• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.9-15
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• 2022

The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE2) appears to be widely expressed in cells in the testes, predominantly in spermatogonia, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells, and its co-expression with transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) is essential for the entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). For this reason, the male reproductive system could be considered a potential target for SARS-CoV-2, as well as a possible reservoir of infection. However, to date, there is very little evidence about the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen and testicular samples. The aim of this paper was to review the current evidence regarding the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on male fertility and sexual health, with a particular focus on reproductive hormones, the presence of the virus in seminal fluid and testis, and its impact on fertility parameters. We found very limited evidence reporting the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen and testicular samples, and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on reproductive hormones and fertility parameters is unclear. The quality of the examined studies was poor due to the small sample size and several selection biases, precluding definitive conclusions. Hence, future well-designed prospective studies are needed to assess the real impact of SARS-CoV-2 on male reproductive function.

• 의학교육논단
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.205-214
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of a study on the psychological state, lifestyle, self-management ability, and academic adaptation of medical students, and to present examples of improvement of a student support center based on the results. A medical school in Daegu has been surveying the living conditions of students every year for 6 years since 2016. More than 60% of medical students experienced depression and more than 70% experienced stress, but these rates have significantly improved over the past 5 years. There were many cases of drinking or smoking to relieve stress, but the frequency of drinking recently decreased substantially. Some students had difficulties in emotional regulation (11.5%) and time management (16.6%), and challenges in planning and self-management increased significantly during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The satisfaction and adaptability of medical students are high, but the number of students who are not satisfied with but negative response rate is 2%-3% in every year. However, satisfaction has significantly increased in tandem with curriculum changes and COVID-19. Based on these data, the counseling system was reorganized to support psychological stability, the medical humanities curriculum was improved, and changes in actual quality of life were induced by developing and operating non-curricular programs. Furthermore, standardized questionnaires will be developed and data from many medical schools will be shared, which is expected to support medical students more effectively.

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.29-39
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• 2023

Background: Breaking the chain of disease transmission from overseas is necessary to control new infectious diseases such as coronavirus disease 2019 effectively. In this study, we developed a mobile app called Self-Symptom Checker (SSC) to monitor the health of inbound travelers. Methods: SSC was developed for general users and administrators. The functions of SSC include non-repudiation using QR (quick response) codes, monitoring fever and respiratory symptoms, and requiring persons showing symptoms to undergo polymerase chain reaction tests at nearby screening stations following a review of reported symptoms by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, as well as making phone calls, via artificial intelligence or public health personnel, to individuals who have not entered symptoms to provide the necessary information. Results: From February 12 to March 27, 2020, 165,000 people who were subjected to the special entry procedure installed SSC. The expected number of public health officers and related resources needed per day would be 800 if only the phone was used to perform symptom monitoring during the above period. Conclusion: By applying SSC, more effective symptom monitoring was possible. The daily average number of health officers decreased to 100, or 13% of the initial estimate. SSC reduces the work burden on public healthcare personnel. SSC is an electronic solution conceived in response to health questionnaires completed by inbound travelers specified in the World Health Organization International Health Regulations as a requirement in the event of a pandemic.

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제53권3호
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• pp.324-339
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to valuate the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the 5C Psychological Antecedents of Vaccination (K-5C) scale. Methods: The English version of the 5C scale was translated into Korean, following the World Health Organization guidelines. Data were collected from 316 community-dwelling adults. Content validity was evaluated using the content validity index, while construct validity was evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis. Convergent validity was examined by assessing the correlation with vaccination attitude, and concurrent validity was evaluated by examining the association with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination status. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were also evaluated. Results: Content validity results indicated an item-level content validity index ranging from .83 to 1, and scale-level content validity index, averaging method was .95. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the fit of the measurement model, comprising a five-factor structure with a 15-item questionnaire (RMSEA = .05, SRMR = .05, CFI = .97, TLI = .96). Convergent validity was acceptable with a significant correlation between each sub-scale of the 5C scale and vaccination attitude. In concurrent validity evaluation, confidence, constraints, and collective responsibility of the 5C scale were significant independent predictors of the current COVID-19 vaccination status. Cronbach's alpha for each subscale ranged from .78 to .88, and the intraclass correlation coefficient for each subscale ranged from .67 to .89. Conclusion: The Korean version of the 5C scale is a valid and reliable tool to assess the psychological antecedents of vaccination among Korean adults.

• 스마트미디어저널
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• 제12권6호
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• pp.15-26
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• 2023

COVID-19 팬데믹 영향으로 대면 소통이 어려워지면서 비대면 소통의 영향을 파악하는 연구가 진행되고 있으나 메신저 애플리케이션 리뷰를 통해 이를 살펴본 연구는 미비하다. 본 연구는 구글 플레이 스토어 내의 메신저 애플리케이션 리뷰 데이터를 수집하여 LDA(Latent Dirichlet Allocation)토픽 모델링을 통해 팬데믹의 영향을 파악하고, 이에 따른 서비스 전략 방안을 제시하고자 한다. 연구에서는 팬데믹이 시작된 시점과 사용자가 부여한 평점을 기준으로 데이터를 분류하였다. 분석 결과 주로 중장년층이 메신저를 사용하는 것으로 나타났으며, 팬데믹 이후에는 가족과의 소통이 증가한 것으로 확인되었다. 사용자들은 애플리케이션의 업데이트에 대해 불만을 표현하였으며, 변화에 대한 적응이 어려움을 보였다. 이에 업데이트 주기를 조정하고 사용자들의 의견을 적극 수용하는 개발접근이 필요하다. 또한, 직관적이고 간편한 사용자 인터페이스(UI)를 제공한다면 사용자 만족도를 향상시킬 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

• 한국수자원학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국수자원학회 2022년도 학술발표회
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• pp.392-392
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• 2022

세계적 규모의 팬데믹 감염병의 출현은 전 세계적으로 경제적, 문화적, 사회적 파급효과가 매우 강력하며 전 인류를 위협하고 있다. 최근에 발병한 중증급성 호흡기질환 코로나바이러스 2(Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2)는 2019년 12월 중국 우한에서 첫 보고 되었고 2022년 현재까지 종식되지 않고 있으며 바이러스의 전파력과 치명률이 높고 무증상 감염상태일 때에도 전염이 가능하여 현재 역학조사의 사후적 대응에 대한 한계가 있어 선제적 대응을 위한 수단이 필수 불가결해지고 있는 실정이다. 하수기반역학(Waste Based Epidemiology, WBE)이란 하수처리장으로 유입되기 전의 하수를 분석하여 하수 집수구역 내 도시민의 생활상을 예측하는 것으로 하수로 배출된 감염자의 분비물 및 배설물 속 바이러스를 하수관로에서 신속하게 검출함으로써 특정지역의 감염성 질환 전파 정도와 유행하는 타입(변이)등을 분석하고 기존 역학조사의 문제점을 극복할 수 있으며 선제적인 대응이 가능하다. 현재 COVID-19의 대유행과 관련하여 WBE를 기반으로 한 다양한 연구가 진행되고 있으며 실제 환자의 발생과 상관관계가 있음이 확인되고 있고 백신 접종과 새롭게 발생한 변이바이러스의 관계 속에서 발생하는 변수를 고려한 모델이 없다는 점을 들어 새로운 감염병 확산 예측 모델에 대한 필요성 또한 커지고 있다. 본 연구에서는 병원에서부터 하수처리장까지의 하수관거와 하수처리장에서의 SARS-CoV-2 검출농도 및 거동을 파악하는 것을 목적으로 하고 있으며 COVID-19의 감염규모 확산에 관한 방법론에서 수학적모델 (Euler Method, RK4 Method, Gillespie Algorithm)과 딥러닝 기반의 Nowcasting model과 Fore casting model을 살펴보고자 한다.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.337-345
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• 2023

Purpose: The global fight against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has led to widespread vaccination efforts, yet the optimal dosing schedule for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines remains a subject of ongoing research. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of administering two booster doses as the third and fourth doses at different intervals to enhance vaccine protection. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at a military regional hospital operated by the Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan. A cohort of vaccinated individuals was selected, and their vaccine potency was assessed at various time intervals following their initial vaccine administration. The study participants received booster doses as the third and fourth doses, with differing time intervals between them. The study monitored neutralizing antibody titers and other relevant parameters to assess vaccine efficacy. Results: Our findings revealed that the potency of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine exhibited a significant decline 80 days after the initial vaccine administration. However, a longer interval of 175 days between booster injections resulted in significantly higher neutralizing antibody titers. The individuals who received the extended interval boosters exhibited a more robust immune response, suggesting that a vaccine schedule with a 175-day interval between injections may provide superior protection against SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of optimizing vaccine booster dosing schedules to maximize protection against SARS-CoV-2. The results indicate that a longer interval of 175 days between the third and fourth doses of the vaccine can significantly enhance the neutralizing antibody response, potentially offering improved protection against the virus. These findings have important implications for vaccine distribution and administration strategies in the ongoing battle against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Further research and largescale trials are needed to confirm and extend these findings for broader public health implications.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.21.1-21.21
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• 2022

As far the current severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), respiratory disease is still the biggest threat to human health. In addition, infectious respiratory diseases are particularly prominent. In addition to killing and clearing the infection pathogen directly, regulating the immune responses against the pathogens is also an important therapeutic modality. Sirtuins belong to NAD+-dependent class III histone deacetylases. Among 7 types of sirtuins, silent information regulator type-1 (SIRT1) played a multitasking role in modulating a wide range of physiological processes, including oxidative stress, inflammation, cell apoptosis, autophagy, antibacterial and antiviral functions. It showed a critical effect in regulating immune responses by deacetylation modification, especially through high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a core molecule regulating the immune system. SIRT1 was associated with many respiratory diseases, including COVID-19 infection, bacterial pneumonia, tuberculosis, and so on. Here, we reviewed the latest research progress regarding the effects of SIRT1 on immune system in respiratory diseases. First, the structure and catalytic characteristics of SIRT1 were introduced. Next, the roles of SIRT1, and the mechanisms underlying the immune regulatory effect through HMGB1, as well as the specific activators/inhibitors of SIRT1, were elaborated. Finally, the multitasking roles of SIRT1 in several respiratory diseases were discussed separately. Taken together, this review implied that SIRT1 could serve as a promising specific therapeutic target for the treatment of respiratory diseases.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.113-121
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• 2024

목적: 코로나19 오미크론 변이 바이러스 확진자 급증에 따라 질병관리청과 교육부는 유치원·학교 구성원을 대상으로 선제검사를 시행하였다. 정상적인 학교생활을 영위하기 위해 자가진단용 신속항원검사 (rapid antigen test, RAT)를 이용하여 코로나19 확진자를 교내 전파가 이루어지기 전에 발견하는데 목적이 있다. 방법: 2022년 3월 2일부터 5월 1일까지전국의유치원·학교의구성원을대상으로검사인원 19,458,575명, 검사건수 50,675,386건을 수집하였다. 건강상태 자가진단 앱에 입력된 결과를 코로나19정보관리시스템 확진자 현황 정보와 병합하여 RAT 양성률과 양성예측도를 분석하였다. 결과: 주간 RAT 양성률은 1.11-5.90%, 양성예측도는 86.42-93.18%였다. 신분별 RAT 양성률은 학생이 1.13-6.16%, 양성예측도는 87.19-94.03%, 교직원 RAT 양성률 0.99-3.93%, 양성예측도는 77.55-83.10%였다. 증상 유무에 따른 RAT 양성률은 의심 증상이 있는 경우 76.32-88.02%, 의심 증상이 없는 경우 0.34-1.11%, 양성예측도는 의심 증상이 있는 경우 79.54-95.49%, 의심 증상이 없는 경우 64.66-87.84%이었다. 이번 유치원·학교 구성원의 RAT 선제 검사를 통하여 943,342명의 확진자를 교내 전파 이전에 신속하게 발견하였다. 결론: 자가진단용 RAT를 잘 활용하면 확진자를 신속하게 발견하는데 도움이 되어 유치원·학교에서는 교육 공백을 최소화할 수 있고, 전파의 위험도 줄일 수 있을 것이다. 장시간 동안 정해진 공간에서 동일한 사람들과 반복적으로 노출되는 위험을 최소화하여 안전한 환경에서 학교생활이 유지될 수 있도록 노력해야 할 필요가 있다. 이러한 점에서 선제검사의 필요성은 더 중요하게 되었다. 이번 연구에서 자가진단용 RAT 검사는 선제적 선별검사 도구로써 유용성과 확진자를 신속하게 발견하는 데 활용될 수 있다는 것을 보여준다.

• 한국음향학회지
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.133-142
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• 2023

업무 형태 변화와 Information Technology(IT) 기술 발전 그리고 Coronavirus disease(COVID)-19 상황 등에 따라 사무환경도 변화되고 있다. 사무공간 사용자가 쾌적하고 효율적으로 업무를 수행하기 위해서는 구성원 사이의 교류는 물론 개인의 프라이버시 확보가 필요하다. 우리나라도 사무공간의 음향성능 개선에 대한 요구가 증가하고 있으나, 관련 성능 기준과 지침은 수립되어 있지 않은 실정이다. 본 연구에서는 사무공간 음향성능 측정, 평가 방법의 표준화와 유럽 국가들의 음향성능 기준을 비교, 검토하였다. 국제표준화 동향과 각국의 음향성능 기준을 종합적으로 검토하고 우리나라 사무공간 음향 실태 조사 등을 통해 사무공간 음향성능과 만족도 평가 기준을 수립하여 활용하는 것을 제안한다. 국제표준화 방향과 통신, 전기음향 시스템과의 호환 등을 고려하여 음성전달지수 또는 음성전달지수 응용지표를 활용한 기준을 수립하는 것이 적절하고 활용도와 호환성이 높을 것으로 판단된다. 또한, 사무용 가구류 업계에서도 사무공간의 음향성능 개선에 관심을 나타내고 있어, 사무용 가구류의 음성 레벨 저감량에 관한 성능 기준을 수립하고 표시하는 방안을 마련하는 것이 필요하다.