• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제81권4호
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• pp.274-280
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• 2018

Background: The risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection among health care workers (HCWs) is higher than as noted among workers in the general population. The prevalence and risk factors of TB infection among HCWs were assessed in a tertiary hospital in South Korea, resulting in a conclusion of an intermediate TB burden within the country. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled HCWs who underwent a QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) test to detect the presence of a latent TB infection (LTBI), in patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in South Korea in 2017. The departments of the hospital were divided into TB-related and TB-unrelated departments, which were based on the risk of exposure to TB patients. In this sense, the risk factors for LTBI, including current working in the TB-related departments, were analyzed. Results: In this case, a total of 499 HCWs (54 doctors, 365 nurses and 80 paramedical personnel) were enrolled in this study. The median age of the subjects was 31 years (range, 20-67 years), 428 (85.8%) were female, and 208 (41.7%) were working in the TB-related departments. The prevalence of LTBI was 15.8% based on the QFT-GIT. Additionally, the prevalence of experience of exposure to pre-treatment TB patents was higher among HCWs working in the TB-related departments, than among HCWs working in the TB-unrelated departments (78.8% vs. 61.9%, p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of LTBI between the two groups (17.3% vs. 14.8%, p=0.458). On a review of the multivariate analysis, only the factor of age was independently associated with an increased risk of LTBI (p=0.006). Conclusion: Broadly speaking, the factor of age was associated with an increased risk of LTBI among the HCWs in South Korea. However, those workers current working in the TB-related departments was not associated with an increased risk of LTBI.

• BMB Reports
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• 제51권7호
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• pp.315-316
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• 2018

Genome engineering with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system can be used as a tool to correct pathological mutations or modulate gene expression levels associated with pathogenesis of human diseases. Owing to well-established local administration methods including intravitreal and subretinal injection, it is relatively easy to administer therapeutic genome engineering machinery to ocular tissues for treating retinal diseases. In this context, we have investigated the potential of in vivo genome engineering as a therapeutic approach in the form of ribonucleoprotein or CRISPR packaged in viral vectors. Major issues in therapeutic application of genome engineering include specificity and efficacy according to types of CRISPR system. In addition to previous platforms based on ribonucleoprotein and CRISPR-associated protein 9 derived from Campylobacter jejuni, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of a CRISPR RNA-guided endonuclease derived from Lachnospiraceae bacterium ND2006 (LbCpf1) in regulating pathological angiogenesis in an animal model of wet-type age-related macular degeneration. LbCpf1 targeting Vegfa or Hif1a effectively disrupted the expression of genes in ocular tissues, resulting in suppression of choroidal neovascularization. It was also notable that there were no significant off-target effects in vivo.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제75권1호
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• pp.18-24
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• 2013

Background: We investigated the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among the health care workers (HCWs) and analyzed its risk factors in South Korea. Methods: A standard questionnaire regarding the baseline demographics and risk factors for LTBI was given to each participant and tuberculin skin test (TST), QuantiFERON-TB GOLD In-Tube (QFT-GIT) assay, and chest radiography were performed. Results: A total of 493 participants, 152 (30.8%) doctors and 341 (69.2%) nurses were enrolled in eight tertiary referral hospitals. The mean age of the subjects was 30.6 years old, and 383 (77.7%) were female. Of the 152 doctors, 63 (41.4%) and 36 (23.7%) were positive by TST and by QTF-GIT, respectively, and among the 341 nurses, 119 (34.9%) and 49 (14.4%) had positive TST and QFT-GIT results, respectively. Overall, the agreement between the two tests was 0.22 by the chance corrected proportional agreement rate (kappa coefficient) in 493 subjects. Experience of working in tuberculosis (TB)-related departments was significantly associated with positive LTBI test results by QFT-GIT assay, not by TST. In multivariate analysis, only age was independently associated with increased risk of a positive TST result, while age and experience of working in TB-related departments (odds ratio, 2.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-5.12) were independently associated with increased risk of a positive QFT-GIT result. Conclusion: A high prevalence of LTBI was found among South Korean HCWs. Considering the association between the experience of working in TB-related departments and high risk of LTBI, QFT-GIT may be a better diagnostic test for LTBI than TST in HCWs.

• 한국식품영양학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.1047-1054
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to compare the anthropometry, serum lipid levels, dietary behavior and health-related behaviors of shipbuilding workers. The education level was significantly higher in office workers than laborers, while age, monthly income and working years were not significantly different between both groups. The serum triglyceride, glucose concentration and AI were significantly higher in office workers than in laborers, but the serum LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in laborers than in office workers. The frequency of breakfast and coffee intake was significantly higher in office workers than in laborers. In the office workers, age was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure but was negatively correlated with hemoglobin and hematocrit concentration In the laborers, working year was negatively correlated with hemoglobin, total cholesterol and serum LDL-cholesterol concentrations. Exercise was negatively correlated with total cholesterol concentration, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol concentration and AI in the office workers. The results of this study showed that office workers are more prone to related chronic degenerative diseases. Therefore, nutritional education for the provention of chronic degenerative diseases of shipbuilding workers needs to be more focused on improving the health status of office workers.

• BMB Reports
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• 제56권10호
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• pp.537-544
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• 2023

The share of the population that is aging is growing rapidly. In an aging society, technologies and interventions that delay the aging process are of great interest. Dietary restriction (DR) is the most reproducible and effective nutritional intervention tested to date for delaying the aging process and prolonging the health span in animal models. Preventive effects of DR on age-related diseases have also been reported in human. In addition, highly conserved signaling pathways from small animal models to human mediate the effects of DR. Recent evidence has shown that the immune system is closely related to the effects of DR, and functions as a major mechanism of DR in healthy aging. This review discusses the effects of DR in delaying aging and preventing age-related diseases in animal, including human, and introduces the molecular mechanisms that mediate these effects. In addition, it reports scientific findings on the relationship between the immune system and DR-induced longevity. The review highlights the role of immunity as a potential mediator of the effects of DR on longevity, and provides insights into healthy aging in human.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제31권5호
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• pp.671-685
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• 2012

Objective: This study aims to investigate subjects in recuperation to identify the following factors with regard to work-related musculoskeletal diseases: diagnosis in the context of occupational and environmental medicine; assessment systems for judging work-relatedness; recuperation management; workplace management; prevention programs; and care after returning to work. This study intends to analyze differences between subjects and determine what characteristics of subjects account for the differences. Method: A survey was administered to 1,664 workers who were approved by the Korea Worker's Compensation & Welfare Service between 2003 and 2005 for recuperation due to work-related musculoskeletal diseases. The data of 229 subjects who responded the survey questionnaire related to recuperation were analysed. Results: According to the results, demographic, occupational, and musculoskeletal disease-related factors were significant. The demographic factors included gender, age, marital status, and region, while occupational factors included working period, work type, size of workplace, and industry type. The factors related to musculoskeletal diseases were the part of the body in pain, the tissues in pain, and the existence of dysfunction. The above factors were associated with statistically significant differences in the following areas: revealed symptom period, symptoms-diagnosis period, and application for recuperation approval periods; diagnosis and care institutes for recuperarion; the state of patients (body parts in pain, tissues in pain, and existence of dysfunction); return to work; and care after returning to work. Conclusion: The results of this study can serve as basic data in setting priorities for prevention programs for work-related musculoskeletal diseases and selecting target groups.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.79-86
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• 2009

전국 6개 도시의 종합건강검진센터에서 검진을 받은 건강한 성인 총 수진자 29, 531명을 대상으로 복부초음파검사로 진단된 간질환의 건강관련 요인을 분석한 결론은 다음과 같다. 초음파로 진단된 간질환 유병률은 43.1%로 나타났고, 성별로는 남성에서 23.3%, 여성에서 19.8%로 남성에게서 유의하게 높게 나타났으며(p < 0.001), BMI에 따른 유병률은 BMI $\geqq$ 25인 비만 군에서 지방간만이 44.3%로 높은 유병률로 나타났으며 이는 통계적으로 유의하게 나타났다(p < 0.001). 흡연에 따른 유병률은 흡연자군에서 지방간이 49.1%(남성 22.2%, 여성 26.9%)로 가장 높게 나타났고, 통계적으로 여성에서는 유의한 차이가 있는 것으로 나타났으며(p < 0.05), 남성은 유의한 차이가 없는 것으로 나타났다(p > 0.05). 고혈압에 따른 유병률은 정상군에서 지방간이 67.7%로 가장 높은 유병률로 나타났고, 당뇨에 따른 유병률은 당뇨 군에서 전체 간질환이 높게 나타났으며 지방간이 66.2%로 가장 높게 유병률로 나타났다(p < 0.001). 간질환 유병률에 대한 다중회귀분석 결과는 연령이 증가할수록 발병가능성이 높게 나타났고, 연령, 성별, 비만도, 당뇨는 유병률과 연관성이 있게 나타났으나(p < 0.05), 고혈압과 흡연에서는 유의성이 없는 것으로 나타났다(p > 0.05).

• 한국치위생학회지
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• 제19권5호
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• pp.699-713
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• 2019

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the relationships of oral and systemic health-related characteristics with health-related quality of life (EQ-5D) in the elderly, and factors related to quality of life were compared according to age subgroups classified as either younger (young-old) or older (old-old) than 75 years of age. Methods: Data acquired by the Sixth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(KNHANES) from 2013 to 2015 were used, and the research target was 3,124 people aged 65 years or older. A complex samples general linear model was used to identify health-related quality of life factors. Results: Education, economic activity, depression, stress, regular walking, self-rated oral health, pronunciation problems, and unmet dental care had significant effects on quality of life in both young-old and old-old participants. Marriage, income, number of systemic diseases, sleeping, and chewing inconveniences were significant factors for the young-old but not in the old-old participants. Instead, obesity and drinking were identified as significant factors in the old-old participants. Conclusions: We reaffirmed that factors affecting health-related quality of life in older adults differed by age group. We also confirmed the impact of oral health-related characteristics on this quality. Therefore, to improve quality of life for older adults, it would be efficient to divide groups by age and develop and implement programs that take relevant factors into consideration.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제57권5호
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• pp.205-210
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• 2014

Atopic sensitization is a complex phenomenon that changes dynamically with age throughout childhood; its prevalence increases with age in young children. Additionally, with increasing age, the prevalence of sensitization to inhalant allergens and the prevalence of polysensitization to allergens increase. It is also well established that the development of atopic sensitization is the result of a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. However, there is considerable heterogeneity in the literature in terms of the effect of different environmental exposures in young children on the subsequent risk of atopic sensitization and allergic diseases. Previous studies on the relationship, in early life, between pet ownership, sex, exposure to secondhand smoke, exposure to traffic-related air pollution components, and atopic sensitization have yielded different results. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of gene-environment interactions, especially during early childhood, on the risk of subsequent atopic sensitization and allergic diseases. Therefore, pediatricians should consider the genetic and environmental determinants of atopic sensitization in infants and young children when diagnosing and treating patients with allergic diseases. Determining ways in which early exposure to these risk factors in young children may be reduced could be beneficial in preventing the likelihood of developing atopic sensitization.

• 한국직업건강간호학회지
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.117-127
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that influenced the preparation for later life of the age group of 30s, 40s, and 50s in production workers. Methods: The participants for this study were 320 men working in 2 workspaces of Ulsan city. The data was collected from May to July, 2010 using structured questionnaires. Chi-square, One way ANOVA, Duncan test, Pearson's Correlation Coefficient and multiple regression with the SPSS WIN 17.0 program were used to analyze the data. Results: There were statistically significant differences among 30s, 40s, and 50s workers regarding the preparation for later life, health promoting behavior, knowledge and attitude of cerebrocardiovascular (CVD) diseases. 50s workers were significantly more higher than 30s and 40s regarding the preparation for later life, health promoting behavior, cognition and attitude of CVD diseases. The model including variables related to the preparation for later life explained variance of 42.3% of 30s, 36.0% of 40s, and 28.5% of 50s workers. Finally, cognition of CVD diseases and social support were predictors in explaining the level of the preparation for later life among production workers. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, nursing interventions should be developed to improve the preparation for later life of production workers according to age differences.