Bioinspired Hierarchical Porous Architecture for Enhanced Kinetics and Mechanical Integrity in Thick Cathode.

Increasing the thickness of the electrodes is considered the primary strategy to elevate battery energy density. However, as the thickness increases, rate performance, cycling performance, and mechanical stability are affected due to the sluggish ion transfer kinetics and compromised structural integrity. Inspired by the natural hierarchical porous structure of trees, electrodes with bioinspired architecture are fabricated to address these challenges. Specifically, electrodes with aligned columns consist of tree-inspired vertical channels, and hierarchical pores are constructed by screen printing and ice-templating, imparting enhanced electrochemical and mechanical performance. Employing an aqueous-based binder, the LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 cathode achieves a high areal energy density of 15.1 mWh cm-2 at a rate of 1C at mass loading of 26.0 mg cm-2, benefitting from the multiscale pores that elevated charge transfer kinetics in the thick electrode. The electrodes demonstrate capacity retention of 90% at the 100th cycle at a high current density of 5.2 mA cm-2. To understand the mechanisms that promote electrode performance, simplified electro-chemo-mechanical models are developed, the drying process and the charge-discharge process are simulated. The simulation results suggested that the improved performance of the designed electrode benefits from the lower ohmic overpotential and less strain gradient and stress concentration due to the hierarchical porous architecture.

Association between antibiotics use and the risk of rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective cohort study in South Korea.

OBJECTIVES: Certain studies propose that antibiotic use may influence rheumatoid arthritis (RA) incidence, but the clear association between antibiotics and RA remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between antibiotics and RA risk to provide additional epidemiological evidence. METHODS: This population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted with adults aged 40 years or older using the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database. Antibiotic exposure was measured from 2003 to 2007. Study participants were followed up from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2019. Multivariable Cox hazard regression was utilized to evaluate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the risk of RA according to accumulative days of antibiotic use and the number of antibiotic classes used, respectively. RESULTS: During 3,395 590 person-years of follow-up, 29 274 cases of RA were identified. Participants who used antibiotics for 91 or more days had a higher risk of RA (aHR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.67-1.92) than antibiotic non-users. Additionally, individuals who used four or more kinds of antibiotic classes had a higher risk of RA (aHR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.51-1.71) than those who did not prescribe antibiotics. The risk of RA was positively associated with both higher cumulative days of antibiotic exposure and a larger number of drug classes. These trends were maintained in sensitivity analyses, including variations in antibiotic exposure periods. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a possible association between the long-term use of antibiotics and RA incidence. Further studies are necessary for a clearer understanding of this association.

Epidemiology and treatment outcome of ANCA-associated vasculitis in South Korea: a nationwide, population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the epidemiological features of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) in South Korea. METHODS: We identified the index cases of GPA and MPA using the 2010-2018 Korean National Health Insurance Service database and the Rare Intractable Disease registry for the entire Korean population. Each disease's incidence and prevalence rates and trends over time were analysed. To assess the impact of disease on morbidity and mortality, a comparator group comprising the general population was established using nearest-neighbour matching by age, sex, income, and comorbidity index, at a 5:1 ratio. Morbidity outcomes included the initiation of renal replacement therapy and admission to the intensive care unit. RESULTS: We identified 546 and 795 patients with GPA and MPA, respectively. The incidence rates of both diseases increased with age, with peak incidence rates observed among patients aged ≥70 years. The incidence of MPA increased continuously over time, whereas that of GPA showed no significant changes. During the observation period, 132 (28.7%) and 277 (41.1%) patients in the GPA and MPA groups, respectively, died, which were significantly higher than that in the general population (standardised mortality ratio: 3.53 and 5.58, respectively) and comparator group (hazard ratio: 4.02 and 5.64, respectively). Higher mortality and morbidity rates were observed among patients with MPA than among those with GPA. CONCLUSIONS: In South Korea, the incidence of MPA has increased over time. Although both GPA and MPA had high rates of mortality and morbidity, MPA has a poorer prognosis than GPA.

Association between antibiotic use and cardiovascular diseases in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: A nationally representative retrospective cohort study.

AIM: Various subcategories for steatotic liver disease (SLD) were proposed globally. Previous studies suggested a heightened risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) with prolonged antibiotic exposure and metabolic dysfunction-associated SLD (MASLD), respectively. This study investigates the impact of antibiotic usage on CVD in MASLD patients. METHODS: From the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, 276 520 adults aged 40 and older were included. Antibiotic exposure was defined by the cumulative prescription days and the number of classes. Participants were categorized into no SLD and MASLD groups. Hepatic steatosis was defined by using the fatty liver index ≥60. From 2013 to 2019, 16 197 CVD cases were recorded. A multivariate Cox model, adjusting for covariates, assessed adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CVD risk associated with MASLD and antibiotic prescriptions. RESULTS: The group with ≥91 days of antibiotics prescribed and MASLD showed a significantly increased risk of CVD (aHR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.39-1.74) compared with antibiotic non-users without SLD. Furthermore, the group with ≥4 classes of antibiotics prescribed and MASLD had an elevated risk of CVD (aHR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.34-1.66) compared with antibiotic non-users without SLD. Consistent results were observed in several sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified prolonged antibiotic exposure may be a factor that increases the risk of CVD in MASLD patients. These findings suggest an epidemiological basis for the therapeutic application of antibiotics in MASLD patients, and emphasize the need for further studies to deepen the understanding of these intricate relationships.

Association between body composition and subsequent cardiovascular diseases among 5-year breast cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remain one of the leading causes of mortality in breast cancer survivors. This study aimed to investigate the association between body composition and subsequent CVD in breast cancer survivors. METHODS AND RESULTS: A retrospective cohort study of more than 70 thousand 5-year breast cancer survivors aged 40 years or older was conducted using data from the National Health Insurance Service of South Korea. Based on the percentage of predicted lean body mass (pLBMP), appendicular skeletal muscle mass (pASMP), and body fat mass (pBFMP), which were calculated using prediction equations with anthropometric data and health habits, groups were equally divided into quartiles. The risk of CVD was evaluated using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression. Compared to those with the lowest pLBMP and pASMP, those with the highest pLBMP and pASMP had a 38% and 42% lower risk of CVD, respectively. In contrast, those with the highest pBFMP had a 57% higher risk of CVD compared to those with the lowest pBFMP. Each 1 % increase in pLBMP and pASMP was associated with a decreased risk of CVD [pLBMP, adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.98, p < 0.05; pASMP, aHR: 0.91, 95% CI 0.87-0.95, p < 0.05] while each 1 % increase in pBFMP was associated with the increased risk of CVD (aHR: 1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.07, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In this cohort study, a high pLBMP, a high pASMP, and a low pBFMP were associated with a lower risk of CVD.

Association of parental depression with adolescent children's psychological well-being and health behaviors.

BACKGROUND: Parental depression is a significant problem that negatively affects parents' welfare and influences family dynamics, children's academic and health behaviors, and mental health. However, there is limited evidence regarding the impact of the parental depression into the children's' psychological and physical wellbeing on Asian cultures. This study examined the psychological burdens and health behaviors of adolescent children with parents with depression in the Republic of Korea. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) spanning 2013 to 2021 to compare health behaviors and mental health outcomes between 203 adolescent children with parents diagnosed with depression and 3,856 control adolescents aged 12-19 years. RESULTS: Following multivariate adjustments, the risk of depressive mood for more than two weeks was significantly increased in boys with parental depression (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 2.05, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.91-3.52) and adolescents with parents with moderate-to-severe depression (aOR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.17-5.77). Adolescents with parental depression reported significantly worse subjective health status (aOR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.05-3.36) and higher stress levels (aOR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.33-2.76). Additionally, when parental depression was present and the time since depression diagnosis was more than five years, adolescents with parental depression exhibited even poorer subjective health status and higher stress levels. CONCLUSIONS: The study found that adolescents whose parents experienced depression had poorer mental health than those whose parents did not have mental health issues. These findings emphasize the importance of providing support for the mental health of adolescents in families affected by parental depression.

Association of allergic disease with Parkinson's disease: A nationally representative retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The association of allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis with Parkinson's disease (PD) risk is yet unclear. In the few preceding studies, a short follow-up duration was followed for a relatively small study population, and lifestyle behaviors were not adjusted for. Therefore, there is a need for large-scale observation studies on the association of allergic disease with PD risk after considering lifestyle behaviors. METHODS: The study population consisted of 398,936 participants aged 40 years or older who underwent health screening before 1 January 2005 from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. Starting from 1 January 2005, all participants were followed up until the date of PD event, death, or 31 December 2019. The adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the risk of PD were calculated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Compared to non-allergic disease participants, allergic disease patients had a higher risk for PD (aHR 1.18, 95% CI 1.07-1.30) and especially, allergic rhinitis patients had a higher risk for PD (aHR 1.14, 95% CI 1.00-1.29). Allergic disease was associated with a higher risk for PD (aHR 1.24, 95% CI 1.01-1.52) among participants who were never smokers, did not consume alcohol, and exercised regularly. CONCLUSIONS: Allergic rhinitis was associated with a higher risk for PD compared to participants without allergic rhinitis. This risk-increasing association of allergic rhinitis with PD was preserved even among people with healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Effect of changes in sleeping behavior on skeletal muscle and fat mass: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: An association between sleep behaviors and muscle-fat mass is continuously interesting topic. METHODS: Based on the survey on sleep behaviors (quality and duration), the poor quality of sleep was evaluated when the subject did not feel satisfied after sleep, while the good quality was evaluated as they feel refreshed. A total of 19,770 participants were divided into the four groups according to changes in sleep quality: Good-to-Good (those who continuously maintained good quality), Good-to-Poor (those who reported initial good quality but subsequently reported a poor quality), Poor-to-Poor (those who continuously maintained poor quality), and Poor-to-Good (those who reported improved quality of sleep). As changes in skeletal muscle and fat mass index [kg/m2] were estimated by a validated prediction equation, multiple linear regression was used to calculate adjusted mean (adMean) of muscle and fat mass according to changes in sleep behavior. RESULTS: When sleep duration decreased and quality of sleep deteriorated (from good to poor), fat mass index significantly increased (adMean: 0.087 for the Good-to-Good group and 0.210 for the Good-to-Poor group; p-value = 0.006). On the other hand, as the quality of sleep deteriorated, skeletal muscle mass more decreased despite the maintained sleep duration (adMean: -0.024 for the Good-to-Good group and - 0.049 for the Good-to-Poor group; p-value = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that changes in sleep quality and duration affect changes in muscle and fat mass. Thus, we suggest maintaining a good quality of sleep, even if sleep duration is reduced, to preserve muscle mass and inhibit the accumulation of fat.

Health Effects Associated With Humidifier Disinfectant Use: A Systematic Review for Exploration.

BACKGROUND: It has been 10 years since the outbreak of lung disease caused by humidifier disinfectants in Korea, but the health effects have not yet been summarized. Therefore, this study aims to systematically examine the health effects of humidifier disinfectants that have been discovered so far. METHODS: All literature with humidifier disinfectants and their representative components as the main words were collected based on the web, including PubMed, Research Information Sharing Service, and government publication reports. A total of 902 studies were searched, of which 196 were selected. They were divided into four groups: published human studies (group 1), published animal and cytotoxicology studies (group 2), technical reports (group 3), and gray literature (group 4). RESULTS: Out of the 196 studies, 97 (49.5%) were published in peer-reviewed journals as original research. Group 1 consisted of 49 articles (50.5%), while group 2 consisted of 48 articles (49.5%). Overall, respiratory diseases such as humidifier disinfectant associated lung injury, interstitial lung disease, and asthma have a clear correlation, but other effects such as liver, heart, thymus, thyroid, fetal growth, metabolic abnormalities, and eyes are observed in toxicological experimental studies, but have not yet been identified in epidemiologic studies. CONCLUSION: The current level of evidence does not completely rule out the effects of humidifier disinfectants on extrapulmonary disease. Based on the toxicological evidence so far, it is required to monitor the population of humidifier disinfectant exposure continuously to see if similar damage occurs.

The effect of knee flexion angles and ground conditions on the muscle activation of the lower extremity in the squat position.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to research the most effective knee flexion angle and ground condition in the squat position. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects of this study were 15 female college students who were able to perform squat movements and who had never previously experienced surgery, orthopedic disease, or musculoskeletal impairment. This study was conducted to examine changes of muscle activation of low-extremity muscles at different knee flexion angles of 70°, 90°, and 100°. Balance Pad (Aero Step, TOGU, Germany) was used as unstable ground. Surface electromyogram (4D-MT & EMD-11, Relive, Korea) was used for measuring muscle activation. Measured muscles were vastus medialis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius. Muscle activation was determined by the root mean square (RMS). [Results] There was a difference in muscle activation of the vastus medialis and tibialis anterior according to the change of the knee flexion angle with the stable ground. However, there was no difference in muscle activation of the lower extremity muscles according to the change of the knee flexion angle with the unstable ground. [Conclusion] These results suggest that changes in the angle of the knee flexion with the stable ground affect the muscle activation of the vastus medialis and tibialis anterior. It was found that as the joint angle increases, muscle activation also increases. However, ground condition does not affect muscle activation.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between long working hours and hypertension risk.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension, a major public health problem worldwide, has been linked to lifestyle factors and work conditions, with conflicting evidence on the association between long work hours and risk of hypertension. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies to investigate the relationship between working hours and hypertension or blood pressure, assessed the risk of bias and performed subgroup analyses. The protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. RESULTS: The pooled OR for the association between long working hours and risk of hypertension was 1.09 (95% CI: 0.88 to 1.35) in the 15 studies that used hypertension as the outcome. In the three studies that used blood pressure as the outcome, diastolic blood pressure was higher among those with long working hours compared with those with non-long working hours (1.24 mm Hg, 95% CI: 0.19 to 2.29). In subgroup analysis, the pooled OR for the association between long working hours and risk of hypertension was 1.28 (95% CI: 1.14 to 1.44) and 1.00 (95% CI: 0.64 to 1.56) in women and men, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although this study could not clearly confirm the relationship between long working hours and hypertension, the subgroup analysis suggests that long working hours may be associated with hypertension, particularly among women. More reliable research is needed to establish causality. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023406961.

Investigation of Working Conditions and Health Status in Platform Workers in the Republic of Korea.

Background: The present study aimed to analyze several aspects of the working conditions and health status of platform workers in the Republic of Korea, such as ergonomic and emotional hazards. We also compared the health status of the platform workers with that of the general population. Methods: A total of 1,000 platform workers participated in this survey from August 7 to August 17, 2022. The participants included 400 designated drivers, 400 food-delivery drivers, and 200 housekeeping managers. A face-to-face survey with a structured questionnaire was conducted by researchers who had received specific instructions. The focus of the survey extended to the work environment, encompassing factors such as workplace violence, as well as physical, chemical, and ergonomic hazards. Health-related data for the previous year were also collected, covering a range of issues such as hearing problems, skin problems, musculoskeletal symptoms, headaches, injuries, mental health issues, and digestive problems. Subsequently, we compared the health symptom data of the responders with those of the general population in the Republic of Korea. Results: Platform workers, including designated drivers, food-delivery drivers, and housekeeping managers, existed in the blind spot of social insurance, facing frequent exposure to physical and chemical hazards, ergonomic risk factors, and direct or indirect violence. The prevalence of health problems, including musculoskeletal symptoms, general fatigue, and depressive symptoms, in each occupational group was statistically higher than that in the general population after standardization for age and gender. Conclusion: The results revealed unfavorable working environment and inferior occupational health of platform workers compared with those of the general population.

Risk of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis following COVID-19: a nationwide cohort study.

Recent studies elucidate that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients may face a higher risk of cardiovascular complications. This study aimed to evaluate association of COVID-19 with the risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study included Korean adult citizens between January 2021 and March 2022 from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency COVID-19 National Health Insurance Service cohort. The Fine and Gray's regression with all-cause death as a competing event was adopted to evaluate PE and DVT risks after COVID-19. This study included a total of 1,601,835 COVID-19 patients and 14,011,285 matched individuals without COVID-19. The risk of PE (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 6.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.67-10.66; p < 0.001) and DVT (aHR, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.75-5.29; p < 0.001) was higher in COVID-19 group in individuals without complete COVID-19 vaccination. In addition, individuals with complete COVID-19 vaccination still had a higher risk of COVID-19-related PE (aHR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.15-1.88; p < 0.001). However, COVID-19 was not a significant risk factor for DVT among those with complete COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 was identified as an independent factor that elevated PE and DVT risks, especially for individuals without complete COVID-19 vaccination.

Protective effect of vaccination on the risk of cardiovascular disease after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the incidence of CVDs after COVID-19. METHODS: Data for 2,146,130 infected people were collected, including the vaccination status. COVID-19 patients were classified according to the number of the received vaccine doses: no, first, second, and ≥ third. To evaluate the short-term risk of CVDs after infection, adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by multivariable logistic regression analysis after adjustments for covariates. RESULTS: Compared to non-infected people, aORs [95% CIs; p value] for CVDs within a month after infection were 2.80 [2.64-2.97; < 0.001] in overall infected people and 4.62 [4.23-5.05; < 0.001], 4.20 [3.45-5.11; < 0.001], 2.79 [2.55-3.05; < 0.001], and 2.07 [1.91-2.24; < 0.001] in those who were infected after receiving no, first, second, and ≥ third vaccine doses, respectively. Among participants who received second doses of vaccine prior to contracting COVID-19, the aOR in those vaccinated with only the mRNA-based vaccine (BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273; Reference) was lower than those vaccinated with the virus-derived vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCov-19 and AD26.COV2-S; aOR 1.25 [1.06-1.48; < 0.01]). CONCLUSION: Although COVID-19 increased the CVD risk, the inverse association in the risk of CVDs according to vaccine doses was significant in a dose-response manner. Our findings suggest that ≥ second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine prevent the risk of CVDs after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Associations of cholecystectomy with metabolic health changes and incident cardiovascular disease: a retrospective cohort study.

Although some studies conducted about the risk of cholecystectomy and cardiovascular disease, there was a limit to explaining the relationship. We investigated the short-term and long-term relationship between cholecystectomy and cardiovascular disease, and evidence using the elements of the metabolic index as an intermediate step. It was a retrospective cohort study and we used the National Health Insurance Service database of South Korea between 2002 and 2015. Finally, 5,210 patients who underwent cholecystectomy and 49,457 at 1:10 age and gender-matched controls of subjects were collected. The main results was estimated by Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for risk of cardiovascular disease after cholecystectomy. Regarding short-term effects of cholecystectomy, increased risk of cardiovascular disease (aHR 1.35, 95% CI 1.15-1.58) and coronary heart disease (aHR 1.77, 95% CI 1.44-2.16) were similarly seen within 2 years of surgery. When analyzing the change in metabolic risk factors, cholecystectomy was associated with a change in systolic blood pressure (adjusted mean [aMean]: 1.51, 95% CI: [- 1.50 to - 4.51]), total cholesterol (aMean - 14.14, [- 20.33 to 7.95]) and body mass index (aMean - 0.13, [- 0.37 to 0.11]). Cholecystectomy patients had elevated risk of cardiovascular disease in the short-term, possibly due to the characteristics of the patient before surgery. The association of cholecystectomy and cardiovascular disease has decreased after 2 years in patients who underwent cholecystectomy, suggesting that because of improvement of metabolic health, cholecystectomy-associated elevation of cardiovascular disease risk may be ameliorated 2 years after cholecystectomy.

Inverse association with COVID-19 vaccination status of the incidence of pneumonia after SARS-CoV-2 infection: A nationwide retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although one of the characteristics of COVID-19 is accompanied by acute pneumonia immediately after infection, large-scale cohort studies focused on this issue are lacking. In addition, there is interest in how COVID-19 vaccinations reduce the incidence of acute pneumonia for people infected with different strains of SARS-CoV-2. Thus, we assess the short-term incidence of pneumonia after COVID-19 with the vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 variants. METHODS: As data for 2136,751 COVID-19 patients between January 01, 2020 and February 28, 2022 was collected, they were observed for one month from the day of infection. Patients in retrospective cohort study were classified according to doses of the received vaccine and the epidemic phase when SARS-CoV-2 variants prevailed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis calculated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the pneumonia risk. RESULTS: In B.1.1.7-B.1.351, B.1.617.2, and B.1.617.2 variants, the aORs (95% CIs; p-value) for incidence of pneumonia were 0.93 (0.89-0.98; <0.001), 0.74 (0.70-0.78; <0.001), and 0.04 (0.038-0.043; <0.001), respectively, compared to the original strain. More than 80% of patients have received the second and more doses of the vaccine (average age=44.67 years). The aORs (95% CIs; p-value) for pneumonia were 0.61 (0.58-0.64; <0.001), 0.39 (0.38-0.40; <0.001), and 0.18 (0.166-0.184; <0.001) in patients who received the first (N = 68,216), second (N = 898,838), and ≥ third doses (N = 836,173), respectively, compared to unvaccinated patients. According to the received vaccine (second dose of mRNA or viral vector), those who received BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 (N = 787,980) had lower risk of pneumonia, compared to that in those who received h ChAdOx1 nCov-19 and AD26. COV2-S (N = 89,024). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the second and ≥ third doses (61% and 82% of risk aversion effect increased, respectively) of the COVID-19 vaccine can prevent the COVID-19-related pneumonia, regardless of the variants.

Association between antibiotics use and osteoporotic fracture risk: a nationally representative retrospective cohort study.

This population-based retrospective cohort study aimed to estimate the association between antibiotic exposure and osteoporotic fracture risk. Long-term antibiotic use was associated with the risk of osteoporotic fracture. An increase in the number of antibiotic classes prescribed may also be associated with an increased osteoporotic fracture risk. PURPOSE: This study aims to examine the association between antibiotic usage and osteoporotic fractures in a large cohort of Korean adults, with a specific focus on the duration of antibiotic exposure and the number of antibiotic classes used. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study from the National Health Insurance Service-National Health Screening Cohort (NHIS-HEALS) database from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2019, included 167,370 Korean adults aged 50 years or older (mean [SD] age, 59.3 [7.82] years; 65,425 [39.09%] women). The cumulative antibiotic prescription days and the classes of antibiotics prescribed between 2004 and 2008 were exposure variables, respectively. The main outcome was a newly diagnosed osteoporotic fracture during follow-up. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to determine the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the incident osteoporotic fractures associated with antibiotic exposure. RESULTS: The antibiotic user group with 91 days had a higher risk of osteoporotic fracture in comparison to the antibiotic non-user group (aHR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.03-1.21). Additionally, those who used more than four different antibiotic classes had an elevated risk of osteoporotic fracture compared to the non-user group (aHR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02-1.18). CONCLUSION: This extensive population-based cohort study conducted on a large population has identified an association between the utilization of antibiotics and an elevated risk of osteoporotic fractures. The cumulative days exposed to antibiotics and osteoporotic fractures may be positively associated.

Changes in body composition and subsequent cardiovascular disease risk among 5-year breast cancer survivors.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of death in breast cancer survivors, a growing population. The aim of this study was to determine whether changes in body composition, commonly observed in breast cancer survivors, is associated with subsequent CVD risk. Methods: This cohort study used the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. The study population included 73,271 5-year breast cancer survivors aged 40 years or above. To assess changes in body composition and its effect on the risk of CVD, validated prediction equations and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression were used. Changes in metabolic markers (blood pressure, total cholesterol, and fasting serum glucose) according to changes in body composition were calculated by multiple linear regression. Results: Having persistently high predicted lean body and appendicular skeletal muscle mass percentages (LBMP and ASMP, respectively) among breast cancer survivors was associated with 32% and 40% lower CVD risks than a persistently low predicted LBMP or ASMP, respectively. Conversely, persistently high predicted body fat mass percentage (BFMP) was associated with a higher CVD risk than persistently low predicted BFMP. Additionally, those with a low to high change in predicted BFMP had a higher risk of CVD than those with persistently low predicted BFMP. Changes in body composition were accompanied by changes in metabolic markers. Discussion: Maintaining high percentages of lean body and appendicular skeletal muscle mass and preventing an increase in fat mass may be beneficial in preventing CVD in breast cancer survivors.

Occupational Characteristics and Health Status of Vietnamese Male Migrant Workers in the Republic of Korea.

Background: The objective of this study is to identify the working conditions and health status of Vietnamese male migrant workers in Republic of Korea, in comparison to the Korean general population. Methods: We conducted our survey through the Migrant People Center, and we received completed questionnaires from 87 male Vietnamese migrant workers. The questionnaire employed was identical to those used in the Korean Working Conditions Survey and the 2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The collected data from the Vietnamese migrant workers was then compared with the Korean reference population using indirect age-standardization. Results: Vietnamese male workers demonstrated a higher prevalence of health problems including hearing problems (age-standardized prevalence ratio (aSPR) 13.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.07-20.4), skin problems (aSPR 13.49, 95% CI: 8.07-20.4), and low back pain (aSPR 8.40, 95% CI: 6.50-10.69). Elevated exposure to workplace hazards such as chemicals (aSPR 2.36, 95% CI: 1.51-3.51), organic solvents (aSPR 2.22, 95% CI: 1.44-3.28), handling of heavy objects (aSPR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.24-2.21), and high temperatures (aSPR 1.96, 95% CI: 1.46-2.57) was observed among them. Additionally, they faced a higher risk of no personal protective equipment (aSPR 2.53, 95% CI: 1.26-4.52) and a greater prevalence of unmet medical needs (aSPR 7.14, 95% CI: 4.74-10.32). Conclusion: Our findings highlight the elevated workplace hazards, health problems, and unmet medical needs among Vietnamese male workers compared to the Korean reference population. These findings underscores the urgency for enhanced scrutiny over working conditions and protective equipment provision, coupled with efforts to improve healthcare accessibility and worker education.

Suppressing cancer by damaging cancer cell DNA using LED irradiation.

BACKGROUND: High-energy irradiation eliminates cancer cells by destroying their genetic components. However, there are several side effects from doing this, such as fatigue, dermatitis, and hair loss, which remain obstacles to this treatment. Here, we propose a moderate method that uses low-energy white light from a light-emitting diode (LED) to selectively inhibit cancer cell proliferation without affecting normal cells. METHODS: The association between LED irradiation and cancer cell growth arrest was evaluated based on cell proliferation, viability, and apoptotic activity. Immunofluorescence, polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting were performed in vitro and in vivo to identify the metabolism related to the inhibition of HeLa cell proliferation. RESULTS: LED irradiation aggravated the defective p53 signaling pathway and induced cell growth arrest in cancer cells. Consequently, cancer cell apoptosis was induced by the increased DNA damage. Additionally, LED irradiation inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells by suppressing the MAPK pathway. Furthermore, the suppression of cancer growth by the regulation of p53 and MAPK was observed in cancer-bearing mice irradiated with LED. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that LED irradiation can suppress cancer cell activity and may contribute to preventing the proliferation of cancer cells after medical surgery without causing side effects.