The patterns of nutrition indicators at the different stages of national development

This study has been conducted to find out whether nutrition indi­cators can assist in identifying and measuring poverty, and particularly, in finding out whether the most commonly used nutrition indicator, based on anthropometric measurements in children, is a useful proxy index of differences in socio-economic conditions in the poor. Data on the growth of Japanese children collected over the last 25 years has been used to establish changes in nutritional status and then these patterns have been compared with other development indi­cators. This time sequence of change has been compared with cross- sectional data from low income groups in four South-East Asian countries (Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore) in 1975, and they covered a wide range of per capita GNP. A set of nutrition indicators (prevalence of anaemia, weight-for-age deficits, and 2-5-year mortality rate) have been compared with a welfare and an economic indicator. The data for nutrition indicators were from surveys which used the household as a sampling unit. The validity of an anthropometric measurement (weight-for-age) has been tested in terms of sensitivity and specificity as a screening test of the nutritional status of children. The change in the nutritional status of children in Japan is greater during the early stage studied than in the later stages. Other development indicators also show continuous improvement over time but the rate of change differs from that shown by the nutrition indicator at equivalent stages. The nutrition indicator demonstrates that urban-rural disparity disappeared at an early post-war period. The patterns of a nutrition indicator based on weight measurements and of other nutrition indicators from cross-country data are similar to those of the welfare indicator. However, the study shows the potential value of a nutrition indicator as a reflection of the living standards of the poor from both the cross-country and the longitudinal observation

Refining Historical earthquake Data Through Modeling and Scale Model Tests

This study was performed for the reevaluation of historical earthquake records which occurred in Korea through tests and numerical analyses. For the scale model tests, static and cyclic lateral load tests on wooden frames that constitute a Korean ancient commoner’s house were conducted. Full-scale models of two types of frames were used for testing. Two 1:4 scale models were tested for rock and soil foundation conditions. Scaled real earthquake time histories were inputted for the tests. The peak ground acceleration (PGA) at the collapse of the house at the soil site was 0.25g, whereas PGA for moderate damage at the rock site was 0.6g. The intensity of major historical earthquake records related with house collapses was reevaluated based on the results of these scale mode1 tests. The magnitudes of historical earthquake records related with house collapses were estimated considering the magnitude, epicentral distance, soil condition and aging of the house. Eighteen artificial time histories for magnitudes 6-8, epicentral distances 5 km - 350 km and hard and soft soil condition were generated. The aging effects of the house was modeled as the lateral loading capacity of wooden frames represented by hysteretic stiffness decreased linearly with time

Practical considerations of porosity, strength, and acoustic absorption of structural pervious concrete

This study was conducted to address practical problems in producing structural pervious concrete, such as issues with mix proportioning, paste sagging, porosity, strength, and acoustic absorption. Concrete mixtures with varying aggregate types, target void ratios, and fiber contents were cast in cylindrical and panel-type specimens to determine the compressive strength, porosity, and acoustic absorption coefficient. Porosities of the concrete measured by two methods, i.e., using the volumetric method and computed tomography scanning, were compared to confirm the pore network distribution. A surface impedance method was used to measure the acoustic absorption of the panel samples. Paste with a flow of 170 +/- 10 mm containing synthetic fibers prevented sagging successfully even after mechanical vibration. The concrete produced with this paste and having target void ratios of 10-15% possessed adequate connected open pores for acoustic absorption coefficient over 0.5 and structural strength exceeding 20 MPa

Treatment of Intractable Hiccups With an Oral Agent Monotherapy of Baclofen -A Case Report-

Hiccups are an involuntarily powerful spasm of the diaphragm, followed by a sudden inspiration with a closure of the glottis. Hiccups that are caused by gastric distention, spicy foods and neural dysfunction can resolve themselves without any treatment. Some hiccups are associated with certain diseases or they occur postsurgically, and life-restricting intractable hiccups should be treated. The cause of hiccups should be quickly determined so as to administer the proper treatment. Hiccups often remit spontaneously within a short period of time, but they may also occur without remission for a prolonged period in some cases. We report here on a 36-year-old man who suffered with intractable hiccups for 5 years. We administered a single oral dose of baclofen, and then the hiccups disappeared. We conclude that a single dose of baclofen is a good treatment for intractable hiccups

Population health outcomes in South Korea 1990-2019, and projections up to 2040: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

BACKGROUND: South Korea has one of the longest operating universal health coverage (UHC) systems. A comprehensive analysis of long-term trajectories of morbidity and mortality in the South Korean population after the inception of UHC is needed to inform health-care policy and practice. METHODS: We used data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2019 to present estimates of cause-specific mortality, incidence, prevalence, years of life lost (YLLs), years of life lived with disability, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in South Korea from 1990 to 2019. We also examined forecasted estimates of YLLs up to 2040 to investigate likely future changes in disease burden. Finally, we evaluated GBD estimates from seven comparator countries to place disease burden in South Korea within a broader context. FINDINGS: Age-standardised DALYs related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) decreased by 43·6% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 39·4-47·9) and mortality by 58·8% (55·9-60·5) from 1990 to 2019. In 2019, the ratio of male to female age-standardised rates of YLLs in South Korea was higher than the global average for 75·9% (22 of 29 diseases) of leading causes, indicating a disproportional disease burden on males in South Korea. Among risk factors, tobacco use accounted for the highest number of 2019 deaths (44 470 [95% UI 37 432-53 989]) in males and high systolic blood pressure for the highest number (21 014 [15 553-26 723]) in females. Among the top ten leading causes of YLLs forecast in South Korea in 2040, nine were NCDs, for both males and females. INTERPRETATION: Our report shows a positive landscape of population health outcomes in South Korea following the establishment of UHC. However, due in part to the effects of population ageing driving up medical expenditures for NCDs, financial pressures and sustainability challenges associated with UHC are pressing concerns. Policy makers should work to tackle population ageing and allocate resources efficiently by prioritising interventions that address the leading causes of death and disability identified in this study. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Hepatitis B and C virus prevalence in a rural area of South Korea: the role of acupuncture

A cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence of and the risk factors for hepatitis C and B viruses among 700 adults above the age of 40 years in a rural area of South Korea. Seropositivity for hepatitis C virus antibody (11.0%, 95% confidence interval: 8.7–13.6) was higher than that for hepatitis B surface antigen (4.4%, 95% confidence interval: 3.0–6.2). Anti-hepatitis C virus seropositivity was associated with a history of repeated acupuncture (odds ratio=2.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.1–4.0), and blood transfusion (odds ratio=5.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.6–19.3) before 1992 when hepatitis C virus screening in blood donors became mandatory. Hepatitis C virus 2a was the most prevalent genotype, followed by 1b. Hepatitis C virus risk attributable to acupuncture was 38% (9% for men and 55% for women). Safer acupuncture practice has become a priority for hepatitis C virus prevention in South Korea

Mineral bone disorder in children with chronic kidney disease: Data from the KNOW-Ped CKD (Korean cohort study for outcome in patients with pediatric chronic kidney disease) study

BackgroundChildren with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk of mineral bone disorder (MBD), which leads to fractures, growth retardation, and cardiovascular disease. We aimed to comprehensively understand the relationship between renal function and factors related to MBD and evaluate the prevalence and distribution characteristics of MBD, specifically among Korean patients from the KNOW-PedCKD cohort.MethodsFrom the baseline data of the KNOW-PedCKD cohort, we examined the prevalence and distribution of MBD in 431 Korean pediatric CKD patients, including the level of corrected total calcium, serum phosphate, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), serum vitamin D, fractional excretion of phosphate (FEP), and bone densitometry Z-scores.ResultsThe median serum calcium level remained relatively normal regardless of the CKD stage. The levels of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D, urine calcium-to-creatinine ratio, and bone densitometry Z-score significantly decreased with advancing CKD stage, while those of serum phosphate, FGF-23, and FEP significantly increased with CKD stage. The prevalence of hyperphosphatemia (17.4%, 23.7%, and 41.2% from CKD stages 3b, 4, and 5, respectively) and hyperparathyroidism (37.3%, 57.4%, 55.3%, and 52.9% from CKD stages 3a, 3b, 4, and 5, respectively) significantly increased with the CKD stage. Prescriptions of medications, such as calcium supplements (39.1%, 42.1%, 82.4%), phosphate binders (39.1%, 43.4%, 82.4%), and active vitamin D (21.7%, 44.7%, and 64.7%) significantly increased with CKD stage 3b, 4, and 5, respectively.ConclusionsThe results demonstrated the prevalence and relationship of abnormal mineral metabolism and bone growth according to CKD stage in Korean pediatric CKD patients for the first time

Characterization and simulation of cDNA microarray spots using a novel mathematical model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The quality of cDNA microarray data is crucial for expanding its application to other research areas, such as the study of gene regulatory networks. Despite the fact that a number of algorithms have been suggested to increase the accuracy of microarray gene expression data, it is necessary to obtain reliable microarray images by improving wet-lab experiments. As the first step of a cDNA microarray experiment, spotting cDNA probes is critical to determining the quality of spot images.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We developed a governing equation of cDNA deposition during evaporation of a drop in the microarray spotting process. The governing equation included four parameters: the surface site density on the support, the extrapolated equilibrium constant for the binding of cDNA molecules with surface sites on glass slides, the macromolecular interaction factor, and the volume constant of a drop of cDNA solution. We simulated cDNA deposition from the single model equation by varying the value of the parameters. The morphology of the resulting cDNA deposit can be classified into three types: a doughnut shape, a peak shape, and a volcano shape. The spot morphology can be changed into a flat shape by varying the experimental conditions while considering the parameters of the governing equation of cDNA deposition. The four parameters were estimated by fitting the governing equation to the real microarray images. With the results of the simulation and the parameter estimation, the phenomenon of the formation of cDNA deposits in each type was investigated.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study explains how various spot shapes can exist and suggests which parameters are to be adjusted for obtaining a good spot. This system is able to explore the cDNA microarray spotting process in a predictable, manageable and descriptive manner. We hope it can provide a way to predict the incidents that can occur during a real cDNA microarray experiment, and produce useful data for several research applications involving cDNA microarrays.</p

Compressed representation of a partially defined integer function over multiple arguments

In OLAP (OnLine Analitical Processing) data are analysed in an n-dimensional cube. The cube may be represented as a partially defined function over n arguments. Considering that often the function is not defined everywhere, we ask: is there a known way of representing the function or the points in which it is defined, in a more compact manner than the trivial one