• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.69-75
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• 2023

Purpose: Maxillofacial trauma predominantly affects young adults between 20 and 40 years of age. Although radioprotection is a legal requirement, the significant potential of dose reduction in computed tomography (CT) is still underused in the clinical routine. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether maxillofacial fractures can be reliably detected and classified using ultra-low-dose CT. Materials and Methods: CT images of 123 clinical cases with maxillofacial fractures were classified by two readers using the AOCOIAC software and compared with the corresponding results from post-treatment images. In group 1, consisting of 97 patients with isolated facial trauma, pre-treatment CT images at different dose levels (volumetric computed tomography dose index: ultra-low dose, 2.6 mGy; low dose, <10 mGy; and regular dose, <20 mGy) were compared with post-treatment cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). In group 2, consisting of 31 patients with complex midface fractures, pre-treatment shock room CT images were compared with post-treatment CT at different dose levels or CBCT. All images were presented in random order and classified by 2 readers blinded to the clinical results. All cases with an unequal classification were re-evaluated. Results: In both groups, ultra-low-dose CT had no clinically relevant effect on fracture classification. Fourteen cases in group 2 showed minor differences in the classification code, which were no longer obvious after comparing the images directly to each other. Conclusion: Ultra-low-dose CT images allowed the correct diagnosis and classification of maxillofacial fractures. These results might lead to a substantial reconsideration of current reference dose levels.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.112-121
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• 2022

Calorie restriction (CR) and the activation of autophagy extend healthspan by delaying the onset of age-associated diseases in most living organisms. Because protein kinase CK2 (CK2) downregulation induces cellular senescence and nematode aging, we investigated CK2's role in CR and autophagy. This study indicated that CR upregulated CK2's expression, thereby causing SIRT1 and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. CK2α overexpression, including antisense inhibitors of miR-186, miR-216b, miR-337-3p, and miR-760, stimulated autophagy initiation and nucleation markers (increase in ATG5, ATG7, LC3BII, beclin-1, and Ulk1, and decrease in SQSTM1/p62). The SIRT1 deacetylase, AKT, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), AMPK, and forkhead homeobox type O (FoxO) 3a were involved in CK2-mediated autophagy. The treatment with the AKT inhibitor triciribine, the AMPK activator AICAR, or the SIRT1 activator resveratrol rescued a reduction in the expression of lgg-1 (the Caenorhabditis elegans ortholog of LC3B), bec1 (the C. elegans ortholog of beclin-1), and unc-51 (the C. elegans ortholog of Ulk1), mediated by kin-10 (the C. elegans ortholog of CK2β) knockdown in nematodes. Thus, this study indicated that CK2 acted as a positive regulator in CR and autophagy, thereby suggesting that these four miRs' antisense inhibitors can be used as CR mimetics or autophagy inducers.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2020.06a
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• pp.14-15
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• 2020

The need for off-site construction has increased in the construction industry in Korea in recent years due to the enforcement of the 52-hour workweek, the increasing age of workers on construction sites, the deepening dependence on overseas workers, and the stagnation of productivity in the construction industry. Thus, studies on OSC started in April 2020. In addition, as a national policy study advocating the modular construction method, which is one of the OSC methods, was completed in the first half of 2019. 70 housing units in two complexes that satisfied the Housing Act requirements have been supplied to citizens. However, although modular construction methods have been recognized as a dramatic construction method that achieves shortened construction schedules and solves the issues of cost reduction and the shortage of technical workers on sites by combining the advantages of the manufacturing industry and applying the economies of scale, realistically it has issues due to the rising cost of steel and a low pre-fabrication ratio. Moreover, the construction time of core parts, such as those built by pouring concrete, has become a factor that hinders the shortening of construction times. Thus, this study aims to propose a precast concrete(PC) modular construction system, which fuses three-dimensional infill as an interior finish material and a three-surface PC module that can acts as a structure for a construction method that is economical and can shorten construction time.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.542-552
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• 2022

The importance of the child-care teacher's job has recently been greatly emphasized due to changes in the transitional social environment, but the performance conditions are poor, requiring management of various job factors. For the purpose of providing information for practical application and institutional support related to child-care teachers, this study selected Flourish, Care that Respects the Rights of Child, and Job Crafting to verify the functional impact relationship and effectiveness. Since there are no domestic studies on child-care teachers using these variables, hierarchical regression analysis was performed on 223 child-care teachers to obtain initial information. As a result of the analysis, only the average difference between groups was found in terms of Flourish according to age and Negative Job Demand Reduction according to working hours. And it was found that the Enhancement of Social Job Resources had a moderating effect. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a new job management strategy based on the information provided by this study and to develop a highly effective reinforcement program for each factor.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.39-44
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• 2019

[Purpose] Weight loss can reduce obesity-induced arterial stiffening that is attributed to decreased inflammation. Angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2) is a pro-inflammatory adipokine that is upregulated in obesity and is important in the progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of dietary modification on circulating ANGPTL2 levels and arterial stiffness in overweight and obese men. [Methods] Twenty-two overweight and obese men (with mean age of 56 ± 2 years and body mass index of 28.6 ± 2.6 kg/m²) completed a 12-week dietary modification program. We measured the arterial compliance and β-stiffness index (as the indices of arterial stiffness) and serum ANGPTL2 levels before and after the program. [Results] After the 12-week dietary modification, body mass and daily energy intake were significantly reduced. Arterial compliance was significantly increased and β-stiffness index was significantly decreased after the 12-week dietary modification program. Serum ANGPTL2 levels were significantly decreased. Also, the changes in arterial compliance were negatively correlated with the changes in serum ANGPTL2 levels, whereas the changes in β-stiffness index were positively correlated with the changes in serum ANGPTL2 levels. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the decrease in circulating ANGPTL2 levels can be attributed to the dietary modification-induced reduction of arterial stiffness in overweight and obese men.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.99-108
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• 2023

Purpose : This retrospective study aims to provide basic data for intervention to improve clinical outcomes and identify the characteristics of the rebound hyperthermia (RHG) and non-rebound hyperthermia (NRHG) groups by checking body temperature in patients with post-cardiac arrest syndrome. Method : The study involved 118 patients who completed target temperature management (TTM) in an acute-care unit. Data were analyzed for frequency, percentages, mean, standard deviation, median, and quartiles, and compared using the chi-squared test and Mann-Whitney U-test. Results : Rebound hyperthermia (RH) was observed in 74 (62.7%) patients, predominantly male (69.5%), with an average age of 64.54 ± 15.98, and a body mass index of 23.22 ± 4.75kg/m² (overweight). Hypertension (50%) was the most common co-morbidity, followed by diabetes and heart disease (33.1%). Neuron-specific enolase levels were higher in the NRHG 24, 48, and 72 hours after recovery of spontaneous circulation (p = .037, p < .001, p = .008). The APHCHE IV was also higher in the NRHG (p < .001). RH occurred 25.49 (7.28-52.96) hours after TTM completion, lasting for 2 (1-3) hours. Temperature reduction strategies included notifying doctors, administering antipyretics, and nursing intervention, with the latter being the most common at 94.6%. Half of the subjects in the RHG and 77.3% in the NRHG fell into cerebral performance categories 3, 4, and 5 (p = .003). Conclusion : RH is more likely a body mechanism related to CPR and TTM than a result of pathogenic infection. Therefore, we require an active intervention for hyperthermia, and a patient-specific nursing intervention protocol.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.179-185
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• 2024

By applying the various energy spectrum imaging functions of DECT, To quantitatively distinguish between contrast agent and calcification, changes in image quality are analyzed by comparing CNR and SNR. We investigated the level of dose reduction during two scans and one VNC scan. As a result, contrast agent and calcification were best distinguished in the 70 keV area, CNR and SNR were excellent, and scan dose was reduced by about 26.5%. Therefore, by applying DECT, meaningful results were obtained that could visually and quantitatively distinguish between the intravascular contrast agent and the shade of calcification. If clinical research is conducted in the future considering the patient's age, gender, and body type, quantitative analysis of calcification will be possible even with intravascular contrast agent flowing in, which will have a significant effect in reducing the patient's scan dose and the burden of multiple scans.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.239-256
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Over the past 10 yrs, the prevalence of diabetes in Korea has continued to incline, and the importance of lifestyle modification to manage diabetes has been highlighted. For patients with diabetes, carbohydrate intake reduction is effective in improving glycemic control; thus, we aimed to analyze the effect of carbohydrate intake ratio and suggest an appropriate carbohydrate intake ratio. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Using the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019-2021), we analyzed the data including participants aged 30 yrs or older with diabetes, and they were stratified into good and poor glycemic control groups. To analyze the correlation between the dietary behavior characteristics of participants with diabetes and the carbohydrate intake ratio, sociodemographic characteristics, dietary behavior, and health behavior were adjusted, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to present the adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: In the unadjusted crude model, when carbohydrate intake ratio in total energy intake increased by 1%, the likelihood of poor glycemic control increased by 1.007-fold (95% CI, 0.998-1.016; P = 0.121). In model 1, which uses age and sex as adjustment variables, an increase of up to 1.011-fold was possible (95% CI, 1.001-1.021; P = 0.008). In model 2, which added variables such as diabetes duration, frequency of fruit consumption, frequency of lunch and, frequency of dinner, the risk of poor glycemic control increased by 1.010-fold as the carbohydrate intake ratio increased (95% CI, 0.998-1.022; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that as the ratio of carbohydrate intake to total energy intake increases the likelihood of poor glycemic control also increases in patients with diabetes. Therefore, to improve glycemic control in patients with diabetes, controlling the carbohydrate intake may be helpful.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.199-209
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to compare therapeutic efficacy and technical outcomes between adjustable electrode (AE) and conventional fixed electrode (FE) for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of benign thyroid nodules. Materials and Methods: Between 2013 and 2021, RFA was performed on histologically proven benign thyroid nodules. For the AE method, AE length ≥ 1 cm with higher power and < 1 cm with lower power were utilized for ablating feeding vessels and nodules, especially those near anatomical structures, respectively. The therapeutic efficacy (volume reduction rate [VRR], complication rate, and regrowth rate) and technical outcomes (total energy delivery, ablated volume/energy, RFA time, and ablated volume/time) of FE and AE were compared. Continuous parameters were compared using a two-sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, and categorical parameters were compared using a chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test. Results: A total of 182 nodules (FE: 92 vs. AE: 90) in 173 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 47.0 ± 14.7 years; female, 90.8% [157/173]; median follow-up, 726 days [interquartile range, 441-1075 days]) were analyzed. The therapeutic efficacy was comparable, whereas technical outcomes were more favorable for AE. Both electrodes demonstrated comparable overall median VRR (FE: 92.4% vs. AE: 84.9%, P = 0.240) without immediate major complications. Overall regrowth rates were comparable between the two groups (FE: 2.2% [2/90] vs. AE: 1.1% [1/90], P > 0.99). AE demonstrated a shorter median RFA time (FE: 811 vs. AE: 627 seconds, P = 0.009). Both delivered comparable median energy (FE: 42.8 vs. AE: 29.2 kJ, P = 0.069), but AE demonstrated higher median ablated volume/energy and median ablated volume/time (FE: 0.2 vs. AE: 0.3 cc/kJ, P < 0.001; and FE: 0.7 vs. AE: 1.0 cc/min, P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Therapeutic efficacy between FE and AE was comparable. AE demonstrated better technical outcomes than FE in terms of RFA time, ablated volume/energy, and ablated volume/time.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2024

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport has been promoting strengthening energy efficiency of old buildings through public green building remodeling projects since 2020. Green remodeling includes both essential and optional construction of passive and active elements. However, there is a lack of integrated designs of passive and active systems and no standards for prioritizing these systems according to the building's age. Therefore, this study examined six public libraries in central region 2 that were expected to be high energy consuming. Remodeling strategy priorities were selected based on potential energy reduction. The libraries were divided into three groups based on their year of construction, completed in the 1980s (Model 1), 1990s (Model 2), and 2000s (Model 3). ECO2-OD, based on ISO 13790 and DINV 18599, was used as the primary energy consumption analysis tool. Simulation results indicated Model 1 and Model 2 benefited most from higher insulation and replacement of mechanical equipment. Model 3 benefited most from upgrading to more energy efficient windows.