• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.104-109
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• 2016

In the current study, we investigated the longitudinal association between dietary acid load and the risk of insulin resistance (IR) in the Tehranian adult population. This longitudinal study was conducted on 925 participants, aged 22~80 years old, in the framework of the third (2006~2008) and fourth (2009~2011) phases of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. At baseline, the dietary intake of subjects was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and the potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP) scores were calculated at baseline. Fasting serum insulin and glucose were measured at baseline and again after a 3-year of follow-up; IR was defined according to optimal cut-off values. Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate the risk of IR according to the PRAL and NEAP quartile categories. Mean age and body mass index of the participants were 40.3 years old of $26.4kg/m^2$, respectively. Mean PRAL and NEAP scores were -11.2 and 35.6 mEq/d, respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders, compared to the lowest quartile of PRAL and NEAP, the highest quartile was accompanied with increased risk of IR [odds ratio (OR)=2.81, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.32~5.97 and OR=2.18, 95% CI=1.03~4.61, respectively]. Our findings suggest that higher acidic dietary acid-base load, defined by higher PRAL and NEAP scores, may be a risk factor for the development of IR and related metabolic disorders.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제7권6호
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• pp.495-502
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• 2013

Recent studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency and cardiometabolic disorders are becoming increasingly more prevalent across multiple populations. However, there is a lack of comprehensive data for Korean adults. We investigated the vitamin D status, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its association with metabolic syndrome (MS) risk in Korean adults aged 20 years or older. The study subjects (n = 18,305) were individuals who participated in the Korean National Health Examination and Nutrition Survey (KNHANES) in 2008-2010. Vitamin D status (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]) was categorized as < 20, 21-29, and ${\geq}$ 30 ng/mL, which are the cut-off points for deficiency, insufficiency and normal limits. A wide variety of cardiometabolic risk factors were compared according to the vitamin D status. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 53.9% of men and 70.5% of women. Mean BMI, systolic BP, HbA1c and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were highest in the vitamin D deficiency group in both genders. Further, the MS was most prevalent in the vitamin D deficiency group in both genders (12.3%, P = 0.002 in men and 9.2%, P < 0.001 in women). Compared to the vitamin D normal group, the adjusted odds ratio (ORs) (95% confidence interval [95% CI]) for MS in the vitamin D deficiency group were 1.46 (1.05-2.02) in men and 1.60 (1.21-2.11) in women, after adjusting for confounding variables. In conclusion, Vitamin D deficiency is a very common health problem in Korean adults and is independently associated with the increasing risk of MS.

• 한국세라믹학회지
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• 제32권11호
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• pp.1269-1275
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• 1995

Effects of GeO2 addition on the thermal and structural stabilities of PbO-Bi2O3-Ga2O3 glasses were studied. Thermal stabilities, as assessed by the weighted thermal stability factors [(Tx-Tg)/Tg], increased with GeO2 concentraton from 0.097 to 0.210 with the addition of 20 mol% GeO2. Increasing GeO2 content resulted in the decrease of apparent density, molar volume, refractive index and thermal expansion. On the other hand, IR transmission cut-off (λT=50%) moved from 6.73${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ for the ternary PbO-Bi2O3-Ga2O3 glass to shorter wavelength side, 5.98${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ for a glass containing 20mol% GeO2. There were little change with GeO2 content, however, in the activation energies for the viscous flow of approximately 140 kcal/mole within the temperature interval of 300~50$0^{\circ}C$. Addition of GeO2 to PbO-Bi2O3-Ga2O3 glasses enhanced the thermal and structural stabilities significantly at the expense of their infrared transmittance. An appropriate compsomise between these two opposite trends should be made following the specifications of the final applications.

• 한국컴퓨터정보학회논문지
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.133-140
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• 2008

케이블 TV망은 분배센터에서 가입자에게 방송 신호를 내려보내는데, 하이브리드 파이버 동축케이블(HFC)이 사용된 뒤로는 상향채널을 인터넷 같은 광대역 서비스로 확장해 활용하고 있다. 그런데 이 상향채널은 잡음에 취약한데 한 노드의 증폭기에 누적된 자식노드로부터의 잡음이 어떤 수준을 넘게 되면, 잡음이 더 이상 전파되는 것을 막기 위해 해당되는 노드를 분리하는 것이 필요하게 된다. 각 노드에 이익이 주어질 때 노드 선택 문제(NSP)는 각 노드에 누적된 잡음이 주어진 임계값을 넘지 않으면서 선택된 노드의 이익의 합이 최대가 되게 노드들을 선택하는 문제인데 NP-hard임이 증명되어 있다. 본 논문에서는 NSP의 근사해를 구하는 휴리스틱들을 제안하고 비교 분석하였는데, 구간 분할 휴리스틱이 greedy 휴리스틱보다 더 우수한 결과를 보였다. 이 휴리스틱들은 HFC 운영 시스템에 구현되어, 사용료를 더 많이 지불하는 우수 고객들에 해당하는 노드를 케이블 TV망에서 가능한 분리하지 않음으로써 더 좋은 질의 서비스를 제공하는 데 사용할 수 있다.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.291-297
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• 2017

This study was performed to investigate the dose-response relationship between average daily cadmium dose (ADCD) from rice and the occurrence of urinary cadmium (U-Cd) in individuals eating that rice. This was a retrospective cohort designed to compare populations from two areas with different levels of cadmium contamination. Five-hundred and sixty-seven participants aged 18 years or older were interviewed to estimate their rice intake, and were assessed for U-Cd. The sources of consumed rice were sampled for cadmium measurement, from which the ADCD was estimated. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the association between ADCD and U-Cd (cut-off point at $2{\mu}g/g$ creatinine), and a correlation between them was established. The lowest estimate was $ADCD=0.5{\mu}g/kg\;bw/day$ [odds ratio (OR) = 1.71; with a 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-2.87]. For comparison, the relationship in the contaminated area is expressed by $ADCD=0.7{\mu}g/kg\;bw/day$, OR = 1.84; [95 % CI, 1.06-3.19], while no relationship was found in the non-contaminated area, meaning that the highest level at which this relationship does not exist is $ADCD=0.6{\mu}g/kg\;bw/day$ [95% CI, 0.99-2.95]. Rice, as a main staple food, is the most likely source of dietary cadmium. Abstaining from or limiting rice consumption, therefore, will increase the likelihood of maintaining U-Cd within the normal range. As the recommended maximum ADCD is not to exceed $0.6{\mu}g/kg\;bw/day$, the consumption of rice grown in cadmium-contaminated areas should not be more than 246.8 g/day. However, the exclusion of many edible plants grown in the contaminated area from the analysis might result in an estimated ADCD that does not reflect the true level of cadmium exposure among local people.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.106-111
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• 2020

Background: Fever is a common cause of pediatric consultation in the emergency department. However, identifying the source of infection in many febrile infants is challenging because of insufficient presentation of signs and symptoms. Meningitis is a critical cause of fever in infants, and its diagnosis is confirmed invasively by lumbar puncture. This study aimed to evaluate potential laboratory markers for meningitis in febrile infants. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed infants aged <3 months who visited the emergency department of our hospital between May 2012 and May 2017 because of fever of unknown etiology. Clinical information and laboratory data were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed. Results: In total, 145 febrile infants aged <3 months who underwent lumbar punctures were evaluated retrospectively. The mean C-reactive protein (CRP) level was significantly higher in the meningitis group than in the non-meningitis group, whereas the mean white blood cell count or absolute neutrophil count (ANC) did not significantly differ between groups. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for CRP was 0.779 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.701-0.858). The AUC for the leukocyte count was 0.455 (95% CI, 0.360-0.550) and that for ANC was 0.453 (95% CI, 0.359-0.547). The CRP cut-off value of 10 mg/L was optimal for identifying possible meningitis. Conclusion: CRP has an intrinsic predictive value for meningitis in febrile infants aged <3 months. Despite its invasiveness, a lumbar puncture may be recommended to diagnose meningitis in young, febrile infants with a CRP level >10 mg/L.

• Yonsei Medical Journal
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• 제59권9호
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• pp.1115-1122
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• 2018

Purpose: To investigate biomechanical properties of the cornea using a dynamic Scheimpflug analyzer according to age. Materials and Methods: In this prospective, cross-sectional, observational study, participants underwent ophthalmic investigations including corneal biomechanical properties, keratometric values, intraocular pressure (IOP), and manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE). We determined the relationship of biomechanical parameters and ocular/systemic variables (participant's age, MRSE, IOP, and mean keratometric values) by piecewise regression analysis, association of biomechanical parameters with variables by Spearman's correlation and stepwise multiple regression analyses, and reference intervals (RI) by the bootstrap method. Results: This study included 217 eyes of 118 participants (20-81 years of age). Piecewise regression analysis between Corvis-central corneal thickness (CCT) and participant's age revealed that the optimal cut-off value of age was 45 years. No clear breakpoints were detected between the corneal biomechanical parameters and MRSE, IOP, and mean keratometric values. Corneal velocity, deformation amplitude, radius, maximal concave power, Corvis-CCT, and Corvis-IOP exhibited correlations with IOP, regardless of age (all ages, 20-44 years, and over 44 years). With smaller deformation amplitude and corneal velocity as well as increased CorvisIOP and Corvis-CCT, IOP became significantly increased. We provided the results of determination of confidence interval from RI data using bootstrap method in three separate age groups (all ages, 20-44 years, and over 44 years). Conclusion: We demonstrated multiple corneal biomechanical parameters according to age, and reported that the corneal biomechanical parameters are influenced by IOP.

• Obstetrics & gynecology science
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• 제61권6호
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• pp.669-674
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• 2018

Objective This study aimed to develop a nomogram that predicts ongoing pregnancy after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) using patient age and serum hormonal markers. Methods A total of 284 IVF-ET cycles were retrospectively analyzed. At 14 days post-oocyte pick-up (OPU), the serum human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and progesterone levels were measured. The main predicted outcome was ongoing pregnancy. Results Patient age and serum of HCG and progesterone levels at 14 days post-OPU were good predictors of ongoing pregnancy. The cut-off value and area under the curve (AUC) (95% confidence interval) were 36.5 years and 0.666 (0.599-0.733), respectively, for patient age; 67.8 mIU/mL and 0.969 (0.951-0.987), respectively, for serum HCG level; and 29.8 ng/mL and 0.883 (0.840-0.925), respectively, for serum progesterone level. When the prediction model was constructed using these three parameters, the addition of serum progesterone level to the prediction model did not increase its overall predictability. Furthermore, a high linear co-relationship was found between serum HCG and progesterone levels. Therefore, we developed a new nomogram using patient age and HCG serum level only. The AUC of the newly developed nomogram for predicting ongoing pregnancy after IVF-ET cycles using patient age and serum HCG level was as high as 0.975. Conclusion We showed that ongoing pregnancy may be predicted using only patient age and HCG serum level. Our nomogram could help clinicians and patients predict ongoing pregnancy after IVF-ET if the serum JCG level was ${\geq}5IU/L$ at 14 days post-OPU.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.102-109
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined factors associated with the hospitalization of patients who visited the emergency department (ED) after deliberate self-poisoning. Methods: The medical records of the patients, who visited the ED at a tertiary teaching hospital after deliberate self-poisoning between March 2017 and December 2019, were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Fifty-seven in the hospitalization and 236 in the discharge group patients were included. The mean age in the hospitalization and discharge group was 48.8±20.4 and 41.8±19.1, respectively (p=0.020). Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences in age (p=0.020), mental status (p<0.001), request for help (p=0.046), chronic disease (p=0.036), substance ingested (p<0.001), and risk rescue-rating scale (p<0.001) between the two groups (hospitalization group and discharge group). In multiple logistic regression analysis for predicting the hospitalization of patients after deliberate self-poisoning, the Risk-Rescue Rating Scale (RRRS) was identified (OR=1.493, 95% confidential interval=1.330-1.675, p<0.001). Receiver operating characteristics analysis of RRRS for the decision to hospitalize showed a cut-off value of 38.9, with a sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of 96.4%, 77.0%, and 0.949, respectively. Conclusion: The RRRS can be used to determine the hospitalization for patients who visited the ED after deliberate self-poisoning. Nevertheless, multicenter prospective studies will be needed to determine the generalisability of these results.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.447-457
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• 2022

Background: Ultrasound-guided genicular nerve radiofrequency (RF) procedures are of interest in the management of chronic knee pain. A wide variety of demographic, clinical, and procedural characteristics can affect treatment success. This study aimed to determine predictive factors to provide superior treatment outcomes. Methods: The demographic, clinical, and technical data of patients who received genicular nerve RF for knee pain between September 2016 and September 2021 were evaluated. A positive outcome was defined as at least 50% pain relief on a pain score for at least 6 months. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with a successful response to genicular RF. Results: Among 206 patients who underwent genicular RF, 62% of the patients reported successful outcomes at 6 months. In the multivariate model, targeting 5 nerves (odds ratio [OR], 6.184; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.291-16.690; P < 0.001) was the most significant predictor of successful outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that prognostic genicular nerve block with a 50% cut-off value (OR, 2.109; 95% CI, 1.038-4.287; P = 0.039), no opioid use (OR, 2.753; 95% CI, 1.405-5.393; P = 0.003), and depression (OR, 0.297; 95% CI, 0.124-0.713; P = 0.007) were the predictive factors significantly associated with response to genicular RF. Conclusions: Clinical and technical factors associated with better treatment outcomes were ultimately targeting more nerves, performing prognostic block, no opioid use, and no depression. These results are expected to be considered when selecting patients for genicular RF.