Gendered Trends in Formal and Informal Care Utilization Among Older Adults in South Korea.

Drawing on data from two waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (2010 and 2018), this study examined how community-dwelling older men and women (65+) with functional limitations utilized formal and informal sources of care and how their patterns of care utilization changed over time. The usage patterns of formal and informal caregiving services were categorized into three groups: (a) informal help only, (b) formal-informal mix, and (c) no help from either. More men and women used both formal and informal help for their care needs in 2018 than in 2010 (15% compared to 7%). The proportion of older men who relied on informal help only remained similar across survey years, whereas a smaller proportion of older women relied on informal help only in 2018. Although formal care use has been expanded in South Korea, older men continue to utilize help from their families. However, for older women, the proportion who did not receive any help increased - despite an increase in formal care utilization. These findings highlight the importance of considering gendered resources in caregiving in Korea.

Childhood and Midlife Cultural Awareness and Activity Engagement Among Korean Married Couples.

OBJECTIVES: Cultural reproduction theory posits that cultural resources are transmitted across generations, suggesting early parental influences on cultural experiences in adulthood. Further, cultural resources may be transferred within the same generation-through significant others, such as spouses. This study investigates cultural engagement among middle-aged adults, focusing on individual and spousal influences of childhood cultural engagement. METHODS: A sample of 1,271 couples (age 49-66) from the 2012 Korean Baby Boomer Panel Study and the Korean Forgotten Generation Study was analyzed. Each respondent reported the number of arts and cultural activities (e.g., paintings, literature, and classical music) and levels of perceived cultural engagement (i.e., cultural awareness) during childhood and at midlife. Actor-Partner Interdependence Models (APIM) were estimated to examine how spouses' childhood and midlife cultural engagement were linked within couples. RESULTS: Findings showed that wives reported higher levels of activity participation and cultural awareness in childhood and midlife, compared to husbands. The APIM results indicated that beyond one's own childhood cultural engagement, spouse's childhood cultural awareness was associated with both levels of participation in arts and cultural activities (only for husbands) and cultural awareness (for both husbands and wives) at midlife. DISCUSSION: Cultural activities and awareness can be valuable assets to enhance overall well-being in later life. Given the cross-spousal associations in cultural engagement among Korean middle-aged couples, both spouses' cultural resources need to be considered for the design of interventions and policies to cultivate cultural competence and promote cultural engagement in adulthood.

Wetting behavior of stainless-steel surface with zinc oxide nanorod coatings: modulations in nanorod alignment through atomic layer deposition.

This study investigated the hydrophobic-hydrophilic characteristics of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorod coatings for potential biomedical applications. We examined the effects of different alignments of ZnO nanorods on the wetting and mechanical characteristics of the coatings. ZnO seed layers were prepared on stainless-steel plates using atomic layer deposition (ALD) at five different temperatures ranging from 50 to 250 ℃. The ZnO nanorod coatings were then deposited on these seed layers through chemical bath deposition. The polycrystalline structure of the seed layers and the morphology of the nanorods were analyzed using grazing incidence angle X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Mechanical and wetting properties of the nanorod coatings were examined using nanoindentation and water-droplet tests. The seed layers produced at 50 and 250 ℃ showed stronger (0 0 2) peaks than the other layers. ZnO nanorods on these seed layers exhibited greater vertical orientation and lower water contact angles indicating a more hydrophilic surface. Additionally, vertically oriented nanorod coatings demonstrated greater elastic modulus and hardness than those of oblique nanorods. Our findings indicate that ALD technology can be used to control the spatial arrangement of ZnO nanorods and optimize the hydrophobic-hydrophilic and mechanical properties of coating surfaces. .

Characteristics and Effectiveness of Individual Psychotherapy for Palliative and End-of-Life Care: A Literature Review for Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVE: The introduction of psychotherapy in palliative and end-of-life care settings has become increasingly common and is effective in decreasing many psychological problems. This review reports the characteristics and effectiveness of individual psychotherapeutic interventions for patients receiving palliative and end-of-life care. In addition, the review reports the effectiveness of psychotherapies considering the expected life expectancy. METHODS: The PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for English-language articles published between January 2000 to May 2023. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies were included and classified into a total of nine types of psychotherapies, namely, dignity therapy (DT), life review therapy, narrative therapy, managing cancer and living meaningfully (CALM), individual meaning-centered psychotherapy, meaning and purpose therapy, meaning-making therapy, meaning-of-life therapy, and cognitive therapy. CONCLUSION: Most of the psychotherapies provided to patients receiving palliative and end-of-life care showed effectiveness in the reduction of negative emotions and positive factors related to end-of-life issues. Most studies targeted patients with advanced cancer; however, studies on DT did not limit the target group to patients with cancer. Considering the expected life expectancy, CALM was found to be suitable for patients receiving early palliative care.

A Delphi Approach to Define Lucid Episodes in People Living With Dementia.

PURPOSE: Lucid episodes (LEs: unexpected episodes of spontaneous, meaningful, and relevant communication or behavior) in Alzheimer disease and related dementias are a new area of scientific inquiry that lacks clinical consensus and require more conceptual attention. METHODS: We aimed to measure consensus from an expert group on: (1) potential medical or clinical explanations for LEs; (2) necessary medical and clinical context to LEs; and (3) interpretation of LEs. PATIENTS: We convened 13 experts from different disciplines (neurology, psychiatry, psychology, pharmacy, palliative care, hospice, nursing, social work, primary care, geriatrics, and professional home caregivers) to identify elements of LEs. RESULTS: Experts provided a range of opinions on medical and clinical explanations and questions to understand LEs. Consensus on LEs when presented with clinical vignettes was not reached. Panelists highlighted key medical and contextual factors needed to make a definitive judgement about LEs. CONCLUSION: There is variability in how LEs are interpreted by clinical experts, which complicates the identification of LEs in Alzheimer disease and related dementias.

Soil pore characteristics and the fate of new switchgrass-derived carbon in switchgrass and prairie bioenergy cropping systems.

Monoculture switchgrass and restored prairie are promising perennial feedstock sources for bioenergy production on the lands unsuitable for conventional agriculture. Such lands often display contrasting topography that influences soil characteristics and interactions between plant growth and soil C gains. This study aimed at elucidating the influences of topography and plant systems on the fate of C originated from switchgrass plants and on its relationships with soil pore characteristics. For that, switchgrass plants were grown in intact soil cores collected from two contrasting topographies, namely steep slopes and topographical depressions, in the fields in multi-year monoculture switchgrass and restored prairie vegetation. The 13C pulse labeling allowed tracing the C of switchgrass origin, which X-ray computed micro-tomography enabled in-detail characterization of soil pore structure. In eroded slopes, the differences between the monoculture switchgrass and prairie in terms of total and microbial biomass C were greater than those in topographical depressions. While new switchgrass increased the CO2 emission in depressions, it did not significantly affect the CO2 emission in slopes. Pores of 18-90 µm Ø facilitated the accumulation of new C in soil, while > 150 µm Ø pores enhanced the mineralization of the new C. These findings suggest that polyculture prairie located in slopes can be particularly beneficial in facilitating soil C accrual and reduce C losses as CO2.

Central neurocytoma exhibits radial glial cell signatures with FGFR3 hypomethylation and overexpression.

We explored the genomic events underlying central neurocytoma (CN), a rare neoplasm of the central nervous system, via multiomics approaches, including whole-exome sequencing, bulk and single-nuclei RNA sequencing, and methylation sequencing. We identified FGFR3 hypomethylation leading to FGFR3 overexpression as a major event in the ontogeny of CN that affects crucial downstream events, such as aberrant PI3K-AKT activity and neuronal development pathways. Furthermore, we found similarities between CN and radial glial cells based on analyses of gene markers and CN tumor cells and postulate that CN tumorigenesis is due to dysregulation of radial glial cell differentiation into neurons. Our data demonstrate the potential role of FGFR3 as one of the leading drivers of tumorigenesis in CN.

Surgical Correction of a Sinus Venosus Atrial Septal Defect with Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connections Using Cardiac Computed Tomography Imaging and a 3D-Printed Model.

Sinus venosus atrial septal defects (SVASDs), concurrent with partial anomalous pulmonary venous connections (PAPVCs), are a rare congenital heart disease in dogs. Surgical correction is essential when clinical signs or significant hemodynamic changes are present. We aimed to report on the successful surgical correction of an SVASD with PAPVCs, using a computed tomography (CT)-based customized 3D cardiac model. A 10-month-old male poodle was referred for corrective surgery for an ASD. Echocardiography confirmed a hemodynamically significant left-to-right shunting flow through an interatrial septal defect and severe right-sided heart volume overload. For a comprehensive diagnosis, a CT scan was performed, which confirmed an SVASD with PAPVCs. A customized 3D cardiac model was used for preoperative decision-making and surgical rehearsal. The defect was repaired using an autologous pericardial patch under a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Temporary pacing was applied for sinus bradycardia and third-degree atrioventricular block. The patient recovered from the anesthesia without further complications. The pacemaker was removed during hospitalization and the patient was discharged without complications 2 weeks post-surgery. At the three-month follow-up, there was no shunting flow in the interatrial septum and the right-sided volume overload had been resolved. The cardiac medications were discontinued, and there were no complications. This report indicates the validity of surgical correction under CPB for an SVASD with PAPVCs, and the advantages of utilizing a CT-based 3D cardiac model for preoperative planning to increase the surgical success rate.

Parasitic Characteristics of Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Collected from Water Deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) and Spatiotemporal Distribution Prediction within Host-Influenced Cultivated Areas.

Tick-borne diseases result from human-ixodid tick encounters, making it crucial to understand host-ixodid tick interactions and host-dependent distribution for epidemiology and prevention. This study examines water deer patterns and ixodid tick interactions in designated croplands of South Korea over two years, finding that the highest deer presence occurred in July and the lowest in May, during crop harvesting. Four tick species were identified, with Haemaphysalis longicornis being predominant (92.2%). Tick life stage analysis revealed peak nymphs and adults in July and larvae in October. Nymph abundance correlated positively with nearby water deer. MaxEnt biodiversity prediction results indicated wider water deer distribution in summer, reflecting their tendency to use multiple croplands. Areas with nymphs and adults aligned with predicted deer presence in summer, while larval areas aligned in autumn. Increased agroforestry expanded water deer habitats, enhancing tick dispersion. Prevention involved minimizing human-deer encounters by strategic land use in tick-prone areas. This comprehensive study provides insights into preventing severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in agricultural workers, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions based on host behavior and tick life stages in different seasons.

The Role of Late-Life Work Among Widowed Adults in Korea: A Buffer or Burden for Widow(er)s' Health?

To examine the role of work in the bereavement process, we focused on health changes among widowed adults. We analyzed a sample of 518 adults (aged 52-95) from the Korean Retirement and Income Study (2011-2019) who experienced spousal loss during the study period. The widowed participants provided data on their employment status and perceived health at both pre-loss and post-loss. Widowed participants reported worse physical and mental health after the bereavement, but the significant health deterioration was not observed among employed participants. Adjusting for pre-loss health status and other covariates, employed widow(er)s showed a smaller decrease in physical and mental health, compared to their counterparts. The effect of employment on physical health changes was more pronounced for economically vulnerable widow(er)s. Work might serve as a restoring coping strategy for widowed individuals; economic benefits from the job may also contribute to their health and well-being.

Soleus arthrogenic muscle inhibition following acute lateral ankle sprain correlates with symptoms and ankle disability but not with postural control.

BACKGROUND: Acute lateral ankle sprains (ALAS) are associated with long-term impairments and instability tied to altered neural excitability. Arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) has been observed in this population; however, relationships with injury-related impairments are unclear, potentially due to the resting, prone position in which AMI is typically measured. Assessing AMI during bipedal stance may provide a better understanding of this relationship. METHODS: AMI was assessed in 38 young adults (19 ALAS within 72 h of injury: 10 males, 21.4 ± 2.7 years; 19 healthy controls: 10 males, 21.9 ± 2.2 years; mean ± SD) using the Hoffmann reflex during bipedal stance. Electrical stimulation was administered to identify the maximal H-reflex (Hmax) and maximal motor response (Mmax) from the soleus, fibularis longus, and tibialis anterior muscles. The primary outcome measure was the Hmax/Mmax ratio. Secondary outcomes included acute symptoms (pain and swelling), postural control during bipedal stance, and self-reported function. RESULTS: No significant group-by-limb interactions were observed for any muscle. However, a significant group main effect was observed in the soleus muscle, F1,35 = 6.82, p = 0.013, indicating significantly lower Hmax/Mmax ratios following ALAS (0.38 ± 0.20) compared to healthy controls (0.53 ± 0.16). Furthermore, lower Hmax/Mmax ratios in the soleus significantly correlated with acute symptoms and self-reported function but not with postural control. CONCLUSION: This study supports previous evidence of AMI in patients with ALAS, providing insight into neurophysiologic impacts of musculoskeletal injury. Our results suggest that assessing AMI in a standing position following acute injury may provide valuable insight into how AMI develops and guide potential therapeutic options to curb and offset the formation of joint instability.

Concordance in Spouses' Intention to Move After Retirement Among Korean Middle-Aged Couples.

This study examined the concordance in spouses' intention to move after retirement among midlife couples and its association with couples' marital characteristics (i.e., marital satisfaction and dyadic coping). Using a sample of 1,285 middle-aged couples in Korea (aged 49-64), we conducted logistic/multinomial regression controlling for individual and household characteristics. The majority of couples (83%) were concordant in their moving desires-by either agreeing to move (29%) or to stay (54%), whereas 17% of couples were not in agreement-either only husband (9%) or wife (8%) desires to move. Couples who made daily decisions together and where wives perceived higher marital satisfaction were more likely to have concordant moving desires. Couples where spouses shared each other's stress and discussed life after retirement were more likely to agree to move than to stay. Our findings suggest the importance of marital dynamics in understanding midlife couples' residential mobility after retirement.

Empathy and support exchanges in couples coping with early-stage Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVES: Research has extensively examined spousal caregiving in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but it remains unclear how people with AD help spousal caregivers. We aimed to describe emotional and practical support that people with AD and their spouses provide to each other and test the role their empathy plays in these support experiences. METHODS: Seventy-two people with early-stage AD and their spousal caregivers independently reported empathy (personal distress, empathic concern, perspective taking) and the frequency and appraisal of support provision. Caregivers reported both partners' sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: People with early-stage AD and their spousal caregivers provided support to each other often. Caregivers provided more support but people with AD appraised support provision as more pleasant and less stressful. Lower personal distress in both partners and greater caregiver empathic concern were associated with more frequent caregiver support to people with AD. Greater empathic concern and perspective taking were associated with more pleasant appraisals of helping. Personal distress was positively associated with stress of helping. CONCLUSION: Findings describe support reciprocity in early-stage AD and debunk the myth of people with AD being only recipients of care. We identify risk and resilience in couples per empathy and inform the design of dyadic interventions to promote mutually beneficial relationships in AD.

Dyadic profiles of couples' self-perceptions of aging: Implications for mental health.

The way older adults perceive their own aging processes influences their mental health, but we know little about how this occurs in a dyadic context, where spouses' perceptions and health are often intertwined. The present study sought to identify dyadic profiles of self-perceptions of aging (SPAs) in couples and examine how certain profiles are associated with each partner's mental health over time. A pooled sample of 3,850 heterosexual couples aged 50+ in the Health and Retirement Study (2012/2014) rated positive and negative SPAs and provided data on demographic characteristics, couple relationships, and health. We tracked these couples' depressive symptoms over 2 years (2014/2016). Latent profile analysis revealed five profiles of couples' SPAs: similarly positive (20%), similarly negative (6%), similarly average (38%), husband negative (20%), and wife negative (17%). Physical health and marital quality consistently differentiated couples in profile membership. Couples with similarly positive and similarly average SPAs reported the smallest increases in depressive symptoms over time, and couples with similarly negative SPAs fared worst in mental health. We observed interesting gender differences across profiles; husbands in the husband negative profile reported significantly greater increases in depressive symptoms than those in the wife negative profile. Yet, wives in these two profiles did not differ in their depressive symptoms over time, and they reported worse mental health than wives in the similarly positive and similarly average profiles. This study adds to the emerging literature that advocates for an interpersonal approach to SPAs and reveals risk and resilience in couples as they age together. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Expression patterns of Piezo1 in the developing mouse forebrain.

Malformation during cortical development can disrupt the balance of excitatory and inhibitory neural circuits, contributing to various psychiatric and developmental disorders. One of the critical factors of cortical neural networks is the fine regulation of neurogenesis through mechanical cues, such as shear stress and substrate stiffness. Piezo1, a mechanically-activated channel, serves as a transducer for these mechanical cues, regulating embryogenesis. However, specific cell-type expression patterns of this channel during cortical development have not yet been characterized. In the present study, we conducted an RNAscope experiment to visualize the location of Piezo1 transcripts with embryonic neuronal/glial lineage cell markers. Our analysis covered coronal sections of the mouse forebrain on embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5), E14.5, E16.5, and E18.5. In addition, applying Yoda1, a specific Piezo1 agonist, evoked distinct calcium elevation in piriform cortices of E16.5 and E18.5 embryonic slices. Furthermore, pharmacological activation or inhibition of this channel significantly modulated the migration of neurosphere-derived cells in vitro. These findings contribute valuable insights to the field of mechanobiology and provide an understanding of the intricate processes underlying embryonic brain development.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity of a Highly Oxidative Mononuclear Manganese(IV)-Bis(Fluoro) Complex.

Recently, transition-metal terminal nonoxo complexes have shown a remarkable ability to activate and functionalize C-H bonds via proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET). Here we report the first example of a mononuclear manganese(IV) bis(fluoro) complex bearing a tetradentate pyridinophane ligand, [MnIV(TBDAP)(F)2]2+ (3), with an X-ray single crystal structure and physicochemical characterization. The manganese(IV) bis(fluoro) complex has a very high reduction potential of 1.61 V vs SCE, thereby enabling the four-electron oxidation of mesitylene to 3,5-dimethylbenzaldehyde. Kinetic studies, including the kinetic isotope effect and employment of other toluene derivatives, reveal the electron transfer (ET)-driven PCET in the C-H bond activation of mesitylene by 3. This novel metal halide intermediate would be prominently valuable for expanding transition-metal halide chemistry.

Mature microRNA-binding protein QKI promotes microRNA-mediated gene silencing.

Although Argonaute (AGO) proteins have been the focus of microRNA (miRNA) studies, we observed AGO-free mature miRNAs directly interacting with RNA-binding proteins, implying the sophisticated nature of fine-tuning gene regulation by miRNAs. To investigate microRNA-binding proteins (miRBPs) globally, we analyzed PAR-CLIP data sets to identify RBP quaking (QKI) as a novel miRBP for let-7b. Potential existence of AGO-free miRNAs were further verified by measuring miRNA levels in genetically engineered AGO-depleted human and mouse cells. We have shown that QKI regulates miRNA-mediated gene silencing at multiple steps, and collectively serves as an auxiliary factor empowering AGO2/let-7b-mediated gene silencing. Depletion of QKI decreases interaction of AGO2 with let-7b and target mRNA, consequently controlling target mRNA decay. This finding indicates that QKI is a complementary factor in miRNA-mediated mRNA decay. QKI, however, also suppresses the dissociation of let-7b from AGO2, and slows the assembly of AGO2/miRNA/target mRNA complexes at the single-molecule level. We also revealed that QKI overexpression suppresses cMYC expression at post-transcriptional level, and decreases proliferation and migration of HeLa cells, demonstrating that QKI is a tumour suppressor gene by in part augmenting let-7b activity. Our data show that QKI is a new type of RBP implicated in the versatile regulation of miRNA-mediated gene silencing.

Stable water splitting using photoelectrodes with a cryogelated overlayer.

Hydrogen production techniques based on solar-water splitting have emerged as carbon-free energy systems. Many researchers have developed highly efficient thin-film photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices made of low-cost and earth-abundant materials. However, solar water splitting systems suffer from short lifetimes due to catalyst instability that is attributed to both chemical dissolution and mechanical stress produced by hydrogen bubbles. A recent study found that the nanoporous hydrogel could prevent the structural degradation of the PEC devices. In this study, we investigate the protection mechanism of the hydrogel-based overlayer by engineering its porous structure using the cryogelation technique. Tests for cryogel overlayers with varied pore structures, such as disconnected micropores, interconnected micropores, and surface macropores, reveal that the hydrogen gas trapped in the cryogel protector reduce shear stress at the catalyst surface by providing bubble nucleation sites. The cryogelated overlayer effectively preserves the uniformly distributed platinum catalyst particles on the device surface for over 200 h. Our finding can help establish semi-permanent photoelectrochemical devices to realize a carbon-free society.

Developing and describing a typology of lucid episodes among people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined lucid episodes among people living with late-stage Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (PLWD) and then developed a typology of these episodes to help characterize them. METHODS: Family caregivers of PLWD provided information about witnessed episodes, including proximity to death, cognitive status, duration, communication quality, and circumstances prior to lucid episodes on up to two episodes (caregiver N = 151; episode N = 279). Latent class analysis was used to classify and characterize empirically distinct clusters of lucid episodes. RESULTS: Four lucid episode types were identified. The most common type occurred during visits with family and among PLWD who lived > 6 months after the episode. The least common type coincided with family visits and occurred within 7 days of the PLWD's death. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that multiple types of lucid episodes exist; not all signal impending death; and some, but not all, are precipitated by external stimuli.