Smartphone usage and overdependence risk among middle-aged and older adults: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have predominantly focused on smartphone overdependence among adolescents and young adults. However, as smartphone usage has recently surged among South Korean middle-aged and older adults, the risk of smartphone overdependence cannot be overlooked among this population. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the smartphone usage pattern and the associated risk of overdependence in this specific age group. METHODS: The data for individuals who aged 50 or older were extracted from the dataset of a nationwide survey, "The Survey on Smartphone Overdependence, 2021," and the usage of each type of smartphone content and risk of smartphone overdependence among individuals in their 50 s and 60 s were investigated. Age-group-based differences in demographic characteristics, Smartphone Overdependence Scale scores, self-awareness of smartphone overdependence, digital literacy, and psychosocial factors were analyzed. Additionally, a multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the factors associated with the potential-to-high risk of smartphone overdependence in both age groups. RESULTS: Individuals in their 50s had significantly higher digital literacy, social relations, life satisfaction, and smartphone overdependence scores than those in their 60s, and the percentage of individuals in the high-risk group was also higher in the 50s age group. For both age groups, the most used content was "messenger," "news," and "movies/TV/videos," whereas the least used content was e-learning, gambling, and adult content. The multivariable analysis indicated that, for individuals in their 50s, having a lower educational level was associated with significantly higher odds, whereas having a job and utilizing e-commerce-related contents on smartphone were associated with significantly lower odds of potential-to-high risk for smartphone overdependence. Concerning individuals in their 60s, having a lower educational level and using adult content or gambling were significantly associated with higher odds of potential-to-high risk for smartphone overdependence. CONCLUSION: This study reveals the risk of smartphone overdependence among middle-aged and older adults in South Korea as well as the associated risk factors. This will assist policymakers in developing policies for the appropriate use of smartphones by these age groups.

Harnessing the Power of IL-7 to Boost T Cell Immunity in Experimental and Clinical Immunotherapies.

The cytokine IL-7 plays critical and nonredundant roles in T cell immunity so that the abundance and availability of IL-7 act as key regulatory mechanisms in T cell immunity. Importantly, IL-7 is not produced by T cells themselves but primarily by non-lymphoid lineage stromal cells and epithelial cells that are limited in their numbers. Thus, T cells depend on cell extrinsic IL-7, and the amount of in vivo IL-7 is considered a major factor in maximizing and maintaining the number of T cells in peripheral tissues. Moreover, IL-7 provides metabolic cues and promotes the survival of both naïve and memory T cells. Thus, IL-7 is also essential for the functional fitness of T cells. In this regard, there has been an extensive effort trying to increase the protein abundance of IL-7 in vivo, with the aim to augment T cell immunity and harness T cell functions in anti-tumor responses. Such approaches started under experimental animal models, but they recently culminated into clinical studies, with striking effects in re-establishing T cell immunity in immunocompromised patients, as well as boosting anti-tumor effects. Depending on the design, glycosylation, and the structure of recombinantly engineered IL-7 proteins and their mimetics, recombinant IL-7 molecules have shown dramatic differences in their stability, efficacy, cellular effects, and overall immune functions. The current review is aimed to summarize the past and present efforts in the field that led to clinical trials, and to highlight the therapeutical significance of IL-7 biology as a master regulator of T cell immunity.

Fc-fused IL-7 provides broad antiviral effects against respiratory virus infections through IL-17A-producing pulmonary innate-like T cells.

Repeated pandemics caused by the influenza virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) have resulted in serious problems in global public health, emphasizing the need for broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics against respiratory virus infections. Here, we show the protective effects of long-acting recombinant human interleukin-7 fused with hybrid Fc (rhIL-7-hyFc) against major respiratory viruses, including influenza virus, SARS-CoV-2, and respiratory syncytial virus. Administration of rhIL-7-hyFc in a therapeutic or prophylactic regimen induces substantial antiviral effects. During an influenza A virus (IAV) infection, rhIL-7-hyFc treatment increases pulmonary T cells composed of blood-derived interferon γ (IFNγ)+ conventional T cells and locally expanded IL-17A+ innate-like T cells. Single-cell RNA transcriptomics reveals that rhIL-7-hyFc upregulates antiviral genes in pulmonary T cells and induces clonal expansion of type 17 innate-like T cells. rhIL-7-hyFc-mediated disease prevention is dependent on IL-17A in both IAV- and SARS-CoV-2-infected mice. Collectively, we suggest that rhIL-7-hyFc can be used as a broadly active therapeutic for future respiratory virus pandemic.