Identifying potential medical aid beneficiaries using machine learning: A Korean Nationwide cohort study.

Objective: To identify potential medical aid beneficiaries using demographic and medical history of individuals and analyzing important features qualitatively.

Methods: This retrospective, national cohort, case-control study included data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) in Korea between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2019. Potential medical aid beneficiaries were classified using several machine learning models (linear models and tree-based models).

Prevalence of prediabetes according to sleep apnea status.

Aim: The association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and prediabetes using the STOP-Bang questionnaire remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of prediabetes among people based on their sleep apnea status.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 10131 Korean adults without diabetes with information of STOP-Bang scores, drawn from the dataset of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2019-2021.

A novel approach for unveiling co-occurrence patterns of UV filter mixtures in sunscreens: Prioritization for hazard and risk assessment.

In recent years, concerns regarding the toxicity of organic UV filters in sunscreen products have increased. While sunscreen products contain multiple UV filters in combination, current understanding on their co-occurrence patterns and mixture toxicities is still limited. This study utilized a public database, "Hwahae", and analyzed 2183 sunscreen products marketed in South Korea as of 2019, using an association rule mining (ARM) to elucidate their co-occurrence patterns.

Characterization of particulate matter at Mt. Gwanak (at 632 m) and vertical mixing impacts on haze in Seoul during winter.

This study investigates the sources, chemical composition, and vertical transport of particulate matter (PM) at Mt. Gwanak in southeastern Seoul, focusing on differences between surface and elevated altitudes during winter 2021. Using a time-of-flight aerosol chemical species mass spectrometer (ToF-ACSM), PM was measured at 632 m.

Socioeconomic, health, and social connectedness factors associated with self-rated health of octogenarians and nonagenarians in South Korea: urban and rural comparison.

Background: The aging population, including octogenarians (aged 80-89) and nonagenarians (aged 90-99), is rapidly increasing. Understanding their self-rated health in urban and rural settings is vital for public health policy development. This study examined factors associated with self-rated health among octogenarians and nonagenarians across urban and rural areas of South Korea.

Short-term exposure to outdoor nitrogen dioxide and respiratory mortality, with high-risk populations: a nationwide time-stratified case-crossover study.

Numerous existing studies reported the negative impacts of outdoor nitrogen dioxide (NO) on respiratory mortality. However, the evidence of related high-risk populations was considerably limited, especially associated with ages, causes of death, and district-level characteristics. In addition, most earlier studies were based on monitored areas, thus previous risk estimates of NO could be biased to provide nationwide risk estimates and high-risk populations.

Higher Animal-Based Protein Intake Levels Show a Greater Likelihood of Having Metabolic Syndrome in Single-Person Households Among Korean Adults.

Background/objectives: Despite the increasing intake of animal-based protein and the growing number of single-person households (SPHs) in Korean populations, no studies have analyzed the relationship of protein intake by source with metabolic syndrome (MetS) according to household type. This study examined the association between protein intake (plant- and animal-based sources) and MetS risk factors in SPH and multi-person households (MPHs) among Korean adults.

Method: A total of 12,022 participants aged 30-64 years (SPH: 982; MPH: 11,040) were selected from the 2016-2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals transcriptional changes in circulating immune cells from patients with severe asthma induced by biologics.

Patients with severe eosinophilic asthma often require systemic medication, including corticosteroids and anti-type 2 (T2) cytokine biologics, to control the disease. While anti-IL5 and anti-IL4Rα antibodies suppress the effects of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, the molecular pathways modified by these biologics that are associated with clinical improvement remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to describe the effects of T2-targeting biologics on the gene expression of blood immune cells.

Exploring the potential utility of a single-item perceived diet quality measure.

Background/objectives: Perceived diet quality (PDQ) has been suggested as an easy-to-use dietary assessment tool. However, its practicality and efficiency are still questionable. This study aimed to gauge the utility of PDQ as an alternative dietary assessment tool among Korean adults by examining PDQ and its associated factors.

Age-period-cohort analysis of smoking prevalence trends among career military personnel in South Korea.

Introduction: This study evaluated smoking trends among career military personnel in South Korea. After a tobacco tax increase in 2015, the tobacco control program for career military personnel expanded significantly. This study explores long-term smoking trends among career military personnel through age-period-cohort (APC) analysis within the context of targeted tobacco control policies.

Sensitivity Analysis for Effects of Multiple Exposures in the Presence of Unmeasured Confounding: Non-Gaussian and Time-to-Event Outcomes.

In epidemiological studies, evaluating the health impacts stemming from multiple exposures is one of the important goals. To analyze the effects of multiple exposures on discrete or time-to-event health outcomes, researchers often employ generalized linear models, Cox proportional hazards models, and machine learning methods. However, observational studies are prone to unmeasured confounding factors, which can introduce the potential for substantial bias in the multiple exposure effects.

Epigenetic dysregulation of H19/IGF2 in hepatic cells exposed to toxic metal mixtures in vitro.

Exposure to mixtures of toxic metals is known to cause adverse health effects through epigenetic alterations. Here we aimed to examine the unexplored area of aberrant DNA methylation in the H19/IGF2 domain following combined toxic metal exposure. An in vitro epigenotoxicity assay using the human normal liver epithelial cell line THLE-3 was conducted.

Racism and health in South Korea: history, concept, and systematic review.

Unlabelled: To understand racism and its impact on health in South Korea, it is essential to consider the political and social context of the migrant population, including ethnic Korean migrants, marriage migrants, migrant workers, and bi-ethnic adolescents. This paper has two goals. First, we examined the increasing trends of the foreign population in South Korea, with a focus on the growth of migrant workers and marriage migrants.

Heavy metal exposure and its effects on APOC3, CFAI, and ZA2G.

Despite increasing heavy metal pollution, traditional epidemiology often fails to link exposure to health outcomes. This study used multi-omics to investigate associations between heavy metal exposure and health. Blood and urine samples from 294 participants in heavy metal-exposed and control areas were analyzed, revealing key biomarkers.

Metagenomic Analysis Identifies Sex-Related Gut Microbial Functions and Bacterial Taxa Associated With Skeletal Muscle Mass.

Background: This study aimed to explore the association between gut microbiota functional profiles and skeletal muscle mass, focusing on sex-specific differences in a population under 65 years of age.

Methods: Stool samples from participants were analysed using metagenomic shotgun sequencing. Skeletal muscle mass and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) were quantified (SMI [%] = total appendage muscle mass [kg]/body weight [kg] × 100) using bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Limosilactobacillus fermentum KBL674 Alleviates Vaginal Candidiasis.

Candida albicans (C. albicans) is the primary etiologic agent of vaginal candidiasis. Lactobacillus species are predominant in the vaginal microbiome; they inhibit the development of vaginal candidiasis by producing antimicrobial agents, such as lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide.

The economic and psychological impacts of covid-19: a exploratory study of the intersection of traditional and new vulnerable groups in South Korea.

Background: The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been extensive, disproportionately affecting various vulnerable populations. In addition to traditional vulnerable groups (TVGs) such as the elderly, women, people with lower education, disabled individuals, and low-income groups, new vulnerable groups (NVGs) have emerged, including essential workers, face-to-face workers, temporary workers, and the self-employed. This study focuses on exploring the economic and psychological effects of the pandemic on both traditional and newly recognized vulnerable groups within Korea.

Analysis of the incidence of influenza before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea.

Objectives: Influenza outbreaks of varying size occur every year, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries experienced influenza at lower levels. However, following the relaxation of COVID-19 prevention measures in 2022, the incidence of influenza began to increase gradually. Thus, this study compared the occurrence of influenza from week 36 of 2017, before the COVID-19 outbreak, until 2023.