• Title/Summary/Keyword: systematic bias

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Short-term Effect of Fine Particulate Matter on Children's Hospital Admissions and Emergency Department Visits for Asthma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

  • Lim, Hyungryul;Kwon, Ho-Jang;Lim, Ji-Ae;Choi, Jong Hyuk;Ha, Mina;Hwang, Seung-sik;Choi, Won-Jun
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.49 no.4
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    • pp.205-219
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    • 2016
  • Objectives: No children-specified review and meta-analysis paper about the short-term effect of fine particulate matter ($PM_{2.5}$) on hospital admissions and emergency department visits for asthma has been published. We calculated more precise pooled effect estimates on this topic and evaluated the variation in effect size according to the differences in study characteristics not considered in previous studies. Methods: Two authors each independently searched PubMed and EMBASE for relevant studies in March, 2016. We conducted random effect meta-analyses and mixed-effect meta-regression analyses using retrieved summary effect estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and some characteristics of selected studies. The Egger's test and funnel plot were used to check publication bias. All analyses were done using R version 3.1.3. Results: We ultimately retrieved 26 time-series and case-crossover design studies about the short-term effect of $PM_{2.5}$ on children's hospital admissions and emergency department visits for asthma. In the primary meta-analysis, children's hospital admissions and emergency department visits for asthma were positively associated with a short-term $10{\mu}g/m^3$ increase in $PM_{2.5}$ (relative risk, 1.048; 95% CI, 1.028 to 1.067; $I^2=95.7%$). We also found different effect coefficients by region; the value in Asia was estimated to be lower than in North America or Europe. Conclusions: We strengthened the evidence on the short-term effect of $PM_{2.5}$ on children's hospital admissions and emergency department visits for asthma. Further studies from other regions outside North America and Europe regions are needed for more generalizable evidence.

Primiparous Couples' Knowledge, Attitude and Practice regarding Breastfeeding (초산부부의 모유수유에 대한 지식, 태도 및 실천의지)

  • Kang, Nam-Mi
    • Women's Health Nursing
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    • v.5 no.3
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    • pp.379-388
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    • 1999
  • Breastfeeding is an excellent way of feeding infants and continues to be an important source of nutrition and antibodies for infants. Although breast-feeding is believed to be important, the rate of breastfeeding among Korean women is very low. One reason for the low breastfeeding rate is that the health professionals in the past have given little practical help couples to overcome difficulties encountered during breastfeeding. The promotion of breastfeeding has recently become a high priority among health professionals because of the undisputed physiological, psychological, social, economic, and nutritional benefits. Fathers have been found to influence the course of breastfeeding, but no one has conducted a systematic investigation into in and included fathers perspectives of breastfeeding in Korea. It is important to find strategies to solve the problems by assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice of breastfeeding with fathers as well as mothers. The purpose of this research is to find ways to promote primiparous(first child) couples's breastfeeding by assessing their general knowledge, attitude and practice of it. More specifically its purposes is to identify the relationship between knowledge, attitude, practice and the background factors of breastfeeding of primiparous couples in order to promote and support breastfeeding. The data will help health professionals to guide first-pregnancy couples to prepare and overcome any difficulties encountered during breastfeeding. Data were collected through a questionnaire which included both structured and open-ended questions. The questionnaire was composed referencing earlier literature, studies and surveys. This survey was made postpartum 2-3days after childbirth on 96 couples. The numbers of subjects for data analysis were selected 51 couples through pilot screening test. Data were coded and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences : Cronbach's alpha coefficient, T-test, ANOVA, Stepwise pearson's correlation coefficient. The relations between the variables of breastfeeding were examined using a Pearson's correlation coefficient. This study showed that, the internal validity of the instrument was tested by Cronbach's alpha. The result was : mother knowledge 0.72, mother attitude 0.88, and father knowledge 0.70, father attitude 0.92, practice 0.76 and planning of breast feeding 0.95. The average age of mothers in the sample was 28.9 years old, and the average age of fathers in the sample was 31.3 years old. The other descriptive informations available included. the study also found that fathers were more important than doctors or nurses. However results of the study indicate that there were no differences between father and mother knowledge of breastfeeding(t=-0.39, p=0.698), and father attitude was statistically significant higher than mother attitude of breastfeeding (t=2.24, p=0.030). In analysis, the variable 'practice' with breastfeeding was the relationship with mother knowledge (p=0.031) and mother attitude(p=0.015). In this study, the correlation between one couple' knowledge and attitude was not significant. Primiparous couples surveyed in the postpartum period regarding knowledge, attitude and practice about breastfeeding might be affected by recall bias, the effects of the euphoria of the first 24-48 hours postpartum, but these variables were not examined. This study results add to the body of knowledge about nursing care for breastfeeding mothers and fathers. This indicates that a need for education about breastfeeding and, that fathers be included in it as well as mothers.

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Association Between Pancreatitis and Subsequent Risk of Pancreatic Cancer: a Systematic Review of Epidemiological Studies

  • Tong, Gui-Xian;Geng, Qing-Qing;Chai, Jing;Cheng, Jing;Chen, Peng-Lai;Liang, Han;Shen, Xing-Rong;Wang, De-Bin
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.12
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    • pp.5029-5034
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    • 2014
  • This study aimed to summarize published epidemiological evidence for the relationship between pancreatitis and subsequent risk of pancreatic cancer (PC). We searched Medline and Embase for epidemiological studies published by February $5^{th}$, 2014 examining the risk of PC in pancreatitis patients using highly inclusive algorithms. Information about first author, year of publication, country of study, recruitment period, type of pancreatitis, study design, sample size, source of controls and attained age of subjects were extracted by two researchers and Stata 11.0 was used to perform the statistical analyses and examine publication bias. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with the random effects model. A total of 17 articles documenting 3 cohort and 14 case-control studies containing 14,667 PC cases and 17,587 pancreatitis cases were included in this study. The pooled OR between pancreatitis and PC risk was 7.05 (95%CI: 6.42-7.75). Howeever, the pooled ORs of case-control and cohort studies were 4.62 (95%CI: 4.08-5.22) and 16.3 (95%CI: 14.3-18.6) respectively. The risk of PC was the highest in patients with chronic pancreatitis (pooled OR=10.35; 95%CI: 9.13-11.75), followed by unspecified type of pancreatitis (pooled OR=6.41; 95%CI: 4.93-8.34), both acute and chronic pancreatitis (pooled OR=6.13; 95%CI: 5.00-7.52), and acute pancreatitis (pooled OR=2.12; 95%CI: 1.59-2.83). The pooled OR of PC in pancreatitis cases diagnosed within 1 year was the highest (pooled OR=23.3; 95%CI: 14.0-38.9); and the risk in subjects diagnosed with pancreatitis for no less than 2, 5 and 10 years were 3.03 (95%CI: 2.41-3.81), 2.82 (95%CI: 2.12-3.76) and 2.25 (95%CI: 1.59-3.19) respectively. Pancreatitis, especially chronic pancreatitis, was associated with a significantly increased risk of PC; and the risk decreased with increasing duration since diagnosis of pancreatitis.

Development of Tuberculosis Education Model for Junior Health Care Professionals (예비보건의료인을 위한 결핵 교육 모형 구축)

  • Baek, Seolhyang;Lee, Ji-Soo;Lee, Hyun-Jung
    • The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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    • v.18 no.5
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    • pp.432-445
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    • 2018
  • For health care professionals(HCPs) who have relatively higher possibility of exposing tuberculosis(Tb), it is important for them to equip with proper levels of knowledge and prevention activities. In terms of establishment of Tb education model for junior HCPs, therefore, literature review was done alongside 129 junior HCPs and 14 HCPs were asked to answer questionnaires and telephone survey. The results are follows.; Firstly, six educational themes such as epidermiology of Tb, Tb transmission and patho-physiology, test and diagnosis, latent Tb, Tb treatment, and Tb prevention were identified, based on the literature review. Secondly, the junior HCPs showed lower levels of knowledge regarding epidermiology, transmission and patho-physiology and latent Tb, compared to the other themes. When education courses are planned, longer period of time should be given to the lower level of knowledge areas. Thirdly, the HCPs emphasized that definition and type of Tb should be well integrated into the education in particular epidermiology education. They also responded that hospital infection and infection cycle of Tb need to be addressed during educational session about transmission and patho-physiology. in addition, they said that specific and detailed contents about diagnosis and group examination should be carefully delivered during the education, along with diagnosis, test and application of personal protective devices during education of latent Tb. They also answered that patient education and adverse effect of Tb medication should be taught during Tb treatment session, as well as self activities of health promotion for junior HCPs and systematic TB education as key way of Tb prevention. As the findings were from limited numbers of respondents and contained the sampling bias, the result has to be carefully interpretated prior to generalization. Therefore, further survey with larger study population is required in terms of development of Tb education model.

Association Between MDM2 SNP309 T>G and Risk of Gastric Cancer: A Meta-analysis

  • Tian, Xin;Tian, Ye;Ma, Ping;Sui, Cheng-Guang;Meng, Fan-Dong;Li, Yan;Fu, Li-Ye;Jiang, Tao;Wang, Yang;Ji, Fu-Jian;Fang, Xue-Dong;Jiang, You-Hong
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.14 no.3
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    • pp.1925-1929
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    • 2013
  • Background: As a negative regulator of P53, MDM2 plays an important role in carcinogenesis; a polymorphism in its promoter region. SNP309 T>G, is known to increase the expression of MDM2, thus being considered related to higher susceptibility to neoplasia. However, no agreement has been achieved regarding its effects on gastric cancer. Methods: The present systematic meta-analysis was performed based on comprehensive literature search from Pubmed, Web of science and CBM databases. Results: It was suggested from 6 independent studies that the GG genotype is associated with a significantly increased risk of gastric cancer (Recessive: OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.08-1.91, P = 0.013), and subgroup analysis also confirmed the relationship (English publications-recessive model: OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.10-1.91, P = 0.009; Studies in China-recessive model: OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.08-2.30, P = 0.017). No publication bias was detected. Conclusion: The meta-analysis indicated a significant inverse association between GG genotype carriage and elevated risk of gastric cancer. However, more studies and detailed information are needed to fully address the topic.

A Exploratory Study on Press Fairness Concept Held by Ordinary People (언론 수용자의 공정성 개념에 대한 탐색적 연구)

  • Moon, Jong-Dae;Ahn, Cha-Soo;Jin, Hyun-Seong;Ahn, Soon-Tae
    • Korean journal of communication and information
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    • v.38
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    • pp.183-210
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    • 2007
  • The study tried to explore ordinary people's press fairness concept being neglected by the mainstream of fairness research thus far. With empirical standpoint, this study first investigated (un)fairness concept held by general audience, and then compared it with existing ones long suggested by experts such as scholars and media workers. Also, the study examined audience's concept construct in terms of its characteristics and implications. A systematic sample of 300 adults in Seoul was interviewed and their answers (instances of press unfairness) were analyzed and categorized. The most serious problem in fairness, they pointed, was that the press's not neutral. Also, truth and balance were importantly raised as a press problem with regard to fairness. The result showed press ethics and commercial morals could be a significant element for people's view on press fairness. These elements are new to the literature and heuristic regarding how to approach toward fairness issue in our society. The study also discusses the implications of other findings.

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The XRCC1 Arg399Gln Genetic Polymorphism Contributes to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Susceptibility: An Updated Meta-analysis

  • Pan, Yan;Zhao, Lei;Chen, Xing-Miao;Gu, Yong;Shen, Jian-Gang;Liu, Lu-Ming
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.14 no.10
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    • pp.5761-5767
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    • 2013
  • The potential correlation of X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) Arg399Gln polymorphism with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) susceptibility is ambiguous. Taking account of inconsistent results of previous meta-analyses and new emerging literatures, we conducted a meta-analysis covering 15 case-control datasets to evaluate the relationship. Relevant studies from Medline, Embase and CNKI were retrieved. A fixed-effect model or a random-effect model, depending on between-study heterogeneity, were applied to estimate the association between XRCC1 polymorphism Arg399Gln and HCC risk with the results presented as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). In accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, 15 studies with data for 6,556 individuals were enrolled in this systematic review. For overall HCC,thr XRCC1 polymorphism Arg399Gln was significantly associated with HCC susceptibility in a homozygote model as well as in a dominant model (G/G vs. A/A, OR=1.253, p=0.028; G/G+A/G vs. A/A, OR= 1.281, p=0.047, respectively), but not in a heterozygote model (A/G vs. A/A, OR=1.271, p=0.066) or a recessive model (G/G vs. A/G + A/A, OR= 1.049, p=0.542). Similar results were also observed on stratification analysis by ethnicity (A/G vs. A/A, OR=1.357, p=0.025; G/G vs. A/A, OR=1.310, p=0.011; G/G+A/G vs. A/A, OR= 1.371, p=0.013). However, no potential contribution of XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism to HCC susceptibility in HBV/HCV subgroups was identified. No publication bias was found in this study. In conclusion, the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism contributes to HCC susceptibility. Due to the lack of studies in Western countries, further large-sample and rigorous studies are needed to validate the findings.

XRCC1 Gene Polymorphisms and Breast Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Study

  • Moghaddam, Ali Sanjari;Nazarzadeh, Milad;Moghaddam, Hossein Sanjari;Bidel, Zeinab;Karamatinia, Aliasghar;Darvish, Hossein;Jarrahi, Alireza Mosavi
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.17 no.sup3
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    • pp.323-335
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    • 2016
  • Breast cancer risk assessment has developed during years and evaluation of genetic factor affecting risk of breast cancer is an important component of this risk assessment. The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the role of XRCC1 polymorphisms (Arg194Trp, Arg280His and Arg399Gln) in risk of breast cancer among different population and categories of menopausal status.PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, and PubMed Central were systematically searched to identify studies evaluating association between breast cancer and XRCC1 gene polymorphisms (Arg194Trp, Arg280His and Arg399Gln). Two authors independently extracted required information. Odds Ratios were pooled for four genetic inheritance models using both fixed and the DerSimonian and Laird random-effect models. Egger's test and contour-enhanced funnel plot was used to evaluate publication bias and small study effect. Additional subgroup analysis was performed for menopausal status, ethnicity, and source of controls. After evaluation and applying inclusion criteria on extracted studies, fifty three studies were included in this meta-analysis. For polymorphisms of Arg194Trp and Arg280His, no significant association was observed in all genetic models. Arg194Trp had a protective effect in post-menopausal status only in homozygote model (OR=0.57 [0.37-0.88]). Arg399Gln showed significant association with breast cancer in homozygote (OR=1.21 [1.10-1.34]), dominant (OR=1.09 [1.03-1.15]) and recessive (OR=1.21 [1.09- 1.35]) genetic models. Arg399Gln was associated with higher risk in post-menopausal status for homozygote and heterozygote models. Our findings suggest that XRCC1 gene polymorphisms modify breast cancer risk in different populations and different categories of menopausal status.

A Study of Collection Development Policies of the University Libraries in Korea (한국의 종합대학도서관 장서개발정책에 관한 연구)

  • 손정표
    • Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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    • v.11
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    • pp.101-142
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    • 1984
  • This study is a survey of collection development policies in the 40 university libraries among 42 in Korea as of 1984. The survey used a questionnaire with 36 questions concerning the basic elements of the collection development policy. The survey results revealed many problems demanding correction. The measures to correct the problems in the university libraries are as follows. 1. It is desirable that the libraries should have a collection development policy statement written and adopted for the systematic collection building. 2. It is advisable that the libraries should include a function of the materials selection among other various functions of the Library Committee for the purpose of informing administrators of the goals of the libraries and the validity of the budgetary allocation. 3. It is desirable that each library should organize the Collection Development Committee for minimizing the possibility of personal bias on the part of the individual selectors. 4. It is advisable that the primary responsibility for materials selection should be delegated as follows: for the materials for faculty research, to the faculty members; for the other collections, to the professional staff of each department; for the final review of whether or not to purchase, to the Collection Development Committee. 5. It is desirable for the purchase priority of materials to be set up in accordance with the order of 6 levels of collection development. 6. It is advisable that the libraries should, as top priority, purchase materials in direct su n.0, pport of the undergraduate and graduate academic programs, and in subject matter areas other than languages and literature, Korean materials should have not only the higher priority than the foreign language materials, but also maintain the comprehensive collection level. 7. It is desirable that the special collections should be purchased by special funds from the authority, and the special collections librarian should have the responsibility of the materials selection under the advice of the faculty members relating to the subject area. 8. It is advisable that duplicate copies should be bought only for high use items, but for reserve books, by the program enrollment, and textbooks should not be bought in general, except as su n.0, pplemental materials for course work in which they are necessary and heavily used. 9. It is reasonable that the material budget should be distributed as follows: by the ratio for distributing funds, about 60-70% for the library and 30-40% for departments; by the type of materials, about 50% for books, 40% for periodicals and 10% for other materials, or when not bought other materials, about 50-60% for books and 40-50% for periodicals. In addition, it is desirable that undergraduate class enrollment, graduate class enrollment, undergraduate majors, graduate majors, average book cost in the discipline, number of faculty, and use rate by subject should be considered as the factors for the allocation of funds by department, and special consideration should be given to newly-founded departments so the library holdings can be adequate to su n.0, pport them.

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Cognitive Discrepancies of the Mutual Development Strategies of Western and Oriental Medicine in Korea - A Comparison between Western and Oriental Medical Practitioners and Health Professionals - (양.한방 상호보완 방안에 관한 인식도 연구 - 의사, 한의사 및 보건의료전문가간 비교를 중심으로 -)

  • Park, Jong-Ku;Kim, Chun-Bae;Cho, Kyung-Sook;Choi, Seo-Young;Lee, Jong-Chan;Lee, Sun-Dong;Chun, Sae-Il;Kim, Joong-Ho
    • Health Policy and Management
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    • v.10 no.4
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    • pp.57-74
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    • 2000
  • This study is conducted to compare how the Western.Oriental medical practitioners and health professionals perceive reciprocal development strategies respectively of Western.Oriental Medicine in Korea. A total of 3,273 persons were questioned by direct distribution, e-mail, and mail with a self-developed questionnaire. Of those questioned, 362 responded (the response rate of 11.1%), and of them n persons (Western medical practitioners 206, Oriental medical practitioners 90, and health professionals 64) were analyzed with SPSS for Windows. The results were as follows: The need for legislation on the mutual development system for Western.Oriental Medicine was recognized by 66.9% (218 persons) of respondents. Among them, largest group who agreed with this need was the health professionals. Western medical practitioners chose the "the difference of approach methods on the diseases between Western.Oriental Medicine" as their response, and Oriental medical practitioners & health professionals selected "the indifference or bias of Western medical practitioners"as the reasons for the inactivity in developing a mutual system of Western.Oriental Medicine. Therefore, Western medical practitioners and health professionals selected the category of "the reformation of educational system", while Oriental medical practitioners selected the category of "the activation of joint research on Western.Oriental medical care" as the most important condition for setting a precedent. Also, Western medical practitioners preferred "cooperative health care system for Western medical care supported by Oriental medical care", but Oriental medical practitioners and health professionals preferred “cooperative health care system of Western.Oriental medicine on equal terms" In conclusion, Western '||'&'||' Oriental medical practitioners have to make every effort to close the gap between differing views through mutual understanding and respect if joint research of Western.Oriental medical care is to become a reality. The government should continuously enforce the health policy on development of a legal and systematic infrastructure for mutual development strategy of Western.Oriental Medicine in Korea.strategy of Western.Oriental Medicine in Korea.

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