Publications by authors named "A-Ran Kim"

This study evaluated the effects of a critical reflection program utilizing the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric (LCJR) reflective questions based on the Clinical Judgment Model (CJM) on newly graduated nurses' clinical judgment skills. A total of 153 newly graduated nurses scheduled for on-site training in a ward nursing unit were divided into a control group (receiving only the usual on-site training with preceptorship) and an experimental group (receiving the developed program with the same on-site training with preceptorship as the control group). Data were collected at baseline, 6 weeks, and 3 months after the intervention.

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Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of combination treatment with thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) and electroacupuncture (EA) in patients with persistent knee pain after arthroscopic surgery, autologous chondrocyte implantation, or autologous osteochondral transplantation.

Patients And Methods: Twelve patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) who experienced postoperative pain were randomized to either the treatment group (TG) or control group (CG) in a 1:1 ratio. The TG received TEA once a week for four sessions and EA twice a week for eight sessions while continuing usual care, defined as standard conventional treatments.

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  • The study introduces a cost-effective eDNA extraction method using guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl), making it easier to assess aquatic biodiversity, particularly in developing countries.
  • The GuHCl method successfully detected more fish species in freshwater compared to the traditional Qiagen kit, but faced challenges in brackish water due to higher PCR inhibition.
  • Overall, the GuHCl protocol offers a more sensitive and affordable option for large-scale eDNA studies, especially beneficial for monitoring low-abundance species.
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  • The study analyzes the mitochondrial genome of a species from the Eastern Atlantic Ocean, detailing its 16,541 base pairs, which include 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and a control region.
  • It reveals a significant adenine-thymine (AT) bias in the nucleotide composition, with most protein-coding genes starting with the ATG codon and highlights the presence of strong purifying selection based on codon usage analysis.
  • The research also conducts phylogenetic analysis among 72 species to differentiate this species within the Carangidae family and examines the role of ocean currents in its evolutionary dynamics and speciation.
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The small mammalian fauna plays pivotal roles in ecosystem dynamics and as crucial biodiversity indicators. However, recent research has raised concerns about the decline of mammalian species due to climate change. Consequently, significant attention is directed toward studying various big flagship mammalian species for conservation.

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Postoperative gastric cancer patients have many questions about managing their daily lives with various symptoms and discomfort. This study aimed to develop a knowledge-based question answering (QA) chatbot for their self-management and to evaluate the user experience and performance of the chatbot. To support the chatbot's natural language processing, we analyzed QA texts from an online self-help group, clinical guidelines, and refined frequently asked questions related to gastric cancer.

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  • The study investigated the long-term efficacy and safety of TNFα inhibitors versus tocilizumab in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their relationship with tuberculosis (TB) incidence using data from a South Korean health database.
  • Out of 5449 RA patients analyzed, TNFα inhibitors were associated with a higher rate of discontinuation compared to tocilizumab, with 49.7% of TNFα users stopping treatment compared to 38.3% of tocilizumab users.
  • Both treatments had a similar TB incidence overall, but infliximab specifically showed a significantly higher risk of TB compared to tocilizumab.
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The hispid hare, , belonging to the family Leporidae is a small grassland mammal found in the southern foothills of the Himalayas, in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Despite having an endangered status according to the IUCN Red List, it lacks studies on its distribution and is threatened by habitat loss and land cover changes. Thus, the present study attempted to assess the habitat suitability using the species distribution model approach for the first time and projected its future in response to climate change, habitat, and urbanization factors.

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New nurses must acquire accurate knowledge of medication administration, as it directly affects patient safety. This study aimed to develop a microlearning-based self-directed learning chatbot on medication administration for novice nurses. Furthermore, the study had the objective of evaluating the chatbot feasibility.

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  • Research on groupers' mitogenomes is ongoing, focusing on species from the Eastern Atlantic and their phylogenetic relationships.
  • The mitogenome analyzed spans 16,572 base pairs, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes, with notable AT bias and specific start codons for most genes.
  • Phylogenetic analyses show clear distinctions among the species studied, highlighting the importance of mitogenomic structure in understanding evolutionary trends in serranid groupers.
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The mitogenomic evolution of the flatfishes is still poorly known from their range distribution in eastern Atlantic and Indo-West Pacific Oceans. The study delves into the matrilineal evolutionary pathway of these primitive flatfishes, with a specific focus on the complete mitogenome of the species, as determined through next-generation sequencing. The mitogenome in question spans a length of 16,747 base pairs and comprises a total of 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a control region.

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The mitogenomic evolution of old-world cichlids is still largely incomplete in Western Africa. In this present study, the complete mitogenome of the Cameroon endemic cichlid, was determined by next-generation sequencing. The mitogenome was 16,557 bp long and encoded with 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a control region).

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  • The Indian highland shrew is a poorly understood species native to Southern India, with taxonomic uncertainties and a complex history related to its classification.
  • Genetic analyses, specifically mitochondrial DNA, revealed significant genetic differences between the Indian population and other shrew species, indicating a distinct lineage that diverged in the late Pliocene.
  • The study suggests that the shrew's ancestors originated in Africa and evolved distinct populations across continents due to tectonic shifts, highlighting the need for further research to explore the species' genetic diversity and evolutionary history.
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Introduction: We investigated the appropriate duration of colchicine prophylaxis to maximize the persistence of xanthine oxidase inhibitors (XOIs) as first-line urate-lowering therapy (ULT) in patients with gout. This was a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment database.

Methods: Patients with gout aged ≥20 years who were newly initiated on XOIs, such as allopurinol or febuxostat, from July 2015 to June 2017 and received these medications for ≥6 months were analyzed and followed up until June 2019.

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  • The airbreathing walking catfish includes 32 species found in African freshwater systems, but identifying them is difficult due to complex taxonomy and variability.
  • This study generated COI gene sequences from catfish in the Nyong River, revealing distinct genetic distances and diverse haplotypes among species, suggesting hidden diversity.
  • Molecular analysis identified multiple operational taxonomic units, indicating possible cryptic species and genetic decline due to poor aquaculture practices, with a recommendation for further study across different river basins.
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Background: There are few studies on the time to return to activities of daily living (ADL) after craniotomy in patients with brain tumors. This study aimed to investigate the duration before returning to ADLs after craniotomy for brain tumors and present data that can provide information and guidelines on the appropriate time needed.

Methods: Patients (n = 183 of 234) who underwent craniotomy for brain tumors between April 2021 and July 2021 capable of self-care upon discharge were enrolled, and data of 158 were collected.

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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to elucidate whether contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) can visualize orally administered Sonazoid leaking into the peritoneal cavity in a postoperative stomach leakage mouse model.

Methods: Adult female mice (n=33, 9-10 weeks old) were used. Preoperative CEUS was performed after delivering Sonazoid via intraperitoneal injection and the per oral route.

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The mitogenome of an endemic catfish was determined from the Cameroon water. This circular mitogenome was 16,511 bp in length and comprised 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, and a single AT-rich control region. The heavy strand accommodates 28 genes, whereas the light strand is constituted by and eight transfer RNA (tRNA) genes.

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  • The Indian star tortoise is heavily traded in South Asia, prompting conservation agencies to propose guidelines for its protection.
  • Genetic research revealed low diversity within the species and identified suitable habitats primarily in Sri Lanka, with significant habitat fragmentation in India due to urbanization and agriculture.
  • The study highlights the urgent need for a conservation strategy that includes genetic screening, scientific breeding, and restoring genetic diversity for the star tortoise, while also addressing the impact of wildlife trade.
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Background and Objectives: We investigated whether nutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphoycte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) are associated with the presence of osteoporosis (OP) and vertebral fractures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 413 postmenopausal patients with RA and 200 healthy controls who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) between January 2005 and December 2017. DEXA examination data were defined as the index date, and all laboratory values were measured within one month from the index date.

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Background: To investigate the diagnostic performance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in subjects with undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis (UIA). Methods: This retrospective cohort study investigated 201 female patients with UIA (≥1 swollen joint) and 280 age-matched, healthy female controls. “Clinical RA” was defined based on the clinical judgment of a rheumatologist and “disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) RA” was defined as a case of initiating DMARDs treatment within 6 months after the first visit.

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It is crucial to prevent osteoporosis in patients receiving long-term glucocorticoid (GC) treatment. This study aimed to investigate the frequency and associated factors of preventive care for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) in Korea. Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, we identified 37,133 individuals aged ≥ 20 years who commenced long-term (≥90 days) oral GC between 2011 and 2012.

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A species-specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay using environmental DNA (eDNA) is a promising tool for both qualitative and quantitative analyses of target species directly from water samples. Despite its reliability, an eDNA-based qPCR assay pipeline has not yet developed to monitor salmon species inhabiting Korean waters, which have been rapidly decreasing. We designed species-specific primers for four species inhabiting the eastern coastal waters along the Korean Peninsula.

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Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been studied for the treatment of various diseases. In neurodegenerative diseases involving defects in both the brain and the spinal cord, the route of administration is very important, because MSCs must migrate to both the brain and the spinal cord. This paper describes a method for administering MSCs into the spinal canal (intraspinal cavity injection) that can target the brain and spinal cord in a rat model.

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Background: Degenerative knee osteoarthritis (KOA) shows an increase in morbidity with improvement in the living conditions and extended lifespans. Treatment for degenerative KOA has been gaining attention since it significantly affects the life of the elderly population and is also associated with increased expenses for medical services and high socioeconomic costs. Treatments for degenerative KOA include nondrug therapy, drug therapy, and surgical treatment.

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