• Title/Summary/Keyword: Intervention Strategies

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Pragmatic Clinical Studies: An Emerging Clinical Research Discipline for Improving Evidence-Based Practice of Cardiovascular Diseases in Asia

  • Dong Zhao;Chen Yao
    • Korean Circulation Journal
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    • v.52 no.6
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    • pp.401-413
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    • 2022
  • Pragmatic clinical studies, an emerging clinical research discipline, include a wide range of studies that are largely embedded with routine clinical practice and aim to evaluate the comparative effectiveness and safety of different clinical intervention strategies. Increased availability and quality of electronic medical/health records drives the development of pragmatic clinical studies. In this review, we describe evolution of the conceptual framework of pragmatic clinical studies and share perspectives on the importance of pragmatic clinical studies in evidence-based practice for cardiovascular diseases, as a complement to conventional randomized controlled trials. We also highlight specific needs of pragmatic clinical studies in improving evidence-based practice for cardiovascular disease in Asian countries. The main challenges of pragmatic clinical studies are discussed briefly in this review.

Enhancing STEM education using nanotechnology: Integrating nanoscale concepts into K-12 curriculum

  • Yawen Su;Maryam Shokravi;M.H. Fakhar
    • Advances in nano research
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    • v.17 no.1
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    • pp.87-94
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    • 2024
  • Nanotechnology is one of the leading edges of science and technology today, holding out the promise for revolutionary advances in just about any discipline. With the integration of nanoscale concepts into K-12 STEM education comes a special opportunity pertaining to the cultivation of future innovators and scientists who are more adept at traveling in this burgeoning field. It discusses some strategies and frameworks for effectively bringing nanotechnology into the K-12 curriculum. Hands-on activities, interdisciplinary approaches, and age-appropriate educational materials have been used with an emphasis on improving student engagement and enhancing understanding in nanoscale phenomena. Thus, early exposure to the principles of nanotechnology can be effectively used by teachers to develop curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, which are necessary for technological advancement. These results highlight the potential of nanotechnology education integration in the development of future STEM professionals. It results in an increase in the enrollment rate. Hence, this proves that there is a lasting impact of the intervention on the choice that students made while in school.

Identifying the Optimal Machine Learning Algorithm for Breast Cancer Prediction

  • ByungJoo Kim
    • International journal of advanced smart convergence
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    • v.13 no.3
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    • pp.80-88
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    • 2024
  • Breast cancer remains a significant global health burden, necessitating accurate and timely detection for improved patient outcomes. Machine learning techniques have demonstrated remarkable potential in assisting breast cancer diagnosis by learning complex patterns from multi-modal patient data. This study comprehensively evaluates several popular machine learning models, including logistic regression, decision trees, random forests, support vector machines (SVMs), naive Bayes, k-nearest neighbors (KNN), XGBoost, and ensemble methods for breast cancer prediction using the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Dataset (WBCD). Through rigorous benchmarking across metrics like accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and area under the ROC curve (AUC), we identify the naive Bayes classifier as the top-performing model, achieving an accuracy of 0.974, F1-score of 0.979, and highest AUC of 0.988. Other strong performers include logistic regression, random forests, and XGBoost, with AUC values exceeding 0.95. Our findings showcase the significant potential of machine learning, particularly the robust naive Bayes algorithm, to provide highly accurate and reliable breast cancer screening from fine needle aspirate (FNA) samples, ultimately enabling earlier intervention and optimized treatment strategies.

Germinal Center Response to mRNA Vaccination and Impact of Immunological Imprinting on Subsequent Vaccination

  • Wooseob Kim
    • IMMUNE NETWORK
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    • v.24 no.4
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    • pp.28.1-28.13
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    • 2024
  • Vaccines are the most effective intervention currently available, offering protective immunity against targeted pathogens. The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has prompted rapid development and deployment of lipid nanoparticle encapsulated, mRNA-based vaccines. While these vaccines have demonstrated remarkable immunogenicity, concerns persist regarding their ability to confer durable protective immunity to continuously evolving severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. This review focuses on human B cell responses induced by SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination, with particular emphasis on the crucial role of germinal center reactions in shaping enduring protective immunity. Additionally, we explored observations of immunological imprinting and dynamics of recalled pre-existing immunity following variants of concern-based booster vaccination. Insights from this review contribute to comprehensive understanding B cell responses to mRNA vaccination in humans, thereby refining vaccination strategies for optimal and sustained protection against evolving coronavirus variants.

Occupational Therapy Strategies for Visual Motor Skills of Children: A Systematic Review (시운동기술에 관한 아동 작업치료의 체계적 고찰)

  • Hong, Eun-Kyoung;Kim, Kyeong-Mi
    • The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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    • v.8 no.1
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    • pp.61-72
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    • 2010
  • Objective : This study tried to identify evaluation tools and intervention approaches that have been used regarding visual motor skills of children, in order to suggest the best evaluation method and intervention strategy. Methods : This study employed a systemic review. Papers researched for the review were selected from the PubMed which is a web engine to search academic articles. For search, time period of publication was limited from January 2001 to Jun 2010, and key words used were "visual motor and occupational therapy", "visuomotor and occupational therapy", and "perception and motor and occupational therapy". 13 papers among total 161 findings were selected for data analysis. Results : Through literature review, followings were founded. For population targeted in studies, children with developmental disorder are majority(20.00%) and those with handwriting problems are another major group(13.33%). DTVP(33.33%) and VMI(26.67%) are most common tools used to evaluate visual motor skills. Most frequently used intervention method is developmental skill based program(58.82) and the second common method is sensory integration therapy and sensory-based intervention(23.53%). Regarding the effectiveness of occupational therapy for visual motor skill, positive evidences with statistical power take 72.73%. Conclusion : The results imply that occupational therapy is effective for visual motor skill in children. It is suggested that further studies are needed to encompass effectiveness of occupational therapy in terms of children's occupational performance.

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The Effects of Smoking Cessation Clinics in the Korean Armed Forces: Application of the Transtheoretical Model and Life Skill Approaches (범이론적모형과 생활기술접근법을 통합적용한 군인.전의경 대상 금연클리닉프로그램의 효과)

  • Kim, Hye-Kyeong;Kwon, Eun-Joo;Lim, Jae-Ho;Jung, Hye-In;Cha, Jae-Ku;Cho, Seon;Kim, Su-Young;Uhm, Soo-Jin;Park, Ji-Youn;Cho, Han-Ik
    • Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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    • v.28 no.4
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    • pp.79-94
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    • 2011
  • Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of smoking cessation clinics for soldiers in the Korean armed forces. In so doing it attempted to identify the predictors of smoking cessation and positive transition of stages of change. Methods: In a single-group pre-post test study design, 5,362 smokers from Korean armed forces participated in the smoking cessation clinic programs based on both the Transtheoretical model and life skills approaches. Changes in stages of change and related variables were measured before the intervention and at 3-month follow-up after the intervention. Results: The cessation rates was 66.0% at 3-month follow-up. With the positive transition to action/maintain stage, proportion of participants in action/maintain stage increased more than 5 times after the intervention. Cons of smoking, self-efficacy, processes of change, and life skills increased, and pros of smoking decreased after the intervention. Predictors of smoking cessation included nicotine dependency, pros of smoking, high levels of self-efficacy, processes of change and life skills. Positive stage transition was predicted by pros of smoking and high self-efficacy. Conclusions: Application of the Transtheoretical model and life skills approaches provided useful strategies for a smoking cessation program in armed forces.

Health Risk Behaviors Affecting the Process of Pregnancy (임신경과에 영향을 미치는 건강위험행위)

  • Park, Chai-Soon;Mun, Mi-Seon;Hong, Gin-Hee;Lee, Jeoung-Eun
    • Women's Health Nursing
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    • v.6 no.4
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    • pp.549-565
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    • 2000
  • Comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to determine 1) selected risk factors and its impact that affect pregnancy outcome such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and substance abuse 2) these factors can facilitate future strategies for health promotion and prevention for both pregnant women and fetus. Review of literature were extracted from searching MEDLINE(1966 - Oct. 2000). CINAHL (1982 - Oct. 2000) and the domestic literature. The following factors were identified: 1. The effects of risk behaviors on pregnancy. ${\cdot}$Maternal smoking was associated with the occurrence of premature or LBW delivery, fetal growth retardation, extremities defects, heart defects and sudden infant death syndrome. ${\cdot}$Maternal alcohol consumption was associated with spontaneous abortion, premature or LBW delivery, morphologic/neurologic problems, especially fetal alcohol syndrome. ${\cdot}$Heroin was associated with withdrawal after birth in which were born to heroine addicts for gestational age and lung maturation in animal studies. ${\cdot}$Cocaine was associated with spontaneous abortion, abruptio placenta and a poor response to environmental stimuli. ${\cdot}$So far, the effects of caffeine on pregnancy was controversial, but severe caffeine consumption was associated with premature or LBW delivery, spontaneous abortion, still birth and dystocia. 2. Intervention methods and its effects identified were as follows ${\cdot}$Conducted intervention for smoking, alcohol and drug consumption were single or combined. ${\cdot}$Intervention methods were counseling, phone contact, mailing, use of educational videotape, booklet, support person and alternatives such as nicotine patch. ${\cdot}$The interventions increased the rates of smoking cessation during pregnancy and awareness of the risk of drug consumption, and decreased amount of alcohol consumption. ${\cdot}$The intervention outcome found positive effect on birth weight and length. 3. Our recommendations were as follows ${\cdot}$The personal and social cognition should be enhanced through education and the mass media. ${\cdot}$It's necessary to educate and give information of preconceptional care, planned pregnancy and early prenatal care for optimal pregnancy outcome. ${\cdot}$It's necessary to develop comprehensive assessment tool which is reliable and valid on smoking, alcohol consumption and substance abuse to identify supportive or interventional program.

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An Emotional Self-Regulation Program for Obese Children: Pilot Study Using Mixed Methods (비만아동을 위한 정서적 자기조절 프로그램의 개발 및 효과: 혼합방법론의 적용)

  • Kim, Hee-Soon;Ma, Yu-Mi;Park, Ji-Young;Kim, Seung-Hyun
    • Child Health Nursing Research
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    • v.19 no.3
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    • pp.187-197
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    • 2013
  • Purpose: The purpose of the study was to develop an emotional self-regulation program for obese children and to examine the program's effectiveness on depression, eating habits, and body mass index. Methods: The emotional self-regulation program was developed from theory-based strategies and a pre-post pilot study was conducted with 46 children (19: intervention, 27: control). The program included 6 weekly group sessions over 2 months. The embedded experimental model of concurrent mixed methods was used to better understand research outcomes by converging both quantitative and qualitative data. Anthropometric measurements and surveys were performed before and after the intervention. Three focus group interviews were conducted with all participants after intervention to explore their experiences. Results: The intervention group displayed decreased depression levels in the quantitative outcomes. The participants also expressed positive outcomes such as improvements in confidence, impulse management, intimacy, happiness, and losing weight. Conclusion: These findings suggest that emotional self-regulation skills are crucial factors for obese children not only to manage their emotional problems but also to control their weight. Further research is needed with a larger sample size and randomized controlled trials.

Effects of an Elder Health Promotion Program using the Strategy of Elder Health Leader Training in Senior Citizen Halls (노인 건강지도자 양성 전략을 적용한 경로당 노인 건강증진 프로그램 효과검증)

  • Gu, Mee-Ock;Eun, Young;Kim, Eun-Sim;Ahn, Hwang-Ran;Kwon, In-Soo;Oh, Hyun-Sook;Kang, Young-Sil;Jung, Myun-Sook;Choi, So-Young;Sung, Kyung-Mi;Kang, Hye-Yeon
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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    • v.42 no.1
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    • pp.125-135
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    • 2012
  • Purpose: This study was conducted to develop and test the effects of an elder health promotion program and apply strategies for elder health leader training sessions with elders at senior citizen halls. Methods: A nonequivalent control group pretestposttest design was used. Participants were 49 elders at a senior citizen hall (intervention: 27, control: 22). The elder health promotion program consisted of health education and exercise. A professional leader led the program for 4 weeks, and then an elder health leader and research assistant led for 8 weeks (total 12 weeks). Scales for elder health promoting behaviors, perceived health status, life satisfaction and senior citizen hall capability were used and physical fitness levels were measured. Data were collected between April 21 and July 28, 2010 and analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, t-test, and repeated measure ANOVA with SPSS/WIN 12.0. Results: Health promoting behaviors, physical fitness, perceived health status, and senior citizen hall capacity were significantly better in the experimental group after the intervention compared to the control group. Conclusion: Study findings indicate that elder health promotion programs applying strategies of elder health leader training are effective and can be recommended as nursing interventions for health promotion of these elders.

Current Evidence of Acupuncture in the Cochrane Databse of Systematic Reviews: an Overview (코크란 체계적 문헌고찰 내의 침구치료 임상근거 현황고찰)

  • Kim, Kun-Hyung;Noh, Seung-Hee;Lee, Myeong-Soo;Yang, Gi-Young;Shin, Byung-Cheul;Kim, Jae-Kyu;Lee, Byung-Ryul
    • Journal of Acupuncture Research
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    • v.28 no.4
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    • pp.57-64
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    • 2011
  • Objectives : The aim of this study is to overview the current status of Cochrane systematic review of acupuncture. Methods : Published Cochrane systematic reviews and protocols for evaluating acupuncture and/or moxibustion were searched by the terms 'acupuncture' and 'moxibustion' in Issue 1, Cochrane Library, 2011. Only reviews or protocols that regarded acupuncture or moxibustion as primary methods of intervention in their reviews were included. Data regarding first author national affiliation, intervention and disease, as well as the number of reviews or protocols that included Korean, Chinese, or Japanese databases in search strategies were obtained. Results : We found 92 hits at screening, and 59 studies were eligible for this review. Included interventions were acupuncture (n=56), auricular acupuncture (n=2), and moxibustion (n=1) for various diseases and conditions. The number of publications of Cochrane systematic reviews or protocols increased gradually from 2002 to 2011. First authors' affiliations were located in China (n=32), Australia (n=8), UK (n=7), Canada (n=4), U.S. (n=4), Germany (n=2), Norway, (n=1) and Korea (n=1). 44, four and four Cochrane reviews adopted Chinese, Korean and Japanese databases, respectively. Conclusions : Search strategies in a substantial number of Cochrane reviews or protocols for acupuncture and moxibustion heavily relied on Chinese databases. Korean databases were underused in existing Cochrane reviews and protocols, and Korean authors were much less involved in the Cochrane systematic reviews or protocols than Chinese authors. Further studies need to be conducted in order to incorporate evidence of acupuncture reported in Korean databases into the Cochrane systematic reviews.