• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.79-83
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• 2018

Background: Lower-limb varicose veins (VVs) are common and known to have a higher prevalence among people who work in occupations requiring prolonged standing. In the Republic of Korea, however, VV-related occupational factors have seldom been examined. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of VVs among nurses, an occupational group considered to be at high risk of VVs, and determine the occupational risk factors of prolonged standing. Methods: Between March and August 2014, a questionnaire survey coupled with Doppler ultrasonography was conducted on the nurses working at a university hospital. Results: A total of 414 nurses participated in the survey and diagnostic testing. From the survey analysis and test results, the prevalence of VVs in nurses was estimated to be 16.18%. Significant factors for venous reflux were age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03-1.10], pregnancy (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.17-3.94), and delivery (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.08-3.78). The statistical significance of these factors was verified after risk adjustment for sociodemographic factors (OR = 3.40, 95% CI = 1.27-9.09). Conclusion: Factors significantly associated with venous reflux were increasing age and prolonged working hours (${\geq}4hours$) in a standing position (OR = 2.80, 95% CI = 1.08-7.25), even after risk adjustment for sociodemographic factors. This study is significant in that an objective diagnosis of VVs preceded the analysis of the risk factors for VV incidence, thus verifying objectively that VVs are associated with occupations requiring prolonged hours of working in a standing position.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제49권5호
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• pp.287-298
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence of early implant failure using a single implant system and to identify the factors contributing to early implant failure. Methods: Patients who received implant treatment with a single implant system ($Luna^{(R)}$, Shinhung, Seoul, Korea) at Dankook University Dental Hospital from 2015 to 2017 were enrolled. The following data were collected for analysis: sex and age of the patient, seniority of the surgeon, diameter and length of the implant, position in the dental arch, access approach for sinus-floor elevation, and type of guided bone regeneration (GBR) procedure. The effect of each predictor was evaluated using the crude hazard ratio and the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) in univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, respectively. Results: This study analyzed 1,031 implants in 409 patients, who comprised 169 females and 240 males with a median age of 54 years (interquartile range [IQR], 47-61 years) and were followed up for a median of 7.2 months (IQR, 5.6-9.9 months) after implant placement. Thirty-five implants were removed prior to final prosthesis delivery, and the cumulative survival rate in the early phase at the implant level was 95.6%. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that seniority of the surgeon (residents: aHR=2.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37-5.94) and the jaw in which the implant was placed (mandible: aHR=2.31; 95% CI, 1.12-4.76) exerted statistically significant effects on early implant failure after adjusting for sex, age, dimensions of the implant, and type of GBR procedure (preoperative and/or simultaneous) (P<0.05). Conclusions: Prospective studies are warranted to further elucidate the factors contributing to early implant failure. In the meantime, surgeons should receive appropriate training and carefully select the bone bed in order to minimize the risk of early implant failure.

• Perinatology
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.147-152
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• 2018

Objective: This study examines whether maternal group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae, GBS) infection was associated with preterm births and premature neonatal outcomes. Methods: Maternal and neonatal outcomes were examined among singleton pregnant women with preterm birth (from $24^{+0}weeks$ to $36^{+6}weeks$) who were tested for GBS (n=203) during the pregnancy. Data were collected retrospectively from the medical records of women who delivered at our hospital from January 2015 to February 2017. We compared obstetrical factors (causes of preterm birth) and neonatal (gestational age at delivery, birth weight, Apgar score 1 min/5 min, hospitalization period, duration of mechanical ventilation, neonatal C-reactive protein within three days, and other complication [respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal deaths]) outcomes between GBS-infected and non-infected pregnant women. Results: There were 203 singleton pregnant women included in the study, 25 of whom were confirmed to have a GBS infection during the pregnancy. There was no difference in neonatal outcomes by GBS status. Preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM), as an obstetric factor, was associated with GBS infection (P=0.022). GBS infection raised the risk of pPROM by 3.6 times (odds ratio 3.648, 95% confidence interval 1.476-9.016, P=0.005). Conclusion: GBS infection in preterm birth was associated with pPROM but did not result in adverse neonatal outcomes. Continuous attention and evaluation of GBS infection, a major cause of neonatal sepsis and pneumonia, are needed.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.249-254
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• 2021

Introduction: Workplace violence (WPV) is a major occupational and health hazard for nurses. It affects nurses' physical and psychological well-being and impacts health service delivery. We aimed to assess the prevalence and describe the consequences of WPV experienced by nurses working in an emergency department in Kenya. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among emergency nurses at one of the largest tertiary hospitals in Kenya. We collected data using a structured questionnaire adapted from the 'WPV in the Health Sector, Country Case Studies Research Instruments' questionnaire. We described the prevalence and effects of WPV using frequencies and percentages. Results: Of the 82 participating nurses, 64.6% were female, 57.3% were married and 65.8% were college-educated (65.8%). Participants' mean age was 33.8 years (standard deviation: 6.8 years, range: 23-55). The overall lifetime prevalence of WPV was 81.7% (n = 67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 71.6%-88.8%) and the 1-year prevalence was 73.2% (n = 63, 95% CI: 66.3-84.8%). The main WPV included verbal abuse, physical violence, and sexual harassment. Most incidents were perpetrated by patients and their relatives. No action was taken in 50% of the incidents, but 57.1% of physical violence incidents were reported to the hospital security and 28.6% to supervisors. Perpetrators of physical violence were verbally warned (42.9%) and reported to the hospital security (28.6%). Conclusion: Workplace violence is a significant problem affecting emergency nurses in Kenya. Hospitals should promote workplace safety with zero-tolerance to violence. Nurses should be sensitised on WPV to mitigate violence and supported when they experience WPV.

• 한국정보통신학회논문지
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• 제23권12호
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• pp.1679-1686
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• 2019

본 논문에서는 RPL을 사용하는 사물인터넷 환경에서 노드들이 이동할 때에도 토폴로지 변경에 빠르게 적응하여 패킷 손실 문제를 해결하기 위한 방안을 제안한다. 이동성을 향상시키기 위해 모든 노드는 이웃 노드들의 이동성을 인식하고, 전체 수신 패킷과 제어메시지 수를 고려하여 이동 정도를 수치화한다. 이동 정도에 따라 DIO 타이머를 동적으로 설정하여 토폴로지 변경을 빠르게 인식하고 목적지까지의 경로를 업데이트할 수 있도록 한다. 제안 방식의 성능은 Contiki 기반 Cooja 시뮬레이터를 이용하여 다양한 이동 속도에 대해서 평가한다. 시뮬레이션 결과, 제안된 방식은 패킷 전달률이 31.03% 개선됨을 확인하여 표준 RPL보다 이동성 시나리오에 잘 대처함을 보여준다.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제62권6호
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• pp.875-883
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• 2020

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of group-housing facility (GHF), compared to an individual confinement stall (CON), on the reproductive performance, behavior, and stress hormones of gestating sows. A total of 50 primiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly allocated into either CON (n = 25) or GHF (n = 25) during the gestation period. One week before parturition, the sows were transferred into conventional farrowing crates, and cross-fostering was conducted within 1 d of delivery. Blood was collected for analyses of stress indices at 75 d of gestation and postpartum. Reproductive performance was estimated during the period of birth to weaning. Behavior patterns were identified at 90 d of gestation. Litter size was not different between the CON and GHF treatments. Weaning to estrus interval, however, tended to be lower in the GHF than in the CON (p < 0.1). Activity, treating, belly nosing, and exploring behaviors were observed only in the GHF group, whereas rubbing was shown only with the CON. Serum cortisol concentration was lower in the GHF than in the CON at 75 d of gestation (p < 0.05). Sows housed in the GHF showed lower epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations than those housed in the CON at postpartum (p < 0.05). The GHF sows demonstrated more natural behavior characteristics associated with stress relief than the CON sows with no adverse effects on reproductive performance. Therefore, these results suggest that GHF could be applied as an alternative housing facility to improve animal welfare on swine farms.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.71-78
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• 2022

Objectives: Post-term pregnancy is a condition associated with increased maternal and fetal complications. Administration of castor oil causes cervical stimulation by increasing the production of prostaglandins. We examined the effects of castor oil on cervical ripening and labor induction through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: The search process was performed to obtain relevant articles from databases including Pubmed, Cochrane library, Scopus, Science direct, SID, Iran Medex, and Google Scholar using the English keywords of cervical ripening, post-term, castor oil, labor induction, Bishop score, and pregnancy considering all possible combinations without time constraints and their Persian equivalents from national databases. Results: A total of eight related articles from the 19 primary studies were extracted and systematically reviewed. According to a cumulative chart, the difference in the post-intervention Bishop score was statistically significant (standard mean difference [SMD]: 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.67-2.11, p = 0.001), indicating an effect of castor oil on increasing the Bishop score. In addition, the difference in labor induction was statistically significant after the intervention (odds ratio: 11.67, 95% CI: 3.34-40.81, p = 0.001), indicating an effect of castor oil on increasing the odds ratio of labor induction (experience of vaginal delivery). Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed that oral administration of castor oil is effective for cervical ripening and labor induction. Midwives should closely monitor pregnant women with prolonged labor and collaborate with obstetricians to employ castor oil as a safe intervention to induce cervical ripening and labor to prevent undue caesarean surgery.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제55권2호
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• pp.182-192
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• 2022

Objectives: Understanding the factors influencing mothers' decision to breastfeed their infants is essential to formulate effective breastfeeding interventions. This study explored the determinants of optimal breastfeeding indicators in Indonesia. Methods: We used the 2017 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey to analyze factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), and continued breastfeeding at 1 year (CBF-1) and 2 years (CBF-2). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine bio-demographic, socio-cultural, and behavioral characteristics associated with breastfeeding after considering the survey design effect. Results: The risk of delayed breastfeeding initiation was higher among infants who were born smaller, first-born children, were delivered via cesarean delivery, and did not have immediate skin-to-skin contact (p<0.01). Infant's age, birth pattern, household wealth index, and the mother's occupation and smoking status were predictors of EBF (p<0.05). CBF-1 was less common among first-time mothers and those working in the non-agricultural sector, mothers from wealthier families, and mothers who had cesarean deliveries (p<0.01). Infant's age was negatively associated with CBF-2 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74 to 0.99). Mothers attending college were less likely to practice CBF-2 than those with no education or primary education (aOR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.26 to 0.77). The absence of postnatal visits was a risk factor for CBF-1 and CBF-2 (p<0.05). Conclusions: Breastfeeding interventions in Indonesia should pay particular attention to at-risk groups such as women from wealthier families, working outside the agricultural sector, and with a higher education level. Nutrition-sensitive programs (e.g., postnatal care and smoking cessation) should also be encouraged.

• 운동영양학회지
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.173-182
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• 2011

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a stress-related mental disorder induced by severe external stressors such as assault, disaster or severe accident. We investigated the effects of treadmill exercise on short-term memory in relation to apoptosis and cell proliferation in the hippocampus following PTSD. Stress to the pregnant rats was induced by exposure of maternal rats to the hunting dog in an enclosed room. Exposure time was 10 min, repeated three times per day, with 1 hour interval. Exposure of maternal rats to the hunting dog was continued 7 days after pregnancy until delivery. The pregnant rats in the exercise groups were forced to run on a treadmill for 30 min once a day for the same duration of stress exposure. Step-down avoidance task for short-term memory, western blot for Bcl-2, Bax, and immunohistochemistry for caspase-3, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), and Ki-67 were conducted. Maternal rats exposed to stress during pregnancy showed short-term memory impairment. Expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, ratio of Bax to Bcl-2, and caspase-3 in the hippocampus were increased in the PTSD rats. Cell proliferation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus was decreased in the PTSD rats. Treadmill exercise alleviated short-term memory impairment and suppressed expressions of Bax, the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2, and caspase-3. Treadmill exercise also increased cell proliferation. The present results indicate that treadmill exercise alleviated PTSD-induced short-term memory impairment by suppressing apoptotic cell death and enhancing cell proliferation in the hippocampus.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.281-285
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• 2023

Background: Dentists bend needles prior to certain injections; however, there are concerns regarding needle fracture, lumen occlusion, and sharps handling. A previous study found that a 30-gauge needle fractures after four to nine 90° bends. This fatigue life study evaluated how many 90° bends a 30-gauge dental needle will sustain before fracture when bent using a needle guide. Methods: Two operators at Element Materials Technology, an independent testing, inspection, and certification company tested 48 30-gauge needles. After applying the needle guide, the operators bent the needle to a 90° angle and expressed the anesthetic from the tip. The needle was then bent back to a 0° angle, and the functionality was tested again. This process was repeated until the anesthetic failed to pass through the end of the needle due to fracture or obstruction. Each operator tested 24 needles (12 needles from each lot), and the number of sustained bends before the needle fracture was recorded. Results: The average number of sustained bends before needle failure was 40.33 (95% confidence interval = 37.41-43.26), with a minimum of 20, median of 40, and a maximum of 54. In each trial, the lumen remained patent until the needle fractured. The difference between the operators was statistically significant (P < 0.001). No significant differences in performance between needle lots were observed (P = 0.504). Conclusion: Our results suggest that using a needle guide increases the number of sustained bends before needle fracture (P < 0.000001) than those reported in previous studies. Future studies should further evaluate the use of needle guides with other needle types across a variety of operators. Furthermore, additional opportunities lie in exploring workplace safety considerations and clinical applications of anesthetic delivery using a bent needle.