• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.80-94
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have reported chocolate consumption has beneficial effects on blood pressure, obesity, and dyslipidemia, which are components of metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, evidence regarding these relationships in Asia is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate relations between chocolate consumption and MetS in Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Study subjects were 6,982 adults aged 19-64 years free of major chronic diseases that participated in the 2014-2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Information on chocolate consumption was obtained using food frequency questionnaires. For primary analysis, subjects were divided into two groups: non-consumer (n = 3,741, 53.6%); consumer (n = 3,241, 46.4%). In order to investigate dose-response effects on MetS, chocolate consumers were divided into quartiles based on amounts consumed: Q1 (n = 789, 24.3%); Q2 (n = 837, 25.8%); Q3 (n = 863, 26.6%); Q4 (n = 752, 23.2%) in second analysis. RESULTS: Chocolate consumers; 1) were more physically active(P < 0.0001); 2) less likely to smoke(P < 0.0001); 3) paid more attention to food nutrition labels (P < 0.0001), and 4) had healthier dietary patterns, that is, they consumed vegetables, fruits, and dairy products more frequently(P < 0.0001) than non-consumers. Furthermore, chocolate consumers had a 30% lower risk of MetS (odds ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.58-0.86; P = 0.0005). However, dose-response effects between chocolate intake and MetS was not found by secondary analysis after excluding non-consumers. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, chocolate consumers had healthier lifestyles and dietary patterns and a lower prevalence of MetS than non-consumers, as determined by our primary analysis. Although dose-response effects were not found to be significant among chocolate consumers during secondary analysis, the patterns were partially similar. This cross-sectional finding shows chocolate consumption does not increase the risk of MetS. The prospective studies and intervention trials in Korea are needed to confirm this cross-sectional finding.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1345-1349
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• 2014

Although many epidemiologic studies investigated the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms and their associations with esophageal cancer, definite conclusions could not be drawn. To clarify the effects of MTHFR polymorphisms on the risk of esophageal cancer, a meta-analysis was here performed in Chinese populations. A total of 16 studies including 3,040 cases and 4,127 controls were involved in this metaanalysis. Overall, significant associations were found between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and esophageal cancer risk when all studies in Chinese populations were pooled into the meta-analysis (T vs. C, OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.06-1.34; TT vs. CC, OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.07-1.70; TT+ CT vs. CC, OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.08-1.54; TT vs. CC + CT, OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.03-1.37). In subgroup analyses stratified by ethnicity and source of controls, the same results were found in Kazakh (TT vs. CC, OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.02-1.87; TT + CT vs. CC, OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.03-2.18), in not stated populations (T vs. C, OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.08-1.42; TT vs. CC, OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.10-1.96; TT + CT vs. CC, OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.05-1.60; TT vs. CC + CT, OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.12-1.56), and in hospital-based studies (T vs. C, OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.19-1.51; TT vs. CC, OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.37-2.39; TT + CT vs. CC, OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.26-1.83; and TT vs. CC + CT, OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.13-1.70). In conclusion, this meta-analysis provides evidence that the MTHFR C677T polymorphism contributes to esophageal cancer development in Chinese populations.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.239-246
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• 2010

Among 203 avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) isolated from poultry with colibacillosis in korea, 14 isolates were selected from total 68 isolates transferred R plasmid and classified into 5 groups on the basis of antimicrobial minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) pattern, farm source and O serotype. An association between clonal origin and R plasmid of them was investigated by R plasmid profile, restriction endonuclease analysis and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The strains that showed the same or very similar antimicrobial MIC pattern, but different farm source and O serotype, revealed different PFGE pattern, which seemed to be different clonal origin. And the strains that showed the same MIC pattern and O serotype, revealed different PFGE pattern, seemed to be originated from different clone. Also the strains showing the same MIC pattern and farm source, but different O serotype, revealed to be different clonal origin. The strains that showed the same or similar MIC pattern, farm source, and O serotype, revealed identical or similar PFGE pattern, which seemed to belong to be one clone. Meanwhile, horizontal transfer of R plasmid seems to be common in APEC with regardless of O serotype and clone of the strains. These results indicate that rapid and accurate epidemiological survey of APEC can be possible by the combination of O serotyping, plasmid profiling and PFGE analysis following the classification of them into groups of antimicrobial drug resistance pattern.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.251-258
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• 2018

We study convergent factors to depression(CES-D: Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale) among administrative staff in general hospital. The questionnaire was used using an unregistered self-administered questionnaire for 201 staff from 9 general hospitals located in J area from Jul. 3rd, 2017 to Jul. 29th, 2017. The hierarchical multiple regression analysis shows the following results. The depression of respondents turned out to be significantly higher in following groups: a group in which Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale(RES) is lower, a group in which Multidimensional Fatigue Scale(MFS) is higher, a group in which Psychosocial Well-being Index Short Form(PWI-SF) are higher. The results show explanatory power of 32.5%. The results of the study indicate that the efforts, to increase RES, and to decrease MFS and PWI, are required to improve the depression among administrative staff in general hospital. These results could be used in organizing human resource management and industrial health education to lower the level of depression in general hospital administration staff. Following studies need to analyze the structural equation model that effects the depression levels of administrative staff in general hospital.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.312-321
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• 2013

Objective: In May 2011, an interview with three United States Forces Korea veterans revealed that chemicals believed to be 'Agent Orange' were buried at Camp Carroll (situated in Waegwan, Chilgok-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea) in 1978. Many hazardous chemicals, such as perchloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), and organochlorines were subsequently found in a joint US-ROK environmental investigation, although dioxins or burial evidence related to 'Agent Orange' have been not uncovered. This study was carried out to investigate the relevance of hazardous chemical exposure and health effects of the residents around Camp Carroll. Methods: The authors conducted a health questionnaire survey among residents around Camp Carroll regarding Waegwan groundwater ingestion, length of residence in Waegwan, and physician-diagnosed disease history (such as cancer, hypertension, diabetes and etc.). Logistic regression was performed to identify the associations between hazardous chemical exposure and physician-diagnosed diseases. Results: Among the 5,320 residents, excluding those living outside the Waegwan area, 3,430 subjects age 30 and over were analyzed. Among females, upon correction of age, smoking history and Camp Carroll working history, a higher distribution in the Waegwan groundwater ingestion group was demonstrated for patients with physician-diagnosed cancer and hypertension. The odds ratios have a tendency to increase with increased length of Waegwan groundwater ingestion. Conclusions: This study may be limited by not adopting a cohort study for the evaluation of factors that may confound environmental exposure. Yet it is meaningful that the correlation between Waegwan groundwater ingestion and chronic diseases were found through regression analysis in female; and further, this outcome may be used as a sampling basis for a secondary epidemiologic study.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.187-195
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• 2008

Purpose: This epidemiologic research was carried out to investigate the degree and aspects of symptoms of patients suffered from TMD using RDC/TMD. Subjects and Methods: Subjects were the patients who had visited to SNUBH dental clinic from Jan. 2005 to Dec. 2005, and total 117 patients were included (M: 22, F:95). The signs and symptoms of physical, psychological and behavioral factors were retrospectively evaluated by questionnaires in the RDC/TMD. The patients were examined through clinical and radiological method, and diagnosed by same investigator. They were divided into 3 groups such as osteoarthritis group (group 1), internal deragnement (group 2), myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome group (MPDS, group 3). In addition, in patient with complex diagnosis they were divided into subgroups in detail (ex. group 1+group 2). In the questionnaire, several items were selected to calculate the graded pain score (grade $0{\sim}IV$), depression and vegetative symptoms, nonspecific physical symptoms(pain items included) and nonspecific physical symptoms(pain items excluded) in each group. Results: As a result of classification by diagnostic criteria of this study, the patients were distributed to 45% of group 1, 47% of group 2, 8% of group 3 in this study. In younger patients (under 25-year old, n=40), group 2 was occupied 57% (n=23) and group 1 was 35%, group 3 was 8%, while group 1 was occupied 75% in elderly-patients (over 40-year old, n=28) in present study (group 2: 21%, group 3: 4%). In the analysis of depression and vegetative symptoms, majority of patients in Group 2 were included in 'normal', and in Group 3 it appeared to have larger proportion of 'moderate' & 'severe' than others. According to nonspecific physical symptoms, there have been tendencies of higher ratio of 'severe' in patients with MPDS. In graded pain score, more than half (58%) of subjects were included in grade 0 and low disability (Grade I and II), and 27% were revealed high disability (grade III, IV).

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.365-370
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• 2007

Purpose: There are many reports about facial bone fractures, but limited to retrospective data of a single hospital. Etiology and severity of the facial bone fracture have been changed and treatment method and materials have been advanced. In order to reflect those changes and provide up-to-date data of the facial bone fractures in Daegu, we gathered the data and analyzed the epidemiologic study. Methods: The medical records of 1058 fractures in 895 patients were gathered from 5 general hospitals in Daegu during last year and these data were analyzed by following parameters: age, sex, place of residence, occupation, cause of injury, time of injury, location of fracture, length of in-hospital stay, time of operation, treatment method, associated injury, complication. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test. Results: Most commonly involved age group was 20s(26%) and the sex ratio was 3.4:1(male predominance). Fractures were occurred more in unban and white-color workers. Among variable etiology of injury, traffic accident was the most common cause. Time of injury was heighest at 6 to 7 P.M., on Sunday, in July. Locations of fractures were following sequence: nasal, zygoma, mandible, orbit, maxilla. Mean length of in-hospital stay and time of operation after injury were 6.3 and 3.2 days, respectively. In treatment methods, operative methods were dominant than conservative management and general anesthesia were favored than local anesthesia. Associated injuries were noticed in 188 cases(21.2%) and complications were in 94 cases(8.9%) and among them, ocular problem were common. Conclusion: Compared to previous studies, mean age of occurrence was lowered and the etiologies showed age-specific pattern and reflected the change of lifestyle. In young age groups, sports injury, violence were more dominant and the other hand, traffic accident and fall were dominant in older groups.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.660-670
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• 2016

This cross-sectional descriptive investigation attempted to identify the relationship among the symptoms, spiritual well-being, and depression experienced by patients undergoing hemodialysis. Data were collected from 146 patients at 6 hemodialysis clinics from October 15th, 2014 to January 15th, 2015. The Dialysis Symptom Index (DSI) was used to measure symptom experience, spiritual well-being was measured using the Spiritual Well-being Scale, and depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The data were analyzed using ANOVA, the t-test, Scheffe's test, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical regression analysis. The mean score of the symptom experience was 26.43 (range: 0~85), the mean spiritual well-being score was 47.79 (range: 20~80), and the mean depression score was 10.56 (range: 0~35). It was found that greater existential well-being leads to lower depression (r=-.23, p=.004) and symptom experience (r=-.17, p=.045). Greater physical (B=.09) and emotional (B=.64) symptom experience leads to higher depression and the explanatory power of these factors was 52.1% (F=18.54, p<.001). Therefore, a comprehensive nursing intervention that can help reduce the symptom experience and increase the existential well-being in hemodialysis patients is needed to reduce their depression.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.191-198
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• 2021

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the correlation between defense mechanism and posttraumatic stress disorder in burn patients. Methods : We recruit 40 burn patients and we evaluate sociodemographic characteristics, characteristics related to burn, korean version of Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), Korean Version of Center for epidemiologic studies depression scale (CES-D) and Ewha Defense Mechanisms Test (EDMT). Multiple regression analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between EDMT score and IES-R score. Results : Factor 2 of EDMT which consists of Ego-expansion subjects was significantly correlate with IER-S score. In factor 2, Controlling (β=-0.299, p<0.05), Sublimation (β=-0.276, p<0.05) is significantly correlate with IER-S score. Conclusions : Some subjects of defense mechanism was significantly correlate with IES-R score. it might be helpful to understand defense mechanism for the posttraumatic stress disorder in burn patients.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the major influencing factors of breast cancer death and to suggest policy measures to promote the health of breast cancer patients. Methods: The method of this study performed statistical analysis by applying weights to 2,300 cases of breast cancer registration statistics in Korea collected in 2018 due to the relatively small number of mortality data compared to survival. Statistical processing of the collected data was analyzed using SPSS 26.0. Results: The epidemiologic characteristics of death in breast cancer patients were 31.8% in those aged 70 years or older, and the mortality rate was 5.25 times higher in patients aged 70 years or older than those aged 39 years or younger. The anatomical site code was 36.4% in C50.4~C50.6, and the mortality rate was 1.82 times higher in C50.4~C50.6 than in C50.0~C50.1. The tumor size was 40.4% and larger than 4cm, and the mortality rate was 4.53 times higher in tumors larger than 4cm than those smaller than 1cm. The degree of differentiation was 13.9% in the poorly differentiated group, and the mortality rate was 4.38 times higher in the poorly differentiated group than in the highly differentiated group. In the hormone receptor test, non-triple negative cases were 59.6%, and the mortality rate was 0.57 times lower in non-triple negative cases than in triple negative cases. As for lymph node involvement, the presence or absence of lymph node involvement was 78.8%, and the mortality rate with lymph node involvement was 1.36 times higher than that without lymph node involvement. The survival period of 13 to 24 months was the highest at 26.5%, and the average survival period was 25.68 months (±14.830). Conclusion: A policy to advance the timing of national health examinations for early detection of breast cancer is necessary. In addition, a bill for the mandatory placement of health educators in medical institutions for patients with special diseases such as breast cancer should be prepared.