• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.348-359
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between frequency of alcohol drinking and blood mercury concentration in Korea. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Among them, 3,174 persons were selected for the final study. Results: The concentration of mercury in the blood increased as the frequency of drinking soju or beer increased. Similarly, in the multiple-linear regression analysis model, the frequency of soju drinking was identified as an independent variable showing a statistically significant positive linearity (p<0.001). After controlling for confounding factors, comparing those drinking 'more than twice a week' with those who almost do not drink alcohol, the adjusted ORs for exposure to high concentrations of mercury were 3.24 (95% CI, 2.10-4.99) for drinking soju and 2.07 (95% CI, 1.33-3.22) for drinking beer. The interaction effect between 'soju drinking' and 'spicy pollack and seafood stew' was not statistically significant (p=0.098) for evaluating the interaction effect between the two variables. Conclusions: The concentration of mercury in the blood increased as the frequency of drinking of soju or beer increased. The higher the frequency of alcohol drinking, the more likely is the blood mercury to be included in the high-concentration group. The results of this study can be used as important scientific evidence for the field of environmental health related to alcohol drinking and blood heavy metal exposure in Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3873-3877
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• 2012

Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) are both on the rise in Malaysia. A multi-centric case-control study was conducted from December 2009 to January 2011 to determine any relationship between the two. Methods: Patients with confirmed CRC based on colonoscopy findings and cancer free controls from five local hospitals were assessed for MetS according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definition. Each index case was matched for age, gender and ethnicity with two controls (140: 280). Results: MetS among cases was highly prevalent (70.7%), especially among women (68.7%). MetS as an entity increased CRC risk by almost three fold independently (OR=2.61, 95%CI=1.53-4.47). In men MetS increased the risk of CRC by two fold (OR=2.01, 95%CI, 1.43-4.56), demonstrating an increasing trend in risk with the number of Mets components observed. Conclusion: This study provides evidence fora positive association between the metabolic syndrome and colorectal cancer. A prospective study on the Malaysian population is a high priority to confirm these findings.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.71-77
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of elastic band resistance training for muscle strength among community-dwelling older adults. The systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). Data were pooled using fixed effect models. Sit to stand, arm curl, and grip strength were analyzed for main effects. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the I2 statistics and publication bias was evaluated by funnel plots. Twelves studies were included representing 611 participants. Elastic band resistance training was effective for lower (d=3.89, 95% CI: 3.03, 4.75) and upper extremity muscle strength (d=4.08, 95% CI: 2.94, 5.23). Heterogeneity was moderate and no significant publication bias was detected. Based on these findings, there is clear evidence that elastic band resistance training has significant positive effects on muscle strength among community-dwelling older adults. Further study will be needed to perform subgroup analysis using number of sessions and exercise intensity as predictors.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.205-214
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to investigate the current status and radiographic safety management in Korea. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was completed by 200 dental hygienists in Jeonbuk province from September 1, 2014 and October 31, 2014. The questionnaire consisted of general characteristics of the subjects, radiation knowledge, radiation safety management, and radiation exposure anxiety. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 program. Results: Duration of clinical experience(r=0.142) and number of daily radiation shot(r=0.145) showed a positive correlation to radiation safety management, and a nrgative correlation to use of intraoral films and digital devices(r=-0.587). A logistic regression analysis was performed in order to evaluate the influence on radiography knowledge. The results showed that the factors had significant influences on the age group over 41 years old(OR 7.25; 95% CI 1.30-40.43) and those who took a position above team leader(OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.59-0.90). Conclusions: It is very important to have the safety management toward dental intraoral imaging and radiograpgic shot in the dental hygienists. Continuous efforts should be emphasized on radiographic safety management and behavior.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2003-2007
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• 2012

Purpose: E-cadherin is a transmemberane protein which is responsible for adhesion of endothelial cells. The aim of our study was to assess existing evidence of associations between reduced expression of E-cadherin and prognosis of ovarian cancer with a discussion of potential approaches to exploiting any prognostic value for improved clinical management. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of 9 studies (n=915 patients) focusing on the correlation of reduced expression of E-cadherin with overall survival. Data were synthesized with random or fixed effect hazard ratios. Results: The studies were categorized by author/year, number of patients, FIGO stage, histology, cutoff value for E-cadherin positivity, and methods of hazard rations (HR) estimation, HR and its 95% confidence interval (CI). Combined hazard ratios suggested that reduced expression of E-cadherin positivity was associated with poor overall survival (OS), HR= 2.10, 95% CI:1.13-3.06. Conclusion: The overall survival of the E-cadherin negative group with ovarian cancer was significant poorer than the E-cadherin positive group. Upregulation of E-cadherin is an attractive therapeutic approach that could exert significant effects on clinical outcome of ovarian cancer.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.217-225
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the factors associated with HPV (Human Papillomavirus) related stigma, shame and intent to have HPV test among adult women. Methods: Data were collected from December 1, 2009 to January 31, 2010, and participants were 324 women who visited an obstetric gynecologic clinic. They anticipated testing positive for HPV. Then HPV related stigma, shame, intent to have HPV testing and HPV knowledge were measured. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis test and multivariate adjusted logistic regression were used for data analysis. Results: The levels of stigma and shame were higher than average. Intent to have HPV test was high and HPV knowledge was low. Women who answered that HPV is not sexually transmitted had lower HPV stigma than did women who answered they didn't know (OR=0.20, 95%CI 0.06-0.68). Women with lower stigma showed lower intent to have HPV test than women with higher stigma (OR=0.46, 95%CI 0.26-0.82). Conclusion: Basic HPV information should be fully understood for women especially prior to HPV test. Normalizing HPV stigma is necessary for women who perceive HPV as sexually transmitted and women intending to have HPV test.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.579-585
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• 1997

To gain further insight into the mechanism of action of antiestrogens, we examined the interaction of antiestrogen with the estrogen receptor system and with estrogen- noncompetable antiestrogen binding sites. In addition to binding directly to the estrogen receptor, antiestrogens can be found associated with binding sites that are distinct from the estrogen receptor. In contrast to the restriction of estrogen receptors to estrogen target cells, such as those of uterus and mammary glands, antiestrogen binding sites are present in equal amounts in estrogen receptor-positive and -negative human breast cancer cell lines, such as MCF-7, T47D, and MDA-MB-231 that differ markedly in their sensitivity to antiestrogens. In order to gain greater insight into the role of these antiestrogen binding sites in the action of antiestrogens, we have examined the biopotency of different antiestrogens for the antiestrogen binding sites and that is CI628 > tamoxifen > trans-hydroxy tamoxifen > CI628M > H1285 > LY117018. This order of affinities does not parallel the affinity of these compounds for the estrogen receptor nor the potency of these compounds as antiestrogens. Indeed, compounds with high affinity for the estrogen receptor and greatest antiestrogenic potency have low affinities for these antiestrogen binding sites. Antiestrogenic potency correlates best with estrogen receptor affinity and not with affinity for antiestrogen binding sites. In summary, our findings suggested that interaction with the estrogen receptor is most likely the mechanism through which antiestrogens evoke their growth inhibitory effects.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.597-616
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• 2021

Purpose: This study's objective was to investigate the effects of programs that improve adolescents' body image, using a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A literature search was performed in eleven electronic databases, using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines. Population characteristics, contents of the programs, and measured outcomes were systematically reviewed from 21 selected studies. To estimate the size of the effects, meta-analysis was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. Results: The contents of the programs that aimed to improve body image included physical, psychological, interpersonal, and sociocultural interventions. Sixteen studies were meta-analyzed to estimate the effect size of body-image improvement programs. Results showed that the program for body-image improvement had significant effects on body satisfaction (effect size [ES] = 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.23 to 0.89), and body dissatisfaction (ES = - 0.15, 95% CI = - 0.23 to - 0.08). Conclusion: The program for body image improvement in adolescents includes a combination of physical, psychological, interpersonal relationship, and socio-cultural dimensions. The program that seeks to improve body image appears to be effective at increasing body satisfaction, and at reducing body dissatisfaction in adolescents. Thus, it is necessary to develop and apply multidimensional programs for adolescents to have a positive body image.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.292-298
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• 2019

Objectives: Presenteeism is currently recognized as a significant global health issue that can potentially cause productivity losses. Hence, many studies have analyzed the relationships between workplace factors and presenteeism. However, few studies have considered non-occupational factors. This study examined the associations between presenteeism and activities outside work, including volunteering, self-development, leisure/sports, and gardening and house repair activities, in Korean wage workers. Methods: This study analyzed the fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey, in which a total of 19 294 wage workers participated. To identify relationships between presenteeism and activities outside work, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used after adjusting for general and occupational characteristics. Results: Self-development and leisure/sports activities significantly increased the odds ratio (OR) of presenteeism (OR, 1.166; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.061 to 1.282 and OR, 1.276; 95% CI, 1.181 to 1.379, respectively). Conclusions: Certain activities outside work, such as self-development or leisure/sports, were related to presenteeism among Korean wage workers. Although many previous studies have emphasized the positive effects of those activities on health, this study documented negative effects of these activities outside work on health.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.235-242
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was to investigate whether the application of different diagnostic criteria affected the frequency of convergence insufficiency (CI). Methods: Eighty one subjects with mean age of 22.54 years (20 to 27 years) were evaluated. Binocularity tests after refraction were performed as the following tests: near point of convergence (NPC) with an accommodative target, phoria using von Graefe method, positive fusional vergence (PFV) with a phoropter. Subjects with CI were diagnosed when exophoria (exo) was greater at near than at distance ($exo{\geq}4{\Delta}$, or >$6{\Delta}$), fusional vergence was $PFV{\leq}11{\Delta}$ for blur, $PFV{\leq}15{\Delta}$ for break, Sheard's or Percival's criterion, and NPC was $NPC{\geq}6cm$, ${\geq}7.5cm$ or >10 cm. Results: Frequency of CI with one diagnostic criterion was ranged from 6.2% to 77.8%, and was overestimated or underestimated according to criteria. It was reduced to the range of 6.2% to 43.2% with diagnostic criteria more than two, especially to the range of 24.7% to 28.4% with lower variability in diagnostic criteria including phoria and Sheard's criterion. There were high relationship between total score of signs and phoria score (r = 0.772, p<0.001), and measured phoria and Sheard's criterion (r = -0.654, p<0.001), but NPC had a high variability and a weak or no significant relationship with other diagnostic criteria. Results suggested $exo{\geq}4{\Delta}$, Sheard's criterion and $NPC{\geq}7.5cm$ for diagnostic criteria of signs and sequence for CI. Conclusions: Frequency of CI is likely to be over- and underestimated with diagnostic criteria. Cutoff values and procedures for phoria, Sheard's criterion and NPC as clinical signs should be suggested definitely in diagnosis associated with CI.