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This study analyzed data from the Korea Welfare Panel Study to identify changing patterns in social exclusion among South Korean youth and determine the influencing factors. The study examined 345 youth from 2012 to 2021. A fuzzy set theory and growth mixture model was used to measure social exclusion and identify patterns and the associated factors during this timeframe. The main findings are as follows. First, the social exclusion gap among South Korean youth that emerged a decade ago has continued, with high, middle, and low levels of exclusion identified. Second, the analysis revealed that looking at the demographics, being female, having less education and lower personal and household income increased the likelihood of falling into a relatively higher level of social exclusion. Based on the results, policy recommendations are suggested to mitigate the social exclusion gap among Korean youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Durable serological memory following vaccination is critically dependent on the production and survival of long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs). Yet, the factors that control LLPC specification and survival remain poorly resolved. Using intravital two-photon imaging, we find that in contrast to most plasma cells (PCs) in the bone marrow (BM), LLPCs are uniquely sessile and organized into clusters that are dependent on APRIL, an important survival factor. Using deep, bulk RNA sequencing, and surface protein flow-based phenotyping, we find that LLPCs express a unique transcriptome and phenotype compared to bulk PCs, fine-tuning expression of key cell surface molecules, CD93, CD81, CXCR4, CD326, CD44, and CD48, important for adhesion and homing. Conditional deletion of Cxcr4 in PCs following immunization leads to rapid mobilization from the BM, reduced survival of antigen-specific PCs, and ultimately accelerated decay of antibody titer. In naïve mice, the endogenous LLPCs BCR repertoire exhibits reduced diversity, reduced somatic mutations, and increased public clones and IgM isotypes, particularly in young mice, suggesting LLPC specification is non-random. As mice age, the BM PC compartment becomes enriched in LLPCs, which may outcompete and limit entry of new PCs into the LLPC niche and pool., Competing Interests: ZJ, PG, LO, MD, SW, RP, KC, YW, TM, DZ, DF No competing interests declared, (© 2023, Jing et al.)

Background: Interpersonal violence, such as intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and adverse childhood experiences, is a significant global health concern. A major challenge to nurses and others working in the field of interpersonal violence deals with the complexity involved in measuring interpersonal violence. Numerous validated instruments exist; however, there is no standard approach for scoring these instruments. There is also a tendency to examine different forms of violence separately, not accounting for the known co-occurrence of violence. This has led to confusion as the interpretation of results often differs depending on the specific method used., Objectives: The purpose of this article is to summarize the major methods for scoring interpersonal violence measures and implications of each approach with a specific focus on co-occurrence., Methods: The article begins with a summary of the primary goals of measuring interpersonal violence, major methods for scoring interpersonal violence measures, along with scoring challenges. We then provide a case exemplar examining the relationship between interpersonal violence and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms to illustrate how scoring methods can affect study results and interpretation of findings., Results: Our article shows that each scoring method provides a different picture of the distribution of interpersonal violence experiences and varies regarding the ease of interpretation. Scoring methods also affect interpretation of associations between interpersonal violence and other factors, such as having statistical power to detect significant associations. Accounting for the co-occurrence is critical for making accurate inferences by identifying potential confounding interactions between different types of violence., Discussion: The application of different scoring methods leading to varying interpretations highlights the need for researchers to be purposeful when selecting a method and even applying multiple methods when possible. Recommendations are provided to assist researchers and providers when making decisions about the use of scoring methods in different contexts.

Mammalian species differ dramatically in telomere biology. Species larger than 5-10 kg repress somatic telomerase activity and have shorter telomeres, leading to replicative senescence. It has been proposed that evolution of replicative senescence in large-bodied species is an anti-tumour mechanism counteracting increased risk of cancer due to increased cell numbers. By contrast, small-bodied species express high telomerase activity and have longer telomeres. To counteract cancer risk due to longer lifespan, long-lived small-bodied species evolved additional telomere-independent tumour suppressor mechanisms. Here, we tested the connection between telomere biology and tumorigenesis by analysing the propensity of fibroblasts from 18 rodent species to form tumours. We found a negative correlation between species lifespan and anchorage-independent growth. Small-bodied species required inactivation of Rb and/or p53 and expression of oncogenic H-Ras to form tumours. Large-bodied species displayed a continuum of phenotypes requiring additional genetic 'hits' for malignant transformation. Based on these data we refine the model of the evolution of tumour suppressor mechanisms and telomeres. We propose that two different strategies evolved in small and large species because small-bodied species cannot tolerate small tumours that form prior to activation of the telomere barrier, and must instead use telomere-independent strategies that act earlier, at the hyperplasia stage.This article is part of the theme issue 'Understanding diversity in telomere dynamics'., (© 2018 The Author(s).)

Introduction: The Clavien-Dindo (CD) and Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI) are two grading systems that annotate adverse events following surgical procedures. We compare these two classification systems in a cohort of patients undergoing radical nephroureterectomy (RNU)., Materials and Methods: The charts of 110 consecutive RNU patients were reviewed for complications occurring within 30 days of surgery. Grading by the CD classification system and values for CCI were calculated. Bivariate and multivariate analysis identified associations between perioperative variables and complications, as well as relationship to hospital length of stay., Results: Sixty-seven men and 43 women with a median age of 71, body mass index of 29, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 64 mL/min/1.73 m², and Charlson score of 4 were included. Seventy-five percent underwent a minimally invasive RNU, 47% had a lymph node dissection, and 7% received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Median hospital length of stay was 4 days (range, 2-22). Overall, 39 patients (35%) experienced a total of 56 complications including 12 major (≥ Clavien III) and 44 minor. Median CCI patients with complications cohort was 20.9 (range, 8.7-100). The upper quartile of CCI (> 75th %) was associated with higher Charlson score (p = 0.03), lower baseline eGFR (p = 0.005), intraoperative transfusion (p = 0.004), and absence of symptoms at presentation (p = 0.015). Major CD complications were associated with these same variables. On multivariate analysis, only the upper quartile of CCI was associated with length of stay (8.25 versus 5.61 days, p < 0.0001) whilst major CD complications were not (7.98 versus 6.32, p = 0.211)., Conclusions: The CCI and CD classification schemes are both associated with similar baseline and perioperative characteristics for RNU patients. However, the cumulative nature of CCI appears to permit more accurate prediction of length of stay following surgery compared to the CD system.