• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.459-463
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• 2024

Frequent closures among self-employed individuals lead to national economic losses. Given the high closure rates in the restaurant industry, predicting changes in this sector is crucial for business survival. While research on factors affecting restaurant industry survival is active, studies predicting commercial district changes are lacking. Thus, this study focuses on forecasting such alterations, designing a deep learning model for Seoul's administrative district commercial district changes. It collects 2023 and 2022 second-quarter variables related to these changes, converting yearly fluctuations into percentages for augmentation. The proposed deep learning model aims to predict commercial district changes. Future policies, considering this study, could support restaurant industry growth and economic development.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2024

Objectives: This study investigated the impact of socioeconomic factors and sexual orientation-related attributes on the rates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and infection among men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: A web-based survey, supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea, was conducted among paying members of the leading online portal for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) community in Korea. The study participants were MSM living in Korea (n=942). COVID-19 vaccination and infection were considered dependent variables, while sexual orientation-related characteristics and adherence to non-pharmacological intervention (NPI) practices served as primary independent variables. To ensure analytical precision, nested logistic regression analyses were employed. These were further refined by dividing respondents into 4 categories based on sexual orientation and disclosure (or "coming-out") status. Results: Among MSM, no definitive association was found between COVID-19 vaccination status and factors such as socioeconomic or sexual orientation-related attributes (with the latter including human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] status, sexual orientation, and disclosure experience). However, key determinants influencing COVID-19 infection were identified. Notably, people living with HIV (PLWH) exhibited a statistically significant predisposition towards COVID-19 infection. Furthermore, greater adherence to NPI practices among MSM corresponded to a lower likelihood of COVID-19 infection. Conclusions: This study underscores the high susceptibility to COVID-19 among PLWH within the LGBTQ+ community relative to their healthy MSM counterparts. Consequently, it is crucial to advocate for tailored preventive strategies, including robust NPIs, to protect these at-risk groups. Such measures are essential in reducing the disparities that may emerge in a post-COVID-19 environment.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.255-262
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• 2024

Background: Sutureless aortic valves may enable shorter procedure times, which benefits patients with elevated surgical risk. We describe the outcomes of patients with aortic stenosis who underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) using the sutureless Perceval aortic bioprosthesis. Methods: Data from a retrospective cohort were obtained from a clinical database. The study enrolled patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis who underwent surgical AVR with a sutureless bioprosthesis between August 2015 and December 2020. In total, 113 patients were included (mean age, 75.3±8.4 years; 57.5% women; median Society of Thoracic Surgeons score, 9.7%; mean follow-up period, 51.19±20.6 months). Of these patients, 41 were octogenarians (36.2%) and 3 were nonagenarians (2.6%). Transthoracic echocardiography was employed to assess changes in ejection fraction (EF), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and mean pressure gradient (MPG). Results: The in-hospital mortality rate was 2.6%, and 13 patients developed new-onset atrial fibrillation. A permanent pacemaker was implanted in 3 patients (2.6%). The median intensive care unit stay was 1 day (interquartile range [IQR], 1-2 days), and the median hospital stay was 12 days (IQR, 9.5-15 days). The overall survival rate at 5 years was 95.9%. LVMI and MPG were reduced postoperatively, while EF increased over the follow-up period. No structural valve deterioration was observed, and no meaningful paravalvular leakage developed during follow-up. Conclusion: The use of a sutureless valve in the aortic position is safe and feasible, even for high-risk elderly patients requiring surgical AVR. LVMI and MPG decreased postoperatively, while EF increased over the follow-up period.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.270-276
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• 2023

Objective: This study investigated the clinical and laboratory factors associated with the presence of dysmorphic oocytes in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. Methods: The study involved 200 ICSI cycles, performed from 2020 to 2021, that yielded at least one mature oocyte. Clinical characteristics and ovarian stimulation methods were compared between 68 cycles with at least one dysmorphic oocyte (the dysmorphic group) and 132 cycles with normal-form oocytes only (the non-dysmorphic group). Dysmorphic oocytes were characterized by dark cytoplasm, cytoplasmic granularity, cytoplasmic vacuoles, refractile bodies in the cytoplasm, smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm, an oval shape, an abnormal zona pellucida, a large perivitelline space, debris in the perivitelline space, or an abnormal polar body. Results: The ages of the women, indications for in vitro fertilization, serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels, and rates of current ovarian endometrioma were similar between the dysmorphic and non-dysmorphic groups. In both groups, the three ovarian stimulation regimens, two types of pituitary suppression, and total gonadotropin dose were employed similarly. However, the dual-trigger method was used more frequently in the dysmorphic group (67.6% vs. 50%, p=0.024). The dysmorphic group contained significantly more immature oocytes and exhibited significantly lower oocyte maturity (50% vs. 66.7%, p=0.001) than the non-dysmorphic cycles. Within the dysmorphic group, significantly lower oocyte maturity was found in the cycles using a dual-trigger, but not in those with a human chorionic gonadotropin trigger. Conclusion: ICSI cycles with dysmorphic oocytes are closely associated with reduced oocyte maturity. This association was observed exclusively in dual-trigger cycles.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.121-131
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• 2024

Purpose: The global burden of disease and mortality is greatly influenced by malaria, particularly in children. Nigeria alone accounts for about 25% of global malaria cases and fatalities. Despite efforts to control and eliminate malaria, conventional treatments have limitations, prompting the need for a vaccine. However, while efforts have focused on researching and developing malaria vaccines, less attention has been given to public acceptance and preparedness for vaccination. Materials and Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional approach to assess the knowledge, perceptions, and readiness of caregivers towards the malaria vaccine. Data were collected through a physical and online survey among a representative sample of caregivers across the six geopolitical regions of Nigeria. The data was analyzed using principal component analysis and percentages. Results: Out of 347 respondents, 180 (51%) men, 165 (46.6%) women, 2 (0.5%) transgender, 156 (45%) rural settlers, and 191 (55%) urban settlers were identified in this study. The study reported an overall acceptance rate of 78.4% and 21.6% resistance rate. The age group between 21-30 years recorded the highest 207 (59.6%). A significant number of participants, 252 (59.6%), held at least a higher or post-secondary certificate, out of which 193 (55.6%) demonstrated strong readiness to accept the malaria vaccine. The study showed that fear of adverse effects was the main reason for malaria vaccine resistance among caregivers. Conclusion: This study's findings offer valuable insights into caregivers' knowledge about the malaria vaccine, highlighting the factors that impact the acceptance of the malaria vaccine.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.112-119
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• 2024

Objective: Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease among reproductive-age women. Numerous hypotheses exist regarding the pathogenesis of endometriosis. In Turkey, the consumption of Allium cepa (commonly known as the "onion cure") is a popular treatment employed to alleviate a variety of gynecological disorders. Methods: In this study, our objective was to assess the therapeutic mechanisms of the onion bulb A. cepa using an autologous endometriosis model in Sprague-Dawley rats. Previous research has shown that A. cepa possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic properties. We evaluated the pathological condition of endometriotic implants by employing hematoxylin-eosin staining and Ki67 immunohistochemistry analysis. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) have been identified as profibrotic markers that are highly overexpressed in endometriotic tissues relative to eutopic endometrial tissue. Furthermore, TGF-β1 influences the differentiation and progression of endometriosis. To quantify profibrotic activity, we measured TGF-β1 and α-SMA using the immunosorbent assay method. Results: Lower histologic evaluation scores for endometriotic implants were observed in the group receiving high-dose A. cepa relative to the other groups. Ki67 expression was reduced following the high-dose A. cepa regimen, which consisted of 30% A. cepa and 70% normal feed. However, no statistically significant differences in TGF-β1 or α-SMA levels were observed among the groups (p=0.7 and p=0.778, respectively). Conclusion: The findings suggest that A. cepa could serve as a therapeutic agent in endometriosis treatment, as evidenced by the reduction in proliferative potential. Nevertheless, A. cepa was not associated with significantly lower levels of endometriosis-associated TGF-β1 or α-SMA.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.484-489
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• 2024

Background: Catamenial pneumothorax (CP) is a rare form of spontaneous pneumothorax that is linked to endometriosis; thus, it predominantly manifests in women of reproductive age. Considerable research has explored the potential benefits of postoperative hormone therapy following various surgical interventions. This study was performed to examine the clinical implications of postoperative hormone treatment in patients with CP. Methods: The study included patients who underwent surgical intervention for CP between November 2009 and February 2023. These procedures included wedge resection, diaphragm resection, and total pleural coverage. Recurrence-free survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier log-rank test to assess the impact of hormone therapy. Additionally, Cox proportional hazards analysis was employed to identify risk factors associated with postoperative CP recurrence. Results: The study included 41 patients, with a median age of 38.4 years. Among them, 27 individuals received hormone therapy, 8 of whom experienced recurrence during a median follow-up period of 1 year. Patients who received hormone therapy exhibited a lower rate of recurrence than those who did not; however, the difference was not statistically significant, likely due to the small sample size. Side effects of hormone therapy included depression (6.8%), excessive sweating (3.4%), and headache (3.4%). In the analysis of risk factors for postoperative recurrence, diaphragm resection emerged as a protective factor (hazard ratio, 0.16; 95% confidence interval, 0.03-0.77; p=0.022). Conclusion: Hormone treatment combined with surgery did not significantly impact recurrence in patients with CP. The application of diaphragm resection was the sole factor that displayed significance in preventing CP recurrence.

• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.499 -508
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• 2024

In this paper, we investigate hierarchical time series forecasting that adhere to a hierarchical structure when deriving predicted values by analyzing segmented data as well as aggregated datasets. The occurrences of food poisoning by a specific pathogen are analyzed using zero-inflated Poisson regression models and negative binomial regression models. The occurrences of major, miscellaneous, and overall food poisoning are analyzed using Poisson regression models and negative binomial regression models. For hierarchical time series forecasting, the MinT estimation proposed by Wickramasuriya et al. (2019) is employed. Negative predicted values resulting from hierarchical adjustments are adjusted to zero, and weights are multiplied to the remaining lowest-level variables to satisfy the hierarchical structure. Empirical analysis revealed that there is little difference between hierarchical and non-hierarchical adjustments in predictions based on pathogens. However, hierarchical adjustments generally yield superior results for predictions concerning major, miscellaneous, and overall occurrences. Without hierarchical adjustment, instances may occur where the predicted frequencies of the lowest-level variables exceed that of major or miscellaneous occurrences. However, the proposed method enables the acquisition of predictions that adhere to the hierarchical structure.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.260-267
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• 2024

Objective: This study investigated the metabolic status of the spent culture media from embryos of patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF) undergoing in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles in comparison with the embryos from healthy fertile women. Methods: Metabolite levels in spent culture media were assessed and compared between embryos from RIF patients (n=35) and oocyte donors as controls (n=15). Protein levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were determined using Western blotting. Concentrations of glucose, pyruvate, and lactate were measured using spectrophotometry. Ionic colorimetric assay kits were utilized to analyze the concentrations of sodium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium ions. High-performance liquid chromatography was employed to measure the concentrations of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, methionine, phenylalanine, and histidine. Results: Glucose consumption and lactate secretion were higher in the control group than in the RIF group. The magnesium concentration was significantly higher in the control group than in the RIF group, but glutamic acid and aspartic acid concentrations were lower in the control group than in the RIF patients (p<0.05). The levels of IGF-1, sodium, calcium, chloride, methionine, histidine, and phenylalanine did not show statistically significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: The metabolic profile of the culture medium of the embryos in the RIF group differed from that of the control group. These findings suggest potential factors that may affect implantation capacity in RIF patients and provide a new perspective on embryo selection.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.341-349
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• 2024

This study analyzed the work experience of social workers employed in social welfare facilities in Seoul. We investigated key variables, including working conditions, job characteristics, workplace violence, work-related stress, and burnout experiences. Additionally, we utilized word cloud analysis to identify the primary opinions and experiences of social workers. The results showed that social workers' salaries were generally low, and there was dissatisfaction with the promotion and compensation systems. We also found that social workers pointed out issues related to time shortages, poor physical environments, and inadequate equipment. The analysis by institution type revealed that social workers in public institutions reported high job intensity and low satisfaction with their working conditions. Based on these findings, we propose policy and practical suggestions to improve the work environment of social workers.