• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.141-148
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of college education satisfaction on the employment preparation and social participation of young adults during the pandemic period. To accomplish this research purpose, the researcher used the panel data of Korea Youth Policy Institute and analyzed the eight variables related to college education satisfaction, employment preparation, and social participation. This study's sample consisted of a total of 2,941 individuals, and both structural equation modeling and multigroup structural equation modeling were applied for the analysis. The results revealed that college education satisfaction had a significantly positive influence on the employment preparation activities and social participation of young adults. In the multigroup structural equation modeling analysis, it was found that college education satisfaction had a significantly positive impact on employment preparation and social participation for women, while for men, it only significantly affected employment preparation. Furthermore, college education satisfaction did not show significant effects on the employment preparation and social participation of graduates from junior colleges, but it did have a significantly positive impact on the employment preparation activities of graduates from four-year colleges. Based on these research findings, policy and educational interventions to enhance the college education satisfaction of male students and graduates from junior colleges are required.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1213-1227
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• 2023

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a prevalent obstetric condition. This study aimed to investigate the role of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) in regulating the inflammatory response and gut microbiota structure in FGR. An FGR animal model was established in rats, and ODN1668 and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) were administered. Changes in gut microbiota structure were assessed using 16S rRNA sequencing, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was conducted. HTR-8/Svneo cells were treated with ODN1668 and HCQ to evaluate cell growth. Histopathological analysis was performed, and relative factor levels were measured. The results showed that FGR rats exhibited elevated levels of TLR9 and myeloid differentiating primary response gene 88 (MyD88). In vitro experiments demonstrated that TLR9 inhibited trophoblast cell proliferation and invasion. TLR9 upregulated lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS-binding protein (LBP), interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α while downregulating IL-10. TLR9 activated the TARF3-TBK1-IRF3 signaling pathway. In vivo experiments showed HCQ reduced inflammation in FGR rats, and the relative cytokine expression followed a similar trend to that observed in vitro. TLR9 stimulated neutrophil activation. HCQ in FGR rats resulted in changes in the abundance of Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group at the family level and the abundance of Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group and Bacteroides at the genus level. TLR9 and associated inflammatory factors were correlated with Bacteroides, Prevotella, Streptococcus, and Prevotellaceae_Ga6A1_group. FMT from FGR rats interfered with the therapeutic effects of HCQ. In conclusion, our findings suggest that TLR9 regulates the inflammatory response and gut microbiota structure in FGR, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of FGR and suggesting potential therapeutic interventions.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.480-494
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• 2023

Objectives: This study sought to assess the effectiveness of community-based nutrition counseling on improving nutritional status, managing complex chronic diseases, and enhancing the quality of life for elderly individuals with chronic conditions, particularly in older adults with high levels of food insecurity and multiple chronic illnesses. Methods: Thirty elderly subjects with diabetes and hypertension who were registered at local Senior Welfare Center received individualized nutrition counseling, based on their Nutrition Quotient for the Elderly (NQ-E) index. Over a 16-week period, they received tailored counseling and underwent various health and nutritional assessments. The final analysis included 28 participants after two dropped out. Data analysis was conducted using the SPSS v28.0. Results: The subjects were over 70, with multiple chronic diseases including diabetes and hypertension and predominantly female. After 16 weeks, significant improvements were observed in the subjects' grip strength, and HbA1c levels, as well as in their NQ-E scores, indicating improved dietary balance and diversity. There were no significant improvements in the 'Moderation' subdomain of the NQ-E index, suggesting that this aspect requires further attention in nutritional counseling. The subjects' nutritional risk scores (NSI) were also significantly decreased, indicating less nutritional risk. Lastly, as measured by the SF-36K, the subjects' quality of life showed significant improvement in several domains including physical role performance and social function. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that tailored nutrition counseling, based on the NQ-E index, can improve elderly health, manage chronic diseases, and enhance quality of life. This approach potentially broadens the scope of community nutritionists' roles within an aging society. However, additional research is necessary to evaluate these interventions' long-term effects and sustainability.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.320-329
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• 2023

Background: Oral frailty has garnered considerable interest following its identification as a risk factor for physical frailty. The Korean oral frailty diagnosis criteria have emphasized the need for extensive research on oral frailty diagnostic items and interventions. Our study performed an in-depth analysis of the tongue-palate pressure patterns in healthy community-dwelling older adults. Methods: Of the 217 older adults aged ≥60 years who visited a senior center in Wonju, 205 participants who completed tongue pressure measurement were included in the final analysis. Pressure changes over time were recorded by instructing the participants to press their tongue against the hard palate with for 7 seconds per cycle. The participants were divided into the normal and abnormal tongue pressure (NTP and ATP, respectively) groups based on whether they achieved the target tongue pressure at least once; tongue pressure patterns were compared between the groups. Furthermore, the average time taken to achieve the standard tongue pressure value was calculated for the participants in the NTP group and used to evaluate the decrease in tongue pressure in the ATP group. Results: Among the 205 participants, 40.5% had ATP. The tongue pressure graph revealed a gentle and consistent incline that was maintained even after achieving standard tongue pressure in the NTP group. The graph was more extreme in the ATP group, and the changes in the pressure type varied across individuals; the tongue pressure was only 48.4%, 40.7%, 31.9%, and 22.6% of the NTP in the participants in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and ≥90s, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusion: Tongue pressure weakness was observed in 40.5% of the healthy community-dwelling older adults. Furthermore, ATP graphs were observed in the patients with tongue pressure weakness. Thus, activities improving the oral function in community-dwelling older adults and systematic oral rehabilitation programs should be devised to promote normal swallowing.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.362-368
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• 2023

Purpose: Clinical reports on treatment outcomes of sternal fractures are lacking. This study details the clinical features, treatment approaches, and outcomes related to traumatic sternal fractures over a 10-year period at a single institution. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients admitted to a regional trauma center between January 2012 and December 2021. Among 7,918 patients with chest injuries, 266 were diagnosed with traumatic sternal fractures. Patient data were collected, including demographics, injury mechanisms, severity, associated injuries, sternal fracture characteristics, hospital stay duration, mortality, respiratory complications, and surgical details. Surgical indications encompassed emergency cases involving intrathoracic injuries, unstable fractures, severe dislocations, flail chest, malunion, and persistent high-grade pain. Results: Of 266 patients with traumatic sternal fractures, 260 were included; 98 underwent surgical treatment for sternal fractures, while 162 were managed conservatively. Surgical indications ranged from intrathoracic organ or blood vessel injuries necessitating thoracotomy to unstable fractures with severe dislocations. Factors influencing surgical treatment included flail motion and rib fracture. The median length of intensive care unit stay was 5.4 days (interquartile range [IQR], 1.5-18.0 days) for the nonsurgery group and 8.6 days (IQR, 3.3-23.6 days) for the surgery group. The median length of hospital stay was 20.9 days (IQR, 9.3-48.3 days) for the nonsurgery group and 27.5 days (IQR, 17.0 to 58.0 days) for the surgery group. The between-group differences were not statistically significant. Surgical interventions were successful, with stable bone union and minimal complications. Flail motion in the presence of rib fracture was a crucial consideration for surgical intervention. Conclusions: Surgical treatment recommendations for sternal fractures vary based on flail chest presence, displacement degree, and rib fracture. Surgery is recommended for patients with offset-type sternal fractures with rib and segmental sternal fractures. Surgical intervention led to stable bone union and minimal complications.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.876-886
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• 2023

In some cases of head and neck cancers (HNC), surgical interventions may result in the loss of organs and/or changes to their functions, thereby significantly affecting the patient's quality of life. As a result, the surgical treatment of HNC patients is often limited to specific cases, and alternative treatment modalities, such as chemotherapy, are considered. However, serious adverse effects caused by chemotherapy, such as severe nausea and vomiting, necessitate the need for the development of adjunctive methods to minimize patient suffering. Chuanxiong, Ligusticum chuanxiong (L. chuanxiong), is a natural herb used in Eastern medicine to treat cerebrovascular disorders and headaches. This study aimed to predict the effect and potential of L. chuanxiong as an auxiliary anticancer drug through network-based pharmacology and molecular docking analysis. The study results showed that 40 out of 41 genes of L. chuanxiong shared common targets of HNC and their proteins could be used to target HNC cells to prevent cancer progression. The results of the functional enrichment analysis confirmed that L. chuanxiong is associated with the neuroactive-ligand metabolism and neurotransmitter pathways, indicating its potential medicinal value as an adjuvant in HNC treatment. Lastly, our findings demonstrated that the active ingredient of L. chuanxiong, (Z)-Ligustilide, has the ATP binding site of heat shock protein 90, a protein known to promote the activation of cancer cells. These results suggest that L. chuanxiong is a promising candidate for developing auxiliary anticancer drugs, and further research could potentially lead to the discovery of newer and safer anti-cancer agents.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1046-1051
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• 2023

Cigarette smoking is one of the major causes of preventable diseases, disability, and death in Korea and worldwide. It has been clearly linked to the most common causes of death among the elderly and contributes to morbidity and disability associated with many chronic illnesses that are common in this age group. The health benefits of smoking cessation for the elderly have been clearly demonstrated. However, few studies have analyzed the relationship between health and smoking by considering the following many factors, especially among disabled people. In this study, we discuss the impacts of many factors on smoking among disabled people. Adults with disabilities are more likely to smoke than their peers. Public health agencies and practitioners should consider what reasonable adjustments may need to be made to policies and interventions to ensure that they are effective for adults with disabilities.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.85-95
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to provide evidences throught scoping review of education intervention studies for post kidney transplantation management in the kidney transplant patients in Korea. Through the search engines RISS, KISS, DB pia and Pubmed, 13 articles were selected by searching for theses and academic journals published prior to the search date of May 21, 2023. According to the study result, relevant studies were 13, and the education programs provided to kidney transplant patients were classified into 1) overall health management after transplantation, 2) self-efficacy promotion exercise program, 3) exercise therapy, 4) drug education, and 5) stress coping. Knowledge, implementation, self-efficacy, anxiety, uncertainty, stress, and quality of life were confirmed as effects of the intervention. Based on the results of this study, it is necessary to develop integrated educational materials and systematic self-management programs that can manage various health problems that may occur after kidney transplantation, and it is suggeste that research on educational interventions for kidney transplant patients in nursing.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.477-496
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between rejection sensitivity and reactive aggression among college students, as well as to determine the mediating effects of self-concept clarity and hostile attribution bias on the relationship between rejection sensitivity and reactive aggression. A self-report questionnaire was conducted online for the purpose of gathering data from university students aged 18 years and older. A total of 250 participants were included in the analysis. SPSS 27.0 was used for data analysis to check the basic statistics of the variables, frequency analysis, reliability analysis, and correlation analysis. In addition, the model fit was checked using Amos 21.0, and the bootstrapping method verified the significance of the indirect effect. The results of this study are as follows. The results of this study are as follows. First, rejection sensitivity positively affects reactive aggression through self-concept clarity. Second, rejection sensitivity increases the hostile attribution bias, leading to an increase in reactive aggression. Third, rejection sensitivity positively influences reactive aggression in an indirect way by sequentially affecting self-concept clarity and hostile attribution bias. These findings have implications as they identify psychological factors that affect reactive aggression in college students. This suggests the importance of utilizing psychological interventions to address reactive aggression associated with social problems, such as crime, and provides a foundation for both treatment and prevention. Finally, implications for further research and limitations of this study are suggested.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.843-848
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to understand in detail the development of infants in the 18-24-month period when language develops the most, and to prepare new standards for developmental evaluation that can promote appropriate intervention design at an early time. We divided sub-items such as screening tests and standardized test tools to know the language development ability indicators of infants aged 18-24 months were divided into syntax/phonology, meaning, and speech, and each question was classified and a checklist was made on a five-point scale to conduct a survey on parents with infants aged 18-24 months. Low sensitivity to screening of infants with language delays in nationally implemented infant health checkups, and domestic test tools are standardized for at least six to as many as 10 years, which is always possible in questionnaires related to acceptance and expression, with many reports from parents or teachers.The proportion of "wow" and "started to do" was more than 50-60%. Based on the results of this study, it is hoped that new standards for developmental evaluation will be developed to promote the design of appropriate interventions in detail at a short time.