intention levels and identified the factors affecting turnover intention of new Generation Z nurses, focusing on job stress and sleep disturbance, at the eighth week after completing job orientation. This was a cross-sectional descriptive correlational study. Using a convenient sampling method, 133 new nurses were recruited. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire consisting of demographic and occupational characteristics, job stress, sleep disturbance, and turnover intention. Descriptive statistics were computed to describe the sample and interest variables. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association of job stress and sleep disturbance with turnover intention. Most nurses were women (91.7%) and approximately two-thirds worked in the surgical ward (n = 61, 45.9%). Turnover intention was 12.8%, average job stress was 40.11 ± 90.7, and average sleep disturbance was 42.39 ± 15.27. New graduate nurses’ turnover intention was associated with job stress (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.02–1.12) and sleep disturbance (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.05–1.35), and this model explained 47.7% of the variance. Study findings determine that job stress and sleep disturbance were significant predictors of turnover intention in new nurses at the eighth week after joining the hospital. Therefore, nursing administrators should focus on new nurses’ job stress and sleep disturbance, and provide them with timely assessment and management to reduce turnover intention