• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.578-589
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• 2023

Background/Aims: The safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in hepatic cirrhosis and the impact of Child-Pugh class on post-ERCP complications need to be better studied. We investigated the post-ERCP complication rates in patients with cirrhosis compared with those without cirrhosis. Methods: We conducted a literature search of relevant databases to identify studies that reported post-ERCP complications in patients with hepatic cirrhosis. Results: Twenty-four studies comprising 28,201 patients were included. The pooled incidence of post-ERCP complications in cirrhosis was 15.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.8%-19.2%; I²=96.2%), with an individual pooled incidence of pancreatitis 5.1% (95% CI, 3.1%-7.2%; I²=91.5%), bleeding 3.6% (95% CI, 2.8%-4.5%; I²=67.5%), cholangitis 2.9% (95% CI, 1.9%-3.8%; I²=83.4%), and perforation 0.3% (95% CI, 0.1%-0.5%; I²=3.7%). Patients with cirrhosis had a greater risk of post-ERCP complications (risk ratio [RR], 1.41; 95% CI, 1.16-1.71; I²=56.3%). The risk of individual odds of adverse events between cirrhosis and non-cirrhosis was as follows: pancreatitis (RR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.06-1.48; I²=24.8%), bleeding (RR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.59-2.37; I²=0%), cholangitis (RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.77-1.70; I²=12%), and perforation (RR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.59-2.43; I²=0%). Conclusions: Cirrhosis is associated with an increased risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis, bleeding, and cholangitis.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.141-158
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• 2020

Skin is a major thermoregulatory organ in the body controlling homeothermy, a critical function for climate adaptation. We compared genes expressed between tropical- and temperate-adapted cattle to better understand genes involved in climate adaptation and hence thermoregulation. We profiled the skin of representative tropical and temperate cattle using RNA-seq. A total of 214,754,759 reads were generated and assembled into 72,993,478 reads and were mapped to unique regions in the bovine genome. Gene coverage of unique regions of the reference genome showed that of 24,616 genes, only 13,130 genes (53.34%) displayed more than one count per million reads for at least two libraries and were considered suitable for downstream analyses. Our results revealed that of 255 genes expressed differentially, 98 genes were upregulated in tropically-adapted White Fulani (WF; Bos indicus) and 157 genes were down regulated in WF compared to Angus, AG (Bos taurus). Fifteen pathways were identified from the differential gene sets through gene ontology and pathway analyses. These include the significantly enriched melanin metabolic process, proteinaceous extracellular matrix, inflammatory response, defense response, calcium ion binding and response to wounding. Quantitative PCR was used to validate six representative genes which are associated with skin thermoregulation and epithelia dysfunction (mean correlation 0.92; p < 0.001). Our results contribute to identifying genes and understanding molecular mechanisms of skin thermoregulation that may influence strategic genomic selection in cattle to withstand climate adaptation, microbial invasion and mechanical damage.

• International Journal of Heart Failure
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.76-81
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• 2024

Background and Objectives: Real-world clinical data, outside of clinical trials and expert centers, on adverse events related to the use of SyncCardia total artificial heart (TAH) remain limited. We aim to analyze adverse events related to the use of SynCardia TAH reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s Manufacturers and User Defined Experience (MAUDE) database. Methods: We reviewed the FDA's MAUDE database for any adverse events involving the use of SynCardia TAH from 1/01/2012 to 9/30/2020. All the events were independently reviewed by three physicians. Results: A total of 1,512 adverse events were identified in 453 "injury and death" reports in the MAUDE database. The most common adverse events reported were infection (20.2%) and device malfunction (20.1%). These were followed by bleeding events (16.5%), respiratory failure (10.1%), cerebrovascular accident (CVA)/other neurological dysfunction (8.7%), renal dysfunction (7.5%), hepatic dysfunction (2.2%), thromboembolic events (1.8%), pericardial effusion (1.8%), and hemolysis (1%). Death was reported in 49.4% of all the reported cases (n=224/453). The most common cause of death was multiorgan failure (n=73, 32.6%), followed by CVA/other non-specific neurological dysfunction (n=44, 19.7%), sepsis (n=24, 10.7%), withdrawal of support (n=20, 8.9%), device malfunction (n=11, 4.9%), bleeding (n=7, 3.1%), respiratory failure (n=7, 3.1%), gastrointestinal disorder (n=6, 2.7%), and cardiomyopathy (n=3, 1.3%). Conclusions: Infection was the most common adverse event following the implantation of TAH. Most of the deaths reported were due to multiorgan failure. Early recognition and management of any possible adverse events after the TAH implantation are essential to improve the procedural outcome and patient survival.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.1058-1071
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• 1999

Although healthy lifestyles have been proved as an effective way of improving higher well-beings for individuals. researches on health-promoting behaviors of minority elderly with a specific ethnic heritage have been sparsely tried. This study was designed to explore health-promoting lifestyle patterns of Korean immigrant elderly living in Seattle, USA and its relationships with two associated perceptual variables, self-esteem and perceived health status. One hundred ten Korean immigrant elderly were recruited from two senior centers and interviewed with a structured questionnaire. Data were collected from October 1998 to January 1999, and analyzed using SPSS program through which t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson Correlation Coefficients were tested. As the results, the mean HPLP score of the Korean immigrant elderly was 2.54 (SD ＝ .36), showing significant differences by education (F ＝ 3.61, P ＝ .016), economic status (F ＝ 3.01, P ＝ .034), and current health status (F ＝ 3.69, p ＝ .008). In self-esteem, two socioeconomic variables showed statistical association with self-esteem : marital status (t ＝ 2.47, P ＝ .015) and living situation (F ＝ 4.03, p ＝ .021). The HPLP subscales that showed higher mean scores were nutrition (M ＝ 3.01, SD ＝ .52) and interpersonal support (M ＝ 2.65, SD ＝ .47) while lower mean scores were detected in the domain of exercise (M ＝ 1.92, SD ＝ .74) and stress management (M ＝ 2.26, SD ＝ .47). Perceived health status revealed significant positive correlation with health-promoting lifestyle patterns (r ＝ .19, P ＝ .043) and self-esteem (r ＝ .32, P ＝ .001) in the present study. It is concluded that engagement in health-promoting lifestyle patterns should be actively encouraged to enhance personal health of Korean immigrant elderly. Developing health promotion programs focused on exercise and stress management is also imperatively suggested not only for better health practices of Korean immigrant elderly population but also for enhancing their level of well-beings and life satisfaction.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.642-647
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• 1993

Monolayers of pure surfactant squaraine, DSSQ(4-distearyl amino phenyl-4'-dimethylaminophenylsquaraine), were deposited on $SnO_2 $ electrodes by the Langmuir-Blodgett film technique. The DSSQ film exhibits ${\lambda}_{max}$ at ∼530 nm. The absorption is significantly red-shifted from the solution of DSSQ (633 nm in chloroform), suggesting that the squaraine chromophores form aggregates in the LB film. The photogeneration of the squaraine aggregates is studied by measuring the photocurrents in photoelectrochemical cells consisting of the squaraine of the aggregates is found to parallel its absorption spectrum and quantum efficiency as high as 0.3% has been observed. While the photocurrent was attenuated exponentially when stearic acid layers (up to 8 layers) are inserted between the squaraine layer and the electrode, it is nearly extinguished when the squaraine layer is over-coated with 2 layers of stearic acid. A model for the observation is proposed and the roles of the electrolytes and oxygen on the photogeneration process will be discussed.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.247-253
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of real-time visual feedback gait training on gait stability in older adults. Method: Twelve older adults participated in this study, being divided into 2 groups including a) visual feedback (VF) and b) non-visual feedback (NVF) groups. For 4 weeks, VF performed a treadmill walking training with real-time visual feedback about their postural information while NVF performed a normal treadmill walking training. For evaluations of gait stability, kinematic data of 15-minute treadmill walking were collected from depth-based motion capture system (30 Hz, exbody, Korea). Given that step lengths in both right and left sides were determined based on kinematic data, three variables including step difference, coefficient of variation, approximate entropy were calculated to evaluate gait symmetry, variability and complexity, respectively. Results: For research findings, VF exhibited significant improvements in gait stability after 4-week training in comparison to NVF, particularly in gait symmetry and complexity measures. However, greater improvement in gait variability was observed in NVF than VF. Conclusion: Given that visual feedback walking gives potential effectiveness on gait stability in older adults, gait training with visual feedback may be a robust therapeutic intervention in people with gait disturbances like instability or falls.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.397-404
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• 2022

Background Excessive use of corticosteroids therapy along with gross immunocompromised conditions in the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has raised the risks of contracting opportunistic fungal infections. Here, we describe our experience with the implementation of a surgical protocol to treat and reconstruct rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis. Methods A retrospective review of our prospectively maintained database was conducted on consecutive patients diagnosed with mucormycosis undergoing immediate reconstruction utilizing our "Mucormycosis Management Protocol." All patients included in this study underwent reconstruction after recovering from COVID-19. Wide local excision was performed in all cases removing all suspected and edematous tissue. Reconstruction was done primarily after clear margins were achieved on clinical assessment under a cover of injectable liposomal amphotericin B. Results Fourteen patients were included. The average age was 43.6 years and follow-up was 24.3 days. Thirteen patients had been admitted for inpatient care of COVID-19. Steroid therapy was implemented for 2 weeks in 11 patients and for 3 weeks in 3 patients. Eight patients (57.1%) had a maxillectomy and mucosal lining resection with/without skin excision, and six patients (42.8%) underwent maxillectomy and wide tissue excision (maxillectomy and partial zygomatic resection, orbital exenteration, orbital floor resection, nose debridement, or skull base debridement). Anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps were used to cover defects in all patients. All flaps survived. No major or minor complications occurred. No recurrence of mucormycosis was noted. Conclusion The approach presented in this study indicates that immediate reconstruction is safe and reliable in cases when appropriate tissue resection is accomplished. Further studies are required to verify the external validity of these findings.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.141-148
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• 2011

Annual epidemics of seasonal influenza occur during autumn and winter in temperate regions and have imposed substantial public health and economic burdens. At the global level, these epidemics cause about 3-5 million severe cases of illness and about 0.25-0.5 million deaths each year. Although annual vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the disease and its severe outcomes, influenza vaccination coverage rates have been at suboptimal levels in many countries. For instance, the coverage rates among the elderly in 20 developed nations in 2008 ranged from 21% to 78% (median 65%). In the U.S., influenza vaccination levels among elderly population appeared to reach a "plateau" of about 70% after the late 1990s, and levels among child populations have remained at less than 50%. In addition, disparities in the coverage rates across subpopulations within a country present another important public health issue. New approaches are needed for countries striving both to improve their overall coverage rates and to eliminate disparities. This review article aims to describe a broad conceptual framework of vaccination, and to illustrate four potential determinants of influenza vaccination based on empirical analyses of U.S. nationally representative populations. These determinants include the ongoing influenza epidemic level, mass media reporting on influenza-related topics, reimbursement rate for providers to administer influenza vaccination, and vaccine supply. It additionally proposes specific policy implications, derived from these empirical analyses, to improve the influenza vaccination coverage rate and associated disparities in the U.S., which could be generalizable to other countries.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.4107-4111
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• 2016

Background: Oral cancers account for approximately 2% of all cancers diagnosed each year; however, the vast majority (80%) of the affected individuals are smokers whose risk of developing a lesion is five to nine times greater than that of non-smokers. Tobacco smoke contains numerous carcinogens that cause DNA damage, including oxidative lesions that are removed effectively by the base-excision repair (BER) pathway, in which poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1), plays key roles. Genetic variations in the genes encoding DNA repair enzymes may alter their functions. Several studies reported mixed effects on the association between PARP-1 variants and the risk of cancer development. Till now no reported studies have investigated the association between PARP-1 variants and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) risk in an Indian population. Materials and Methods: In the present case control study 100 OSCC patients and 100 matched controls were genotyped using PARP1 single nucleotide peptides (SNP's) rs1136410 and rs3219090 using TaqMan assays. Results: The results indicated significantly higher risk with PARP1 rs1136410 minor allele "C" (OR=1.909; p=0.02942; CI, 1.060-3.439). SNP rs1136410 also showed significantly increased risk in patients with smoking habit at C/C genotype and at minor allele C. Conclusions: The PAPR-1 Ala762Val polymorphism may play a role in progression of OSCC. Larger studies with a greater number of samples are needed to verify these findings.

• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.349-360
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• 2016

This cross-national study examines the similarities and differences between Korean and U.S. pre-service teachers' views on equitable mathematics teaching. Pre-service teachers enrolled in mathematics education courses at the two sites (Korea, n=51; U.S., n=33) were administered a survey consisting of the following: (a) items about pre-service teachers' views on equity relative to mathematical ability, classroom policies and practices, and access to learning opportunities, (b) items about pre-service teachers' agreement in their views on recommended practices, and (c) items about participants' past learning experiences in an equitable learning environment as students. Similarities were found between the sites regarding the following: (a) advocating for equitable mathematics teaching, and (b) conceptualizing equitable teaching as a way to support the learning of less capable students. Differences were found with regard to nurturing growth mindsets in mathematics; positioning toward equal opportunities and outcomes in learning; and relating to grouping as collaborative learning strategies.