Disability-Related Mortality Inequity in South Korea: Comparison in Terms of Seoul Metropolitan/Non-Metropolitan Areas and Income Levels.

Despite the improved living standards in South Korea, people with disabilities still experience health disparities. Therefore, we analyzed differences in mortality rates among people with disabilities according to income level and residential area using representative data from the National Health Insurance Service in South Korea. Descriptive statistics and Cox proportional risk models were used to identify the risk factors for mortality affecting people with disabilities stratified by income level and residential area. Those living in non-metropolitan areas and low-income households had high mortality risks, suggesting that income level and residential area were related to mortality risk. The mortality risk of those with a high-income level was 1.534 times higher in non-metropolitan areas than in Seoul metropolitan areas (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.44-1.63). Among people with low income living in non-metropolitan areas, the crude hazard ratios of mortality risk were 1.26 (95% CI = 1.14-1.39), 1.44 (95% CI = 1.34-1.54), and 1.39 (95% CI = 1.20-1.61) for those with brain lesions, sensory impairment (visual/hearing/speech impairment), and kidney failure, respectively. No significant differences were observed between people with autism in non-metropolitan and Seoul metropolitan areas and those with low- and high-income levels. Health issues and countermeasures are crucial to reduce mortality risk among people with disabilities.

The Relationship Between Socio-Demographic Factors and Tuberculosis Mortality in the Republic of Korea During 2008-2017.

The Republic of Korea has a high incidence of tuberculosis (TB) and TB-specific mortality rate. In 2019, it had the second highest TB-specific mortality among Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. Understanding the factors associated with TB-specific deaths may help eradicate the disease. Therefore, we aimed to identify the general characteristics associated with TB-specific mortality among Koreans. Using Causes of Death Statistics data from Statistics Korea, we assessed the year of death, sex, age, occupation, area of residence, marital status, and education level reported between 2008 and 2017. Patient characteristics associated with TB-specific deaths were analyzed using the Chi-squared test, while influencing factors of TB-specific mortality were analyzed using logistic regression analysis to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AOR). Female (AOR: 0.509, 95% CI: 0.493-0.526), those with a graduate degree or higher (AOR: 0.559, 95% CI: 0.474-0.660) had lower TB-specific mortality rates than those of their counterparts. Conversely, those aged ≥70 years (AOR: 1.239, 95% CI: 1.199-1.280), single (AOR: 1.355, 95% CI: 1.315-1.396), and skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers (AOR: 1.441, 95% CI: 1.359-1.529) had higher TB-specific mortality rates than those of their counterparts. In conclusion, TB-specific mortality rates differed according to the characteristics of the deceased patients. In order to establish effective TB control, multisectoral action on broader determinants should be strengthened.

Liquid Phase Peptide Synthesis via One-Pot Nanostar Sieving (PEPSTAR).

Herein, a one-pot liquid phase peptide synthesis featuring iterative addition of amino acids to a "nanostar" support, with organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) for isolation of the growing peptide after each synthesis cycle is reported. A cycle consists of coupling, Fmoc removal, then sieving out of the reaction by-products via nanofiltration in a reactor-separator, or synthesizer apparatus where no phase or material transfers are required between cycles. The three-armed and monodisperse nanostar facilitates both efficient nanofiltration and real-time reaction monitoring of each process cycle. This enabled the synthesis of peptides more efficiently while retaining the full benefits of liquid phase synthesis. PEPSTAR was validated initially with the synthesis of enkephalin-like model penta- and decapeptides, then octreotate amide and finally octreotate. The crude purities compared favorably to vendor produced samples from solid phase synthesis.