Bone markers can be useful for the diagnosis and treatment of skeletal diseases in children and adolescents. Owing to high skeletal growth velocity and rapid bone turnover, children and adolescents have higher bone marker levels than adults. Thus, a valid age- and sex-specific reference should be established for pediatric populations living in similar environments. We aimed to assess the associations of procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) and osteocalcin with age and sex in a group of healthy Korean children and adolescents. The participants (290 boys and 290 girls, age range 0-18 years) were Korean outpatients. Serum P1NP and osteocalcin levels were measured in control materials and patient samples by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay using an automated Cobas e411 analyzer. Significant age-dependent variations in bone marker levels were observed in both sexes (p<0.001). The highest P1NP levels were observed during the first year of life; thereafter, levels decreased until puberty. There was no postnatal peak for osteocalcin; however, its levels remained higher than the adult reference range throughout childhood. Significant differences were observed between boys and girls (p<0.05), especially between the ages of 12 and 17 years. Cobas e411 results for P1NP showed satisfactory precision and linearity. We established reference data for P1NP and osteocalcin levels in healthy Korean children and adolescents, as the first and only study of these parameters in pre-adulthood in Korea. Cobas e411-quantified bone markers may be useful for determining bone metabolism indices.

Background: Since the outbreak of the pandemic started, an increase in the number of sleep disorders, including insomnia and poor sleep quality, has been seen. The pattern will probably continue. Methods: This study focuses on the preparation and clinical testing of Poria cocos extract in treating suboptimal sleep quality. The optimal extraction method utilized a 75% ethanol concentration, and the clinical investigation involved subjects with defined poor sleep taking 800 mg of the extract nightly, assessed using the Sleep Questionnaire and polysomnography. The non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for statistical analysis due to the non-normal distribution of the collected data. Results: The study involved 21 insomnia sufferers with a mean age of 55 who were administered Poria cocos extracts. The findings of the study indicate a statistically significant rise in the overall duration of sleep (from 327.395 ± 43.2 min to 356.516 ± 63.21 min, p = 0.014). Additionally, there was a notable decrease in the level of arousal during sleep (from 76.316 ± 44.78 min to 47.989 ± 42.38 min, p = 0.009), and an improvement in the sleep severity index of the sleep questionnaire test. Conclusions: Poria cocos as a natural substance could improve quality of sleep, based on the findings. The study investigates Pachymic acid, a substance found in Poria cocos, as a potential indicator for the development of sleeping aids.

Purpose: This study examined the needs for asthma education programs as perceived by school-age children, parents, and teachers and investigated parents' and teachers' expectations for incorporating augmented reality (AR) in asthma education.Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study included 339 participants: 125 school-age children, 132 parents, and 82 teachers. Data were collected from children, parents, and teachers on the need for asthma education, the requirements for asthma education, and the expectations of parents and teachers for incorporating AR in asthma education. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the t-test, analysis of variance, and the Scheffé test.Results: Asthmatic children and their peers, parents, and teachers all felt there was a significant need for education about asthma, with education on how to deal with an asthma attack being needed the most. The incorporation of AR programs in asthma education was viewed positively by both parents and teachers.Conclusion: An AR children's asthma education program should be developed in which children with asthma and their peers, parents, and teachers can participate together. Furthermore, it is expected that children with asthma will independently undertake more effective disease management after attending an AR asthma education program.

An SJ, et al. Yonsei Med J. 2025 Jul;66:e73. https://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2025.0029

Background: With dementia cases increasing worldwide, the demand for creative and accessible strategies to support cognitive health in at-risk older populations has become urgent. Mobile applications offer a valuable method for promoting cognitive wellbeing, particularly for independently living older individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) Objective: This preliminary study evaluated the feasibility and usability of a mobile-based cognitive training game among older Korean adults diagnosed with MCI. Methods: A single-arm experimental design was adopted with 40 participants aged 65 and above who met eligibility criteria on the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE). Participants used the Descartes Care application three times a week for 12 weeks. Feasibility was assessed through changes in game scores and completion times, while usability was evaluated using participant satisfaction, efficiency, learnability, safety, and intention to reuse. Results: Thirty-eight participants completed the study. Significant improvements were observed in 69% (18 of 26) of mini-games for performance and efficiency ( p < 0.05). In terms of feasibility, 88% (23/26) of subgames showed significant score improvements and 62% (16/26) demonstrated reductions in completion time, indicating consistent gains in performance efficiency. Regarding usability, the overall satisfaction score was 6.63, and the retention rate across the 12-week program was 95%, supporting a high level of user acceptability and sustained engagement. Mean scores across all usability domains exceeded 6.0, and participants reported strong intention to continue using and recommending the app. Conclusions: Findings support the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of mobile technology-based cognitive training for older adults with MCI. This intervention shows promise as an accessible, engaging tool for cognitive health promotion. Future randomized controlled trials are needed to validate efficacy and assess long-term outcomes.