Prescription Patterns of Asthma Preventers Among Children and Adolescents Between Australia and South Korea.

Purpose: Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICSs) and oral Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists (LTRAs) are commonly prescribed asthma preventers, however, concerns have been raised as to whether montelukast (LTRA) is associated with an increase in occurrences of neuropsychiatric side effects in children. Our study was conducted to observe prescribing patterns of asthma preventers among paediatric patients specifically focusing on ICSs and LTRAs between Australia and South Korea to see intercountry differences in the use of these medicines. Materials and Methods: The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Paediatric Patients Sample dataset for South Korea and data provided by Services Australia were used in the study. Paediatric patients aged between 3 and 19 with more than one dispensing of an asthma preventer and at least one reliever between 1 Jan 2018 and 31 December 2018 were selected. Prevalence per 1,00,000 persons and standardised prevalence were estimated. Results: A total of 3,58,470 patients (2,04,270 from South Korea and 1,54,200 from Australia) were included in the study. A higher prevalence of ICS-based inhalers was seen in Australia with 80.1% compared to 13.5% in South Korea. In addition, Australia showed a stronger tendency of prescribing high dose ICS-based inhalers compared to South Korea with 22.9% vs. 4.9%. In contrast, use of LTRAs was more prevalent in South Korea with 57.6% while in Australia, montelukast was the only LTRA dispensed at a proportion of 18.9%. Moreover, 29.9% of xanthines which are orally available preventers, were prescribed more frequently in South Korea compared to Australia (0.1%). Conclusion: Australia showed a tendency of prescribing ICS-based preventers whereas South Korea exhibited a preference towards the oral LTRAs. Given the potential risk of neuropsychiatric side effects among paediatric patients with montelukast, reasons for the high use of montelukast in South Korea should be investigated further.

The Influence of Physical Distancing, Sense of Belonging, and Resilience of Nursing Students on Their Viral Anxiety During the COVID-19 Era.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore how nursing students' adherence to physical distancing, sense of belonging, or resilience may be associated with viral anxiety during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) era in South Korea. METHODS: We conducted an online survey among nursing students from December 8-10, 2021. The survey gathered participants' age, sex, grades, living area, and responses to questions on COVID-19. In addition, responses to Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-6 items (SAVE-6), adherence to physical distancing, Sense of Belonging Instrument, Calling and Vocation Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items (PHQ-9), and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-2 (CD-RISC2) items were gathered. RESULTS: The SAVE-6 score was significantly correlated with adherence to physical distancing (r=0.29), PHQ-9 (r=0.26), and CD-RISC2 (r=-0.34, all p<0.01) similar to partial correlation analysis adjusting participants' group (freshmen and sophomores vs. juniors and seniors). A linear regression analysis revealed that viral anxiety of nursing students was predicted by sex (female, ß=0.20, p=0.001), adherence to physical distancing (ß=0.25, p<0.001), sense of belonging (ß=0.16, p=0.014), and CD-RISC2 score (ß=-0.32, p<0.001) (adjusted R2=0.24, F=10.01, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: We observed that adherence to physical distancing, sense of belonging, and their resilience influenced nursing student's viral anxiety. An appropriate support system to manage viral anxiety is needed for nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Factors influencing intention to intervene in elder abuse among nursing students.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the intention to intervene in elder abuse among nursing students. METHODS: A descriptive survey design was used, and questionnaires were completed by 182 nursing students. Statistical analysis was performed on the data collected, using SPSS 25.0, χ 2-test, t-test, correlation, and regression analysis to confirm predictors of intention to intervene in elder abuse. RESULTS: Awareness of abuse, legal and institutional knowledge, and attitude were positively correlated with the intention to intervene in elder abuse. Factors influencing the intention to intervene by nursing students were education courses about elder abuse, awareness of elder abuse, legal and institutional knowledge, and attitude. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that it is necessary to provide educational protocols for nursing students to improve their awareness and knowledge of elder abuse. Based on the findings of this study, there is a need for specific education programs and guidelines to increase the assessment of, and intervention in, elder abuse.

Effects of olfactory stimulation on cognitive function and behavior problems in older adults with dementia: A systematic literature review.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of olfactory stimulation on both cognitive and behavioral symptoms in neurodegenerative diseases. The criteria for selection of participants in the study included neurodegenerative disease, interventions using olfactory stimulation, and measured cognitive or psychological symptoms. 5301 articles were identified, excluding duplicate papers. Seven original articles were selected according to the full article review and eligibility criteria. The final selected studies were all quasi-experimental studies and were published between 2002 and 2015. To assess the risk of bias, we used Cochrane Collaboration's tool, Non-randomized Studies-of Interventions (ROBINS-I). Although olfactory stimulation reported various effects on behavioral and psychological symptoms, it is still in its infancy. We propose standardization of olfactory stimulation and olfactory training. In patients with neurodegenerative diseases, it is necessary to consider the symptoms and severity of olfactory stimulation.

Analytical Performance Evaluation of Automated Coagulation Analyzer CP3000 for Routine and Special Coagulation Assays.

CP3000 coagulation analyzer is a high-throughput, fully automated coagulation analyzer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the analytical performance of CP3000 coagulation system for general and special coagulation analyses. Quality control materials and patient samples were used to evaluate the analytical performance of CP3000 coagulation system. Precision, carryover, linearity, comparability with ACL-TOP 700 coagulation system, and verification of reference range were evaluated or performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Within-run and between-run precisions were below 5% for both normal and abnormal ranges. There was no detectable carryover. The linearity of antithrombin and fibrinogen were excellent. The comparability between CP3000 and ACL-TOP 700 coagulation systems was acceptable except for activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time due to differences in reagent composition. Reference ranges proposed by the manufacturer were verified to be acceptable. CP3000 coagulation system is a reliable system that can be used to perform routine and special coagulation tests rapidly and accurately. Because of its small footprint as an additional advantage, the implementation of CP3000 coagulation system can be efficient in hospital laboratories of various sizes.

Incidence, etiology, and outcomes of rhabdomyolysis in a single tertiary referral center.

We have encountered numerous cases of rhabdomyolysis associated with acute pesticide intoxication; however, the cause, incidence, and treatment outcomes of rhabdomyolysis have not been studied. The current study involved 2,125 patients hospitalized with acute chemical poisoning. Based on clinical and laboratory parameters and treatment outcomes, we found that overall incidence of rhabdomyolysis in our hospital was 0.06% (93 of 143,830 patients admitted), but the incidence associated with acute pesticide intoxication was 1.8% (33 of 1,793 cases). The incidence of rhabdomyolysis after pesticide intoxication was significantly higher in men than in women (P = 0.010). The amount of pesticide ingested was significantly higher in rhabdomyolysis patients than that in those who did not develop rhabdomyolysis (mean ± SD, 114.1 ± 79.5 mL vs 74.1 ± 94.2 mL, P = 0.010). Our results show that pesticide intoxication is a frequent cause of rhabdomyolysis and is more common among men than women. The volume of pesticide ingested, and not the degree of human toxicity, is the main factor influencing the incidence of rhabdomyolysis.