• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.21-34
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to observe change in factors over time in the first cohort of the 2018 Children and Adolescent Panel Middle School. In addition, this study attempted to examine the causal relationship and influence between variables by setting a time gap between independent and dependent variables. Methods: Frequency and descriptive statistical analyses were conducted to determine the general characteristics of the study participants. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to analyze the effects of smartphone dependence on health, sleep quality, and depression. After inputting the control variables (Model 2), the influence of the variables was identified based on the input model. Results: Smartphone dependence positively impacted depression in both male and female students and negatively impacted sleep and health. Conclusion: Smartphones are closely associated with teenagers' lives. Additionally, as adolescents experience various psychological anxieties owing to rapid physical changes, there are concerns that psychological dependence may increase, considering that adolescence is the most emotionally unstable period. Therefore, the results of this study consistently prove that smartphone dependence has a causal relationship with emotion-related variables, such as emotional stress, depression, and anxiety.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.28-41
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• 2024

Objective: Chronic scrotal hyperthermia (SHT) can lead to serious disorders of the male reproductive system, with oxidative stress playing a key role in the onset of these dysfunctions. Thus, we evaluated the impact of caffeine, a potent antioxidant, on cellular and tissue disorders in mice with chronic SHT. Methods: In this experimental study, 56 adult male NMRI mice were allocated into seven equal groups. Apart from the non-treated control group, all were exposed to heat stress. Two groups, termed "preventive" and "curative," were orally administered caffeine. The preventive mice began receiving caffeine immediately prior to heat exposure, while for the curative group, a caffeine regimen was initiated 15 consecutive days following cessation of heat exposure. Each treated group was subdivided based on pairing with a positive control (Pre/ curative [Cur]+PC) or a vehicle (Pre/Cur+vehicle). Upon conclusion of the study, we assessed sperm characteristics, testosterone levels, stereological parameters, apoptosis, antioxidant and oxidant levels, and molecular markers. Results: Sperm parameters, testosterone levels, stereological parameters, biochemical factors (excluding malondialdehyde [MDA]), and c-kit gene expression were significantly elevated in the preventive and curative groups, especially the former, relative to the other groups. Conversely, expression levels of the heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) and nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κβ) genes, MDA levels, and apoptotic cell density were markedly lower in both caffeine-treated groups relative to the other groups, with more pronounced differences observed in the preventive group. Conclusion: Overall, caffeine attenuated cellular and molecular abnormalities induced by heat stress in the testis, particularly in the mice treated under the preventive condition.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.71-85
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the current status of non-face-to-face education at universities for paramedicine and measure students' education satisfaction after the coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted for paramedic students at the Chungcheong and Honam areas using Google Forms. Convenience sampling was used. A structured questionnaire was created and modified according to Park and Choi's test tool developed to review online lectures and practical courses. Results: A total of 202 students responded to the survey. The satisfaction level of online lectures was 3.06±1.12 (n=202) out of 5. Students experiencing online lectures responded that it was difficult to focus on the class, and the overall quality and lecture delivery should be improved. They also experienced technical difficulties. The satisfaction level of practical course lectures was 3.24±1.04 (n=133) out of 5. It was higher than those of other types of classes because it was conducted by the more familiar face-to-face lecture. Conclusion: This study has shown that the universities and instructors have examined a variety of methods in paramedic education after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, further research and consideration are required to improve paramedic education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.113-126
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• 2024

Purpose: Education for children in South Korea is similar to that for adults, necessitating additional enhancements. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effectiveness of fairy-tale books in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education among kindergarten children. Methods: The study involved 64 kindergarten children enrolled in an affiliated kindergarten program were included. The participants were divided into an experimental group of 32 who received CPR education using picture books, and a control group of 32 who received education through traditional methods. Participant characteristics such as sex, age, height, weight, cardiac arrest awareness, and ability to request assistance were measured, and the collected data were statistically analyzed. Results: Following education, the experimental group showed significantly higher scores than the control group across all measures, including cardiac arrest recognition (2.25 vs. 0.34, p<.001) and consciousness assessment (1.81 vs. 0.09, p<.001). Additionally, in requesting assistance, the experimental group exhibited statistical superiority in phone usage (1.75 vs. 0.28, p<.001), situational explanation post-call (2.25 vs. 0.34, p<.001), and self-location explanation (0.84 vs. 0.00, p=.001). Conclusion: The use of fairy-tale books in CPR education enhanced cardiac arrest recognition and the ability to request assistance (EMS Activation) more effectively than the traditional educational methods among kindergarten children.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.155-164
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the consultation status and request level of paramedic students. The findings were expected to offer basic data for establishing consultation plans that meet the demands of students. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed among 153 students at two universities, and analyses were conducted based on the responses of 140 students. Results: The preferred counselor was the advising professor. The most common response was that holding two consultation sessions per semester was the most ideal. Regarding topic of consultation, career and employment scored the highest preference. Conclusion: Students had high request levels for consultation. Given the diversity in the themes of consultation, schools, should improve the capacities of advising and other professors in the department for professional consultation.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.7-18
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• 2023

Purpose: This study conducted a systematic literature review to analyze the factors related to suicidal ideation among firefighters. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted to identify factors influencing suicidal ideation among firefighters, using Korean academic information search services from January to June 2022. A total of 238 articles were searched using keywords such as "firefighter," "depression," "post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)," "cognitive emotion regulation," "suicide," and "suicidal ideation." Among them, nine articles were selected for analysis using descriptive correlation studies. Results: It was found that the relationship between firefighter stress (PTSD) and suicidal thoughts was mediated by depression. Even if the stress level (PTSD) was high, suicidal thoughts decreased when the emotional coping level was high. Conclusion: To prevent firefighters from committing suicide, intervention programs with effective approaches to quickly identify high at-risk people and improve their emotional coping skills, should be implemented.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3309-3315
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• 2016

Helicobacter pylori as the second most common cause of gastric cancer in the world infects approximately half of the developed countries population and 80% of the population living in developing countries. Integrons as genetic reservoirs play major roles in dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report carriage of class 1 and 2 integrons and associated gene cassettes in H. pylori isolates from Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehran among 110 patients with H. pylori infection. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) for H. pylori strains were assessed by the micro broth dilution method. Class 1 and 2 integrons were detected using PCR. In order to determine gene cassettes, amplified fragments were subjected to DNA sequencing of both amplicon strands. The prevalence of resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole, clarithromycin, tetracycline, amoxicillin, rifampin, and levofloxacin were 68.2% (n=75), 25.5% (n=28), 24.5% (n=27), 19.1% (n=21), 18.2% (n=20) and 16.4% (n=18), respectively. Frequency of multidrug resistance among H. pylori isolates was 12.7%. Class 2 integron was detected in 50 (45.5%) and class 1 integron in 10 (9.1%) H. pylori isolates. The most predominant gene cassette arrays in class 2 integron-bearing H. pylori were included sat-era-aadA1, dfrA1-sat2-aadA1, blaoxa2 and, aadB whereas common gene cassette arrays in class 1 integron were aadB-aadA1-cmlA6, aacA4, blaoxa2, and catB3. The high frequency of class 2 integron and multidrug resistance in the present study should be considered as a warning for clinicians that continuous surveillance is necessary to prevent the further spread of resistant isolates.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.71-77
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the research trends on the image of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in studies published in Korean journals. Methods: Electronic databases were searched, including RISS, KMbase, and KCI. Eight studies from 21 references screened were included in the analysis. Results: The number of studies related to the image of EMTs is severely lacking. The research methods and participants are limited to questionnaire surveys and EMT students, respectively. In addition, most of the studies used modified tools developed for image measurement of other occupations. Conclusion: Image research for EMTs should include various methods and participants. Standardized measurement tool development and image-related research should be steadily conducted.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.175-180
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• 2014

Wet-work can be defined as activities where workers have to immerse their hands in liquids for >2 hours per shift, or wear waterproof (occlusive) gloves for a corresponding amount of time, or wash their hands >20 times per shift. This review considers the recent literature on wet-work exposure, and examines wet-work as a main risk factor for developing irritant contact dermatitis of the hands. The aim of this paper is to provide a detailed description of wet-work exposure among specific occupational groups who extensively deal with water and other liquids in their occupations. Furthermore, it highlights the extent and importance of the subsequent adverse health effects caused by exposure to wet-work.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.141-151
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• 2023

Purpose: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are a major health problem worldwide, especially in developing countries. According to the literature, children are more likely to get infected due to more frequent exposure to sources of infection. Methods: In this study, we collected 500 fecal samples from children under 15 years of age who referred to labs in Ilam city. All samples were microscopically examined using formalin-ether concentration and Trichrome staining techniques. The results were analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Results: Among 500 investigated samples, 4 types of parasites were detected. Giardia lamblia, Entameba coli, and Blastocystis hominis were identified as intestinal protozoa, and pinworm as intestinal worm. In this study, 23 cases (4.6%) had parasitic infections. 13 patients (2.6%) were infected with Giardia parasite, 4 patients (0.8%) with E. coli, 3 patients (0.6%) with B. hominis and 3 patients (0.6%) had pinworms. Conclusions: The findings of this study showed that the prevalence of IPIs among children aged under 15 years in Ilam is relatively down, which can be attributed of sufficient information of parents and children about the modes of parasite transmission and the important role of carriers in the pathogen cycle.