• Clinical Pain
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.90-96
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of two physical examinations (straight leg raise [SLR] and Bragard test) and electromyography (EMG) in patients with lumbosacral monoradiculopathy in acute and chronic state on confirmation of different diagnostic criteria (MRI vs MRI and diagnostic selective nerve root block [DSNRB]). Method: We identified 297 participants retrospectively from the departmental database. MRI evidence of L5 or S1 nerve root compression and a positive result in diagnostic SNRB served as reference standards. They were divided into two groups by the symptom duration: lasting more than 12 weeks in the chronic group and less than 12 weeks in the acute group. The diagnostic value of clinical tests and EMG were compared. Results: The clinical tests (SLR and Bragard test) done in acute stage on detection by MRI and DSNRB had the highest sensitivity (68%) compared to the chronic stage (63%), but sensitivity was low (57%) on confirmation of MRI alone. However, there was no significant difference on sensitivity and specificity of EMG regardless of reference standards and symptom duration. Electromyography was a significant predictor of neuropathic abnormalities on both acute (OR, 6.3; 95% CI, 2.4 to 16.7; p<0.01) and chronic (OR, 6.8; 95% CI, 2.9 to 16.3; p<0.01). Conclusion: In general, individual physical tests are easy to do and a combination of those tests could be a sensitive indicator of L5 or S1 radiculopathy. Furthermore, the use of provocation tests could provide useful information, especially in proceeding therapeutic selective nerve root block.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.273-279
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• 2022

Objectives: The aim of this study was to present the baseline results of a pilot project conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of lung cancer screening using low-dose chest computed tomography (CT) in regions with excessive radon levels in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Methods: In total, 3671 participants were screened by low-dose chest CT. Current, former, and never-smokers who resided in regions with elevated levels of radon in drinking water sources and indoor air, aged between 40 and 75 with no history of any cancer, and weighing less than 140 kg were included in the study. All lung nodules were categorized according to the American College of Radiology Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS 1.0). Results: Overall, 614 (16.7%) participants had positive baseline CT findings (Lung-RADS categories 3 and 4). Seventy-four cancers were detected, yielding an overall cancer detection rate of 2.0%, with 10.8% (8/74) stage I and a predominance of stage III (59.4%; 44/74). Women never-smokers and men current smokers had the highest cancer detection rates, at 2.9% (12/412) and 6.1% (12/196), respectively. Compared to never-smokers, higher odds ratios (ORs) of lung cancer detection were found in smokers (OR,2.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52 to 4.05, p<0.001) and former smokers (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.06 to 5.06, p=0.003). The most common histologic type of cancer was adenocarcinoma (58.1%). Conclusions: Implementation of low-dose CT screening for lung cancer in regions with elevated radon levels is an effective method for both smokers and never-smokers.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.552-562
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• 2023

Objectives: Adolescents who engage in unhealthy behaviors are particularly vulnerable to anxiety. We hypothesized that participation in physical activity could influence the relationship between anxiety and unhealthy behaviors in adolescents. These behaviors include smoking, alcohol consumption, and unsafe sexual activity. Methods: This study included 50 301 students from the first year of middle school to the third year of high school, all from Korea. The unhealthy adolescent behaviors examined included current alcohol consumption, current smoking, and unsafe sexual behavior. Anxiety levels were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire (GAD-7). Results: The participants had a mean age of 15.19 years and an average GAD-7 score of 4.23. No significant differences were observed in GAD-7 score among exercising participants when categorized by smoking status (p=0.835) or unsafe sexual behavior (p=0.489). In contrast, participants in the non-exercise group who engaged in these behaviors demonstrated significantly higher GAD-7 scores (p<0.001 and 0.016, respectively). The only significant interaction was found between unsafe sexual behavior and exercise (p=0.009). Based on logistic regression analysis, within the non-exercise group, significant positive associations were observed between current smoking and anxiety (odds ratio [OR], 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18 to 1.57), as well as between unsafe sexual behavior and anxiety (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.73). However, within the exercise group, no significant association was found between anxiety and either smoking or unsafe sexual behavior. Furthermore, no significant interaction was observed between unhealthy behaviors and exercise. Conclusions: These findings are insufficient to conclude that physical activity influences the relationship between unhealthy behaviors and anxiety.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.364-372
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• 2023

Background: Growing evidence suggests that beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), arginine (Arg), and glutamine (Gln) positively affect wound recovery. This study investigated the effects of long-term administration of HMB/Arg/Gln on pressure ulcer (PU) healing in sedentary older adults admitted to geriatric and rehabilitation care facilities. Methods: This was a pilot retrospective case (standard of care and HMB/Arg/Gln)-control (standard of care alone) clinical study. Outcome measures were relative healing rates and Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) scores (calculated after 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks) and time to healing. Results: The study subpopulation was comprised of 14 participants (four males, 28.6%) with the median age of 85.5 years (interquartile range [IQR], 82.0-90.2 years). The control subpopulation was comprised of 31 participants (18 males, 58.1%) with the median age of 84.0 years (IQR, 78.0-90.0 years). At the beginning of follow-up, there were no statistically significant demographic (sex and age) and clinical (main diagnosis, baseline area, and PU perimeter) differences between the groups. During the study period, there were no significant differences in the relative healing rates and PUSH scores between the subpopulations. The median time to complete healing in the study and control populations was 170.0 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 85.7-254.3) and 218.0 days (95% CI, 149.2- 286.7) (log-rank, chi-square=3.99; p<0.046), respectively. Conclusion: More than 20 weeks of HMB/Arg/Gln supplementation had a positive effect on difficult PU healing in older adults with multiple comorbidities.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.257-268
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet among Korean baby boomers and their levels of psychosocial stress. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The study included 1,656 adults (889 men and 797 women) born between 1955 and 1963 who participated in the 2005-2006 survey of the community-based Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). The Mediterranean-type diet score (MTDS) was calculated from the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQFFQ) data. The psychosocial stress levels were calculated using the psychosocial well-being indexshort form (PWI-SF). Logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the association between the MTDS (tertiles) and the prevalence of high psychosocial stress by gender. RESULTS: The ranges of the MTDS tertile groups were T1 (20-33 points), T2 (34-37 points), and T3 (38-39 points) for men, T1 (20-33 points), T2 (34-37 points), and T3 (38-48 points) for women. In both men and women, the consumption of whole grains, potatoes, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and fish increased with higher MTDS, while the consumption of red meat and dairy products decreased (P for trend < 0.05). As MTDS score increased the intake of energy, fiber, vitamins, and minerals (P for trend < 0.05). Men in the highest MTDS tertile had a 41% lower odds ratio (OR) of high psychosocial stress compared with those in the lowest tertile (OR, 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38-0.91). Similarly, women in the highest tertile of the MTDS had a 39% lower OR of high psychosocial stress compared with those in the lowest tertile (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.40-0.95). CONCLUSION: Promoting adherence to the Mediterranean diet among baby boomers may have a positive impact on reducing their levels of psychosocial stress.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.189-198
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• 2024

Objectives: The sodium index is an index that converts the estimated sodium intake calculated using a verified and reliable sodium estimation formula. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the sodium index and obesity indicators and the potential impact of excessive sodium consumption on obesity. Methods: Obesity indicators, such as body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and visceral fat levels, were analyzed in 120 university students (60 men and 60 women). The sodium index was calculated by indexing the estimated sodium intake according to age, sex, BMI, salt-eating habits, and salt-eating behaviors. The relationship between sodium index and obesity indicators was analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Results: The estimated sodium intake was 3,907.1 mg, with 76.7% of the participants categorized under the "careful" level of sodium index and 10.8% under the "moderate" level. As the sodium index increased, the BMI, body fat percentage, WHR, and visceral fat levels significantly increased. All obesity indicators significantly increased in patients with a "severe" sodium index than in those with a "moderate" sodium index. In addition, a strong positive correlation was identified between obesity indicators and sodium index. When the "severe" sodium index was compared with the "moderate" sodium index, the risk of obesity based on body fat percentage increased by 2.181 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.526-3.118), while the risk of obesity based on visceral fat level increased by 4.073 times (95% CI, 2.097-7.911). Conclusions: Our findings suggest a correlation between excessive sodium intake and obesity. Moreover, the sodium index can be used to determine sodium intake.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.87 no.3
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• pp.261-281
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• 2024

Cardiovascular comorbidity is common in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This factor interferes with pharmacological treatment. The use of β-blockers has been proposed for their known cardioprotective effects. However, due to their adverse reactions, and the risk of causing bronchospasm, there is reluctance to use them. To summarize existing evidence on the effects of β-blocker use in COPD associated with cardiovascular comorbidities in relation to disease severity, exacerbation, and mortality outcomes. EMBASE, Medline, Lilacs, Cochrane Library, and Science Direct databases were used. Observational studies that evaluated the effects of β-blockers on individuals with COPD and cardiovascular comorbidities, and related disease severity, exacerbations, or mortality outcomes were included. Studies that did not present important information about the sample and pharmacological treatment were excluded. Twenty studies were included. Relevance to patient care and clinical practice: The use of β-blockers in individuals with COPD and cardiovascular disease caused positive effects on mortality and exacerbations outcomes, compared with the results of individuals who did not use them. The severity of the disease caused a slight change in forced expiratory volume in 1 second. The odds ratio for mortality was 0.50 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39 to 0.63; p<0.00001), and for exacerbations, 0.76 (95% CI, 0.62 to 0.92; p=0.005), being favorable to the group that used β-blockers. Further studies are needed to study the effect of using a specific β-blocker in COPD associated with a specific cardiovascular comorbidity.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this review was to systematically analyze the available literature on the correlation between the gray values (GVs) of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and the Hounsfield units (HUs) of computed tomography (CT) for assessing bone mineral density. Materials and Methods: A literature search was carried out in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Scopus, and LILACS for studies published through September 2021. In vitro, in vivo, and animal studies that analyzed the correlations GVs of CBCT and HUs of CT were included in this review. The review was prepared according to the PRISMA checklist for systematic reviews, and the risk of bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool. A quantitative analysis was performed using a fixed-effects model. Results: The literature search identified a total of 5,955 studies, of which 14 studies were included for the qualitative analysis and 2 studies for the quantitative analysis. A positive correlation was observed between the GVs of CBCT and HUs of CT. Out of the 14 studies, 100% had low risks of bias for the domains of patient selection, index test, and reference standards, while 95% of studies had a low risk of bias for the domain of flow and timing. The fixed-effects meta-analysis performed for Pearson correlation coefficients between CBCT and CT showed a moderate positive correlation (r=0.669; 95% CI, 0.388 to 0.836; P<0.05). Conclusion: The available evidence showed a positive correlation between the GVs of CBCT and HUs of CT.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.205-216
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• 2016

Objectives: We compared the difference of lipid, insulin resistance and metabolic markers based on HCV RNA in Korean adults.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 222 subjects visited the health promotion center of Pusan nationaluniversity hospital from 2004 to 2007. Subjects were anti-HCV antibody positive and were performed RT-PCR for HCV RNA. The HCV RNA (+) group were 85 subjects, HCV RNA (-) control group were 115 subjects, and the HCV RNA (-) but past positive group were 22 subjects. We performed anthropometry, anti-HCV, RT-PCR, plasma concentrations of insulin, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride.Results: BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, insulin resistance such as HOMA-IR and QUICKI were not significantly different between HCV RNA positive and negative groups. The serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol level were significantly lower in the HCV RNA positive group than in the negative group ($186.24{\pm}37.63$ vs $197.22{\pm}37.23$ mg/dl, p=0.041, $111.66{\pm}34.06$ vs $121.38{\pm}35.50$ mg/dl, p=0.042). After adjusting age and sex, high total cholesterol (${\geq}200mg/dl$) (adjusted OR=0.51, 95%CI 0.28-0.94, p=0.03) and high LDL cholesterol (${\geq}130mg/dl$) (adjusted OR=0.46, 95%CI 0.24~0.87, p=0.02) were inversely associated with being HCV RNA positive (p<0.05). Conclusion: The serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol level were significantly lower in HCV RNA (+) group than in HCV RNA (-) group, but not in HCV RNA (-) but past positive group. Prospective cohort studies are needed to clarify the relationship between HCV RNA and metabolic markers.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.2 s.271
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• pp.114-121
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• 2007

Background: Apoptosis plays a crucial role in carcinogenesis, as well as in development and tissue homeostasis. Terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase mediated neck end labelling (TUNEL) and in situ nick end labelling (ISEL) have been used to investigate the apoptosis in tissues. Since the introduction of the M30 monoclonal antibody to overcome drawbacks of TUNEL and ISEL, the apoptosis in various tumors, with the exception of pulmonary carcinomas, has been studied. In this study, attempts were made to examine the correlation of apoptosis in non-small cell carcinomas, using both M30 and the expression of p53 protein, with the clinicopathological factors. Material and Method: Forty five patients with surgically resected non-small cell carcinomas were included. Immunohistochemical staining with M30 and p53 monoclonal antibody were peformed, and their expressions compared with the clinicopathological features. The overall survival time and recurrence-free survival time were calculated, and the factors influencing the survival time analyzed using a univariate analysis. The effects of the expression stati of M30 and p53 on the risks of cancer related to both death and recurrence were evaluated using a multivariate analysis. Result: The p53 positive group had many more M30 positive cells than the p53 negative group (p53 positive group; $61.7{\pm}26.8$ cells vs. p53 negative group; $45.6{\pm}29.6$ cells, p=0.005) and significantly more p53 positive patients showing at least 10 positive cells (apoptotic index, $Al{\ge}1$) on M30 staining (p53 positive group; 52.4% (11/21) vs. p53 negative group 16,7% (4/24), p=0.025). In the univariate analysis, the survival times in relation to smoking (pack-year), performance status (PS) and Al showed significant differences. The multivariate analysis demonstrated the relative risk (R.R) of cancer death increased almost 7.5-fold (R.R 7.482; 95% Cl $1.886{\sim}29.678$; p=0.004) and the risk of recurrence almost 3,8-fold (R.R 3.795; 95% Cl: $1.184{\sim}12.158$; p=0.025) in the high Al (${\ge}1$) compared to the low Al (<1) group. There was no prognostic effect of p53 expression on the survival time or risk of cancer death and recurrence. Conclusion: In non-small cell lung carcinomas, M30 immunohistochemistry was an excellent method for analyzing apoptosis; the high apoptotic index could be an adverse prognostic predictive factor.