Search

Purpose Several observational studies have presented conflicting results on the association between the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or histamine H2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) and the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine this association. Methods In July 2021, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science were searched for articles investigating the relationship between the two main acid suppressants and COVID-19. Studies showing the effect estimates as hazard ratio (HR) for severe outcomes or incidence of COVID-19 were evaluated using a random-effects model. Results A total of 15 retrospective cohort studies with 18,109 COVID-19 cases were included in the current meta-analysis. PPI use was significantly associated with severe outcomes of COVID-19 (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20–1.95) but not with the incidence of COVID-19, whereas H2RA use was significantly associated with decreased incidence (HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.76–0.97). For subgroup analyses of PPIs, increased severe outcomes of COVID-19 were observed in 60 years, while in-hospital use and use in Asia were associated with higher disease severity. Conclusions Close observation can be considered for COVID-19 patients who use PPIs to prevent severe outcomes. However, caution should be taken because of substantial heterogeneity and plausible protopathic bias. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00228-021-03255-1.

Objective: This report describes the case of a patient with essential tremors of the mouth and hands, which were improved by Yeokhan-san treatment.Methods: To relieve the symptoms, Korean medicine treatments, including Yeokhan-san, Ohaeng-Hwa acupuncture, and electronic moxibustion, were performed. To evaluate the effects of the treatments, the visual analog scale and Fahn-Tolosa-Marin clinical rating scale for tremor were used.Results: After the treatment, the patient's clinical symptoms were improved. The visual analog scale score decreased from 10 to 2 for the hand tremor and from 10 to 1 for the mouth tremor. The Fahn-Tolosa-Marin tremor scores decreased from 3 to 1 for both the hand and mouth tremors.Conclusions: The present case suggests that Yeokhan-san and Ohaeng-Hwa acupuncture are effective for the treatment of essential tremor.

As the research and development of autonomous vehicles has become more active, lane detection technologies for providing road information have become key elements. There are limits to detecting lanes in dynamic driving environments in conventional machine vision research, as the approaches are generally dependent on expert scenarios and fine-tuned heuristics. Deep learning has shown good performance in classifying target information with this distribution of nonlinear data; thus, many studies have actively applied deep learning to lane detection. However, most of these studies have focused on improving the accuracy, rather than on the operating speed. For the work reported herein, a benchmarking deep-learning framework for lane detection was applied with lightened feature extraction modules and decoder modules. These were used to compare performances and to present an indicator for selecting a model for optimizing real-time performance and accuracy. The VGG-16, MobileNet, and ShuffleNet networks were used for the encoder module, whereas frontend dilation and UNet were used for the decoder module. The limitations of the benchmarking framework were analyzed, and perspective loss concepts were applied to the processing of the network using front-view images to ensure improvements in the accuracy and operating speed. All of the candidate networks obtained objective performance indicators based on a large-scale benchmark dataset (TuSimple) and network training with a dataset collected and verified via performance on public roads in Singapore.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to review and analyze the trends in prospective clinical research (PCR), project, clinical study protocol of Korean medicine (KM) for dementia. Methods: We searched PCRs of KM on dementia in six electronical databases, up to January 28, 2021. Moreover, the clinical research protocol and projects of KM for dementia were searched. Results: Total eight PCRs, nine projects, and three clinical study protocols were included. In the PCRs, there were one randomized controlled trial, five before and after study, and two comparative group before-after studies. Four of them used herbal medicine, two used acupuncture, one study used both herbal medicine and acupuncture, and the other one used moxibustion. Jowiseungchung-tang was the most frequently used herbal medicine. BL62, KI6 were used in electro-acupuncture, auricular-Shenmen in auricular acupuncture, and GV20 in moxibustion. The most frequent outcome was Korean-Dementia Rating Scale (K-DRS). One reported significant increase in K-DRS score, one reported 60% improvement, and the other studies mostly reported no significant difference. In the projects including 20 clinical studies of dementia, herbal medicine, integrative medicine and acupuncture were mainly used. In the protocols, herbal medicine, complex KM intervention, and integrative medicine were used. Conclusions: Currently, the number of PCRs of KM for dementia is very scarce. Therefore, the researcher's interest in this field and national research support should be made more, and the quality of clinical research in the future can be further improved by supplementing the limitations of previously published clinical research.

Background/Aims: Ascertaining the prevalence of isolated nocturnal hypertension (INHT) in the general population and identifying the characteristics of patients with INHT may be important to determine patients who should receive 24- hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) measurements. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of INHT in the general population.Methods: Of 1,128 participants (aged 20 to 70 years), we analyzed 823 who had valid 24-hour ambulatory BP measurements and were not on antihypertensive drug treatment.Results: The prevalence of INHT in the study was 22.8%. Individuals with INHT had a higher office, 24-hour, and daytime and nighttime ambulatory systolic and diastolic BPs compared to individuals with sustained day-night normotension. INHT was more prevalent in individuals with masked hypertension (MH) than in those with sustained hypertension (59.8% vs. 15.6%, p < 0.001). Among individuals with INHT, 92.6% had MH. Among individuals with office BP-based prehypertension, 34.5% had both INHT and MH. The prevalence of INHT was highest in individuals with office BP-based prehypertension. INHT was an independent determinant of MH after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, diabetes, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, 24-hour systolic and diastolic BP, systolic and diastolic BP dipping, and systolic and diastolic BP non-dipping.Conclusions: The present study showed that INHT is not uncommon and is a major determinant of MH. Our findings strongly suggest the use of 24-hour ambulatory BP measurement for individuals within the prehypertension range of office BP owing to the high prevalence of INHT and MH in this population.

Background: This study aimed to explore the relationship between fruit intake, changes in fruit intake, and changes in cardiometabolic factors in people with obesity. Methods: A total of 21,270 subjects (8,718 men, 12,552 women) aged 40 years and over, from the Korean-based Genome and Epidemiology Study, were followed up for an average of 4.4 years. Fruit intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire at baseline and the second follow-up. The beta coefficient and confidence intervals for changes in cardiometabolic risk factors according to fruit consumption were calculated using a linear regression model. Results: In men, the abdominal circumference decreased with changes in fruit intake (P=0.029). Fruit intake and increased fruit intake in men were associated with a lower systolic blood pressure (P=0.012 and P=0.02, respectively) and lower triglyceride levels (P=0.002 and P

Follicular occlusion triad (FOT) is a complex chronic inflammatory skin disease comprising hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), acne conglobata (AC), and dissecting cellulitis of the scalp (DCS; Hoffman’s disease or perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens). While pathological mechanisms are responsible for common skin manifestations, the exact underlying causes of follicular occlusion have not yet been clearly identified. Therefore, the diagnosis and treatment of FOT remain challenging. A 31-year-old man on conservative treatment for previously diagnosed HS and AC presented to our clinic with multiple masses on his posterior neck and face. Excisional biopsy of the masses revealed epidermal cysts. Four months after the surgery, he presented with a painful palpable mass around the occipital region of the scalp with characteristic skin manifestations such as cicatricial alopecia and comedones and was diagnosed with DCS. Incision and drainage of the lesion were performed, and histopathology revealed pathological findings of follicular occlusion. The patient was diagnosed with FOT. Following the procedure, the patient has been on regular follow-up and is on oral isotretinoin; there have been no complications for the last 6 months.

In recent years, various methods of measuring body temperature have been developed using wireless biosensors to facilitate an early detection of pregnancy and parturition in cows. However, there are no studies on real-time monitoring of cattle body temperature throughout pregnancy. Therefore, we investigated the daily mean ruminal temperature in pregnant cows throughout pregnancy using a ruminal bio-capsule sensor and then evaluated the temperature variation between pregnant and non-pregnant cows. In pregnant cows, the mean and standard deviation of ruminal temperature was 38.86 ± 0.17℃. Ruminal temperature in pregnant cows slowly decreased until 180 to 190 days after artificial insemination and after that, the temperature increased dramatically until just before parturition. Furthermore, the means ruminal temperature was significantly different between pregnant and nonpregnant cows. The mean and standard deviation of ruminal temperature were as follows: 38.68 ± 0.01℃ from days 80 to 100, 38.78 ± 0.02℃ from days 145 to 165, 38.99 ± 0.45℃ from days 200 to 220, 39.14 ± 0.38℃ from days 250 to 270 before parturition. Therefore, our results could provide useful data for early detection of pregnancy and parturition in Korean cows.

PurposeThe goal of this study was to explore the development of the first-of-its-kind mainstream adaptive apparel line for children through the collaboration of an adaptive apparel advocate and an apparel brand.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve this goal, the study used the resource advantage (RA) and first-mover advantage theory to conduct a case study investigating the lived experiences of Mindy Scheier as she created the adaptive apparel movement and collaborated with Tommy Hilfiger® to launch the first-of-its-kind mainstream adaptive apparel line for children.FindingsThe result of the case study revealed two dominant themes: (1) “I am going to educate the entire industry” and (2) “You mean no mainstream brands have done this before?” Using RA theory and first-mover advantage theory, the themes illustrated the advocate's position as a key competitive resource, how she leveraged the key competitive resources with an apparel brand, and subsequently, how the brand, using the advocate as a key competitive resource, established a first-mover advantage in the adaptive apparel market to develop the first-of-its-kind mainstream adaptive apparel line for children in the marketplace.Originality/valueThis study demonstrated how RA theory could be applied to the partnership between an advocate and an apparel firm and how the key resources acquired and utilized by the advocate support a competitive advantage within the adaptive apparel marketplace.

Background/Aims: Sacroiliitis is a frequent extraintestinal manifestation of in flammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of sacroiliitis using a validated screening tool based on abdominopelvic computed tomography (APCT) in Korean patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and examine potential associations between clinical characteristics and sacroiliitis. Methods: One hundred five patients with CD undergoing APCT for any indica tion at an IBD clinic were matched 1:1 for age and sex with 105 controls without underlying chronic illnesses. Using a validated APCT screening tool that defines sacroiliitis as either ankylosis or a total erosion score (TES) ≥ 3, all computed to mography scans were assessed by two independent, blinded radiologists. We com pared the prevalence of sacroiliitis between CD patients and controls and clinical characteristics between CD patients with and without sacroiliitis. Results: The prevalence of sacroiliitis was significantly higher in CD patients than in controls (13.3% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.030). All subjects with sacroiliitis had a TES ≥ 3, but no ankylosis. The assessment of sacroiliitis in APCT showed excellent in terreader reliability (Cohen’s kappa = 0.933 for presence of sacroiliitis). Sacroiliitis in CD patients was bilateral and asymptomatic. There were no significant associ ations between sacroiliitis and any demographic data or clinical characteristics in these patients. Conclusions: The prevalence of APCT-detected sacroiliitis in CD patients was higher than that in controls, but the condition was asymptomatic. The clinical significance of asymptomatic sacroiliitis in Korean CD patients remains unclear.

Several observational studies have shown contradictory results regarding the association between sunlight exposure and the risk of malignant lymphoma. Thus, we aimed to systematically determine the association between sunlight exposure and lymphoid malignancy risk through a meta-analysis. A thorough search of four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus) was performed to identify eligible studies until 13 August 2020. A random-effects model was used to calculate risk estimates of sunlight exposure. The main outcome measure was the risk of lymphoid malignancy subtypes with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) according to various forms of solar ultraviolet radiation. In total, 17 case–control studies and 9 cohort studies including 216,285 non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and 23,017 Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) patients were included in the final analysis. Personal sunlight exposure was significantly associated with a decreased risk of HL (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.68–0.87) and NHL (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.71–0.92), including all subtypes except T-cell lymphoma. Ambient sunlight exposure at residence was associated with a reduced risk of HL (OR 0.88; 95% CI 0.81–0.95) and all NHL subtypes (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.73–0.96), except for chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma. As the number of sunburns and sunbaths increased, the risk of NHL tended to decrease. While there was an observed protective effect both from case–control and prospective studies, substantial heterogeneity was found in the current study. Thus, more evidence is required to confirm that promoting sunlight exposure can prevent the development of lymphoid neoplasia.

The purpose of this study is to understand fashion consumers’ channel switching to online stores during the COVID-19. We proposed an extended theory of planned behavior by incorporating protection motivation theory. The results showed that consumer assessments of perceived severity and altruistic fear of COVID-19 and response efficacy and self-efficacy of channel switching increased their beliefs (i.e., attitude, perceived behavior control, subjective norm) and intentions to switch shopping channels to online. We also found that the age (young vs. old) moderated the effects of response efficacy and self-efficacy on perceived behavior control, perceived severity on subjective norm, perceived behavior control on channel switching intentions, and channel switching intention on actual switching behavior. The findings provide fashion retailers and the society with a better understanding about fashion consumers’ shopping channel switching under the pandemic.

We investigated the efficacy and safety of liraglutide 3 mg daily in combination with diet and exercise 2, 4, and 6 months after initiation in real-world settings in Korea. People first using liraglutide starting in 2018 were recruited from ten sites in Korea. Body weight and body mass index (BMI) were measured after 2, 4, and 6 months and compared with baseline values. The full cohort comprised 769 participants: 672 in the 2-month group, 427 in the 4-month group, and 219 in the 6-month group. The baseline mean ± standard deviation of BMI and body weight were 32.2 ± 5.1 kg/m2, and 87.5 ± 18.8 kg, respectively. Body weight and BMI decreased after initiation of liraglutide treatment: −2.94 kg and −1.08 kg/m2 at 2 months; −4.23 kg and −1.55 kg/m2 at 4 months, and −5.14 kg and −1.89 kg/m2 at 6 months (all P

Frailty is a common geriatric syndrome associated with the risk of adverse health outcomes. Recently, 2 key pathophysiological characteristics of frailty, altered energy metabolism and dysregulated immunity, have been reported to be associated with gut microbiome dysbiosis, indicating that the gut microbiome plays a role in frailty. However, few studies have directly examined the relationship between the gut microbiome and frailty. Here, we investigated the association of frailty measures with the gut microbiome using 16S rRNA gene sequencing data obtained from the fecal samples of 176 Korean older adults. Overall frailty was scored using the Korean Frailty Index (FI). Grip strength and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) scores were used as physical and mental frailty measures, respectively. In contrast to age, metabolic, and inflammatory biomarkers, the frailty measures were associated with interindividual variations in microbial composition (false discovery rate [FDR] < 0.2). Both FI and GDS scores were negatively associated with microbial diversity (FDR < 0.2). Frailty measures showed distinct associations with specific microbial taxa and metabolic functions. Particularly, the Bacteroides enterotype was found only in subjects categorized in the frail group. Moreover, we observed that the abundance of beneficial taxa, such as Prevotella copri and Coprococcus eutactus, was reduced in frailer individuals, whereas that of detrimental taxa, such as Bacteroides fragilis and Clostridium hathewayi, was increased (FDR < 0.2). Our findings suggest that the gut microbiome can be used an indicator of an increased risk of frailty or a target for improving health in frail older adults.

Purpose This study aims to empirically examine the determinants of corporate hypocrisy and to investigate the potential negative impact on the consumer–brand relationship, specifically on trust, switch and resilience intentions. Design/methodology/approach A 2 (mission: no and yes) × 3 (sustainability activities: perfect, imperfect and no duty) experiment was developed. A total of 548 US consumers were randomly assigned to one of six case conditions and asked to respond to an online survey. The responses were analyzed by both two-way analysis of variance and PROCESS. Findings The results showed that respondents who saw clear sustainability goals in the companies’ mission statements had lower levels of corporate hypocrisy than those who did not, and when the mission statements and activities related to corporate sustainability were congruent, the respondents were less likely to elicit corporate hypocrisy than when they were not. Also, consumers showed lower levels of trust when corporate hypocrisy was present, which negatively impacted their switch and resilience intentions. Originality/value This study provided empirical evidence demonstrating how and to what extent corporate hypocrisy is formed by varying sustainability goals and activities. These findings urge brand managers to recognize the ripple effect created by a mismatch between their stated sustainability goals and their activities. Also, these findings could provide apparel management with guidelines for formulating and communicating companies’ sustainability goals and activities.

BackgroundThe effects of anesthetic techniques on postdural puncture backache (PDPB) have not been specifically evaluated. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence and severity of PDPB between median and paramedian techniques.MethodsPatients were randomized to receive spinal anesthesia by either a median (Group M, n = 50) or paramedian (Group P, n = 50) approach.We recorded each patient’s personal number of puncture attempts, surgical position, and operation duration. We investigated the incidence and intensity of back pain 1 day, 1 week, and 1, 2, and 3 months postoperatively.ResultsThe overall incidence of PDPB was higher in the Group M (18/50, 36%) than in the Group P (8/50, 16%) (P =0.023). Twenty-four hours after surgery, 8 patients in Group M and 6 patients in Group P complained of back pain, and the average numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores showed no evidence of differences. Seven days after the surgery, 16 patients in the Group M and 5 patients in the Group P complained of pain (P = 0.007); their NRS scores did not significantly differ. After 1 month, 5 patients in the Group M and 1 patient in the Group P complained of pain. Only one patient in each group complained of pain after 3 months.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that spinal anesthesia using the paramedian approach reduces the incidence of PDPB during the early postoperative period.

Pediatric dosimetry requires extra attention as young children are three times more sensitive to radiation than the average population. Soft tissues of patients absorb low-energy photons without affecting useful diagnostic information. X-ray filters can decrease the exposure dose of radiation by removing low-energy photons from the X-ray beam. Several studies have dealt with the advantages of a conventional filter, copper (Cu), in pediatric digital X-ray radiography. Only a few studies, however, have examined the use of molybdenum (Mo) filters and their impact on the radiation dose and image quality in pediatric digital X-ray imaging. In this study, we investigated the impact of a Mo filter on the image quality and the entrance surface exposure (ESE) in pediatric X-ray imaging and assessed the potential of additional dose reduction compared to a conventional Cu filter. The performance of the Mo filter was investigated and compared with that of Cu filter. Two types of phantoms were used: a customized quantitative phantom (Phantom A) for quantitative comparison and a computational anthropomorphic extended cardiac-torso (XCAT) phantom for qualitative comparison. A clinical radiography system was modeled, and the clinical setting for pediatric chest X-ray imaging was considered. Geant4 simulations using Monte Carlo toolkits were performed to obtain the images for pediatric chest X-ray examinations. Quantitative and qualitative comparisons using the quantitative phantom (Phantom A) and the XCAT phantom, respectively, were performed for both filters. From the customized quantitative phantom study, the ESE for the Mo filter was compared with that for the Cu filter when contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was equal. In addition, to validate our Monte Carlo model, we compared simulated and experimentally acquired images. From the results, the ESE for the Cu filter was 22.62 μGy while the ESE for the Mo filter was 18.18 μGy for 5-mm soft tissue. The use of a Mo filter results in a reduction in the dose by 19.60%. From the XCAT phantom study, the image for the Mo filter was superior to that for Cu filter in terms of noise and recognition of blood vessels. The performance characteristics of the Mo filter were evaluated in terms of image quality and radiation dose by comparing those characteristics to the ones for a conventional Cu filter. Our results demonstrated that the use of the Mo filter can significantly reduce the radiation dose. Based on this result, Mo filters are recommended for use in pediatric digital X-ray imaging.

Objectives To investigate longitudinal changes of the EULAR SS Patient-Reported Index (ESSPRI) and EULAR SS Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI), and identify factors associated with patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) in patients with primary SS (pSS). Methods We assessed ESSPRI, ESSDAI, clinical ESSDAI (ClinESSDAI), EULAR Sicca Score, EuroQoL 5-dimension (EQ-5D), Fatigue Severity Score, Beck Depression Inventory, and patient global assessment (PGA) for pSS, and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for glandular and extra-glandular symptoms at baseline and follow-up. The responses to the currently available standards of care were evaluated by the PASS, the minimal clinically important improvement (MCII) of ESSPRI and ESSDAI, and a modified SS Responder Index-30 (mSSRI-30) response. Results Among 115 patients enrolled, 102 (88.7%) completed a median 3-year follow-up. The ESSPRI, ClinESSDAI and EQ-5D levels remained stable, although the PGA and ESSDAI significantly improved (both P Conclusion Although longitudinal changes in ESSPRI and ClinESSDAI are stable in pSS, baseline ESSPRI and ESSDAI could provide prognostic information on the subsequent achievement of PASS, using currently available treatments. A categorization model using ESSPRI and ESSDAI may have clinical implications.

For long, the fashion industry has adopted the linear economy's “take‐make‐use‐throwaway” system, an approach that has adverse side effects, such as economic loss, environmental destruction, and threats to human society. To address these adverse consequences from fashion's linear system, governments and business leaders are advocating the societal need for a shift from the linear economy to the circular economy, which endorses the “take‐make‐use‐reuse” system. Despite the growing demand for changing to a circular economy in the fashion business (circular fashion [CF]), two critical issues remain understudied in the current literature. First, although academic research on CF has increased in the past 5 years, the lack of scalable CF research has hindered the industry's ability to increase its adoption of a truly circular economy. Second, although the fashion industry faces complex challenges in instituting CF in that just one supply chain member's (a fashion retailer's) commitment is not sufficient to create a truly CF without the involvement of others (consumers), there is yet no empirical research that investigates whether consumers morally support the idea of a CF and feel obliged to take part in fashion businesses' CF offerings. Thus, we investigate whether and how morally grounded traits—corporate moral responsibility (H1+), consumer moral responsibility (H2+), their interaction effect (H3), and corporate hypocrisy (H4−)—influence consumers' attitudes and engagement (H5+) toward fashion corporations' CF offerings. Our empirical evidence, using a U.S. consumer survey dataset of 351 responses, shows that all of these hypotheses are supported. The results provide important theoretical and managerial implications.

Colistin is an important antibiotic currently used to manage infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens in both humans and livestock animals. A new mobile colistin-resistance (mcr-9) gene w...

To quantify a passive range of cyclorotation using a smartphone application and evaluate its associations with fundus torsion and rectus muscle cyclorotation in superior oblique palsy (SOP) and V-pattern strabismus. Fifty-two patients showing overelevation in adduction (30 with congenital SOP and 22 with V-pattern strabismus) underwent forced cyclorotation on the photographs. A photograph of the globe was taken in maximally excyclorotated and incyclorotated positions after marking at the 6 and 12 o’clock limbus under general anaesthesia, and the rotational alignment of these markings was read using the toriCAM application. The degrees of forced cyclorotation were compared between the two groups. Disc-fovea angle on fundus photographs and rectus muscle cyclorotation in the coronal view on orbital computed tomography were correlated with the range of forced excyclorotation. The range of forced excyclorotation was greater in V-pattern strabismus than that in SOP (58.5° vs. 46.8°, p

Background: Reconstruction surgery for skin and soft tissue defects of the penis would ideally secure sufficient volume, be safe in procedure, and involve a simple surgical technique. Among the wide variety of techniques that have been employed, the groin flap-based technique is considered a relatively simple option for volumetric reconstruction. In this retrospective study, the authors report cases of penile reconstructive surgery using a groin flap.Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with penile defects treated in our department. Reconstructive surgeries were carried out using pedicled groin flaps. Charts were reviewed to investigate duration of the surgeries, recovery and follow-up periods, and bulkiness at one and 10 months after surgery. Patients were observed postoperatively for complications, urination, and erectile function.Results: Six patients hospitalized from March 2009 to September 2013 for penile defects underwent surgery in our department. All patients recovered without any flap loss. The most common complication after surgery was wound dehiscence. Circumferences of penile shafts were measured at 1 and 10 months after surgery, and penile bulkiness at rest were found to be maintained at >86%. There were no patients with contracture, and in all patients, urination and erectile functions were satisfactory.Conclusion: Reconstructing penile defects using groin flaps was found to be favorable in terms of volumetric reconstruction and postoperative patient satisfaction. Furthermore, the surgery and recovery periods are short, and rates of complication and donor site morbidity are also low.

The textile and apparel industry have been fundamentally changed due to technology development. However, developing countries, such as China, are falling behind for adopting new technologies. The literature suggests firm managers’ perceived benefits and costs of new technology are key variables for their motivation to adopt new technology. However, no reliable and valid scales existed to measure these constructs within the developing country context—specifically in China. Thus, the study aimed to develop scales for measuring Chinese textile and apparel firm managers’ perceived benefits and costs of new technology adoption, using the psychometric method of item response theory. After item generation, item bank development, and psychometric evaluation tested by 599 Chinese textile and apparel firm managers, the two scales were created. These scales provide an opportunity to measure Chinese textile and apparel firm managers’ perceived benefits and costs of new technology adoption, offering tools for additional technology adoption motivation research.

PurposeUsing the moral responsibility theory of corporate sustainability (MRCS) framework , the study examined Chinese textile and apparel (T&A) manufacturers' moral duty positions, goals and structures toward sustainability, with a goal of creating a spectrum of corporate sustainability (CS) performance.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey method was employed to investigate participants' views on their companies' perceptions, goals and structures toward each of the listed sustainability-related activities.FindingsThe results showed that all participants expressed their companies have moral responsibilities toward some aspects of sustainability. Particularly, they viewed that their companies emphasize labor relations (LR) and righteous operation (RO) activities over environmental protection (EP) or public welfare involvement (PW) activities when fulfilling their sustainability responsibilities. After analyzing each response by following MRCS, 41 companies were categorized as occasionally sustainability corporations. The remaining 259 responses were categorized as consistently sustainability corporations in selective areas.Originality/valueThe study for the first time revealed the sustainability-related activities that most respondents in Chinese T&A manufacturing industry perceived as perfect or imperfect duties. Findings add knowledge to the area of corporate moral responsibility toward sustainability and show a spectrum of Chinese textile and apparel manufacturers' sustainability performance, empirically supporting MRCS.

BackgroundObesity defined solely by the Body Mass Index (BMI) may not reflect the true heterogeneity of the obese population. This study aimed to classify the dietary behaviours of overweight and obese individuals and to explore the relationship between patterns of dietary behaviour and cardiometabolic risk factors.MethodsA total of 259 patients who visited an outpatient weight management clinic at a tertiary hospital and underwent a dietary behaviour assessment between January 2014 and February 2019 were enrolled in the study. Dietary behaviours were assessed in three domains with nine categories, including choice of food (frequently eating out and consumption of instant/fast/takeaway food), eating behaviour (irregular meals; frequent snacking, including eating at night; emotional eating; and overeating/binge eating), and nutrient intake (high-fat/high-calorie foods, salty food, and poorly balanced diet). Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to classify the subjects according to these categories. Associations between latent class and metabolic syndrome were assessed by logistic regression.ResultsThe subjects were classified into three LCA-driven classes, including a referent class of healthy but unbalanced eaters (n = 118), a class of emotional eaters (n = 53), and a class of irregular unhealthy eaters (n = 88). Compared with the referent class, emotional eaters had a significantly higher BMI (beta = 3.40,P ConclusionsOur three LCA-driven obesity phenotypes could be useful for assessment and management of obesity and metabolic syndrome. The association between emotional eaters and higher BMI and metabolic syndrome was stronger than that with other eaters. Thus, emotional regulation strategies might have benefit for emotional eater’s diet.

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify whether prism glasses could reduce unilateral spatial neglect for hemineglect with stroke. Methods : This study was conducted in M hospital located in Seoul from May 2019 to February 2020. Ten subjects with stroke were selected who met the criteria for the study. Subjects were prescribed with 10 and 15 △ prism glasses. Unilateral spatial neglect was measured by the Albert test, the star cancellation test and the letter cancellation test. Results : The baseline of Albert's test value was 19.0±3.94 and decreased to 15.70±5.68 and 11.60±6.17 for 10 and 15 △, respectively(p

Introduction The association between nutrition and oral health has been studied in the elderly. This study aimed to examine the impacts of undernutrition and the mothers' socioeconomic and oral health statuses on the incidence of dental caries in Korean preschool children. Methods Data of 610 children aged 3-5 years and their mothers who underwent oral examinations and responded to the questionnaires in the 6th KNAHNES were used. Caries prevalence was measured by dft and dt among the primary teeth in children and DMFT among mothers. Dietary reference intake values were used to evaluate nutritional status, a nutritional quality index and the mean nutrient adequacy ratio. Complex sample correlation analysis was performed by using children's dft and dt statuses as dependent variables. Multilevel linear regression was applied to investigate the impacts of undernutrition and mothers' socioeconomic and oral health status on children's dft and dt statuses. Statistical significance was set as P Results Factors significantly related to dft in children were age and food. Food insecurity was the only factor significantly associated with dt in children. Children's sex and mother's DMFT were likely to be relevant to dft in children. Children's age and a nutritional quality index value less than 1 were also likely to be relevant to the dt of children. Conclusions Children with an undernourished status had a higher caries experience. A comprehensive community dental health promotion programme should be developed to prevent the incidence of dental caries in vulnerable undernourished children.

Prosthetic joint infection is a rare but serious complication of total shoulder replacement. After infection control, shoulder reconstruction is also required to repair the shoulder defect. The shoulder is a complex structure consisting of mechanical soft tissue and the joint, making reconstruction challenging. A 78-year-old female patient was diagnosed of wound necrosis and exposed prosthesis due to prosthetic joint infection after reverse total shoulder replacement. The infection was controlled with appropriate antibiotic treatment, and the necrotic tissue was removed by radical debridement. To reduce the size of the massive shoulder defect and minimize exposure of the prosthesis, negativepressure wound therapy (NPWT) was administered for 8 weeks and shoulder reconstruction was performed using a pedicled latissimus dorsi (LD) flap and split-thickness skin graft. The patient recovered without any complications, and no reinfection of the surgical site or other complications were observed during follow-up visits. This report demonstrates that antibiotic treatment, radical debridement of necrotic tissue, NPWT, and shoulder reconstruction using a pedicled LD flap can be an effective method of treatment for prosthetic joint infection with exposed prosthesis, tissue necrosis, and massive shoulder defect.

In this population-based cohort study on comparative osteoporotic fracture risks between different biologic disease-modifying drugs among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we did not find a significant difference in the risk of osteoporotic fractures between RA patients receiving TNF inhibitors versus abatacept or tocilizumab. We aimed to investigate the comparative risk of osteoporotic fractures between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who initiated TNF inhibitors (TNFis) versus abatacept or tocilizumab. Using the Korea National Health Insurance Service datasets from 2002 to 2016, RA patients who initiated TNFis, abatacept, or tocilizumab were identified. The primary outcome was a composite end point of non-vertebral fractures and hospitalized vertebral fractures; secondary outcomes were two components of the primary outcome and fractures occurring at the humerus/forearm. Propensity score (PS) matching with a variable ratio up to 10 TNFi initiators per 1 comparator drug initiator was used to adjust for > 50 baseline confounders. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of fractures comparing TNFi initiators to abatacept and to tocilizumab by Cox proportional hazard models stratified by a matching ratio. After PS-matching, 2307 TNFi initiators PS-matched on 588 abatacept initiators, and 2462 TNFi initiators on 640 tocilizumab initiators were included. A total of 77 fractures occurred during a mean follow-up of 454 days among TNFi and abatacept initiators and 83 fractures during 461 days among TNFi and tocilizumab initiators. The PS-matched HR (95% CI) was 0.91 (0.48–1.71) comparing TNFi versus abatacept initiators, and 1.00 (0.55–1.83) comparing TNFi versus tocilizumab initiators. Analysis on vertebral and non-vertebral fractures showed similar results. In this nationally representative cohort, we did not find a significant difference in the risk of fractures between TNFi initiators versus abatacept or tocilizumab among RA patients.

Despite the strong societal demand for circular fashion (CF) businesses, the literature lacks a contextualized understanding about what has been explored versus what has been underexplored in the current literature. Although the fashion supply chain involves many stakeholders, the majority of the literature discusses CF from the stance of internal stakeholders. Less is understood about the external stakeholders' perspective. To offer a holistic understanding about the CF traits (i.e., drivers, strategies, practices, barriers, and enablers) for all stakeholders, we have systematically reviewed the CF literature and integrated a stakeholder's perspective into this review process. Through content analysis, Study 1 shows the current trends in the CF literature and suggests avenues for future research. Through thematic analysis, Study 2 identifies the CF traits for all stakeholders, both internal and external. The results yielded a conceptual framework offering an integrated understanding about how fashion businesses can institute true circularity by engaging external stakeholders in their CF‐related endeavors.

We report high performance internal light outcoupling films based on phase separation polymer for indium tin oxide-free organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The two immiscible polymers of poly(amic acid) and polyimide in a blend film result in nanoporous structures after spin-coating by self-assembly process. The OLEDs are prepared by solution process including phase separation films and transparent electrodes, allowing for low-cost and high-speed manufacturing. The phase separation films prepared between the glass substrate and the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) transparent electrode remarkably improve the outcoupling performance of OLEDs. The poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-assisted phase separation films significantly improve the external quantum efficiency and power efficiency of OLEDs by a factor 1.88 and 1.87, respectively, compared to the reference device without any outcoupling structure. Our results demonstrate that phase separation films developed here offer new opportunities in improving the outcoupling efficiency in OLEDs.

PurposeAchieving sustainability is imperative for all businesses but perhaps even so more in fashion retail. As a vital group of stakeholders, employees interact with all other stakeholders and play a critical role in the sustainability of an organization.Design/methodology/approachThis study is to investigate internal and external factors that influence employees' harmful or useful behaviors based on the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) of morality.FindingsThe findings show that employees' perceptions of the moral responsibility of achieving corporate sustainability both as an internal corporate ethical value and as an external factor influenced their organizational citizenship behavior, as well as their propensity toward displaying counterproductive workplace behavior. Higher quality relationships with managers were found to strengthen the relationship between corporate ethical values (CEVs) and organizational citizenship behaviors.Research limitations/implicationsThe objective of this study focused exclusively on the US fashion retail employees. Therefore, it is suggested that future research compares the cultural influences on employees as related to the moral responsibility of corporate sustainability.Originality/valueThis study is one of few studies which have explored the level of employees' perceived moral responsibility toward the notion of how corporate sustainability should be accomplished.