Simultaneous detection of residues of 34 beta-lactam antibiotics in livestock and fish samples through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

ß-Lactam is one of the widely used veterinary drugs, but simultaneous analytical methods for ß-lactam on various animal foods have not been established. In this study, we aimed to detect 34 ß-lactam antibiotics simultaneously in livestock samples (beef, pork, chicken, egg, and milk) by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Samples were extracted using phosphate buffer/acetonitrile or water/acetonitrile and then cleaned with 150 mg of C18 and 900 mg of MgSO4. The method showed acceptable recovery and repeatability of 66.1-119% and 1.5-26%, respectively. The method was employed to monitor 127 real samples from the domestic market to confirm its applicability, and no ß-lactam residues were detected. It was also applied to other matrices (eel, flat fish, and shrimp) and showed acceptable recovery (62.1-120%) and repeatability (1.0-28%). The method is expected to improve the efficiency of monitoring veterinary drug residues in domestic livestock products and fishery foods.

The impact of depression, stress, and self-esteem on quality of life among older adults in South Korea.

Background & Objective: Aging is a global trend, and Korea is also entering an aging society, which threatens the mental health of the elderly due to isolation, etc. In line with the growing domestic and international interest in elderly issues, this study aimed to identify the effects of depression, stress and self-esteem on the lives of the elderly in South Korea and to provide basic data for welfare measures. Methods: Depression, stress, self-esteem, and quality of life were measured in 104 South Korean seniors (32 men, 72 women, average age 72.94 years old). Differences between groups according to gender and residence type were confirmed. Results: There were no significant differences in stress among the elderly by place of residence, but there were significant differences in quality of life, depression, and self-esteem. Quality of life and self-esteem were higher in private housing than in public housing, and depression was higher in public housing than in private housing. In addition, lower depression and higher self-esteem were correlated with higher quality of life among the elderly. Conclusion: With the global trend of an aging society, it is essential to continue to pay attention to assist the lives of elderly and provide them with practical support and policies. The quality of life of the elderly requires continuous attention and efforts to support and policies for mental health and economic support.

Patient-physician interaction education in Korea: a systematic review.

Patient-physician interaction (PPI) is an important area in medical education, but in-depth discussions on the content of the outcome of patient-doctor education are rare. Therefore, in this study, we will systematically analyze the research on PPI education in Korea. In this study, papers searched with keywords related to PPI education from Korea's academic journal service were targeted according to a systematic literature analysis method. The scope of the study was to include papers published in academic journals that are candidates for Korea Citation Index registration, excluding dissertations, research reports, posters, conference presentations, books, and internet materials. The content included papers targeting medical education and medical school students was set as the range. As a result of the analysis, although communication between PPI has many positive effects in the PPI in medical education at medical schools, obstacles do occur, and various ways to overcome them were suggested. Therefore, although medical interview training between patients and doctors in medical schools is necessary, it was analyzed as being based on overseas research or lacking in specific content. The core of PPI education appears to be medical interviews, and it seems necessary to discuss whether empathy or patient-centered medical care are appropriate as the main principles of PPI education in Korea. Therefore, education on the patient-doctor relationship is an important element in medical humanities and medical humanities education, and it is expected that research and education on this will progress more actively.

Validation of the Korean version of the Reflective Practice Questionnaire in clinical clerkship of Korean medical students.

PURPOSE: This study aims to verify whether the Reflective Practice Questionnaire (RPQ) developed by Priddis and Rogers is valid in the Korean context to identify the level of reflection of medical students in clinical practice. METHODS: A total of 202 third- and fourth-year medical students from seven universities participated in the study. After receiving approval for use from the authors, a survey was conducted on the students through an adaptation process. The original scale consists of 10 factors with 40 items. The Self-efficacy in Clinical Performance Scale (SECP), Korean Self-reflection and Insight Scale (K-SRIS), and Reflection-in-Learning Scale (RinLS) were used to validate the scale. Exploratory factor, confirmatory factor, correlation, and reliability analyses were used for data analysis. RESULTS: As a result of exploratory factor analysis, 10 subfactors were extracted (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin=0.856, Bartlett's test: χ 2 =5,044.337, degrees of freedom=780, p<0.001). Among the 40 items, one that showed a high overlapping load for other factors was excluded. As a result of confirmatory factor analysis, the 10-factor structure model was found suitable (χ 2 =1.980, comparative fit index=0.859, Tucker-Lewis index=0.841, root mean square error of approximation=0.070). As a result of the criterion validity test, most of the subfactors of the Korean version of the RPQ (K-RPQ) showed a positive correlation with K-SRIS, RinLS, and SECP. The reliability of 10 subfactors was satisfactory, ranging from 0.666 to 0.919. CONCLUSION: The K-RPQ was confirmed to be a reliable and valid tool to evaluate the level of reflection among Korean medical students in clinical clerkship. This scale can be used as a tool to provide feedback on each student's level of reflection in clinical clerkship.

Medical education program implementation experience in an elective course: a case study in South Korea.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine the results of designing and implementing a teaching program for medical education as the elective course for 4th-year students of medical course. METHODS: In order to design the teaching program for medical education as an elective course, we conducted literature review, five medical education experts were interviewed, and the literature required in the design process was reviewed. A developing teaching program was implemented as an elective course in a medical school of Korea, and 4th-year students of medical course participated in the program. RESULTS: In the elective course, the medical education program process competencies were derived into three categories: theoretical educational knowledge, teaching competency, and research competency for education. Moreover, instructional materials were developed to help students achieve these competencies. And project-based learning strategy was selected and implemented for 4th-year students in medical course, and positive satisfaction was confirmed. CONCLUSION: As a study designed and implemented in a medical education program in a medical school in Korea, it is expected to be helpful when introducing medical education to undergraduate students or developing a medical education program to strengthen the teaching capacity of residents.

Evaluation research in Korean medical education: a systematic review.

The purpose of this study aims to analyze research trends related to 'evaluation' in Korean medical education through a systematic review. This study used a systematic review method, which is a research methodology for research trends and 'literature analysis.' Researchers searched the Korean journal literature published until the end of December 2020 in the Korean research database with keywords related to medicine and evaluation. Thus, 5,205 cases were identified. Based on these data, 143 papers were selected through a logical screening process, requiring 1 month to complete the data search and analysis process. In terms of publications, medical journals overwhelmingly outnumbered nonmedical journals until 2015; however, after 2016, the number of papers published in nonmedical journals increased, and the number of published papers was similar to that of medical journals. In terms of evaluation-related research, research on student and program evaluations has been very active compared to that on accreditation. As the number of evaluation studies has gradually decreased over the past 10 years, preparing a plan to revitalize them in Korean medical education is necessary. Considering that the role of evaluation in education has been emphasized in recent years, research on reestablishing the concept of evaluation; developing evaluation indicators; analyzing the status of student evaluation, program evaluation, and accreditation; and deriving measures to improve medical education through evaluation is required.

Experience of operating a medical humanities course at one medical school during the COVID-19: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: This study summarizes the experience of operating a 'Medical Humanities' course, which was taught remotely to maintain activities and discussions at medical schools in Daegu, Korea during the sudden and unexpected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: The subjects of this study were 73 first- and 79 second-grade medical students who took the medical humanities (1) and (2) courses among first- and second-grade students of Yeungnam University College of Medicine in 2020. Of the 152 students who agreed to the online survey, 123 completed the survey. Self-, environmental, and program evaluations were conducted on the study subjects, and differences according to grade and gender were analyzed. RESULTS: As a result of the study, a significant difference between self-evaluation and environmental evaluation was confirmed. Self-evaluation was determined to be higher in the first grade than in the second grade. The environmental evaluation showed that male students were more satisfied than female students and students generally had difficulties in the classroom environment. Of the applications used in class, the highest satisfaction was observed with KakaoTalk (Kakao Corp.) and Zoom (Zoom Video Communications Inc.). At the end of COVID-19, the students preferred online classes. CONCLUSION: If the learning environment for online classes is well prepared and systematic provisions are made, such as class operations that are suitable for the subject, effective education and learning can be achieved by taking advantage of both face-to-face and online classes.

A study on the mental health of students at a medical school during COVID-19 outbreak: a retrospective study.

BACKGRUOUND: In this study, the degree of anxiety, depression, and stress caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was identified, as well as the need for psychological prevention measures among medical students in the Daegu region that was designated the first special disaster area due to the spread of COVID-19. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 318 medical students in Daegu who voluntarily participated in an online test using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Impact of Event Scale-Revised Korean version. As a result of the test, risk students received immediate telephone counseling, and the effect of this telephone counseling was analyzed. RESULTS: There were no differences in depression, anxiety, or stress according to gender and grade. As a result of immediate telephone counseling for risk students, significant differences were found in depression, anxiety, and stress, and the counseling was found to be effective. CONCLUSION: For medical students who are easily exposed to stress, the importance of psychological prevention measures and effectiveness of non-face-to-face counseling should be recognized. In the field of medical education, we must do our best to build a system that can be used immediately at the appropriate time for these programs.

Vibrio vulnificus induces the death of a major bacterial species in the mouse gut via cyclo-Phe-Pro.

BACKGROUND: A foodborne pathogen, Vibrio vulnificus, encounters normal microflora inhabiting the gut environments prior to causing fatal septicemia or gastroenteritis and should overcome the barriers derived from the gut commensals for successful infection. Its interactions with gut commensals during the infection process, however, have not yet been understood. In the present study, the effect of V. vulnificus on the community structures of gut microbiota in mice was examined. RESULTS: Analyses of microbiota in the fecal samples of mice that died due to V. vulnificus infection revealed the decreased abundance of bacteria belonged to Bacteroidetes, notably, the species Bacteroides vulgatus. In vitro coculturing of the two bacterial species resulted in the decreased survival of B. vulgatus. The antagonistic effect of V. vulnificus against B. vulgatus was found to be mediated by cyclo-Phe-Pro (cFP), one of the major compounds secreted by V. vulnificus. cFP-treated B. vulgatus showed collapsed cellular morphology with an undulated cell surface, enlarged periplasmic space, and lysed membranes, suggesting the occurrence of membrane disruption. The degree of membrane disruption caused by cFP was dependent upon the cellular levels of ObgE in B. vulgatus. Recombinant ObgE exhibited a high affinity to cFP at a 1:1 ratio. When mice were orally injected with cFP, their feces contained significantly reduced B. vulgatus levels, and their susceptibility to V. vulnificus infection was considerably increased. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that V. vulnificus-derived cFP modulates the abundance of the predominant species among gut commensals, which made V. vulnificus increase its pathogenicity in the hosts. Video abstract.

Microstructural evolution in self-catalyzed GaAs nanowires during in-situ TEM study.

The microstructural evolutions in self-catalyzed GaAs nanowires (NWs) were investigated by using in situ heating transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The morphological changes of the self-catalyst metal gallium (Ga) droplet, the GaAs NWs, and the atomic behavior at the interface between the self-catalyst metal gallium and GaAs NWs were carefully studied by analysis of high-resolution TEM images. The microstructural change of the Ga-droplet/GaAs-NWs started at a low temperature of ∼200 °C. Formation and destruction of atomic layers were observed at the Ga/GaAs interface and slow depletion of the Ga droplet was detected in the temperature range investigated. Above 300 °C, the evolution process dramatically changed with time: The Ga droplet depleted rapidly and fast growth of zinc-blende (ZB) GaAs structures were observed in the droplet. The Ga droplet was completely removed with time and temperature. When the temperature reached ∼600 °C, the decomposition of GaAs was detected. This process began in the wurtzite (WZ) structure and propagated to the ZB structure. The morphological and atomistic behaviors in self-catalyzed GaAs NWs were demonstrated based on thermodynamic considerations, in addition to the effect of the incident electron beam in TEM. Finally, GaAs decomposition was demonstrated in terms of congruent vaporization.

Molecular characterization and expression of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 8 in chicken.

OBJECTIVE: A disintegrin and metallopeptidase with thrombospondin motifs type 8 (ADAMTS8) is crucial for diverse physiological processes, such as inflammation, tissue morphogenesis, and tumorigenesis. The chicken ADAMTS8 (chADAMTS8) gene was differentially expressed in the kidney following exposure to different calcium concentrations, suggesting a pathological role of this protein in metabolic diseases. We aimed to examine the molecular characteristics of chADAMTS8 and analyze the gene-expression differences in response to toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) stimulation. METHODS: The ADAMTS8 mRNA and amino acid sequences of various species (chicken, duck, cow, mouse, rat, human, chimpanzee, pig, and horse) were retrieved from the Ensembl database and subjected to bioinformatics analyses. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) experiments were performed with various chicken tissues and the chicken fibroblast DF-1 cell line, which was stimulated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly[I:C]; a TLR3 ligand). RESULTS: The chADAMTS8 gene was predicted to contain three thrombospondin type 1 (TSP1) domains, whose amino acid sequences shared homology among the different species, whereas sequences outside the TSP1 domains (especially the amino-terminal region) were very difffferent. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that chADAMTS8 is evolutionarily clustered in the same clade with that of the duck. chADAMTS8 mRNA was broadly expressed in chicken tissues, and the expression was significantly up-regulated in the DF-1 cells in response to poly(I:C) stimulation (p<0.05). These results showed that chADAMTS8 may be a target gene for TLR3 signaling. CONCLUSION: In this report, the genetic information of chADAMTS8 gene, its expression in chicken tissues, and chicken DF-1 cells under the stimulation of TLR3 were shown. The result suggests that chADAMTS8 expression may be induced by viral infection and correlated with TLR3-mediated signaling pathway. Further study of the function of chADAMTS8 during TLR3-dependent inflammation (which represents RNA viral infection) is needed and it will also be important to examine the molecular mechanisms during different regulation, depending on innate immune receptor activation.