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Purpose Triage tools play a vital role in classifying the severity of children in emergency departments (EDs). We investigated the association between the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS) and severity of dyspnea in the ED. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of children aged 3-14 years with dyspnea who visited the ED from January 2015 through December 2021. They were divided into severe (KTAS level 1-3) and non-severe (KTAS level 4-5) groups. Between the groups, we compared the clinical characteristics, including age, sex, associated symptoms, vital signs, route of visit, treatment at ED, and outcomes. Results Among a total of 468 children with dyspnea, 267 and 201 were assigned to the severe and non-severe groups, respectively. The severe group had higher frequencies of fever (21.7% vs. 13.9%; P = 0.031), cough (53.2% vs. 43.3%; P = 0.034), systemic steroids (42.3% vs. 25.9%; P < 0.001), intravenous fluids (47.6% vs. 25.4%; P < 0.001), oxygen therapy (16.5% vs. 6.5%; P = 0.001), inotropics (4.1% vs. 1.0%; P = 0.042), and hospitalization (24.7% vs. 11.9%; P = 0.002). The severe group also showed a higher mean heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, and lower mean oxygen saturation (all Ps < 0.001). Among these findings, fever, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, intravenous fluids, oxygen therapy, inotropics, and hospitalization remained significantly different between the groups after defining the severe group as a KTAS level 1-2. Conclusion This study shows the association between KTAS and severity of dyspnea in the ED. Therefore, KTAS may reflect not only the initial clinical conditions but also emergency measures and outcomes in children with dyspnea who visit EDs.

This study identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that affect the body weight of chickens. Analysis of body weight showed that the Cornish breed had the highest body weight, and the Korean native chicken (Gray Brown) had the lowest body weight. TSH is composed of an α-subunit and a β-subunit, and the TSH-β gene encoding the β-subunit has been reported to be associated with obesity. In chickens, it is located on chromosome 26 and is reported to be associated with growth. The calcium-sensing receptor gene (CaSR) plays a role in the regulation of extracellular calcium homeostasis and is responsible for calcium absorption in the urinary tract, which affects the eggshell quality in poultry. It was shown that TSH-β was strongly correlated with weight in Cornish and Korean native (Gray Brown) chickens, particularly in those with the CC trait. However, CaSR showed no association with body weight in poultry; it was associated with calcium and the eggshell. Thus, selection for TSH-β can be used to produce individuals with more favorable traits in terms of body weight.

OBJECTIVES The purposes of this study were to investigate differences in health risk perception, exercise knowledge, self-efficacy, exercise adherence, pros, cons, and physical activity by gender and the level of exercise participation and to identify the influences of the psychological constructs on physical activity in Korean university students. METHODS A total of 495 university students (213 males, 282 females; age = 20.55 years, SD = 2.01) from three universities located in Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi-do voluntarily participated in this study. In order to measure physical activity and its related psychological variables, five standardized Korean questionnaires were applied. Data were analyzed by descriptive analysis, MANOVAs, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS It was confirmed that there were some partial differences in psychological factors and physical activity (total, intermediate/high intensity) depending on the gender and level of participation in sports of the students. Also there were differences in factors that affected their physical activities by gender and level of participation in sports. CONCLUSIONS It needs to be continued in order to gain more empirical knowledge from evidence-based investigations applying the theory-based interventions with some other variables such as gender, age and the level of physical activity participation.

Purpose To compare the efficacy of inflammatory markers, the Laboratory-score, and a new laboratory combined model for predicting serious bacterial infection (SBI) in young febrile children. Methods The presence of SBI was reviewed in previously healthy children aged 3 years or younger with fever (> 38℃) who visited the emergency department from 2017 through 2018. Areas under the curves (AUCs) of the receiver operating characteristic curve for SBI were compared with individual inflammatory markers (white blood cells [WBC] count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], C-reactive protein [CRP], procalcitonin [PCT], and urine WBC count), the Laboratory-score, and a laboratory combined model. The latter model was developed using logistic regression analysis including ESR, CRP, and PCT. Results Of the 203 enrolled children, SBI was diagnosed in 58 (28.6%). For SBI prediction, the Laboratory-score showed 51.7% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI], 38.2%-65.0%) and 83.5% specificity (95% CI, 76.4%-89.1%). The AUC of the Laboratory-score (0.76) was significantly superior to the values of all individual inflammatory markers (WBC, 0.59 [P = 0.032]; ESR, 0.69; and CRP, 0.74 [P < 0.001]) except that of PCT (0.77, [P < 0.001]). The AUC of the laboratory combined model (0.80) was superior to that of the Laboratory-score (0.76) (P < 0.001). Conclusion In this study, the new laboratory combined model showed good predictability for SBI. This finding suggests the usefulness of combining ESR, CRP, and PCT in predicting SBI.

Purpose In infants and young children, acute bronchiolitis is a leading cause of hospitalization via emergency departments (EDs). We aimed to investigate factors associated with hospitalization via ED in children with acute bronchiolitis. Methods We reviewed medical records of children aged 36 months or younger with acute bronchiolitis who visited the ED from January to December 2017. The following clinical data were collected and analyzed: age, sex, premature birth history, symptoms, fever duration, presence of respiratory distress and radiographic lesion, and inflammatory markers. Results Of 780 children enrolled, 463 (59.4%) were hospitalized via the ED. The factor associated with the hospitalization were age ≤ 12 months (odd ratio [OR], 45.34; confidence interval [CI], 17.50-117.44), fever lasting ≥ 3 days (OR, 13.66; 95% CI, 6.46-28.87), respiratory rate ≥ 24 breaths per minute (OR, 6.88; 95% CI, 4.21-11.26), radiographic lesion (OR, 5.70; 95% CI 2.62-12.40), and chest retraction (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.11-5.41). Conclusion In children with acute bronchiolitis who visit EDs, those having younger age, longer fever duration, respiratory distress or radiographic lesion may need hospitalization.

Purpose The Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS) is a triage tool for patients in the emergency department (ED). We aimed to investigate the association between the KTAS level and hospitalization of children with abdominal pain, a common chief complaint in the ED. Methods This study retrospectively reviewed medical records of children aged 3 to 14 years who visited the ED with abdominal pain as a chief complaint. KTAS level (1-3 vs. 4-5), age, gender, presence of associated symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, hematochezia, and fever), and disposition (rapid discharge, discharge after intravenous hydration, and hospitalization) were collected and compared between the children with KTAS 1-3 and 4-5. Results Of 1,050 children enrolled, 618 (58.9%) were classified as KTAS 1-3, and 36 (3.4%) were hospitalized. Vomiting was the most common associated symptom in both groups (63.6%), and 41.5% underwent discharge after intravenous hydration. The children with KTAS 1-3 were more frequently hospitalized (5.0% vs. 1.2%, P < 0.001). Conclusion The KTAS may be reliable to predict the hospitalization of children with abdominal pain in the ED with additional consideration of the associated symptoms.

Purpose: The aims of this study was to provide basic data to enhance the professional self-concept of nurses in intensive care unit and identify the relationship between job stress, working bullying, self-efficacy and professional self-concept and identify the factors influencing professional self-concept in intensive care unit nurses. Methods: This study was conducted from June to August, 2018 at five general hospitals over 500 beds. Structured questionnaire were completed by 120 nurses who had agreed to understand and participate in the study. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS win 24.0 program. Results: Factors affecting the professional self-concept of the subjects were self-efficacy, working bullying, unsatisfaction and satisfaction of nursing job satisfaction, age. The explanatory power of these variables on professional self-concept was 55.1%. Conclusion: The self-efficacy, working bullying, nursing job satisfaction, and age of the intensive care unit nurses were identified as the major factors influencing the professional self-concept. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and apply an educational program to improve self-efficacy and nursing job satisfaction and reduce working bullying, which are influencing factors of professional self-concept of intensive care unit nurse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restoration of a patient with thin and low residual ridges using a removable partial denture cannot provide proper anterioposterior stability and support, so it results in patient discomfort and severe occlusal force. Also, when a small number of residual teeth are far apart from one another, it is difficult to splint. When these teeth are not splinted, they become solitary abutments, which is not a wise treatment decision. In this case, telescopic system reduces severe lateral load on abutments resulting from a clasp denture and it provides stable and definite retention and solidity. In this case report, a patient exhibited full edentulism in maxilla, and a small number of residual teeth in mandible, which were restored with a complete denture and a telescopic denture respectively. In treatment planning, it was concluded that a patient was restored with a telescopic denture since it was highly probable that a clasp denture would create discomfort and difficulty due to a small number of residual teeth located far apart and residual ridges without proper support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Hyperhomocysteinemia is known to be related with the early onset of osteoporosis. This study was to examine the association between serem homocysteine levels and bone mineral density (BMD) in middle aged women. Methods: The study included 409 women who underwent bone density tests in the health screening centers from January 2009 to october 2010. Serum homocysteine levels and BMD were measured. Results: Postmenopause group (n = 109) showed significantly lower BMD score in lumbar spine and femoral neck and significantly higher serum homocysteine concentration compared to premenopause group (n = 300). However, after adjusting for age, body mass index, and the menopausal condition in total 409 women, there were no significant correlations between serum homocysteine levels and BMD. Conclusion: Measurement of serum homocysteine levels may not be useful, but adjunctive for the risk assessment of osteoporosis in middle aged women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of small-molecule inhibitor of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) type I receptor, an activin receptor-like kinase 5 (ALK5), on erectile dysfunction (ED) in a rat model of cavernous fibrosis, in which fibrosis was induced by intracavernous injection of adenovirus expressing TGF-β1 (Ad-TGF-β1). Materials and Methods: Four-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n=10 per group): age-matched controls without treatment, age-matched controls receiving intracavernous injection of LacZ adenovirus, and cavernous fibrosis rats receiving an intracavernous injection of saline or ALK5 inhibitor (5 mg/kg). ALK5 inhibitor or saline was administered on day 5 after injection of Ad-TGF-β1. On day 30, erectile function was assessed by electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve and the penis was then harvested for histologic studies (n=6 per group) and for the measurement of the hydroxyproline level (n=4 per group). Results: Ad-TGF-β1-induced cavernous fibrosis rats treated with saline showed a significant decrease in cavernous smooth muscle and endothelial content, and an increase in collagen deposition, which resulted in profound deterioration of all erectile function parameters, such as the ratios of maximal intracavernous pressure (ICP), total ICP, and slope to mean arterial pressure. ALK5 inhibitor significantly restored erectile function in a rat model of cavernous fibrosis by increasing cavernous smooth muscle and endothelial content, and by blocking cavernous fibrosis. Conclusions: The results suggest that inhibition of the TGF-β pathway is a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of ED related to cavernous fibrosis from various causes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the volumes and areas of the upper airways in children with Class II malocclusion, using three dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to compare the volumetric and cross-sectional measurements and cephalometric variables to investigate possible relationships between the upper airway and facial morphology. Methods: CBCT scans were obtained from 37 subjects (17 boys and 20 girls; average age, 11.02 years). The upper airway volumes and areas were measured, and compared with cephalometric variables. Results: The area of the PNS-posterior plane (SPP) was significantly smaller in the Class II malocclusion group (p < 0.05). Also, the volumetric and cross-sectional measurements were lower in Class II than in Class I malocclusion groups, although the differences were not significant between the two groups (p > 0.05). The Class II malocclusion group showed significantly smaller values of PFH, mandibular body length, pog to N perp and showed larger values of FMA, ANB, and facial convexity than the Class I malocclusion group. The volume of the upper airway in front of PNS point (WN) showed negative correlation with ANB (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The Class II malocclusion group had a narrower upper airway associated with a decreased posterior facial height and a divergent growth pattern than the Class I malocclusion group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]