Enhancing Cytoplasmic Expression of Exogenous mRNA through Dynamic Mechanical Stimulation.

Ionizable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have been pivotal in combating COVID-19, and numerous preclinical and clinical studies have highlighted their potential in nucleic acid-based therapies and vaccines. However, the effectiveness of endosomal escape for the nucleic acid cargos encapsulated in LNPs is still low, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes and side effects. Hence, improving endosomal escape is crucial for enhancing the efficacy of nucleic acid delivery using LNPs. Here, a mechanical oscillation (frequency: 65 Hz) is utilized to prompt the LNP-mediated endosomal escape. The results reveal this mechanical oscillation can induce the combination and fusion between LNPs with opposite surface charges, enhance endosomal escape of mRNA by 14%, and increase the transfection efficiency of mRNA up to 1.67 times in the current study. Additionally, cell viability remains high at 99.3% after treatment with oscillation, which is comparable to that of untreated cells. Furthermore, there is no obvious damage to other membranous organelles. Thus, this work presents a user-friendly and safe approach to enhancing endosomal escape of mRNA and boosting gene expression. As a result, our work can be potentially utilized in both research and clinical fields to facilitate LNP-based delivery by enabling more effective release of LNP-encapsulated cargos from endosomes.

Variation in Adult Cognition Across Domains and Life Course Place Effects in the UK.

This study explores the role that place of birth and place of residence have in variation in cognition in adulthood in the UK. We take advantage of both the large sample size and number of cognitive domains in the UK Biobank to estimate the effect of place of birth and place of residence on adulthood cognition using multilevel modeling. We find, consistent with studies in the US, that place effects at both time points contribute modest variation (<3% of the variation) across all measured cognitive domains, suggesting a relative lack of contribution of shared environments in explaining future Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias. Moreover, the geographical contribution to cognitive function in adulthood was slightly larger for females than for males. This study is among the first to explore the impact of both the independent and joint associations of place of birth and place of residence with different cognitive domains.

An all-atom protein generative model.

Proteins mediate their functions through chemical interactions; modeling these interactions, which are typically through sidechains, is an important need in protein design. However, constructing an all-atom generative model requires an appropriate scheme for managing the jointly continuous and discrete nature of proteins encoded in the structure and sequence. We describe an all-atom diffusion model of protein structure, Protpardelle, which represents all sidechain states at once as a "superposition" state; superpositions defining a protein are collapsed into individual residue types and conformations during sample generation. When combined with sequence design methods, our model is able to codesign all-atom protein structure and sequence. Generated proteins are of good quality under the typical quality, diversity, and novelty metrics, and sidechains reproduce the chemical features and behavior of natural proteins. Finally, we explore the potential of our model to conduct all-atom protein design and scaffold functional motifs in a backbone- and rotamer-free way.

Greater Risk of Periprosthetic Joint Infection Associated with Prolonged Operative Time in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: Meta-Analysis of 427,361 Patients.

Background/Objectives: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a severe complication in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with catastrophic outcomes. The relationship between prolonged operative times and PJI remains debated. This meta-analysis investigated the link between prolonged operative times and the risk of PJI in primary TKA. Methods: A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases was conducted to identify studies comparing the incidence of PJI in TKAs with prolonged versus short operative times, as well as those comparing operative times in TKAs with and without PJI. Pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) in operative times between groups with and without PJI or surgical site infections (SSI), including superficial SSIs and PJIs, were analyzed. Additionally, the pooled odds ratios (OR) for PJI in TKAs with operative times exceeding 90 or 120 min were examined. Results: Seventeen studies involving 427,361 patients were included. Significant differences in pooled mean operative times between the infected and non-infected TKA groups were observed (PJI, pooled SMD = 0.38, p < 0.01; SSI, pooled SMD = 0.72, p < 0.01). A higher risk of PJI was noted in surgeries lasting over 90 or 120 min compared to those of shorter duration (90 min, pooled OR = 1.50, p < 0.01; 120 min, pooled OR = 1.56, p < 0.01). Conclusions: An association between prolonged operative time and increased risk of PJI in primary TKA has been established. Strategies for infection prevention should encompass thorough preoperative planning aimed at minimizing factors that contribute to prolonged operative times.

Polygenic and socioeconomic contributions to nicotine use and cardiometabolic health in early mid-life.

INTRODUCTION: Early mid-life is marked by accumulating risks for cardiometabolic illness linked to health-risk behaviors like nicotine use. Identifying polygenic indices (PGI) has enriched scientific understanding of the cumulative genetic contributions to behavioral and cardiometabolic health, though few studies have assessed these associations alongside socioeconomic (SES) and lifestyle factors. METHODS: Drawing on data from 2,337 individuals from the United States participating in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, the current study assesses the fraction of variance in five related outcomes - use of conventional and electronic cigarettes, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c) - explained by PGI, SES, and lifestyle. RESULTS: Regression models on African ancestry (AA) and European ancestry (EA) subsamples reveal that the fraction of variance explained by PGI ranges across outcomes. While adjusting for sex and age, PGI explained 3.5%, 2.2%, and 0% in the AA subsample of variability in BMI, waist circumference, and A1c, respectively (in the EA subsample these figures were 7.7%, 9.4%, and 1.3%). The proportion of variance explained by PGI in nicotine-use outcomes is also variable. Results further indicate that PGI and SES are generally complementary, accounting for more variance in the outcomes when modeled together versus separately. CONCLUSIONS: PGI are gaining attention in population health surveillance, but polygenic variability might not align clearly with health differences in populations or surpass SES as a fundamental cause of health disparities. We discuss future steps in integrating PGI and SES to refine population health prediction rules. IMPLICATIONS: Study findings point to the complementary relationship of polygenic indices (PGI) and socioeconomic indicators in explaining population variance in nicotine outcomes and cardiometabolic wellness. Population health surveillance and prediction rules would benefit from the combination of information from both polygenic and socioeconomic risks. Additionally, the risk for electronic cigarette use among users of conventional cigarettes may have a genetic component tied to the cumulative genetic propensity for heavy smoking. Further research on PGI for vaping is needed.

Separating the Effects of Transitions Into and Out of Social Isolation and Loneliness on Cognitive Function in Later Life.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the effects of social isolation and loneliness on cognitive function, distinguishing between the effects of transitioning into and out of these states. METHODS: This study analyzed data from 6,663 adults aged 65 or older collected over the course of 7 waves (12 years) of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging from 2006 to 2018. A novel asymmetric fixed effects model was utilized to separately estimate the effects of transitions into and out of social isolation or loneliness. RESULTS: The association of transitions into social isolation due to a lack of informal social contact or loneliness with cognitive function (b = -1.387, p < .001 and b = -0.601, p < .001, respectively) was stronger than the association of transitions out of these states (b = 0.345, p < .05 and b = 0.353, p < .001, respectively). The magnitude of the negative and positive coefficients was statistically different (F-statistic = 45.29, p < .001 and F-statistic = 5.12, p < .05, respectively). In contrast, no such asymmetric effects were observed for social isolation due to a lack of formal activity (F-statistic = 0.06, p = .800). DISCUSSION: The detrimental effects of transitioning into social isolation due to a lack of informal social contact (but not formal activity) or loneliness on cognitive function outweigh the beneficial effects of transitioning out of these states. Preventing the onset of social disconnection should be prioritized as an intervention to improve the cognitive function of older adults.

Patient-Derived Organoids Recapitulate Pathological Intrinsic and Phenotypic Features of Fibrous Dysplasia.

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a rare bone disorder characterized by the replacement of normal bone with benign fibro-osseous tissue. Developments in our understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment options are impeded by the lack of suitable research models. In this study, we developed an in vitro organotypic model capable of recapitulating key intrinsic and phenotypic properties of FD. Initially, transcriptomic profiling of individual cells isolated from patient lesional tissues unveiled intralesional molecular and cellular heterogeneity. Leveraging these insights, we established patient-derived organoids (PDOs) using primary cells obtained from patient FD lesions. Evaluation of PDOs demonstrated preservation of fibrosis-associated constituent cell types and transcriptional signatures observed in FD lesions. Additionally, PDOs retained distinct constellations of genomic and metabolic alterations characteristic of FD. Histological evaluation further corroborated the fidelity of PDOs in recapitulating important phenotypic features of FD that underscore their pathophysiological relevance. Our findings represent meaningful progress in the field, as they open up the possibility for in vitro modeling of rare bone lesions in a three-dimensional context and may signify the first step towards creating a personalized platform for research and therapeutic studies.

Postoperative Long-Term Monitoring of Mechanical Characteristics in Reconstructed Soft Tissues Using Biocompatible, Immune-Tolerant, and Wireless Electronic Sutures.

Accurate postoperative assessment of varying mechanical properties is crucial for customizing patient-specific treatments and optimizing rehabilitation strategies following Achilles tendon (AT) rupture and reconstruction surgery. This study introduces a wireless, chip-less, and immune-tolerant in vivo strain-sensing suture designed to continuously monitor mechanical stiffness variations in the reconstructed AT throughout the healing process. This innovative sensing suture integrates a standard medical suturing thread with a wireless fiber strain-sensing system, which incorporates a fiber strain sensor and a double-layered inductive coil for wireless readout. The winding design of Au nanoparticle-based fiber electrodes and a hollow core contribute to the fiber strain sensor's high sensitivity (factor of 6.2 and 15.1 pF for revised sensitivity), negligible hysteresis, and durability over 10,000 stretching cycles. To ensure biocompatibility and immune tolerance during extended in vivo periods, an antibiofouling lubricant layer was applied to the sensing suture. Using this sensing system, we successfully monitored the strain responses of the reconstructed AT in an in vivo porcine model. This facilitated the postoperative assessment of mechanical stiffness variations through a well-established analytical model during the healing period.

Estimating anticipatory, immediate, and delayed effects of disability registration on depressive symptoms.

PURPOSE: This study examines (a) whether disability registration has anticipatory, immediate, and delayed effects on depressive symptoms and (b) how these effects differ by gender. RESEARCH METHOD/DESIGN: Using data from the Korea Welfare Panel Study spanning over 16 waves between 2005 and 2020, this study employed the individual-level fixed effects models to estimate the trajectories of depressive symptoms before and after the registration of physical disability, for a cohort of 20,054 individuals. Furthermore, gender-stratified fixed effects models were used to examine gender differences. RESULTS: Compared to the preregistration reference period (i.e., 4 or more years before disability registration), there was a sustained rise in depressive symptoms leading up to the year of registration, indicating the presence of anticipatory effects. After disability registration, depressive symptoms consistently remained at a statistically higher level than during the initial reference period, with a gradual return to the baseline level of depressive symptoms over time. These anticipatory, immediate, and delayed effects of disability registration were notably more pronounced among men than women. CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS: To develop more effective mental health interventions for people with disability, policymakers should consider gendered trajectories of depressive symptoms before and after disability registration. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Feasibility study of Aesculus turbinata fruit shell-derived biochar for ammonia removal in wastewater and its subsequent use as nitrogen fertilizer.

In the face of increasing nitrogen demand for crop cultivation driven by population growth, this study presents a sustainable solution to address both the heightened demand and the energy-intensive process of nitrogen removal from wastewater. Our approach involves the removal of nitrogen from wastewater and its subsequent return to the soil as a fertilizer. Using biochar derived from Aesculus turbinata fruit shells (ATFS), a by-product of post-medical use, we investigated the effect of pyrolysis temperature on the NH4-N adsorption capacity of ATFS biochar (ATFS-BC). Notably, the ATFS-BC pyrolyzed at 300 °C (ATFS-BC300) exhibited the highest NH4-N adsorption capacity of 15.61 mg/g. The superior performance of ATFS-BC300 was attributed to its higher number of oxygen functional groups and more negatively charged surface, which contributed to the enhanced NH4-N adsorption. The removal of NH4-N by ATFS-BC300 involved both physical diffusion and chemisorption, with NH4-N forming a robust multilayer adsorption on the biochar. Alkaline conditions favored NH4-N adsorption by ATFS-BC300; however, the presence of trivalent and divalent ions hindered this process. Rice plants were cultivated to assess the potential of NH4-N adsorbed ATFS-BC300 (NH4-ATFS-BC300) as a nitrogen fertilizer. Remarkably, medium doses of NH4-ATFS-BC300 (594.5 kg/ha) exhibited key agronomic traits similar to those of the commercial nitrogen fertilizer in rice seedlings. Furthermore, high doses of NH4-ATFS-BC300 demonstrated superior agronomic traits compared to the commercial fertilizer. This study establishes the viability of utilizing ATFS-BC300 as a dual-purpose solution for wastewater treatment and nitrogen fertilizer supply, presenting a promising avenue for addressing environmental challenges.

From classroom to life: Gender differences in the persistent effect of learning disabilities on adult depressive symptoms.

Despite the well-established link between adolescent learning disabilities (LD) and mental health, little is known about its long-term consequences. This study examines the relationship between adolescent LD and adult depressive symptoms, with a focus on gender differences and underlying mechanisms. Using a sibling sample from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 3,414), this study estimated sibling fixed effects models to account for unobserved family-level characteristics such as genes and early childhood family and social context. Sobel mediation analyses were conducted to examine social-psychological mechanisms, including the student-teacher relationship, the student-student relationship, and a sense of school belonging. LD in adolescence was positively associated with depressive symptoms in adulthood (b = 0.823, p < 0.05). This association remained robust when controlling for unobserved family-level confounders as well as educational attainment in adulthood. Gender-stratified models showed that only the association for women is statistically significant (b = 1.935, p < 0.05), and its magnitude is nearly three times that of the association for men. Sobel mediation tests indicate that a decline in a sense of school belonging mediates approximately 17% of the association between adolescent LD and adult depressive symptoms. This study's findings suggest that LD in adolescence is associated with an increase in depressive symptoms in adulthood, particularly in women, and a low sense of school belonging may be a potential mediator. Implementing interventions to improve the school integration of girls with LD could be an effective means of improving their long-term mental health.

Diagnostic Approaches to Investigate JAK2-Unmutated Erythrocytosis Based on a Single Tertiary Center Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Erythrocytosis is attributed to various clinical and molecular factors. Many cases of JAK2-unmutated erythrocytosis remain undiagnosed. We investigated the characteristics and causes of JAK2-unmutated erythrocytosis. METHODS: We assessed the clinical and laboratory results of patients with erythrocytosis without JAK2 mutations and performed targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels for somatic and germline mutations. RESULTS: In total, 117 patients with JAK2-unmutated erythrocytosis were included. The median hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were 17.9 g/dL and 53.4%, respectively. Erythropoietin levels were not below the reference range. Thrombotic events were reported in 17 patients (14.5%). Among JAK2-unmutated patients, 44 had undergone targeted panel sequencing consisting of myeloid neoplasm-related genes, and 16 had one or more reportable variants in ASXL1 (5/44), TET2, CALR, FLT3, and SH2B3 (2/44). Additional testing for germline causes revealed eight variants in seven genes in eight patients, including NF1, BPGM, EPAS1, PIEZO1, RHAG, SH2B3, and VHL genes. One NF1 pathogenic, one BPGM likely pathogenic, and six variants of undetermined significance were detected. CONCLUSION: Somatic and germline mutations were identified in 36.4% and 33.3 % of the JAK2-unmutated group; most variants had unknown clinical significance. Not all genetic causes have been identified; comprehensive diagnostic approaches are crucial for identifying the cause of erythrocytosis.

Effect of modification methods on the physical properties and immunomodulatory activity of particulate ß-glucan.

ß-Glucan is an immunoenhancing agent whose biological activities are linked to molecular structure. On that basis, the polysaccharide can be physiochemically modified to produce valuable functional materials. This study investigated the physical properties and immunostimulatory activity of modified ß-glucan. Alkali-treated ß-glucan had a distinct shape and smaller particle size than untreated ß-glucan. The reduced particle size was conducive to the stability of the suspension because the ß-glucan appeared to be completely dissolved by this treatment, forming an amorphous mass. Furthermore, alkali treatment improved the immunostimulating activity of ß-glucan, whereas exposure of macrophages to heat-treated ß-glucan decreased their immune activity. ß-Glucan with reduced particle size by wet-grinding also displayed immunomodulatory activities. These results suggested that the particle size of ß-glucan is a key factor in ß-glucan-induced immune responses of macrophages. Thus, the modification of the ß-glucan particle size provides new opportunities for developing immunoenhancing nutraceuticals or pharmacological therapies in the future.

Disability acceptance and depressive symptoms: the moderating role of social support.

Purpose: This study aims to estimate (a) the relationship between disability acceptance and depressive symptoms, and (b) how the quality and quantity of social support might moderate the link between disability acceptance and depressive symptoms.Materials and methods: The data for this study included information from 5165 individuals with disability who participated in 3 waves of the Disability and Life Dynamic Panel spanning years 2018 to 2020. This study employed fixed effects models to estimate the association between disability acceptance and depressive symptoms. Interaction models were used to assess the moderating effects of both the quantity and quality of social support.Results: A lower acceptance of disability was positively associated with depressive symptoms. Moreover, both the quantity and quality of social support were associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms. Only the quality of social support played a significant role in moderating the relationship between disability acceptance and depressive symptoms.Conclusion: A lower acceptance of disability increases depressive symptoms in individuals with disabilities. This study underscores the need for interventions to focus on enhancing the quality of social support to mitigate the link between disability acceptance and depressive symptoms.

A lower acceptance of disability is positively associated with depressive symptoms among persons with disability.The association between lower disability acceptance and depressive symptoms attenuates as emotional support from family and friends increases.The number of family and friends does not significantly change the relationship between lower disability acceptance and depressive symptoms.The findings highlight the importance of interventions enhancing quality of social support in order to mitigate the association between disability acceptance and psychological health.

Synergistic Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Phenolic Acid-Conjugated Glutamine-Histidine-Glycine-Valine (QHGV) Peptides Derived from Oysters (Crassostrea talienwhanensis).

The glutamine-histidine-glycine-valine (QHGV), a peptide derived from oysters, exhibits antioxidant activity and is being actively researched as a potential pharmaceutical and functional cosmetic ingredient. In this study, we synthesized the QHGV peptide and explored the hitherto unknown anti-inflammatory effects of QHGV. The antioxidant property was also characterized by conjugating with various naturally derived phenolic acids, such as caffeic, gallic, ferulic, sinapinic, and vanillic acids. Conjugation with phenolic acids not only enhanced the antioxidant activity of QHGV but also diminished the lipopolysaccharide-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. The reduction in the levels of reactive oxygen species led to the reduced mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNos) and cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2), resulting in an anti-inflammatory effect through the inhibition of the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase, including extracellular signal-activated protein kinase, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, and p38. Furthermore, the phenolic acid-conjugated peptides increased the mRNA and protein levels of collagen type I, indicative of a wrinkle-improvement effect. The phenolic acid conjugates of the peptide were not cytotoxic to human keratinocytes such as HaCaT cells. These results suggest that phenolic acid conjugation can enhance the potential of peptides as drug and cosmetic resources.

A dataset for multi-faceted analysis of electric vehicle charging transactions.

This study discloses a dataset of electric vehicles' (EVs') charging transactions at a scale for multi-faceted analysis from both EV charger and user perspectives. The data comprises whole sessions that occurred during a charging operation company's annual commercial operation period, specifically including identifiers and charger location categories. For data acquisition, machine-to-machine wireless communication system with proper retransmission for interruption is utilised. The entire dataset is newly collected and is available with 72,856 sessions from 2,337 EV users and 2,119 chargers. The dataset can be used in a variety of ways for the functioning of power systems and markets, including EV charging service businesses, charger installation siting, demand transaction market design, and long-term investment planning of EV-related infrastructure.

High Performance Proprioceptive Fiber Actuators Based on Ag Nanoparticles-Incorporated Hybrid Twisted and Coiled System.

Thermally driven fiber actuators are emerging as promising tools for a range of robotic applications, encompassing soft and wearable robots, muscle function restoration, assistive systems, and physical augmentation. Yet, to realize their full potential in practical applications, several challenges, such as a high operational temperature, incorporation of intrinsic self-sensing capabilities for closed-loop feedback control, and reliance on bulky, intricate actuation systems, must be addressed. Here, an Ag nanoparticles-based twisted and coiled fiber actuator that achieves a high contractile actuation of ≈36% is reported at a considerably low operational temperature of ≈83 °C based on a synergistic effect of constituent fiber elements with low glass transition temperatures. The fiber actuator can monitor its contractile actuation in real-time based on the piezoresistive properties inherent to its Ag-based conductive region, demonstrating its proprioceptive sensing capability. By exploiting this capability, the proprioceptive fiber actuator adeptly maintains its intended contractile behavior, even when faced with unplanned external disturbances. To demonstrate the capabilities of the fiber actuator, this study integrates it into a closed-loop feedback-controlled bionic arm as an artificial muscle, offering fresh perspectives on the future development of intelligent wearable devices and soft robotic systems.

Chronic bullying victimization and life satisfaction among children from multicultural families in South Korea: Heterogeneity by immigrant mothers' country of origin.

BACKGROUND: Despite existing literature on the link between bullying victimization and psychological well-being, little is known about the potential lasting negative effects of chronic bullying victimization, especially among children from multicultural families (CMF). OBJECTIVE: This study examined the longitudinal association between chronic bullying victimization and life satisfaction among CMF in Korea, and further investigated whether this association differs by immigrant mothers' country of origin. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: This study utilized data from the Multicultural Adolescents Panel Study (MAPS) 2011-2019, a nationally representative longitudinal study of CMF in Korea who were between the ages of 9 and 12 at baseline (N = 1375). METHODS: Fixed effects models were employed to address potential bias resulting from unobserved time-invariant confounders. Three theoretical models were proposed to examine the trajectory patterns of change in life satisfaction among chronically bullied children: cumulative effects, immediate-sustained effects, and short-lived effects models. RESULTS: The longitudinal trajectories of change in life satisfaction associated with chronic bullying victimization were consistent with an immediate-sustained effects model. Heterogeneous patterns in the association by mothers' country of origin were observed. A cumulative effects model was supported for children with Southeast Asian mothers, indicating that chronic bullying victimization leads to a cumulative decrease in life satisfaction. For children with Chinese and Japanese mothers, the results supported either immediate-sustained or short-lived effects models. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to improve the psychological well-being of CMF should consider the potential long-term risk of chronic bullying victimization, particularly among youth with mothers from Southeast Asia.

Perceived social position, active engagement with life, and depressive symptoms among older adults.

RATIONALE: Despite the existing literature on the relationship between perceived social position (PSP) and depressive symptoms, there remain gaps in our understanding, particularly regarding the potential for asymmetric effects of increases and decreases in PSP and the underlying mechanisms involved. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine whether increases and decreases in PSP are differentially associated with depressive symptoms and to explore the potential mediating role of active engagement with life in these associations. METHODS: This study utilized data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA), collected between 2008 and 2018, involving a sample of 3506 individuals aged 65 or older. Asymmetric fixed effects (FE) models were employed, which enable the estimation of differential effects for increases and decreases in PSP, while accounting for unobserved individual-level heterogeneity. To assess the mediating role of active engagement in life, Sobel mediation tests were conducted. RESULTS: The asymmetric FE estimates revealed a stronger association between decreases in PSP and increases in depressive symptoms compared to the association between increases in PSP and decreases in depressive symptoms. The Sobel mediation tests indicated that formal social activities had the most substantial mediating effect, explaining 14% and 9% of the total effect mediated for increased and decreased PSP and depressive symptoms, respectively. Leisure/hobby activities explained 10% and 4% of the total effect mediated for increased and decreased PSP and depressive symptoms, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that increases and decreases in PSP have differential effects on depressive symptoms among older adults in Korea. Policy interventions aimed at improving the psychological well-being of older adults should prioritize efforts to both enhance PSP and minimize declines, as the latter can have a stronger negative impact on depressive symptoms. Active engagement in life may serve as a potential pathway for achieving the desired effects.

Children's bullying victimization and the acculturative stress of immigrant mothers in Korea: Exploring heterogeneity by mother's country of origin.

OBJECTIVES: Over the past three decades, the number of multicultural families in Korea, defined as a family consisting of a native Korean and a marriage immigrant, has increased significantly. Although bullying victimization among multicultural family youth is rightfully a growing concern, less is known about the effects bullying has on immigrant mothers of children who have been bullying victims. METHOD: Using data from the Multicultural Adolescents Panel Study, this study investigates whether children's bullying victimization is associated with immigrant mothers' acculturative stress and whether this association differs depending on mothers' country of origin (China, Japan, and Southeast Asian countries). RESULTS: Fixed effects estimates revealed that children's bullying victimization is positively associated with their immigrant mother's acculturative stress, and this association is robust to controlling for unobserved time-constant individual-level heterogeneity. When stratified by mother's country of origin, the association was larger and statistically significant only among Southeast Asian mothers. No associations were observed among Japanese and Chinese mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that interventions aiming to support bullied children should be expanded to also support their immigrant mothers. Policymakers may wish to consider the specific backgrounds and contexts of immigrant mothers, with special attention to Southeast Asian women. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).