• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.476-481
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• 2017

PURPOSE. Patient-reported outcomes are increasingly commonly used as a method of evaluating treatments. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate implant treatment from the perspective of patient-reported outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Subjects were 804 patients who visited the Department of Oral Implantology at Osaka Dental University. The participants were categorized into a pre-implant group and a post-implant group. They were further categorized into five subgroups based on the number of occlusal supports provided by the remaining teeth according to the Eichner classification. The participants answered a basic questionnaire and the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) questionnaire, an oral health-related quality of life (QOL) scale. GOHAI scores were compared according to the number of occlusal supports within each group and between the two groups. RESULTS. The results revealed a significant difference in terms of the number of occlusal supports within the pre-implant group; GOHAI scores decreased as the number of occlusal supports decreased (P<.001). However, no significant difference was observed in GOHAI scores in terms of the number of occlusal supports in the post-implant group (P>.05). GOHAI scores significantly improved in both pre- and post-implant groups in all occlusal support subgroups (P<.001). CONCLUSION. GOHAI scores decrease as occlusal support is lost. However, implant treatment performed in areas of loss improves the GOHAI score when occlusal support is restored.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.25-40
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify the frequency and importance of task performance and the perceived competence to perform of the emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs) certified in Korea. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 41 ENPs certified by March 2012. The questionnaire to identify frequency, importance, autonomy, and perceived competence to perform 131 typical ENP task elements was developed on the basis of the standardized role of an ENP defined by the Korean Accreditation Board of Nursing Education. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The professional nursing practice showed the highest scores for performance frequency, task importance, autonomy, and perceived competence to perform as compared to other job categories. Clinical decision making was the most frequently performed duty. Data collection was the duty with highest levels of importance, autonomy, and perceived competence for the ENPs. However, the ENPs reported that research was the duty with the lowest levels of frequency, importance, autonomy, and perceived competence Conclusion: ENPs in Korea perform various tasks. In order to improve their position in the field, it is necessary to clarify their job description and enhance their competence to perform evidencebased professional nursing practices.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 2016

Earlier studies conducted on lead-exposed workers have determined the reticulocyte count (RC) (%), but the parameters of Absolute Reticulocyte Count (ARC), Reticulocyte Index (RI), and Reticulocyte Production Index (RPI) were not reported. This study assessed the effect of lead (Pb) exposure on the status of reticulocyte count indices in workers occupied in lead battery plants. The present cross-sectional study was carried out on 391 male lead battery workers. The blood lead levels (BLL) were determined by using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The RC (%) was estimated by using the supravital staining method. The parameters, such as ARC, RI, and RPI, were calculated by using the RC (%) with the red cell indices (RBC count and hematocrit). The levels of RBC count and hematocrit were determined by using an ABX Micros ES-60 hematology analyzer. The levels of reticulocyte count indices - RC (%), ARC, RI, and RPI significantly increased with elevated BLL. The association between BLL and reticulocyte count indices was positive and significant. The results of linear multiple regression analysis showed that the reticulocyte count (${\beta}=0.212$, P < 0.001), ARC (${\beta}=0.217$, P < 0.001), RI (${\beta}=0.194$, P < 0.001), and RPI (${\beta}=0.208$, P < 0.001) were positively associated with BLL. The variable, smoking habits, showed a significant positive association with reticulocyte count indices: RC (%) (${\beta}=0.188$, P < 0.001), ARC (${\beta}=0.174$, P < 0.001), RI (${\beta}=0.200$, P < 0.001), and RPI (${\beta}=0.151$, P < 0.005). The study results revealed that lead exposure may cause reticulocytosis with an increase of reticulocyte count indices.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.455-460
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• 2016

Blastocystis is a common zoonotic enteric protozoan that has been classified into 17 distinct subtypes (STs). A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and subtype distributions of Blastocystis in villagers living along the Chao Phraya River, Ayutthaya Province, Thailand, and to assess the risk of zoonotic infection. In total, 220 stool samples were collected, and DNA was extracted. PCR and sequencing were performed with primers targeting the small-subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) genes. Blastocystis was present in 5.9% (13/220) of samples, and ST3 (5.0%; 11/220) was the predominant subtype, followed by ST2 (0.45%; 1/220) and ST6 (0.45%; 1/220). Phylogenetic trees were constructed with the maximum-likelihood method based on the Hasegawa-Kishino-Yano + G + I model, neighbor-joining, and maximum parsimony methods. The percentage of bootstrapped trees in which the associated taxa clustered together was relatively high. All the sequences of the Blastocystis-positive samples (KU051524-KU051536) were closely related to those from animals (pig, cattle, and chicken), indicating a zoonotic risk. Therefore, the villagers require proper health education, especially regarding the prevention of parasitic infection, to improve their personal hygiene and community health. Further studies are required to investigate the Blastocystis STs in the animals living in these villages.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.167-177
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• 2007

Purpose: This cross-sectional survey research was undertaken to identify the factors influencing time from onset to hospital arrival of stroke patients and to provide basic information for the development of intervention programs for stroke patients. Methods: The data were collected using a convenient sampling method from three hospitals in Inchon. The subjects were 78 patients who were diagnosed as stroke by doctor and they voluntarily participated in the study. Results: On the average, subjects arrived at the hospitals by 16.72 hours after the onset of stroke events with the range from 0.17 hours to 72 hours. Thirty-four(43.6%) subjects arrived within 3 hours which can maximize treatment effects. There was significant difference in hospital presentation time according to the level of knowledge(${\chi}^2=18.629$, p=.0003). A negative correlation was found between the hospital presentation time and self-efficacy (r= -.320, p=.004). Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the most powerful predictor was self-efficacy. Self-efficacy, the level of knowledge and physical symptoms were significant factors and accounted for 21.7% of the variance of hospital presentation time in stroke patients. Conclusion: According to the results, self-efficacy is a useful concept for reducing the hospital presentation time from onset of attack in stroke patients. Therefore, nurses should consider educational programs which include not only a knowledge of stroke and recurrence prevention but also the concept of self-efficacy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3991-3995
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• 2015

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in Iranian women and fifth in men. The aims of this study were to investigate the relation of dietary factors and public health indicators to its development. Materials and Methods: The required information (2001-2006) about risk factors was obtained from the Non-Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (NCDSC) of Iran. Risk factor data (RFD) from 89,404 individuals (15-64 years old) were gathered by questionnaire and laboratory examinations through a cross sectional study in all provinces by systematic clustering sampling method. CRC incidence segregated by age and gender was obtained from Cancer Registry Ministry of Health (CRMH) of Iran. First, correlation coefficients were used for data analysis and then multiple regression analysis was performed to control for confounding factors. Results: Colorectal cancer incidence showed a positive relationship with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, lacking or low physical activity, high education, high intake of dairy products, and non-consumption of vegetables and fruits. Conclusions: We concluded that many dietary factors and public health indicators have positive relationships with CRC and might therefore be targets of preliminary prevention. However, since this is an ecological study limited by potential ecological fallacy the results must be interpreted with caution.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4357-4361
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• 2016

Background: Whether there is any relationship between human papilloma virus (HPV) and breast carcinoma is not clear. Some previous studies have indicated a possible role in oncogenesis in the breast. In this study, we therefore analyzed the presence of HPV infection in breast tissues of Iranian women from Yazd city. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from 87 patients with breast cancer and 84 cases with breast fibrocystic lesions (control group) were selected from a tissue archive. Grade of tumors and fibrocystic tissues were determined by two pathologists. The nested-PCR method was performed for detection of HPVs in samples. HPV genotypes were determined by sequencing and the phylogenetic tree depicted by MEGA software. Results: Of the 87 women with breast cancer, 22.9% (20 isolates) had positive results for HPV DNA. In the control group no HPV was detected. The HPV genotypes in positive samples were HPV-16 (35%) HPV-18 (15%), HPV-6 (45%) and HPV-11 (5%). The data did not approved a significant correlation between tissue pathology of breast cancer and the HPV genotype frequency. Conclusions: The data did not provide any evidence for a role of high risk HPV types in oncogenesis in the breast.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.8-18
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• 2012

1. Objectives : This study aimed to assessing the reliability of questionnaire for Japanese as one of method to diagnose Sasang Constitution and evaluating the possibility of applying domestic questionnaire to foreign site. 2. Methods : A cross-sectional survey approved by IRB (Independent Review Board) at Tohoku University was performed for 119 participants with informed consent at a particular city in Japan using self-reported questionnaires developed by KIOM (Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine). Among the entire samples, 112 were retested. The test-retest reliability was assessed by Kappa for normal variables and internal consistency was evaluated by Cronbach's alpha. 3. Results : Four of 77 questions are impossible to calculate consistency owing to unsymmetric matrix between primary reply and secondary one. Seventeen of them (22%) showed 0.4 or below in Kappa, 56 were ranged from 0.4 to 0.8 and no question marked 0.8 or over. Internal consistency was possibly checked for several questions about character, digestion, sweat, excrement, urine, cold-heat pattern. Cronbach's alpha for questions except urine and cold-heat pattern was over 0.6 4. Conclusions : On the basis of Kappa value by two self reported questionnaire, 72.7% of questions showed 0.4 or over so that reliability were highly secured. And other questions except for urine and heat-cold pattern marked 0.6 or over in order that internal consistency was also successfully maintained. Accordingly, when subsequently applying KIOM questionnaire to foreign site, domestic questionnaire should be properly adjusted in social and cultural background, lifestyle, etc.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.87-95
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• 1997

One- to three-month-old infants (n=232) were compared their upper arm cumference and skinfold thickness(triceps, subscapular) by feeding methods in cross-sectional study. There were two groups : breast-fed(BF) and formula-fed groups(FF). As reported previously, weight, length, head and chest circumferences of these infants were good, and overall growth status was not significantly different by feeding methods, but weight, weight velocity and chest circumference of formula-fed infants were higher than breast-feds at 3month, significantly. Hear, the triceps skinfold thickness of infants at 1, 2, and 3 postpartum months were 7.4, 9.5 and 10.5 mm, respectively. The triceps skinfold thickness of breast-fed infants were higher than formula-feds at 1 and 2 postpartum month, but at 3 month that of formula-fed infants was greater than breast-fed infants, insignificantly. The subscapular skinfold thickness of infants were 6.4, 9.2 and 10.6 mm at 1 to 3 postpartum months, respectively. The upper arm circumference of infants were 11.7, 13.4, 14.3cm, and the arm muscle diameter were 34.5,39.3 and 41.7cm at one to three postpartum months, respectively. The upper arm circumference of male infants was higher than females at 2, 3 postpartum months. Overall, there were no signifiant differences between feeding methods in triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness, upper arm circumference and arm muscle diameter. But 3-month-old formula-fed male infant showed bigger significantly in arm circumference than the breast-feds. From this survey, long-term survey on growth and body composition of large scales might be necessary to determine the effect of feeding methods of infants after 3 months and to set proper body composition standard for infant.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.47-55
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• 2003

This study proposed a convenient seismic design procedure for buckling-restrained braced frames based on the equivalent energy concept. The design process begins with the computation of input energy from response spectrum. Then the elastic energy and plastic energy are computed based on the equal energy concept. The computed plastic energy is distributed to each story along energy distribution ratio and the cross-sectional area of each brace is computed so that all the plastic energy is dissipated by the brace. The proposed procedure was applied to the design of three-, six-, and twenty-story steel frames with buckling-restrained braces, and artificial earthquake records were used for verification of the proposed method. According to analysis results, top story displacements of the low-rise structure satisfies the given target displacement however that of the twenty-story structure was much smaller than the given target displacement.