Republic of Korea Army

About: Republic of Korea Army is a government organization based out in Daejeon, South Korea. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Crisis communication & Mental health. The organization has 67 authors who have published 74 publications receiving 513 citations. The organization is also known as: ROKA & ROK Army.

Sleep problems increase school accidents related to allergic diseases.

Abstract: The incidence of school accidents, a leading cause of mortality and a major public health issue, has increased over the past decades.1,2 The major risk factors for school accidents are sports activities, impaired sleep, and psychological and behavioral disorders.2 A recent study also suggested that allergic diseases are associated with a higher incidence of school injuries that require medical attention.1 However, the evidence supporting an association between school accidents and allergic diseases is not definitive,1 and no studies have investigated the possibility that sleep problems mediate the association of school accidents with allergic diseases.

Evaluation of single nucleotide polymorphisms of pvmdr1 and microsatellite genotype in Plasmodium vivax isolates from Republic of Korea military personnel

Abstract: Chloroquine has been administered to the soldiers of the Republic of Korea as prophylaxis against vivax malaria. Recent increase in the number of chloroquine-resistant parasites has raised concern over the chemoprophylaxis and treatment of vivax malaria. To monitor the development of chloroquine-resistant parasites in the Republic of Korea, analyses of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of pvmdr1 and microsatellite markers were performed using samples collected from 55 South Korean soldiers infected with Plasmodium vivax. Four SNPs, F1076L, T529, E1233, and S1358, were identified. Among these, S1358 was detected for the first time in Korea. The microsatellite-based study revealed higher genetic diversity in samples collected in 2012 than in 2011. Taken together, the results indicate that P. vivax with a newly identified SNP of pvmdr1 has been introduced into the Korean P. vivax population. Therefore, continuous monitoring for chloroquine-resistant parasites is required for controlling vivax malaria in the Republic of Korea.

Risk factors affecting amputation in diabetic foot.

Abstract: Background A diabetic foot is the most common cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputations (LEA). The study seeks to assess the risk factors of amputation in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Methods The study was conducted on 351 patients with DFUs from January 2010 to December 2018. Their demographic characteristics, disease history, laboratory data, ankle-brachial index, Wagner classification, osteomyelitis, sarcopenia index, and ulcer sizes were considered as variables to predict outcome. A chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to test the relationship of the data gathered. Additionally, the subjects were divided into two groups based on their amputation surgery. Results Out of the 351 subjects, 170 required LEA. The mean age of the subjects was 61 years and the mean duration of diabetes was 15 years; there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of these averages. Osteomyelitis (hazard ratio [HR], 6.164; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.561-10.671), lesion on percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (HR, 2.494; 95% CI, 1.087-5.721), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.981-0.999), ulcer size (HR, 1.247; 95% CI, 1.107-1.405), and forefoot ulcer location (HR, 2.475; 95% CI, 0.224-0.73) were associated with risk of amputation. Conclusion Osteomyelitis, peripheral artery disease, chronic kidney disease, ulcer size, and forefoot ulcer location were risk factors for amputation in diabetic foot patients. Further investigation would contribute to the establishment of a diabetic foot risk stratification system for Koreans, allowing for optimal individualized treatment.

Relationship between Thyroid and Kidney Function: Analysis from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Between 2013 and 2015.

Abstract: Introduction: Thyroid function is evaluated by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4). Although many studies have indicated an intimate relationship between thyroid hormones and kidney functions, reports about the simultaneous evaluation of TSH and fT4 are rare. Objective: We aimed to analyze the association between TSH and kidney function, with emphasis on a potential nonlinear relationship, and identify an independent relationship between fT4 and kidney function. Methods: We reviewed the data of 7,061 subjects in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys who were randomly subsampled for thyroid function evaluation between 2013 and 2015. A total of 5,578 subjects were included in the final analysis, after excluding people <18 years old, and those with a short fasting time, abnormal fT4 levels, and thyroid disease or related medications. Creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was used to define kidney function. Results: A 1 mmol/L increase of logarithmic TSH was associated with decreased eGFR (β: –1.8; 95% CI –2.3 to –1.2; p < 0.001), according to multivariate linear regression analysis. On the multivariate generalized additive model plot, TSH demonstrated an L-shaped relationship with eGFR, showing a steeper slope for 0–4 mIU/L of TSH. A 1 µg/dL increase of fT4 was also associated with decreased eGFR (β: –7.0; 95% CI –0.94 to –4.7; p < 0.001) on the multivariate linear regression analysis; this association was reversed after adjusting for age. On the mediation analysis, the indirect effect via age and direct effect per 1 µg/dL increase of fT4 on eGFR was 9.9 (8.1 to 11.7, p < 0.001) and –7.1 (–9.3 to –4.8, p < 0.001), respectively. Conclusions: Increased TSH was associated with decreased eGFR, particularly in the reference range. The direct effect of increased fT4 was decreased eGFR, which may be affected indirectly by age.

Rapid detection of bacterial contamination of platelet-rich plasma-derived platelet concentrates using flow cytometry.

Abstract: Flow cytometry can be used to detect bacterial contamination of platelet products In this study, we investigated whether the incubation of a minimal volume of platelet-rich plasma (PRP)-derived platelet concentrates (PCs) with growth medium improved the analytical sensitivity of flow cytometry Five bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli) were used Platelets were inoculated with 10, 10(2), and 10(3) CFUs per mL; 05 mL, 10 mL, and 20 mL aliquots of spiked platelets were incubated with growth medium at 37°C for 24 hours During the incubation period, the numbers of events were analyzed every 4 hours by flow cytometry We could detect a low concentration (10 CFUs per mL) of bacteria in a small volume (minimum 05 mL) of PCs Irrespective of spiking concentrations and incubation volumes, the detection times of S aureus and S epidermidis were 24 hours or less, while those of B cereus, K pneumoniae, and E coli were 16 hours or less A higher spiking concentration made it possible to shorten the detection time The numbers of detected bacteria increased during the incubation However, the graphs corresponding to K pneumoniae and E coli showed peak levels and decreasing patterns during the incubation period The incubation of small volumes of PC with growth medium increased the analytical sensitivity of flow cytometry for bacterial detection Therefore, flow cytometry can serve as a useful method for sterility testing using PRP-derived PCs with only low levels of consequent platelet loss