• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.395-404
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• 2024

Background: Ginsenoside Rg₁ (Rg₁) is one of the main active components in Chinese medicines, Panax ginseng and Panax notoginseng. Research has shown that Rg₁ has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system, including anti-myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, anti-apoptosis, and promotion of myocardial angiogenesis, suggesting it a potential cardiovascular agent. However, the protective mechanism involved is still not fully understood. Methods: Based on network pharmacology, ligand-based protein docking, proteomics, Western blot, protein recombination and spectroscopic analysis (UV-Vis and fluorescence spectra) techniques, potential targets and pathways for Rg₁ against myocardial ischemia (MI) were screened and explored. Results: An important target set containing 19 proteins was constructed. Two target proteins with more favorable binding activity for Rg₁ against MI were further identified by molecular docking, including mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) and adenosine kinase (ADK). Meanwhile, Rg₁ intervention on H9c2 cells injured by H₂O₂ showed an inhibitory oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway. The inhibition of Rg₁ on MAPK1 and OXPHOS pathway was confirmed by Western blot assay. By protein recombination and spectroscopic analysis, the binding reaction between ADK and Rg₁ was also evaluated. Conclusion: Rg₁ can effectively alleviate cardiomyocytes oxidative stress injury via targeting MAPK1 and ADK, and inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway. The present study provides scientific basis for the clinical application of the natural active ingredient, Rg₁, and also gives rise to a methodological reference to the searching of action targets and pathways of other natural active ingredients.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.307-319
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• 2024

Purpose: This study compared the differences in health and dietary characteristics between middle-aged men and women according to their health-related quality of life. Methods: This study used the data from the 2019 and 2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The participants were men (n = 1,571) and women (n = 2,179) aged 40-59. A health-related Quality of Life Instrument with eight items (HINT-8) was used to measure the health-related quality of life. The participants were divided into four groups based on their HINT-8 total scores (high, mid-high, mid-low, and low). The general and health characteristics, mental health, and dietary behaviors were compared according to the quality of life. Results: Men with a lower quality of life had lower incomes, were more likely to be single, smoked and drank more, and perceived themselves as slim or obese. Women with a lower quality of life had a higher proportion of older age, obesity, lower education and income, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia. Both men and women with a lower quality of life had higher proportions of subjectively perceiving poor health, weight gain over the past year, and considering themselves as obese. Both men and women with a lower quality of life had lower consumption frequencies of vegetables/mushrooms/seaweed and fruits. Conclusion: Both men and women with lower health-related quality of life had lower incomes, higher rates of perceiving their health as poor, and consumed vegetables/ mushrooms/seaweed and fruits less frequently, but they showed different characteristics in other aspects. Therefore, policy development tailored to men and women is necessary.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.62-70
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• 2024

Background: This study aimed to evaluate ChatGPT's performance accuracy in responding to questions from the national dental hygienist examination. Moreover, through an analysis of ChatGPT's incorrect responses, this research intended to pinpoint the predominant types of errors. Methods: To evaluate ChatGPT-3.5's performance according to the type of national examination questions, the researchers classified 200 questions of the 49th National Dental Hygienist Examination into recall, interpretation, and solving type questions. The researchers strategically modified the questions to counteract potential misunderstandings from implied meanings or technical terminology in Korea. To assess ChatGPT-3.5's problem-solving capabilities in applying previously acquired knowledge, the questions were first converted to subjective type. If ChatGPT-3.5 generated an incorrect response, an original multiple-choice framework was provided again. Two hundred questions were input into ChatGPT-3.5 and the generated responses were analyzed. After using ChatGPT, the accuracy of each response was evaluated by researchers according to the types of questions, and the types of incorrect responses were categorized (logical, information, and statistical errors). Finally, hallucination was evaluated when ChatGPT provided misleading information by answering something that was not true as if it were true. Results: ChatGPT's responses to the national examination were 45.5% accurate. Accuracy by question type was 60.3% for recall and 13.0% for problem-solving type questions. The accuracy rate for the subjective solving questions was 13.0%, while the accuracy for the objective questions increased to 43.5%. The most common types of incorrect responses were logical errors 65.1% of all. Of the total 102 incorrectly answered questions, 100 were categorized as hallucinations. Conclusion: ChatGPT-3.5 was found to be limited in its ability to provide evidence-based correct responses to the Korean national dental hygiene examination. Therefore, dental hygienists in the education or clinical fields should be careful to use artificial intelligence-generated materials with a critical view.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.274-285
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• 2024

Purpose: To evaluate prolonged esomeprazole use in Japanese pediatric patients for reflux esophagitis (RE) maintenance therapy and prevention of gastric (GU) and/or duodenal ulcers (DU) while using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or low-dose aspirin (LDA). Methods: This multicenter, open-label, parallel-group, phase III study (NCT03553563) included patients who were administered esomeprazole according to body weight (10 mg/day [Groups 1 and 3] and up to 20 mg/day [Groups 2 and 4] for patients weighing 10-20 kg and ≥20 kg, respectively). Efficacy outcomes for Groups 1 and 2 (maintenance therapy for healed RE) and Groups 3 and 4 (prevention of long-term NSAID/LDA use-associated GU/DU) were the presence/absence of RE relapse and GU/DU recurrence, respectively. Results: Esomeprazole as maintenance therapy was associated with a low RE recurrence rate, independent of body weight or dosage. Recurrence rates of RE were 0.0% and 5.3% for Groups 1 and 2, respectively. In patients previously diagnosed with GU and/or DU due to long-term NSAID/LDA use, the recurrence rates of GU/DU during weeks 0-32 were 11.1% and 0.0% in Groups 3 and 4, respectively. Conclusion: Long-term use of 10- or 20-mg, once-daily esomeprazole demonstrated a favorable benefit-risk balance in preventing RE and suppressing recurrence of GU and/or DU secondary to NSAID or LDA therapy in Japanese pediatric patients. No new safety concerns were identified. Esomeprazole may be a viable option for managing RE and preventing GU and DU in Japanese pediatric patients.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.55-65
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• 2024

Background : Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health issue worldwide, particularly among healthcare workers (HCWs) at high risk of exposure. Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a state where individuals are infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis but do not show clinical symptoms. Early detection and treatment of LTBI are crucial to prevent progression to active TB. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of LTBI among Korean Medicine (KM) workers in Seoul, South Korea. Methods : This study analyzed 368 adults aged 19 and over working in Korean medicine institutions in Seoul by September 2023. Participants underwent a tuberculin skin test (TST) and completed a survey collecting demographic information, occupation, work duration, smoking status, BCG vaccination, TB history, and comorbidities. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results : The average age of participants was 43.1 years, with an LTBI prevalence rate of 3.5%. Significant risk factors included age and history of TB, Older age and a history of TB were associated with higher LTBI positivity. Conclusion : The study identified the prevalence and risk factors of LTBI among Korean medicine workers in Seoul. The findings highlight the need for targeted LTBI screening and preventive measures, especially for older workers and those with a history of TB. While the prevalence was lower than in other healthcare settings, the results emphasize the importance of regular LTBI testing and prevention education for KM workers. Future large-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings and further understand the relationship between various risk factors and LTBI in KM settings.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.104-110
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• 2011

Purpose: The object evaluation method about medical institutes of these days increases credibility of consumers about medical services by conducting a certification system about medical institutes. In addition, as nuclear medicine test rooms and diagnosis test medicine room adopt many kinds of international certification systems, the matters regarding safety management of test rooms are being regarded as important. Since the blood test rooms of nuclear medicine are exposed to many harmful factors such as infection from clinical specimen and radioactive isotope reagent, there is a need to pay lots of attention to the safety management of staff and patients. Therefore, this study discusses safety management activities of staff and patients, which are conducted in the blood test rooms of the nuclear medicine department in Asan Medical Center. Materials and Methods: In the blood test rooms of the nuclear medicine department in Asan Medical Center, the matters regarding comprehensive safety management by the person in charge of safety management are offered and all staff members of the test rooms apply them into work. Safety management education is regularly conducted according to established regulations, and infection is prevented through implementation of wearing personal protectors and hand sanitation during test work. In addition, technical safety guides and accident guides for interruption of electric power are provided against emergencies. Through infection management guides, infection prevention and preparation methods for infection are learned and radioactive isotope management, safety management about reagent use and safety guides about harmful chemical substances are being applied to work. Results: The blood test rooms of the nuclear medicine department apply safety management regulations to work. Under the situation where hand sanitation should be conducted, hands are washed to prevent infection between staff and patients, and for preventing infection from clinical specimen, personal protectors are worn. The reagent, which is classified as harmful substance, is separately stored to be easily recognized, radioactive wastes and general medical wastes are also safely managed. Through these lots of safety management activities, safety management awareness of staff members is enhanced, and patients are protected from many dangers. Conclusion: Staff members of the blood test rooms of the nuclear medicine department should be fully aware of safety management regulations and apply them to work. When better safety management suggestions are made, they need to be examined and applied for increasing quality of safety management for staff and patients.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.135-143
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• 2009

Objectives : Low back pain(LBP) is a common disabling disease in clinical practice and loss of working hours due to this condition is huge. The aim of this study was to determine if there was an association between fat deposit of paraspinal muscles as observed on MRI scans in patients presenting with unilateral LBP. Methods : 24 patients who visiting our hospital with a clinical presentation of unilateral LBP were recruited to the study. Patients were between 20 and 30 years and had a history of unilateral LBP within 12 months. After MRI scaning, the images were saved in DICOM file format for Picture Archiving and Communication System(PACS). The percentage of fat infiltrated area was measured using a pseudocoloring technique. Data were analyzed comparing the fat deposits of the muscles on the symptomatic and asymptomatic sides. Paired t-test was used to find the difference between the measurements of fat tissue in individual patients. Results : The amount of fat in the symptomatic side was $7.6{\pm}4.51%$, asymptomatic side was $6.7{\pm}4.29%$. There were increases, statistically significant, in the fat changes of the paraspinal muscles at the L4-5 disc level(P <0.05). Also, men were likely than women to have more fat deposit in symptomatic side(men $8.5{\pm}5.1%$, women $6.5{\pm}3.6%$). Conclusions : The amount of fat in the symptomatic side shows significantly increased than asymptomatic side in the paraspinal muscles at the L4-5 disc level. It suggested that fat infiltration in the muscles associated with LBP. Further studies will be needed to confirm the relationship between the muscle fatty changes and LBP in the large sample size. In addition, the correlation of pain severity with fat infiltration needs to be addressed.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.251-260
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• 2005

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of a mental health program within a mental health model middle school. Methods : Subjects of the study consisted of 748 students from the second grade and third grade students at the middle school chosen for a school mental health program by the Ministry of Education in Jeju. The subjects participated in 12 consecutive sessions of group discussion developed to prevent mental health problems. The authors investigated the effects of the program by evaluating the students with Young's Internet Addiction Scale (IAS), Conners & Wells' Adolescent Self Report Scale(CASS) and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) before the initial session and after the final session. The data was analyzed by t-test in SPSS PC+ 10.0. The range of significance was p<.05. Results : In MMPI, the percentage of students above clinical range reduced from $12.9\%\;to\;11.0\%$. It reduced in the second grade students, but increased in the third grade students. The scores of paranoia and mania subscales showed a statistically significant reduction. In IAS, the percentage of students above the range of Internee overuse reduced from $16.0\%\;to\;6.8\%$. The percentage of students who showed risk of attention problems in CASS reduced from $22.7\%\;to\;18.3\%$. Also, both IAS and CASS scores showed a statistically significant reduction. The clinical significance of the reduction of IAS scores was within moderate range. Conclusion : The mental health program reduced the percentage of students' risk of mental health problems, internet addiction and attention problems and it was clinically effective on preventing Internet addiction. These results support the effects of a school mental health program to promote students' mental health. The authors suggest to expand this program to other schools, to reconfirm the effect of the program by using proper & specified instruments and to evaluate long-term effect of the program.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.300-307
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• 2017

Electroencephalography (EEG) is distinct from other medical imaging tests in that it is a functional test that helps to diagnosis disorders related to the brain, such as epilepsy. The most important abilities for a medical technologist when performing an EEG are knowing the exact location of the electrode and recording the EEG wave clearly, except for artifacts. Although theoretical education and practical training are both included in the curriculum for improving these abilities, sufficient practical training has been lacking due to problems like expensive equipment and insufficient practical training time. We try to solve these issues by manufacturing the training 10-20 electrode system and by estimating the efficiency and satisfaction of the training 10-20 electrode system through a questionnaire. The time required for practical training using this system was $43.58{\pm}9.647min$, which proved to be efficient. The satisfaction score of participants who experienced curriculum practical training was improved from $7.21{\pm}2.285$ to $9.46{\pm}1.166$. Based on these findings, it is considered that practical training via the use of the training 10-20 electrode system will solve the problems, such as lack of equipment and insufficient practical training time. Nonetheless, to further improve the training 10-20 electrode system, it must overcome the limitations of developing a device capable of checking the actual brain waves and validating the exact location of electrode attachment.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.334-350
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• 2003

The purpose of this descriptive study was to evaluate the clinical validity of QSCCII (Questionnaire for the Sasang Constitution Classification), whose high accuracy as a constitutional diagnostic tool has been recognized by medical professionals. The subjects of this study were 568 clients from an A university hospital in Suwon. Of the subjects, 259 were health center visitors and 292 were ambulatory clinic visitors. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaire and were analyzed by $X^2$-test and one-way ANOVA. The results of this study as follows: 1. In 4 types of constitution, Soeumin type was found in 41.5% of the subjects. Taeumin type in 39.2%.,and Soyangin type in 19.2%, respectively. There was no Tayangin type found in this study. There were no significant differences on types of constitution by demographic characteristics such as age, sex, marital status, education, religion, and economic status. 2. As for 15 item-selective questionnaire, there were statistically significant differences on the response rate of the 12 items, except items such as A4, A11 and A14, by the types of constitution. When the subjects' own criteria on their constitution were compared to the given constitutional criteria on each item, 4 items such as A6, A11, A13 and A14 were advisable to be excluded from the questionnaire or to be reunited to the other criteria. In the meanwhile, 3 items such as A7, A18 and A15 were desirable to be re-categorized to the other constitutional types and reconstructed to the QSCC II questionnaire. 3. In terms of 106 true-false questionnaire, there were statistically significant differences on the response rate of 46 items by the types of constitution. The 46 items include 15 items (32.6%) of the domain of 'handling something/strength and weakness', 4 items (8.7%) of the domain of 'interpersonal relationship', 9 items (19.6%) of the domain of 'state of mind at ordinary times', 2 items (4.3%) of the domain of 'distinctive emotional characteristics' area, 11 items (23.9%) of the domain of 'specific behavioral trait' and 5 items (10.9%) of the domain of 'physical characteristics'. Therefore, the areas of 'handling something/strength and weakness' and' specific behavioral trait' mainly contributed to the classification of constitutional type. 4. When the 106 true-false items were simplified to the 46 items, statistically significant differences were found on the rate of items allocated to the 3 types of constitution. The rate of selection assigned to the 3 constitutional types of the simplified 46-item questionnaire was higher than that of the original 106-item questionnaire. Conclusions; It was concluded that the rate of selection of each lay person about his own constitutional type would be still higher even though the simplified items of QSCC II questionnaire were applied. If more replicated studies are conducted on the diverse population using the simplifying QSCC II questionnaire in the future, a more simplified standardized Sasang Constitution Questionnaire that is available to the public rather than to medical staffs in the clinical settings could be developed. Moreover, the simplified scale will help nurses deliver more efficient nursing care by providing a more rapid way of health assessment.