• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.307-317
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• 1997

To determine the effects of endogenous and exogenous strogen on serum lipid levels, twenty nonsmoking healthy Korean women were participated in this experiment for 12 weeks. They were assigned to three groups : (1) eight women aged 22 to 30(yr) for the premenopausal(Pre) group, (2) eight, aged 49 to 60(yr) for the postmenoparusal(Pst) group, (3) four, aged 23 to 30(yr) for the oral contraceptive(OC) group which used triphasic OC formulation. Fasting blood samples representing every phase of the hormonal levels were obtained from the subjects of the Pre and the OC group. From the subjects of the Pst group, fasting blood samples were obtained once per three weeks for 12 weeks. All the serum data were adjusted for dietary effects, exercise, personality type and body mass index(BMI) by using analysis of covariation(ANCOVA). Serum lipid levels of the three groups were significantly different. While serum levels of triglycerides(TG)(p<0.0001), low density lipoprotein-chloesterol(LDL-C)/high density liporotein-cholesterol(HDL-C) ratio (LDC-C/HDL-C)(P<0.01) and total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C ratio (TC/HDL-C)(P<0.001) were significatnly high in the Pst group, serum HDL-C(P0.001) level was significantly high in the Pre group. The OC group showed significantly low serum TC(P<0.0001) and LDL-C(P<0.0001) levels. There was no signidicant difference in the fluictuation of serum lipid levels during the menstrual cycle of the Pre group. However, in the OC group, serum TG level was significantly increased at phase 2(P<0.05) where exogenous estrogen administration was highest. Even though other serum lipid levels of the OC group were not significantly fluctuated according to the exogenous estrogen administration, there was a trend of increased levels of serum TC, LDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C and decreased level of HDL-C during the menstruation period. Also, serum TC level was high(P<0.005) and serum TG level was low (P<0.005) at the baseline of the OC group compared with the periods of OC administration. When screening and counseling the female population at risk for coronary heart disease(CHD), the result of this study suggest that in may be desirable to divide the population into several groups according to their personal physiological characteristics, such as age, OC administration, menstrual cycle and menopause, as well as general risk factors for CHD.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.417-420
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• 2017

Hookworm infections are rare causes of acute gastrointestinal bleeding. We report a middle aged man with primary nephrotic syndrome and pulmonary embolism. During the treatment with steroids and anticoagulants, the patient presented acute massive hemorrhage of the gastrointestinal tract. The results of gastroscopy showed red worms in the duodenum. Colonoscopy and CT angiogram of abdomen were unremarkable. Capsule endoscopy revealed fresh blood and multiple hookworms in the jejunum and ileum. Hookworms caused the acute intestinal bleeding. The patient responded well to albendazole. Hematochezia was markedly ameliorated after eliminating the parasites. Hence, hookworm infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Capsule endoscopy may offer a better means of diagnosis for intestinal hookworm infections.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.10-21
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the electrochemical characteristics of nanotubular Ti-25Nb-xZr ternary alloys for dental implant materials. Materials and Methods: Ti-25Nb-xZr alloys with different Zr contents (0, 3, 7, and 15 wt.%) were manufactured using commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti), niobium (Nb), and zirconium (Zr) (99.95 wt.% purity). The alloys were prepared by arc melting in argon (Ar) atmosphere. The Ti-25Nb-xZr alloys were homogenized in Ar atmosphere at $1,000^{\circ}C$ for 12 hours followed by quenching into ice water. The microstructure of the Ti-25Nb-xZr alloys was examined by a field emission scanning electron microscope. The phases in the alloys were identified by an X-ray diffractometer. The chemical composition of the nanotube-formed surfaces was determined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Self-organized $TiO_2$ was prepared by electrochemical oxidation of the samples in a $1.0M\;H_3PO_4+0.8wt.%$ NaF electrolyte. The anodization potential was 30 V and time was 1 hour by DC supplier. Surface wettability was evaluated for both the metallographically polished and nanotube-formed surfaces using a contact-angle goniometer. The corrosion properties of the specimens were investigated using a 0.9 wt.% aqueous solution of NaCl at $36^{\circ}C{\pm}5^{\circ}C$ using a potentiodynamic polarization test. Result: Needle-like structure of Ti-25Nb-xZr alloys was transform to equiaxed structure as Zr content increased. Nanotube formed on Ti-25Nb-xZr alloys show two sizes of nanotube structure. The diameters of the large tubes decreased and small tubes increased as Zr content increased. The lower contact angles for nanotube formed Ti-25NbxZr alloys surfaces showed compare to non-nanotube formed surface. The corrosion resistance of alloy increased as Zr content increased, and nanotube formed surface showed longer the passive regions compared to non-treatment surface. Conclusion: It is confirmed that corrosion resistance of alloy increased as Zr content increased, and nanotube formed surface has longer passive region compared to without treatment surface.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.11-17
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• 2008

Purpose: This study examined the application of electric stimulation to the auricle acupoint (frequency 2 Hz, stimulation level: noxious) with 30 elderly people over 65 years that received treatment in a rural hospital to determine the influence of pain, gait and balance in the aged with knee joint disease. Methods: The subjects were divided into three groups; the degenerative joint diseases (DJD) group (1 male, 9 females), the total knee replacement (TKR) group (1 male, 9 females) and the control group (1 male, 9 females). Auricualr electrical stimulation (AES) was applied with low frequency, high intensity transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for 10 seconds per each point. Results: 1. For the change of pain according to AES, there was interaction in the resting period (p<0.001) and gait (p<0.001) and pain of the DJD group and TKR group was decreased. 2. The range of motion (ROM) of the knee joint showed a significant difference in interaction for each group of elderly people (p<0.001) and the ROM for the DJD group and TKR group of elderly people was increased. 3. In the analysis of gait speed changes, there was a significant difference in interaction for each group of elderly people (p<0.001) and for gait speed in the DJD group and TKR group of elderly people. 4. It was found in the change of static balance that there was a significant difference in interaction for each group of elderly people (p<0.01) and balance capacity in the DJD group and TKR group of elderly people was increased. Conclusion: The aged with knee joint disease have pain, and a decreased function of gait and balance. AES was an excellent treatment for control of pain, and an excellent treatment to enhanced joint functions. AES was useful for improving gait and balance due to decreased pain.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.178-186
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• 2020

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between metabolic syndrome and periodontal disease in Korean adults. Methods: This study analyzed the screening data of 12,686 adults aged ≥19 years, including demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, and each component of metabolic syndrome, obtained from the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database. Periodontal health status was measured by the community periodontal index. Subjects with three or more risk factors were considered as having metabolic syndrome. The Rao-Scott chi-square test was performed to assess the relationships between demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, components of metabolic syndrome, and periodontal disease. Logistic regression analysis was performed based on the complex sample to evaluate the relationship between metabolic syndrome and periodontal disease. Results: The prevalence of periodontal disease was higher among the subjects with advancing age, lower average household income and education level, those working in production, residents of eup-myeon areas, in past or current smoker, those with excessive alcohol consumption habit in a week, and reduced brushing frequency and the use of oral care products (p<0.001). Each component of metabolic syndrome was associated with higher prevalence of periodontitis in the subjects with abnormal than in those with normal levels (p<0.001). The prevalence of periodontal disease in subjects with metabolic syndrome was approximately 1.443 times higher than that in normal subjects (odds ratio,1.443; p<0.001). Conclusion: This study confirmed the association between metabolic syndrome and periodontitis in Korean adults, and further studies will be needed to determine the causal relationship between the two conditions.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2022

Purpose: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we conducted a Delphi survey that included the experts from the field of COVID-19 immunization in children aged 5-11 years. The aim was to organize collective expert opinions on COVID-19 vaccination in young children in the Republic of Korea, and so thus assist the vaccination policy. Methods: The panels included pediatric infectious disease specialists, preventive medicine experts, infectious disease physicians, and COVID-19 vaccine experts consulting the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The Delphi survey was conducted online using a questionnaire from February 14 to February 27, 2022. Results: The Delphi panels agreed that children were vulnerable to COVID-19, and the severity of illness was modest. Furthermore the panels reported that children with chronic illness were more susceptible to a worsening clinical course. There were generally positive opinions on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in children aged 5-11 years, and experts gathered a slightly positive opinion that the adverse events of pediatric COVID-19 were not numerous. The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination were evaluated at a level similar to the potential risks in children. Currently, the only approved mRNA platform vaccine in children seemed to be sustainable; however, the recombinant protein platform COVID-19 vaccines were evaluated as better options. Conclusions: Due to the surge of the Omicron variant and an increase in pediatric cases, the COVID-19 vaccination in young children may have to be considered. Panels had neutral opinions regarding the COVID-19 vaccination in children aged 5-11 years. Thus monitoring of the epidemiology and the data about the safety of COVID-19 vaccination should be continued.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.795-804
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between the oral contraceptive pill and periodontal disease in Korean women aged from 19 to 50 years old. Methods: This study selected 1,579 women of childbearing age from 19 to 50 years old from the 5th National Health and Nutrition Survey data analysis(phase 3, 2012) taking the oral examination. The questionnaire consisted of socioeconomic demographic characteristics, health behavior, use of oral contraceptive pills, and periodontal disease. Socioeconomic demographic characteristics included age, marital status, education, monthly income, and vocation. The health behavior included obesity, stress, smoking, subjective oral health status, use of dental floss, tooth brushing, and diabetes mellitus by fasting blood sugar level. Use of oral contraceptive pills was recorded by monthly use and duration. The periodontal disease was documented by yes or no and selected as dependent variable by logistic regression analysis. Results: After revising the taking period of oral contraceptive pill for this study, there was the correlation between the prevalence of periodontal disease and odds ratio(95% CI) 1.288(1.027-1.617). Conclusions: This study will contribute to the direction of policy for an oral contraceptive pill and provide the basic data for counseling for the oral health and the side effects of oral contraceptive pills.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.306-316
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• 1999

Objectives: In Korea, as in most countries, there will be a sharp increase in the number of dementia patients in the near future. However basic data on dementia prevalence, which is important in defining epidemiologic characteristics and in implementing preventive strategy, are limited. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence rate of dementia in the urban elderly aged 65 or older in Kwangmyung, Korea. Methods: A two phase design was used for case finding and case identification. In phase I, a representative sample aged 65 or older was selected and interviewed by door-to-door survey with a Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE). In phase II, Of the 946 subjects interviewed in phase 1,356 elderly were randomly selected disproportionately according to K-MMSE score. Of these elderly, 223 (61.5%) underwent standardized clinical evaluations, including psychiatric interview, neurological examination, and neuropsychological assessment. Dementia was diagnosed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria. The diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) was made by National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke-Alzheimer's Disease and feinted Disorders Association(NINCDS-ADRDA) criteria and vascular dementia (VD) by DSM-IV. Results: The overall weighted prevalence rate of all dementia among Kwangmyung residents aged 65 or older was 12,8%(age-adjusted rate: 13,0%, 95% Confidence Interval[CI]: 10.6-15.3%). Women had much higher prevalence rate than men even when age was controlled(15.9%[95% CI 12.6-19.2%] vs 7.5%[95% CI 4.0-10.4%]), The rates of dementia were 5.2%, 12.2%, 17.0%, and 34.3% for the age groups of 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and 80 and over, respectively. The rate of AD appeared to be slightly higher than that of VD(5.2% vs 4.8%), though not statistically significant. Most of the cases(69%) were mild dementia according to CDR(<1) in these subjects. Conclusions : These results showed that the prevalence rate of dementia among urban elderly in Korea appears to be higher than those of other Asian countries.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.37.1-37.7
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• 2023

Canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV) is a significant pathogen that causes respiratory diseases in dogs, collectively known as a canine infectious respiratory disease. The virus is highly contagious and exhibits high seroprevalence worldwide. Currently, bovine coronavirus (BCoV) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits are used to detect CRCoV antibodies. However, BCoV-ELISA kits cannot differentiate between infections caused by BCoV and those caused by CRCoV. In this study, we evaluated the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test for CRCoV by comparing it with the virus neutralization (VN) test. Subsequently, we evaluated the seroprevalence of CRCoV in 383 dog serum samples collected from South Korea utilizing the HI test. The HI test for CRCoV showed a strong correlation with the VN test (R = 0.83, p < 0.001). The analysis of seroprevalence revealed that 52.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 47.2%-57.1%) of the Korean dog serum samples were positive. The seroprevalence exhibited varied with age, with a positivity rate of 43.9% in dogs under 1 year of age and 66.7% in dogs aged 3 to 5 years (odds ratio, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.43-4.59). In conclusion, the HI test to monitor CRCoV antibody proved to be closely related to the VN test. Furthermore, over half of the dogs in Korea tested positive for CRCoV antibodies. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the sero-epidemiology of CRCoV.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.368-378
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• 2020

Purpose: Vitamin D deficiency may cause bone loss and increased inflammation, which are well-known symptoms of periodontal disease. This study investigated whether serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels are associated with periodontal disease status and tooth loss. Methods: Cross-sectional data from 5,405 individuals aged ≥50 years (2,253 males and 3,152 females) were obtained from the 2008-2010 Dong-gu study, a prospective cohort study of risk factors for chronic diseases. Periodontal examinations were conducted to evaluate the number of remaining teeth, the periodontal probing depth (PPD), the clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing. The percentages of sites with PPD ≥4 mm and CAL ≥4 mm were recorded for each participant. The severity of periodontitis was classified using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Periodontology case definitions. Serum 25(OH)D levels were classified as reflecting severe deficiency, deficiency, insufficiency, or sufficiency. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to assess the associations of serum 25(OH)D levels with periodontal parameters and the number of remaining teeth after adjusting for confounders including age, smoking status, alcohol consumption status, month of blood collection, and physical activity. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D levels and severe periodontitis. An overall statistical analysis and a stratified analysis by sex were performed. Results: Overall, the rates of severe deficiency, deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency were 6.5%, 67.9%, 22.4%, and 3.2%, respectively. After adjustment for confounders, vitamin D levels were directly associated with the number of remaining teeth, an association that was significant in males, but not in females. Sufficient serum 25(OH)D was associated with a low frequency of severe periodontitis. Conclusions: This population-based cross-sectional study indicates that low serum 25(OH) D is significantly associated with tooth loss and severe periodontitis in Koreans aged 50 years and older.