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The increases in the older population, the prevalence of dementia, and the resulting social costs are burdensome to individuals, families, and the nation. This study examines whether the social robot PIO program intervention is effective for cognitive function and depression for older adults with mild to moderate dementia using two daycare centers in Daegu, Korea. Older adults with mild to moderate dementia and using a daycare center were included in the experimental (n = 33) and control (n = 33) groups. The experimental group participated in the social robot PIO program twice a week, 12 sessions, 50 minutes day for 6 weeks, and the control group received the usual care. From October 2022 through December 2022, a total 66 participants were included. Results showed that the cognitive function of the experimental group increased by 3.9±3.66, from 18.1±4.54 before intervention to 21.9±5.17 after intervention; the control group increased by 0.1±4.13, from 18.2±4.91 before intervention to 18.2± 4.77 after intervention. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t = 3.94, p <.001). Depression decreased -0.7±3.48 in the experimental group, from 5.9±4.74 before intervention to 5.2±4.65 after intervention, and decreased by -0.2±3.42, from 6.5±4.69 before intervention to 6.4±4.08 after intervention, in the control group, but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant ( z = -0.59, p =.557). It was confirmed that the social robot PIO program is effective in improving cognitive function in older people with mild to moderate dementia who use daycare centers. Therefore, it is recommended to periodically implement this program for the older adults who use daycare centers to improve cognitive function. The experimental group had lower depression than did those in the control group, but the effect is not statistically significant, so additional research is required. Trial Registration: CRIS ( KCT0007936 )

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Several classes of drugs are available to treat different types of cancer. Currently, researchers are paying significant attention to the development of drugs at the nanoscale level to increase their target specificity and to reduce their concentrations. Nanotechnology is a promising and growing field with multiple subdisciplines, such as nanostructures, nanomaterials, and nanoparticles. These materials have gained prominence in science due to their size, shape, and potential efficacy. Nanomedicine is an important field involving the use of various types of nanoparticles to treat cancer and cancerous cells. Synthesis of nanoparticles targeting biological pathways has become tremendously prominent due to the higher efficacy and fewer side effects of nanodrugs compared to other commercial cancer drugs. In this review, different medicinal plants and their active compounds, as well as green-synthesized metallic nanoparticles from medicinal plants, are discussed in relation to their anticancer activities.

Non-invasive objective implant stability measurements are needed to determine the appropriate timing of prosthetic fitting after implant placement. We compared the early implant stability results obtained using resonance frequency analysis (RFA) and damping capacity analysis (DCA) depending on the implant length and bone density. Total 60, 4.0 mm diameter implants of various lengths (7.3 mm, 10 mm, and 13 mm) were used. In Group I, low-density bone was described using 15 PCF (0.24 g/cm3) polyurethane bone blocks, and in Group II, 30 PCF (0.48 g/cm3) polyurethane bone blocks were used to describe medium density bone. RFA was performed using an Osstell ® Beacon+; DCA was performed using Anycheck ® . Measurements were repeated five times for each implant. Statistical significance was set at P <0.05. In Group I, bone density and primary implant stability were positively correlated, while implant length and primary implant stability were positively correlated. In Group II, the implant stability quotient (ISQ) and implant stability test (IST) values in did not change significantly above a certain length. Primary implant stability was positively correlated with bone density and improved with increasing implant length at low bone densities. Compared with the Osstell ® Beacon+, the simplicity of Anycheck ® was easy to use and accessible.

O2-type lithium-rich layered oxides, known for mitigating irreversible transition metal migration and voltage decay, provide suitable framework for exploring the inherent properties of oxygen redox. Here, we present a series of O2-type lithium-rich layered oxides exhibiting minimal structural disordering and stable voltage retention even with high anionic redox participation based on the nominal composition. Notably, we observe a distinct asymmetric lattice breathing phenomenon within the layered framework driven by excessive oxygen redox, which includes substantial particle-level mechanical stress and the microcracks formation during cycling. This chemo-mechanical degradation can be effectively mitigated by balancing the anionic and cationic redox capabilities, securing both high discharge voltage (~ 3.43 V vs . Li/Li + ) and capacity (~ 200 mAh g −1 ) over extended cycles. The observed correlation between the oxygen redox capability and the structural evolution of the layered framework suggests the distinct intrinsic capacity fading mechanism that differs from the previously proposed voltage fading mode. O2-type Li-rich layered cathodes suppress voltage decay and aid in oxygen redox research. Here, the authors report trilateral relationship among anionic redox utilization, bulk chemo-mechanical degradation, and electrochemical fading, which can be mitigated by balancing the redox center capabilities.

Clay minerals have been recognized as one of the cheap and effective materials for wastewater remediation. Among the various clay minerals, montmorillonite (MMT) has received much attention due to its wide availability, low-cost and promising properties such as high porosity, mechanical strength, and cation exchange capacity. Additionally, MMT has high swelling properties. These features make it an ideal material for wastewater remediation applications. In addition, it possessed good cationic exchange capacity, making it easier to interact with various molecules. MMT and its composites exhibited good selectivity and catalytic activity for contaminants elimination from wastewater. Surface modification and functionalization have been identified as a way to improve the MMT’s adsorptive performance and endow it with light and light-harnessing properties. Thus, MMT composites, especially metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles, have shown good adsorption and photocatalytic activity toward the elimination/mineralization of various contaminants such as dyes, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and other organic and inorganic species. As such, MMT and its composites can be adopted as potential materials for wastewater remediation.

We estimated the serial interval and superspreading potential to quantify pertussis transmission dynamics in a 2024 school-based outbreak of a population in South Korea that had received a series of pertussis vaccinations. We analyzed 48 cases of pertussis and reconstructed 36 transmission pairs. We then used maximum-likelihood estimation to assess serial interval and offspring distribution from transmission pair data. We identified that the mean serial interval was 9.5 (SD 1.6) days; 15% (95% CI 8%-23%) of cases seeded 80% of all transmissions in this outbreak. Our findings suggest that pertussis was highly transmissible in vaccinated children during this outbreak. Rapid contact tracing and strict adherence to public health measures are needed to reduce community pertussis transmission.

This comprehensive review focuses on treatment technologies for produced water, with a particular emphasis on membrane-based systems. These systems offer significant advantages, including high contaminant removal efficiencies, compact design, and the potential for resource recovery. The review emphasizes the application of these technologies, their performance in meeting regulatory standards, and the challenges they face, such as operational efficiency and fouling. It highlights the need for further research and for the optimization of processes to enhance their efficiency. The integration of conventional methods with advanced treatment processes is also explored, with a vision toward developing hybrid systems for improved treatment efficiency. Overall, membrane-based systems show great promise for the treatment of produced water, but further advancements, sustainability considerations, and integration with other technologies are essential for their successful implementation in large-scale applications.

The omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was the predominant variant in South Korea from late January 2022. In this study, we aimed to report the early estimates of the serial interval distribution and reproduction number to quantify the transmissibility of the omicron variant in South Korea between 25 November 2021 and 31 December 2021. We analyzed 427 local omicron cases and reconstructed 73 transmission pairs. We used a maximum likelihood estimation to assess serial interval distribution from transmission pair data and reproduction numbers from 74 local cases in the first local outbreak. We estimated that the mean serial interval was 3.78 (standard deviation, 0.76) days, which was significantly shorter in child infectors (3.0 days) compared to adult infectors (5.0 days) (p < 0.01). We estimated the mean reproduction number was 1.72 (95% CrI, 1.60–1.85) for the omicron variant during the first local outbreak. Strict adherence to public health measures, particularly in children, should be in place to reduce the transmission risk of the highly transmissible omicron variant in the community.

Although overt thyroid dysfunction has been associated with changes in pulmonary function, the effects of thyroid hormone levels and thyroid autoimmunity on lung function in euthyroid individuals remain unclear. We investigated the associations between subtle changes in thyroid hormones and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and pulmonary function in a nationally representative cohort of Korean adults. We analyzed data from 2,626 euthyroid participants aged ≥ 40 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2015). Pulmonary function was assessed using spirometry-derived forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC ratio. Multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, alcohol intake, and physical activity. In the unadjusted models, higher free thyroxine levels were positively associated with FVC and FEV1, while higher TSH levels were inversely associated. In contrast, elevated TPOAb levels were independently associated with reduced FEV1 (β = -0.330, P = 0.021). These associations were more pronounced among adults aged ≥60 years and individuals with a BMI ≤ 23 kg/m². Thyroid autoimmunity, as reflected by elevated TPOAb levels, was associated with a decline in pulmonary function among euthyroid individuals, independent of thyroid hormone levels. Our results support the clinical utility of TPOAb status as an early marker for detecting subclinical pulmonary vulnerability, particularly in older adults and those with a lower BMI.

We estimated mean serial interval and superspreading potential for the Delta variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in South Korea. Intervals were similar for the first (3.7 days) and second (3.5 days) study periods. Risk for superspreading events was also similar; 23% and 25% of cases, respectively, seeded 80% of transmissions.