WonKwang Health Science University

Abstract Background and Objectives Korea is undergoing one of the fastest demographic transitions among OECD countries, with rural communities experiencing the sharpest consequences of aging and depopulation. In these areas, older adults face multiple disadvantages, including social isolation, limited income and education, and restricted access to health and welfare services. In response, national policies have promoted smart care technologies—sensors, monitoring devices, and AI-based services—as part of community-based integrated care. While these technologies are expected to reduce service gaps, less attention has been paid to how frontline providers understand what constitutes “good care” in this context. Research Design and Methods Our study examined the perspectives of village care managers, who coordinate health, welfare, and smart care resources in rural communities. 16 managers involved in a pilot smart integrated care project in Jeongeup, Jeonbuk-do, were interviewed through semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Results : Our findings suggest that good care cannot be solely achieved through technological monitoring or efficiency. It still requires relational qualities—sincerity, respect, and social connection—combined with professional competence and coordination across fragmented services. Participants highlighted that smart technologies may support safety and access but cannot substitute for human interaction, local collaboration, and skilled guidance in bridging digital divides. Discussion and Implications By foregrounding providers’ perspectives, this study adds to ongoing debates about the meaning of good care in digitally integrated rural care settings. Smart technologies can support safety and access, but their value depends on how they are embedded in practices of empathy, respect, professional guidance, and community collaboration.

With population aging, the number of older adults living alone is increasing. Health literacy has an important effect on the health and quality of life of community-dwelling older adults, but the relationship between living alone and health literacy is unclear. This study aimed to explore the relationship between living alone and health literacy in community-dwelling older adults. A secondary data analysis of health literacy in community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years was performed using the 2023 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Health literacy was assessed using a self-reported questionnaire. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the factors associated with health literacy. Of 1573 older adults (mean age, 72.2 years; mean health literacy score, 27.6 points), 409 (26.0%) lived alone, of whom 73.1% were women. Health literacy was directly associated with higher educational level (college or higher: β = 0.210, P < .001), being employed (β = 0.080, P = .002), and better subjective health status (good: β = 0.067, P = .038), and inversely associated with living alone (β = -0.064, P = .018), older age (β = -0.062, P = .035), and living in a rural area (β = -0.112, P < .001). Living alone was associated with a lower level of health literacy. Social support to improve health literacy in older adults should prioritize those living alone, living in rural areas, with lower educational levels, unemployed persons, and those with poor self-perceived health status.

Structurally Adaptive Microneedle Bioelectrode The cover illustrates a structurally adaptive microneedle bioelectrode that transforms from a bulky state into an ultrathin, compliant interface after insertion. This transition extends epidermal electronics into dermal electronics, enabling stress-free, stable, and long-term signal acquisition. More details can be found in the Research Article by Geunbae Lim and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/adma.202509719).

This study examined the relationship between albuminuria and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and beta cell function (HOMA-) in non-diabetic Korean adults.This study included 4,895 adults aged 20 or older using the 2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data.After adjusting for the related variables in men, the mean value of HOMA-IR in the albuminuria group (meanstandard error [MSE], 2.860.18;95% confidence interval [CI], 2.50~3.22)was higher than in the normal group (MSE, 2.350.04;95% CI, 2.26~2.43)(P=0.007),but there was no significant difference in women (P=0.036).After adjusting for the related variables in men, the mean value of HOMA- in albuminuria group (MSE, 130.369.12;95% CI, 112.47~148.24) was higher than in the normal group (MSE, 100.572.21;95% CI, 96.24~104.90)(P=0.002),but there was no significant difference in women (P=0.588).Albuminuria was positively associated with increased insulin resistance and beta-cell function in Korean men without diabetes mellitus, but not in Korean women.

Aims: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of group arts therapy based on emotion management training on emotional expression, positive and negative emotion, alexithymia, depression and quality of life patients with schizophrenia. Methods: 24 patients of 160 inpatients with schizophrenia from H Mental Health Care Facilities in G city were randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group. Each group were consist of 12 patients. Group arts therapy was conducted on the experimental group twice a week, 60 minutes per session, for a total of 16 sessions. The following scales were used for assessment: Berkeley Expressivity Questionnaire (BEQ), Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20K), Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (K-CDSS), and Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale (SQLS). Repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to confirm the differences for scores of each scales regarding groups, measuring timing, and also the interaction between groups and measuring timing. Results: Group arts therapy increased emotional expression (total score, expressivity and impulse strength subscale socre of BEQ) in experimental group compared with control group (p&lt;.001). Group arts therapy increased positive emotion (p&lt;0.001) as well as decreased negative emotion (p&lt;0.05) in experimental group compared with the control group. Group arts therapy increased score of difficulty identifying feelings of TAS-20 (p&lt;0.01) in experimental group compared with the control group. Group arts therapy decreased depression (p&lt;0.01) in experimental group compared with the control group. Group arts therapy increased quality of life (p&lt;0.01) in experimental group compared with the control group. Conclusion: The group arts therapy significantly improved the emotional expression and positive emotion, and decreased negative emotion, alexithymia and depression in patients with schizophrenia and also improved quality of life. These results suggest that group arts therapy based on emotion management training could be a useful intervention for emotional disturbance in patients with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE The present study was conducted to assess the association of hyperuricemia and anemia in premenopausal and postmenopausal Korean women. METHODS Data from 9,239 adults (aged ≥ 20 years) in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VII (2016–2018) were analyzed. RESULTS After adjustment for related variables (including age), the odds ratio (OR) of hyperuricemia (uric acid [UA] &lt; 6.0 mg/dL), using the normal group (hemoglobin [Hb] ≥ 12.0 g/dL) as a reference, was statistically significantly positively associated with the anemia group (Hb &lt; 12.0 g/dL) in postmenopausal women (OR, 1.615; 95% CI, 1.187–2.198). In premenopausal women, after adjustment for the related variables (except age), the OR of hyperuricemia, with a normal group as a reference, was significantly inversely associated with the anemia group (OR, 0.583; 95% CI, 0.348–0.975). However, with further adjustment for age, hyperuricemia was no longer associated with anemia (OR, 0.679; 95% CI, 0.402–1.148). CONCLUSIONS Hyperuricemia is positively associated with anemia in postmenopausal women but not in premenopausal women. KEYWORDS anemia, uric acid, hyperuricemia, women, menopause

Caulerpa is a marine green macroalga distinguished by a large single cell with multiple nuclei. It also exhibits remarkable morphological intraspecies variations, in response to diverse environmental types. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenotypic plasticity remain poorly understood. In this work, we compare the transcriptomes of Caulerpa okamurae Weber Bosse, 1897 displaying altered phenotypes of cultivation and natural phenotypes and investigate significantly regulated genes and their biological functions using differential expression analyses. We observe light-harvesting complex upregulation and cellular framework stability downregulation in altered phenotypes compared to the natural phenotypes. Intertidal macrophytes reduce light capture to avoid photodamage and regulate their morphology to protect against wave damage. In contrast, the lower light conditions and the cultivation environment augment light capture and increase a morphology prioritizing light trapping. Moreover, the addition of simulated wave-sweeping stimuli induces a return to the natural morphology under high-light conditions, showing how mechanical stress affects morphological organization in C. okamurae. We provide detailed gene expression patterns in C. okamurae under varying light intensities and water conditions, suggesting a distinct influence on its morphological traits.