• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.201-210
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• 2022

Vitamin A (Vit A) is a lipid-soluble vitamin required for diverse normal body functions, including good vision, reproduction, growth, development, and cellular differentiation. The therapeutic effects of Vit A have been demonstrated for the treatments of inflammation, low immunity, and cancer. The present review discusses the scientific evidence for establishing the 2020 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRI) for Vit A, issues caused by unit change of Vit A, and suggestions for the 2025 KDRI revision. Due to the changes in the standard bodyweight observed in several age groups, the 2020 KDRI had minor revisions as compared to the 2015 KDRI. In the 2015 KDRI, the Vit A unit has changed from retinol equivalent (RE) to retinol activity equivalent (RAE) and the activity of carotenoids became half with RAE compared to RE due to this unit change. Since the Vit A intake of Koreans relies heavily on plant-based carotenoids, the dietary intake of Vit A in Koreans as determined by considering the RAE was much lower than values obtained with RE. The analysis for Vit A intake by the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey only reflects intakes of retinol and beta-carotene. Thus, it would be necessary to include the consumption of other provitamin A, such as alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin. Moreover, assessing the amounts of Vit A in foods should be customized to Korean diets since there are seasonal variations in the carotenoid concentration of plants. Moreover, other factors such as age- and sex-specific intake data and considerations of baseline micronutrient status, body mass index, and dietary patterns should be considered for developing more precise KDRI. In particular, the Vit A requirement needs to be met by consuming diverse foods, including animal foods.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.671-680
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to suggest the direction of the funeral culture industry suitable for the age of longevity and well-aging through a study on changes in the perception of funeral culture among the elderly. The survey of this paper was conducted by Gallup Korea, and the survey method was a 1:1 individual interview using a structured questionnaire. The survey was conducted from October 1 to October 25, 2021, targeting 127 elderly people over the age of 65 living in Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi-do. The number of valid subjects was 110, and the sampling method used was allocation by sex/age/income level/religion. As a result of the study, as for the change in the perception of funeral culture among the elderly, women preferred cremation to men (p=0.034). It was investigated that the level of income (p=0.004) and religious status (p=0.020) had an effect on funerals while alive. According to the presence or absence of thoughts about death, there was a significant difference in the membership of the mutual aid product (p=0.008) and the intention to return to a religious organization (p=0.004) when a memorial service was held. The results of this study are expected to be usefully utilized in presenting the direction and policy of the funeral culture industry suitable for the age of well-aging in the future.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.6
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• pp.834-840
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• 2022

Objective : C-reactive protein (CRP) level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and white blood cell (WBC) count are inflammatory markers used to evaluate postoperative infections. Although these markers are non-specific, understanding their normal kinetics after surgery may be helpful in the early detection of postoperative infections. To compliment the recent trend of reducing the duration of antibiotic use, this retrospective study investigated the inflammatory markers of patients who had received antibiotics within 24 hours after surgery according to the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service guidelines and compared them with those of patients who had received antibiotics for 5 days, which was proven to be non-infectious. Methods : We enrolled 74 patients, divided into two groups. Patients underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) at a single institution between 2019 and 2020. Group A included 37 patients who received antibiotics within 24 hours after the PLIF procedure, and group B comprised 37 patients who had used antibiotics for 5 days. A 1 : 1 nearest-neighbor propensity-matched analysis was used. The clinical variables included age, sex, medical history, body mass index, estimated blood loss, and operation time. Laboratory data included CRP, ESR, and WBC, which were measured preoperatively and on postoperative days (POD) 1, 3, 5, and 7. Results : CRP dynamics tended to decrease after peaking on POD 3, with a similar trend in both groups. The average CRP level in group B was slightly higher than that in group A; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed operation time, number of fused levels, and estimated blood loss as significant predictors of a greater CRP peak value (r²=0.473, p<0.001) in patients. No trend (a tendency to decrease from the peak value) could be determined for ESR and WBC count on POD 7. Conclusion : Although slight differences were observed in numerical values and kinetics, sequential changes in inflammatory markers according to the duration of antibiotic administration showed similar patterns. Knowledge of CRP kinetics allows the assessment of the degree of difference between the clinical and expected values.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2020

Background and Objectives: Bilateral microphones with contralateral routing of signal (BiCROS) hearing aid is an option for hearing rehabilitation in individuals with asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss (ASNHL). The clinical factors influencing the trial and purchase of BiCROS were investigated. Subjects and Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 78 patients with ASNHL who were recommended to use BiCROS and analyzed the demographic and audiological factors influencing the trial and purchase of BiCROS. Results: Among the 78 patients, 52 (66.7%) availed of the free BiCROS trial and 21 (26.9%) purchased BiCROS. The mean pure tone audiometry (PTA) air conduction (AC) threshold of the better- and worse-hearing ears were 44.2±12.8 dB and 90.7±22.5 dB HL, respectively. The decision for trial or purchase of BiCROS was not influenced by age, sex, duration of hearing loss of the worse-hearing ear, or PTA AC threshold or speech discrimination score of both ears. The first and third quartiles of the PTA AC thresholds for the better-hearing ear of BiCROS buyers were 38.75 dB and 53.75 dB HL, respectively. The counterpart values for the worse-hearing ear were 72.50 dB and 118.75 dB HL, respectively. Conclusions: The clinical factors analyzed in this study were found to be irrelevant to the trial and purchase of BiCROS in patients with ASNHL. Nevertheless, the distribution range of the auditory thresholds of the subjects using BiCROS can be a useful basis for the counseling of patients with ASNHL and selection of candidates for BiCROS use.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.567-574
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• 2021

This study confirmed factors affecting sexual autonomy with self-esteem and sexual awareness as variables to lay the foundation for nursing intervention that helps female college students grow into subjects who can promote safe sexual activity and sexual health. A self-administered online survey of 139 students from three Colleges was conducted from February 15 to 21, 2021. The data were analyzed using a t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test, Pearson's correlation coefficients and hierarchical multiple regression. The significant predictors of sexual autonomy were self-esteem (𝛽=0.393, p<.001), experience of dating (𝛽=0.213, p=.008) and sexual consciousness (𝛽=0.175, p=.028) and their explanatory power was 22.1%. In order for female college students to have autonomy as sexual subjects, they must be able to have a positive sense of self-esteem that values themselves and healthy sexual consciousness. Furthermore, they must be able to have a positive experience of socializing with the opposite sex. Therefore, individual efforts and social support to promote self-esteem are required, and educational mediation is needed to contribute to the promotion of sexual autonomy through efficient communication between men and women with a healthy sexual consciousness

• Journal of the Health Care and Life Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.147-151
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• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the variables affecting the quality of life according to the degree of obesity of male and female college students. The research data used the data of the 8th year (2019) of the National Health and Nutrition Survey. Among the survey data, 287 students enrolled in college were enrolled. As a result of the study, the body mass index according to sex was 23.71kg/m2 for male students, 21.31kg/m2 for female students, and male students were overweight, and female students showed normal weight. The quality of life score according to gender was 0.97 points for male students and 0.98 points for female students, indicating a high quality of life score for female students. In the results of a regression analysis conducted to investigate the effect of obesity on the quality of life of college students, boys had normal weight (β=0.053, p=0.003), overweight (β=0.041, p=0.030) and obese weight compared to underweight. The quality of life was significantly higher in (β=0.046, p=0.012). However, there was no significant relevance in female students. In the future, it is considered that the education program for obese body type and the education program for underweight should be combined with the university's health-related education program.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.38-52
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the use of insured herbal extracts and Korean medicinal treatments, which are mainly used to treat allergic rhinitis in Korean medicine. Methods : Among all HIRA(Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service) claims data in 2016, we included all statements that included J30(vasomotor and allergic rhinitis) or a subcategory of J30(J30.0, J30.1, J30.2, J30.3, or J30.4) as the main disease, using the Korean Standard Classification of Diseases(KCD-7). This study analyzed the most frequently used insured herbal extracts and Korean medicinal treatments for allergic rhinitis in Korean medicine. We performed a frequency analysis on subgroups based on treatment type(inpatient or outpatient), sex, age, insurance type, and medical institution type. Results : The result shows the 10 most frequently used insured herbal extracts and Korean medicinal treatments for allergic rhinitis. The total number of insured herbal extracts prescriptions was 82,533, and the most commonly prescribed insured herbal extracts was socheongryong-tang(35,131 prescriptions), followed by hyeonggaeyeongyo-tang(18,157 prescriptions), samsoeum(6,257 prescriptions), and galgeun-tang(4,465 prescriptions). The total number of Korean medicinal treatments prescriptions was 1,878,541, of which the most common Korean medicinal treatments was acupuncture(922,977 prescriptions), followed by moxibustion(372,120 prescriptions), cupping(242,094 prescriptions), and segmental acupuncture(161,553 prescriptions). Conclusions : It is expected that the results of this study can be used as a basis for establishing the priorities of evidence-based clinical research topics in the field of Korean medicine and making health care policy decisions to strengthen coverage in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.281-290
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• 2021

Purpose. The aim of this study is to evaluate bone change around the implant in patients who underwent alveolar ridge preservation for implantation in the posterior teeth using radiographic data measuring changes of mesial, distal crestal bone level according to post-implantation, post-final prosthesis delivery and follow-up periods. Materials and methods. In total, 36 implants were placed in 32 patients. The mesial and distal crestal bone level of all the areas where alveolar ridge preservation was performed uses panoramic images taken post-implantation, post-final prosthesis delivery, and follow-up period each was measured and evaluated as a vertical value. The following factors were analyzed: associations between changes of crestal bone level and factors (e.g., age, sex, systemic diseases, dentist, implant location, tooth, bone type, membrane). The statistical analysis was performed using the mean, standard deviation and independent t-test, paired t-test (P < .05). Results. Analysis of crestal bone level differences between periods shows statistically significant differences (P < .05). There was no statistically significant difference when the changes of crestal bone level between post-implantation, post-final prosthesis delivery and follow-up periods were correlated with each factors. Conclusion. After alveolar ridge preservation, bone around the implant remained stable during the maintenance period without being affected by the patient and surgical factors, and alveolar ridge preservation is considered a clinically usable procedure.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.368-378
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• 2020

Purpose: Vitamin D deficiency may cause bone loss and increased inflammation, which are well-known symptoms of periodontal disease. This study investigated whether serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels are associated with periodontal disease status and tooth loss. Methods: Cross-sectional data from 5,405 individuals aged ≥50 years (2,253 males and 3,152 females) were obtained from the 2008-2010 Dong-gu study, a prospective cohort study of risk factors for chronic diseases. Periodontal examinations were conducted to evaluate the number of remaining teeth, the periodontal probing depth (PPD), the clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing. The percentages of sites with PPD ≥4 mm and CAL ≥4 mm were recorded for each participant. The severity of periodontitis was classified using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Periodontology case definitions. Serum 25(OH)D levels were classified as reflecting severe deficiency, deficiency, insufficiency, or sufficiency. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to assess the associations of serum 25(OH)D levels with periodontal parameters and the number of remaining teeth after adjusting for confounders including age, smoking status, alcohol consumption status, month of blood collection, and physical activity. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D levels and severe periodontitis. An overall statistical analysis and a stratified analysis by sex were performed. Results: Overall, the rates of severe deficiency, deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency were 6.5%, 67.9%, 22.4%, and 3.2%, respectively. After adjustment for confounders, vitamin D levels were directly associated with the number of remaining teeth, an association that was significant in males, but not in females. Sufficient serum 25(OH)D was associated with a low frequency of severe periodontitis. Conclusions: This population-based cross-sectional study indicates that low serum 25(OH) D is significantly associated with tooth loss and severe periodontitis in Koreans aged 50 years and older.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.1579-1589
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• 2021

Objective: This study was conducted to generate single stranded DNA oligonucleotides with selective affinity to bovine spermatozoa, assess its binding potential and explore its potential utility in trapping spermatozoa from suspensions. Methods: A combinatorial library of 94 mer long oligonucleotide was used for systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) with bovine spermatozoa. The amplicons from sixth and seventh rounds of SELEX were sequenced, and the reads were clustered employing cluster database at high identity with tolerance (CD-HIT) and FASTAptamer. The enriched nucleotides were predicted for secondary structures by Mfold, motifs by Multiple Em for Motif Elicitation and 5' labelled with biotin/6-FAM to determine the binding potential and binding pattern. Results: We generated 14.1 and 17.7 million reads from sixth and seventh rounds of SELEX respectively to bovine spermatozoa. The CD-HIT clustered 78,098 and 21,196 reads in the top ten clusters and FASTAptamer identified 2,195 and 4,405 unique sequences in the top three clusters from the sixth and seventh rounds, respectively. The identified oligonucleotides formed secondary structures with delta G values between -1.17 to -26.18 kcal/mol indicating varied stability. Confocal imaging with the oligonucleotides from the seventh round revealed different patterns of binding to bovine spermatozoa (fluorescence of the whole head, spot of fluorescence in head and mid- piece and tail). Use of a 5'-biotin tagged oligonucleotide from the sixth round at 100 pmol with 4×10⁶ spermatozoa could trap almost 80% from the suspension. Conclusion: The binding patterns and ability of the identified oligonucleotides confirms successful optimization of the SELEX process and generation of aptamers to bovine spermatozoa. These oligonucleotides provide a quick approach for selective capture of spermatozoa from complex samples. Future SELEX rounds with X- or Y- enriched sperm suspension will be used to generate oligonucleotides that bind to spermatozoa of a specific sex type.