• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.13
• /
• pp.5187-5194
• /
• 2014

Background: Numerous studies have suggested that selenium deficiency may be associated with an increased risk for several types of cancer, but few have focused on thyroid cancer. Materials and Methods: We examined the association between post-diagnostic fingernail selenium levels and differentiated thyroid cancer risk in a French Polynesian matched case-control study. Conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The median selenium concentration among controls was $0.76{\mu}g/g$. Significantly, we found no association between fingernail selenium levels and thyroid cancer risk after conditioning on year of birth and sex and additionally adjusting for date of birth (highest versus lowest quartile: odds-ratio=1.12, 95% confidence interval: 0.66-1.90; p-trend=0.30). After additional adjustment for other covariates, this association remained non-significant (p-trend=0.60). When restricting the analysis to thyroid cancer of 10 mm or more, selenium in nails was non-significantly positively linked to thyroid cancer risk (p-trend=0.09). Although no significant interaction was evidenced between iodine in nails and selenium in nails effect (p=0.70), a non-significant (p-trend =0.10) positive association between selenium and thyroid cancer risk was seen in patients with less than 3 ppm of iodine in nails. The highest fingernail selenium concentration in French Polynesia was in the Marquises Islands ($M=0.87{\mu}g/g$) and in the Tuamotu-Gambier Archipelago ($M=0.86{\mu}g/g$). Conclusions: Our results do not support, among individuals with sufficient levels of selenium, that greater long-term exposure to selenium may reduce thyroid cancer risk. Because these findings are based on post-diagnostic measures, studies with prediagnostic selenium are needed for corroboration.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.64 no.9
• /
• pp.480-488
• /
• 2021

Background: An adequate large-scale pediatric cohort based on nationwide administrative data is lacking in Korea. Purpose: This study established the National Investigation of Birth Cohort in Korea study 2008 (NICKs-2008) based on data from a nationwide population-based health screening program and data on healthcare utilization for children. Methods: The NICKs-2008 study consisted of the Korean National Health Insurance System (NHIS) and the National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children (NHSPIC) databases comprising children born in 2008 (n=469,248) and 2009 (n=448,459) in the Republic of Korea. The NHIS database contains data on age, sex, residential area, income, healthcare utilization (International Classification of Diseases10 codes, procedure codes, and drug classification codes), and healthcare providers. The NHSPIC consists of 7 screening rounds. These screening sessions comprised physical examination, developmental screening (rounds 2-7), a general health questionnaire, and age-specific anticipatory guidance. Results: During the 10-year follow-up, 2,718 children (0.3%) died, including more boys than girls (hazard ratio, 1.145; P<0.001). A total of 848,048 children participated in at least 1 of the 7 rounds of the NHSPIC, while 96,046 participated in all 7 screening programs. A total of 823 infants (0.1%) weighed less than 1,000 g, 3,177 (0.4%) weighed 1,000-1,499 g, 37,166 (4.4%) weighed 1,500-2,499 g, 773,081 (91.4%) weighed 2,500-4,000 g, and 32,016 (5.1%) weighed over 4,000 g. There were 23,404 premature babies (5.5%) in 2008 compared to 23,368 (5.6%) in 2009. The developmental screening test indicated appropriate development in 95%-98% of children, follow-up requirements for 1%-4% of children, and recommendations for further evaluation for 1% of children. Conclusion: The NICKs-2008, which integrates data from the NHIS and NHSPIC databases, can be used to analyze disease onset prior to hospitalization based on information such as lifestyle, eating habits, and risk factors.

• Korea journal of population studies
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.45-72
• /
• 1996

The main purpose of this study is to analyze the level of fertility of Koreans in China in comparison to Hans. From the demographic perspective, this paper attempts to develop explanation for Korean immigration to northeast China since the mid 19th century. Of interest are the trend of population growth and geographic distribution of Koreans in China Attention is also given to the comparison of the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics between Koereans and Hans in China. The research is based on the raw data files of the 1990 Population Census from Jilin Province and Yanbian Korean Prefecture. The findings of the analysis suggest that the level of fertility of Koreans in China is substantially lower than those of Hans and other ethnic minority. This appears to be particularly true for Koreans residing in the regions densely populated with Koreans. The results of ANOVA and MCA confirm that the ethnic factor does have significant effects on the level of fertility. The lowest fertility of Koreans is found to be consistent after adjusting the effects of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the couple and the household. Despite the recent uprising of the sex ratio at birth in China, it is found in this study that the pattern of sex ratios for Koreans in Jilin Province and Yanbian Korean Prefecture has been fairly balanced and stable. Finally, Koreans are found to have higher level of child mortality than Hans and other ethnic minority.

• Korea journal of population studies
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.79-115
• /
• 2001

This research explores determinants of induced abortion in Korea. Data from the 1997 Korea National Fertility Survey by Korea Institute of Health and Social Affairs are used for this research. Another aim of this study is to verify a methodological appropriateness of survival analysis in the study of determinants of induced abortion. I compare the result of survival analysis with that of logit analysis for this purpose. In this study, it is revealed that age at conception, number of children, and number of son that have been considered as determinants of induced abortion are still significant in determining induced abortion. However, unlike results of prior research, the practice of contraception does not affect the choice of induced abortion when I control for that the conception was wanted or not. I also find that there is a significant interaction between number of son at the time of conception and intention of the conception. Induced abortion has a far reaching impact on a society as well as on the health and well-being of a woman. In Korean society, sex-selective induced abortion with son preference can cause a very high level of imbalance of sex ratio at birth. Hence, it is so important to be more cautious to the practice and prevalence of induced abortion in the age of lowe fertility.

• Korea journal of population studies
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.1-26
• /
• 2006

This paper examines the interplay among changes in socioeconomic conditions, population policies, and fertility decline during $1960{\sim}2000$ in South Korea. Period-parity-progression-ratios (PPPR) are calculated using 2% samples of Population Census with the implied distribution of completed family size. The total fertility rate based on PPPR declined from 5.21 in 1960 to 2.76 in 1980, and 1.69 in 2000. The family planning programs were successful in meeting the needs of families that wanted to prevent further childbearing after having achieved the desired family size during $1960{\sim}1970$. The 1980s mark two important landmarks: achievement of replacement fertility and emergence of high sex ratio at birth. In the 1990s the "quality and welfare" approach was emphasized. In 2000s, South Korea's fertility is one of the lowest in the world. In response to this, in 2005, the Government adopted a new population policy with the goal of increasing the total fertility level to 1.6 by 2010. The results of this study indicate that proportion of women who would have no children at all throughout their reproductive life span increased substantially from 10% in 1995 to 16% in 2000, with a sharp increase since 1997. Thus, pro-natal programs need to address the problems associated with marriage and having the first child. Towards that, it is important that work and family life become more compatible.

• Neonatal Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.288-292
• /
• 2011

Purpose: The incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection has increased in children and in neonates, and is particularly associated with frequent use of central venous catheter in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. It is known that the morbidity and mortality of MRSA infection are low in neonates, as compared with adults. The objective of this study was to examine the difference in clinical characteristics between VLBW infants that survived and those that did not, a catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) of MRSA. Methods: Thirty-four VLBW infants had laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection with S. aureus. We examined the incidence, mortality and morbidity of CRBSI, and predictive factors associated with mortality. Results: Twenty-six infants had same pathogen (24 MRSA, 2 Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus) in the blood and in the catheter tip. Eight infants (25.8%) died in the CRBSI and they all had MRSA blood infections. Sex ratio, gestational age, duration between blood collection and identification of pathogens, and WBC and platelet count were not significantly different between patients that died from and patients that survived CRBSI of MRSA. C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly higher in VLBW infants that died. Mean age of onset and hospital day was earlier (9.1${\pm}$6.6 vs. 26.9${\pm}$20.2; P=0.005) and shorter for patients that died (10.1${\pm}$7.0 vs. 73.0${\pm}$32.4; P=0.000). Two survivors had complications of pyogenic arthritis of the lower extremities and soft tissue infection, respectively. Conclusion: Mortality of CRBSI was likely to be high in VLBW infants and might be anticipated by CRP and early onset of disease.

• Korea journal of population studies
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.182-227
• /
• 1998

Korean government decided to adopt an explicit population control policy in 1961 and from the following year the establishment and operation of the national family planning programme was included in each of the Five-Year Economic Development Plans that began in 1962. This policy was pursued in the understanding that without proper population control measures korea could not be able to achieve economic development. Korean national family planning programme is characterized by contraceptive target system through public health network with distribution of free contraceptives by family planning field workers and clinical contraceptive services such as IUD, vasectomy and tubaligation at designated clinics by the government. In addition, IE&C activities by the Planned Parenthood Federation of Korea and programme evaluation and research by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs contributed to the development of the government programme. Between 1960 and mid 1980s the nation's total fertility rate was reduced from 6.0 to population replacement level of 2.1 and thereafter it has been maintained at 1.6 to 1.7 of below replacement level. With a short period of less than three decades fertility transition was completed in Korea. It is estimated that if the current level of below replacement fertility continues, the population in Korea stabilize at around 52.78 million people by the year 2028, and it will begin to decrease thereafter. Under this circumstances, the government adopted new directions and strategies of the population policy in June 1996, focused primarily on population quality and social welfare than on demographic arenas. In spite of over 80 percent of high contraceptive prevalence among married women, high incidence of induced abortions is maintained. Moreover, the prevalence of sex selective induced abortions using procedures to determine the sex of the fetus has resulted in an imbalance in the sex ratio at birth. In order to overcome those problems associated with reproductive health new policy for population quality control and health promotion programme should be highly strengthened in the future.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.154-158
• /
• 2010

Embryo Transfer (ET) is one of the assisted reproductive technologies and a useful tool for improving herds. The purpose of this study is to produce the calves using frozen embryos which were produced in the top one percent Holstein in Canada by ET. One hundred seventeen recipients were used for surrogate mothers and seventy cows were diagnosed to be pregnant. Fifty seven calves were born successfully and thirteen out of them failed to produce viable calves (abortion: 4, stillbirth: 9). Their gestational length, birth body weight and sex ratio for all the viable calves(n = 57) were $278.1{\pm}3.6$ days (range: from 271 to 286 days), $44.0{\pm}3.0\;kg$ (range: from 37 to 49 kg) and 57.9 vs. 42.1 % (male 33 and female 24), respectively. Microsatellite analysis confirmed that they were derived from frozen embryos. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that viable calves derived from frozen-thawed embryos from Canada were born by ET.

• Korea journal of population studies
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.1-16
• /
• 1994

Since 1962, the population growth control has been one of the most important aims in the 5-Year So-cioeconomic Development Plans of Korea. The annual population growth rate has dropped to tess than 1 percent in 1990 from about 3 percents in 1960s, and projected to reach to $\ulcorner$0$\urcorner$ percent in 2021. From 2021, Korean population will decrease and the age structure will be distorted because birth rate will drop suddenly and continuously. Thus, we can consider $\ulcorner$0$\urcorner$ growth population for minimizing the prob- lems on the decreasing population. To discuss the problems caused from the changes of population size and age- sex composition, we projected three kinds of population including two kinds of $\ulcorner$0$\urcorner$ growth population under different as- sumptions. The first is the population which extended the projection of National Statistical Office up to 2090. Because the TFR is assumed and fixed as low as 1.63 after 1990, the population growth rate will be under $\ulcorner$0$\urcorner$ in 2021 and drop by about 1 percent every year from around 2050. This population trend results to old age population : 38.1 of old- age dependency ratio and 46.5 years of median age. The second is the population which the size in 2021 projected by the NOS continues after 2021. To change over from the decreasing population after 2021 to the $\ulcorner$0$\urcorner$ growth one, the TFR should be in-creased up to over 3.0 in 2040-2050, which fertility level would be too high to be accepted. The third is the population which approaches to the $\ulcorner$0$\urcorner$ growth population under the assumptions that the TFR increases from 1.63 to 2.1 in the period of 2010-2030 and then the same level continues. Although the maximum population size reaches 51, 503 thousand persons, the population will approach to the stationary population with about 42.4 million persons around 2090. In this projected population there is no more serious problems on population composition, on the rapid decrease of population, and on the increase TFR level. When the $\ulcorner$0$\urcorner$ growth population continues the problems of over population caused by the populationincrease wou]d be minimized, and the problems of unusual age composition resulted from the popula-tion decrease would not be found any more. Furthermore, when the changes of population size and composition is continuing slowly, the factors of population would effect moderately to socioeconomic development and help social changes. Therefore, with the attention of the present population changes, we should adapt new and detailde population policy which is able to get the $\ulcorner$0$\urcorner$ growth population.

• Korea journal of population studies
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.73-96
• /
• 1999

본 연구의 목적은 1980년대 중반부터 약 10여년 동안 현저한 출생시 성비불균형을 경험한 대구지역의 경산부들을 대상으로 아들을 낳기 위한 노력에 미치는 요인들을 밝히는데 있다. 1998년 4월부터 6월까지의 3개월동안 대구지역의 6개 종합병원에 내원한 임산부들 가운데 출산 경험이 있는 경산부를 대상으로 실시한 설문조사자료를 사용하였으며 경산부의 아들 낳기 노력에 영향을 미치는 요인들을 규명하기 위하여 로지스틱 회귀분석을 도입하였다. 연구결과에 따르면 대구지역의 경산부들은 여성에 대한 성차별을 많이 느끼고 있을 뿐만 아니라 아들 선호의식 역시 상당히 높은 것으로 나타났다. 연구대상자들의 24.7%는 임신 전 아들을 낳기 위한 노력은 한 경험이 있다고 응답하였으며 12.2%는 태아의 선별적 인공유산을 통하여 아들을 낳기 위한 노력을 시도한 경험이 있는 것으로 밝혀졌다. 로지스틱 회귀분석 결과에 따르면 여성에 대한 성차별, 아들선호의식, 자녀 가운데 아들이 없는 경우, 인공임신중절수술 및 연령 등의 요인들이 조사대상자들의 아들을 낳기 위한 노력에 통계적으로 유의미한 영향을 미치는 것으로 밝혀졌다. 이러한 결과로 미루어 보아 대구지역의 출생시 성비가 다른 지역보다 높은 이유는 아들을 선호하고 여성을 차별하는 의식의 기반이 되었던 과거 농경 중심사회의 오랜 전통이 상대적으로 많이 남아있는 보수적인 성향의 결과라 할 수 있다. 뿐만 아니라 이러한 성향이 소자녀관으로 변화된 현대에 있어도 아들 하나는 꼭 낳아야겠다는 강한 집념이 현대 의료기기의 발달 및 보급과 의료인들의 영리추구와 이해관계가 부합됨으로써 생겨난 결과로 볼 수 있다. 시설입소의 인종간 차이를 통제할 때 소수인종노인이 백인노인보다 쉽게 자녀동거에서 단독거주로 이행하는데 이는 소수인종에서 가족부양체계가 불안정함을 의미한다. 또한 빈곤시에 소수인종 노인은 백인노인에 비하여 쉽게 자녀와 떨어져 살게 된다. 이러한 결과는 소수인종 노인에 대한 가족의 지원은 그 가족의 경제적 제약속에서 매우 안정적이지 못함을 시사한다. 못함을 시사한다.로 판단된다.(가솔린, 등유, 경유)로 회수 가능하였다..01 (n=10), 4세포기배는 1.05$\pm$0.09 (n=10)를 나타냄으로써 수정란의 단계마다 $E_2$의 반응 결과가 차이가 남을 알 수 있었다. 4. $E_2$농도 곡선에서 PMSG 처리 후 $E_2$의 혈중농도는 계속적인 상승을 보이다가 배란시기에 최고치를 나타내었으며, 배란 후 다시 감소하여 8세포기에서는 급격한 감소현상이 나타났다. 이후 다시 상실기를 거쳐 배반포기 임신기간동안 $E_2$의 농도가 상승하였다. 5. $E_2$처리 후 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도변화의 결과로, $E_2$를 처리하지 않은 난자들의 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도는 836.4$\pm$131.2 (n=10), $E_2$를 처리한 난자들은 1736.4$\pm$192.0 (n=10)로써 유의한 (P<0.05) 차이를 보였다. 이상의 결과로부터 $E_2$처리에 의한 세포내