• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.379-389
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• 2016

Purpose: A longitudinal study was conducted to explore flora colonization and oral glucose high-risk newborns during the first 7 days after birth. Methods: Oral secretions of hospitalized newborns were obtained for microbial cultures and glucose test at days 1-7 after birth. Results: Among the total 112 newborns, 40% were girls and 73% were premature. Mean gestational age was $34.4{\pm}3.2$ weeks and weight was $2,266{\pm}697.5$ grams. The most common flora included Streptococcus (28.2%), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, 10.9%), Staphylococcus (6.0%) and Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus (CNS, 4.0%). The average oral glucose level was $29.2{\pm}23.0mg/dL{\sim}58.2{\pm}39.5mg/dL$. Newborns with higher oral glucose than serum (crude odds ratio [ORc] =1.75; 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.03-2.97), phototherapy (ORc=3.30; 95% CI=2.29-4.76) and prone position (ORc= 2.04; 95% CI=1.13-3.69) were more likely to be colonized. Having oral tubes (ORc=0.42; 95% CI=0.29-0.59), parental nutrition (ORc=0.21; 95% CI=0.13-0.32) and antibiotics (ORc=0.51; 95% CI=0.36-0.73) had protective effects. For oral glucose statistical significances existed on time effect among newborns with Streptococcus (F=9.78, p=.024), MRSA (F=7.60, p=.037) or CNS (F=11.15, p=.019) and interaction between time and colonization among newborns with all of four flora (F=2.73, p=.029) or colonization with only Staphylococcus (F=2.91, p=.034). Conclusion: High-risk newborns develop flora colonization at an early period of life. Their clinical features were associated with types and time of oral flora colonization. They need close monitoring and multifaceted intervention to improve oral environment and infection control.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.342-351
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• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the inflammatory and lipid profile of patients with and without peri-implantitis. Methods: A cross-sectional biochemical study was carried out in which blood samples were collected from 16 patients with peri-implantitis and from 31 subjects with healthy implants. Clinical peri-implant parameters were obtained from all subjects. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured in serum. Lipid fractions, glucose and creatinine levels, and complete blood count were also assessed. Results: After controlling for a history of periodontitis, statistically significant differences between peri-implantitis patients and controls were found for total cholesterol (estimated adjusted mean difference, 76.4 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval [CI], 39.6, 113.2 mg/dL; P<0.001), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (estimated adjusted mean difference, 57.7 mg/dL; 95% CI, 23.8, 91.6 mg/dL; P<0.001), white blood cells (WBC) (estimated adjusted mean difference, 2.8×10³/µL; 95% CI, 1.6, 4.0×10³/µL; P<0.001) and IL-10 (estimated adjusted mean difference, -10.4 pg/mL; 95% CI, -15.8, -5.0 pg/mL; P<0.001). The peri-implant probing pocket depth (PPD) was modestly positively correlated with total cholesterol (r=0.512; P<0.001), LDL cholesterol (r=0.463; P=0.001), and WBC (r=0.519; P<0.001). A moderate negative correlation was observed between IL-10 and PPD (r=0.609; P<0.001). Conclusions: Otherwise healthy individuals with peri-implantitis showed increased low-grade systemic inflammation and dyslipidemia.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2019

Purpose: Obesity is risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, nonobese patients are also increasingly susceptible to NAFLD. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics of obese and nonobese pediatric patients with NAFLD. Methods: We retrospectively studied 68 patients who were diagnosed with NAFLD between January 2010 and October 2016 at 10-18 years of age. Body mass index ${\geq}95th$ percentile for age and sex was defined as obesity. Abdominal ultrasonography and laboratory, anthropometrics measurements were evaluated. Results: Among the 68, 26 (38.2%) were nonobese patients. The ratio of male to female was 5.8:1, and the median age at diagnosis was 13 years (range, 10-17 years). Significant higher triglyceride (223.0 mg/dL vs. 145.9 mg/dL, P=0.047) and total cholesterol levels (211.6 mg/dL vs. 173.2 mg/dL, P=0.011) were shown in nonobese than obese patients. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol level <40 mg/dL (hazard ratio [HR], 6.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.13-7.10; P=0.048), total cholesterol level >200 mg/dL (HR, 5.6; 95% CI, 1.23-15.31; P=0.038) and abdominal obesity (HR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.22-4.68; P=0.013) were significant risk factors for NAFLD in nonobese patients. Conclusion: Nonobese patients present a substantial proportion of pediatric NAFLD cases. Significant abnormal lipid concentrations were found in nonobese and abdominal obesity was important risk factor for nonobese NAFLD.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.401-424
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• 2022

Objectives: As effective treatments for dementia are lacking in Western medicine, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is considered a useful option. While the quality of life (QoL) is a vital outcome for patients with dementia, the QoL of patients receiving CAM for dementia remains ambiguous. This study aimed to determine the effect of CAM on QoL outcomes in dementia patients. Methods: A search was performed using the keywords "dementia," "Alzheimer's," "cognitive impairment," "Chinese," "Korean," "oriental," "herbal," "acupuncture," and "quality of life". All quantitative data were synthesized using R version 4.1.1. Results: Twenty-five randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 16 pre-post trials, and two cohort studies were selected for the systematic review. QoL in Alzheimer's disease (QOL-AD) (n=11, 25.6%) and geriatric QoL in dementia (GQOL-D, n=9, 20.9%) were the most utilized QoL instruments. Significant benefits in QoL were observed after receiving mind, body, combined mind and body, nursing, oriental medicine, and acupuncture therapies. In the meta-analysis, the combined effect was shown to significantly increase QOL-AD compared to before CAM interventions (standardized mean difference, SMD: 0.507; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.191~0.824; p<0.01). The overall synthesized estimates in the GQOL-D showed a significantly improved QoL (SMD: 0.537, 95% CI: 0.238~0.837 p<0.01; one group; SMD: 1.465, 95% CI: 0.934~1.996, p<0.01). The seven studies assessing the cost-effectiveness of CAM reported uncertain outcomes. Conclusions: This study showed that CAM interventions benefited patients with dementia by improving their QoL. While additional standardized research is required, CAMs are suggested as effective clinical management for patients with dementia. They are also suggested as complementing therapies for these patients.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.489-496
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• 1997

The arm of this study is to determine harmful radioactive gas($Rn^{222}$)-concentrations in soils and to suggest the anormalous regions of $Rn^{222}$-concentration in Taejeon area. The range of $Rn^{222}$-concentration in the soils (45 samples) of the survey area is 100 to 2, 475 (pCi/L) and mean$\pm$$\sigma$ of those values is 489$\pm$ 505 (pCi/L). The 2% (4 samples) of soil-gas samples (45 ones) collected In the survey area is corresponded to high rusk level, 53% (24 samples) to medium one and 43% (19 samples) to low one. Especially. The $Rn^{222}$-concentration is relatively higher in schistose granite region than in other rock Mts (two-mica granite and biotite ganite) in the survey area. The $Rn^{222}$-concentration is propotional to the uranium contents in the soils. The soil hardness among the various factors is correlative with $Rn^{222}$-concentrations. To prevent the damage from $Rn^{222}$-concentrations, It is necessary to close the cracks of underground structure and to consider methods reducing $Rn^{222}$-concentration for the anormalous regions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.3973-3980
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• 2014

Prostate adenocarcinoma is one of the leading causes of cancer related mortality in men but still limited knowledge is available about its associated functional SNPs including rs1042522 (Pro72Arg). The present study was undertaken to explore the association of this SNP with susceptibility to prostate adenocarcinoma along with its structural and functional impacts in the Pakistani population in a case-control study. Three-dimensional structure of human TP53 with Pro72Arg polymorphism was predicted through homology modeling, refined and validated for detailed structure-based assessment. We also carried out a HuGE review of the previous available data for this polymorphism. Different genetic models were used to evaluate the genotypes association with the increased risk of PCa (Allelic contrast: OR=0.0.34, 95%CI 0.24-0.50, p=0.000; GG vs CC: OR=0.17, 95%CI 0.08-0.38, p=0.000; Homozygous: OR=0.08, 95%CI 0.04-0.15, p=0.000; GC vs CC: OR=2.14, 95%CI 1.01-4.51, p=0.046; Recessive model: OR=0.10, 95%CI 0.05-0.18, p=0.000; Log Additive: OR=3.54, 95%CI 2.13-5.89, p=0.000) except the Dominant model (OR=0.77, 95%CI 0.39-1.52, p=0.46). Structure and functional analysis revealed that the SNP in the proline rich domain is responsible for interaction with HRMT1L2 and WWOX. In conclusion, it was observed that the Arg coding G allele is highly associated with increased risk of prostate adenocarcinoma in the Pakistani population (p=0.000).

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare serum amyloid A (SAA) protein levels with high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels as markers of systemic inflammation in patients with chronic periodontitis. The association of serum titers of antibodies to periodontal microbiota and SAA/hs-CRP levels in periodontitis patients was also studied. Methods: A total of 110 individuals were included in this study. Patients were assessed for levels of hs-CRP and SAA. Nonfasting blood samples were collected from participants at the time of clinical examination. The diagnosis of adipose tissue disorders was made according to previously defined criteria. To determine SAA levels, a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was utilized. Paper points were transferred to a sterile tube to obtain a pool of samples for polymerase chain reaction processing and the identification of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Tannerella forsythia. The serum level of IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies to P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans, and T. forsythia was also determined. Results: SAA and hs-CRP levels were higher in periodontitis patients than in controls (P<0.05). In bivariate analysis, high levels of hs-CRP (>3 mg/L) and SAA (>10 mg/L) were significantly associated with chronic periodontitis (P=0.004). The Spearman correlation analysis between acute-phase proteins showed that SAA positively correlated with hs-CRP (r=0.218, P=0.02). In the adjusted model, chronic periodontitis was associated with high levels of SAA (odds ratio [OR], 5.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6-18.2; P=0.005) and elevated hs-CRP levels (OR, 6.1, 95% CI, 1.6-23.6; P=0.008). Increased levels of serum IgG2 antibodies to P. gingivalis were associated with high levels of SAA (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.4-8.5; P=0.005) and high concentrations of hs-CRP (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.9-9.8; P<0.001). Conclusions: SAA and hs-CRP concentrations in patients with chronic periodontitis are comparably elevated. High serum titers of antibodies to P. gingivalis and the presence of periodontal disease are independently related to high SAA and hs-CRP levels.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 1975

Continued to the previous paper, the present investigation deals with stronitium-90 activities and calcium contents among 54 samples of edible marine algae collected along the coast of Korea during September, 1973 and April, 1974. The calcium contents are variable 2.0-17.8%, and 6.38% on an average. Most of the members investigated contain 2-4% in green and red algae, and 8-10% in brown algae. Strontium-90 activities are 0.32-0.37 pCi/l in sea-water, and 0.80-28.66 pCi$\^$90/Sr/g Ca in edible seaweeds. Among the algal phyla, they are 12.49 in green, 3.34 in brown, and 9.39 pCi$\^$90/Sr/g Ca in red algae, while they are 6.25 pCi$\^$90/Sr/g Ca on an average. In a single species collected at the same season, the highest activities appear mostly from the eastern coast, and from the western and southern coasts, in turn. The green algae, Capsosiphon- Enteromorpha complex show about 3 times higher activities, 28.66 pCi$\^$90/Sr /g Ca compared with the other members showing rather higher activities, and would be an indicator plant of strontium-90 activities of the marine algae along the coast of Korea.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.236-246
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• 2014

Purpose: Walnut is known to have unique favorable fatty acids, phytochemicals, and other nutrient profiles. As a result, there has been growing interest in evaluation of its health benefit related to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although inverse associations of nut consumption and risk factors of cardiovascular disease have been reported in many epidemiological studies and qualitative reviews, few meta-analysis studies have been reported. This meta-analysis was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of a walnut-enhanced diet on CVD risk factors. Methods: We searched Pubmed, Cochrane, Science Direct, and KISS (Korean studies Information Service System) through July 2014. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted on 17 trials reporting total cholesterol (TC), 14 trials reporting LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), 15 trials reporting HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), 17 trials reporting triglyceride (TG), and four trials reporting flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Results: In meta-analysis, intake of a walnut-enhanced diet resulted in significantly lowered TC, LDL-C, and TG by -0.124 mmol/l (95% CI, -0.209, -0.039; p = 0.004), -0.085 mmol/lL (95% CI, -0.167, -0.004; p = l0.039), and -0.080 mmol/l (95% CI, -0.155, -0.004; p = 0.039), respectively. The overall pooled estimate of the effect on FMD was +1.313% (95% CI, 0.744, 1.882, p = 0.000). HDL-C was not affected by walnut intake. No statistical heterogeneity was observed for any analysis. Results of funnel plots and Egger's regression suggested a low likelihood of publication bias in all biomarkers (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Findings of this meta-analysis provide consistent evidence that walnut-enhanced diet intake reduces the CVD risk factors.

• Allergy, Asthma & Respiratory Disease
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.295-302
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• 2018

Purpose: It is thought that Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is more prevalent and causes more severe pneumonia in school-age children and young adults than in preschool children; however, recent studies suggest that the infection may be underdiagnosed and more severe in preschool children. This study investigated the clinical characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) and the risk factors of refractory MPP (RMPP) by age. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 353 children admitted due to MPP from January 2015 to December 2016. Demographics, clinical information, laboratory data and radiological findings were collected from all patients in this study. The patients were divided into 2 groups by the age of 6 years. Also, both preschool (< 6 years old) and school-age (${\geq}6$ years old) children were divided into RMPP and non-RMPP patients. Results: Total febrile days, febrile days before admission and the duration of macrolide antibiotic therapy were significantly longer in school-age children than in preschool children. School-age children had significantly greater risk of lobar consolidation (P=0.036), pleural effusion (P=0.001) and extrapulmonary complications (P=0.019). Necrotizing pneumonia and bronchiolitis obliterans tended to occur more frequently in preschool children than in school-age children. In both preschool and school-age children, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were significantly higher in RMPP patients than in non-RMPP patients. In preschool children, LDH > 722 IU/L (odds ratio [OR], 3.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44-6.50) and ferritin > 177 ng/mL (OR, 5.38; 95% CI, 1.61-19.49) were significant risk factors for RMPP, while LDH > 645 IU/L (OR, 4.12; 95% CI, 1.64-10.97) and ferritin > 166 ng/mL (OR, 5.51; 95% CI, 1.59-22.32) were so in school-age children. Conclusion: Clinical features of MPP were significantly different between preschool and school-age children. LDH and ferritin may be significant factors of RMPP in preschool and school-age children.