• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.87 no.2
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• pp.201-210
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• 1998

Sex ratios, and patterns of tree size and growth variation, resource allocation, spatial and age class distribution between the sexes were investigated in natural populations of the sexual trees, R. trichocarpa and R. sylvestris, and the mainly asexual, clonal tree, R. javanica of the dioecious Rhus (Anacardiaceae) distributed in Korea. Sex ratios for three species exhibited a significant degree of female bias, but among the populations, sex ratios were seen to vary quite widely. The measurement of tree size and annual increment of male trees in R. trichocarpa and R. sylvestris were significantly higher than those of female trees, but not significantly different in R. javanica. In all of the species, flowering branch number per individual and inflorescence number per branch of males outnumbered those of females. Branch number per individual, rachis(leaf) number per branch and rachis(leaf) number per inflorescence were more in females than in males. These results were considered as reproductive efforts to increase the pollen supply in males and the fruit production in females. Spatial distribution analysis in two different populations of R. trichocarpa indicated that males and females were randomly distributed in space, but seedlings were clumped around parental trees. Analysis of age class distributions between the sexual reproduction trees, R. triclaocarpa and R. sylvestris, and the asexual, clonal tree, R. javanica showed a different distribution in frequencies of males and females in each age class. These results showed that sexual and asexual reproduction tree species had almost different preference of habitats, and different sex ratio and annual growth.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.153-167
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• 2017

Objective: This study was aimed to examine the mediating effects of mother's marital conflict and satisfaction between father's child-rearing involvement and mother's warmth of parenting style, and the moderating effect of mother's depression and self-esteem. Methods: The analyses involved using cross-sectional weights from the 1,703 samples of the 5th Panel Study on Korean Children to classify them into high and low depression groups, and high and low self-esteem groups. Path analysis and multiple group comparison analysis were conducted, controlled by child sex, mother's age and highest education level, and household financial assets. Results: The results were as follows: First, mother's marital conflict and satisfaction had a mediating effect on the relationship between father's child-rearing involvement and mother's warmth of parenting style. Second, mother's depression and self-esteem levels had a moderating effect the relationship between father's child-rearing involvement and mother's warmth of parenting style. In particular, mother's depression level affected the path between marital conflict and warmth of parenting style, and mother's self-esteem level affected the path between marital satisfaction and warmth of parenting style. Conclusion: Father's child-rearing involvement and mother's psychological level affect mother's marital relations and parenting style. Also, father's parenting involvement and psychological support is needed for a mother to regulate mood disorders, including depression and any self-serving bias.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.6 no.1_2
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• pp.108-119
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• 1999

Background : To study any interference of demonstrated in different patient satisfaction scores for the same questionnaires handled by hospital staff and by independent surveyors, respectively. Methods : This study included 728 subjects who were admitted to a university hospital from June 22 to July 1, 1999. The contents of the questionnaire were composed of six dimensions: hospital structure and process, staffs technical competence and humaneness, information & education and communication. Measurements were performed on a 5-score Likert scale. T-test and logistic regression analysis were also performed. Results : In an outpatient survey, satisfaction scores from a questionnaire delivered by hospital staff were significantly higher than independent surveyors for the dimension of communication, but no differences were shown among other dimensions. In an inpatient survey, satisfaction scores by hospital staff were higher for the process and communication dimensions(p<0.05). In particular, in both the inpatient and outpatient surveys, the difference of satisfaction scores for personnel items were significant between groups. After adjustment for age and sex those differences were significant between groups. Conclusion : To minimize the bias on questionnaire survey, the effects of personnel, who deliver and gather the questionnaire should be carefully considered in the evaluation of health service satisfaction.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1997

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bony malignancy and its survivorship has been progressed markedly through refined chemotherapy and surgery. But still there are many non-responders and analysis of prognostic factors may be helpful for them. Two hundred and sixty-six patients were enlisted between Mar, 1985 and Sep. 1994. Among them our inclusion criteria were: 1)primary, nonmetastatic classical osteosarcoma 2)extremity in location 3)no prior treatment at other institute and completed neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery according to our protocol. One hundred and eleven cases were eligible. Analyzed factors were:age, sex, location, tumor size, and pathologic response. Statistical methods were log-rank test for univariate and Cox's test for multivariate analysis. Male to female ratio was 69:42 with an average age of 17.2 years. Locations of tumor were distal femur 59, proximal tibia 29, and proximal humerus 8. Tumor size were measured by its maximal diameter and 48 cases were above 10cm and 47 cases were below 10cm. For pathologic response, 57 cases showed more than 90% and 54 cases were less than that. Limb salvage procedure was 101 cases and amputation was 10 cases and their local recurrence rate were 3.6%. Average follow-up period was 24(9-78.2) months and their final status was CDF 86, AWD 8, NED 5, and DOD 12 cases. In univariate study: type of operation(p=0.005), tumor size(p=0.005), and pathologic response(p=0.02) were significant variables. Pathologic response(p=0.03) and type of operation(p=0.01) were meaningful prognostic factors on multivariate analysis. But the latter result was interpreted as a bias, so pathologic response remained as a sole meaningful prognostic factor. More aggressive chemotherapy will be needed to improve the survival.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.2096-2101
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• 2020

Background: The effect of mobilization on lumbar back pain has been fully described in several clinical aspects, but evidence for muscle strength would be still less clear. Objective: To assess the effect of lumbar mobilization on lower limb strength in healthy individuals. Methods and Analysis: Healthy people aged 18-65 will be included regardless of race or sex. Original peer-reviewed primary reporting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) will be included. Electronic databases, such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Pedro, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov will be searched from inception until July 30. Only studies published in English will be included in this review. Two reviewers will complete the screening for eligibility independently, and the other two reviewers will also complete the risks of data extraction and bias assessment independently. Lower Limb strength will be assessed as primary outcome, and particular intervention or participant characteristics will be assessed as the secondary outcomes. Meta-analysis will be conducted using Review Manager 5.3.3, and evidence level will be assessed using the method for Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Outcomes will be presented as the weighted mean difference or standardized mean difference with 95% CI. If I² ≤ 50%, P>.1, the fixed effect model will be used, otherwise, random-effects model will be used. Ethics and dissemination: This review might not be necessary ethical approval because it does not require individual patient's data; these findings will be published in conference presentations or peer-reviewed journal articles. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020150144.

• Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.238-247
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• 2018

Background: We aimed to estimate the proportion of patients with diabetes who achieved target glycemic control, to estimate diabetes-related costs attributable to poor control, and to identify factors associated with them in the United Arab Emirates. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used administrative claims data handled by Abu Dhabi Health Authority (January 2010 to June 2012) to determine glycemic control and diabetes-related treatment costs. A total of 4,058 patients were matched using propensity scores to eliminate selection bias between patients with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) <7% and HbA1c ${\geq}7%$. Diabetes-related costs attributable to poor control were estimated using a recycled prediction method. Factors associated with glycemic control were investigated using logistic regression and factors associated with these costs were identified using a generalized linear model. Results: During the 1-year follow-up period, 46.6% of the patients achieved HbA1c <7%. Older age, female sex, better insurance coverage, non-use of insulin in the index diagnosis month, and non-use of antidiabetic medications during the follow-up period were significantly associated with improved glycemic control. The mean diabetes-related annual costs were $2,282 and $2,667 for patients with and without glycemic control, respectively, and the cost attributable to poor glycemic control was $172 (95% confidence interval [CI], $164-180). The diabetes-related costs were lower with mean HbA1c levels <7% (cost ratio, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.88-0.99). The costs were significantly higher in patients aged ${\geq}65$ years than those aged ${\leq}44$ years (cost ratio, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.25-1.70). Conclusion: More than 50% of patients with diabetes had poorly controlled HbA1c. Poor glycemic control may increase diabetes-related costs.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.333-343
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• 2019

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the association between dental implants and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: Data were collected from the baseline survey (2016-2017) of the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study. The study sample comprised 1115 community-dwelling people aged 70 years to 84 years who had 0-19 natural teeth. Dental implants and natural teeth were identified by panoramic radiography, while the cognitive function was assessed by the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-KC). The association between dental implants and cognitive function was analyzed by multiple linear regression. Sensitivity analysis was performed to test for potential bias. Results: The mean number of natural teeth in the study population was 9.50 (standard deviation [SD], 6.42), and the mean MMSE-KC score was 24.93 (SD, 3.55). In the simple univariate analysis, tooth replacement, age, sex, smoking status, alcohol consumption, body mass index, osteoporosis, number of natural teeth, periodontitis, chewing discomfort, tooth-brushing frequency, education level, monthly household income, participation in economic activity, living alone, and marital status had a significant impact on the association. After adjusting for confounders, the association between dental implants and cognitive function remained significant (B, 0.85; standard error, 0.40; p<0.05). Age, body mass index, periodontitis, tooth-brushing frequency, and education level were also significantly associated with cognitive function. The results of the sensitivity analyses were consistent with those of the primary analysis. Conclusions: Dental implants were associated with cognitive function in older adults living in the community. Dental implants as tooth replacements may play a role in preserving cognitive function.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2021

Background: This study aimed to determine the parameters for worsening oxygenation in non-severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included cases of confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia in a public hospital in South Korea. The worsening oxygenation group was defined as that with SpO₂ ≤94% or received oxygen or mechanical ventilation (MV) throughout the clinical course versus the non-worsening oxygenation group that did not experience any respiratory event. Parameters were compared, and the extent of viral pneumonia from an initial chest computed tomography (CT) was calculated using artificial intelligence (AI) and measured visually by a radiologist. Results: We included 136 patients, with 32 (23.5%) patients in the worsening oxygenation group; of whom, two needed MV and one died. Initial vital signs and duration of symptoms showed no difference between the two groups; however, univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a variety of parameters on admission were associated with an increased risk of a desaturation event. A subset of patients was studied to eliminate potential bias, that ferritin ≥280 ㎍/L (p=0.029), lactate dehydrogenase ≥240 U/L (p=0.029), pneumonia volume (p=0.021), and extent (p=0.030) by AI, and visual severity scores (p=0.042) were the predictive parameters for worsening oxygenation in a sex-, age-, and comorbid illness-matched case-control study using propensity score (n=52). Conclusion: Our study suggests that initial CT evaluated by AI or visual severity scoring as well as serum markers of inflammation on admission are significantly associated with worsening oxygenation in this COVID-19 pneumonia cohort.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.141-153
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the prevalence and extension of the anterior loop (AL) of the mental nerve in different populations and according to different cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging settings. Materials and Methods: Medline/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest were searched. The main inclusion criterion was ALs evaluated in CBCT images. The quality of studies was assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute risk of bias checklist. Subgroup analyses were conducted for sex, side, continent, voxel size, field of view, and type of CBCT-reconstruction images with a random-effects model. Results: Sixty-three studies with 13,743 participants (27,075 hemimandibles) were included. An AL was found in 40.6% (95% CI: 32.8%-48.9%, P<0.05) of participants and 36.0% (95% CI: 27.5%-45.5%, P<0.05) of hemimandibles, in 34.9% (95% CI: 25.1%-46.2%, P<0.05) of males and 34.5% (95% CI: 23.5%-47.4%, P<0.05) of females. The average length of ALs was 2.39 mm (95% CI: 2.07-2.70 mm, P<0.05). Their extension was 2.13 mm (95% CI: 1.54-2.73 mm, P<0.05) in males and 1.85 mm (95% CI: 1.35-2.36 mm, P<0.05) in females. Significant differences were observed regarding the prevalence and length of ALs among continents and for its measured length on different CBCT-reconstruction images, but not between other subgroups. Conclusion: AL was a relatively common finding. The voxel size and fields of view of CBCT devices were adequate for assessing AL; however, a 2-mm safety margin from anatomical structures(such as the AL) could be recommended to be considered when using CBCT imaging.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.366-378
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to develop a sodium index, which is a tool for estimating and assessing sodium intake easily and quickly, to assist in the prevention of various diseases induced by excess sodium intake in Korean adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The 24-h urine collection and dietary behavior surveys were performed on 640 healthy people in 4 regions of South Korea, and an equation for the estimation of 24-h sodium intake was developed. The validity and reliability of the equation were verified with 200 adults. The sodium index was developed by converting the estimated sodium intake using the equation. Finally, the sodium intake status of 1,600 adults was assessed using the sodium index. RESULTS: The equation included sex, age, body mass index, eating habit and dietary behaviors related to sodium intake. In validity test of the equation, the mean bias between sodium intake using 24-h urine analysis and using the equation from the Bland-Altman plots was -1.5 mg/day. The sensitivity and specificity of the equation for estimation of sodium intake were 80.5% and 64.4%, respectively. In the reliability test of the equation, there was no significant difference between the first and second sodium intakes calculated using the equations, and Spearman's correlation coefficient between the 2 sodium intakes was 0.98. Sodium intake can be assessed as 'very moderate' for 75-100 on the sodium index, 'moderate' for 100-150, 'careful' for less than 75 or 150-200, and 'severe' for 250 or more. When sodium intake was assessed using the sodium index in 1,600 subjects, 54.3% and 24.3% of the subjects were assessed to be in the 'careful' and 'severe' categories, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Using a simple questionnaire, the sodium index can be used to monitor and assess sodium intake status, assisting in nutrition education and counseling in a large population.