• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2901-2907
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• 2016

Background: Despite increasing debate about overdiagnosis and overtreatment of thyroid cancer in Korea, information to guide decisions on whether or not to undergo screening for and treatment of abnormal lesions of the thyroid is lacking. Moreover, studies have yet to outline what lay people know and want to know about thyroid cancer. The primary aim of this study was to explore general awareness of thyroid cancer among Korean women, their sources of information, and their satisfaction with the information they are provided. The secondary aim was to investigate information needs about thyroid cancer. Materials and Methods: A qualitative study using focus group interviews was conducted. Twenty-nine women were divided into four groups: (1) participants who had never undergone thyroid ultrasound screening; (2) those who had undergone screening, (3) those who continued to undergo regular check-ups with ultrasonography for benign nodules of the thyroid; and (4) participants who had undergone surgery for thyroid cancer. Results: A widespread lack of awareness of information on thyroid cancer was noted among participants in groups 1 and 2 who were not well aware of thyroid cancer and generally recognized it as a 'good cancer'. Surprisingly, instead of doctors and medical personnel, most participants reported obtaining information from acquaintances and media outlets. Moreover, most participants described dissatisfaction with their experience with screening and a lack of explanation on treatment and test results from medical personnel. Conclusions: Women in Korea seek reliable information on thyroid cancer that could help them to better understand the disease and make informed decisions regarding screening and treatment. More effort is needed from medical personnel to communicate the implications of thyroid cancer, screening results, and treatments thereof to lay people.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.5237-5242
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• 2016

Background: Cancer screening rates are lower in Japan than those in western countries. Health professionals publish procancer screening messages on the internet to encourage audiences to undergo cancer screening. However, the information provided is often difficult to read for lay persons. Further, anti-cancer screening activists warn against cancer screening with messages on the Internet. We aimed to assess and compare the readability of pro- and anti-cancer screening online messages in Japan using a measure of readability. Methods: We conducted web searches at the beginning of September 2016 using two major Japanese search engines (Google.jp and Yahoo!.jp). The included websites were classified as "anti", "pro", or "neutral" depending on the claims, and "health professional" or "non-health professional" depending on the writers. Readability was determined using a validated measure of Japanese readability. Statistical analysis was conducted using two-way ANOVA. Results: In the total 159 websites analyzed, anti-cancer screening online messages were generally easier to read than pro-cancer screening online messages, Messages written by health professionals were more difficult to read than those written by non-health professionals. Claim ${\times}$ writer interaction was not significant. Conclusion: When health professionals prepare pro-cancer screening materials for publication online, we recommend they check for readability using readability assessment tools and improve text for easy comprehension when necessary.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.1879-1888
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• 2019

Background: The treatment of pain in the iliotibial band friction syndrome has been difficult to determine, according to studies to date. However, recent studies have suggested that flexibility in the subacute stage of pain in the iliotibial band friction syndrome may help reduce pain. Objective: To investigate the immediate effect on pressure pain threshold and flexibility of the tensor fascia latae and iliotibial band by applying static and dynamic myofascial release foam rolling and self-stretching to adults with shortening iliotibial band. Design: Randomized controlled trial Methods: In this study, 50 subjects who were selected in advance as a randomized controlled trial were randomly allocated using a R Studio program. The included subjects were randomly allocated to three intervention groups. The static self-myofascial release 18 people, dynamic self-myofascial release group 16 people separated the self-stretching group 16 people and conducted a homogeneity check in advance. Before the start of the experiment, after of the experiment, 5 minutes after the end of the experiment, the pressure pain threshold and flexibility change for each part were measured. Results: The results of this study showed that the static self-myofascial release showed a significant difference in the pressure pain threshold in the tensor fascia latae and middle, lower part of the iliotibial band, compared with the other intervention groups (p<.05). In change of flexibility, the static self-myofascial release was significantly different than the other intervention groups (p<.05). Conclusion: The result of this study suggest that static self-myofascial release using foam roller may help to improve the pain and flexibility of the iliotibial band and to apply it as a more discerning intervention.

• Gut and Liver
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.633-640
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• 2018

Background/Aims: Obesity is a risk factor for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), with several studies demonstrating positive associations between body mass index (BMI) and GERD symptoms. However, little is known about the effect of BMI changes on erosive esophagitis (EE). In this study, we investigated whether BMI reduction could resolve EE. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed to assess the natural course of EE according to changes in BMI. Participants undergoing health check-ups from 2006 to 2012 were enrolled, and 1,126 subjects with EE were included. The degree of esophagitis was measured by upper endoscopy and serially checked over a 5-year follow-up. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the association between BMI reduction and EE resolution. Results: Substantial weight loss is associated with EE resolution. The adjusted odds ratio for EE resolution was 1.44 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09 to 1.92) among participants with a decrease in BMI compared to those with no decrease in BMI. The EE resolution rate was related to the degree of BMI reduction. The effect of weight loss on EE resolution was higher among subjects who lost more weight. Compared with subjects with no decrease in BMI, the hazard ratios for EE resolution were 1.09 (95% CI, 0.89 to 1.35), 1.31 (95% CI, 1.01 to 1.72) and 2.12 (95% CI, 1.44 to 3.12) in subjects with BMI reductions of ${\leq}1$, 1-2, and >$2kg/m^2$, respectively. Conclusions: EE resolution is associated with a decrease in BMI, and weight loss is potentially an effective GERD treatment.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.734-743
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• 2021

Background: The underlying mechanisms of the potential tumor-suppressive effects of ginsenoside Rh2 are complex. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation is usually dysregulated in cancer. This study explored the regulatory effect of ginsenoside Rh2 on m6A RNA methylation in cancer. Methods: m6A RNA quantification and gene-specific m6A RIP-qPCR assays were applied to assess total and gene-specific m6A RNA levels. Co-immunoprecipitation, fractionation western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining were performed to detect protein interactions and distribution. QRT-PCR, dual-luciferase, and ChIP-qPCR assays were conducted to check the transcriptional regulation. Results: Ginsenoside Rh2 reduces m6A RNA methylation and KIF26B expression in a dose-dependent manner in some cancers. KIF26B interacts with ZC3H13 and CBLL1 in the cytoplasm of cancer cells and enhances their nuclear distribution. KIF26B inhibition reduces m6A RNA methylation level in cancer cells. SRF bound to the KIF26B promoter and activated its transcription. SRF mRNA m6A abundance significantly decreased upon KIF26B silencing. SRF knockdown suppressed cancer cell proliferation and growth both in vitro and in vivo, the effect of which was partly rescued by KIF26B overexpression. Conclusion: ginsenoside Rh2 reduces m6A RNA methylation via downregulating KIF26B expression in some cancer cells. KIF26B elevates m6A RNA methylation via enhancing ZC3H13/CBLL1 nuclear localization. KIF26B-SRF forms a positive feedback loop facilitating tumor growth.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.390-395
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• 2021

Background: Health-care providers typically undergo shift work and are subjected to increased stress. Night shift work may induce disturbed sleep cycles and circadian rhythm. The objective of this study was to explore if night shift workers (NSWs) show an increased risk of abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 574 employees without thyroid disease and abnormal TSH at baseline who underwent annual check-ups between 2007 and 2016 in a medical center. NSWs were defined as those with working time schedules other than daytime hours. We calculated the incidence rate and estimated the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for incident abnormal TSH and subclinical hypothyroidism compared with non-NSWs using a Cox regression model. Results: A total of 56 incident abnormal TSH cases and 39 subclinical hypothyroidism cases in NSWs were identified during 3000 person-years of follow-up. In models adjusted for age, sex, obesity, and working departments, we found no increased relative risk for incident abnormal TSH (HR: 0.72, 95% confidence interval: 0.33-1.60) or subclinical hypothyroidism (HR: 0.52, 95% confidence interval: 0.19-1.45) when comparing NSWs to non-NSWs; nor were incidence rates significantly different among exclusively medical employees after excluding administrative staff. Conclusion: In this hospital-based nine-year follow-up retrospective cohort study, NSWs were not associated with increased relative risk of incident abnormal TSH and subclinical hypothyroidism, in contrast to previous cross-sectional studies.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.272-279
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• 2021

Background: Korea's health screening program has been faced the need for changes as the population and diseases structure are changing. In addition to Korea, many countries operate state-led health check-up programs to improve the health level of the people, and the operating methods of the program appear in various forms according to each country's health insurance system. This study examines other state-led health screening programs and proposes a direction for the development of Korea's health screening program. Methods: The study was conducted using the literature review method, and the "country" was set as a unit for the case analysis. The operating method of the health screening programs and the financial resources were compared according to the health insurance system. Five countries were selected as Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Taiwan. Results: The analyzed countries mainly operate the health screening program as a management method for chronic diseases, but there were differences in the operating method, financing, and targeted subjects and examination items. In most countries, a risk assessment was performed prior to the examination (screening), and the subjects who needed the examination were first selected, and a follow-up management service was provided in accordance with the risk each individual exposed. Conclusion: Rather than applying the same screening method to populations with different risk levels, a health screening program will be constructed in consideration of the individual's health level and exposure risk, and the healthcare delivery system will be reorganized so that screening and treatment services can be linked.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.179-185
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: Tomato genome editing using CRISPR-Cas9 is being actively conducted in recent days, and lots of plant researches have been aiming to develop high valued crops by editing target genes without inserting foreign genes. Many researchers have been involved in the manipulation of the crop ripening process because fruit ripening is an important fruit phenotype for increasing fruit shelf life, taste, and texture of crops. This paper intends to evaluate target sgRNA to edit the two ripening-related genes encoding pectate lyase (PL) and phytoene synthase (Psy) with the CRISPR-Cas9 system. METHODS AND RESULTS: The CRISPR-Cas9 expression vector was cloned to target the PL (Solyc03g111690), Psy1 (Solyc03g031860), and Psy2 (Solyc02g081330) genes, which are the ripening genes of tomatoes. Tomatoes injected with Agrobacterium containing the CRISPR-Cas9 expression vector were further cultured for 5 days and used to check gene editing efficiency. As a result of the target gene sequence analysis by the next generation sequencing method, gene editing efficiency was calculated, and the efficient target location was selected for the PL and Psy genes. CONCLUSION: Therefore, this study was aimed to establish target sgRNA data that could have higher efficiency of the CRISPR-Cas9 system to obtain the delayed ripening phenotype of tomato. The developed method and sgRNA information is expected to be utilized in the development of various crops to manage its ripening processes.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.48.1-48.15
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• 2021

Background: Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a swine enteropathogenic coronavirus that has devastated the swine industry in South Korea over the last 30 years. The lack of an effective method to control the endemics has led to a surge in PEDV recurrences in affected farms throughout the country. Objectives: In the first step toward establishing systematic monitoring of and active control measures over the swine populations, we constructed an assessment model that evaluates the status of (1) biosecurity, (2) herd immunity, and (3) virus circulation in each of the PEDV-infected farms. Methods: A total of 13 farrow-to-finish pig farms with a history of acute PEDV infection on Jeju Island were chosen for this study. The potential risk of the recurrence in these farms was estimated through on-site data collection and laboratory examination. Results: Overall, the data indicated that a considerable number of the PEDV-infected farms had lax biosecurity, achieved incomplete protective immunity in the sows despite multi-dose vaccination, and served as incubators of the circulating virus; thus, they face an increased risk of recurrent outbreaks. Intriguingly, our results suggest that after an outbreak, a farm requires proactive tasks, including reinforcing biosecurity, conducting serological and virus monitoring to check the sows' immunity and to identify the animals exposed to PEDV, and improving the vaccination scheme and disinfection practices if needed. Conclusions: The present study highlights the significance of coordinated PEDV management in infected farms to reduce the risk of recurrence and further contribute towards the national eradication of PEDV.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.462-470
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• 2021

Background: Fatigue is pervasive, under-reported, and potentially deadly where flight operations are concerned. The aviation industry appears to lack a standardized, practical, and easily replicable protocol for fatigue risk assessment which can be consistently applied across operators. Aim: Our paper sought to present a framework, supported by real-world data with subjective and objective parameters, to monitor aircrew fatigue and performance, and to determine the safe crew configuration for commercial airline operations. Methods: Our protocol identified risk factors for fatigue-induced performance degradation as triggers for fatigue risk and performance assessment. Using both subjective and objective measurements of sleep, fatigue, and performance in the form of instruments such as the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, Samn-Perelli Crew Status Check, Psychomotor Vigilance Task, sleep logs, and a wearable actigraph for sleep log correlation and sleep duration and quality charting, a workflow flagging fatigue-prone flight operations for risk mitigation was developed and trialed. Results: In an operational study aimed at occupational assessment of fatigue and performance in airline pilots on a three-men crew versus a four-men crew for a long-haul flight, we affirmed the technical feasibility of our proposed framework and approach, the validity of the battery of assessment instruments, and the meaningful interpretation of fatigue and work performance indicators to enable the formulation of safe work recommendations. Conclusion: A standardized occupational assessment protocol like ours is useful to achieve consistency and objectivity in the occupational assessment of fatigue and work performance.