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This study aims to analyze the gap between the level of heat wave adaptation policies and heat wave effects in South Korean municipalities. First, the types of industries in municipalities were classified using factor analysis and cluster analysis. Second, the level of heat wave adaptation policy in the municipalities was assessed using a fuzzy analytic hierarchy process analysis. Third, the gap between the level of heat wave adaptation policy and the heat wave effect was analyzed. The results show that the heat wave adaptation policies were established in accordance with the heat wave effects to at least some degree. However, closer to the long-term future (2095), the policies have not sufficiently matched the level of heat wave effects. The proportion of municipalities with insufficient levels of heat wave adaptation policies against the heat wave effects was higher among urban-type municipalities. The analysis results suggest two policy implications. First, the heat wave adaptation policies of municipalities should be established through continuous feedback on the predictions of future heat wave effects. Second, urban-type municipalities should strengthen their planning authority and competence by securing a professional workforce and budgets for the establishment of heat wave adaptation policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Several factors, such as balance and respiration training programs, have been identified as contributing to a shooting performance. However, little is known about the benefits of these programs on the shooting records of adolescent air rifle athletes. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether balance and respiration training can contribute to the shooting performance required for adolescent air rifle shooting athletes. Design: Case-control study. Setting: Shooting range. Participants: A total of 21 adolescent air rifle athletes were recruited from the local school community and assigned to an experimental (n = 11; EG) or control (n = 10; CG) group. Intervention: The EG performed respiration and balance training for 30 minutes 3 times a week for 6 weeks, and the CG performed balance training only. Main Outcome Measures: Data were collected on the respiratory function, muscle activity, and shooting record before and after the 6-week intervention. Results: The forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expired volume in 1 second (FEV1 ), FEV1 as a percentage of FVC, peak expiratory flow, and maximum voluntary ventilation were significantly increased in the EG, and FEV1 as a percentage of FVC was significantly increased in the CG (P < .05). The FVC and peak expiratory flow postintervention were significantly different between the groups (P< .05). The activity of the right internal oblique (IO) and left IO muscles of the FVC were significantly different in the EG (P < .05). Within-group changes in right external oblique, right 10, and left IO of the maximum voluntary ventilation were significantly increased in the EG (P< .05). The right IO and left IO activity improved more significantly in the EG than CG (P < .05). There was no difference between the groups with respect to the shooting records. Conclusions: The clinical significance of this study is the balance and respiration training affected the respiration function capacity and muscle activity, but did not affect the shooting record. Nevertheless, these training are a potential approach method to improve athletes' shooting record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone mineral density (BMD), the major factor determining bone strength, is closely related to osteoporotic fracture risk and is determined largely by multiple genetic factors. Semaphorin 7a (SEMA7A), a recently described member of the semaphorin family, has been shown to play a critical role in the activation of monocyte/macrophages that share progenitors with bone-resorbing osteoclasts and thus might contribute to osteoclast development. In the present study, we directly sequenced the SEMA7A gene in 24 Korean individuals, and identified 15 sequence variants. Five polymorphisms (+15667G>A, +15775C>G, +16285C>T, +19317C>T, +22331A>G) were selected and genotyped in postmenopausal Korean women ( n=560) together with measurement of the areal BMD (g/cm2) of the anterior-posterior lumbar spine and the non-dominant proximal femur using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We found that polymorphisms of the SEMA7A gene were associated with the BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck. SEMA7A+15775C>G and SEMA7A+22331A>G were associated with low BMD of the femoral neck ( P=0.02) and lumbar spine ( P=0.04) in a recessive model. SEMA7A-ht4 also showed an association with risk of vertebral fracture (OR=1.87–1.93, P=0.02–0.03). Our results suggest that variations in SEMA7A may play a role in decreased BMD and risk of vertebral fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims Resistance rates of Helicobacter pylori to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and quinolone are over 30% in South Korea. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify the eradication rate of H. pylori after second-line therapy in Bucheon and Southwest Gyeonggi-do and investigate baseline and clinical factors related to the eradication rate. Methods In the present retrospective single-center study, Bucheon Saint Mary's Hospital, a total of 329 patients were enrolled this study who were diagnosed by urea breath test (UBT) from 2015 to 2018. Among these patients, we calculated the eradication rate after second-line therapy and investigated baseline and clinical factors. These patients were almost outpatients, so we conducted UBT. Results A total of 329 patients were done UBT test from 2015 to 2018 at Bucheon Saint Mary's Hospital. The 269 patients (men 128, women 141; mean age, 57) were treated second line H. pylori eradication (bismuth, metronidazole, tetracycline, and proton pump inhibitor) and 177 patients (78.0%) were successfully eradicated. The rest of the patients were eradication failure group (50 patients, 22.0%) and loss of follow-up group (42 patients, 15.6%). Additionally, six patients who were treated third line H. pylori eradication were all eradicated. Next, we compared body mass index (BMI) between successfully eradicated (second line) group and non-eradicated group. There was no difference in BMI between the two groups (eradicated group 24.7 kg/m2 vs non-eradicated group 24.3 kg/m2). The patients with underlying DM in both groups were 16.9% (eradicated) and 12% (non-eradicated). Conclusions Recent H. pylori eradication rate of Bucheon and Southwest Gyeonggi-do population is 78% after second line H. pylori eradication. And there was no difference in BMI between two groups. In the eradication failure group, a lot of patients failed to take the all scheduled drug due to poor compliance (e.g., nausea, diarrhea and abdominal discomfort). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]