• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.134-145
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• 2024

Background: Dental hygienists are crucial in managing infection control within dental clinical settings. This study focused on examining the pre-treatment infection control practices (PT-PRF_IC) of Korean dental hygienists in the context of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and identifying factors influencing their implementation levels. Methods: An online, self-administered survey was conducted with 263 dental hygienists working in dental hospitals or clinics. The survey explored various aspects such as the experience with infection control education (Edu_IC), PT-PRF_IC, and the types of surface disinfectants used. Additionally, data from previous studies on the knowledge level of COVID-19 (KNW_CO), infection control awareness level (AWR_IC), infection control performance level (PRF_IC), and infection control organizational factor (OFW_IC) were utilized. Statistical analyses included t-tests, one-way ANOVA, chi-square tests, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. Results: The study identified variations in PT-PRF_IC based on the number of dental hygienists within an organization. Differences in Edu_IC were observed concerning age, number of years worked, and monthly pay. The OFW_IC had the most substantial impact on PT-PRF_IC, followed by PRF_IC, and AWR_IC. Conclusion: To improve compliance with PT-PRF_IC, it is essential to consider a combination of factors including OFW_IC, PRF_IC, and AWR_IC. Strengthening organizational factors and awareness can enhance infection control practices and prevent COVID-19 transmission during dental care.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.135-144
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• 2022

As the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations increases, various side effects are being reported, and menstrual abnormalities have been reported as a side effect in women. However, it is still unclear whether the COVID-19 vaccine has detrimental effects on the female reproductive system. Therefore, we investigated the effect of excessive immune response on reproductive function by administering Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) instead of the COVID-19 vaccine. The immune response in mice was induced by injection of LPS. Mice injected with saline 5 times were used as a control group, and mice injected with LPS 5 times were used as an experimental group. Repeated administration of LPS significantly reduced the number of corpus luteum (CL). On the other hand, the injection of LPS did not affect the development of follicles leading before the CL. The expression of the apoptosis-related genes Fas and Fas-L increased in the experimental group. In addition, the expression of the inflammation-related genes increased in the experimental group. In this study, we confirmed that LPS had detrimental effects on the uterus and ovaries in mice. These results suggest that injection of LPS can cause immune reactions within the uterus and ovaries and cause hormonal changes, which can have adverse effects such as abnormal operation or bleeding of the menstrual cycle. These results are expected to help determine the cause of decreased reproductive function, infertility, or physiological disorders caused by the COVID-19 vaccine.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.68
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• pp.217-243
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• 2021

As can be seen from the statement by the UN Secretary-General that "COVID-19 is a crisis with a woman's face," women have experienced great crisis, pain, and difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined the situations of women through statistical data and research studies. Through this study, economic, socio-cultural, and psycho-emotional aspects were dealt with in detail, and how these issues appeared in relation to "caring" were examined. In addition, as a response of the church to these problems and crises, pastoral theological reflection was promoted through "Ethics of Care" and "caring ministry". The "caring ministry" of the church extends not only to personal care within the church, but also to social, cultural, economic, political, and ecological issues, and the church has a missionary mission to respond to these issues related to disasters with a public nature. Furthermore, through educational ministry, the change of values and mindsets on "care" and inequality and Diakonia, the loving care of the church community, should be encouraged.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.80-91
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to contribute to strengthening the response of local governments to the emergence of new infectious diseases by identifying the urban characteristics affecting their spread. To this end, the urban characteristics influencing the spread of infectious diseases were identified from previous studies. Moreover, the variations in the impact of urban characteristics that affected the number of confirmed COVID-19 patients was spatially analyzed using geographically weighted regression (GWR). The analysis indicated that the explanatory power of the GWR was approximately 12.4% higher than that of the ordinary least squares method. Moreover, the explanatory power of the model in the northern regions, such as Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon, was particularly high, indicating that the urban characteristics affecting the spread of COVID-19 vary by region. The results of this study can be used as a basis for suggesting the formulation of customized policies reflecting the characteristics of each local government rather than a uniform spread reduction policy.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.587-594
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to examine how college students' stress coping in the post-corona era affect leisure constraint negotiations. To achieve the purpose of this study, from January 25th to February 19th, 2021, 247 copies were used for this study, excluding 13 questionnaires from Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, and Busan. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, ANOVA and hierarchical regression analysis were performed using SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 18.0. As a result, there was a difference in leisure constraint negotiations according to changes in the types of leisure before and after COVID-19. According to the stress coping method of college students, it appears that it has a positive effect on the part of leisure constraint negotiations, so it is necessary to consider a detailed approach to the coping plan. In particular, it was confirmed that the active stress coping method(Active problem solving, Social support seeking) had a positive effect on the leisure constraint negotiations. Therefore, future research will require efforts to verify their relationship with various approaches to leisure constraints, leisure constraints negotiations, and stress and stress response strategies with COVID-19.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2024

Purpose: The effectiveness of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination schemes and the combination of vaccines of various platforms for administering booster doses is still being studied since it will depend on the population's response to vaccines. We aimed to evaluate the safety, protection, and immunogenicity of the Salvadorean population's third dose booster COVID-19 vaccine and the potential benefit of homologous vs. heterologous regimens. Materials and Methods: This is an analytical observational cohort study in a population aged 18 to 65 years that was primarily vaccinated with AstraZeneca, Sinovac, or Pfizer/BioNTech. Volunteers were recruited (n=223) and followed up for 3 months after receiving the 3rd vaccine (BNT162b2) as a booster. Adverse reactions were monitored, serum anti-spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) was assessed by chemiluminescence, and a polymerase chain reaction was carried out when subjects developed clinical signs. Results: The cohorts finally included 199 participants, and we observed only mild adverse effects in all cohorts. A significant increase in specific IgG levels was found after the booster dose in all cohorts. The heterologous scheme with Sinovac showed the greatest increase in antibody titer, and a decrease was observed in all participants after 3 months. During the follow-up period, 30 participants showed symptomatology compatible with COVID-19, but only four were laboratory-confirmed and they showed mild clinical signs. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the booster doses used were safe and promoted an immediate increase in immunogenicity, which decreased over time. The heterologous regimen showed stronger immunogenicity compared to the messenger RNA-based homologous scheme.

• Journal of Practical Engineering Education
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• v.16 no.5_spc
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• pp.635-641
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• 2024

OECD countries' Current Health Expenditure has reached the 9% of GDP, driven by high growth in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Korea marked 9.4% in 2022, surpassing the OECD average (9.2%) for the first time since joining the OECD. While the share of COVID-19-related health expenditures in total health spending is 7.8 percent, well above the OECD average (5.1 percent), the structure and fluctuation patterns of health expenditures are different from other OECD countries, which has two implications from a health system perspective. First, even in the unique context of a health crisis, it is important to examine the impact that steep health spending growth can have on sustainability of the healthcare system. Second, among the various healthcare interventions to combat the health crisis, we should explore responses that are appropriate to the Korean context to increase the resilience of the healthcare system.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.335-338
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• 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic, triggered by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has not only impacted human health on a global scale but also raised concerns about the vulnerability of a wide array of animals that are in close contact with humans. Particularly, the potential for infection and the subsequent immune response in domestic pets such as dogs and cats remain largely unexplored under natural living conditions. In this study, we have undertaken the task of detecting and tracking the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in a small cohort of household pets-specifically, two dogs and two cats. Employing techniques such as the indirect ELISA and plaque reduction neutralization tests, we observed that the neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in these animals were maintained for a duration of up to six months following their initial positive test result. This duration mirrors the antibody response documented in human cases of COVID-19, suggesting a comparable post-infection immune response timeline between humans and these domestic animals.

• 한국노년학
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.353-371
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to provide clues to social welfare policy making by revealing discourse on social intervention and response based on big data on elderly living alone in the COVID-19 situation. Keyword analysis, network analysis, and topic analysis were utilized to explore the ways in which news media have portrayed challenges facing older individuals and the ways in which the central and local government as well as private organization have responded to them. Results are as follows. First, networks(degree, closeness, betweenness) were formed around region, delivery, society, support, and vulnerability, suggesting an increased demand for economic assistance and social support as well as stronger service delivery systems. Second, key topics derived included "establishing public delivery systems", "establishing local networks", "Managing care gap", "Establishing a private economic support system", and "Establishing service organization system". Based on the research results, discourse on the organic role of government, communities and the private sector has been presented, suggesting policy and practical implications by proposing a discussion on how to intervene for elderly living alone in disaster situations such as COVID-19.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.101-107
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• 2020

This paper aims to compare and analyze the major keywords according to the political orientation of progressive and conservative newspapers by utilizing the big data of the four major domestic daily newspapers related to COVID-19, which has entered a long-term war. To this end, 93,917 news reports from Jan. 20 to Sept. 15, 2020 were divided into four stages and the major keywords of the four newspapers were implemented and analyzed in WordCloud. According to the analysis, the conservative newspaper focused on the government's response, criticism, and China's responsibility by mentioning the keywords "government," "president," "state of affairs" and "mask" more than the progressive newspaper, while the progressive newspaper uses keywords that emphasize the seriousness of the disease and the occurrence of a dangerous situation. The Chosun Ilbo found that the use of various keywords during the massive outbreak of collective infections (2.18-5.15), and that the JoongAng Ilbo used keywords criticizing government policies in relation to reports of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, but also used keywords that emphasize the seriousness of diseases used by progressive newspapers and the occurrence of dangerous situations.