Background: This study aimed to develop standard job categories for constructing a job-exposure matrix (JEM) for police officers in South Korea and to evaluate their applicability. Methods: We examined standard job codes related to police personnel management and compared them with job classifications from police publications. Using R Shiny, we developed a web-based search tool for standard codes. A pilot survey of 130 police officers assessed the codes' applicability and relevance to health-related hazardous factors. Results: Eighty-seven standard functional codes used in the police personnel management system POOL were organized into minor categories as the basic units of standard jobs. These were grouped into 20 sub-major categories and further consolidated into 10 major categories to develop the standard job codes. The responses to the standard job codes in the pilot survey were 75% accurate compared with the final expert evaluation results and 99.2% accurate compared with the algorithm-based automatic allocation results. The results of the job-hazardous factor network analysis revealed that the most frequently reported hazardous factor was emotional labor, followed by night shifts and electromagnetic waves. Emotional labor was identified as the top hazardous factor in six out of the nine standard job categories. Conclusions The standard job codes developed in this study were designed in connection with the personnel management system for police officers, making them well-suited for constructing a comprehensive JEM for the entire police force.

Objectives: This study investigated factors influencing intentional self-harm in Chungcheongbuk Province (hereinafter, Chungbuk) compared to Seoul in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Raw data from the Discharge In-depth Injury Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency were utilized. From 2,329,149 cases recorded over 9 years (2013–2021), 911 were identified as intentional self-harm cases (248 from Chungbuk and 633 from Seoul). We analyzed the differences in and influencing factors of intentional self-harm in Chungbuk relative to Seoul using the independent sample t-test, chi-square test, and binomial logistic regression analysis. Results: Intentional self-harm was found to be 1.232 times more prevalent among females than males (p < 0.05); 2.327 times more prevalent among middle-aged and older adults, ages 50 to 64, compared to those under 50 years old (p < 0.01); 8.603 times more prevalent among those using hospitals with fewer than 500 beds compared to those with 500 beds or more (p < 0.001);2.412 times more prevalent among individuals using hospitals in different regions compared to those within the same region (p < 0.01); 2.217 times more prevalent among those attempting intentional self-harm during daily activities compared to other specified activities (p < 0.01);and 6.987 times more prevalent among those using pesticides or herbicides compared to other poisons (p < 0.001) in Chungbuk relative to Seoul. Conclusion In the Chungbuk region, intentional self-harm prevention programs should be implemented, specifically targeting women, particularly those aged 50 to 64. Additionally, due to the high incidence of intentional self-harm involving pesticides or herbicides in Chungbuk, these substances should be stringently monitored to restrict access.

Objectives: This study investigated factors influencing intentional self-harm in Chungcheongbuk Province (hereinafter, Chungbuk) compared to Seoul in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Raw data from the Discharge In-depth Injury Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency were utilized. From 2,329,149 cases recorded over 9 years (2013–2021), 911 were identified as intentional self-harm cases (248 from Chungbuk and 633 from Seoul). We analyzed the differences in and influencing factors of intentional self-harm in Chungbuk relative to Seoul using the independent sample t-test, chi-square test, and binomial logistic regression analysis. Results: Intentional self-harm was found to be 1.232 times more prevalent among females than males (p < 0.05); 2.327 times more prevalent among middle-aged and older adults, ages 50 to 64, compared to those under 50 years old (p < 0.01); 8.603 times more prevalent among those using hospitals with fewer than 500 beds compared to those with 500 beds or more (p < 0.001);2.412 times more prevalent among individuals using hospitals in different regions compared to those within the same region (p < 0.01); 2.217 times more prevalent among those attempting intentional self-harm during daily activities compared to other specified activities (p < 0.01);and 6.987 times more prevalent among those using pesticides or herbicides compared to other poisons (p < 0.001) in Chungbuk relative to Seoul. Conclusion In the Chungbuk region, intentional self-harm prevention programs should be implemented, specifically targeting women, particularly those aged 50 to 64. Additionally, due to the high incidence of intentional self-harm involving pesticides or herbicides in Chungbuk, these substances should be stringently monitored to restrict access.

Objectives: This study investigated factors influencing intentional self-harm in Chungcheongbuk Province (hereinafter, Chungbuk) compared to Seoul in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Raw data from the Discharge In-depth Injury Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency were utilized. From 2,329,149 cases recorded over 9 years (2013–2021), 911 were identified as intentional self-harm cases (248 from Chungbuk and 633 from Seoul). We analyzed the differences in and influencing factors of intentional self-harm in Chungbuk relative to Seoul using the independent sample t-test, chi-square test, and binomial logistic regression analysis. Results: Intentional self-harm was found to be 1.232 times more prevalent among females than males (p < 0.05); 2.327 times more prevalent among middle-aged and older adults, ages 50 to 64, compared to those under 50 years old (p < 0.01); 8.603 times more prevalent among those using hospitals with fewer than 500 beds compared to those with 500 beds or more (p < 0.001);2.412 times more prevalent among individuals using hospitals in different regions compared to those within the same region (p < 0.01); 2.217 times more prevalent among those attempting intentional self-harm during daily activities compared to other specified activities (p < 0.01);and 6.987 times more prevalent among those using pesticides or herbicides compared to other poisons (p < 0.001) in Chungbuk relative to Seoul. Conclusion In the Chungbuk region, intentional self-harm prevention programs should be implemented, specifically targeting women, particularly those aged 50 to 64. Additionally, due to the high incidence of intentional self-harm involving pesticides or herbicides in Chungbuk, these substances should be stringently monitored to restrict access.

Objectives: This study investigated factors influencing intentional self-harm in Chungcheongbuk Province (hereinafter, Chungbuk) compared to Seoul in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Raw data from the Discharge In-depth Injury Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency were utilized. From 2,329,149 cases recorded over 9 years (2013–2021), 911 were identified as intentional self-harm cases (248 from Chungbuk and 633 from Seoul). We analyzed the differences in and influencing factors of intentional self-harm in Chungbuk relative to Seoul using the independent sample t-test, chi-square test, and binomial logistic regression analysis. Results: Intentional self-harm was found to be 1.232 times more prevalent among females than males (p < 0.05); 2.327 times more prevalent among middle-aged and older adults, ages 50 to 64, compared to those under 50 years old (p < 0.01); 8.603 times more prevalent among those using hospitals with fewer than 500 beds compared to those with 500 beds or more (p < 0.001);2.412 times more prevalent among individuals using hospitals in different regions compared to those within the same region (p < 0.01); 2.217 times more prevalent among those attempting intentional self-harm during daily activities compared to other specified activities (p < 0.01);and 6.987 times more prevalent among those using pesticides or herbicides compared to other poisons (p < 0.001) in Chungbuk relative to Seoul. Conclusion In the Chungbuk region, intentional self-harm prevention programs should be implemented, specifically targeting women, particularly those aged 50 to 64. Additionally, due to the high incidence of intentional self-harm involving pesticides or herbicides in Chungbuk, these substances should be stringently monitored to restrict access.

Objectives: This study investigated factors influencing intentional self-harm in Chungcheongbuk Province (hereinafter, Chungbuk) compared to Seoul in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Raw data from the Discharge In-depth Injury Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency were utilized. From 2,329,149 cases recorded over 9 years (2013–2021), 911 were identified as intentional self-harm cases (248 from Chungbuk and 633 from Seoul). We analyzed the differences in and influencing factors of intentional self-harm in Chungbuk relative to Seoul using the independent sample t-test, chi-square test, and binomial logistic regression analysis. Results: Intentional self-harm was found to be 1.232 times more prevalent among females than males (p < 0.05); 2.327 times more prevalent among middle-aged and older adults, ages 50 to 64, compared to those under 50 years old (p < 0.01); 8.603 times more prevalent among those using hospitals with fewer than 500 beds compared to those with 500 beds or more (p < 0.001);2.412 times more prevalent among individuals using hospitals in different regions compared to those within the same region (p < 0.01); 2.217 times more prevalent among those attempting intentional self-harm during daily activities compared to other specified activities (p < 0.01);and 6.987 times more prevalent among those using pesticides or herbicides compared to other poisons (p < 0.001) in Chungbuk relative to Seoul. Conclusion In the Chungbuk region, intentional self-harm prevention programs should be implemented, specifically targeting women, particularly those aged 50 to 64. Additionally, due to the high incidence of intentional self-harm involving pesticides or herbicides in Chungbuk, these substances should be stringently monitored to restrict access.

Background: Nasal swabs and saliva samples are being considered alternatives to nasopharyngeal swabs (NPSs) for detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); however, few studies have compared the usefulness of nasal swabs, NPSs, and saliva samples for detecting SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory virus infections. We compared the positivity rates and concentrations of viruses detected in nasal swabs, NPSs, and saliva samples using cycle threshold (Ct) values from real-time PCR tests for respiratory viruses. Methods: In total, 236 samples (48 five-rub and 10 10-rub nasal swabs, 96 NPSs collected using two different products, 48 saliva swabs, and 34 undiluted saliva samples) from 48 patients (34 patients with SARS-CoV-2 and 14 with other respiratory virus infections) and 40 samples from eight healthy controls were obtained. The PCR positivity and Ct values were compared using Allplex Respiratory Panels 1/2/3 and Allplex SARS-CoV-2 real-time PCR. Results: NPSs showed the lowest Ct values (indicating the highest virus concentrations); however, nasal and saliva samples yielded positive results for SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses. The median Ct value for SARS-CoV-2 E gene PCR using nasal swab samples collected with 10 rubs was significantly different from that obtained using nasal swabs collected with five rubs (Ct=24.3 vs. 28.9; P=0.002), but not from that obtained using NPSs. Conclusions Our results confirm that the NPS is the best sample type for detecting respiratory viruses, but nasal swabs and saliva samples can be alternatives to NPSs. Vigorously and sufficiently rubbed nasal swabs can provide SARS-CoV-2 concentrations similar to those obtained with NPSs.

Objective: Disruptive behavior disorder (DBD) adversely impacts children and adolescents. However, a comprehensive and cost-effective scale to assess DBD is lacking in Korea. Therefore, this study translated the Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale (DBDRS) into Korean and analyzed its psychometric properties. Methods: Parents and primary caregivers of non-clinical (n=429) and clinical (n=28) children and adolescents aged 6–15 years were included in the analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted; further, concurrent validity and internal consistency were investigated using correlation analysis and Cronbach’s alpha, respectively. Furthermore, discriminative capacity was estimated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: The four-factor model of K-DBDRS showed good model fit indices and factor loadings, which supported the construct validity of the scale. Strong correlations between K-DBDRS and related measurements were observed, and a robust level of Cronbach’s alpha was confirmed (0.891–0.933). The discriminative capacity of the scale was good, based on the area under the curve values (0.933–0.953). Conclusion This study indicated that the K-DBDRS is an appropriate screening tool for Korean children and adolescents. Thus, this scale can be applied in clinical and community settings to identify children and adolescents with disruptive behavior disorders.

Objective: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria causes poor uterine receptivity by inducing excessive inflammation at the maternal-fetal interface. This study aimed to investigate the detrimental effects of LPS on the attachment and outgrowth of various types of trophoblastic spheroids on endometrial epithelial cells (ECC-1 cells) in an in vitro model of implantation. Methods: Three types of spheroids with JAr, JEG-3, and JAr mixed JEG-3 (JmJ) cells were used to evaluate the effect of LPS on early implantation events. ECC-1 cells were treated with LPS to mimic endometrial infection, and the expression of inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The attachment rates and outgrowth areas were evaluated in the various trophoblastic spheroids and ECC-1 cells treated with LPS. Results: LPS treatment significantly increased the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines (CXCL1, IL-8, and IL-33) and decreased the protein expression of adhesion molecules (ITGβ3 and ITGβ5) in ECC-1 cells. The attachment rates of JAr and JmJ spheroids on ECC-1 cells significantly decreased after treating the ECC-1 cells with 1 and 10 μg/mL LPS. In the outgrowth assay, JAr spheroids did not show any outgrowth areas. However, the outgrowth areas of JEG-3 spheroids were similar regardless of LPS treatment. LPS treatment of JmJ spheroids significantly decreased the outgrowth area after 72 hours of coincubation. Conclusion An in vitro implantation model using novel JmJ spheroids was established, and the inhibitory effects of LPS on ECC-1 endometrial epithelial cells were confirmed in the early implantation process.

With the introduction of life-course epidemiology, researchers realized the importance of identifying risk factors in early life to prevent chronic diseases. This led to the establishment of the Ewha Birth and Growth Study in 2001; the study is a prospective birth cohort designed to provide evidence of early life risk factors for a child’s growth and health. Participants were recruited from those who visited Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital (a tertiary hospital in southwest Seoul, Korea) for prenatal care at 24-28 weeks of gestation. In total, 891 mothers enrolled in this study between 2001 and 2006 and their offspring (n=940) were followed-up. Regular check-up examinations of offspring were conducted at 3 years, 5 years, and 7 years of age and every year thereafter. To consider age-related health issues, extensive data were collected using questionnaires and measurements. In 2021, the study subjects will reach 19 years of age, and we are planning a check-up examination for early adulthood. About 20 years have passed since the cohort data were collected, and we have published results on childhood health outcomes associated with prenatal and birth characteristics, genetic and epigenetic characteristics related to childhood metabolism, the effects of exposure to endocrine disruptors, and dietary patterns in childhood. Recently, we started reporting on topics related to adolescent health. The findings will facilitate identification of early life risk factors for chronic diseases and the development of interventions for diseases later in life.