The purpose of this study was to provide basic data on cognitive therapy and to improve social support programs for the elderly with dementia by identifying the difficulties they experienced in emotional communication by identifying how they recognized emotions in verbal reactions to facial expressions using Ekman’s photographs of facial expressions and comparing their responses with the general elderly population. There were 141 participants in this study. Data collection was conducted from 3 April 2019 to 30 June 2019 in Seoul, in the Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do provinces of South Korea. This study performed descriptive research in which subjects made participative decisions with their guardian through recruitment. The tools used in this study included a general characteristic questionnaire and the Ekman 6 facial expressions photographs tool, which underwent intensive validity studies. The collected data were analyzed using the R version 3.5.1 statistic computing platform. The ability of the elderly with dementia to associate verbal expressions with facial expressions differed from that of the general elderly population. The rates of correct associations of verbal expressions to facial expressions were similar across dementia grades. There was a significant difference in the proportion of correct associations between positive and negative emotions in the elderly with dementia compared to the general elderly population. In the elderly with dementia, pictures showing fear, anger, and disgust had higher wrong rates of incorrect answers than correct answers. The average score of elderly with dementia in associating verbal expressions with six facial expressions was 2.69, which was even lower when they were asked to associate verbal expressions with pictures showing facial expressions of anger or disgust. This study shows that elderly persons with dementia have difficulties identifying two negative emotions (anger, disgust) and find it much easier to identify a positive emotion of happiness represented by a smiling face. Since the ability of the elderly with dementia to interpret verbal expressions to facial expressions was different from that of the general elderly population, careful attention and consideration are needed to support and communicate emotions to the elderly with dementia.

The global rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections has accelerated the pursuit of novel antimicrobial strategies. Bacteriophage therapy, which employs viruses that selectively infect and kill bacteria, has re-emerged as a promising alternative due to its host specificity and minimal disruption to commensal flora. Recent innovations in genetic engineering have enabled the creation of recombinant phages and lytic enzymes, enhancing their clinical efficacy. In particular, phage-derived lysins have demonstrated potent bactericidal effects against MDR pathogens, including MRSA and Acinetobacter baumannii, in both in vitro and in vivo models. Furthermore, engineered phages using CRISPR/Cas and synthetic biology are opening new frontiers, allowing for targeted eradication of resistance genes and improved biofilm disruption. These therapies are being explored not only for human infections but also for applications in food safety, veterinary medicine, and medical device sanitation. While host immune interactions and pharmacokinetics remain under investigation, current clinical data support the safety and therapeutic promise of phage-based approaches. This review highlights the biological principles, technological advancements, and practical implications of phage therapy as a modern solution to antibiotic resistance.

This paper is a descriptive research study on self-perceived evaluations of health in caregivers: (1) It starts with questions about whether caregivers with patients think of being healthy just by themselves. These healthy caregivers have positive mindsets and are less stressed than others; (2) Perceived health status (healthy and unhealthy) was evaluated as a response to factors including demographic characteristics, positive psychological capital, and job stress (negative) using binary logistic analysis; (3) 79 individuals from the perceived good health group were compared with 98 from the perceived poor health group, totaling 177 participants. The mean score of positive psychological capital for the perceived good health group was higher than that of the other group (64.0 ± 8.2 : 61.2 ± 8.0). Additionally, the mean score of job stress for the perceived good health group was lower than that of the other group (98.9 ± 11.0 : 102.2 ± 10.7); (4) In this study, the caregiver group that was healthy had higher positive psychological capital and lower job stress than the other group.

This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing infection control fatigue among emergency room nurses, specifically examining the roles of job stress, burnout, and positive psychological capital. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 170 emergency nurses using validated instruments. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression analysis. The findings indicated that infection control fatigue was positively correlated with job stress (r = .750, p < .001) and burnout (r = .428, p < .001), while a negative correlation was observed with positive psychological capital (r = –.085, p = .136). Multiple regression analysis revealed that these variables collectively explained 58.9% of the variance in infection control fatigue. The results underscore the critical need to address occupational stressors and emotional exhaustion in emergency settings. Enhancing positive psychological capital may serve as a protective factor, reducing fatigue and improving infection control compliance. Practical implications include the implementation of institutional strategies such as stress management programs, resilience training, and supportive leadership to sustain frontline nurse well-being and performance.