• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제53권4호
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• pp.211-219
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• 2020

Objectives: The goal of this study was to identify chronic conditions and multimorbidity patterns in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to examine their associations with pneumonia and death. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed the official data of COVID-19 patients in Mexico through May 18, 2020 (released by the Secretaría de Salud de México). Adjusted logistic regression models were applied to assess the associations of comorbidities with pneumonia and death. The marginal effects were estimated, and the probability of pneumonia or death according to the number of comorbidities was graphed for each year of age. Results: Of the 51 053 COVID-19 patients enrolled in the final analysis, 27 667 (54.2%) had no chronic conditions, while 13 652 (26.7%), 6518 (12.8%) and 3216 (6.3%) were reported to have 1, 2, and 3 or more simultaneous conditions, respectively. Overall, a significant incremental gradient was observed for the association between multimorbidity and pneumonia (p<0.001); for 2 chronic conditions, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was 2.07 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.95 to 2.20), and for ≥3 conditions, the aOR was 2.40 (95% CI, 2.22 to 2.60). A significant incremental gradient was also found for the relationship between multimorbidity and death (p<0.001); an aOR of 2.51 (95% CI, 2.30 to 2.73) was found for 2 chronic conditions and an aOR of 3.49 (95% CI, 3.15 to 3.86) for ≥3 conditions. Conclusions: Underlying chronic conditions and multimorbidity are associated with pneumonia and death in Mexican COVID-19 patients. Future investigation is necessary to clarify the pathophysiological processes behind this association, given the high burden of chronic diseases in various countries, including Mexico.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.44-68
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• 2018

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the trend in the research on breast cancer using traditional Korean medicine (TKM) and establish the direction for further study. Methods: Breast cancer studies using Korean medicine were searched using the Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS). The search term was 'breast' and there was no restriction in year. The searched studies were analyzed according to the type of research. Results: 1. 83 studies were searched. The types and numbers of study were as follows: 42 were in vitro studies, 5 were in vivo studies, 12 were studies for review, and 27 were clinical research including case reports. 2. Various cell lines such as MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, SKBR3, and MCF-10A were used for in vitro studies. The studies reported a decrease in cell viability, induction of apoptosis, and change of expression in cancer-related genes. In vivo studies also reported induction of apoptosis, and anti-proliferative activity of herbal medicine against the cancer cells. 3. Among the clinical research, 8 were cross-sectional studies, 3 were controlled-trial, and 15 were case reports. The baseline characteristics of breast cancer patients were analyzed in the cross-sectional studies. Interventions such as pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, massage, Qi gong, acupuncture, electroacupuncture and moxibustion were used in clinical research. 4. Research on the review of breast cancer covered various subjects as follows: herbal medicine, acupuncture, pattern identification of breast cancer in traditional Korean medicine, analysis of previous experimental studies, and clinical trials. Conclusion: We have found the applicability of TKM for treatment of breast cancer through this review. It is necessary to conduct further studies, such as well-designed clinical trials based on the results from experimental research.

• The Korean Journal of Financial Management
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.33-69
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• 1989

The Purpose of this study is to test empirically the determinants of capital structure of the Korea Listed Firms. In order to accomplish the purpose of this study, both literature survey and empirical test have been made. For the empirical test, agency and asymmetric information factors as well as traditional ones have been throughly reviewed. Traditional factors tested in this study include firm-size, collateral value of the assets, business risk, tax, non-debt tax shields, and industry effects. Agency and asymmetric information factors include growth opportunities, the percentage of outstanding equity held by inside stockholders, and the number of inside stockholders. From the results of the cross-sectional regression analysis, the adjusted R-square is 1931%, and the overall F-value indicates significance. For the analysis period, the signs of the variables except business risk are as predicted. Firm-size, collateral value of the assets, and business risk significant at the.01-.05 level. In order to determine the influence of industry factors on the financial leverage, a total of 8 dummy variables are added to the regression model. The adjusted R-square inclosed by 4.2% for the first analysis period(1983-1985) and 6% for the second analysis period(1986-1987). This suggests that industry factors are significant in explaining the variations in financial leverage across firms. In order to pursue the influence of agency and asymmetric information factors on the financial leverage, again the cross-sectional regression analysis is done for the middle size firms gruop(n=40). The adjusted R-square increased by 9.8% for the first analysis period(1983-1985) and 6.1% for the total analysis period(1983-1987), and all the signs was as predicted. But both the variables except the number of inside stockholders was not significant.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.163-173
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the clinical and metabolic determinants of circulating soluble leptin receptor (CSLR) and free leptin index (FLI) in pre-pubertal obese male children. Methods: We conducted a preliminary cross-sectional study at three tertiary hospitals and one public primary school. Eighty obese male children without growth and developmental abnormalities aged 5-9 years were recruited. In these children, obesity was solely caused by excessive food intake, and not by acute illness, medications, endocrine abnormalities, or any syndrome. Body mass index (BMI), body fat mass, carbohydrate intake, fat intake, high density lipoprotein cholesterol level, low density lipoprotein cholesterol level, triglyceride level, and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance are the potential determinants for leptin regulation, which is represented by CSLR level and FLI. Results: Carbohydrate was the main source of energy. BMI and body fat mass had negative weak correlation with CSLR and positive weak correlation with FLI. Furthermore, carbohydrate intake was found to be independently associated with CSLR based on the results of the multiple linear regression analysis. Following an increase in carbohydrate intake, CSLR level decreased progressively without any negative peak. Conclusion: Leptin regulation in prepubertal obese male children is associated with body composition and dietary intake. Carbohydrate intake is useful for predicting CSLR. Lipid profiles and insulin resistance are not related to both CSLR and FLI. Treatment and prevention of leptin resistance in obese children should focus on reducing BMI, fat mass, and carbohydrate intake.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.51-58
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• 2017

Background: Recently symptoms-based screening questionnaires have gained attention for screening for a neuropathic pain component (NePC) in various chronic pain conditions. The present study assessed the usefulness of four commonly used NePC screening questionnaires including the Self-completed douleur neuropathique 4 (S-DN4), the ID Pain, the painDETECT questionnaire (PDQ), and the Self-completed Leeds Assessment of neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) questionnaire in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) to assess the presence of NePC. Methods: This is a single-center cross-sectional study where patients with CLBP, with or without leg pain, were included. Participants were initially screened for NePC presence by a physician according to the regular practice, and later assessed using screening questionnaires. The diagnostic accuracy of these questionnaires was compared assuming the physician-made diagnosis as the gold standard. Results: A total of 215 patients with CLBP of which 164 (76.3%, 95% CI, 70.2-81.5) had a NePC were included. S-DN4, ID Pain, and PDQ have an area under the curve (AUC) > 0.8 indicating excellent discrimination. However, S-LANSS has an AUC of 0.69 (0.62-0.75), indicating low discrimination. S-DN4 has a significantly higher AUC as compared to ID Pain (d(AUC) = 0.063, P < 0.01) and S-LANSS (d(AUC) = 0.197, P < 0.01). But the AUC of S-DN4 does not significantly differ from that of PDQ (d(AUC) = 0.013, P = 0.62). Conclusions: S-DN4, ID Pain, and PDQ, but not S-LANSS, have good discriminant validity to screen for NePCs in patients with CLBP. Despite using all the tests, 20-30% of patients with an NePC were missed. Thus, these questionnaires can only be used as an initial clue in screening for NePCs, but do not replace clinical judgment.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• 제42권10호
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• pp.867-876
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• 2009

In this study, the stage-discharge relation curve made in 2006 is selected with standard curves to seize the hydraulic and geometric characteristics for the temporal variation of the river bed. The relationships among the standard stage-discharge relation curve and the existing stage-discharge relation curves, water level, cross sectional area, and flow velocity are analyzed. Jeokpogyo and Jindong which are the key station of Nakdong river are chosen for the study, with respect to the current river bed to convert the existing stage-discharge curves. The relationships for conversion of previous data, between water level and flow velocity are got. Also the relation equation between water level and cross sectional area and water level, flow velocity are derived. These conversion relationships shows good agreement between observed values and estimated values. It will be very useful to convert past hydraulic quantitations to current one.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권18호
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• pp.8473-8477
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• 2016

Background: High risk human papilloma virus (HPV) types 16 and 18 have been proven as central causes of cervical cancer and safety and immunogenicity of HPV vaccines are sufficiently established. Knowledge and practices of HPV vaccination among medical and paramedical students is vital as these may strongly determine intention to recommend vaccination to others in the future. The present study was therefore undertaken to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination among medical and paramedical students and to analyze factors influencing them. Materials and Methods: The present cross sectional study, conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital in south India, included undergraduate students aged 18 years and above, belonging to medical, dental and nursing streams, after informed written consent. Results: Out of 957 participants, only 430 (44.9%) displayed good knowledge and only 65 (6.8%) had received HPV vaccination. Among the unvaccinated, 433 (48.54%), were not willing to take the vaccine. Concerns regarding the efficacy (30.5%), safety (26.1%) and cost of the vaccine (21.7%) were responsible for this. Age, gender, family history of malignancy and mother's education had no influence on knowledge. Compared to medical students, nursing students had better knowledge (OR-1.49, 95% CI 0.96 to 2.3, p = 0.072) and students of dentistry had poor knowledge (OR-0.50 95% CI 0.36 to 0.70, p<0.001). Conclusions: The knowledge and uptake of HPV vaccination among medical and paramedical students in India is poor. Targeted health education interventions may have huge positive impact not only on the acceptance of vaccination among them, but also on their intention to recommend the vaccine in future.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• 제11권11호
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• pp.405-416
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• 2020

This study was conducted to identify the factors affecting sarcopenia in middle-aged and older women in Korea. This is a cross sectional study by using 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. The data were analyzed by using the SPSS 26.0 program. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 10.8%. There were significant differences according to ASM, age, education, current job, marital status, perceived health status, energy intake, protein intake, BMI, body fat, alcohol drinking, menopause, central obesity, impaired fasting glucose and chronic disease. Woman with central obesity and osteoarthritis increased risk of sarcopenia each 4.15 times(p<.001), 3.06 times(p=.041) and energy intake decreased risk of sarcopenia 0.99 times(p=.043). In order to prevent and manage sarcopenia, strategies for managing central obesity and osteoarthritis in mddile-aged and older woman and adequate food intake are needed.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.341-348
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• 2019

Purpose: Severe burn injuries require long periods of hospitalization and treatment, which results in various physical and psychological issues. The main purpose of this study was to identify burn characteristics and psychological problems that influence Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) after discharge. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study using mobile/web or paper-based survey methods was conducted from a major burn center. A total of 145 patients completed the scar assessment, quality of life, sleep disorders, and depression scales. Results: The overall mean HRQoL and scar status scores were 2.28 out of 5 and 34.45 out of 60 points, respectively. Participants with higher burn degree, joint involvement, and emotional distress reported significantly lower HRQoL and scar status. Participants with depression and sleep problems also had lower HRQoL. Significant predictors of HRQoL included burn range, scar status, depression, and sleep issues. Conclusion: The results show that patients with severe burn injury experience high levels of physical and psychological problems. Patients with severe burn injury and psychological problems such as depression and sleep are likely to experience a reduced HRQoL. Psychological management and intervention in home care setting may improve HRQoL of burn patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권17호
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• pp.7479-7484
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• 2015

Diseases related to water impurities may present as major public health burdens. The present study aimed to assess the mutagenicity of drinking water from different zones of Tehran, and evaluate possible health risks through making tea with tea bags, by Ames mutagenicity test using TA 100, TA 98 and YG1029 strains. For this purpose, 450 water samples were collected over the period of July to December 2014 from 5 different zones of Tehran. Except for one sample, no mutagenic potential was detected during these two seasons and the MI scores were almost normal (${\leq}1-1.6$) in TA 100, TA 98 and YG1029 strains. Although no mutagenic effects were considered in TA 98 and TA 100 in the test samples of our three evaluated tea bag brands, one sample from a local company showed mutagenic effects in the YG1029 strain (MI=1.7-1.9 and 2) after prolonged (10-15 min.) steeping. Despite the mild mutagenic effect discovered for one of the brand, this cross sectional study showed relative safety of water samples and black tea bags in Tehran. According to the sensitivity of YG1029 to the mutagenic potential of water and black tea, even without metabolic activation by s9 fraction, this metabolizer strain could be considered as sensitive and applicable to food samples for quantitative analysis of mutagens.