• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.87-100
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors affecting Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure in children and adolescents using the results of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 3. Methods: A total of 2,380 subjects (n=571, 887, and 922 for 3-5, 6-11, and 12-17 years of age, respectively) were analyzed using an environmental exposure survey and environmental chemical substances concentration levels. Univariable linear regression analysis was performed to determine associated variables such as sex, age, income level, housing type, secondhand smoke time, cup noodles and canned food consumption, seafood consumption, new furniture (within the previous six months), drinking water type, and consumption of herbal medicines. Variables with p-values of less than 0.2 were extracted from the results and a multivariable linear regression analysis was performed using stepwise selection. Results: Univariable linear regression analysis showed positive associations between BPA concentration levels and variables including sex, age, secondhand smoke time, new furniture (within the previous six months), renovated living space (within the previous six months), fish and shellfish consumption, plastic-bottled drink consumption, and herbal medicine. As a result of performing multivariable linear regression analysis, the lower was the age the higher was the concentration of BPA levels. Additionally, women showed higher BPA levels than those of men. The more frequently fish was consumed, the higher was the BPA concentration. Moreover, higher BPA concentrations were observed when taking herbal medicine. Conclusions: The main factors affecting BPA concentration levels were age, gender, and consumption of fish and herbal medicine.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.96-102
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• 2020

Objectives: This study identified factors impacting radiation knowledge among aircrew, who are affected by cosmic radiation exposure due to their occupational environment. Methods: In September 2019 we conducted an online survey of aircrew through a Google link. We evaluated the level of radiation knowledge using a ten-item (10 points) questionnaire. The following exploratory variables were evaluated in relationship with the level of radiation knowledge using univariable linear regression models: sex, age, duration of employment, position level, company, marriage, education level, personal/family history of disease, and the number of times acquiring information on radiation through various channels (internet searching, watching television, reading newspaper, conversation about radiation with aircrew/non-aircrew, in-house training). With a p of 0.2 in univariable models, we built a multivariable linear regression model using a stepwise selection method. Results: The average radiation knowledge score of the 356 respondents was 7.22. Univariable linear regression analysis showed that radiation knowledge of the aircrew was associated with their company, position level, age, and number of conversations with other aircrew members. Our multivariable model showed that the radiation knowledge level of aircrew decreased as they had more conversations about radiation with other aircrew members and as their age increased. Conclusions: Korean air crew showed a lower level of radiation knowledge as their age and the number of conversations with colleagues increased. The study suggests that more education is needed in order for aircrew to gain accurate radiation knowledge.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.5.1-5.14
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• 2023

Background: Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals widely used in various products in everyday life. Due to its unique strong binding force, the half-life of PFAS is very long, so bioaccumulation and toxicity to the human body are long-standing concerns. In particular, effects on kidney function have recently emerged and there are no studies on the effect of PFAS on kidney function through epidemiological investigations in Korea. From 2018 to 2020, the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 4, conducted an epidemiological investigation on the blood concentration of PFAS for the first time in Korea. Based on this data, the relationship between PFAS blood concentration and kidney function was analyzed for adolescents. Methods: We investigated 5 types of PFAS and their total blood concentration in 811 middle and high school students, living in Korea and included in KoNEHS cycle 4, and tried to find changes in kidney function in relation to PFAS concentration. After dividing the concentration of each of the 5 PFAS and the total concentration into quartiles, multivariable linear regression was performed to assess the correlation with kidney function. The bedside Schwartz equation was used as an indicator of kidney function. Results: As a result of multivariable linear regression, when observing a change in kidney function according to the increase in the concentration of each of the 5 PFAS and their total, a significant decrease in kidney function was confirmed in some or all quartiles. Conclusions: In this cross-sectional study of Korean adolescents based on KoNEHS data, a negative correlation between serum PFAS concentration and kidney function was found. A well-designed longitudinal study and continuous follow-up are necessary.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.158-165
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• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: Within two years of surgery, 70% of resected intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) recur. Better biomarkers are needed to identify those at risk of "early recurrence" (ER). In this study, we defined ER and investigated whether preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic-inflammatory index were prognostic of both overall relapse and ER after curative hepatectomy for iCCA. Methods: A retrospective cohort of patients who underwent curative-intent hepatectomy for iCCA between 2005 and 2017 were created. The cut-off timepoint for the ER of iCCA was estimated using a piecewise linear regression model. Univariable analyses of recurrence were conducted for the overall, early, and late recurrence periods. For the early and late recurrence periods, multivariable Cox regression with time-varying regression coefficient analysis was used. Results: A total of 113 patients were included in this study. ER was defined as recurrence within 12 months of a curative resection. Among the included patients, 38.1% experienced ER. In the univariable model, a higher preoperative NLR (> 4.3) was significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrence overall and in the first 12 months after curative surgery. In the multivariable model, a higher NLR was associated with a higher recurrence rate overall and in the ER period (≤ 12 months), but not in the late recurrence period. Conclusions: Preoperative NLR was prognostic of both overall recurrence and ER after curative iCCA resection. NLR is easily obtained before and after surgery and should be integrated into ER prediction tools to guide preoperative treatments and intensify postoperative follow-up.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.279-286
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluation the association between obesity and periodontitis according to the characteristics of subjects. The subjects of this study was 429 subjects aged 19 years or older from March to May, 2010. Data were analyzed with chi-square test, Multivariable logistic regression and Statistics were analyzed linear regression analysis using SPSS 18.0. WHR had dose-effect relationship with the number of sextants with periodontitis. With regard to relationships between obesity type and periodontitis depending on characteristics of objects, the WHR obesity group showed results higher than the normal group, for twice(OR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.17-4.28) and three times or more(OR: 3.34; 95% CI: 1.53-7.27) in frequency of daily teeth brushing, 0-3 points(OR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.09-5.59) and 4-6 points(OR: 3.99; 95% CI: 1.75-9.08) in the self-perception of stress level, and the group with 8 hours or more(OR: 4.20; 95% CI: 2.11-8.34) in the sleeping time. If anyone is judged to have obesity by WHR, we can say that the risk to have periodontitis together with it is 2.56 times more likely(95% CI: 1.58-4.13).

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.564-573
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• 2023

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of assessing the viscoelastic properties of the brain using magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and a novel MRE transducer to determine the relationship between the viscoelastic properties and glymphatic function in neurologically normal individuals. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 47 neurologically normal individuals aged 23-74 years (male-to-female ratio, 21:26). The MRE was acquired using a gravitational transducer based on a rotational eccentric mass as the driving system. The magnitude of the complex shear modulus |G^*| and the phase angle 𝛗 were measured in the centrum semiovale area. To evaluate glymphatic function, the Diffusion Tensor Image Analysis Along the Perivascular Space (DTI-ALPS) method was utilized and the ALPS index was calculated. Univariable and multivariable (variables with P < 0.2 from the univariable analysis) linear regression analyses were performed for |G^*| and 𝛗 and included sex, age, normalized white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume, brain parenchymal volume, and ALPS index as covariates. Results: In the univariable analysis for |G^*|, age (P = 0.005), brain parenchymal volume (P = 0.152), normalized WMH volume (P = 0.011), and ALPS index (P = 0.005) were identified as candidates with P < 0.2. In the multivariable analysis, only the ALPS index was independently associated with |G^*|, showing a positive relationship (β = 0.300, P = 0.029). For 𝛗, normalized WMH volume (P = 0.128) and ALPS index (P = 0.015) were identified as candidates for multivariable analysis, and only the ALPS index was independently associated with 𝛗 (β = 0.057, P = 0.039). Conclusion: Brain MRE using a gravitational transducer is feasible in neurologically normal individuals over a wide age range. The significant correlation between the viscoelastic properties of the brain and glymphatic function suggests that a more organized or preserved microenvironment of the brain parenchyma is associated with a more unimpeded glymphatic fluid flow.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.158-167
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• 2018

Purpose: To investigate the surgical, perfusion, and molecular characteristics of glioblastomas which influence long-term survival after treatment, and to explore the association between MR perfusion parameters and the presence of MGMT methylation and 1p/19q deletions. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was approved by our institutional review board. A total 43 patients were included, all with pathologic diagnosis of glioblastoma with known MGMT methylation and 1p/19q deletion statuses. We divided these patients into long-term (${\geq}60\;months$, n = 7) and short-term (< 60 months, n = 36) survivors, then compared surgical extent, molecular status, and rCBV parameters between the two groups using Fisher's exact test or Mann-Whitney test. The rCBV parameters were analyzed according to the presence of MGMT methylation and 1p/19q deletions. We investigated the relationship between the mean rCBV and overall survival using linear correlation. Multivariable linear regression was performed in order to find the variables related to overall survival. Results: Long-term survivors (100% [7 of 7]) demonstrated a greater percentage of gross total or near total resection than short-term survivors (54.5% [18 of 33]). A higher prevalence of 1p/19q deletions was also noted among the long-term survivors (42.9% [3 of 7]) than the short-term survivors (0.0% [0 of 36]). The rCBV parameters did not differ between the long-term and short-term survivors. The rCBV values were marginally lower in patients with MGMT methylation and 1p/19q deletions. Despite no correlation found between overall survival and rCBV in the whole group, the short-term survivor group showed negative correlation ($R^2=0.181$, P = 0.025). Multivariable linear regression revealed that surgical extent and 1p/19q deletions, but not rCBV values, were associated with prolonged overall survival. Conclusion: While preoperative rCBV and 1p/19q deletion status are related to each other, only surgical extent and the presence of 1p/19q deletion in GBM patients may predict long-term survival.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.669-676
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• 2004

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of two commercial ELISA tests (Allied- and CSL-ELISA) for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in cattle, Meta-analysis using English language papers published during 1990-2001 was performed. Diagnostic odds ratios (DOR) were analyzed using regression analysis together with summary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The difference in diagnostic performance between the two ELISA systems was evaluated by using linear regression. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plot and linear regression. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 44% (95% CI, 38 to 51) and 98% (95% CI, 96 to 99) for the random-effect model. The DOR between studies was heterogeneous. The area under the fitted ROC curve (AUC) was 0.72 for the unweighted and 0.77 for the weighted model. Maximum joint sensitivity and specificity for the unweighted and weighted model from their summary ROC curve were 70% and 75%, respectively. Based on the fitted model, at a specificity of 95%, sensitivity was estimated to be 52% for the unweighted and 57% for the weighted model. From the final multivariable model study characteristic, the country was the only significant variable with an explained component variance of 13.3%. There were no significant differences in discriminatory power, sensitivity, and specificity between the two ELISA tests. The overall diagnostic accuracy of two commercial ELISA tests was moderate, as judged by the AUC, maximum joint sensitivity and specificity, and estimates from the fitted model and clinical usefulness of the tests for screening program is limited because of low sensitivity and heterogeneous of DOR. It is, therefore, recommended to use ELISA tests as a parallel testing with other diagnostic tests together to increase test sensitivity in the screening program.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.1194-1202
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• 2021

Objective: To investigate the age-dependent changes in regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) in healthy adults by fitting mathematical models to imaging data. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, 90 healthy adults underwent pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling imaging of the brain. Regional CBF values were extracted from the arterial spin labeling images of each subject. Multivariable regression with the Akaike information criterion, link test, and F test (Ramsey's regression equation specification error test) was performed for 7 models in every brain region to determine the best mathematical model for fitting the relationship between CBF and age. Results: Of all 87 brain regions, 68 brain regions were best fitted by cubic models, 9 brain regions were best fitted by quadratic models, and 10 brain regions were best fitted by linear models. In most brain regions (global gray matter and the other 65 brain regions), CBF decreased nonlinearly with aging, and the rate of CBF reduction decreased with aging, gradually approaching 0 after approximately 60. CBF in some regions of the frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes increased nonlinearly with aging before age 30, approximately, and decreased nonlinearly with aging for the rest of life. Conclusion: In adults, the age-related perfusion patterns in most brain regions were best fitted by the cubic models, and age-dependent CBF changes were nonlinear.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1619-1627
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• 2021

Objective: This study used cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to compare the characteristics of left ventricular remodeling in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) with those of patients with essential hypertension (EH) and healthy controls (HCs). Materials and Methods: This prospective study enrolled 35 patients with PA, in addition to 35 age- and sex-matched patients with EH, and 35 age- and sex-matched HCs, all of whom underwent comprehensive clinical and cardiac MRI examinations. The analysis of variance was used to detect the differences in the characteristics of left ventricular remodeling among the three groups. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to determine the relationships between left ventricular remodeling and the physiological variables. Results: The left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (EDVi) (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 85.1 ± 13.0 mL/m² for PA, 75.9 ± 14.3 mL/m² for EH, and 77.3 ± 12.8 mL/m² for HC; p = 0.010), left ventricular end-systolic volume index (ESVi) (mean ± SD: 35.2 ± 9.8 mL/m² for PA, 30.7 ± 8.1 mL/m² for EH, and 29.5 ± 7.0 mL/m² for HC; p = 0.013), left ventricular mass index (mean ± SD: 65.8 ± 16.5 g/m² for PA, 56.9 ± 12.1 g/m² for EH, and 44.1 ± 8.9 g/m² for HC; p < 0.001), and native T1 (mean ± SD: 1224 ± 39 ms for PA, 1201 ± 47 ms for EH, and 1200 ± 44 ms for HC; p = 0.041) values were higher in the PA group compared to the EH and HC groups. Multivariable linear regression demonstrated that log (plasma aldosterone-to-renin ratio) was independently correlated with EDVi and ESVi. Plasma aldosterone was independently correlated with native T1. Conclusion: Patients with PA showed a greater degree of ventricular hypertrophy and enlargement, as well as myocardial fibrosis, compared to those with EH. Cardiac MRI T1 mapping can detect left ventricular myocardial fibrosis in patients with PA.