• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제65권1호
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• pp.96-106
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• 2022

Objective : The most common complication of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is cage subsidence and maintenance of disc height affects postoperative clinical outcomes. We considered cage subsidence as an inappropriate indicator for evaluating preservation of disc height. Thus, this study aimed to consider patients with complications such as reduced total disc height compared to that before surgery and evaluate the relevance of several factors before ACDF. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 40 patients who underwent stand-alone single-level ACDF using a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage at our institution between January 2012 and December 2018. Our study population comprised 19 male and 21 female patients aged 24-70 years. The minimum follow-up period was 1 year. Twenty-seven patients had preoperative bone mineral density (BMD) data on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Clinical parameters included sex, age, body mass index, smoking history, and prior medical history. Radiologic parameters included the C2-7 cobb angle, segmental angle, sagittal vertical axis, disc height, and total intervertebral height (TIH) at the preoperative and postoperative periods. Cage decrement was defined as the reduction in TIH at the 6-month follow-up compared to preoperative TIH. To evaluate the bone quality, Hounsfield unit (HU) value was calculated in the axial and sagittal images of conventional computed tomography. Results : Lumbar BMD values and cervical HU values were significantly correlated (r=0.733, p<0.001). We divided the patients into two groups based on cage decrement, and 47.5% of the total patients were regarded as cage decrement. There were statistically significant differences in the parameters of measuring the HU value of the vertebra and intraoperative distraction between the two groups. Using these identified factors, we performed a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Based on the ROC curve, the cut-off point was 530 at the HU value of the upper cortical and cancellous vertebrae (p=0.014; area under the curve [AUC], 0.727; sensitivity, 94.7%; specificity, 42.9%) and 22.41 at intraoperative distraction (p=0.017; AUC, 0.722; sensitivity, 85.7%; specificity, 57.9%). Using this value, we converted these parameters into a bifurcated variable and assessed the multinomial regression analysis to evaluate the risk factors for cage decrement in ACDF. Intraoperative distraction and HU value of the upper vertebral body were independent factors of postoperative subsidence. Conclusion : Insufficient intraoperative distraction and low HU value showed a strong relationship with postoperative intervertebral height reduction following single stand-alone PEEK cage ACDF.

• 한국학교보건학회지
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.45-56
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• 1999

Adolescence is vulnerable to various Health Risk Behaviors (HRB). These behaviors can affect his remaining life as well as adolescence, thus prevention of HRB is a critical issue in health education. This study is aimed to provide basic information for prevention of HRB. Thus, this study was conducted to analyze the impact of peer group's health risk behaviors on health risk perception (HRP) and that of health risk perception on health risk behaviors based on 832 respondents. The 852 subjects were selected in six middle and high schools in Seoul through random sampling. Data were collected from September, 18-October, 21, 1998, and the 832 data were analyzed after excluding the 20 incomplete and inaccurate data. Questionnaire items and measures are based on an instrument to measure Perceived Health Risk Perception, which Hodge B.C. developed in 1992. Cronbach alpha is used to test the reliability. The reliability of HRP and HRB is 0.9473, 0.8768 in this study, Statistical analysis divided into four phases. First, the impact of socio-demographic characteristics on HRP is analyzed by oneway ANOV A. Male students have lower HRP than female students. As grade goes up, HRP is getting lower. Perceived higher concern of parents and HRP are correlated. And the experience of school health education and HRP are correlated. Second, the impact of peer group's HRB on the HRP is analyzed by linear regression. Peer group's HRB and HRP are negatively correlated, Third, the impact of HRP on HRB is analyzed by linear regression. There is a correlation between high HRP and low HRB. Fourth, Powerful impact factors on HRB are analyzed by stepwise multiple regression. Grade, gender, peer group's HRB, and related HRP is entered as independent variables. Because of correlation between entered variables, three interaction variables between grade, gender, peer group's HRB and related HRP also entered, In general, peer group's HRB is the most accountable factor to HRB. And Interaction variable between HRP and peer group's HRB and HRB are negatively correlated. These results indicate that HRP may reduce the impact of peer group's HRB on HRB. Some recommendations are as follows: First, health educational programs suitable for gender and grade are required. Second, a systematic cooperation between school and home is necessary for effective prevention of HRB. Third, the educational effect for decreasing HRB by increasing HRP is statistically assisted. However, peer group has much stronger impact on HRB than subjective HRP, thus special consideration and management are necessary for peer group which does HRB more frequently.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.21-32
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• 2021

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between country-level institutional quality and public debt in the context of Pakistan. The hypotheses of this study were assessed by using the country-level institutional quality data for Pakistan throughout the years from 1996 to 2018. Data came from the World Databank, IMF and Worldwide Governance Indicators databases. For the analysis, ordinary least square, quantile regression and robust regression were employed to assess the factors influencing the public debt. The results of this study indicate that the factors of voice and accountability, regulatory quality, and control of corruption have a positive and significant relationship with public debt, while political stability, government effectiveness, and the rule of law have a negative and significant effect on public debt. Based on the findings, a weak country-level institutional quality poses a substantial market risk as it signals the existence of an unfavorable economic condition that raises public debt. It was also revealed that an improved performance of country-level institutional quality can lead to the improvement of financial market transparency, hence reduce public debt. In contrast to previous studies, the present study will be breaking ground in enhancing public insight regarding the impact of country-level institutional quality on Pakistan's public debt.

• 해양환경안전학회지
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• 제26권6호
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• pp.634-643
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• 2020

해양공간 이용 수요와 중요도의 지속적인 증가에 따라 국내에서의 해양탐사 및 해양조사활동이 활발히 수행중이다. 이러한 활동을 위해 운항되는 해양탐사조사선은 목적 및 탐사선박에 따라 특수한 운항패턴을 가지므로 해상교통위험도를 고려한 연구가 필요하다. 본 연구에서는 해양탐사·조사선의 운항이 해상교통에 미치는 영향을 각 요인별 상관관계로 파악하고자 하였다. 우리나라에서 활동중인 해양탐사·조사선 현황을 파악하였고 일부 해양물리탐사선의 특수한 운항실태를 식별하였다. 운항자부담감의 결과를 비교하기 위해서 운항요인 중 각 2가지를 독립변수로하여 ES Model 기반의 해상교통류시뮬레이션을 수행하였다. 분석결과 교통량, 선박 길이, 속력 순으로 운항자 부담감이 두드러지게 변화하는 것을 확인하였다. 또한 인근 해상교통흐름과 선수방위(침로)가 거의 유사한 운항 침로를 설정할 경우 운항자 부담감이 다소 감소하는 것을 확인하였다. 이에 따라 해양탐사·조사선이 운항계획을 설정할 단계에서 인근 해상교통현황을 파악하여 운항방식에 반영한다면 운항자 부담감을 감소시키는데 기여할 것이다.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• 제9권9호
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• pp.93-104
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• 2022

This study aims to investigate the factors that contribute to the sustainable development of 334 Vietnamese construction and real estate companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Vietnam over a 5-year period from 2016 to 2020. By using regression analysis with the support of STATA software through examining the financial statements, which involves looking into crucial ratios including capital structure, profitability, firm size, accounts receivable management, and tangible assets investment, this study sheds light on whether these accounting indicators could help predict the construction and real estate companies growing potential in the future. Nevertheless, these ratios slightly contribute to the explanation of the change in revenue growth ratio, with a result of 1.6%, indicating that the value relevance of accounting information provides a modest and insignificant effect on investment decisions. This is understandable because the Vietnamese construction and real estate market still has many shortcomings in handling unexpected events, as well as the industry's peculiarities related to major capital sources from bank loans. Based on this study, governmental authorities and business executives should plan appropriate risk management policies and measures to contribute to the sustainable development of construction and real estate companies.

• 운동영양학회지
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.21-27
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• 2019

[Purpose] In the present pilot study, we aimed to investigate the effects of the Silverrobics exercise program, which is similar to aerobic dance, on the factors related to glucose metabolism and liver enzymes. [Methods] Eight elderly women with obesity and impaired fasting glucose participated in the Silverrobics exercise program (60 minutes per session for five times a week for 8 weeks). The program was conducted at 50-60% of the heart rate reserve at 1 to 2 weeks and at 60-80% of the heart rate reserve at 3 to 8 weeks. To verify the effect of this 8-week exercise program on glucose metabolism and liver enzymes, blood analysis at pre- and post-training was performed. [Results] After the Silverrobics exercise program, there were significant decreases in the glucose (p<0.05), glycated hemoglobin A1c (p<0.05), 1,5-anhydroglucitol (p<0.05), and insulin levels (p<0.01) and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance score (p<0.05). However, there were no significant effects on the liver enzymes, except for alkaline phosphatase. The alkaline phosphatase level increased after the Silverrobics exercise program (p<0.05). [Conclusion] Although the Silverrobics exercise program had no beneficial effects on the liver enzymes, it may play an important role in preventing liver diseases considering the effects on glucose metabolism.

• 한국직업건강간호학회지
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.262-270
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aims to provide preliminary data for weight management, and prevention and management of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. We examined the effect of changes in the weight of workers at a manufacturing company over three years on their metabolic syndrome and metabolic syndrome diagnosis components. Methods: Necessary data were collected from the questionnaire and the results of the Korean National Health Screening of 2015 and 2017, which included 228 workers at a manufacturing company in G region. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 23.0 program. ANCOVA was used to examine the differences in the metabolic syndrome diagnosis components according to weight change. In addition, multiple logistic regression analysis was used to obtain the odds ratios of metabolic syndrome and metabolic syndrome analysis component, based on the weight changes in the normal weight group and the obesity group. Results: Waist measure, systolic blood pressure, and blood pressure were found to have significant effects based on participants' weight change over three years. These factors increased with a larger increase in weight at a statistically significant level. This study analyzed the weight changes of the normal weight group and the obesity group considering the data from the National Health Screening of 2015, and found that the risk of metabolic syndrome increased at a statistically significant level as body weight increased; thus, the obesity group showed a higher risk in this regard. It was also found that waist measure, fasting blood sugar, and high-density low cholesterol increased at a statistically significant level as body weight increased. Conclusion: Health administrators need to recognize the importance of workers' weight management, select an intensive management group based on a time series analysis of weight changes, and develop and implement programs to manage the metabolic syndrome diagnosis components.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.46-55
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• 2005

목 적 : 일차성 방광요관역류 소아에서 재발성 요로감염은 신반흔의 원인으로 장기간 저용량 항생제 예방요법이 권장되어 왔다. 그러나 최근 항생제 예방요법의 효과에 대한 의문이 제기되었고 항생제 내성에 대한 우려도 있었다. 이에 일차성 발광요관역류 소아에서 항생제 예방요법의 효과에 대한 기초자료를 얻기 위하여 항생제 예방요법에 발생한 재발성 요로감염의 빈도와 위험요인을 조사하고자 하였다 방 법 : 1995년 3월부터 2001년 12월까지 이대목동병원 소아과에서 첫 발열성 요로감염 후에 일차성 방광요관역류가 발견되어 1년간 저용량의 trimethoprim-sulfimethoxazole을 투여 받은 91명을 후향적으로 조사하여 재발성 요로감염의 빈도와 요로감염의 위험요인들을 분석하였다. 결 과 : 재발성 요로감염은 31.9%(29/91)에서 발생하였고 이는 0.32회/환자년 이였다. 발열성 요로감염은 0.26회/환자년이였고 비발열성 요로 감염은 0.07회/환자년이였다. 포경 남아에서 요로 감염의 재발율은 37.2%(19/54)로 포경이 없는 남아의 0%(0/5)에 비하여 유의하게 높았다(P=0.025). 위험 예측치는 신반흔에서만 유의하게 높았다[RR=3.8(95% CI 1.0-14.1), P=0.04]. 여아, 연령, 급성신우신염, 배뇨장애 및 원인균 등은 위험인자로 작용하지 않았고 방광요관역류의 정도에 짜른 유의한 차이도 없었다. .결 론 : 일차성 방광요관역류가 있는 소아에서 항생제 예방요법은 요로감염의 재발을 억제하지 못히였다. 포경과 신반흔이 재발성 요로감염의 위험요인이였고 방광요관역류의 정도에 따른 차이는 없었다. 일차성 방광요관역류 소아에서 우선적으로 포경과 신반흔이 없는 소아에서부터 항생제 예방요법을 시행하지 않는 무작위 대조연구가 필요할 것으로 생각된다.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.229-240
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• 2022

Purpose : In this study, using Oyster Shell Thermal Therapy for metabolic diseases, we analyzed the effect of immune and inflammation-related variables and respiratory health-related variables of test subjects to verify the effect of improving respiratory health. Methods : In this study, 26 patients with metabolic diseases were divided into an experimental group (N=13) and a control group (N=13). After Oyster Shell Thermal Therapy (four weeks/three times a week/1 hour per time), metabolic disease-related variables and immune and respiratory health-related variables were measured and compared between the two groups. The conclusion of this study is as follows: Results : After the four-week Oyster Shell Thermal Therapy, in terms of changes in the metabolic disease-related variables, the control group exhibited a higher increase in TC and LDL-C levels than the experimental group. In the case of glucose, the experimental group showed a decrease after the experiment (p<.05). After the four-week thermotherapy, a statistically significant interactive effect occurred in natural killer (NK) cells among the immune-related variables. According to the results of a post-experimental analysis, the control group showed a higher decrease in NK cells than the experimental group (p<.05). After the 4-weeks thermotherapy, the experimental group showed a greater increase in maximum oxygen intake of the respiratory health-related variables than the control group. Conclusion : Based on a comprehensive review of the study results, the subjects who underwent the four-week Oyster Shell Thermal Therapy exhibited positive physical changes in metabolic disease-related variables as well as immune and respiratory health-related variables, which demonstrates the effectiveness of Oyster Shell Thermal Therapy on immune and respiratory health. Accordingly, it is recommended to conduct long-term Oyster Shell Thermal Therapy with various models in terms of the size and shape.

• 치위생과학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.169-175
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• 2023

Background: Although microbial infection is direct cause of periodontal disease, various environmental factors influence the disease severity. Aging is considered a risk factor for oral diseases, with the prevalence of periodontal diseases increasing with age. Moreover, senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) expressed in age-related diseases is a key marker of chronic inflammation and aging phenotypes. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the relevance of senescent cells to periodontal health and disease, investigate the possibility of regulating the expression of aging- and osteolysis-related factors in gingival fibroblasts, and investigate the effect of senescence induction in gingival fibroblasts on osteoclast differentiation in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). Methods: After stimulation with 400 nM hydrogen peroxidase, human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were examined for senescence-associated β-galactosidase. Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to assess the expression of SASP. Osteoclast formation was assessed in BMMs using a conditioned medium (CM) from hydrogen peroxide-stimulated HGFs. Osteoclastic differentiation was investigated using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and activity. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: The expression of senescence-related molecules, including p53, p16, and p21, and the expression of osteolytic factors, including IL-6, IL-8, and IL-17, were found to be significantly higher in the hydrogen peroxide-stimulated HGF than in the control group. Regarding the indirect effects of senescent gingival cells, the number of osteoclasts and TRAP activity increased according to the differentiation of BMM cultured in CM. Conclusion: Our results on the of between osteolytic factors and cellular senescence in gingival fibroblast cells helped to reveal evidence of pathological aging mechanisms. Furthermore, our results suggest that the development of novel therapies that target specific SASP factors could be an effective treatment strategy for periodontal disease.