• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.464-482
• /
• 2024

This study aimed to determine the effects of humectants on moisture content, water activity, tenderness, color, microbiological analysis, protein denaturation, and oxidation of jerky. A thorough search for papers published in scientific journals that examined the impacts of humectants on jerky was carried out using Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. Only 14 studies matched inclusion requirements. They were used in the meta-analysis to synthesise quantitative findings. In the current investigation, jerky produced with beef, poultry, goat, or pork was used. The standardised mean difference (SMD) between treatments with humectants and controls was examined to investigate the effects of humectants using random-effects models. Heterogeneity was investigated using meta-regression. A subgroup analysis was carried out for significant factors. Results revealed that the addition of humectants had no significant impact on water activity, pH, fat, ash, CIE L^*, or CIE a^* (p>0.05). However, humectant addition significantly increased moisture (SMD=1.28, p<0.05), CIE b^* (SMD=1.67, p<0.05), and overall acceptability (SMD=1.73, p<0.05). It significantly decreased metmyoglobin (SMD=-0.96, p<0.05), shear force (SMD=-0.84, p<0.05), and protein (SMD=-1.61, p<0.05). However, it was difficult to get a firm conclusion about how humectants affected the myofibrillar fragmentation index, total plate count, and 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances because there were fewer than ten studies. To sum up, the proper use of humectants in jerky demands careful attention to both type and quantity, needing a delicate balancing act with other contributing factors.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.22.1-22.12
• /
• 2024

Objectives: This systematic review addressed the question: "What is the prevalence of apical periodontitis in patients prior to hematopoietic cell transplantation?" Materials and Methods: A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Grey Literature Report. Eligibility criteria were based on the condition, content, and population strategy: the condition was the radiographic prevalence of apical periodontitis, the content comprised patients scheduled for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and the population consisted of adult and pediatric patients. The revised Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies of Exposure tool was used to assess the quality of studies. The Grading Recommendations Assessments, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool was used to assess the quality of evidence. Results: Eight studies were included in this review. The average number of patients with apical periodontitis was 15.65% (range, 2.1%-43.34%). One study was classified as having a very high risk of bias, 1 with a high risk of bias, and 6 with some concern for bias. GRADE analysis showed a very low certainty of evidence. Significant limitations concerning the absence of control over confounding variables were identified. Conclusions: With the caveat of the very low quality of evidence in the studies reviewed, there was a low to moderate prevalence of apical periodontitis in patients prior to undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.155-162
• /
• 2023

Global climate change and urbanization have various demerits, such as water pollution, flood damage, and deterioration of water circulation. Thus, attention is drawn to Nature-based Solution (NbS) that solve environmental problems in ways that imitate nature. Among the NbS, urban wetlands are facilities that perform functions, such as removing pollutants from a city, improving water circulation, and providing ecological habitats, by strengthening original natural wetland pillars. Frequent monitoring and maintenance are essential for urban wetlands to maintain their performance; therefore, there is a need to apply the Internet of Things (IoT) technology to wetland monitoring. Therefore, in this study, we attempted to develop a real-time wetland monitoring device and interface. Temperature, water temperature, humidity, soil humidity, PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 were measured, and the measurements were taken at 10-minute intervals for three days in both indoor and wetland. Sensors suitable for conditions that needed to be measured and an Arduino MEGA 2560 were connected to enable sensing, and communication modules were connected to transmit data to real-time databases. The transmitted data were displayed on a developed web page. The data measured to verify the monitoring device were compared with data from the Korea meteorological administration and the Korea environment corporation, and the output and upward or downward trend were similar. Moreover, findings from a related patent search indicated that there are a minimal number of instances where information and communication technology (ICT) has been applied in wetland contexts. Hence, it is essential to consider further research, development, and implementation of ICT to address this gap. The results of this study could be the basis for time-series data analysis research using automation, machine learning, or deep learning in urban wetland maintenance.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.31-54
• /
• 2024

Objectives: This study assessed the effectiveness of Hwanggigyejiomul-tang for postoperative breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) by a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: A search was conducted using keywords such as "breast cancer", "lymphedema", "edema", "Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction", "Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu tang", and "Hwanggigyejiomul tang" in 10 databases (PubMed, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, CNKI, CiNii, RISS, KISS, ScienceON, OASIS, DBpia) on February 11, 2024. There were no limits on the publication period and language, and the quality of the studies was evaluated using Cochrane's risk of bias tool. A meta-analysis was performed based on the outcome measurements, such as total effective rate (TER), increase in shoulder joint mobility (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction), Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), and visual analog scale (VAS) using Review Manager Web. Results: Eleven RCTs were selected. The treatment group (Hwanggigyejiomul-tang-gagambang or hapbang with control group intervention) showed a more statistically significant effect compared with the control group (physical therapy or western medicine) in TER (upper limb circumference change), TER (upper limb edema grade change), increase in flexion angle, increase in extension angle, increase in adduction angle, FMA, and VAS. Conclusions: Hwanggigyejiomul-tang is effective in treating postoperative BCRL. However, because of the low quality of the included studies, more clinical studies are required to increase the possibility of clinical use.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.132-152
• /
• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to identify and evaluate interprofessional education (IPE) interventions for healthcare professional students in East Asian countries. Methods: The reporting of this study followed the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. A literature search was conducted using seven electronic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists were also used to appraise the quality of the included studies. The outcomes of IPE interventions were classified based on a modified Kirkpatrick model. Results: This review included 30 studies predominantly conducted in Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. The prevalent research design was a one-group pre-posttest design, and most IPE interventions occurred as single events. Approximately 70% of the studies involved students from two healthcare professions, mainly nursing and medicine. Simulations, group discussions, and lectures have emerged as the most common teaching methodologies, with almost half of the studies leveraging a combination of these techniques. The IPE content primarily focused on interprofessional teamwork, communication, and clinical patient care situations; these included the management of septic shock. The effectiveness of the IPE interventions was mainly evaluated through self-reported measures, indicating improvements in attitudes, perceptions, knowledge, and skills, aligning with Level 2 of the modified Kirkpatrick model. Nonetheless, the reviewed studies did not assess changes in the participants' behavior and patient results. Conclusion: IPE interventions promise to enhance interprofessional collaboration and communication skills among health professional students. Future studies should implement rigorous designs to assess the effectiveness of IPE interventions. Moreover, when designing IPE interventions, researchers and educators should consider the role of cultural characteristics in East Asian countries.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.320-335
• /
• 2023

Literature showed that soluble fiber has beneficial effects on cardiometabolic risk factors and leptin and adiponectin serum levels. Our aim in this meta-analysis was to determine the effect of soluble fiber supplementation on leptin and adiponectin serum levels. A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science for eligible trials up to December 2021. A random-effects model was used to pool calculated effect sizes. Our analysis showed that soluble fiber supplementation did not significantly affect adiponectin (standardized mean difference [SMD], -0.49 Hedges's, 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.20, 0.21, p value = 0.167; I² = 95.4, p value < 0.001) and leptin (SMD, -0.8 Hedges's, 95% CI, -1.70, 0.08, p value = 0.076; I² = 94.6, p value < 0.001) concentrations in comparison with placebo. However, in the subgroup, soluble fiber supplementation had a significant improvement in leptin concentration in overweight and obese patients (SMD, -0.22 Hedges's, 95% CI, -0.43, -0.01, p value = 0.048) and a non-significant beneficial effect in adiponectin level in female (SMD, 0.29 Hedges's, 95% CI, -0.13, 0.71, p value = 0.183) and diabetic patients (SMD, 0.32 Hedges's, 95% CI, -0.67, 1.32, p value = 0.526). A non-linear association between soluble fiber dosage and adiponectin (p_{non-linearity} < 0.001) was observed. Soluble fiber supplementation could not change the circulatory leptin and adiponectin levels. However, beneficial effects were seen in overweight and obese leptin, and increases in adiponectin may also be observed in female and diabetic patients. Further studies are needed to confirm this results.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.247-259
• /
• 2024

This study assessed the effectiveness of brand image communication on consumer perceptions of cruelty-free fashion brands. Brand messaging data were gathered from postings on the official Instagram accounts of three cruelty-free fashion brands and consumer perception data were gathered from Tweets containing keywords related to each brand. Web crawling and natural language processing were performed using Python and sentiment analysis was conducted using the BERT model. By analyzing Instagram content from Stella McCartney, Patagonia, and Freitag from their inception until 2021, this study found these brands all emphasize environmental aspects but with differing focuses: Stella McCartney on ecological conservation, Patagonia on an active outdoor image, and Freitag on upcycled products. Keyword analysis further indicated consumers perceive these brands in line with their brand messaging: Stella McCartney as high-end and eco-friendly, Patagonia as active and environmentally conscious, and Freitag as centered on recycling. Results based on the assessment of the alignment between brand-driven images and consumer-perceived images and the sentiment evaluation of the brand confirmed the outcomes of brand communication performance. The study revealed a correlation between brand image and positive consumer evaluations, indicating that higher alignment of ethical values leads to more positive consumer assessments. Given that consumers tend to prioritize search keywords over brand concepts, it's important for brands to focus on using visual imagery and promotions to effectively convey brand communication information. These findings highlight the importance of brand communication by emphasizing the connection between ethical brand images and consumer perceptions.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.83-90
• /
• 2024

The emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines has been a remarkable advancement. However, the efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of these vaccines in individuals with liver cirrhosis require careful evaluation due to their compromised immune status and potential interactions with underlying liver disease. The present study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in liver cirrhosis patients. In the present study, we searched international databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. The search strategy was carried out by using keywords and MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms. STATA ver. 15.0 (Stata Corp., USA) was used to analyze the data statistically. The analysis was performed using the randomeffects model. We also used the chi-square test and I² index to calculate heterogeneity among studies. For evaluating publication bias, Begg's funnel plots and Egger's tests were used. A total of 4,831 liver cirrhosis patients with COVID-19 were examined from 11 studies. The rate of hospitalization in the patients with liver cirrhosis was 17.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9%-44%). The rate of fever in the patients with liver cirrhosis was 4.5% (95% CI, 0.9%-8.1%). The rate of positive neutralizing antibodies in the patients with liver cirrhosis was 82.5% (95% CI, 69.8%-95.1%). Also, the rates of seroconversion after the second vaccination in patients with liver cirrhosis and the control group were 96.6% (95% CI, 92.0%-99.0%), and 99.7% (95% CI, 99.0%-100.0%), respectively. COVID-19 vaccines have demonstrated promising efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety profiles in individuals with liver cirrhosis, providing crucial protection against COVID-19-related complications.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.87 no.3
• /
• pp.234-251
• /
• 2024

Globally, providing evidence on the economic burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is becoming essential as it assists the health authorities to efficiently allocate resources. This study aimed to summarize the literature on economic burden evidence for COPD from 1990 to 2019. This study examined the economic burden of COPD through a systematic review of studies from 1990 to 2019. A search was done in online databases, including Web of Science, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. After screening 12,734 studies, 43 articles that met the inclusion criteria were identified. General study information and data on direct, indirect, and intangible costs were extracted and converted to 2018 international dollars (Int$). Findings revealed that the total direct costs ranged from Int$ 52.08 (India) to Int$ 13,776.33 (Canada) across 16 studies, with drug costs rannging from Int$ 70.07 (Vietnam) to Int$ 8,706.9 (China) in 11 studies. Eight studies explored indirect costs, while one highlighted caregivers' direct costs at approximately Int$ 1,207.8 (Greece). This study underscores the limited research on COPD caregivers' economic burdens, particularly in developing countries, emphasizing the importance of increased research support, particularly in high-resource settings. This study provides information about the demographics and economic burden of COPD from 1990 to 2019. More strategies to reduce the frequency of hospital admissions and acute care services should be implemented to improve the quality of COPD patients' lives and reduce the disease's rising economic burden.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.315-324
• /
• 2024

The role of surgical resection in patients with recurrent pancreatic cancer is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the survival outcomes of pancreatic re-resection for locally recurrent pancreatic cancer following index pancreatectomy. A literature search was carried out in CENTRAL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Proportion meta-analysis model was constructed to quantify 1 to 5-year survival after pancreatic re-resection for locally recurrent pancreatic cancer. Random-effects modelling was applied to calculate pooled outcome data. Fifteen retrospective studies were included, reporting a total of 250 patients who underwent pancreatic re-resection for locally recurrent pancreatic cancer following their index pancreatectomy. Pancreatic re-resection was associated with 1-year survival 70.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 65.0-76.2), 2-year survival 38.8% (95% CI, 28.6-49.0), 3-year survival 20.2% (95% CI, 13.8-26.7), and 5-year survival 9.2% (95% CI, 5.5-12.8). The between-study heterogeneity was insignificant in all outcome syntheses. Repeat pancreatectomy for local recurrence of pancreatic cancer in the remnant pancreas following the index pancreatectomy is associated with acceptable overall patient survival. We recommend selective re-resection of such recurrences in younger patients with favorable tumor size and location. Our findings may encourage more robust studies to be conducted in this context to provide stronger evidence.