• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.555-563
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pancreatic fat fraction (PFF) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children with and without obesity and to correlate PFF with body mass index (BMI) z-score, hepatic fat fraction (HFF), and ultrasonography-derived pancreato-perihepatic fat index (PPHFI). Methods: This prospective study included 45 children with obesity and 19 without obesity (control group). PFF and HFF were quantitatively assessed using the abdominal multi-echo Dixon method for MRI. The PPHFI was assessed using transabdominal ultrasonography. Anthropometric, MRI, and ultrasonographic characteristics were compared between the two groups. Correlations between PFF, HFF, PPHFI, and BMI z-scores in each group were also analyzed. Results: The PFF, HFF, PPHFI, and BMI z-score were higher in the group with obesity than in the control group (PFF: 6.65±3.42 vs. 1.78±0.55, HFF: 19.5±13.0 vs. 2.31±1, PPHFI: 3.65 ±1.63 vs. 0.94±0.31, BMI z-score: 2.27±0.56 vs. 0.42±0.54, p<0.01, respectively). PFF was correlated with BMI z-scores, PPHFI, and HFF in the obesity group, and multivariate analysis showed that PFF was strongly correlated with BMI z-score and PPHFI (p<0.05). The BMI z-score was strongly correlated with PFF in the control group (p<0.01). Conclusion: These results suggest that MRI-derived PFF measures are associated with childhood obesity. PFF and PPHFI were also highly correlated in the obesity group. Therefore, PFF may be an objective index of pancreatic fat content and has the potential for clinical utility as a non-invasive biomarker for the assessment of childhood obesity.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.84-91
• /
• 2000

Purpose: To improve the recovery of growth deficit after renal transplantation in children, we analysed the factors affecting height growth after renal transplantation. Methods: We reviewed medical records of fifty-six children in whom height data were available for three years after transplantation. All height data were converted into Z-scores. We analyzed the effects of sex, age at transplantation, cumulative mean steroid dose for 3 years, serum creatinine levels, height at transplantation, donor source and history of prior dialysis on patients' z-scores and delta Zs. Results: The Z-scores at transplantation were lower in patients of younger age (P=0.007). When baseline Z-scores were lower, the delta Zs were higher (P<0.01), but the Z-scores after transplantation were still lower (P<0.001). According to the analysis of the partial correlation coefficients, Z-scores and delta Zs at 1 year after transplantation were higher in groups of younger age and of lower steroid dosages (P<0.05). The delta Zs at 6 month and 1 year after transplantation were lower in the group with abnormally higher serum creatinine (P<0.05). There was no difference in Z-scores between groups of different genders, donor sources, and histories of previous dialysis. Conclusion: The children of younger age, on lower steroid dosage, with less growth retardation at transplantation, and with normal graft function had better height growth recoveries after renal transplantation.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.169-176
• /
• 2014

This research discusses the characteristics and the implementation strategies for two types of quality metrics to analyze innovation effects in six sigma projects: fixed specification type and moving specification type. $Z_{st}$, $P_{pk}$ are quality metrics of fixed specification type that are influenced by predetermined specification. In contrast, the quality metrics of moving specification type such as Strictly Standardized Mean Difference(SSMD), Z-Score, F-Statistic and t-Statistic are independent from predetermined specification. $Z_{st}$ sigma level obtains defective rates of Parts Per Million(PPM) and Defects Per Million Opportunities(DPMO). However, the defective rates between different industrial sectors are incomparable due to their own technological inherence. In order to explore relative method to compare defective rates between different industrial sectors, the ratio of specification and natural tolerance called, $P_{pk}$, is used. The drawback of this $P_{pk}$ metric is that it is highly dependent on the specification. The metrics of F-Statistic and t-Statistic identify innovation effect by comparing before-and-after of accuracy and precision. These statistics are not affected by specification, but affected by type of statistical distribution models and sample size. Hence, statistical significance determined by above two statistics cannot give a same conclusion as practical significance. In conclusion, SSMD and Z-Score are the best quality metrics that are uninfluenced by fixed specification, theoretical distribution model and arbitrary sample size. Those metrics also identify the innovation effects for before-and-after of accuracy and precision. It is beneficial to use SSMD and Z-Score methods along with popular methods of $Z_{st}$ sigma level and $P_{pk}$ that are commonly employed in six sigma projects. The case studies from national six sigma contest from 2011 to 2012 are proposed and analyzed to provide the guidelines for the usage of quality metrics for quality practitioners.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.127-134
• /
• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study of normal elderly and stroke patients by comparing the dominant side and recessive side was to evaluate the differents between each Methods : Thirty-two elderly participated in this study. They were classified two groups: stroke patients group and the normal elderly group. Outcome measures were: general characteristics and BMD. General characteristics included age, height, weight and body mass index. BMD was represented in the osteoporosis index, T-score and Z-score. The measurements of bone mineral density were evaluated on the calcaneus region of the dominant and recessive side, using OsteoPro. The data analyzed using SPSS 17.0 software and the Paired-sample T-test and the Independent-sample T-test Results : OI, T-score, Z-score showed no significant differences between dominant side and recessive side in normal elderly group. But stroke patients group showed OI, T-score, Z-score significant differences between paretic side and nonparetic side. Change score subtracted recessive side from dominant side was significant differences between stroke patients group and normal elderly group. Conclusion : There is positive relationship between physical activity and BMD in stroke patients. Therefore, improved physical activity can have a beneficial effect by reducing osteoporosis in stroke patients, considering a positive relationship between physical activity and BMD.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.470-482
• /
• 2021

Purpose: We investigated the relationship between sonographic measurements of fatty liver and body mass index standard deviation score (BMI-Z score), abdominal wall fat thickness (AWFT), and serum biochemical parameters in childhood obesity. Methods: Anthropometric, laboratory, and ultrasonography data were obtained from 174 children with BMI-Z score >1. After the qualitative grading of hepatosteatosis (grades 0-3), the quantitative liver-kidney echogenicity ratio (LKER) was calculated using a software tool. Groups according to sex, age (AG-I to AG-III), BMI-Z score (BMG-I to BMG-III), and hepatosteatosis degree (HS-I and HS-II) were formed. The differences and distributions of the variables were statistically analyzed and compared among the groups. Results: Serum transaminase and glucose levels showed a positive correlation with LKER, whereas the HDL level showed a negative correlation. BMI-Z score and AWFT showed a positive correlation with fasting insulin level and HOMA-IR value. LKER was significantly higher in girls than in boys (p=0.008). In the AG-I group (age 3-8.9 years), the BMI-Z score was significantly higher, whereas AWFT was significantly lower than in the other age groups (p<0.001). The cutoff point of LKER for predicting grade 2 or higher steatosis (HS-II group) was determined to be 1.83. Cardiovascular disease risk was significantly higher in the HS-II group (p=0.035). Conclusion: As a valuable quantitative measurement tool, LKER can be used for the sonographic screening of fatty liver. AWFT, on the basis of its correlation with fasting insulin level and HOMA-IR value, may be a useful sonographic parameter in the management of childhood obesity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.60 no.11
• /
• pp.373-378
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the statistical properties of four previously developed pediatric coronary artery z score models in healthy Korean children. Methods: The study subjects were 181 healthy Korean children, whose age ranged from 1 month to 15 years. The diameter of each coronary artery was measured using 2-dimensional echocardiography and converted to the z score in the four models (McCrindle, Olivieri, Dallaire, and Japanese model). Descriptive statistical analyses and 1-sample t tests were performed. Results: All calculated z scores had P values of ${\geq}0.050$ using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The one sample t test showed that the mean z scores did not converge to zero except in 1 model, and the mean right coronary artery (RCA) z score was less than zero in all 4 models. The smaller RCA diameter in this study could be associated with the more distal measuring point used to avoid the conal branch. The percentage of subjects with extreme z score values (${\geq}2.0$ and ${\geq}2.5$) for the left main coronary artery (LMCA) seems to be higher in the Dallaire (4.9% and 3.3%) and Japanese models (7.1% and 3.8%). Conclusion: All 4 models showed statistical feasibility of normal distribution. More precise instructions would be needed for the measurement of the RCA. The higher percentage of extreme z scores for the LMCA is compatible with the basic understanding of anatomic variation in the LMCA.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.317-328
• /
• 2021

This study examines the impact of bank competition and efficiency in the financial stability of the banking sector in Bangladesh. The study used the Lerner index and the Boone indicator to represent the bank competition, while the non-performing loan (NPL) and Z-score are used to represent financial stability. The secondary data were collected from the annual reports of 28 DSE listed commercial banks of Bangladesh over the period from 2011 to 2018. Using a dynamic panel GMM model, the study found the Lerner index is significantly negatively related with Z-score, which means that higher bank competition results in higher bank stability. It is also seen that higher cost efficiency results in higher bank stability. The Lerner index has negative, but insignificant impact on NPL. Similarly, using the Boone indicator, this study found that lower competition increases NPL. In terms of the Z-score, the Boone indicator found that 1 unit of increment results in decrease of the Z-score by 6.15 units. The study suggests that, as more competition results in more financial soundness, the banking industry competition should be ensured by policymakers or regulators. Banks could enhance financial stability by cost control to achieve cost efficiency as well as by improving loan-to-asset ratio.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.275-283
• /
• 2022

This study aims to investigate the influence of internal factors on the bankruptcy risk of an enterprise through a sample of 439 companies listed on the Vietnamese stock exchange. The research collected secondary data from annual audited financial statements from 2008 to 2019 of listing companies. Using two different regression models with two dependent variables, six independent and control variables, we discovered that three of the model's six factors, namely return on total assets, current payment rate, and financial leverage, influence the risk of bankruptcy and account for 86.78% of the variations in firm bankruptcy risk. Financial leverage has the opposite effect on the Z-score index, increasing the risk of bankruptcy of listed firms. Return on total assets and current ratio have a positive impact on the Z-score index, reducing the risk of bankruptcy of listed companies. The findings also revealed that there is no evidence that the size of a corporation, its fixed asset investment ratio, or the size of an auditing firm have an impact on the Z-score index. These findings provide crucial evidence for business owners and managers, as well as shareholders making future capital investment decisions. Our findings can be applied to other businesses in Vietnam and similar jurisdictions.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.185-220
• /
• 2014

The purpose of this study is to get a whole picture of financial conditions of the new and renewable energy sector which have been growing rapidly and predict bankruptcy risk quantitatively. There have been many researches on the methodologies for company failure prediction, such as financial ratios as predictors of failure, analysis of corporate governance, risk factors and survival analysis, and others. The research method for this study is Altman Z-score which has been widely used in the world. Data Set was composed of 121 companies with financial statements from KIS-Value. Covering period for the analysis of the data set is from the year 2006 to 2011. As a result of this study, we found that 38 percent of the data set belongs to "Distress" Zone (on alert) while 38% (on watch), summed into 76%, whose level could be interpreted to doubt about the sustainability. The average of the SMEs in wind energy sector was worse than that of SMEs in solar energy sector. And the average of the SMEs in the "Distress" Zone (on alert) was worse than that of the companies of large group in the "Distress" Zone (on alert). In conclusion, Altman Z-score was well proved to be effective for New & Renewable Energy Industry in Korea as a result of this study. The importance of this study lies on the result to demonstrate empirically that the majority of solar and wind enterprises are facing the risk of bankruptcy. And it is also meaningful to have studied the relationship between SMEs and large companies in addition to advancing research on new start-up companies.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.60 no.12
• /
• pp.395-402
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The potential effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatment on the weight of girls with central precocious puberty (CPP) remains a controversy. We investigated anthropometric changes during and after GnRHa treatment among girls with CPP. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated data from 127 girls with CPP who received GnRHa treatment for ${\geq}2years$. Height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) values were compared at the baseline (visit 1), after 1 year of GnRHa treatment (visit 2), the end of GnRHa treatment (visit 3), and 6-12 months after GnRHa discontinuation (visit 4). Results: The height z score for chronological age (CA) increased continuously between visit 1 and visit 4. No significant differences were observed in BMI z score for CA between visits 1 and 4. However, an increasing trend in the BMI z score for bone age (BA) was observed between visits 1 and 4. The numbers of participants who were of normal weight, overweight, and obese were 97, 22, and 8, respectively, at visit 1, compared to 100, 16, and 11, respectively, at visit 4 (P=0.48). Conclusion: Among girls with CPP, the overall BMI z score for CA did not change significantly during or after GnRHa treatment discontinuation, regardless of their BMI status at visit 1. However, the BMI z score for BA showed an increasing trend during GnRHa treatment and a decreasing trend after discontinuation. Therefore, long-term follow-up of BMI changes among girls with CPP is required until they attain adult height.