• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2021

The scope of teleaudiology has been noted with telehealth due to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) recently. As the notion has been around us for more than 20 years ever since 1999, it is necessary to perceive the knowledge accurately and prepare for the successful implementation of it. Therefore, the literature review including screening and diagnostic audiometry, cochlear implants and hearing aids, and aural rehabilitation, telecommunications technology regarding several fields of teleaudiology, and considerations for practicing were identified. Although overall internet-based audiological services showed benefits in terms of outcome and accessibility, uncertainties of cost-effectiveness, the optimal level of support, and a need for further studies of many aspects for teleaudiology has arisen. In the view of technology, the store-and-forward (asynchronous/hybrid) and a real-time (synchronous) methods were introduced with one applied and nine registered patents recorded from 2004 to 2020 for the invention of teleaudiology in the United States. Also, 10 checklists were suggested for planning teleaudiology practice from prior experience in hosting the teleaudiology program. Conclusively, it is hoped that this review sheds light on recognizing and improving the existing teleaudiology services and helps overcome the challenges faced in the era of pandemic and untact world to come.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제50권2호
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• pp.200-209
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• 2023

Background As the coronavirus disease 2019 virus made its way throughout the world, there was a complete overhaul of our day-to-day personal and professional lives. All aspects of health care were affected including academics. During the pandemic, teaching opportunities for resident training were drastically reduced. Consequently, medical universities in many parts across the globe implemented online learning, in which students are taught remotely and via digital platforms. Given these developments, evaluating the existing mode of teaching via digital platforms as well as incorporation of new models is critical to improve and implement. Methods We reviewed different online learning platforms used to continue regular academic teaching of the plastic surgery residency curriculum. This study compares the four popular Web conferencing platforms used for online learning and evaluated their suitability for providing plastic surgery education. Results In this study with a response rate of 59.9%, we found a 64% agreement rate to online classes being more convenient than normal classroom teaching. Conclusion Zoom was the most user-friendly, with a simple and intuitive interface that was ideal for online instruction. With a better understanding of factors related to online teaching and learning, we will be able to deliver quality education in residency programs in the future.

• 치위생과학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.51-56
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• 2022

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic increased awareness regarding the importance of hand hygiene in infection prevention. Although social distancing and vaccination are the strongest ways to prevent infection, personal hand hygiene is the most basic and easiest way to maintain public health. However, in addition to hand washing using running water, sanitizing tissues, and disinfection products are convenient for hand hygiene, especially outdoors. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the appropriateness of individual hand hygiene methods. In this study, we investigated the degree of hand hygiene offered by various hygiene products and hand drying methods for maintaining hand hygiene. Methods: An LED UV light kit was used for fluorescent observation of hand contamination. Bacteria from the hands were cultured to compare the degree of hand hygiene offered by various hygiene products. Bacteria were cultured in a hand-shaped medium dish to identify areas vulnerable to hand hygiene. Moreover, the degree of hand hygiene was observed according to the drying method using bacterial cultures. Results: We confirmed that hand washing under running water with antibacterial soap, sanitizing with alcohol gel disinfectant, and wiping with antibacterial wet wipes was effective for hand hygiene compared to washing under running water alone. However, for all hygiene products, a large number of bacteria were detected on the fingertips. We verified that natural drying, rather than rubbing, is effective in maintaining hand hygiene. Conclusion: These results suggest that hand hygiene products and drying methods are critical in hand hygiene management. Therefore, these results provide a basis for determining whether an individual's hand hygiene management method is appropriate.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제86권4호
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• pp.251-263
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• 2023

The stethoscope has long been used for the examination of patients, but the importance of auscultation has declined due to its several limitations and the development of other diagnostic tools. However, auscultation is still recognized as a primary diagnostic device because it is non-invasive and provides valuable information in real-time. To supplement the limitations of existing stethoscopes, digital stethoscopes with machine learning (ML) algorithms have been developed. Thus, now we can record and share respiratory sounds and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted auscultation using ML algorithms distinguishes the type of sounds. Recently, the demands for remote care and non-face-to-face treatment diseases requiring isolation such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection increased. To address these problems, wireless and wearable stethoscopes are being developed with the advances in battery technology and integrated sensors. This review provides the history of the stethoscope and classification of respiratory sounds, describes ML algorithms, and introduces new auscultation methods based on AI-assisted analysis and wireless or wearable stethoscopes.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.91-113
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• 2024

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, unsubstantiated information concerning vaccines and the coronavirus has proliferated on various social media platforms. Consequently, we have considered viable actions to mitigate the impact of such unverified content, enabling individuals to use social media platforms more effectively and minimize any ensuing confusion. Recent measures in this area have included YouTube's practice of labeling vaccine or corona videos as authoritative when emanating from reputable organizations and Twitter's practice of flagging vaccine-related content as potentially misleading or taken out of context. This study seeks to explore how such contrasting labeling practices influence users' believability and engagement differentially, while also examining the moderating impact of regulatory focus. The results indicate that authoritative labeling positively influenced users' believability and engagement, whereas misleading labeling adversely affected users' believability and engagement. Additionally, our findings revealed that authoritative labeling has a stronger impact on promotion-focused individuals, while misleading labeling has a more pronounced effect on prevention-focused individuals. Our findings offer insights into how social media platforms can design and present information to their users, taking into account their regulatory focus.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.144-153
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the mediating effects of health promotion behavior (HPB) in the relationship between anxiety and quality of life (QoL) in young adults living in the post-pandemic era. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive online survey design was utilized. Data on anxiety, QoL, HPB, and demographic characteristics were collected from 213 adults aged 19-35 years in Korea via an online survey in January 2024. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 27.0 and PROCESS MACRO 4.2 software. Results: Strong correlations were observed among anxiety, QoL, and post-pandemic HPB (PP-HPB) in young adults, and anxiety and PP-HPB were identified as significant predictors of QoL. The total effect of anxiety on QoL was significant (B = -1.40, bootstrapped SE = 0.10), with both the direct effect (B = -0.70, bootstrapped SE = 0.09) and the indirect effect (B = -0.70, bootstrapped SE = 0.11) being significant. This suggests that PP-HPB partially mediated the relationship between anxiety and QoL. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of strengthening HPB with consideration of life changes since the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic to improve QoL among young adults with anxiety.

• BMB Reports
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• 제56권12호
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• pp.669-674
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• 2023

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection leads to various clinical symptoms including anemia. Lipocalin-2 has various biological functions, including defense against bacterial infections through iron sequestration, and it serves as a biomarker for kidney injury. In a human protein array, we observed increased lipocalin-2 expression due to parental SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Calu-3 human lung cancer cell line. The secretion of lipocalin-2 was also elevated in response to parental SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants similarly induced this phenomenon. In a Calu-3 implanted mouse xenograft model, parental SARSCoV-2 and Delta variant induced lipocalin-2 expression and secretion. Additionally, the iron concentration increased in the Calu-3 tumor tissues and decreased in the serum due to infection. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2 infection induces the production and secretion of lipocalin-2, potentially resulting in a decrease in iron concentration in serum. Because the concentration of iron ions in the blood is associated with anemia, this phenomenon could contribute to developing anemia in COVID-19 patients.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.196-206
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• 2024

Background: This study investigated the prevalence and associated factors of musculoskeletal pain among professional dancers who experienced a lapse in group practice due to coronavirus disease 2019. Methods: General characteristics, practice time, region of musculoskeletal pain due to injury using the visual numeric scale (VNS), and causative motion were surveyed among professional dancers. Pain of VNS 0 to 3 was categorized as "no or minor," 4 to 6 was categorized as "moderate," and 7 to 10 was categorized as "severe." The causal motions of musculoskeletal pain were analyzed according to body region. Factors other than motion associated with pain were also analyzed. Results: In total, 368 participants were included. In the univariate analysis, age and practice time were positively associated with "moderate" pain. Practice time, dance experience, and postural accuracy were positively associated with "severe" pain, as was performing Korean traditional dance. In the multivariable analysis, practice time, group practice, and age were positively associated with pain of VNS 4 to 10, and practice time, group practice, and Korean traditional dance were positively associated with pain of VNS 7 to 10. Conclusion: Among the factors related to dancer training, practice time, group practice, and dance type affect the occurrence of pain.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• 제55권2호
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• pp.226-233
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• 2022

Background/Aims: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a novel aerosol-exposure protection (AP) mask in preventing coronavirus disease in healthcare professionals during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and to evaluate its clinical feasibility. Methods: In Study 1, three healthy volunteers volitionally coughed with and without the AP mask in a cleanroom. Microparticles were visualized and counted with a specific measurement system and compared with and without the AP mask. In Study 2, 30 patients underwent endoscopic resection with the AP mask covering the face, and the SpO2 was measured throughout the procedure. Results: In Study 1, the median number of microparticles in volunteers 1, 2, and 3 with and without the AP mask was 8.5 and 110.0, 7.0 and 51.5, and 8.0 and 95.0, respectively (p<0.01). Using the AP mask, microparticles were reduced by approximately 92%. The median distances of microparticle scattering without the AP mask were 60, 0, and 68 in volunteers 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In Study 2, the mean SpO2 was 96.3%, and desaturation occurred in three patients. Conclusion: The AP mask could provide protection from aerosol exposure and can be safely used for endoscopy in clinical practice.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.153-169
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• 2024

코로나19 팬데믹 발생과 엔데믹은 사람들의 식품 소비 패턴에 큰 변화를 유발한 사건으로 여겨진다. 코로나19 발생 이전부터 코로나19가 종식된 시점까지 국내 소비자들의 식생활이 어떻게 변모되어 왔는지 파악할 필요성이 있다. 이에 코로나19 기간을 구분하고 기간에 따른 국내 소비자들의 식품 지출액을 실증적으로 분석하여, 식품 소비 행태를 파악하고자 하였다. 본 연구에서는 코로나19 기간을 세 가지로 구분하였으며, 분석을 위해 통계청 가계동향조사 마이크로데이터의 월별 식료품 지출액 자료를 2019년 1월부터 2022년 9월까지 활용하였다. 코로나19 기간이 구분되는 두 지점은 국내 첫 코로나19 확진자가 발생한 2020년 1월과 유행 규모가 둔화하고 사회적 거리두기 정책이 완화된 2022년 3월로 설정하였다. 즉, 2019년 1월부터 2020년 1월까지는 PRE-코로나19 (T1), 2020년 2월부터 2022년 2월까지는 INTER-코로나1 9(T2), 2022년 3월부터 2022년 9월까지는 POST-코로나19 (T3)이다. 식품 카테고리는 신선곡물과 가공곡물, 신선채소와 가공채소, 신선과일과 가공과일, 신선수산과 가공수산, 신선축산과 가공축산 지출액을 분석하였으며, 추가적으로 육류 단백질 급원식품 (붉은 육류, 흰살 육류, 햄/소시지/베이컨), 수산 단백질 급원식품 (생선류, 연체류, 갑각류/조개류, 해조류, 어묵/맛살, 수산물통조림), 식물성 단백질 급원식품 (두류, 두부, 두유) 지출액을 분석하였다. 각 식품 카테고리 및 급원식품의 T1 대비 T2의 지출액 변화와 T2 대비 T3의 지출액 변화를 다중회귀분석으로 결과를 도출하였다. 분석 결과, 전반적인 가정 내 식료품 지출액 변화는 T1 대비 T2에 증가하였으며, T2 대비 T3에 감소하는 모습을 보였다. T1에서 T2로 시간이 흐르며 내식이 확대되며 식료품 지출액이 증가할 때, 신선과일과 수산 단백질 (갑각류/조개류) 지출액만 증가하지 않는 것으로 나타났다. 반면에, T2에서 T3로 시간이 흐르며 내식이 축소되며 식료품 지출액이 감소할 때, 가공육류와 수산 및 육류 단백질 급원식품 (즉, 햄/소시지/베이컨, 어묵/맛살, 수산물통조림) 지출액만 감소하지 않는 것으로 나타났다. 더불어, T1, T2, T3 시간에 따라 식료품 지출액이 변화할 때 식물성 단백질 급원식품인 두유의 지출액은 변동이 없는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 분석 결과는 코로나19라는 전례 없었던 사건이 확산되고 종식되는 시간에 따라 국내 소비자들의 식료품 지출액에 미친 영향을 보여준다.