Factors affecting peripheral neuropathy induced by nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel in patients with pancreatic cancer.

AIM: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a major toxicity limiting the use of nab-paclitaxel (Nab-P) in treating patients with pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study was to identify the factors affecting CIPN using patient-reported outcome measures and the minimally invasive volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) technique. METHODS: The maximum concentrations of paclitaxel (Cmax) were measured from 81 VAMS samples collected from 44 participants with pancreatic cancer. The association between CIPN development and demographic, clinical and pharmacokinetic factors was determined using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. The association between CIPN severity and the factors was evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation. The impact of Cmax and the number of treatment cycles on the severity was assessed using multivariable linear regression. RESULTS: The development of CIPN was significantly associated with cumulative dose (odds ratio 1.005, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.003-1.007), treatment cycles (3.47, 2.25-5.85), alkaline phosphate (0.992, 0.985-0.998) and age (1.092, 1.020-1.179), with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.89 (95% CI 0.83-0.95). The severity of CIPN significantly worsened with increasing cumulative dose (coefficient 0.58, 95% CI 0.44-0.69), treatment cycles (0.57, 0.44-0.68) and age (0.18, 0.00-0.35). The severity of CIPN was predictable from treatment cycles (P = .0002) and Cmax (P = .01). CONCLUSION: The higher the cumulative dose of Nab-P, treatment cycles and age, the more frequently and severely do the patients experience CIPN. In predicting the severity of CIPN using Cmax, minimally invasive VAMS is a feasible alternative to venous blood sampling.

Effectiveness of a media literacy-based smoking prevention program in female adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effectiveness of a media literacy-based smoking prevention program based on Ajzen's theory of planned behavior in female adolescents. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted with female high school students aged 16-17 years in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The program provided eight sessions over 4 weeks. Quantitative data were collected before and after online surveys in an intervention (n = 21) and control (n = 21) groups, and analyzed using mixed analysis of variance. Qualitative data on participation experiences was collected by requesting the participants to answer open-ended questions once a week during the intervention and performing co-occurrence analysis of specific terms in the responses was conducted through text mining. RESULTS: Although the program decreased smoking intention and increased smoking media literacy in the intervention group, there were no significant differences between the groups. Qualitative results obtained from the intervention group showed cognitive and behavioral changes in the perception of the harmfulness of e-cigarettes in the media and the expression of a willingness to overcome the temptation to smoke. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that the enhancement of smoking media literacy, specifically by correcting misconceptions regarding e-cigarettes promoted by the new media, contributes smoking prevention in female adolescents. It supports calls for an expanded role of public health professionals in health education at the school level.

Environment-Stratified Age-Period-Cohort Effects on the Prevalence of Walking Among Older Adults.

Walking promotes active aging; however, walking prevalence changes among older adults by age and environmental conditions remain unclear. Age-period-cohort (APC) differences in walking trends among Korean older adults were examined. Data included adults aged ≥ 65 years (n = 592,235) from the nationally representative Korean Community Health Survey. Regional units examined were metropolitan cities, small- and medium-sized cities, and rural areas. Environment-stratified APC modeling was applied for walking prevalence (walking days/time during the past week). From 2008 to 2017, the walking prevalence gap between regional units widened. Decreasing trends were most apparent in rural areas, including by birth year. In all areas, walking decreased with increased age. No distinct period effects were found. Each effect's magnitude was larger in rural areas than cities. Differential APC effects by environmental conditions likely influence walking prevalence changes among older adults. Walking promotion for older adults should consider APC effects and environmental conditions.

The effect of distance between holes on the structural stability of subchondral bone in microfracture surgery: a finite element model study.

BACKGROUND: Microfracture is a surgical technique that involves creating multiple holes of 3-4 mm depth in the subchondral bone to recruit stem cells in the bone marrow to the lesion, inducing fibrocartilage repair and knee cartilage regeneration. Recently, it has been reported that increasing the exposed area of the lower cartilaginous bone (drilling a lot of holes) increases the outflow of stem cells, which is expected to affect the physical properties of the subchondral bone when the exposed area is large. The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of the distance between the holes in the microfracture procedure on the structural stability of the osteochondral bone using a finite element method. METHODS: In this study, lateral aspects of the femoral knee, which were removed during total knee arthroplasty were photographed using microtomography. The model was implemented using a solitary walks program, which is a three-dimensional simplified geometric representation based on the basic microtomography data. A microfracture model was created by drilling 4 mm-deep holes at 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, and 5 mm intervals in a simplified three-dimensional (3D) geometric femoral model. The structural stability of these models was analysed with the ABAQUS program. We compared the finite element model (FEM) based on the microtomography image and the simplified geometric finite element model. RESULTS: Von Mises stress of the subchondral bone plate barely increased, even when the distance between holes was set to 1 mm. Altering the distance between the holes had little impact on the structural stability of the subchondral bone plate. Safety factors were all below 1. CONCLUSIONS: Although we did not confirm an optimal distance between holes, this study does provide reference data and an epidemiological basis for determining the optimal distance between the holes used in the microfracture procedure.

Recent Trend and Associated Factors of Harmful Alcohol Use Based on Age and Gender in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest that the impact of social factors on harmful alcohol use between men and women may be different. We aimed to explore the gender-based difference in temporal trend and social risk factors associated with harmful alcohol use. METHODS: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2014) was used to explore the recent trend of harmful alcohol use in the general population. Among all current alcohol drinkers aged 20-64 years, the frequencies of harmful alcohol use in each age group, year of birth, marriage, income, education, and occupation were analyzed based on gender. RESULTS: A total of 34,478 people (14,544 men and 19,834 women) who reported drinking alcohol in the last month at the time of interview were included in the analysis. The proportion of harmful alcohol use in men decreased (P for trend = 0.002) during the study period, whereas significant change was not observed in women (P for trend = 0.173). The prevalence of harmful alcohol use was highest in men aged 35-49 years and women aged 20-34 years. For both men and women, lower level of education and service occupation were the common risk factors of harmful alcohol use. Additionally, low income was a risk factor of harmful alcohol use in women but not in men. Marriage increased the risk of harmful alcohol use in women but decreased in men. CONCLUSION: Public health interventions in reducing harmful alcohol use should consider the different high-risk groups between men and women.

Perceived urban neighborhood environment for physical activity of older adults in Seoul, Korea: A multimethod qualitative study.

This study assessed the attributes of a perceived urban neighborhood environment for the physical activity (PA) of older adults by applying a qualitative multimethod approach to collect both descriptive and spatial information. Conducted in a northern community of Seoul, Korea, from April 2014 to November 2015, data collection methods included 90 walking tours by researchers, 46 face-to-face, semi-structured interviews combined with qualitative mapping with senior residents aged 65+, 19 guided tours with the interviewees, and 3 focus groups with 12 community service providers. Thematic analysis and pattern finding were performed on the data. Walking was the main type of PA of the older adults. Nine attributes of perceived neighborhood environment for PA were identified under three themes: daily living (everyday life activities, mobility, social opportunities, diverse destinations); the multidimensionality of accessibility (physical, economic, psychosocial), and attractiveness and pleasantness (maintenance, aesthetics). The subcategories of the attributes included proximity, access to public transportation, walkability, cost-worthiness, low or no cost, familiarity, sense of welcoming, sociocultural appropriateness, fair access, order and upkeep, safety, openness, cleanliness, and interestingness. Strategies to generate more movement and activities in the everyday routine of the elderly should be a core task for health promotion and neighborhood design. A strategic application of multiple qualitative methods can create an opportunity to build contextual understanding and to generate ideas in interactions with the community.

Comparison of clinical outcomes and second-look arthroscopic findings after ACL reconstruction using a hamstring autograft or a tibialis allograft.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this prospective randomized clinical study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes, including tibial tunnel widening and the progression of osteoarthritis after ACL reconstruction using a hamstring autograft or a tibialis allograft. In addition, we compared the graft tear and synovial coverage of grafts in patients that underwent the second-look arthroscopy. METHODS: Among 184 patients with an ACL injury who underwent ACL reconstruction, 68 patients of autograft group and 64 patients of tibialis allograft group were included for this study after minimum of 2-year follow-up. The Lachman and pivot-shift tests, Tegner activity score, Lysholm knee score, and IKDC score were compared between the two groups. The quadriceps and hamstring isokinetic strengths using dynamometer were also compared. Degree of OA was determined using the Kellgren-Lawrence grading system on the weight-bearing radiographs. In total, 51 patients (26 patients in autograft group and 25 in the tibialis allograft group) underwent the second-look arthroscopy, in which we compared the apparent tear of graft and synovial coverage of grafts. RESULTS: At the final follow-up, there were no statistical significances in the two groups in Lachman and pivot-shift tests (n.s.). The Tegner activity, Lysholm knee score, and IKDC scores were similar in the two groups. Moreover, no significant differences were observed in the muscle power (n.s.). Some patients showed the progression of OA (five in autograft and four in allograft groups) without intergroup difference (n.s.). Regarding the findings of second-look arthroscopy, although there was no significant difference in graft tear, synovial coverage was better in autograft group than in allograft group. CONCLUSION: Even though hamstring autografts and tibialis allografts provided good functional outcomes without significant differences, the second-look arthroscopy revealed that hamstring autografts produced better synovial coverage than tibialis allograft. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.

Assessing the accuracy of patient-specific guides for total knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: Patient-specific guides have been introduced recently as a means of making accurate bone cuts through custom cutting blocks constructed based on pre-operative three-dimensional imaging. However, the controversy concerning the improved results of patient-specific guides have not been resolved yet; in addition, there have been no studies to investigate the causes of variable with inconsistent results and solutions for the causes. METHODS: Thirty eight patients (38 knees) underwent total knee arthroplasty with patient-specific guides. The mean age of the patients was 68 years (SD ± 6.3), and all patients had a minimum 2-year follow-up. An intra-operative alignment using navigation and the causes of outliers were evaluated. RESULTS: An average coronal alignment of PSI jigs was 0.5° (SD ± 0.9°) in femur and 0.1° (SD ± 0.8°) in tibia, and the number of outliers was two and three cases, respectively. An average sagittal alignment was 0.6° (SD ± 0.9°) in femur and 5.5° (SD ± 1.1°) in tibia, and the number of outliers was three and five cases, respectively. All outliers resulted from large osteophytes near the contact point of patient-specific guides which disturb sitting of the guide. CONCLUSION: It was suggested that patient-specific guides were an effective and safe method to achieve accurate alignments, with no additional intra-operative complication. It is important to note that surgeons need to be precautious using the patient-specific instrumentation in patients with severe varus deformity. In addition, existing osteophytes which disturb sitting of the guides should be carefully evaluated pre-operatively and intra-operatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Routine Screening and Consultation Facilitate Improvement of Metabolic Syndrome.

This randomized controlled trial study aimed to investigate the effects of a lifestyle intervention on metabolic syndrome (MetS) among middle-aged Koreans. A total of 243 middle-aged Koreans with MetS were randomly assigned to either of 2 types of lifestyle intervention for MetS and followed for 12 months. Health examinations and interventions were implemented at 16 regional branch facilities of a Korean medical institution from 2010, following the NCEP-ATP III criteria and recommendations. Lifestyle intervention (LI) group (n = 137) participated in a 12-week multi-component intervention including individual counseling, group sessions, and self-help materials. Basic usual intervention (BI) group (n = 106) was provided with one-page health information sheet on MetS and MetS management at baseline. Prevalence of MetS and each of MetS components, except for low HDL-cholesterol, in both groups were significantly reduced and maintained after the intervention. Notably, prevalence of hypertension and abdominal obesity continued to improve during the follow-up period. Between-group differences in results were not found. Both interventions were effective when they were accompanied with repeated check-ups and notification of MetS status. It is recommended to design clear guidelines for the notification of MetS after MetS screening and to encourage checking MetS status periodically for effective MetS management (KCT 0000446).

Polarization characteristics of semipolar (112̄2) InGaN/GaN quantum well structures grown on relaxed InGaN buffer layers and comparison with experiment.

Partial strain relaxation effects on polarization ratio of semipolar (112̄2) InxGa1−xN/GaN quantum well (QW) structures grown on relaxed InGaN buffers were investigated using the multiband effective-mass theory. The absolute value of the polarization ratio gradually decreases with increasing In composition in InGaN buffer layer when the strain relaxation ratio (ε0y'y'−εy'y')/ε0y'y' along y'-axis is assumed to be linearly proportional to the difference of lattice constants between the well and the buffer layer. Also, it changes its sign for the QW structure grown on InGaN buffer layer with a relatively larger In composition (x > 0.07). These results are in good agreement with the experiment. This can be explained by the fact that, with increasing In composition in the InGaN subsrate, the spontaneous emission rate for the y'-polarization gradually increases while that for x'-polarization decreases due to the decrease in a matrix element at the band-edge (k‖ = 0).

Weight gain, new-onset overweight or obesity, and their influencing factors during the social distancing era of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The prevalence of obesity is gradually increasing in South Korea, and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has accelerated the weight gain. In response to COVID-19, South Korea implemented targeted distancing measures based on the number of COVID-19 cases, rather than a full lockdown. This study focused on two subgroups that influence the rise in obesity prevalence during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and explored the factors contributing to rapid weight gain in this group during this period. This cross-sectional study involved 3,462 participants recruited through the MicroEmbrain Inc. Online survey panel. Participation emails were sent by the research company to the online survey panel, and individuals who voluntarily agreed to participate responded to the survey. The participants consisted of residents aged 19 and above from Seoul, with sample distribution taking considering sex, age, and region. Height, and weight before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were self-reported. The analysis revealed that compared with that of pre-COVID-19 statistics, 11 % of all participants entered the overweight or obese categories post COVID-19, and among those who were overweight or obese before COVID-19, 42.5 % reported weight gain. Both groups had relatively younger individuals, higher stress levels, spent more time alone, and had increased usage of online platforms including online food purchasing. Post-COVID-19 wt gain among individuals with pre-existing overweight or obesity status was associated with a higher frequency of solitary drinking (odds ratio [OR] = 1.407, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.024-1.932), increased online leisure time (OR = 1.336, 95 % CI = 1.063-1.678), and increased use of meal delivery services (OR = 1.307, 95 % CI = 1.026-1.664). The prevalence of obesity has continued to rise after COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for interventions that mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic on health behavior.

A Grounded Theory of Walking for Health Promotion in Older Urban Adults.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Walking enhances the health, quality of life, and independence of older adults. However, a global decline in urban walking necessitates a re-evaluation of segmented, quantitative approaches to policies and theoretical frameworks in geriatric medicine for promoting walking among older adults. This study conceptualized the perceptions, experiences, and behaviors regarding walking, from a health promotion perspective, among older urban adults. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Pedestrian-friendly communities were explored for older adults in Seoul, South Korea, using a grounded theory. Thirty-eight older adults actively engaged in walking were recruited between July and December 2020. A qualitative multimethod approach was used, and the collected data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding, with axial coding integrating textual and spatiobehavioral information. RESULTS: The open-coding process yielded 92 concepts, 47 subcategories, and 19 categories. Using axial and selective coding principles, a conceptual framework was developed to explain how walking shaped the daily lives of older urban adults and provided multidimensional health benefits. Walking perception attributes were characterized by "embodied subjectivity as a healthy older adult," "autonomy of movement," and "walking as a way to enrich or sustain life." Active walking facilitated interactions between older adults and their neighborhood environment within the context of compact and accessible urban living. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: A healthy and age-friendly community encourages interactions between older adults and their neighborhood environment by providing opportunities for daily walking for several purposes, such as providing a sense of autonomy, increasing health-promoting behaviors, and creating a sense of community.

Exploring the Potential of Linear π-Bridge Structures in a D-π-A Organic Photosensitizer for Improved Open-Circuit Voltage.

We present the design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel metal-free photosensitizers based on D-π-A structures featuring tri-arylamine as an electron donor, cyanoacrylic acid as an anchoring group, and substituted derivative π-bridges including 9,9-dimethyl-9H-fluorene, benzo[b]thiophene, or naphtho [1,2-b:4,3-b']dithiophene. The aim of the current research is to unravel the relationship between chemical structure and photovoltaic performance in solar cell applications by investigating the properties of these organic sensitizers. The newly developed photosensitizers displayed variations in HOMO-LUMO energy gaps and photovoltaic performances due to their distinct π-bridge structures and exhibited diverse spectral responses ranging from 343 to 490 nm. The t-shaped and short linear photosensitizers demonstrated interesting behaviors in dye-sensitized solar cells, such as the effect of the molecular size in electron recombination. The study showed that a t-shaped photosensitizer with a bulky structure reduced electron recombination, while short linear photosensitizers with a smaller molecular size resulted in a higher open-circuit voltage value and enhanced photovoltaic performance. Impedance analysis further supported the findings, highlighting the influence of dye loading and I3- ion surface passivation on the overall performance of solar cells. The molecular design methodology proposed in this study enables promising photovoltaic performance in solar cells, addressing the demand for highly efficient, metal-free organic photosensitizers.

Neighbourhood environments for a healthy lifestyle among young single-person households experiencing housing poverty in Seoul, South Korea: a spatiotemporal qualitative study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: The number of single-person households is increasing globally-including in South Korea, where they account for over 30% of all households. Young single-person households in South Korea face health problems and housing challenges. Both the perceived and objective aspects of the neighbourhood environment, as a community asset, play a significant role in sustaining a healthy lifestyle. This study aims to explore and describe the meaning, roles and spatiotemporal characteristics of neighbourhood environments for a healthy lifestyle in young single-person households experiencing housing poverty in Seoul, South Korea. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This ongoing study uses an extended qualitative geographic information systems approach to explore a district in the city of Seoul that has the highest population density of young single-person households experiencing housing poverty. The study sample comprises young single-person households aged 19-39 years who are experiencing housing poverty in the study area, with an expected saturation point of approximately 55 participants. We employ online and offline recruitment strategies to ensure the inclusion of diverse perspectives and a multimethod approach that combines descriptive and spatiotemporal data collection techniques (eg, individual in-depth interviews, field observations and mobile global positioning system tracking). The data analysis encompasses thematic and content analyses to understand the neighbourhood environment's perceived attributes and the spatiotemporal characteristics of healthy lifestyles. In the integrated analysis, we plan to combine the qualitative findings with living space and daily-life patterns using qualitative software and a hybrid relational database. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The Institutional Review Board of Seoul National University approved the research protocol on 18 May 2021. The findings will be shared at international conferences and published in academic journals. Additionally, an online seminar will be conducted to share the results with policy-makers, researchers, community organisations and health workers working with young single-person households experiencing housing poverty.

Factors influencing the overall satisfaction of teachers participating in a nationwide school-based smoking prevention program in Korea.

INTRODUCTION: Numerous studies of school-based smoking prevention programs (SSPPs) exist; however, most have been conducted from the students' perspective, and insufficient research has explored teachers' perceptions. Our study aimed to identify factors affecting overall satisfaction and operational status from the perspective of teachers participating in the SSPP. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study analyzing data from a survey regarding the operation of an SSPP conducted by the Korea Health Promotion Institute in 2022. The study sample comprised 669 teachers involved in the SSPP: 215 from elementary schools, 212 from middle schools, and 242 from high schools. To identify factors influencing teachers' overall satisfaction, independent variables were categorized into three types of factors: personal, school, and teacher perceptions. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed for each factor to test the independent association. RESULTS: For elementary school teachers, as the necessity of smoking prevention and cessation education (ß=0.292; 95% CI: 0.182-0.382) increased, the overall satisfaction with the operation of the SSPP significantly improved. Similarly, for middle school teachers, as the necessity of smoking prevention and cessation education (ß=0.231; 95% CI: 0.104-0.336) increased, the overall satisfaction significantly improved. Conversely, for high school teachers, the effectiveness (ß=0.347; 95% CI: 0.184-0.520) was the variable that significantly improved overall satisfaction with the SSPP operation. The variables affecting teacher satisfaction across all school levels were the necessity of smoking prevention and cessation education, the effectiveness of the SSPP, and its impact on smoking cessation among smoking students, all of which belonged to the teacher perceptions factor. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking education in schools requires teachers to play a crucial role. Among participating teachers, overall satisfaction with SSPP operations and the influencing factors differed according to school level, highlighting the importance of careful consideration to establish a more effective operational environment tailored to each school level.

Daily life activities of young adults with obesity living in highly accessible and compact urban environments in Seoul, South Korea: a spatiotemporal qualitative study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Amid the growing global concern about obesity, young adults in South Korea are particularly affected, with 30.8% of people aged 19-34 classified as obese. Given the urban-centric lifestyle of Korean youth, understanding the relationship between daily life activities and the urban environment holds great promise for effective interventions. This study aims to explore the daily life activities of young adults with obesity in Seoul, a city known for its highly accessible and compact environment. The research questions explore the interaction between daily life activities and the neighbourhood environment and consider weight management in an urban context. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study uses an extended qualitative geographic information system approach to explore a district in Seoul with a highly accessible and compact urban environment. The sample comprises young adults with obesity (aged 19-34) residing in the study area, with recruitment targeting up to 51 participants for data saturation. A qualitative, multimethod approach combines descriptive and spatiotemporal data collection. Descriptive data are being collected, including in-depth interviews and photographs of daily food consumption. Spatial data collection involves field observations, cognitive mapping and mobile Global Positioning System tracking. Temporal data is gathered through participants drawing round timetables, detailing their daily schedules. Data analysis will entail thematic analysis of the interview data and content analysis of the spatiotemporal data. For the integrated analysis, pattern finding will be used to synthesise the data. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study was approved by the institutional review board of Seoul National University on 11 July 2022. Data collection and curation are currently underway, and the results of the analysis will be shared with the scientific community at international conferences and peer-reviewed journals. We are planning an open seminar to share our research findings with relevant policy-makers, community organisations and health professionals.

The context of perceived and desired social support among Korean older adults.

Social support has multiple dimensions, the context of which can be explored by qualitative methods. In this study, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 21 local senior center members (9 men and 12 women aged 65 and older) in Seoul, South Korea, in order to explore how they perceive and desire social support in an aging society. The qualitative methods in this study also included thematic analysis and constant comparison to identify three main themes: "no or denied support," "not to be greedy and shameless," and "justification and hopelessness." In the interviews, perceived and desired support did not emerge immediately as the participants were reluctant to share personal concerns with or to seek support from others. Nevertheless, they would turn to spouses and children for both emotional and instrumental support when in dire need. A shared norm among the participants was that seeking support would be an embarrassing and shameless act for themselves and a burden to others. They justified the discrepancy between the perceived and desired support as part of aging and felt hopelessness about it. The findings of this study have implications that implicit, individual social support may be effective than explicit, group support activities for those who are passive in recognizing the need for and seeking social support. In assessing and interpreting social support in old age, both perceived and desired support should be included and contextual approaches can be useful in so doing. The senior centers should be a more active advocate of successful aging that would offset hopelessness, negative attitude toward life, and social disconnection. Future research should focus on identifying effective strategies to bridge the gap between perceived and desired social support in older adults in this society of changing values and social norms.

Production of single-component cellulose-based hydrogel and its utilization as adsorbent for aqueous contaminants.

The growing concern for the environment has resulted in renewed interest in bio-based resources. This study aims to produce a hydrogel adsorbent from cellulose and examine its adsorption performance. In pursuit of this goal, we report a simple one-pot synthesis of cellulose acetate sulfate (CAS), followed by the formation of CAS hydrogels and their subsequent adsorption performances. The CAS includes both hydrophilic and hydrophobic functional groups, enable the formation of a single-component hydrogel through intermolecular interactions in deionized water. The thermal reversibility of CAS hydrogels makes them easily processable into various shapes. The durability of the CAS hydrogel adsorbents can be improved by introducing divalent cations (e.g., Ca2+), which create ionically crosslinked hydrogels. The ionically a crosslinked CAS hydrogel adsorbent exhibits a maximum adsorption capacity of 245 mg/g for methylene blue (MB) at 23 °C and a pH of 7. The adsorption behavior of MB on the CAS hydrogel follows both the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. Furthermore, the CAS hydrogel adsorbent maintains a 70 % removal ratio after five cycles. The simplicity of synthesis and hydrogel formation opens up new possibilities for producing and utilizing cellulose-based hydrogels as adsorbents for aqueous contaminants.

Asia-Pacific Perspectives on the Role of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Optimizing Diabetes Management.

Diabetes is prevalent, and it imposes a substantial public health burden globally and in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The cornerstone for optimizing diabetes management and treatment outcomes is glucose monitoring, the techniques of which have evolved from self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) to glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Contextual differences with Western populations and limited regionally generated clinical evidence warrant regional standards of diabetes care, including glucose monitoring in APAC. Hence, the APAC Diabetes Care Advisory Board convened to gather insights into clinician-reported CGM utilization for optimized glucose monitoring and diabetes management in the region. We discuss the findings from a pre-meeting survey and an expert panel meeting regarding glucose monitoring patterns and influencing factors, patient profiles for CGM initiation and continuation, CGM benefits, and CGM optimization challenges and potential solutions in APAC. While CGM is becoming the new standard of care and a useful adjunct to HbA1c and SMBG globally, glucose monitoring type, timing, and frequency should be individualized according to local and patient-specific contexts. The results of this APAC survey guide methods for the formulation of future APAC-specific consensus guidelines for the application of CGM in people living with diabetes.

Asia-Pacific consensus recommendations for application of continuous glucose monitoring in diabetes management.

Glucose monitoring has evolved from self-monitoring of blood glucose to glycated hemoglobin, and the latest continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). A key challenge to adoption of CGM for management of diabetes in Asia is the lack of regional CGM recommendations. Hence, thirteen diabetes-specialists from eight Asia-Pacific (APAC) countries/regions convened to formulate evidence-based, APAC-specific CGM recommendations for individuals with diabetes. We defined CGM metrics/targets and developed 13 guiding-statements on use of CGM in: (1) people with diabetes on intensive insulin therapy, and (2) people with type 2 diabetes on basal insulin with/without glucose lowering drugs. Continual use of CGM is recommended in individuals with diabetes on intensive insulin therapy and suboptimal glycemic control, or at high risk of problematic hypoglycemia. Continual/intermittent CGM may also be considered in individuals with type 2 diabetes on basal insulin regimen and with suboptimal glycemic control. In this paper, we provided guidance for optimizing CGM in special populations/situations, including elderly, pregnancy, Ramadan-fasting, newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, and comorbid renal disease. Statements on remote CGM, and stepwise interpretation of CGM data were also developed. Two Delphi surveys were conducted to rate the agreement on statements. The current APAC-specific CGM recommendations provide useful guidance for optimizing use of CGM in the region.