• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.109-119
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• 2024

Objectives: This study is aimed to survey public's experience of medical use for developing Korean medicine clinical practice guideline of female infertility. Methods: The study engaged women who had experienced infertility despite regular conjugal relations, selected from an online survey company's national panel. Participants were surveyed from November 3 to 8, 2021. The questionnaire, developed from prior studies on Korean medicine, was emailed to 29,465 adults; 550 responses were analyzed after exclusions. The study received an IRB exemption from Pusan National University Korean Medicine Hospital and utilized Microsoft Excel for statistical analysis. Results: Among 550 respondents, 32.2% had experienced infertility, predominantly due to unexplained causes (52%). About half had received medical treatment (49.3%), primarily at hospitals and general hospitals (54.2%) and obstetrics and gynecology clinics (49.4%), with Korean medicine facilities also utilized (24.7% for clinics, 14.4% for hospitals). The most common treatments included herbal medicine in Korean medicine and ovulation induction in Western medicine, with most treatments lasting less than six months (71.4%) and costing between 1 to 5 million won (50.5%). Efforts to conceive included lifestyle adjustments such as maintaining a warm lower abdomen, supplement intake, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco. Conclusions: It is necessary that the guidelines be revised to address female infertility and to integrate recommendations for combining Korean medical treatments and Western medical treatments, which will enhance patient care in managing female infertility.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.78-85
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• 2023

Objectives: Weight gain is one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism and it could deteriorate thyroid function. Our objectives are to evaluate weight changes and analyze adverse events in overweight and obese women with hypothyroidism who were prescribed Gamitaeeumjowee-tang. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted using medical records of patients with hypothyroidism, who had body mass indexes (BMI) above 23 and were prescribed Gamitaeeumjowee-tang for 12 weeks between August 2017 and November 2022. Reported adverse events (AEs) were assessed by severity, causality and system-organ classes. Results: Thirty patients were included (mean±standard deviation, age 46.10±9.94 years, weight 70.52±11.18 kg, BMI 28.30±3.80 kg/m²). The mean total weight loss of hypothyroidism patients was 5.45±2.77 kg, while the mean weight loss rate and mean BMI change were 7.66±3.41% and 2.18±1.07 kg/m², respectively. Among evaluated causality of adverse events, 'Unlikely' was predominant (80.8%) and severity assessment showed most of the symptoms were mild (91.7%). Conclusions: Gamitaeeumjowee-tang could be an option for hypothyroidism patients, who are overweight or obese, to lose weight and no serious adverse events occurred. Further well-designed clinical studies are recommended.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.62-70
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• 2024

Purpose: Choledochal cysts are congenital anomalies that occur as localized cystic or fusiform dilatations of the biliary tree. Reflux and stasis of pancreatic enzymes in the biliary duct may relate to the development of intestinal metaplasia which might be an important factor related to the carcinogenesis of choledochal cyst, thus the expression of beta-catenin in the metaplastic epithelium might be associated with malignant transformation of choledochal cyst epithelium. Methods: This study was conducted at a tertiary care pediatric center between October 2014 and March 2017. Forty patients were evaluated for epithelial lining, mural ulceration, fibrosis, inflammation, and metaplasia. Results: Out of 40, 12 cases (30.0%) were the infantile age group and 28 cases (70.0%) were in the classic pediatric group. Ulceration was classified as grade 0 (14 cases, 35.0%), grade 1 (17 cases, 42.5%), or grade 2 (nine cases, 22.5%). Inflammation was classified as grade 0 (2 cases, 5.0%), grade 1 (26 cases, 65.0%), or grade 2 (12 cases, 30.0%). Fibrosis was classified as grade 0 (five cases, 12.5%), grade 1 (11 cases, 27.5%), grade 2 (17 cases, 42.5%), or grade 3 (seven cases, 17.5%). Metaplasia was noted in five (12.5%) out of 40 cases. All choledochal cysts with metaplasia showed beta-catenin nuclear positivity on immunohistochemistry and were followed up. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of detailed histopathological examination and documentation of metaplastic changes. Metaplasia was associated with beta-catenin nuclear positivity. These findings suggest a potential role for beta-catenin as a marker of metaplastic changes in choledochal cysts.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.85-93
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• 2024

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between high-intensity physical activity (work) and beverage intake frequency among Koreans. The data used in this study were obtained from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(KNHANES) conducted in 2021. Statistical analyses, including χ²-test, and binary logistic regression, were conducted to examine group differences(p<0.05). It was found that 63.6% of the group consumed carbonated water once a week or less, and 68.6% consumed energy drinks once a week or less. These results indicated that carbonated water and energy drinks were more frequently consumed among individuals engaging in high-intensity physical activity(work), and that the majority of beverages were consumed once a week or less. Based on the findings of this study, it was hoped that the results can serve as a basis for the development of healthier alternative beverages to replace carbonated water and energy drinks during high-intensity physical activity(work). Additionally, it highlights the importance of exploring new approaches that promote health and the need for intervention programs aimed at improving health.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.41-50
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• 2024

Korea is facing a significant problem with historically low fertility rates, which is becoming a major social issue affecting the economy, labor force, and national security. This study analyzes the factors contributing to the regional gap in fertility rates and derives policy implications. The government and local authorities are implementing a range of policies to address the issue of low fertility. To establish an effective strategy, it is essential to identify the primary factors that contribute to regional disparities. This study identifies these factors and explores policy implications through machine learning and explainable artificial intelligence. The study also examines the influence of media and public opinion on childbirth in Korea by incorporating news and online community sentiment, as well as sentiment fear indices, as independent variables. To establish the relationship between regional fertility rates and factors, the study employs four machine learning models: multiple linear regression, XGBoost, Random Forest, and Support Vector Regression. Support Vector Regression, XGBoost, and Random Forest significantly outperform linear regression, highlighting the importance of machine learning models in explaining non-linear relationships with numerous variables. A factor analysis using SHAP is then conducted. The unemployment rate, Regional Gross Domestic Product per Capita, Women's Participation in Economic Activities, Number of Crimes Committed, Average Age of First Marriage, and Private Education Expenses significantly impact regional fertility rates. However, the degree of impact of the factors affecting fertility may vary by region, suggesting the need for policies tailored to the characteristics of each region, not just an overall ranking of factors.

• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.223-231
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• 2024

This study aims to determine whether gender moderates the impact of grit on academic achievement through learning engagement among Chinese high school students. Data were collected through an online survey targeting 345 high school students purposively sampled from a high school in Guangdong, China. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS PC+ Win ver. 25.0 and SPSS PROCESS macro ver. 4.2. The applied statistical methods were frequency analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and moderated mediation effect analysis. The conclusion of the study is as follows. First, grit had a significant positive correlation with learning engagement and academic achievement but no significant correlation with gender. Learning engagement showed a positive correlation with gender and academic achievement. Second, gender moderated the effect of grit on academic achievement through learning engagement. In other words, the conditional indirect effect of grit on academic achievement through learning engagement was higher for men than for women. Based on these results, this study proposed ways to utilize grit and learning engagement differently according to gender to improve the academic achievement of high school students.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with twin pregnancy following day 3 double embryo transfer (DET). Methods: This retrospective cohort study incorporated data from 16,972 day 3 DET cycles. The participants were women aged between 18 and 45 years who underwent in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) at My Duc Assisted Reproduction Technique Unit (IVFMD), My Duc Hospital, located in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Results: Of the 16,972 day 3 DET cycles investigated, 8,812 (51.9%) resulted in pregnancy. Of these, 6,108 cycles led to clinical pregnancy, with 1,543 (25.3% of clinical pregnancies) being twin pregnancies. Factors associated with twin pregnancy included age under 35 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32 to 1.71; p<0.001) and cycles involving the transfer of at least one grade I embryo. Relative to the transfer of two grade III embryos, the risk of twin pregnancy was significantly elevated following the transfer of two grade I embryos (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.69; p<0.001) or a combination of one grade I and one grade II embryo (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.55; p=0.001). Conclusion: By analyzing a large number of IVF/ICSI cycles, we identified several predictors of twin pregnancy. These findings can assist medical professionals in tailoring treatment strategies for couples with infertility.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.75-84
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) on clinical outcomes among high-risk patients. Methods: This retrospective study involved 1,368 patients and the same number of cycles, including 520 cycles with PGT-A and 848 cycles without PGT-A. The study participants comprised women of advanced maternal age (AMA) and those affected by recurrent implantation failure (RIF), recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), or severe male factor infertility (SMF). Results: PGT-A was associated with significant improvements in the implantation rate (IR) and the ongoing pregnancy rate/live birth rate (OPR/LBR) per embryo transfer cycle in the AMA (39.3% vs. 16.2% [p<0.001] and 42.0% vs. 21.8% [p<0.001], respectively), RIF (41.7% vs. 22.0% [p<0.001] and 47.0% vs. 28.6% [p<0.001], respectively), and RPL (45.6% vs. 19.5% [p<0.001] and 49.1% vs. 24.2% [p<0.001], respectively) groups, as well as the IR in the SMF group (43.3% vs. 26.5%, p=0.011). Additionally, PGT-A was associated with lower overall incidence rates of early pregnancy loss in the AMA (16.7% vs. 34.3%, p=0.001) and RPL (16.7% vs. 50.0%, p<0.001) groups. However, the OPR/LBR per total cycle across all PGT-A groups did not significantly exceed that for the non-PGT-A groups. Conclusion: PGT-A demonstrated beneficial effects in high-risk patients. However, our findings indicate that these benefits are more pronounced in carefully selected candidates than in the entire high-risk patient population.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.65-74
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• 2024

Purpose: This longitudinal cohort study aimed to evaluate the relationship between osteonecrosis of the jaw and pulp and periapical disease in patients who were administered bisphosphonates. Methods: Using data from a nationwide cohort, we examined the association among dental caries, pulp and periapical disease, and osteonecrosis of the jaw in women aged >50 years who received bisphosphonates for more than 1 year between 2002 and 2015. Because of ambiguities in the diagnosis of osteonecrosis of the jaw in population-based data, we operationally defined and categorized the condition into established and potential osteonecrosis of the jaw. Results: Pulp and periapical disease significantly increased the development of both established and potential osteonecrosis of the jaw (hazard ratio, 2.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.40-3.48; and hazard ratio, 2.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.65-2.98, respectively). Root canal treatment did not have any influence on the development of osteonecrosis of the jaw. Conclusions: Pulp and periapical disease may be a major risk factor for osteonecrosis of the jaw. The study findings suggest that patients should undergo regular dental examinations to detect pulp and periapical disease before or during the administration of bisphosphonates and that root canal treatment should be considered to decrease the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the oxygen saturation measured at fingertips with unpolished and self-artificial nails (sticker, tip) using a portable pulse oximeter. Methods: The sample comprised 27 women who had used nail care services. Using a pulse oximeter, oxygen saturation was measured at fingertips with unpolished nails in a stable state. Self-fabricated sticker and tip nails were attached to the right and left hands, respectively, using five nail colors (black, blue, green, purple, and brown). Oxygen saturation was measured at fingertips with self-fabricated nails first in the usual manner and then measured again by rotating the oximeter by 90°. Values of oxygen saturation were compared and analyzed using the Friedman test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test with Bonferroni correction using IBM SPSS 26.0. Results: Oxygen saturation values were significantly different among colors for both sticker nails (p=.036) and tip nails (p=.000), with black self-artificial nails tending to demonstrate lower oxygen saturation. Moreover, oxygen saturation values obtained by measuring the usual way on unpolished nails was significantly different than those obtained by rotating the oximeter by 90° on thumb with sticker (p=.001) and tip nails (p=.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that oxygen saturation should be measured on other fingers except for thumb instead of removing the self-artificial nails in emergency situations. For patients with black self-artificial nails, is the findings recommend measuring oxygen saturation at other body parts such as toes, earlobes, forehead, etc.