Animal-assisted therapy has positive effects on cognitive function, depression, performance ability, and social functioning in elderly patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of rearing pet insects on the cognitive function of healthy elderly participants, with fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) being used for this purpose. Community-dwelling right-handed elderly women (≥60 years) with normal cognitive function were enrolled and randomized at a 1:1 ratio into two groups: insect-rearing and control (n = 16) groups, with the insect-rearing group being further classified into two groups for analysis according to the subjects’ scores in the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, WCST) at the baseline fMRI: Insect-rearing group I with a relatively high score (n = 13), and insect-rearing group II with a relatively low score (n = 6). The insect-rearing groups received and reared crickets as pet insects for 8 weeks. The WCST consisted of two variations, a high level baseline (HLB) and semi-WCST version. There was a significant difference accuracy of the HLB–semi-WCST (p < 0.05) in insect-rearing group II after 8 weeks from the baseline test. In the fMRI analysis involving the WCST reaction test, increased activation was observed in the right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex and parietal cortex in insect-rearing group II when the semi-WCST, rather than the HLB, was performed. Rearing pet insects showed positive effects on executive functions and performance improvement in elderly women. Further larger studies on the effects of pet insects on cognitive function are warranted.

This study aimed to determine whether nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an independent risk factor for CVD and to identify the most useful NAFLD diagnostic tool for predicting CVD. Data from a total of 23,376 Korean adults without established CVD were analyzed. Cardiovascular risk was calculated using the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) 2008. The presence of NAFLD was defined as moderate-to-severe fatty liver disease diagnosed by ultrasonography. Scores for fatty liver were calculated using four NAFLD scoring systems (Fatty Liver Index, FLI; Hepatic Steatosis Index, HSI; Simple NAFLD Score, SNS; Comprehensive NAFLD Score, CNS), and were compared and analyzed according to cardiovascular risk group. Using the FRS, 67.4% of participants were considered to be at low risk of CVD, 21.5% at intermediate risk, and 11.1% at high risk. As the risk of CVD increased, both the prevalence of NAFLD and the score from each NAFLD scoring system increased significantly (p < 0.001). In the unadjusted analysis, the CNS had the strongest association with high CVD risk; in the adjusted analysis, the FLI score was most strongly associated with high CVD risk. Fatty liver is an important independent risk factor for CVD. Therefore, the available NAFLD scoring systems could be utilized to predict CVD.

Purpose: To evaluate the results of operating an in-hospital coronavirus disease 2019 screening station on an outpatient basis and to identify the effectiveness and necessity of such a screening station. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1345 individuals who were tested for COVID-19 using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at an in-hospital screening station on an outpatient basis. The subjects were healthcare workers (HCWs) with suspected COVID-19 symptoms or exposure to patients with confirmed COVID-19, caregivers at the hospital for complete enumeration, and patients who were scheduled to be admitted to a nonrestricted area in the hospital or to visit for outpatient treatment, but had suspected COVID-19 symptoms. The subjects were divided and compared as follows: HCW versus non-HCW groups and RT-PCR positive versus negative groups. Results: A total of 140 had symptoms, 291 wanted to be tested, and 664 were asymptomatic but were screened. Seven subjects had positive results for COVID-19. Compared with the non-HCWs, the HCWs were younger and had a lower rate of underlying medical conditions. In addition, there were more women, individuals with exposure to confirmed cases, and individuals with symptoms or those who just wanted to be tested. The frequency of all symptoms was high among the HCWs. The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that the HCWs were significantly associated with the presence of symptoms, having an odds ratio of 23.317 (confidence interval, 15.142-35.907L; P < 0.001). The positive group had a high rate of exposure to patients with confirmed COVID-19 and had more subjects with symptoms or those who wanted to be tested. Conclusion:In-hospital screening stations are a relatively safe way to protect and support HCWs and to reduce and manage the spread of infection within the hospital effectively during an outbreak in the community.

Animal-assisted intervention (AAI) is an effective intervention that improves the mental and physical health. However, few have examined the efficacy of pet insects as a form of AAI for prefrail and frail elderly. This study aimed to ascertain the effects of pet insects on physical performance and psychological health in community-dwelling frail elderly individuals with a chronic disease. Patients and Methods: This study was an 8 week prospective single-arm interventional pilot study that enrolled prefrail and frail community-dwelling adults aged 70 years and older, all of whom had a chronic disease and attended a daycare facility. Pet insects and appropriate equipment were provided, and supporting programs were used to educate participants about how to rear the insects and how to get close to them. Pre-and post-interventional physical and psychological functions were evaluated. Results: A total of 23 subjects (mean age, 82.78 years) were enrolled in the final analysis. The timed up-and-go-test (TUG) was used to measure functional mobility, and grip strength was used as a measure of muscle strength; both showed significant changes after the 8-week intervention (Δ = −0.35±0.73 sec, P = 0.034; and Δ = 0.73±0.99 kg, P = 0.002, respectively). In addition, the insomnia severity index (ISI) and average sleep duration improved significantly (Δ = −2.91±5.64, P = −0.021; and Δ = 0.87±1.98, P = 0.047, respectively). There were no significant changes in the results of other psychometric tests. Logistic regression analysis using the forward stepwise selection method revealed that the baseline ISI score and the absence of other comorbidities were significantly associated with the probability of positive changes in both the TUG and HS tests after the intervention. Conclusion: Pet insects may be an effective and easily applicable type of AAI, which improves physical function and sleep in prefrail and frail elderly individuals.