• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.357-361
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• 2013

Several epidemiological surveys have reported the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in stray cats in Korea, but little information is available on T. gondii infection in household cats. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of T. gondii infection among household cats reared in Seoul, Korea. A total of 474 blood samples were collected from clinically healthy household cats. All samples were tested using ELISA and PCR. The risk factor analysis was based on a questionnaire filled out by the owners. The overall positive rate for ELISA and PCR assays was 2.2% (10/437) and 2.1% (10/474), respectively. With regard to the origin of cats, the positive rates among cats adopted from the animal shelter and veterinary clinic for stray cats were significantly different (P<0.05). Our study demonstrated that the positive rate of T. gondii infection in household cats was low and that this low prevalence was assumed to be associated with keeping the cats indoors and restriction of eating raw food and uncooked meat. Therefore, we suggest that the owners check the origin of the cats prior to adoption to prevent infection of other animals, including humans.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.288-294
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to comprehensively examine middle-aged male taxi drivers' perceptions of the risk of cardiovascular disease. Methods: A qualitative method was used, with focus group interviews. The participants were middle-aged male taxi drivers who had been driving for more than ten years and for more than six hours daily. Results: The data were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis. Middle-aged male taxi drivers' perceptions of the risk of cardiovascular disease were categorized into three main themes: "individual perceptions of cardiovascular disease", "possibility of behaviors for cardiovascular disease" and "motivations of behaviors for cardiovascular disease". Six sub-themes were extracted as follows: "perception of vulnerability", "perception of seriousness", "perception of profitability", "perception of disability", "self-awareness" and "advancing toward health care". Conclusion: It is necessary to invigorate support systems through measures including education, counseling, and web-based programs to prevent cardiovascular disease in middle-aged male taxi drivers.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.521-532
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• 2018

Dementia, characterized by a progressive cognitive decline and a cumulative inability to behave independently, is highly associated with other diseases. Various cardiovascular disorders, such as coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation, are well-known risk factors for dementia. Currently, increasing evidence suggests that sex factors may play an important role in the pathogenesis of diseases, including cardiovascular disease and dementia. Recent studies show that nearly two-thirds of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease are women; however, the incidence difference between men and women remains vague. Therefore, studies are needed to investigate sex-specific differences, which can help understand the pathophysiology of dementia and identify potential therapeutic targets for both sexes. In the present review, we summarize sex differences in the prevalence and incidence of dementia by subtypes. This review also describes sex differences in the risk factors of dementia and examines the impact of risk factors on the incidence of dementia in both sexes.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.149-156
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• 2011

Purpose: This study seeks to examine prevalence, risk factors, and quality of life of Korean adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Methods: From the database of the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV-1, 2008), the researchers selected 1,458 adults over the age of 45. The original study was a population-based epidemiological survey of health and nutrition with a stratified multistage clustered probability design. Prevalence of COPD was computed on the basis of the sampling weight. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ${\chi}^2$ test, t-test and multiple logistic regression with the SPSS WIN 18.0 and SAS Ver. 9.1 program. Results: The prevalence of COPD was 18.0% among people older than 45 yr. The prevalence of current smokers was 19.7% in this population and 26.3% in individuals with COPD. Age, gender, education, and smoking levels were found to be risk factors for COPD. Significant difference in quality of life was founded between adults with COPD and the healthy controls. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that COPD is a highly prevalent disease in Korea. To reduce the prevalence of COPD and improve health-related quality of life in patients with COPD, nursing interventions must focus on prevention of risk factors.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2006

A lot of studies have investigated the role of psychosocial and behavioral risk factors in the etiology and pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. On the basis of prospective population studies that found a relationship between Type A behavior and cardiac morbidity and mortality independent of traditional risk factors, Type A behavior was declared a risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease. Additionally, recently proposed, a new personality construct, Type D personality have been reported to be associated with the increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In Korea, however, there were few studies about these issues. This article attempts to provide an overview of accumulating evidences on the Type A behavioral pattern and Type D personality related with cardiovascular disease to offer new directions for research.

• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.329-342
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• 2018

Nomogram is a statistical tool that visualizes the risk factors of the disease and then helps to understand the untrained people. This study used risk factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and compared with logistic regression model and naïve Bayesian classifier model. Data were analyzed using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 6th (2013-2015). First, we used 6 risk factors about COPD. We constructed nomogram using logistic regression model and naïve Bayesian classifier model. We also compared the nomograms constructed using the two methods to find out which method is more appropriate. The receiver operating characteristic curve and the calibration plot were used to verify each nomograms.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.548-560
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• 2005

Purpose: High risk women with congenital heart disease decide to get pregnancy is determined by not individual autonomous intention but complex interaction with their physical status and socio-psychological environments. This study tried to the answer to the question. : "What is experience high risk women who have congenital heart disease during transition to parenthood?". Method: A micro-ethnographic research method and oral historic research approach were done at the Grown-Up Congenital Heart Disease Clinic in one Korean metropolitan city from July 2002 to September 2003. Result: It was discovered that high risk women's experience of transitional parenthood is accounted as the process of lonely and fearful self-accomplishment. Their need for self-accomplishment creates them seek more opportunities to increase enduring abilities for their parenthood. Conclusion: We suggest that from the time of beginning of patient's making decisions about becoming pregnant, collaborative efforts must be considered that priority level of patient's needs be reviewed and find appropriate advices for their situation. Special counseling program should be provided to all the prospective parents with understanding their meaning of parenthood.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.234-241
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• 2019

Objectives: To identify simultaneous behavioral changes in alcohol consumption, smoking, and weight using a fixed-effect model and to characterize their associations with disease status. Methods: This study included 7 000 529 individuals who participated in the national biennial health-screening program every 2 years from 2009 to 2016 and were aged 40 or more. We reconstructed the data into an individual-level panel dataset with 4 waves. We used a fixed-effect model for smoking, heavy alcohol drinking, and overweight. The independent variables were sex, age, lifestyle factors, insurance contribution, employment status, and disease status. Results: Becoming a high-risk drinker and losing weight were associated with initiation or resumption of smoking. Initiation or resumption of smoking and weight gain were associated with non-high-risk drinkers becoming high-risk drinkers. Smoking cessation and becoming a high-risk drinker were associated with normal-weight participants becoming overweight. Participants with newly acquired diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and cancer tended to stop smoking, discontinue high-risk drinking, and return to a normal weight. Conclusions: These results obtained using a large-scale population-based database documented interactions among lifestyle factors over time.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.345-362
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• 2017

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the risk of various disease outcomes due to exposure to cyanobacteria toxin (microcystin-LR) through drinking water in a Korean watershed. In order to determine the risk in a more quantitative way, the risk assessment framework developed by the National Research Council (NRC) of the United States (US) - hazard identification, dose-response relationship, exposure assessment, and risk characterization - was used in this study. For dose-response relationships, a computer software (BenchMark Dose Software (BMDS)) developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was used to fit the data from previous studies showing the relationship between the concentration of microcystin-LR and various disease outcomes into various dose-response models. For exposure assessment, the concentrations of microcystin-LR in the source water and finished water in a Korean watershed obtained from a recent study conducted by the Ministry of Environment of Korea were used. Finally, the risk of various disease outcomes due to exposure to cyanobacteria toxin (microcystin-LR) through drinking water was characterized by Monte-Carlo simulation using Crystall Ball program (Oracle Inc.) for adults and children. The results of this study suggest that the risk of disease due to microcystin-LR toxin through drinking water is very low and it appears that current water treatment practice should be able to protect the public from the harmful effects of cyanobacteria toxin (microcystin-LR) through drinking water.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2018

Purpose : Preeclampsia(PE) is a pregnancy-specific disease which is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria. This disease occurs in about 2-8 % of pregnancies in developing countries and remains among the major causes of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity throughout the world. Although the causes of PE are not fully understood, the infection has been considered as the main risk factor for this diseases. Periodontal disease may provide a chronic burden of endotoxin and inflammatory cytokines and the disease has been considered as risk factors of systemic illnesses including cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, and cerebrovascular ischemia. So, studies performed over the last 15 years have suggested that periodontal disease may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as PE. However, this association has not been found in all populations. The aim of this review article was to evaluate whether periodontal status and the presence of specific periodontal pathogens may influence the incidence of PE. Methods : Many research articles searched at the electronic databases(MEDLINE; 2000 to July 2017) including search term as periodontal disease and preeclampsia. Result : There were 10 case-control studies and 5 cohort studies meeting our inclusion criteria. The results showed that maternal periodontitis (adjusted odds ratio: 1.5 to 9.3) was associated with preeclampsia in 15 epidemiological studies. Conclusion : It is clear that maternal periodontitis is a risk factor associated with preeclampsia, emphasizing the importance of periodontal care in prenatal programs.