• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.130-138
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Low consumption of fruit and vegetable is frequently viewed as an important contributor to obesity risk. With increasing childhood obesity and relatively low fruit and vegetable consumption among Thai children, there is a need to identify the determinants of the intake to promote fruit and vegetable consumption effectively. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at two conveniently selected primary schools in Nakhon Pathom. A total of 609 students (grade 4-6) completed questionnaires on personal and environmental factors. Adequate fruit and vegetable intakes were defined as a minimum of three servings of fruit or vegetable daily, and adequate total intake as at least 6 serves of fruit and vegetable daily. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The proportion of children with a sufficient fruit and/or vegetable intakes was low. Covariates of child's personal and environmental factors showed significant associations with sufficient intakes of fruit and/or vegetable (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analyses showed that the following factors were positively related to sufficient intake of vegetable; lower grade, a positive attitude toward vegetable, and fruit availability at home; and that greater maternal education, a positive child's attitude toward vegetable, and fruit availability at home were significantly associated with sufficient consumption of fruits and total fruit and vegetable intake. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that personal factors like attitude toward vegetables and socio-environmental factors, such as, greater availability of fruits were significantly associated with sufficient fruit and vegetable consumption. The importance of environmental and personal factors to successful nutrition highlights the importance of involving parents and schools.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.304-311
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the self-reported symptoms of occupational asthma, occupational rhinitis, and respiratory symptoms between a direct exposure to flour dust group and a non-exposure group from the bakery industry. Methods: The participants were 62 workers directly exposed to flour dust and 30 non-exposed workers. The survey was composed of questions related to general characteristics. Korean self-reported respiratory symptoms(SNU-93), occupational asthma, and occupational rhinitis data was collected from April to July 2017. Results: The smoking rate among the direct exposure to flour dust workers was 67.7% and the mean of working hours(11-12) was 96.8%. The SNU-93 questionnaire revealed that respiratory symptoms in the chest and wheezing or whistling were significantly higher among the direct-exposure group than non-exposure group. The response for occupational asthma symptoms was significantly higher in the direct exposure group(2.4 points) than in the non-exposure group(1.6 points). Conclusion: In order to decrease the symptoms of these respiratory diseases among bakery workers exposed to flour dust, it is necessary to reduce working hours and the smoking rate. The performance of periodic medical examinations is needed to find abnormal respiratory diseases. In addition, workers who have been diagnosed with asthma and rhinitis should consider switching to a process that is not exposed to flour dust.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.425-430
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• 2020

Background: Asbestos exposure is associated with the development of the cancer malignant mesothelioma (MM). Measurement of soluble mesothelin-related protein (SMRP) has been suggested as a method for detection of MM in its early stages. We prospectively examined SMRP levels in participants with asbestos exposure who are a group at a high risk of development of MM. Methods: This study was a follow-up of our cohort of 322 asbestos-exposed participants. No further participants developed MM or malignancy over the study period. Mean follow-up time was 22.9 months. Results: Mean (standard deviation) SMRP levels at baseline and follow-up were 0.94 (0.79) and 0.91 (0.86) nmol/L (p = 0.1033), respectively. Mean SMRP levels of the healthy individuals exposed to asbestos at baseline was significantly lower than those of participants with asbestosis and pleural plaques alone; similar patterns were found on follow-up measurements. There was a statistically significant effect of age on serial SMRP measurements. Our study confirms higher levels in participants with nonmalignant asbestos-related disorders. Levels decreased in asbestos-related disorders other than asbestosis, where a small increase was observed. We did not detect any further cases of malignancy. Conclusion: Monitoring programs for early detection of MM need to take into account increased SMRP levels found in benign asbestos-related diseases.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제62권6호
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• pp.206-212
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• 2019

Purpose: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of childhood obesity and overweight in Iranian children under 5 years of age using a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, CINHAL, and the Iranian databases, including Scientific Information Database (www.sid.ir), Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and Technology (Irandoc.ac.ir), Iranmedex (www.iranmedex.com), and Magiran (www.magiran.com), for all articles published between January 1989 and August 2017. Sources of heterogeneity were determined using subgroup analysis and meta-regression. Results: Six articles were ultimately included in the meta-analysis to estimate the pooled prevalence, based on which the prevalence of obesity and overweight were estimated to be 8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6%-10%) and 9% (95% CI, 7%-11%), respectively. The results of the subgroup analysis showed that the prevalence of obesity in boys and girls was 9% (95% CI, 6%-13%) and 7% (95% CI, 4-10%), respectively, and the prevalence of overweight in boys and girls was 10% (95% CI, 5%-15%) and 9% (95% CI, 5%-13%), respectively. Conclusion: Despite high heterogeneity among the results of the articles included in the meta-analysis, the prevalence of obesity and overweight is higher in Iranian children under 5 years of age. Therefore, parents and the health system must pay more attention to the lifestyle, nutritional habits, and physical activity of these children.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.20-27
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• 2024

Objective: While sperm freezing (cryopreservation) is an effective method for preserving fertility, it can potentially harm the structure and function of sperm due to an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species. This study aimed to assess the impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and selenium oxide nanoparticles (SeONPs) on various sperm functional parameters, including motility, plasma membrane integrity (PMI), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), acrosome membrane integrity (ACi), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Methods: Semen samples were collected from 20 Albino Wistar rats. These samples were then divided into six groups: fresh, cryopreservation control, and groups supplemented with SeONPs (1, 2, 5 ㎍/mL) and ZnONPs (0.1, 1, 10 ㎍/mL). Results: Statistical analysis revealed that all concentrations of SeONPs increased total motility and progressive reduction of MDA levels compared to the cryopreservation control group (p<0.05). However, supplementation with ZnONPs did not affect these parameters (p>0.05). Conversely, supplements of 1 and 2 ㎍/mL SeONPs and 1 ㎍/mL ZnONPs contributed to the improvement of PMI and ACi (p<0.05). Yet, no significant change was observed in MMP with any concentration of SeONPs and ZnONPs compared to the cryopreservation control group (p>0.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that optimal concentrations of SeONPs may enhance sperm parameters during the freezing process.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.8-17
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• 2024

Objectives: The effectiveness and efficiency of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in reducing the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among men who have sex with men (MSM) relies on how widely it is adopted and adhered to, particularly among high-risk groups of MSM. The meta-analysis aimed to collect and analyze existing evidence on various factors related to PrEP adherence in MSM, including demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, substance use, and psychosocial factors. Methods: The meta-analysis followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The search included articles published between January 2018 and December 2022, obtained from the PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases. The studies that were included in the analysis reported the proportion of MSM who demonstrated adherence to PrEP and underwent quality appraisal using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results: Of the 268 studies initially identified, only 12 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final meta-analysis. The findings indicated that education (odds ratio [OR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 2.40), number of sexual partners (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.31), engaging in sexual activities with an human immunodeficiency virus-positive partner (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.16 to 2.26), substance use (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.70 to 0.99), and lower levels of depression (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.37 to 0.82) were associated with higher rates of PrEP adherence among MSM. Conclusions: Despite these findings, further research is necessary to investigate PrEP adherence more comprehensively. The findings of this meta-analysis can be utilized to inform interventions aimed at improving PrEP adherence among MSM and provide directions for future research in this area.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.188-195
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• 2008

목적: 본 연구의 목적은 향기요법이 스트레스에 미치는 효과에 대하여 메타분석 방법을 이용하여 연구결과의 정도를 종합, 분석하기 위함이다. 방법: 2000년 1월부터 2008년 2월까지 이루어진 연구를 대상으로 하여 국내 학위논문과 주요 학술지를 중심으로 추출하였으며, 향기요법이 스트레스에 미치는 효과를 연구한 45편의 논문 중 분석대상 기준에 적합한 논문 21편을 대상으로 하였으며, 자료분석은 통계프로그램인 SAS 9.1/PC을 이용하여 분석하였다. 결과: 최종 선정된 21편의 연구물로부터 58개의 효과 크기가 산출되었으며, 58개의 효과크기를 바탕으로 전체 효과, 종속변수의 지표별 효과, 연구대상 및 중재 방법에 대한 효과, 중재시간에 따른 효과를 산출하였다. 향기요법이 스트레스에 미치는 전체 효과크기는 .593으로 보통 효과크기로 나타났다. 스트레스의 지표별 효과 크기는 생리적 지표에서 보다 심리적 지표에서 훨씬 큰효과를 보였으며, 심리적 스트레스에서는 주관적 스트레스에 효과가 가장 컸고($\bar{d}$=.983), 생리적 스트레스에서는 코티졸($\bar{d}$=.648)과 맥박($\bar{d}$=.515)에서는 중간정도의 효과크기가 나타났으나, 수축기 혈압($\bar{d}$=.490)과 이완기혈압($\bar{d}$=.401), 에피네피린($\bar{d}$=.334)에서는 중재효과가 작은 것으로 나타났다. 대상자별 효과에서는 노인집단에서 .706으로 가장 큰 효과를 나타내었고, 암환자($\bar{d}$=.337)에게 가장 작은 효과로 나타나 집단간 유의한 차를 보였다(F=2.271, P=.043). 중재방법에 대해서는 향기요법과 마사지요법을 병행한 경우($\bar{d}$=.590) 가장 큰 효과로 나타났으나 중재시간별 효과크기의 차는 없었다 (F=.495, P=.687). 중재시간에 대해서는 $20{\sim}30#분의 중재를 한 경우 .730으로 가장 높게 나타났으나, 역시 통계적 유의한 차는 없었고, 중재 회기 수와 효과크기와의 상관관계는 r=.349로 나타나 통계적으로 유의한 차를 보였다(P=.007). 결론: 본 연구 결과 향기요법은 대상자의 스트레스를 감소시키는데 효과가 있는 것으로 나타났으므로 향기요법을 이용한 간호중재 프로토콜의 개발과 그 실제 적용이 요구된다할 수 있겠으며, 프로토콜 개발 시 대상자의 특성과 중재 시간이 고려되어야 하겠다.

• Architectural research
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2006

Various housing measures are needed for the rapidly aging society of Korea. In particular, the welfare policy for the elderly has changed towards the community care. Taking this fact into consideration, it is necessary to have the establishment of a system that offers the elderly appropriate welfare services at their appropriate residence (ageing in place) for the effectiveness of the community care. In this aspect, there are a number of implications to Korea to study merits and demerits of the Health Facilities for the Aged (HFA) in Japan. The society of Japan has been rapidly aging since 1970, and Korea is to face the same situation. As for the data of this study, a total of 2,393 facilities (as of November 1999) mentioned in the annual report of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare were classified based on types of their establishment: (1) free-standing structures (603 facilities); (2) annexes to hospitals (981 facilities); (3) annexes to welfare facilities (511 facilities); and (4) annexes to clinics (298 facilities). Next, 239 facilities were selected through taking a sample of 10 percent from each type of the HFA mentioned above. This was done through the random sampling method with the computer program of MS EXCEL. The Implications of the results of analyses are as follows. First, most of the health facilities were planned with the scale that was larger than the scale of standard special nursing homes in terms of the total floor area. Precise equations that were to obtain precise results of the scale of the HFA and the appropriate number of residents were obtained through the method of the regression analysis. Korea and Japan have similarities in terms of culture, society and family relations; however, the two countries also have differences in terms of the application of laws on the establishment of houses, hospitals, and welfare facilities. As for planning the scale of the HFA, the realities of Korea should be considered. Second, as for the functional aspect of the HFA with a condition of returning home, the place before and after the HFA showed the pattern of 'from a residential place to a residential place' and 'from a hospital to a hospital.' This reveals a close correlation with the types of the HFAs and operational ways of the facilities. Its cause is considered to be the aspect of the operation and management of the HFA rather than the aspect of its function of providing services in association with medical and health facilities. Therefore, when intermediate welfare facilities are considered in Korea, it is strongly advised to consider the problem of annexes to other facilities and efficiency of sharing of the facilities in terms of its operation and management.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권22호
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• pp.9679-9685
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• 2014

Background: When evaluating health-economics for cervical cancer prevention policies in Japan, it is important to use Japanese value settings. This study aimed to obtain preference-based measures (preference measures) for hypothesized health states among healthy Japanese women, and to examine differences between the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) and standard gamble (SG) instruments. Materials and Methods: The investigation was performed among female students at a nursing university. We used written hypothetical scenarios describing three grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and eight stages of cervical cancer, both at diagnosis and after medical intervention. Preference measures were evaluated using both EQ-5D and SG. Results: We received responses from 136 women. The mean number of respondents per stage was 24.6 (SD: 2.7). At diagnosis, average EQ-5D scores for CIN1, CIN2, CIN3, IA1, IA2, IB1, IB2, IIA, IIB, III, and IV stages were 0.84 (0.14), 0.78 (0.12), 0.73 (0.10), 0.78 (0.12), 0.72 (0.12), 0.63 (0.13), 0.64 (0.12), 0.68 (0.08), 0.62 (0.13), 0.55 (0.21), and 0.18 (0.24), respectively. Using one-way analysis of variance with the Tukey-Kramer method for multiple comparisons (each stage vs. CIN1), we found significant differences for IB1 and more advanced stages (p<0.05). After medical intervention, corresponding EQ-5D scores were 0.84 (0.12), 0.81 (0.12), 0.84 (0.12), 0.80 (0.15), 0.78 (0.11), 0.64 (0.15), 0.63 (0.15), 0.71 (0.15), 0.50 (0.17), 0.52 (0.17), 0.21 (0.28). The multiple comparisons identified significant differences for IB1 and more advanced stages, excepting IIA (p<0.05). SG evaluations were more variable and relatively higher than EQ-5D evaluations. Conclusions: We obtained preference measures for three grades of CIN1-3 and eight stages of cervical cancer. In combination with appropriate sensitivity analyses, these preference measures will provide a basis for an economic evaluation of cervical cancer prevention in Japan. We suggest that EQ-5D is appropriate for cost-utility analysis of this topic.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권7호
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• pp.2929-2937
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• 2015

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS or NOS3) produces nitric oxide and genetic polymorphisms of NOS3 gene play significant roles in various processes of carcinogenesis. The results from published studies on the association between NOS3 G894T and NOS3 intron 4 (4a/b) polymorphisms and cancer risk are conflicting and inconclusive. However, i n order to assess this relationship more precisely, a meta-analysis was performed with PubMed (Medline), EMBASE and Google web searches until February 2014 to select all published case-control and cohort studies. Genotype distribution data were collected to calculate the pooled odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate the strength of association. A total of 10,546 cancer cases and 10,550 controls were included from twenty four case-control studies for the NOS3 G894T polymorphism. The results indicated no significant association with cancer risk as observed in allelic (T vs G: OR=1.024, 95%CI=0.954 to 1.099, p=0.508), homozygous (TT vs GG: OR=1.137, 95%CI=0.944 to 1.370, p=0.176), heterozygous (GT vs GG: OR=0.993, 95%CI=0.932 to 1.059, p=0.835), recessive (TT vs GG+GT: OR=1.100, 95%CI=0.936 to 1.293, p=0.249) and dominant (TT+GT vs GG: OR=1.012, 95%CI=0.927 to 1.105, p=0.789) genetic models. Similarly, a total of 3,449 cancer cases and 3,691 controls were recruited from fourteen case-control studies for NOS3 4a/b polymorphism. Pooled results indicated no significant association under allelic (A vs B: OR=0.981, 95%CI=0.725 to 1.329, p=0.902), homozygous (AA vs BB: OR=1.166, 95%CI=0.524 to 2.593, p=0.707), heterozygous (BA vs BB: OR=1.129, 95%CI=0.896 to 1.422, p=0.305), dominant (AA+BA vs BB: OR=1.046, 95%CI=0.779 to 1.405, p=0.763) and recessive (AA vs BB+BA: OR=1.196, 95%CI=0.587 to 2.439, p=0.622) genetic contrast models. This meta-analysis suggests that G894T and 4a/b polymorphisms of NOS3 gene are not associated with increased or decreased risk of overall cancer.