• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.69.1-69.11
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• 2023

Background: Kalkitoxin (KT) is an active lipopeptide isolated from the cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula found in the bed of the coral reef. Although KT suppresses cell division and inflammation, KT's mechanism of action in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is unidentified. Therefore, our main aim was to investigate the impact of KT on vascular calcification for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Objectives: Using diverse calcification media, we studied the effect of KT on VSMC calcification and the underlying mechanism of this effect. Methods: VSMC was isolated from the 6 weeks ICR mice. Then VSMCs were treated with different concentrations of KT to check the cell viability. Alizarin red and von Kossa staining were carried out to examine the calcium deposition on VSMC. Thoracic aorta of 6 weeks mice were taken and treated with different concentrations of KT, and H and E staining was performed. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot were performed to examine KT's effect on VSMC mineralization. Calcium deposition on VSMC was examined with a calcium deposition quantification kit. Results: Calcium deposition, Alizarin red, and von Kossa staining revealed that KT reduced inorganic phosphate-induced calcification phenotypes. KT also reduced Ca⁺⁺-induced calcification by inhibiting genes that regulate osteoblast differentiation, such as runtrelated transcription factor 2 (RUNX-2), SMAD family member 4, osterix, collagen 1α, and osteopontin. Also, KT repressed Ca²⁺-induced bone morphogenetic protein 2, RUNX-2, collagen 1α, osteoprotegerin, and smooth muscle actin protein expression. Likewise, Alizarin red and von Kossa staining showed that KT markedly decreased the calcification of ex vivo ring formation in the mouse thoracic aorta. Conclusions: This experiment demonstrated that KT decreases vascular calcification and may be developed as a new therapeutic treatment for vascular calcification and arteriosclerosis.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.215-224
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• 2023

Background: Reproductive management practices play crucial roles to maximize the reproductive performance of cows, and thus contribute to farm profitability. We aimed to assess the reproductive management of cows currently practiced in the dairy farms in an urban farming system. Methods: A total of 62 dairy farms were randomly selected considering all size of farms such as small (1-5 cattle), medium (6-20 cattle) and large farms (> 20 cattle) from selected areas of Dhaka city in Bangladesh. The reproductive management-related parameters viz. estrus detection, breeding method, pregnancy diagnosis, dry cow and parturition management, vaccination and treatment of reproductive problems etc. were obtained in a pre-defined questionnaire during the farm visit. Results: The visual observation method was only used (100.0%; 62/62) for estrus detection irrespective of size of the farms; while farmers observed cows for estrus 4-5 times a day, but only for 20-60 seconds each time. Regardless of farm size, 89.0% (55/62) farms used artificial insemination (AI) for breeding the cows. Intriguingly, all farms (100.0%) routinely checked the cows for pregnancy at 35-40 days post-breeding using rectal palpation technique by registered veterinarian. However, only 6.5% (4/62) farms practiced dry cow management. Notably, all farms (100.0%) provided nutritional supplements (Vit D, Ca and P) during late gestation. However, proper hygiene and cleanliness during parturition was not practiced in 77.4% (48/62) farms; even though 96.7% (60/62) farms treated cows by registered veterinarian for parturition-related problems. Conclusions: While farmers used AI service for breeding and timely check their cows for pregnancy; however, they need to increase observation time (30 minutes/ observation, twice in a day: early morning and early night) for estrus detection, consider dry cow management and ensure hygienic parturition for maximizing production.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.36-50
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• 2024

This study aims to explore the potential of integrating traditional Indian motifs into modern textile design that appeals to the MZ generation. The objective is to create patterns that reflect the rich cultural tapestry of India while aligning with contemporary sensibilities. To achieve this, the design process includes a comprehensive literature review on the historical background, symbolism, and structure of Indian textiles and a survey to determine if the developed design suits the preferences of the MZ generation. Digital design tools such as TexPro, Photoshop, and Illustrator were used to create the designs based on the theme 'Cosmic Dream,' with sub-themes inspired by nature and Indian symbolism. 'Blooming Cosmos' focused on the structural beauty of the lotus, combined with paisley and rangoli patterns, for a vintage yet modern appeal. 'Cosmos in Blossom' is drawn from the rangoli technique of using varied materials, resulting in a romantic pastel-themed pattern that aligns with the 2023 Youth Trend. 'Cosmic Peacock' presented a lively ethnic pattern by merging simplified lotus motifs with India's national bird, peacock along with a paisley backdrop. A questionnaire was conducted to check the MZ consumer responses, and the most preferred design was the peacock and rangoli mixed design, ground colored in cream. These findings indicate the potential of the developed ethnic designs to be used for various purposes. By combining traditional motifs of India with modern elements, this study proposes ethnic textile designs that are suitable for MZ generation consumers.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.406-415
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• 2023

Background: Surgical management of a massive rotator cuff tear (RCT) is always challenging. This study describes the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients who underwent bridging grafts using a plantaris tendon for an irreparable RCT. Methods: Thirteen patients with a massive RCT were treated with arthroscopic interposition of a folded plantaris tendon autograft between June 2017 and January 2020. For clinical evaluation, a visual analog scale (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, Constant-Murley score, and range of motion values were collected. For radiographic evaluation, standardized magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography were performed to check the integrity of the interposed tendon. Results: A statistically significant improvement at the final follow-up was evident in scores for the VAS (-3.0, P=0.003), ASES (24.9, P=0.002), D ASH (-20.6, P=0.001), and Constant-Murley values (14.2, P=0.010). In addition, significant improvement was shown in postoperative flexion (17.3°, P=0.026) and external rotation (27.7°, P<0.001). In postoperative radiologic evaluations, the interposed tendons were intact at the last examination in 12 of the 13 patients. No complications related to donor sites were reported. Conclusions: An arthroscopic bridging graft for irreparable RCTs using a modified Mason-Allen stitch and a plantaris autograft resulted in improved short-term radiological and clinical outcomes. Graft integrity was maintained for up to 2 years in most patients. Level of evidence: IV.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.544-553
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: There are concerns about the adverse health effects of behavioral changes linked to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We conducted a survey to investigate changes in lifestyle habits, including exercise and eating, during the COVID-19 pandemic and their association with changes in weight. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We conducted a survey of 5,000 people in Hakui City, Japan, to assess their lifestyles and diets during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 3,992 complete responses were received. We also obtained pre- and post-pandemic health check-up data for 704 of the respondents. These health data were combined with the results of the questionnaire survey to identify factors associated with weight changes. Data were analyzed for 704 individuals. RESULTS: The mean body mass index was 22.5 ± 3.1 kg/m² for respondents whose weight did not change and 25.1 ± 2.7 kg/m² for respondents whose weight increased. The pre-pandemic mean values for abdominal circumference in females and for gamma-glutamyl transferase in males tended to be higher in those whose weight increased. Those with decreased weight tended to be older. Respondents who were already overweight were more likely to gain weight because of COVID-19-related changes in their lifestyle. In males, alcohol consumption was directly associated with weight, and in females, abdominal circumference was more important. CONCLUSION: The study found pre-pandemic overweight individuals likely gained more weight during it, with alcohol consumption being a significant factor for males. Weight loss was more crucial for those over 70, rather than weight gain.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.34
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• pp.5.1-5.10
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• 2022

Background: Some epidemiological studies have estimated exposure among flight attendants with and without breast cancer. However, it is difficult to find a quantitative evaluation of occupational exposure factors related to cancer development individually in the case of breast cancer in flight attendants. That is, most, if not all, epidemiological studies of breast cancer in flight attendants with quantitative exposure estimates have estimated exposure in the absence of individual flight history data. Case presentation: A 41-year-old woman visited the hospital due to a left breast mass after a regular check-up. Breast cancer was suspected on ultrasonography. Following core biopsy, she underwent various imaging modalities. She was diagnosed invasive ductal carcinoma of no special type (estrogen receptor positive in 90%, progesterone receptor positive in 3%, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2/neu equivocal) with histologic grade 3 and nuclear grade 3 in the left breast. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered to reduce the tumor size before surgery. However, due to serious chemotherapy side effects, the patient opted for alternative and integrative therapies. She joined the airline in January, 1996. Out of all flights, international flights and night flights accounted for 94.9% and 26.2, respectively. Night flights were conducted at least four times per month. Moreover, based on the virtual computer program CARI-6M, the estimated dose of cosmic radiation exposure was 78.81 mSv. There were no other personal triggers or family history of breast cancer. Conclusions: This case report shows that the potentially causal relationship between occupational harmful factors and the incidence of breast cancer may become more pronounced when night shift workers who work continuously are exposed to cosmic ionizing radiation. Therefore, close attention and efforts are needed to adjust night shift work schedules and regulate cosmic ionizing radiation exposure.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.668-679
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• 2024

Background/Aims: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate biologics treatment disparities in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients based on socioeconomic status (SES). Methods: Data from the KOrean Observational Study Network for Arthritis (KORONA) database were analyzed to assess various factors associated with SES, health behaviors, and biologics use. Logistic regression and structured equation modeling (SEM) were utilized for data analysis. Results: Among 5,077 RA patients included, 393 (7.7%) patients were identified as biologics users. Within the entire cohort, 31.8% of the participants were in the low-income and low-education groups, and 39.3% of the participants were in the high-income and high-education groups. Despite the patients with low income or low education experienced higher disease activity at diagnosis, had more comorbidities, exhibited higher medication compliance, underwent more check-ups, and had more hospital admissions than their counterparts, the odds of patients with low-income receiving biologics were 34% lower (adjusted odds ratio = 0.76, 95% confidence interval: 0.60-0.96, p = 0.021) after adjustment for demographics and comorbidities. SEM and pathway analyses confirmed the negative impact of low SES on biologics use. Conclusions: The findings suggest that SES plays a significant role in biologics use among RA patients, indicating potential healthcare inefficiencies for low SES patients. Moreover, adverse healthcare habits negatively affect biologics use in RA patients. The study highlights the importance of considering socioeconomic factors while discussing biologics use and promoting equitable access to biologics for optimal RA management.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.171-177
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• 2005

This study aims to analyze effects of mothers' socioeconomic features, and knowledge and behavior of oral health on experience and purpose of using dentistry. By survey to 103 mothers of 5-6 year old children, who use day care centers in seoul, the results are obtained as follows: 1. As for the rate of experiencing dental care classified by its purpose, 56.7% for dental treatment, 23.3% for regular check-up and 20.0% for precaution 2. There was no significant difference of correlativity between mothers' socioeconomic features and knowledge of oral health and experience of using dental care, while the lower rate of using dental floss, the higher rate of experiencing dental care(p < 0.01). 3. In respect of correlativity between mother's socioeconomic features and purpose of using dental care, the purpose of regular checkup was high in a group of mothers between 33 and 35 years old(71.4%) by ages and in a group of mothers who graduated from college(57.1%) by academic background(p < 0.05). 4. In correlativity between mothers' behavior of oral health and purpose of using dental care, the result showed that the higher the rate of using dental floss was, the higher the rate of experiencing dental care for a regular check-up was(p < 0.001) and the higher the rate of using fluoride dentifrices was, the higher the rate of using dental care for cure was(p < 0.05). 5. Multiple regression based on dependent variable of experience in using dental care showed that average monthly income(less than 2,500,000 won) was significant explanatory factor with 65% of explanatory variance. On the other hand, multiple regression based on dependent variable of purpose of using dental care showed that vocation(professional job) and age(between 33 and 35 years old) was significant explanatory factor with 70% of explanatory variance for a regular check-up, age(between 33 and 35 years old) and average monthly income (less than 2,500,000 won) was significant factor with 78% of explanatory variance for precaution and age(less than 32 years old) was significant explanatory factor with 33% of explanatory variance for treatment.

• Korean Public Health Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.87-97
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• 2018

Background: Recently, the prevalence of obesity (body mass index [BMI] ${\geq}25kg/m^2$) has been increasing rapidly worldwide over a short period. In Korea, the prevalence of obesity has also increased rapidly due to the rapid socio-economic development and lifestyle changes, with differing patterns according to gender. This study aimed to compare the change in obesity prevalence according to gender among the adult population in Korea using representative data, the National Health Check-up Database (NHCD), to follow-up individuals who had undergone checkups during both years in Korea (2011~2013). Methods: To analyze the changes in obesity prevalence in the recent two years, data regarding men and women who had undergone health check-ups in both two years (2011, 2013) were extracted. The final study population comprised 144,934 persons: 83,604 (58%) males and 61,330 (42%) females. Chi-square test within a univariate analysis, and the level of factor difference was verified with t-test, one-way ANOVA and multiple comparison. Results: In 2011, one out of three participants was obese (BMI ${\geq}25kg/m^2$; male, 37.7%; female, 27.3%) and more than half of the subjects were overweight (BMI ${\geq}23kg/m^2$; male, 65.6%; female, 50.4%) requiring obesity management. For the two years, the BMI of the participants significantly increased (p < .0001) and the prevalence of obesity increased among both males and females. The prevalence of obesity was higher among both genders with a longer duration of smoking, more smoking, family history of hypertension, and family history of diabetes. However, residence, income level, drinking status, psychiatric disorder, disability status and severity of disability were the opposite gender. Conclusion: In the analysis of data, the prevalence of obesity among both men and women was increasing. The degree of change in the prevalence of obesity among men and women was different in each variable. Thus, it will need to consider gender in developing health policies for obesity mediation and to provide integrated healthcare and management for those people.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.384-399
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• 1996

The concept of parish nursing began in the late 1960s in the United States when increasing numbers of churches employed registered nurses (RNs) to provide holistic, preventive health care to the members of their congregations. Parish nursing role was developed in 1983 by Lutheran chaplain Granger Westberg, and provides care to a variety of church congregation of various denominations. The parish nurse functions as health educator, counselor, group facilitator, client advocate, and liaison to community resources. Since these activities are complementary to the population-focused practice of community health' CNSs, parish nurses either have a strong public health background or work directly with both baccalaureate-prepared public health nurses and CNSs. In a Midwest community in U.S.A., the Healthy People 2000(1991) objectives are being addressed in health ministries through a coalition between public health nurses and parish nurses. Parish nursing is in the beginning state in Korea and up untill now, there has been no research was conducted on concrete role of korean parish nurses. The main purpose of this study was to identify, classify and analyze activities of parish nurses. The other important objective of this study was to establish an effective approach and direction for parish nursing and provide a database for korean parish nursing model through analysis and' classification of the content of the nursing record which included nursing activities. This study was a descriptive survey research. The parish nurses were working in churches where the demonstration project developed on parish nursing. The study was done on all nursing records which were working in churches where the demonstration project developed on parish nursing. The study was done on all nursing records which were documented by parish nurses in three churches from March, 1995 to February, 1996. Namsan, Taegu Jeei and Nedang presbyterian churches in Taegu and Keimyung nursing college incooperated together for the parish nursing demonstration project. The data analysis procedure was as follows: First, a record analysis tool was developed and second, the data was collected, coded and analyzed, the classification for nursing activities was developed through a literature review, from which the basic analysis tool was produced and cotent validity review was also done. The classification of the activities of parish nurses showed 7 activitity categories. 7 activity categories consisted of visitation nursing, health check-ups, health education, referring, attending staff meetings, attending inservices and seminar, volunteers coordinating. The percentage of activities were as follows: Visitation nursing(A: 51.6%, B: 55%, C: 42.6%) Health check-ups(A: 13.5%, B: 12.1%, C: 22.3%) Health education(A: 13.5%, B: 13.2%, C: 18.2%) Referring(A: 1.4%, B: 4.2%, C: 2.4%) Attending staff meeting(A: 18.8%, B: 13.0%, C: 12.2%) Attending inservices and seminar(A: 1.5%, B: 2.2%, C: 2.1%) Volunteers coordinating(A: 0.3%, B: 0.4%, C: 0.0%) To establish and develope parish nursing delivery network in Korea, parish nurses role, activities and boundaries of practice should be continuously monitored and refined every 2 years. Also, It is needed to develope effective nursing recording system based on the need assessment research data of various congregation members. role, activities and boundaries of practice and arrangement of the working structure, continuing education, cooperation with community resources and structuring and organizing parish nursing delivery network. Also, It is needed to develope effective nursing recording system based on the need assessment research data of various congregation members.