• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.347-359
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• 2018

Purpose: Periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) share a similar inflammatory pathogenesis. Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) can induce anticyclic-citrullinated peptide autoantibodies (anti-CCP antibodies), a key factor in the development of RA. This study aimed at evaluating the relationships between the 2 diseases and identifying the clinical implications thereof, with a focus on periodontal pathogens in Korean adults. Methods: A total of 260 RA patients and 86 age- and sex-matched control patients without arthritis were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study. Periodontal indices and the prevalence and amount of periodontal pathogens were compared between the groups. Correlations between periodontal and RA indices were examined, as were correlations between 9 periodontal pathogens and RA indices. Results: The RA group had significantly higher values than the control group for all investigated periodontal indices (P<0.05) except the number of teeth. The gingival index (GI) was correlated with the disease activity score 28 (DAS28) (r=0.125, P=0.049), RA disease duration (r=0.253, P<0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r=0.162, P=0.010), and anti-CCP antibody titer (r=0.205, P=0.004). Probing pocket depth (PPD) was correlated with ESR (r=0.139, P=0.027) and anti-Pg antibody titer (r=0.203, P=0.001). Bleeding on probing (BOP) was correlated with DAS28 (r=0.137, P=0.030), RA disease duration (r=0.202, P=0.001), ESR (r=0.136, P=0.030), anti-Pg antibody titer (r=0.177, P=0.005), and anti-CCP antibody titer (r=0.188, P=0.007). Clinical attachment level (CAL) and periodontitis severity were correlated with anti-Pg antibody titer (the former r=0.201, P=0.002; the latter r=0.175, P=0.006). The quantity of Pg was positively correlated with the serum anti-Pg antibody titer (r=0.148, P=0.020). Conclusions: The GI, BOP, and PPD showed positive relationships with several RA indices. The anti-Pg antibody titer had positive relationships with PPD, BOP, CAL, and periodontitis severity. Thus, increasing values of periodontal indices could be used as a risk indicator of disease development in RA patients, and an increasing anti-Pg antibody titer could be considered as a warning sign in RA patients suffering with periodontitis.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.197-207
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• 2021

Relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and type 2 diabetes is still inconsistent. Recently, many epidemiologic data show that fracture risk is increased in type 2 diabetic patients regardless of BMD status. In this study, we used nation-wide data from 2008 to 2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) to analyze the BMD status in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to non-diabetics. We included subjects aged 50 years or older in men (N=2,959, 2,430 without diabetes, 529 with type 2 diabetes) and postmenopausal women (N=2,902, 2,479 without diabetes, 423 with type 2 diabetes). Subjects with history of medication for osteoporosis or with illness or malignancy affecting bone metabolism were excluded. Data of anthropometric measurements and demographic characteristics were collected by trained examiner. Serum was separated from peripheral venous blood samples obtained after 8 hours of fasting. BMD was measured at lumbar spine and femur using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). There was a significant positive association between lumbar spine BMD and type 2 diabetes after adjusting age, gender, body mass index, monthly house income, education level, physical activity, daily calcium intake and vitamin D concentration by multiple regression analysis in all subjects. In the subgroup analysis by gender, this association was maintained both in male and female after adjusting those confounding factors. However, femur BMD was not different between type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. In conclusion, lumbar spine BMD was significantly higher in type 2 diabetic patients aged 50 years or more in men and postmenopausal women compared to non-diabetic subjects.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.34
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• pp.203-238
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• 2020

This paper focuses on legal risks and risk management affecting foreign religions or foreign religious legal persons in Taiwan. Beginning with an overview of relevant legal norms, types, processes, precautions, other such considerations, the purpose of this paper is to assist foreign religions when they first come to Taiwan for development. The contents of this paper can inform the adoption of a suitable methodology. If foreign religions want to come to Taiwan to develop, there may be several methods for their development: 1. Send Individual Missionaries to preach in Taiwan 2. Send Groups to Preach in Taiwan: 1) specify these groups as temples (or religious groups called "Lingtai (靈臺)"). 2) form civil associations or unincorporated religious groups 3) cases of temples that have not been registered (or specified as "Lingtai") 4) cases of offices and independent property and religious purposes that are not registered with the government or registered as temples (differentiated from item 3) 3. Establishing a research center in Taiwan: When foreign religions have established religious consortia in foreign countries, they can come to Taiwan to set up branches. 4. The establishment of legal persons in Taiwan: These are divided into "school legal persons", "religious corporate legal persons" and "religious consortium legal persons." Each of the above types has a different law applicable to it. This article will introduce the contents of each applicable law and important related matters such as the relevant funds, setting incentive rules for outstanding religious groups, and religious groups applying for foreigners. Due to foreign-related factors in the development and setting up of foreign religions in Taiwan, Act Governing the Choice of Law in Civil Matters Involving Foreign Elements is the parent law for solving conflicts regarding laws and regulations. The spirit of Article 2 and Italian Private International Law, Article 25, Paragraph 1 and so on, adopts the legalism of establishing legal personhood. It is clear that the national law regarding legal persons is the law under which it was incorporated. Therefore, foreign religious legal persons who encounter legal issues in Taiwan fall under the national law, which was established as domestic law. Therefore, internal matters regarding foreign legal persons are also applicable to domestic law.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.412-421
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• 2021

Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasingly prevalent metabolic disease. Muscle is known to influence NAFLD development. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationships among low muscle mass, NAFLD, and hepatic fibrosis using various definitions of low muscle mass and NAFLD diagnostic methods, including magnetic resonance imaging-based proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 320 participants (107 males, 213 females) from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study on Atherosclerosis Risk of Rural Areas in the Korean General Population cohort. Muscle mass was assessed using whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and adjusted for the height squared, body weight, and body mass index (BMI). NAFLD was diagnosed using ultrasonography (US), MRI-PDFF, and the comprehensive NAFLD score (CNS). Hepatic fibrosis was assessed using magnetic resonance elastography. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to determine the aforementioned associations. Results: According to US, 183 participants (57.2%) had NAFLD. Muscle mass adjusted for body weight was associated with NAFLD diagnosed using US (odds ratio [OR], 3.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.70 to 5.31), MRI-PDFF (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.13 to 3.53), and CNS (OR, 3.39; 95% CI, 1.73 to 6.65) and hepatic fibrosis (males: β=-0.070, p<0.01; females: β=-0.037, p<0.04). Muscle mass adjusted for BMI was associated with NAFLD diagnosed by US (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.86) and CNS (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.04 to 3.65), whereas muscle mass adjusted for height was not associated with NAFLD. Conclusions: Low muscle mass was associated with NAFLD and liver fibrosis; therefore, maintaining sufficient muscle mass is important to prevent NAFLD. A prospective study and additional consideration of muscle quality are needed to strengthen the findings regarding this association.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.882-889
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to improve fire safety in Gosiwon, a residential space for the low-income class. Method: Problems appearing in the process of fire occurrence and damage were verified once again. In addition, we would like to suggest improvement measures through systematic discussions on blind spots. Results: As a result of examining the risk of cool fire, the causes of fire occurred in various ways. In addition, the possibility of radiant heat due to heat accumulation due to narrow rooms inside the Gosiwon was high. Also, it was found that the possibility of fire spread was high due to clothing and household goods. It was reconfirmed that the poor internal structure of a narrow indoor space had a significant effect on the spread of fire and the scale of damage as it tried to accommodate as many people as possible inside. Conclusion: It is necessary to complete the installation as soon as possible for Gosiwon where the simple sprinkler is not installed. For this, a stronger driving force from the government and local governments is needed. In addition, it will be necessary to discuss how to improve the spatial and structural fire vulnerabilities that appear due to the structural characteristics of the Gosiwon.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.76-83
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• 2022

Since the 3D printing mortar is exposed to the atmosphere immediately after printing, moisture is largely evaporated from the surface of the layer. The evaporation of moisture on the surface of the layer greatly causes drying shrinkage and increases the risk of cracking and damage to the structure due to drying shrinkage. This study experimentally evaluated the shrinkage behavior of the initial age using the mortar used for 3D printing. The change in shrinkage was evaluated by comparing the shrinkage of the specimen cured by the sealing method and the atmospheric exposure method. In addition, compared with the case where type 1 cement was used 100%, the shrinkage amount was evaluated when 20% of fly ash was replaced and 10% of silica fume was used. In particular, the effect of three chemical admixtures applied using 3D printing on shrinkage was evaluated experimentally. When fly ash and silica fume were used, the shrinkage amount increased by 60 - 110% compared to the case when type 1 cement was used. The application of viscosity modifiers and shrinkage reducers reduced the shrinkage by at least 18% and at most 70% depending on the curing conditions. The temperature of the specimen temporarily decreased to 15 ℃ at the beginning of curing, and the correlation between the internal temperature of the specimen and the shrinkage behavior was observed.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.282-289
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• 2022

Background: Airborne fungi are ubiquitous in the air and exposure to an airborne fungus can be a significant risk factor. The composition of fungi has been potentially important for human health, especially for respiratory diseases like asthma and atopic dermatitis. Therefore, we attempted to ascertain what kind of airborne fungi affect human health at a nationwide level. Objectives: This study was carried out to provide information on indoor fungi distribution at multi-use facilities throughout South Korea. Methods: We classified our data by region and public facility after collection, cultivation, and identification via the sequencing of the ITS (internal transcribed spacer) region. We investigated whether or not the proliferation of HaCaT cells was affected by the identified airborne fungi. Results: In our data, the most isolated airborne fungi by region were Penicillium spp (Seoul, Daegu), Periconia sp (Gyeonggi-do), Iprex sp (Gangwon-do), Phanerochaete sp (Busan), Bjerkandera sp (Gwangju), and Aspergillus sp (Jeju-do). In the public facilities, the most detected fungi were Cladosporium sp (public transport), Penicillium sp (apartment house, retail market, financial institution, karaoke room), Bjerokandera sp (underground parking lot, public toilet, medical institution), Periconia sp (retail store), and Fusarium sp (general restaurant). Next, we selected twenty airborne fungi to examine their cytotoxicity and proliferation of human skin cells. In this experiment, the proliferation of the cells was influenced by most of the identified fungi. In case of the cytotoxicity test, most genera except for Rhodotorula sp and Moesziomyces sp showed cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells. Conclusions: The distribution of mold in the indoor air in multi-use facilities in South Korea differs from region to region, and this is an indicator that should be considered in future health impact studies. In addition, as a result of culturing about 20 types of bacteria dominant in indoor air, it was found that most (90%) inhibit the growth of skin cells, which can be harmful to health. An in-depth study of the health effects of floating fungi is needed.

• 한국노년학
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.325-340
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• 2020

Early diagnosis and intervention of dementia is critical to minimize future risk and cost for patients and their families. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate Figure-Copy Test(FCT), as a new dementia screening test, that can measure neurological damage and cognitive impairment, and then to examine whether the grading precesses for screening can be automated through machine learning procedure by using FCT imag es. For this end, FCT, Korean version of MMSE for Dementia Screening (MMSE-DS) and Clock Drawing Test were administrated to a total of 270 participants from normal and damaged elderly groups. Results demonstrated that FCT scores showed high internal constancy and significant correlation coefficients with the other two test scores. Discriminant analyses showed that the accuracy of classification for the normal and damag ed g roups using FCT were 90.8% and 77.1%, respectively, and these were relatively higher than the other two tests. Importantly, we identified that the participants whose MMSE-DS scores were higher than the cutoff but showed lower scores in FCT were successfully screened out through clinical diagnosis. Finally, machine learning using the FCT image data showed an accuracy of 73.70%. In conclusion, our results suggest that FCT, a newly developed drawing test, can be easily implemented for efficient dementia screening.

• Korean Journal of School Psychology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.317-349
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• 2021

This study was conducted to examine the reliability and validity of the internet (IOS-Q), Game (GOS-Q), and Smartphone (SOS-Q) Overuse Screening Questionnaires in a large community sample of adolescents. To achieve this goal, data from 9,336 middle school students (male: 4,796, female: 4,540) was divided into two groups and analyzed by conducting confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory factor analysis, respectively. We conducted another confirmatory factor analysis on a separate sample of data from 4,536 elementary school students (male: 2,260 male, female: 2,276) and 6,551 middle school students (male: 3,013, female: 3,538) from other populations. As a result of factor analysis, IOS-Q was consisted of 17 items, GOS-Q was consisted of 19 items, and SOS-Q was consisted of 18 items. The IOS-Q and GOS-Q factors were psychological dependence, failure to control use despite recognizing problems, dangerous use, and reduced interest in other areas while the SOS-Q factors were dangerous and obsessive use, failure to control use despite recognizing problems, reduced interest in other areas, and withdrawal/tolerance. Each factor reflected the major facets of behavioral addiction or impulse control disorder, and the questionnaires had good internal consistencies of .880-.915. Latent profile and ROC analyses were conducted to determine cutoff points for screening high-risk groups. Lastly, theoretical and practical implications as well as the limitations of this study were discussed.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.198-205
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• 2022

Hepatic diseases are divided into two types: alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Non-alcoholic liver injury finally induces fatty liver and damages liver function. Many studies have demonstrated that Ecklonia stolonifera has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities. We conducted a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to examine the efficacy of E. stolonifera extracts (ESE) on biochemical markers of hepatic function. Sixty-five subjects with mild or moderate liver injuries were randomly allocated to receive either 420 mg/d of ESE or a placebo for 12 weeks. Fifty-five participants completed the trial. No significant adverse events were observed among the subjects during the study. The primary end points were changes in plasma levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT). The secondary end points were changes in lipid profile levels, including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). Compared with the baseline, AST and ALT levels decreased significantly in the ESE group compared to those in the placebo group (P<0.001). In addition, γ-GT levels in the ESE group were significantly lower than those in the placebo group (P=0.016). There were no differences in the TC, TG, HDL, and LDL levels between groups. In conclusion, ESE consumption for 12 weeks improved liver parameters in subjects with liver injury. Regular consumption of ESE could maintain liver health in individuals at risk of hepatic damage.