• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.30
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• pp.2.1-2.9
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• 2015

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the association between presence of depression symptoms and the exposure level to insecticides among aged population in rural area, determined via measured levels of urinary 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), after controlling for socioeconomic confounding factors. Methods Using a cross-sectional study design, we randomly recruited participants for our study (161 male and 239 female) from rural areas of Asan, Chungnam, Korea. Environmental risk factor exposure was assessed using a questionnaire, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze urinary 3-PBA levels. We used a logistic regression analysis to assess the association of urinary 3-PBA levels with the presence of self-reported depression symptoms. Results After controlling for creatinine levels, the median (interquartile range) concentration of 3-PBA was approximately 1.5 times (p<0.05) higher among female (1.54 [0.90 to 2.35]) ${\mu}g/g$) than among male (1.06 [0.64 to 1.81] ${\mu}g/g$). Our study found that among female participants, the unit increase in 3-PBA levels exhibited a likely positive association (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 1.25) with an increased risk of presence of self-reported depression symptoms, after adjusting for socioeconomic insurance type, daily physical condition, marital status, smoking status, and age. Conclusions Given our finding of a potential association between the presence of self-reported depression symptoms and 3-PBA levels, precautions should be considered to minimize exposure to insecticides and thus protect the health of aged residents in rural areas.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.125-134
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• 2013

This study was demonstrated to estimate the measurement uncertainty of 23 multiple-component amino acids from beef bone extract by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The sources of measurement uncertainty (i.e. sample weight, final volume, standard weight, purity, standard solution, calibration curve, recovery and repeatability) in associated with the analysis of amino acids were evaluated. The estimation of uncertainty obtained on the GUM (Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement) and EURACHEM document with mathematical calculation and statistical analysis. The content of total amino acids from beef bone extract was 36.18 g/100 g and the expanded uncertainty by multiplying coverage factor (k, 2.05~2.36) was 3.81 g/100 g at a 95% confidence level. The major contributors to the measurement uncertainty were identified in the order of recovery and repeatability (25.2%), sample pretreatment (24.5%), calibration-curve (24.0%) and weight of the reference material (10.4%). Therefore, more careful experiments are required in these steps to reduce uncertainties of amino acids analysis with a better personal proficiency improvement.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.1178-1185
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• 2012

The 4th year medical students were randomly divided and designated as group HF and LF, representing high and low fidelity simulations respectfully. Both groups performed OSCE on 2 topics(adult intubation and IV cannulation) with each composed of the same scenario. Each scenario was developed by a faculty in charge of clinical skill education with supervision from 2 other faculty members. High fidelity simulations were designed as in-situ simulations in real OR. Low fidelity simulations had the same scenarios but the environment was simulated only with a simple task trainer in the classroom. All students participated in series of survey using a Likert scale before and after the simulations. The provided data was anlayzed with paired T-test and Mann-Whiteney test(p<0.05). The post simulations self evaluation score for group HF was lower than pre-simulation self confidence score for both topics of adult intubation and IV cannulation where as for group LF, it was lower only for adult intubation(p<0.05). In group HF, the needs for clinical training on both topics increased after the simulation. In group LF, there was no significant change of needs for clinical training between pre and post simulation survey. This suggest that fidelity may be a helpful factor to improve the motivation of the students and further study on economical aspect should be addressed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2863-2868
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• 2014

Background: The 765G>C polymorphism in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene has been extensively investigated for association with gastric cancer (GC). However, the results of different studies have been inconsistent. The aim of this study is to comprehensively evaluate the genetic risk of -765G>C polymorphism in the COX-2 gene for GC. Materials and Methods: We searched Pubmed, Embase, Medline, CNKI database, Wanfang database, Weipu database, and Chinese Biomedical database, covering all publications (last search been performed on Jan 10, 2014). Statistical analyses were performed using Revman 5.2 and STATA 10.0 software. Results: A total of 1,874 cases and 3,005 controls in 10 case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated that the variant C allele carriers (GC+CC) had a 69% increased risk of GC when compared with the homozygote GG (odds ratio (OR)=1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10-2.61 for GC+CC vs GG). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significant elevated risks were associated with C allele carriers in Asians (OR=1.75, 95%CI=1.40-2.18, and p<0.00001) and in Indians (OR=8.38, 95%CI=4.34-16.16, and p<0.00001) but not in Caucasians (OR=1.07, 95%CI=0.81-1.42, and p=0.62) or in Dutch (OR=0.53, 95%CI= 0.33-0.87, and p= 0.01).In the subgroup analysis by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) status, a significantly increased risk was identified among H. pylori (+) (OR=3.58, 95%CI=2.33-3.50, and p<0.00001) and H. pylori (-) (OR=2.32, 95%CI=1.46-3.69, and p=0.0004). Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggested that the -765G>C polymorphism in the COX-2 gene could be a risk factor for GC in Asians and Indians.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.5029-5034
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• 2014

This study aimed to summarize published epidemiological evidence for the relationship between pancreatitis and subsequent risk of pancreatic cancer (PC). We searched Medline and Embase for epidemiological studies published by February $5^{th}$, 2014 examining the risk of PC in pancreatitis patients using highly inclusive algorithms. Information about first author, year of publication, country of study, recruitment period, type of pancreatitis, study design, sample size, source of controls and attained age of subjects were extracted by two researchers and Stata 11.0 was used to perform the statistical analyses and examine publication bias. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with the random effects model. A total of 17 articles documenting 3 cohort and 14 case-control studies containing 14,667 PC cases and 17,587 pancreatitis cases were included in this study. The pooled OR between pancreatitis and PC risk was 7.05 (95%CI: 6.42-7.75). Howeever, the pooled ORs of case-control and cohort studies were 4.62 (95%CI: 4.08-5.22) and 16.3 (95%CI: 14.3-18.6) respectively. The risk of PC was the highest in patients with chronic pancreatitis (pooled OR=10.35; 95%CI: 9.13-11.75), followed by unspecified type of pancreatitis (pooled OR=6.41; 95%CI: 4.93-8.34), both acute and chronic pancreatitis (pooled OR=6.13; 95%CI: 5.00-7.52), and acute pancreatitis (pooled OR=2.12; 95%CI: 1.59-2.83). The pooled OR of PC in pancreatitis cases diagnosed within 1 year was the highest (pooled OR=23.3; 95%CI: 14.0-38.9); and the risk in subjects diagnosed with pancreatitis for no less than 2, 5 and 10 years were 3.03 (95%CI: 2.41-3.81), 2.82 (95%CI: 2.12-3.76) and 2.25 (95%CI: 1.59-3.19) respectively. Pancreatitis, especially chronic pancreatitis, was associated with a significantly increased risk of PC; and the risk decreased with increasing duration since diagnosis of pancreatitis.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.69-77
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• 2015

Purpose - Economic status at an early stage of life after one's retirement is often determined by the long-term sacrifice of one's earlier consumption tendencies. In general, the first and foremost way to secure income after retirement is through annuity savings. People sign up for personal annuity savings in order to guarantee a stable economic life upon retirement, and such actions may be heavily influenced by self-efficacy. Confidence in current economic activity is a source of rational decision-making. Inability to achieve self-control can lead to reckless spending and the eventual hindering of proper investment for the future. This paper examines how self-efficacy and self-control affect the intention and action of enrolling in an annuity savings plan in relation to one's level of financial literacy. Research design, data, and methodology - To analyze the proposed model, this study investigates financial consumers over the age of 20. The data were collected from 511 respondents and analyzed with SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 21.0. First, for the one-dimensional test and to measure the convergent validity of each structure, we use the scale purification process. The results of the test and the confirmatory factor analysis ensure the focus of the validity of the single dimension for each structure. In addition, the validity of the measurement was guaranteed from the results of correlation analysis. Results - First, self-efficacy and self-control have positive effects on the purchasing intention of the personal annuity savings plan. Second, purchasing intention positively affects purchasing behavior. Lastly, self-control has a positive effect on purchasing intention among the low financial literacy group, whereas self-efficacy does not have this effect in the high financial literacy one. Conclusions - The time of product benefit is different with age. The younger group would be granted the savings after several decades once they enroll, whereas the older group would wait for a relatively shorter period of time. Therefore, further research should be conducted in order to verify such a difference. However, this study has value through its confirmation that the roles of self-efficacy and self-control play a part in leading to the enrollment in annuity savings plans and by verifying different effects based on levels of financial literacy. Such results suggest a number of implications in a real life setting. First, banks need to put greater emphasis on the stability of annuity savings in general. Second, customers with relatively low levels of financial literacy are able to control their finances through annuity savings, but find self-efficacy difficult due to a lack of financial understanding. Therefore, such customers should be approached from an invest-effectiveness comparison method. Third, customers with high financial literacy tend to put more value in rational economic decision-making and behavior than in self-efficacy. Therefore, such customers should be approached by promoting the reliability of annuity savings and the excellence of the specific bank's annuity savings plan in comparison to those of other financial institutions.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.10 no.12
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• pp.35-43
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• 2012

Purpose - This study analyzes the effects of types of leadership on the employees of Italian restaurants, its efficacy, and organizational citizenship behavior, utilizing a causal assessment model. In this study, independent variables such as the type of leadership perceived in the manager or chef by an Italian restaurant's employees, and its efficacy were parameters, and the organizational citizenship behavior and organizational effectiveness were the variables representing the results in the hypothesis. The study aimed to draw implications by verifying the leadership via efficacy and the impact on organizational citizenship behavior of Italian restaurants. Research design, data, methodology - For the purpose of this analysis, specific questionnaire items were configured according to the theory and efficacy of the study. From a questionnaire used in organizational citizenship behavior comprising 22 questions, six were modified to suit the research purpose of this study. The configured questionnaire comprised 5 parts and 40 items. A Likert (Likert) 5-point scale was utilized to measure responses to the questionnaire items from the employees of an Italian restaurant in Seoul who participated in the survey. For data collection, 400 questionnaires were distributed, and 344 collected. Factor analysis and reliability verification were conducted using SPSS18.0 and AMOS18.0. A covariance structure analysis was conducted to test the research hypotheses. Results - Based on the results of the analyses, the summary and suggested implications of the research are as follows: The covariance structure analysis used to analyze the kind of effect transformational and transactional leadership styles in Italian restaurant employees had on self-efficacy, group-efficacy, and organizational citizenship behavior, indicated that among the characteristics of transformational leadership (such as, idealized influence, inspirational motivation, individual consideration, and intellectual stimulation), idealized influence and individual consideration had a positive influence on self-efficacy. Idealized influence, individual consideration, conditional reward, and management by exception also positively influenced self-efficacy and altruistic and conscientious behavior (organizational citizenship behavior). Conclusions - Results suggest that with regard to self-efficacy and group efficacy, managers in different departments and chefs should provide team members with a vision for the future, increase their confidence in their abilities, and build their trust in the organization. By evaluating employee performance and experiences, management can demonstrate leadership and encourage organizational citizenship behavior through enjoyable, voluntary participation. Transformational and transactional leadership is effective in group processes that include social-exchange relationships, self-efficacy and group efficacy, and organizational citizenship behavior. However, as this research study utilizes only self-reported data, it has several limitations, such as a vulnerability of errors caused by the various experiment types. A significant limitation of this study is the lack of potential for the duplication of results. The covariance structure analysis, however, provides complementation to limit the impact of errors from self-reporting studies. A future study can extend this research by utilizing different data collection methods.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.408-417
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• 2017

The objective of this study is to examine the structural relations between physical self-efficacy, depression, and ego-integrity among the elderly (60 years and older) currently participating in leisure sports. In addition, since the variables affecting ego integrity are presented in a multidimensional manner, it is very important to examine the cause and effect of the variables from an integrated perspective. To achieve this objective, 427 senior citizens attending the leisure sports program of a seniors center were assigned as the research subjects. For the structural equation modeling performed in the study, confirmatory factor analysis and reliability analysis were conducted for each variable, and direct, indirect, and total effects were estimated. The model fit is based on TLI, CFI, and RMSEA, and both the fit of the measurement model and the fit of the research model satisfy the criterion. The results of the analysis are as follows. First, in the results of verifying the validity and reliability of the questionnaire, all the variables of physical self-efficacy, depression, and ego-integrity were suitable. Second, the perceived physical ability had positive effects on depression, current life satisfaction, wise life, and attitude toward life, whereas the physical self-expression confidence had positive effects on current life satisfaction and attitude toward life, but negative effects on acceptance of the past life. Lastly, depression had negative effects on current life satisfaction. The results showed that the elderly identified the integrated relationship of physical self - efficacy, depression, and self-integration.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.69-78
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• 2009

The cardiovascular disease has been known as a common cause of death for a long time in the west. The eating habits of Asia, including Korea, have changed recently, so that this disease is also a problem in Asia now. Annual Report on the Cause of Death Statistics from 1996 to 2006 reported that the cardiovascular disease would become the number one cause of death in the next $5{\sim}10$ years. Therefore we realize that more accurate examination is required. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of Calcium-scoring CT and the relationship between risk factor and quantitative scores of Calcium-scoring CT. Through this study we expect that the national public health will be improved. Seventy patients with chest pain were chosen at random. The patients were undergone both coronary CT antigraphy and Calcium - scoring CT at G hospital in Incheon from February 1 to June 30, 2008. The result of the Calcium-scoring CT showed its usefulness for Ischemic cardiovascular disease, with an accuracy similar to that of exercise/pharmacologic stress or ECG when it is difficult for a patient to exercise due to joint problems, aging or for other reasons.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.266-272
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• 2018

Background: Limited comparative data are available on the efficacy of cryoablation versus radiofrequency ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation. This study aimed to compare radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation with regard to clinical outcomes and the restoration of sinus rhythm or atrial contractility. Methods: A total of 239 patients who underwent surgical ablation between August 2003 and December 2016 at our institution were included. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the energy device that was used (group A: n=140, radiofrequency ablator; group B: n=99, cryoablator). Echocardiographic data, overall survival, and major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE)-free survival were compared between the 2 groups. Results: At 1 year of follow-up, the atrial contractility recovery rate was 32.2% (19 of 59) in group A and 48.8% (21 of 44) in group B. In addition, cryoablation was found to be a predictive factor for the recovery of atrial contractility (cryoablation vs. radiofrequency ablation: odds ratio, 2.540; 95% confidence interval, 1.063-6.071; p=0.036). The left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly higher in group B ($53.1%{\pm}11.5%$ vs. $59.1%{\pm}6.3%$, p=0.001). The median follow-up duration was 36 months. The 5-year overall survival rate was $80.1%{\pm}3.6%$ in group A and $92.1%{\pm}2.9%$ in group B (p=0.400). The 5-year MACCE-free survival rate was $70.3%{\pm}4.0%$ in group A and $70.9%{\pm}5.6%$ in group B (p=0.818). Conclusion: Cryoablation was associated with a higher atrial contractility restoration rate and better left ventricular function than radiofrequency ablation. However, no significant relationship was observed between the energy source and overall or MACCE-free survival.