Efficient financial management is a critical factor in achieving school foodservice goals. The objective of this study was to suggest efficient financial management practices in secondary school foodservices. In pursuit of this objective, we first identified performance indexes for measuring the success of financial management. Second, we suggested financial management standards, financial data classification methods and a report system. Last, we analyzed operating ratios with the financial data of self-operated and contract-managed school food services. The data were collected through an open-ended questionnaire from 10 middle/high school foodservices in Seoul and Kyeonggi Provincial during on-sites visits and interviews with dieticians and managers. Student participation, sales goals, re-contract frequency and number and cost of disaster loss were identified as the performance indexes for financial management. Income statements were compiled by identifying and classifying financial data. Total revenues consisted of subsidies, meal sales, other revenue and interest. Expenditures consisted of purchased food, salaries and wages, utility costs, office supplies, kitchen supplies, purchased services, company overhead indirect costs, facility investment and maintenance, facility usage expenses, employee benefits and miscellaneous. Mean price of a meal was 2,326 won at self-operated foodservices when the subsidies were included as revenues and 2,360 won at contract-managed foodservices. When including the subsidies as revenues, the operating ratios of self-operated foodservice showed that the food cost percentage was 66.9%, labor cost 23.2%, operation cost 9.9% and profit 0%. The correspond figures at contract-managed foodservices were 57.6%, 21.5%, 15.3%, and 5.5%, respectively. Food costs in self-operated foodservices was significantly higher than that for contract-managed foodservices, however, facility investment and maintenance and facility usage expenses at self-operated foodservices was significantly lower than those for contract-managed foodservices. Based on this study, the methodology and classification system of financial data was found to be applicable to assess the financial structure of school foodservices.
Classification ; Commerce ; Costs and Cost Analysis* ; Disasters ; Equipment and Supplies ; Financial Management* ; Food Services ; Gyeonggi-do ; Health Expenditures ; Humans ; Investments ; Meals ; Nutritionists ; Salaries and Fringe Benefits ; Seoul ; Surveys and Questionnaires

This study analyzed the longevity of preformed metal crowns (PMCs) in first permanent molars and evaluated factors influencing their survival during a long-term follow-up period. In all, 115 first permanent molars treated with PMCs between June 2008 and June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The overall combined success rate for the study group was 84.3%. The 5-year survival rate was 82.8%. Multivariate Cox regression analyses identified distal cavities and mandibular PMC placement as risk factors for restoration failure. Careful placement of PMCs at the final try-in stage augments the longevity of the crown.

Background: As the government has recently been discussing the expansion of the disaster health expenses support project, we would like to confirm the characteristics of beneficiaries of the support project, particularly those of high-cost beneficiaries. Methods: Using the database of catastrophic health expenditure support project from 2019–2020, this study aims to confirm the characteristics of high-cost beneficiaries focusing on the overlap of the relieved out-of-pocket systems, known as the out-of-pocket ceiling system and the system for rare incurable diseases. Logistic regression analysis is used to examine this issue. Results: In order to analyze the factors influencing high-cost beneficiaries, five models were created and analyzed, including the status of duplicated beneficiaries for relieved out-of-pocket systems, sociodemographic and economic factors, and individual health status as sequential independent variables. All five models were statistically significant, of which economic factors had the greatest impact on the model’s predictions. The main results indicated that those who benefited from multiple systems in duplicate were more likely to be high-cost beneficiaries, and there is a higher probability of incurring high health expenses among the underage. In addition, within the beneficiaries of catastrophic health expenditure support project, it was observed that higher health insurance premium percentiles are associated with a higher proportion of high-cost beneficiaries. Conclusion This study examined the characteristics of high-cost beneficiaries by encompassing reimbursement and nonreimbursement. According to this study, it is expected to be used as basic data for setting priorities and improving the current criteria of catastrophic health expenditure support project, aiming to sequentially expand the program.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Despite numerous studies on the relation of genetic polymorphisms with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the results still remain inconclusive. The aim of this study was to assess the possible association between SLC6A4 serotonin transporter gene linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR), ADRA2A -1291C>G, GNB3 825C>T, CCK1R intron 779T>C and TRPV1 945G>C polymorphisms and IBS based on Rome III criteria in Korea. METHODS: Study subjects were prospectively recruited from visitors to Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between July 2009 and January 2014. Ninety-nine IBS patients and 171 healthy controls were enrolled. Polymorphisms of above-mentioned 5 genes were genotyped. Serum serotonin from 101 participants was measured by ELISA and compared according to SLC6A4 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms and IBS subtypes. RESULTS: Regarding SLC6A4 5-HTTLPR polymorphism, L/L genotype was significantly associated with the total IBS, constipation predominant IBS (IBS-C) and mixture of diarrhea and constipation IBS (IBS-M) (adjusted OR: 4.35, 95% CI: 1.04-16.67; adjusted OR: 11.11, 95% CI: 1.69-50.00 and adjusted OR: 5.56, 95% CI: 1.05-33.33, respectively). Carrying ADRA2A -1291G allele was significantly associated with total IBS and diarrhea predominant IBS (adjusted OR: 3.37, 95% CI: 1.16-9.77 and adjusted OR: 5.64, 95% CI: 1.18-27.01, respectively). IBS-C patients showed reduced level of serum serotonin compared to controls and patients with diarrhea predominant IBS (50.2 ng/mL vs. 69.0 ng/mL and 92.9 ng/mL, P = 0.017 and P = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Genetic polymorphisms of SLC6A4 5-HTTLPR and ADRA2A -1291C>G could be one of the pathophysiological factors of IBS in Korea. Reduced serum serotonin shown in the IBS-C group suggested a role of serotonin in IBS, but large study is needed for confirming genotypic difference in serum serotonin level.
Alleles ; Constipation ; Diarrhea ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Genotype ; Humans ; Introns ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome* ; Korea ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Prospective Studies ; Receptors, Adrenergic ; Seoul ; Serotonin ; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins*

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Korea shows a decreasing trend and has changed to that of developed country, especially for those below 30 years old. However, the primary antibiotic resistance rates are higher than those of developed countries. The reason for the decrease in the efficacy of standard triple therapy is mainly due to the increase in the resistance against clarithromycin. Sequential therapy seems to be more effective than the standard triple therapy, but the intention-to-treat eradication rate of sequential therapy in Korea, which is mostly under 80.0%, is still not satisfactory. Therefore, a promising regimen is needed. Recently, the Japanese health insurance system admitted 'H. pylori-infected gastritis' as an indication of eradication. Furthermore, the Kyoto Consensus Meeting on H. pylori Gastritis held from January 30th to February 1st, 2014, proposed that 'all H. pylori positive patients should be offered to receive H. pylori eradication'. This suggests that the concept of eradication has been changed from 'treatment' to 'prevention'. Various individualized tailored therapy based on the polymorphism, age and other demographic factors and antibiotic resistance has been attempted to maximize H. pylori eradication therapy. The aim of this article is to review the current epidemiology, H. pylori resistance state, treatment guideline, and to assess the possible future strategy and treatment for H. pylori infection in Korea.
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/*therapeutic use ; Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases/genetics/metabolism ; Clarithromycin/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Disease Eradication/trends ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Guidelines as Topic ; Helicobacter Infections/*drug therapy/epidemiology ; *Helicobacter pylori/drug effects ; Humans ; Quinolones/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Republic of Korea ; Treatment Failure

No abstract available.
Down-Regulation ; Dyspepsia ; Helicobacter

This study aimed to investigate parents’ and dentists’ perceptions of the national oral health screening for infants and children (OHS), and evaluate the dentists’ accuracy of analyzing the results of OHS. A questionnaire survey was conducted, face-to-face or online, for 90 parents of children who received OHS in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Yonsei University Dental Hospital and 100 dentists working at local clinic or university dental hospital from May to October 2021. Most parents and dentists were aware of the importance of OHS, and approximately 96.7% of parents were satisfied with OHS. The requirements of parents and dentists about OHS were different. The reasons for having difficulties in explaining parents after OHS and the opinions on appropriate period and number of OHS were disagreed between pediatric dentists and general dentists. Regardless of dentists’ major, work experience, elapsed period after taking online education program, the accuracy of the examination result was low. In this study, various opinions of parents and dentists on OHS were collected. Efforts should be made to enhance the oral health of infants and children by considering the requirements of parents and dentists and improving the accuracy of examination results.

Objectives: The number of cases of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections has sharply increased in Korea, especially among young adults. In this study, an HAV outbreak in a facility for disabled people was investigated, and we found epidemiological differences both between 2 different generations and between generally abled and disabled groups. Methods: We analyzed the incubation period and attack rate of an HAV outbreak and investigated the prevalence of HAV antibodies among the staff and residents of a facility for the disabled. We performed a retrospective cohort study during the HAV outbreak, which lasted from February 8 to 25, 2019, including examinations of HAV antibody tests and post-exposure HAV vaccination for the staff or residents of the facility. Results: There were 9 confirmed cases in 2 staff members and 7 residents. Among 53 people (30 staff and 23 residents), except for the 9 confirmed cases and 1 staff member with a known history of HAV infection, HAV seroprevalence was seen in 16.7% of the staff under 40 years of age and 95.2% of those over 40 years of age, while the corresponding rates in the residents were 0.0% and 58.8%, respectively. Conclusions This result implies that it is necessary to prioritize HAV vaccination for vulnerable groups and workers of residential care facilities.

Objectives: The number of cases of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections has sharply increased in Korea, especially among young adults. In this study, an HAV outbreak in a facility for disabled people was investigated, and we found epidemiological differences both between 2 different generations and between generally abled and disabled groups. Methods: We analyzed the incubation period and attack rate of an HAV outbreak and investigated the prevalence of HAV antibodies among the staff and residents of a facility for the disabled. We performed a retrospective cohort study during the HAV outbreak, which lasted from February 8 to 25, 2019, including examinations of HAV antibody tests and post-exposure HAV vaccination for the staff or residents of the facility. Results: There were 9 confirmed cases in 2 staff members and 7 residents. Among 53 people (30 staff and 23 residents), except for the 9 confirmed cases and 1 staff member with a known history of HAV infection, HAV seroprevalence was seen in 16.7% of the staff under 40 years of age and 95.2% of those over 40 years of age, while the corresponding rates in the residents were 0.0% and 58.8%, respectively. Conclusions This result implies that it is necessary to prioritize HAV vaccination for vulnerable groups and workers of residential care facilities.

Purpose: Social distancing policies and school closures in South Korea induced by coronavirus disease 2019 have raised concerns about a lower chance of exposure to sunlight in children and adolescents. This study investigates changes in the vitamin D status of children and adolescents following the pandemic. Methods: This retrospective study includes healthy children aged 3–18 years who visited Hanyang University Hospitals in Seoul or Guri during pre-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and post-COVID-19 pandemic periods. August 2017 to July 2019 is defined as the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period, while the period from July 2020 to July 2021 is defined as post-COVID-19 or "during the pandemic." Propensity scores were used to match the prepandemic and pandemic groups 1:1 based on age, sex, season of blood collection, and body mass index z-score to compare vitamin D status among subjects. Results: Among 786 eligible children, 506 were matched using propensity scores. There were no significant differences in mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) levels (20.1±6.5 ng/mL vs. 19.9±6.3 ng/mL, P>0.05) or vitamin D deficiency rates (53.0% vs. 54.9%, P>0.05) between the prepandemic and pandemic groups. Seasonal analysis revealed lower mean serum 25(OH)D levels during the pandemic in winter/spring seasons in comparison to these levels in subjects in prepandemic winter/spring seasons (19.1±3.8 ng/mL vs. 17.2±3.7 ng/mL, P=0.006). Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic, Korean children and adolescents showed similar serum 25(OH)D levels and vitamin D status to the prepandemic period, with a significant decrease in these measures observed in winter/spring seasons only. Prolonged confinement, such as in pandemic circumstances, underscores the need for vigilant monitoring of vitamin D status and supplementation, particularly in high-risk seasons.