• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.45.1-45.11
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• 2023

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common type of chronic liver disease, with severity levels ranging from nonalcoholic fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The extent of liver fibrosis indicates the severity of NASH and the risk of liver cancer. However, the mechanism underlying NASH development, which is important for early screening and intervention, remains unclear. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) is a useful method for identifying hub genes and screening specific targets for diseases. In this study, we utilized an mRNA dataset of the liver tissues of patients with NASH and conducted WGCNA for various stages of liver fibrosis. Subsequently, we employed two additional mRNA datasets for validation purposes. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted to analyze gene function enrichment. Through WGCNA and subsequent analyses, complemented by validation using two additional datasets, we identified five genes (BICC1, C7, EFEMP1, LUM, and STMN2) as hub genes. GSEA analysis indicated that gene sets associated with liver metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis were uniformly downregulated. BICC1, C7, EFEMP1, LUM, and STMN2 were identified as hub genes of NASH, and were all related to liver metabolism, NAFLD, NASH, and related diseases. These hub genes might serve as potential targets for the early screening and treatment of NASH.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.10.1-10.13
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• 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) is a global infectious disease with rapid spread. Some patients have severe symptoms and clinical signs caused by an excessive inflammatory response, which increases the risk of mortality. In this study, we reanalyzed scRNA-seq data of cells from bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of patients with COVID-19 with mild and severe symptoms, focusing on Ab-producing cells. In patients with severe disease, B cells seemed to be more activated and expressed more immunoglobulin genes compared with cells from patients with mild disease, and macrophages expressed higher levels of the TNF superfamily member B-cell activating factor but not of APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand). In addition, macrophages from patients with severe disease had increased pro-inflammatory features and pathways associated with Fc receptor-mediated signaling, compared with patients with mild disease. CCR2-positive plasma cells accumulated in patients with severe disease, probably because of increased CCL2 expression on macrophages from patients with severe disease. Together, these results support the hypothesis that different characteristics of B cells might be associated with the severity of COVID-19 infection.

• Journal of Korean Society of Disaster and Security
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2019

This study assessed the risk of disaster by using QRE(Quick Risk Estimation - UNISDR Roll Model City of Basic Evaluation Tool) tools for three natural disasters and sixteen social disasters managed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The criteria for selecting 19 disaster types in Seoul are limited to disasters that occur frequently in the past and cause a lot of damage to people and property if they occur. We also considered disasters that are likely to occur in the future. According to the results of the QRE tools for disaster type in Seoul, the most dangerous type of disaster among the Seoul city disasters was "suicide accident" and "deterioration of air quality". Suicide risk is high and it is not easy to take measures against the economic and psychological problems of suicide. This corresponds to the Risk ratings(Likelihood ranking score & Severity rating) "M6". In contrast, disaster types with low risk during the disaster managed by the city of Seoul were analyzed as flooding, water leakage, and water pollution accidents. In the case of floods, there is a high likelihood of disaster such as localized heavy rains and typhoons. However, the city of Seoul has established a comprehensive plan to reduce floods and water every five years. This aspect is considered to be appropriate for disaster prevention preparedness and relatively low disaster risk was analyzed. This corresponds to the disaster Risk ratings(Likelihood ranking score & Severity rating) "VL1". Finally, the QRE tool provides the city's leaders and disaster managers with a quick reference to the risk of a disaster so that decisions can be made faster. In addition, the risk assessment using the QRE tool has helped many aspects such as systematic evaluation of resilience against the city's safety risks, basic data on future investment plans, and disaster response.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.49-55
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• 2011

Purpose: Acetanilide has been in widespread use as an amide herbicide compound. However, available data regarding acute human poisoning is scarce. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of acetanilide poisoning in order to identify the risk factors associated with severity. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study encompassing the period January 2005 to December 2010, including adult ED patients suffering from acetanilide intoxication. Toxicological history, symptoms observed, clinical signs of toxicity, and laboratory test results were collected for each patient. The patients were classified into two groups for analysis, according their poisoning severity score (PSS). Resulting clinical data and prognostic variables were compared between mild-to-moderate poisoning (PSS 1/2 grades), and severe poisonings and fatalities (PSS 3/4 grades). Results: There were a total of 37 patients, including 26 alachlor, 6 s-metolachlor, 4 mefenacet, and 1 butachlor cases. The majority of patients (81.1%) were assigned PSS 1/2 grades. Changes in mental status and observation of adverse neurologic symptoms were more common in the PSS 3/4 group. The median ingested volume of amide herbicide compound was 250 ml (IQR 200-300 ml) in the PSS 3/4 group, and 80 ml (IQR 50-138 ml) in the PSS 1/2 group. Also, the median GCS observed in the PSS 3/4 group was 13 (IQR 10-14), which was markedly low as compared to a median GCS of 15 in the PSS 1/2 group. Overall mortality rate was 5.4%, and profound cardiogenic shock was observed prior to death in all fatalities. Conclusion: When compared to previous reports, acute acetanilide poisoning resulted in relatively moderate severity. The presence of neurologic manifestations, hypotension, lower GCS score, and larger ingested volumes was associated with more serious effects and mortalities.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.289-296
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• 2018

Purpose: We aimed to study the pattern of liver-injury in children with dengue fever (DF) and validate serum aminotransferase ${\geq}1,000IU/L$ as a marker of severe DF. Methods: Children admitted with DF were included. DF was defined by presence of clinical criteria and positive serological or antigen tests in absence of other etiology. DF severity was graded as dengue without or with warning signs and severe dengue. Liver-injury was defined as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) more than twice the upper limit of normal (boys, 30 IU/L; girls, 21 IU/L). Results: Of 372 children with DF, 144 (38.7%) had liver-injury. Risk of liver-injury and aminotransferase levels increased with DF severity (p<0.001). Recommended ALT and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) cut-off at ${\geq}1,000IU/L$ had sensitivity 4.8% (5/105), specificity 99.3% (265/267) for detection of severe DF. In children with ALT and AST <1,000 IU/L (n=365), the area under receiver operating curves for prediction for severe DF, were 0.651 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.588-0.714; p<0.001) for ALT and 0.647 (95% CI, 0.582-0.712; p<0.001) for AST. Serum ALT at 376 IU/L and AST at 635 IU/L had sensitivity and specificity comparable to ${\geq}1,000IU/L$ for defining severe DF. Conclusion: Liver-injury is common in DF. The ALT and AST levels increase with DF severity. ALT and AST levels of ${\geq}1,000IU/L$ could be lowered to 376 IU/L and 635 IU/L respectively for defining severe DF.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.315-322
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• 2016

Recently, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has amended the law to Design for Safety in working design stage of construction work. There should be informed the disaster likelihood and severity of unit-works to decide risk of unit-works in Design for Safety. Therefore, the construction disaster data of ${\bigcirc}{\bigcirc}$ corporation were classified as 24 unit-works and the disaster likelihood and severity of unit works were analyzed in this study. The safety management level of unit-works which based on analysis data was suggested 3 groups; special management and emphasis management, regular management. The results of this study can be used as basic information to perform Design for Safety in construction. And this information will be able to reduce the disaster.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.11
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• pp.98-106
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• 2020

This study was conducted to identify the factors influencing the severity of pressure injuries of patients with pressure injuries admitted to acute university hospital. This study was a secondary analysis on the data of the study conducted to identify the factors influencing the deterioration of pressure injuries during hospitalization. The data were collected by retrospectively examining the medical records of patients with pressure injuries who were 18 years of age or older and who were admitted to acute university hospital from May 2017 to November 2018. We used data from 472 patients with pressure injuries at admission for this secondary analysis. In order to identify the factor influencing of severe pressure injuries compare to superficial pressure injuries, we analyzed the data using logistic regression analysis. As a result of the study, gender, body temperature, and patient's movement were identified as factors affecting severe pressure injuries. Therefore, special care is necessary to increased the number of position change for inpatients with pressure injuries, especially for patients with decreased mobility.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine which factors contribute to the surgical treatment outcomes of acetabular fractures. Simultaneously, we aim to report on the treatment results after our hospital was designated as the focused training center for trauma. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients who experienced acetabular fractures from January 1, 2014 to May 1, 2017 and visited our hospital. Patients who had associated pelvic ring fractures or were lost to the one-year follow-up were excluded; a total of 37 fractures were evaluated. We evaluated the clinical results using the scoring system of Merle $d^{\prime}Aubign\acute{e}$ (MDA) and grade of Brooker for heterotopic ossification. Results: Thirty-seven patients (31 men and 6 women) were identified. The mean injury severity score (ISS) was 8.7, with 32.4% of patients having a score >15. The average blood transfusion in the first 24 hours was 0.54 pints. Falling was the most common injury mechanism (32.4%). Chest injury was the most common associated injury (16.2%), followed by head injury (13.5%). The posterior wall and both column fracture were the most common (37.8%) fracture patterns. Excellent and good clinical grades of MDA included 28 patients (75.6%) and fair and poor grades included nine (24.3%), respectively. Four patients were diagnosed with a post-operative infection (10.8%); one out of four patients who had co-morbidity died (2.7%), and another patient underwent a replacement surgery (2.7%). Multivariate analysis showed that age and operation time were associated with MDA. In addition, operation time and ISS were significant co-factors of the Brooker grade. Conclusions: Korea University Guro Hospital showed similar treatment results of acetabular fractures compared to other publications. The age and operation time were co-factors of the clinical outcome of this fracture. Additionally, increased operation time and injury severity score were suggested to increase the Brooker grade.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2021

Purpose: Alcohol ingestion enhances impulsivity and aggression, and has been proven to have a close relationship with suicide. This study investigates whether alcohol co-ingestion affects the Poisoning Severity Score (PSS) grade in patients with intentional poisoning. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of intentional poisoning patients who visited the emergency department (ED) from January 1 to December 31, 2020. Patients were divided into non-drunken and drunken groups. We collected the data based on the medical records of the patients and serum ethanol level results recorded during initial blood tests at the ED. To grade the PSS, the highest score was assessed through clinical signs and test results during the hospital stay. A comparative analysis was conducted between the two groups. Results: A total of 277 patients were included in the study. 163 (58.8%) were in the non-drunken group, and 114 (41.2%) were in the drunken group. The PSS grade showed a significant difference between the two groups (p=0.002). While grade 1 (mild) was observed more in the non-drunken group, grade 2 (moderate) and grade 3 (severe) were seen more in the drunken group. In an ordinal logistic regression analysis, alcohol co-ingestion (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.557, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.554-4.208, p<0.001) was considered to be a risk factor for a higher PSS grade. There was no significant correlation between the serum ethanol level and the PSS grade. (p=0.568) Conclusion: Intentional poisoning patients with alcohol co-ingestion had a higher PSS. Hence close observation and aggressive treatment in the ED is warranted in such cases.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.23-33
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• 2023

Purpose: The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are increasing along with an increasing number of patients with comorbid conditions like psychiatric and behavioral disorders, which are independent predictors of quality of life. Methods: Non-overlapping years (2003-2016) of National Inpatient Sample and Kids Inpatient Database were analyzed to include all IBD-related hospitalizations of patients less than 21 years of age. Patients were analyzed for a concomitant diagnosis of psychiatric/ behavioral disorders and were compared with IBD patients without psychiatric/behavioral disorder diagnoses for outcome variables: IBD severity, length of stay and inflation-adjusted hospitalization charges. Results: Total of 161,294 IBD-related hospitalizations were analyzed and the overall prevalence rate of any psychiatric and behavioral disorders was 15.7%. Prevalence rate increased from 11.3% (2003) to 20.6% (2016), p<0.001. Depression, substance use, and anxiety were the predominant psychiatric disorders. Regression analysis showed patients with severe IBD (odds ratio [OR], 1.57; confidence interval [CI], 1.47-1.67; p<0.001) and intermediate IBD (OR, 1.14; CI, 1.10-1.28, p<0.001) had increased risk of associated psychiatric and behavioral disorders than patients with a low severity IBD. Multivariate analysis showed that psychiatric and behavioral disorders had 1.17 (CI, 1.07-1.28; p<0.001) mean additional days of hospitalization and incurred additional $8473 (CI, 7,520-9,425; p<0.001) of mean hospitalization charges, independent of IBD severity. Conclusion: Prevalence of psychiatric and behavioral disorders in hospitalized pediatric IBD patients has been significantly increasing over the last two decades, and these disorders were independently associated with prolonged hospital stay, and higher total hospitalization charges.