Zuogui Jiangtang Qinggan Prescription promotes recovery of intestinal mucosal barrier in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by improving intestinal flora homeostasis / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to investigate the recovery effect of Zuogui Jiangtang Qinggan Prescription on intestinal flora homeostasis control and intestinal mucosal barrier in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet. NAFLD was established in MKR transgenic mice(T2DM mice) by a high-fat diet(HFD), and subsequently treated for 8 weeks with Zuogui Jiangtang Qinggan Prescription(7.5, 15 g·kg~(-1)) and metformin(0.067 g·kg~(-1)). Triglyceride and liver function were assessed using serum. The hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Masson staining were used to stain the liver tissue, while HE staining and AB-PAS staining were used to stain the intestine tissue. 16S rRNA sequencing was utilized to track the changes in the intestinal flora of the mice in each group. Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and immunofluorescence were used to determine the protein and mRNA expression levels of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1. The results demonstrated that Zuogui Jiangtang Qinggan Prescription increased the body mass of T2DM mice with NAFLD and decreased the hepatic index. It down-regulated the serum biomarkers of liver function and dyslipidemia such as alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate transaminase(AST), and triglycerides(TG), increased insulin sensitivity, and improved glucose tolerance. According to the results of 16S rRNA sequencing, the Zuogui Jiangtang Qinggan Prescription altered the composition and abundance of the intestinal flora, increasing the relative abundances of Muribaculaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Lactobacillus, Akkermansia, and Bacteroidota and decreasing the relative abundances of Lachnospiraceae, Firmicutes, Deslfobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Desulfovibrionaceae. According to the pathological examination of the intestinal mucosa, Zuogui Jiangtang Qinggan Prescritpion increased the expression levels of the tight junction proteins ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1, promoted intestinal mucosa repair, protected intestinal villi, and increased the height of intestinal mucosa villi and the number of goblet cells. By enhancing intestinal mucosal barrier repair and controlling intestinal microbiota homeostasis, Zuogui Jiangtang Qinggan Prescription reduces intestinal mucosal damage induced by T2DM and NAFLD.

Comparison of the efficacy of three types of Kirschner wire tension bands for ulnar olecranal fracture / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical effect of three types of Kirschner wire tension band for olecranon fracture.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 64 patients with olecranon fracture treated by Kirschner wire tension band fixation from March 2016 to May 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 19 patients were treated with intramedullary K-wires fixation(group A) including 8 males and 11 females with an average of (48.2±18.3) years old, 3 patients were typeⅠ, and 16 patients were typeⅡ according to Mayo classification;20 patients were treated with transcortical K-wires fixation (group B) including 13 males and 7 females with an average of (43.5±20.4) years old, 3 patients were typeⅠand 17 patients were typeⅡ according to Mayo classification;25 patients were treated with perforated Kirschner wire(group C) including 15 males and 10 females with an average of (55.2±17.5) years old, 4 patients were typeⅠand 21 patients were typeⅡ according to Mayo classification. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, times of Intraoperative fluoroscopy, fracture healing time and complications of 3 groups were compared. At the final follow-up, elbow function was assessed using the Mayo Elbow Function Scale.@*RESULTS@#There were differences in operative time, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, postoperative VAS and soft tissue irritation among the three groups(P<0.05). The operative time, intraoperative fluoroscopy times in group A and C was better than that in group B. The postoperative VAS score, skin irritability in group C was better than that of group B. The difference was statistically significant on Mayo elbow function score at the final follow-up among three groups(P<0.05), the scores of group A and C were higher than that of group B.@*CONCLUSION@#Compared with transcortical K-wires screw fixation, both intramedullary K-wires screw fixation and perforated Kirschner wire fixation, which can significantly reduce the occurrence of soft tissue irritation, reduce surgical complications and shorten the operation time.

Does having various types of fear related to COVID-19 disrupt individuals’ daily life?: Findings from a nationwide survey in Korea / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES@#Unexpected changes in daily routines caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may affect psychological health. This study investigated the association between various types of COVID-19-related fear and the subjective level of disturbance in daily activities experienced by individuals. @*METHODS@#This cross-sectional study used the Korea Community Health Survey conducted from August through November 2020. COVID-19-related fear included fear of infection, death, public criticism, family members getting infected, and economic loss. The subjective level of disruption in daily activities was measured using a 0-100 numeric rating scale developed by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Multivariable linear regression was used to analyze the associations between the independent and dependent variables. A subgroup analysis was performed based on income level. @*RESULTS@#Participants who reported fear of infection (β=-3.37, p<0.001), death (β=-0.33, p=0.030), public criticism (β=-1.63, p<0.001), a family member getting infected (β=-1.03, p<0.001), and economic loss (β=-3.52, p<0.001) experienced more disturbances in daily activities. The magnitude of this association was most significant in the lowest-income group. @*CONCLUSIONS@#Individuals reporting COVID-19-related fear experienced higher levels of subjective disruption in daily activities.

The Ability to Rest at Home During COVID-19 Symptom Manifestation and Depressive Symptoms: Evidence From Korea

Objective@#This study investigated the association between ability to rest at home in times of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptom manifestation and depressive symptoms. @*Methods@#The 2020 Korea Community Health Survey data were used. The presence of depressive symptoms was determined using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The relationship between depressive symptoms and ability to rest at home was examined using logistic regression analysis. Additional analysis was performed on the reasons for the inability to stay at home. @*Results@#Depressive symptoms were more common in participants who could not rest at home if symptoms manifested (4.1%) than those who could rest at home (2.7%). Participants who could not rest at home (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.34–1.74) were more likely to have depressive symptoms, particularly when they had to report to work (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.30–1.74) or purchase daily necessities (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.15–5.03). @*Conclusion@#Inability to rest at home in the case of COVID-19 symptom manifestation was associated with depressive symptoms. The findings suggest the need to address the identified vulnerable groups to mitigate the mental health consequences of the pandemic.

Intranasal Vaccination with OuterMembrane Protein of Orientia tsutsugamushi induces Protective Immunity Against Scrub Typhus

Scrub typhus develops after the individual is bitten by a trombiculid mite infected with Orientia tsutsugamushi. Since it has been reported that pneumonia is frequently observed in patients with scrub typhus, we investigated whether intranasal (i.n.) vaccination with the outer membrane protein of O. tsutsugamushi (OMPOT) would induce a protective immunity against O. tsutsugamushi infection. It was particular interest that when mice were infected with O. tsutsugamushi, the bacteria disseminated into the lungs, causing pneumonia. The i.n. vaccination with OMPOT induced IgG responses in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. The anti-O. tsutsugamushi IgA Abs in BAL fluid after the vaccination showed a high correlation of the protection against O. tsutsugamushi. The vaccination induced strong Ag-specific Th1 and Th17 responses in the both spleen and lungs. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated that i.n. vaccination with OMPOT elicited protective immunity against scrub typhus in mouse with O. tsutsugamushi infection causing subsequent pneumonia.

Interaction Effects between Individual Socioeconomic Status and Regional Deprivation on Onset of Diabetes Complication and Diabetes-Related Hospitalization among Type 2 Diabetes Patients: National Health Insurance Cohort Sample Data from 2002 to 2013 / 보건행정학회지

Background@#In this study, we aimed to investigate the interaction effects of individual socioeconomic status and regional deprivation on the onset of diabetes complications and diabetes-related hospitalization among type 2 diabetes patients. @*Methods@#Korean National Health Insurance Service National Sample Cohort data from 2002 to 2013 were used. A total of 50,954 patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes from 2004 to 2012 and aged 30 years or above were included. We classified patients into six groups according to individual income level and neighborhood deprivation: ‘high in advantaged,’ ‘high in disadvantaged,’ ‘middle in advantaged,’ ‘middle in disadvantaged,’ ‘low in advantaged,’ and ‘low in disadvantaged.’ We calculated hazard ratios (HR) of onset of diabetes complication and diabetes-related hospitalization using the Cox proportional hazard model, with the reference group as diabetes patients with high income in advantaged regions. @*Results@#In terms of the interaction effects of individual income level and regional socioeconomic level, even with the same low individual income level, the group with a high regional socioeconomic level (low in advantaged) showed low HRs for the onset of diabetes complication (HR, 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–1.08) compared to the ‘low in disadvantaged’ group (HR, 1.10;95% CI, 1.05–1.16). In addition, the ‘high in advantaged’ group showed slightly higher HRs for the onset of diabetes complication (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.00–1.11) compared to the ‘low in advantaged’ and it appeared to be associated with slight mitigation of the risk of diabetes complication. For the low-income level, the patients in disadvantaged regions showed the highest HRs for diabetes-related hospitalization (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.19–1.41) compared to the other groups. @*Conclusion@#Although we need to perform further investigations to reveal the mechanisms that led to our results, interaction effects individual socioeconomic status and regional deprivation might be associated with on onset of diabetes complications and diabetes-related hospitalization among type 2 diabetes patients.

Interaction Effects between Individual Socioeconomic Status and Regional Deprivation on Onset of Diabetes Complication and Diabetes-Related Hospitalization among Type 2 Diabetes Patients: National Health Insurance Cohort Sample Data from 2002 to 2013 / 보건행정학회지

Background@#In this study, we aimed to investigate the interaction effects of individual socioeconomic status and regional deprivation on the onset of diabetes complications and diabetes-related hospitalization among type 2 diabetes patients. @*Methods@#Korean National Health Insurance Service National Sample Cohort data from 2002 to 2013 were used. A total of 50,954 patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes from 2004 to 2012 and aged 30 years or above were included. We classified patients into six groups according to individual income level and neighborhood deprivation: ‘high in advantaged,’ ‘high in disadvantaged,’ ‘middle in advantaged,’ ‘middle in disadvantaged,’ ‘low in advantaged,’ and ‘low in disadvantaged.’ We calculated hazard ratios (HR) of onset of diabetes complication and diabetes-related hospitalization using the Cox proportional hazard model, with the reference group as diabetes patients with high income in advantaged regions. @*Results@#In terms of the interaction effects of individual income level and regional socioeconomic level, even with the same low individual income level, the group with a high regional socioeconomic level (low in advantaged) showed low HRs for the onset of diabetes complication (HR, 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–1.08) compared to the ‘low in disadvantaged’ group (HR, 1.10;95% CI, 1.05–1.16). In addition, the ‘high in advantaged’ group showed slightly higher HRs for the onset of diabetes complication (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.00–1.11) compared to the ‘low in advantaged’ and it appeared to be associated with slight mitigation of the risk of diabetes complication. For the low-income level, the patients in disadvantaged regions showed the highest HRs for diabetes-related hospitalization (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.19–1.41) compared to the other groups. @*Conclusion@#Although we need to perform further investigations to reveal the mechanisms that led to our results, interaction effects individual socioeconomic status and regional deprivation might be associated with on onset of diabetes complications and diabetes-related hospitalization among type 2 diabetes patients.

The Implications on Healthcare System of the Unified Korea: Lesson from System Integration Countries / 보건행정학회지

Background@#In this study, we aimed to investigate the recent trends for health care indicators including maternal mortality ratio, infant mortality rate, under-five mortality rate, life expectancy, years of life lost, and healthcare resources in South Korea, North Korea, Germany, Russian Federation, Mongolia, Vietnam, China, Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary. @*Methods@#We used data from five sources: World Health Organization, Federal Institute for Population Research, World Bank, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development health statistics, and national statistics. @*Results@#In the early 1990s, health indicators continued to improve in countries that switched to the health insurance system, but the gap widened in North Korea as health indicators worsened. @*Conclusion@#The establishment of a sustainable health care system after unification of the Korean peninsula requires substantial changes in the health care system and efforts to improve the health of North Koreans.

Suicide Related Indicators and Trends in Korea in 2018 / 보건행정학회지

Suicide has been a long-standing problem for global public health, along with almost 800,000 deaths from suicide worldwide in 2016, accounting for 1.4% of all deaths. South Korea was ranked first in suicide mortality in 2018 among countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. This study aimed to suggest up-to-date information about suicide-related indicators such as the rate of suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and suicide death, and its trends by applying sampling weight to make it nationally representative. In this study, we used the data sources: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination (KNHANES, ‘07–13, ‘15–18), Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS, ‘08–09, ‘13, ‘17), Korean Wealth Panel Study (KOWEPS, ‘12–18), Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP, ‘10–13), and Statistics Korea (1983–2017). The rate of suicidal ideation as recent year was 4.73% (KNHANES, ‘17), 6.96% (KCHS, ‘17), 2.29% (KOWEPS, ‘18), and 5.39% (KHP, ‘13). That of suicide attempt as recent year was 0.51% (KNHANES, ‘18), 0.32% (KCHS, ‘17), and 0.15% (KOWEPS, ‘18). Annual percentage change (APC) of suicidal ideation was -15.4% (KNHANES, ‘07–13, ‘15, ‘17), -2.5% (KCHS, ‘08–09, ‘13, ‘17), -10.8% (KOWEPS, ‘12–18), and -10.9% (KHP, ‘10–13). APC of suicide attempt was -4.4% (KNHANES, ‘07–13, ‘15-18), -4.4% (KCHS, ‘08–09, ‘13, ‘17), and -13.6% (KOWEPS, ‘12–18). APC of death by intentional self-harm was -1.25% (Statistics Korea, ‘07–18). All suicide-related indicators were found to be decreasing in the overall from 2009. Individuals with lower income level were more likely to experience suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Even though suicide rate had been continuously decreasing from its highest point in 2011 (suicide rate: 31.7 per 100,000 population) to 2017 (suicide rate: 24.3 per 100,000 population), it increased again in 2018 (suicide rate: 26.6 per 100,000 population). This information would be grounded on policy implementation for suicide prevention, thus continuous data observation is necessary.

Effect of Yuehua Capsule on Autophagy of Macrophage Infected with Multi-drug Resistant Mycobacterium Tuberculosis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::This study aims to explore the effect and mechanism of Yuehua capsule serum for autophagy of macrophages infected with multi-drug resistant mycobacterium tuberculosis. Method::The rats were undertaken intragastric gavage with Yuehua capsule by 3.02 g·kg-1 once a day which was produced through low temperature condensation drying method. After 7 days, blood of abdominal aorta of rats was collected to prepare Yuehua capsule serum. RAW264.7 andmultidrug resistant tuberculosis were cultured in vitro.According to cell counting kit-8(CCK-8), 10% drug-containing serum was considered as the effective concentration. The cultured cells were divided into four groups: model groups(10% fetal bovine serum). Yuehua capsule serum(10% Yuehua capsule serum). Autophagy inhibitor group+ 3-MA+ Yuehua capsule medicated serum(3-MA+ 10% Yuehua capsule serum). Rapamycin (Rap) positive control group(200 mg·L-1 Rap+ 10% Yuehua capsule serum). Except for the normal group, the cells of each group were cultured for 24 h and infected for 4 h according to cell-bacteria 1∶10.Testing index: observation of autophagosomes under transmission electron microscope, the test of expression of microtubule-associated protein light chain-3Ⅱ(LC-3Ⅱ), microtubule-associated protein LC 3-Ⅱ/microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-Ⅰ(LC3-Ⅰ) and Beclin-1 with Western blot, indirect immunofluorescence staining for LC3B, and mRNA of Beclin-1 as well as LC3 with real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR). Result::Compared with normal group, model group did not see autophagy body cells, cells in the LC-3 Ⅱ, LC-3 Ⅱ/LC-3 Ⅰ, Beclin-1 protein and LC3, Beclin-1 mRNA gene expression level had no significant change, the cells without fluorescent particles, spots, no fluorescence intensity.Compared with model group, Yuehua capsules serum group and Rap positive control group can be observed the formation of phage, mRNA andprotein expression levelof LC-3 Ⅱ, LC-3 Ⅱ/LC-3 Ⅰ, Beclin-1 and LC3, Beclin-1 were significantly increased (P<0.05). Autophagy inhibitor group+ 3-MA+ Yuehua capsule medicated serum did not see autophagy, the mRNA and protein expression level of LC-3 Ⅱ, LC-3Ⅱ/LC-3Ⅰ, Beclin-1 and LC3, Beclin-1 were no significantly increased. Conclusion::Yuehua capsule medicated serum could induce autophagy of macrophages of RAW264.7.The mechanism was probably accomplished through regulating the expression level of autophagy key protein LC3, autophagosome mature protein Beclin-1 and relevant gene, meanwhile the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-Ⅱ was accelerated.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Hospice-Palliative Care for Adults with Terminal Cancer in South Korea / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS@#Although there is growing interest in hospice-palliative care, little information is available on the effects of such care in South Korea. Addressing this research gap, i.e., determining the cost-effectiveness of hospice-palliative care in South Korea, will help guide policy. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness analysis of hospice-palliative care in adults diagnosed with terminal cancer.@*METHODS@#We used a Markov model to construct a decision tree, for an analysis comparing the general ward with the hospice-palliative ward in terms of patient quality of life and cost-effectiveness. Cost and quality of life were estimated based on published Korean studies. Cost-effectiveness was calculated as the incremental cost relative to the incremental effect. Additionally, a one-way sensitivity analysis was performed to test the robustness of the results.@*RESULTS@#Hospice-palliative ward care was more cost-effective than general ward care. The incremental cost was 290,401 Korean won (KRW) and the incremental effect was −0.25. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was −1,174,045 KRW. A similar pattern of results was obtained in the sensitivity analysis.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our results suggest that hospice-palliative ward care is more cost-effective than general ward care.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Hospice-Palliative Care for Adults with Terminal Cancer in South Korea / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although there is growing interest in hospice-palliative care, little information is available on the effects of such care in South Korea. Addressing this research gap, i.e., determining the cost-effectiveness of hospice-palliative care in South Korea, will help guide policy. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness analysis of hospice-palliative care in adults diagnosed with terminal cancer. METHODS: We used a Markov model to construct a decision tree, for an analysis comparing the general ward with the hospice-palliative ward in terms of patient quality of life and cost-effectiveness. Cost and quality of life were estimated based on published Korean studies. Cost-effectiveness was calculated as the incremental cost relative to the incremental effect. Additionally, a one-way sensitivity analysis was performed to test the robustness of the results. RESULTS: Hospice-palliative ward care was more cost-effective than general ward care. The incremental cost was 290,401 Korean won (KRW) and the incremental effect was −0.25. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was −1,174,045 KRW. A similar pattern of results was obtained in the sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that hospice-palliative ward care is more cost-effective than general ward care.

Association between Weekend Admission and In-hospital Mortality among Cardiovascular Patients in Korea / 보건행정학회지

BACKGROUND: Weekend admission is known for having association with increased mortality attributed by poor quality of care and severe patients. We investigated the association between hospital admission on weekends and the in-hospital mortality rates of patients with cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, we examined this association stratified by admission via emergency room or not. METHODS: We analyzed claim data provided by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment in 2013. In total, 80,817 cardiovascular patients were included in this study, which treated in-hospital mortality (early and during total length of stay) as a dependent variable. A generalized linear mixed effects model was used. We conducted subgroup analyses stratified by admission via emergency room or not. RESULTS: Patients who admitted on weekend showed higher in-hospital mortality both early (odds ratio [OR], 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23–1.78) and during total length of stay (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.02–1.33) compared to those admitted on weekdays. Patients who were admitted to the hospital on a weekend by emergency room were more likely to experience early in-hospital mortality compared to those admitted on weekdays. Furthermore, we found that patients not admitted to the hospital through the emergency department were more likely to experience both early and total length of stay in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: Our study shows higher in-hospital mortality rates for cardiovascular patients admitted on weekends. Efforts to improve the quality of care on weekend are important to mitigate the ‘weekend effect’ and improve patient outcomes.

College Alcohol Study for Alcohol-Related Behaviors and Problems / 보건행정학회지

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to investigate the drinking behaviors and drinking-related problems of college students in South Korea to produce national alcohol statistics. METHODS: We carefully examined the questionnaires and previous research developed in the previous research project and selected questions that reflect the special environment and culture of college students. In order to stratify a nationally representative sample of college students, the distribution of students around the country were found through the educational statistics database of the Korea Educational Development Institute. Based on this information, we conducted a survey in collaboration with Gallup (Korea) to survey and analyze the drinking behaviors of 5,024 Korean students. RESULTS: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2017, for Korean college students. A total of 5,024 students were recruited and analyzed. The monthly drinking rate was 78.0% for male students and 72.9% for female students. The high-risk drinking rate was 23.3% for male students and 17.2% for female students. The most popular category for number of drinks per drinking session was ‘more than 10 glasses’ per drinking session for both male (44.1%) and female (32.8%). On the alcohol use disorders identification test, the greatest proportion of male students were in the high-risk drinking category (score 8 to 15) 43.8%, followed by the ‘low-risk drinking’ (score 0 to 7) in 43.6%, ‘alcohol abuse’ (score 16 to 19) 7.2%, and ‘alcohol dependence’ (greater than 20) 5.4% categories, respectively. For female students, the greatest proportion of female students were in the ‘low-risk drinking’ in 49.6%, followed by ‘high-risk drinking’ 37.1%, ‘alcohol abuse’ 8.4%, and ‘alcohol dependence’ 4.9% categories, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that the drinking behavior of Korean college students was excessive. Overall, it was found that the college population has a greater high-risk drinking behaviors than general adult population. Furthermore, these problem drinking behaviors were prominent among female college students. Results from the present study suggest that it is necessary to monitor the drinking behavior of college students with constant interest and to prepare policies and strategies suitable for these circumstances.

Suicide Related Indicators and Trends in Korea in 2017 / 보건행정학회지

Suicide is a major public health issue that causes over 800,000 deaths each year globally. Korea ranks high in suicide rates, in which around 24.3 per 100,000 individuals are reported to have died by intentional self-harm in 2017 according to Statistics Korea. The aim of this study was to examine the current status and trend of suicide ideation and attempt using data from the following five sources: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination (KNHANES, ‘07–13, ‘15–17), Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS, ‘08–09, ’13, ’17), Korean Wealth Panel Study (KOWEPS, ‘12–17), Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP, ‘10–13), and Statistics Korea (1983–2017). Suicide ideation and attempts were also further examined based on equalized household income levels. Data published by Statistics Korea were used to show the updated suicide rate and number of deaths by intentional self-harm. The rate of suicide ideation at the recent year was 4.73% (KNHANES, ‘17), 6.96% (KCHS, ‘17), 1.63% (KOWEPS, ‘17), and 5.39% (KHP, ‘13). That of suicide attempts as recent year was 0.71% (KNHANES, ‘17), 0.32% (KCHS, ‘17), and 0.09% (KOWEPS, ‘17). Annual percentage change of suicidal ideation was −15.4% (KNHANES, ‘07–17), −2.5% (KCHS, ‘08–17), −8.6% (KOWEPS, ‘12–17), and −10.9% (KHP, ‘10–13). Annual percentage change of suicide attempts was −4.0% (KNHANES, ‘07–17), −4.4% (KCHS, ‘08–17), and −14.9% (KOWEPS, ‘12–17). Individuals with lower income levels were more likely to experience suicide ideation and attempts. Considering that Korea still shows a high suicide rate despite the continuously decreasing trend of suicide ideation and attempt, continuous observation and appropriate policy implementation regarding suicide related problems are necessary.

Clinical observation of warm moxibustion therapy to improve quadriceps weakness after total knee arthroplasty / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the clinical efficacy of warm moxibustion therapy in the recovery of quadriceps muscle strength in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with analgesia of the femoral nerve block (FNB).@*METHODS@#A total of 174 patients with KOA were randomized into a warm moxibustion group and a rehabilitation group, 87 cases in each group. In the warm moxibustion group, warm moxibustion combined with conventional quadriceps strength training were used. In the rehabilitation group, conventional quadriceps strength training was given. The warm moxibustion was applied at Liangqiu (ST 34) and Zusanli (ST 36), the treatment was given twice a day, 7 days for one course, with a total of 2 courses.The quadriceps muscle strength of the two groups was recorded and compared at 24 h before FNB, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after surgery, and the resting and exercise VAS pain scores were also recorded at the same time point. And the first time for standing up and the first straight raising time in the two groups were compared, and the occurrence of adverse reactions in the two groups were observed.@*RESULTS@#At 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after FNB, the quadriceps muscle strength in the warm moxibustion group was better than that in the rehabilitation group (<0.05, <0.01). At 72 h and 96 h after FNB, the resting and exercise VAS scores of the warm moxibustion group were lower than those of the rehabilitation group (both <0.001). The average first straight leg raising time in the warm moxibustion group was postoperative (31.03±10.78) h, and the time in the rehabilitation group was postoperative (47.23±15.78) h. The difference was statistically significant (<0.001). The average time of the first time for standing up in the warm moxibustion group was postoperative (25.76±7.00) h, and postoperative (33.12±11.18) h in the rehabilitation group. The difference was also statistically significant (<0.001). No adverse reactions occurred in both groups.@*CONCLUSION@#Warm moxibustion combined with conventional quadriceps strength training can improve the symptoms of quadriceps weakness in patients with femoral nerve block after total knee arthroplasty, and accelerate the recovery of joint function, which is superior to conventional quadriceps strength training.

New Records of Aspergillus allahabadii and Penicillium sizovae from Crop Field Soil in Korea

Two new records of Trichocomaceae, namely Aspergillus allahabadii and Penicillium sizovae, were isolated in 2016 during a survey of fungal diversity in different crop fields locations in Gyeongnam, Korea. These species were identified based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis using internal transcribed spacer region and β-tubulin-encoding gene sequence data. A. allahabadii and P. sizovae have not yet been reported in Korea. Thus, this is the first report of these species in Korea, and their descriptions as well as details of their morphological characters are presented.

Projection of Breast Cancer Burden due to Reproductive/Lifestyle Changes in Korean Women (2013-2030) Using an Age-Period-Cohort Model / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to estimate the burden of breast cancer that can be attributed to rapid lifestyle changes in South Korea in 2013-2030. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An age-period-cohort model was used to estimate the incidence and mortality. The Global Burden of Disease Study Group methodwas used to calculate the years of life lost and years lived with disability in breast cancer patients using a nationwide cancer registry. The population attributable riskswere calculated using meta-analyzed relative risk ratios and by assessing the prevalence of risk factors. RESULTS: Women’s reproductive/lifestyle changes, including advanced maternal age at first childbirth (from 37 to 85 disability-adjusted life years [DALYs] per 100,000 person-years), total period of breastfeeding (from 22 to 46 DALYs per 100,000 person-years), obesity (from 37 to 61 DALYs per 100,000 person-years), alcohol consumption (from 19 to 39 DALYs per 100,000 person-years), oral contraceptive use (from 18 to 27 DALYs per 100,000 person-years), and hormone replacement therapy use (from 2 to 3 DALYs per 100,000 person-years) were identified as factors likely to increase the burden of breast cancer from 2013 to 2030. Approximately, 34.2% to 44.3% of the burden of breast cancer could be avoidable in 2030 with reduction in reproductive/lifestyle risk factors. CONCLUSION: The rapid changes of age structure and lifestyle in South Korea during the last decade are expected to strongly increase the breast cancer burden over time unless the risk factors can be effectively modified.

Suicide Related Indicators and Trends in Korea in 2016 / 보건행정학회지

Suicide has been a public health issue in many countries, and Korea has ranked highest suicide rate among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries over a decade. To address these issues, we updated the recent trends in suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among Korean adults followed by previous data observation. We used data from five sources: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination (KNHANES, '07–12, '13, '15–16), Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS, '08–09, '13), Korean Wealth Panel Study (KOWEPS, '12–16), Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP, '10–13), and cause of death data from Statistics Korea ('07–16). We used weighted frequencies and trend tests. The rate of suicidal ideation as recent year was 5.10% (KNHANES, '15), 8.95% (KCHS, '13), 2.08% (KOWEPS, '16), and 5.39% (KHP, '13). That of suicide attempts as recent year was 0.59% (KNHANES, '16), 0.41% (KCHS, '13), and 0.08% (KOWEPS, '16). Annual percentage change of suicidal ideation was −2.80% (KNHANES, '07–12), 5.78% (KNHANES, '13–15), 0.62% (KCHS, '08–13), −8.50% (KOWEPS, '12–16), and −10.94% (KHP, '10–13). Annual percentage change of suicide attempts was −3.84% (KNHANES, '07–12), 2.26% (KNHANES, '13–16), −2.53% (KCHS, '08–13), and −20.22% (KOWEPS, '12–16). Annual percentage change of death by intentional self-harm was −0.49% (Statistics Korea, '07–16). Individuals who had lower income level were more likely to experience suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. According to these results, the rate of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts showed the decreasing tendency. However, the suicide rate of Korea has remained higher than that of OECD countries. Thus, continuous data observation and effective policies on suicide are needed.

Relationship between Mobile Phone Addiction and the Incidence of Poor and Short Sleep among Korean Adolescents: a Longitudinal Study of the Korean Children & Youth Panel Survey

Three of ten teenagers in Korea are addicted to mobile phones. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between mobile phone addiction and the incidence of poor sleep quality and short sleep duration in adolescents. We used longitudinal data from the Korean Children & Youth Panel Survey conducted by the National Youth Policy Institute in Korea (2011–2013). A total of 1,125 students at baseline were included in this study after excluding those who already had poor sleep quality or short sleep duration in the previous year. A generalized estimating equation was used to analyze the data. High mobile phone addiction (mobile phone addiction score > 20) increased the risk of poor sleep quality but not short sleep duration. We suggest that consistent monitoring and effective intervention programs are required to prevent mobile phone addiction and improve adolescents' sleep quality.