South Korea Research Articles

Discerning the dissemination mechanisms of antibiotic resistance genes through whole genome sequencing of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli isolated from veterinary clinics and farms in South Korea

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria are resistant to most beta-lactams, including third-generation cephalosporins, limiting the treatment methods against the infections they cause. In this study, we performed whole genome sequencing of ESBL-producing E. coli to determine the mechanisms underlying the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes. We analyzed 141 ESBL-producing isolates which had been collected from 16 veterinary clinics and 16 farms in South Korea. Long- and short-read sequencing platforms were used to obtain high-quality assemblies. The results showed that blaCTX-M is the dominant ESBL gene type found in South Korea. The spread of blaCTX-M appears to have been facilitated by both clonal spread between different host species and conjugation. Most blaCTX-M genes were found associated with diverse mobile genetic elements that may contribute to the chromosomal integration of the genes. Diverse incompatibility groups of blaCTX-M-harboring plasmids were also observed, which allows their spread among a variety of bacteria. Comprehensive whole genome sequence analysis was useful for the identification of the most prevalent types of ESBL genes and their dissemination mechanisms. The results of this study suggest that the propagation of ESBL genes can occur through clonal spread and plasmid-mediated dissemination, and that suitable action plans should be developed to prevent further propagation of these genes.

Safety and immunogenicity of the Euvichol-S oral cholera vaccine for prevention of Vibrio cholerae O1 infection in Nepal: an observer-blind, active-controlled, randomised, non-inferiority, phase 3 trial

In October, 2017, WHO launched a strategy to eliminate cholera by 2030. A primary challenge in meeting this goal is the limited global supply capacity of oral cholera vaccine and the worsening of cholera outbreaks since 2021. To help address the current shortage of oral cholera vaccine, a WHO prequalified oral cholera vaccine, Euvichol-Plus was reformulated by reducing the number of components and inactivation methods. We aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of Euvichol-S (EuBiologics, Seoul, South Korea) compared with an active control vaccine, Shanchol (Sanofi Healthcare India, Telangana, India) in participants of various ages in Nepal. We did an observer-blind, active-controlled, randomised, non-inferiority, phase 3 trial at four hospitals in Nepal. Eligible participants were healthy individuals aged 1-40 years without a history of cholera vaccination. Individuals with a history of hypersensitivity reactions to other preventive vaccines, severe chronic disease, previous cholera vaccination, receipt of blood or blood-derived products in the past 3 months or other vaccine within 4 weeks before enrolment, and pregnant or lactating women were excluded. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) by block randomisation (block sizes of two, four, six, or eight) to one of four groups (groups A-D); groups C and D were stratified by age (1-5, 6-17, and 18-40 years). Participants in groups A-C were assigned to receive two 1·5 mL doses of Euvichol-S (three different lots) and participants in group D were assigned to receive the active control vaccine, Shanchol. All participants and site staff (with the exception of those who prepared and administered the study vaccines) were masked to group assignment. The primary immunogenicity endpoint was non-inferiority of immunogenicity of Euvichol-S (group C) versus Shanchol (group D) at 2 weeks after the second vaccine dose, measured by the seroconversion rate, defined as the proportion of participants who had achieved seroconversion (defined as ≥four-fold increase in V cholerae O1 Inaba and Ogawa titres compared with baseline). The primary immunogenicity endpoint was assessed in the per-protocol analysis set, which included all participants who received all their planned vaccine administrations, had no important protocol deviations, and who provided blood samples for all immunogenicity assessments. The primary safety endpoint was the number of solicited adverse events, unsolicited adverse events, and serious adverse events after each vaccine dose in all ages and each age stratum, assessed in all participants who received at least one dose of the Euvichol-S or Shanchol. Non-inferiority of Euvichol-S compared with Shanchol was shown if the lower limit of the 95% CI for the difference between the seroconversion rates in Euvichol-S group C versus Shanchol group D was above the predefined non-inferiority margin of -10%. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04760236. Between Oct 6, 2021, and Jan 19, 2022, 2529 healthy participants (1261 [49·9%] males; 1268 [50·1%] females), were randomly assigned to group A (n=330; Euvichol-S lot number ES-2002), group B (n=331; Euvichol-S ES-2003), group C (n=934; Euvichol-S ES-2004]), or group D (n=934; Shanchol). Non-inferiority of Euvichol-S versus Shanchol in seroconversion rate for both serotypes at 2 weeks after the second dose was confirmed in all ages (difference in seroconversion rate for V cholerae O1 Inaba -0·00 [95% CI -1·86 to 1·86]; for V cholerae O1 Ogawa -1·62 [-4·80 to 1·56]). Treatment-emergent adverse events were reported in 244 (9·7%) of 2529 participants in the safety analysis set, with a total of 403 events; 247 events were reported among 151 (9·5%) of 1595 Euvichol-S recipients and 156 events among 93 (10·0%) of 934 Shanchol recipients. Pyrexia was the most common adverse event in both groups (57 events among 56 [3·5%] of 1595 Euvichol-S recipients and 37 events among 35 [3·7%] of 934 Shanchol recipients). No serious adverse events were deemed to be vaccine-related. A two-dose regimen of Euvichol-S vaccine was non-inferior to the active control vaccine, Shanchol, in terms of seroconversion rates 2 weeks after the second dose. The simplified formulation and production requirements of the Euvichol-S vaccine have the potential to increase the supply of oral cholera vaccine and reduce the gap between the current oral cholera vaccine supply and demand. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. For the Nepali translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

A comparative study of virtual and insite engineering service-learning implementations

The Smile project is an engineering service-learning initiative carried out through collaboration between Chouaib Doukkali University in Morocco and Pusan National University in South Korea. Since 2016, this project has been conducted annually for engineering students from both universities. Participants are selected through an oral interview, ensuring representation from different majors, years, and genders. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project transitioned to an online mode starting from 2020. The objective of this article is to investigate the impact of the service-learning approach on learning and its potential for enhancing engineering education. This study aims to compare the face-to-face and online implementations of the Smile project as examples of this educational approach. The analysis demonstrates a strong positive effect of engineering service-learning as a learning approach, leading to the improvement of engineering students' skills and competencies. Notably, there is minimal difference between the two implementation modes of this learning approach.

Convolutional LSTM–LSTM model for predicting the daily number of influenza patients in South Korea using satellite images

ObjectivesInfluenza affects a considerable proportion of the global population each year, and meteorological conditions may have a significant impact on its transmission. In this study, we aimed to develop a prediction model for the number of influenza patients at the national level using satellite images and provide a basis for predicting influenza through satellite image data. Study designWe developed an influenza incidence prediction model using satellite images and influenza patient data. MethodsWe collected satellite images and daily influenza patient data from July 2014 to June 2019 and developed a convolutional long short-term memory (LSTM)–LSTM neural network model. The model with the lowest average of mean absolute error (MAE) was selected. ResultsThe final model showed a high correlation between the predicted and actual number of influenza patients, with an average MAE of 5.9010 per million population. The model performed best with a 2-week time sequence. ConclusionsWe developed a national-level prediction model using satellite images to predict influenza incidence. The model offers the advantage of nationwide analysis. These results may reduce the burden of influenza by enabling timely public health interventions.

Heat and hospital admission via the emergency department for people with intellectual disability, autism, and mental disorders in South Korea: a nationwide, time-stratified, case-crossover study

Heat and hospital admission via the emergency department for people with intellectual disability, autism, and mental disorders in South Korea: a nationwide, time-stratified, case-crossover study

한국 저교육 노인에게 적용 가능한 개념화 능력 평가 도구의 개발 및 타당화

In this study, we developed a proverb test as a measure for assessing higher-order cognitive functions in Korean older adults and explored its psychometric properties. Specifically, we aimed to investigate the applicability of the proverb test as a measure for conceptualization ability within the context of predominantly low-educated elderly population in South Korea. Twenty items were selected, taking into consideration familiarity, abstract thinking requirement, and item adequacy. The test included both open-ended and closed questions to ensure an applicability of the test among low-educated older adults. The results indicated satisfactory internal consistency for both versions of the test. Furthermore, the test demonstrated a high correlation with measures assessing higher-order thinking while exhibiting a relatively lower correlation with measures for memory and attention, thus confirming its convergent and discriminant validity. Also, significant associations were observed between the test scores and measure of daily living functions, suggesting that proverb test scores may be useful in predicting overall adaptive functioning. Additionally, literate and illiterate group showed significant differences in proverb test scores. These findings suggest that the proverb test can adequately be applied as a measure of conceptualization ability in the Korean older adults.

Educational needs of community visiting nurses for infection prevention and control: Application of the Borich needs assessment and the Locus for Focus models.

This study aimed to assess the educational needs and analyze the priorities of infection prevention and control (IPC) for community-visiting nurses. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. This study was conducted with 144 visiting nurses working in public health centers and long-term care facilities in South Korea. A total of 23 questions in five subcategories were used to measure the current knowledge and perceived importance of IPC in community-visiting nursing. Data were collected from June 23 to October 30, 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed paired t-test, the Borich needs assessment, and the Locus for Focus models. Top-priority content was defined as content belonging to two models, the first 10 contents of Borich needs assessment and the contents located in the Quadrant I of the Locus for Focus models. "Reporting in case of infection-related accidents," "Mandatory vaccination for visiting nurses," "Standard precaution," "Airborne precaution," "Contact precautions," "Respiratory infection control," and "Post-visit management." This study suggests that it is necessary to provide visiting nurses with more opportunities for IPC education and to develop standardized IPC programs that consider educational priorities.

Keeping them honest? Exploring the impact of labor unions on CSR

Purpose The role of labor unions in relation to corporate social responsibility (CSR) remains both ambiguous and crucial for union members and business leaders. Given the complex relationship between labor unions and corporations, this study aims to address whether labor unions keep corporations honest (by monitoring CSR activities) or potentially render CSR initiatives less necessary. Design/methodology/approach Using data from the MSCI Kinder, Lydenberg, Domini Database for firms in the Russell 1000 Index, this study examines the link between labor unions and CSR in U.S. companies over a six year period. Generalized least squares models were used to test the hypotheses for 3,937 firm-year observations. Findings The findings show that unionized companies generally pay less attention to CSR compared to nonunionized ones. The presence of labor unions and positive union-management relations both show a significant negative impact on CSR ratings, where positive union-management relations negatively affect CSR ratings more than just the presence of labor unions. Further, when considering the environmental, social and governance aspects of CSR separately, the results are more complex, suggesting that the relationship between labor unions and CSR varies depending on specific ESG dimensions. Originality/value CSR, a well-researched area, rarely addresses the companies' relationships with labor unions. Studies in South Korea and the UK have touched on the impact of labor unions on CSR, but in the USA it remains unexplored. This study extends this line of work by examining U.S. companies.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Class III Malocclusions in Orthognathic Surgery Publication Trends From 1987 To 2023

Objective: The aim of this study is to conduct bibliometric analysis on orthognathic surgery in class III malocclusions, a frequently investigated topic in orthodontics. 
 Methods: The study analyzed all articles in the Web of Science database from March 1987 to June 2023 using VOSviewer software (version 1.6.14). Initially, all 1173 articles were analyzed in the Web of Science browser and later exported for further analysis in the VOSviewer program. The VOSviewer program was utilized to map relationship networks based on co-authorship, co-occurrence, citation, bibliographic coupling, or co-citation links. Additionally, the study examined the distribution of publications by year, analyzed articles related to keywords, identified authors with the most publications on these topics, and compiled the 10 most cited articles containing the words "orthognathic surgery" and "class III" in the title, abstract, and keywords using the Web of Science browser.
 Results: The most publications on these topics were published in 2022. Seung-Hak Baek was the most cited author (413 citations). Chang Gung University ranked highest in terms of citations (729 citations) and had the most extensive publication record (60 articles) in the bibliometric network map. South Korea led in both article production (227 articles) and citation count (2587 citations). 
 Conclusions: Orthognathic surgery for class III malocclusion has gained significant attention over the years due to technological advancements and increasing aesthetic concerns among patients. The interest in this field is expected to grow, leading to more studies exploring related applications and topics.

Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of Ramucirumab as a Second-Line Treatment for Patients with Unresectable Advanced or Metastatic Gastric/Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma in Japan and South Korea: A Systematic Literature Review.

Gastric cancer has the highest incidence and mortality in Eastern Asia. The efficacy and safety of ramucirumab (RAM) monotherapy or in combination with paclitaxel (PTX) for patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic gastric/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (G/GEA) have been established in clinical trials. To assess the effectiveness and safety of RAM or RAM-based therapy as a second-line treatment in real-world clinical practice in Eastern Asia and to pave the way for future research, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted. Studies published between January 2014 and December 2021 were identified in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, and CBM databases. This SLR included 23 studies from Japan and South Korea, of which 22 were retrospective and 11 were full-text articles. Most studies investigated RAM + PTX (range of median overall survival [mOS] 7.4-12.2months; median progression-free survival [mPFS] 3.35-7.0months). Data were limited for RAM, RAM + albumin-bound paclitaxel, and RAM + taxane. RAM + PTX was associated with longer survival (mOS 9.3-12.2months vs. 5.2-9.7months; mPFS 4.1-5.1months vs. 3.0-4.1months) than PTX. Patients with prior anti-programmed cell death1 (anti-PD-1) exposure experienced longer mPFS (4.8 vs. 3.4months) from RAM + taxane than those without prior anti-PD-1 exposure. Few patients (3.3-6.3%) discontinued RAM or RAM-based therapy because of adverse events (AEs). Hematological toxicities were most frequently occurring AEs and no new safety signals were identified compared to clinical trials. RAM + PTX as a second-line treatment is effective and associated with an acceptable toxicity profile in patients with advanced or metastatic G/GEA in real-world settings of Japan and South Korea. More studies are recommended to further evaluate effectiveness and safety of RAM or RAM-based therapy, especially after anti-PD-1 therapy, in a wider Eastern Asian population. INPLASY registration number INPLASY2022120023.

Current status of testing intervals for antiphospholipid syndrome testing: a 13-year retrospective national data analysis in South Korea.

To assess the appropriateness of laboratory testing intervals and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) incidence. Between January 2010 and August 2022, insurance claims data of patients with disease codes for other thrombophilia (D68.6) and APS (V253) were retrieved in South Korea. Patients who received antiphospholipid antibody tests more than twice were classified as having suspected APS. The interval between the first 2 antiphospholipid antibody tests was evaluated in the patients with suspected APS. Patients with suspected APS who received anticoagulants for >180 days were classified as having APS. Overall, 8656 patients were classified as having suspected APS. The testing interval for the first 2 tests in patients with suspected APS was <6 and <12 weeks in 11.1% and 20.6% of cases, respectively, in 2010, gradually increasing to 21.0% and 35.4%, respectively, in 2021. Subsequently, 4344 patients were classified as having APS, with 65.0% being female. Only 330 patients were diagnosed with APS in 2021, down from 436 in 2020. This study showed a gradual increase in patients receiving antiphospholipid antibody testing with an inappropriate short-term interval, underscoring the need for laboratory stewardship to ensure an appropriate interval for APS testing.

The OECD’s New Discourse of Curriculum Reform: Student Agency, Competency, Colonisation, and Translation

Abstract The OECD global governance of education has been gradually increasing. Its field of interest is currently expanding from educational evaluation through PISA to curriculum reform through the Education 2030 project. Here, it is interesting to note that the nature of the terms the OECD has been creating reveals a ‘humanistic turn’. This shows up well in the frequent occurrence of terms such as ‘well-being’, ‘attitudes and values’, ‘inclusiveness’, ‘responsibility’, and ‘sustainability’ in the ongoing Education 2030 project. Perhaps this new humanistic discourse increases the likelihood of the smooth adoption of the OECD’s proposed curriculum redesign in more countries. If the OECD’s new discourse captures and transforms contemporary people's ways of thought and practice about education, then this is related to the problem of colonialism in our era. It is also worth noting that language plays a vital role in colonization. In particular, the need for translation between different languages serves as a useful means for colonization. Conversely, it is also seen as having a potential decolonizing power. In this context, I would like to examine the new language the OECD has adopted, specifically regarding student experience and the nature of knowing. Next, I shall attempt to criticize the underlying educational assumptions in the OECD’s pronouncements. Following this, I shall explore how the OECD’s new discourse has been translated in South Korea, taking this as an example of wider experience in the East Asian context and possibly elsewhere. Finally, I shall conclude by considering the direction of curriculum decolonization in terms of translation.

The policy instrument mix in South Korea: precursor to maltreatment in sport

ABSTRACT Athlete maltreatment has become ‘one of the greatest concerns faced by governing bodies, authorities and practitioners in sport’ (Stirling 2009, p. 1901). Its causes broadly stem from: (1) the culture and authority structures in organised sport; (2) the limited legal rights of athletes; and (3) a fragmented system of organisational oversight. Cutting across these causes is the distinct ‘policy mix’ within the elite sport system itself. Drawing upon a theoretical framework located within ‘new institutionalism’ and an interpretive qualitative approach using document analysis and semi-structured interviews, this investigation focuses on how policy instruments (e.g. programmes, rules, budgets, etc.) combine to shape/reinforce the behaviour and views of athletes, coaches, and administrators. Findings show that the policy instruments within the existing hierarchical structure of the elite sport system are interconnected and complement each other to mutually facilitate the attainment of elite sport success. Overall, this study suggests that the mix of policy instruments aimed at achieving the state’s sport/political objectives may sustain and reinforce maltreatment.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy detection with artificial intelligence electrocardiography in international cohorts: an external validation study

Abstract Aim Recently, deep-learning artificial intelligence (AI) models have been trained to detect cardiovascular conditions, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), from the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). In this external validation study, we sought to assess the performance of an AI-ECG algorithm for detecting HCM in diverse international cohorts. Methods and Results A convolutional neural network-based AI-ECG algorithm was developed previously in a single-center North American HCM cohort (Mayo Clinic). This algorithm was applied to the raw 12-lead ECG data of HCM patients and non-HCM controls from 3 external cohorts (Bern, Switzerland; Oxford, UK; and Seoul, South Korea). The algorithm’s ability to distinguish HCM vs non-HCM status from the ECG alone was examined. A total of 773 HCM patients and 3,867 non-HCM controls were included across 3 sites in the merged external validation cohort. The HCM study sample comprised 54.6% East Asian, 43.2% White, and 2.2% Black patients. Median AI-ECG probabilities of HCM were 85% for HCM patients and 0.3% for controls (p &amp;lt; 0.001). Overall, the AI-ECG algorithm had an AUC of 0.922 (95% CI 0.910-0.934), with diagnostic accuracy 86.9%, sensitivity 82.8% and specificity 87.7% for HCM detection. In age- and sex-matched analysis (case-control ratio 1:2), the AUC was 0.921 (95% CI 0.909-0.934) with accuracy 88.5%, sensitivity 82.8%, and specificity 90.4%. Conclusion The AI-ECG algorithm determined HCM status from the 12-lead ECG with high accuracy in diverse international cohorts, providing evidence for external validity. The value of this algorithm in improving HCM detection in clinical practice and screening settings requires prospective evaluation.

Cardiovascular safety of evogliptin dual and triple therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes: a nationwide cohort study

ObjectiveTo investigate the risk of cardiovascular events associated with commonly used dual and triple therapies of evogliptin, a recently introduced dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i), for managing type 2 diabetes in...

Use of Big Data to Evaluate Adverse Ophthalmic Adverse Events after COVID-19 Vaccination

Purpose: This study explored the types and incidences of adverse ophthalmic adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination and their associations with such vaccination in patients who presented to the sole local, tertiary, general hospital in region Ulsan of South Korea complaining of ophthalmic discomfort after COVID-19 vaccination.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Ulsan University Hospital, which is the only tertiary general hospital in Ulsan city. All participants visited the hospital from March 2021 to August 2022 complaining of ophthalmic discomfort after COVID-19 vaccination. Clinical variables were collected from both our clinical data warehouse and the electronic medical records of the hospital.Results: To date, 2,766,569 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Ulsan city. A total of 97 cases of vaccination-related adverse ophthalmic events have been confirmed. In 21 of these cases, irreversible sequelae persisted after the side-effects. Most symptoms developed within 1 week after vaccination (mean 5.06 ± 6.86 days). The most common symptom was visual disturbance (67 cases), followed by ocular pain (19 cases) and double vision (16 cases). The most frequent diagnoses associated with irreversible sequelae were neurological diseases (7 cases), retinal diseases (5 cases), and glaucoma (5 cases). The frequencies of side effects were highest for those of BNT162b2 status (34 cases), followed by those of ChAdOx1 (30), mRNA-1273 (20), and Ad26.COV2.S (4).Conclusions: In contrast to other vaccinations, COVID-19 vaccination was viewed as urgent; a few known ophthalmic side effects developed after vaccination. Although such adverse events are rare, affected patients must be closely monitored; the sequelae may be irreversible.

South Korea’s middle power diplomacy and the South China Sea disputes

ABSTRACT The middle power concept is versatile enough to categorise any states in the middle range of the world order that display certain behavioural characteristics known as middle power behaviours. Meanwhile, the adoption of the middle power concept as an explicit policy position by Korean IR scholars and policy researchers can shape and influence the actual policy practice as South Korea’s academic discussions on ‘middle power diplomacy knowledge’ (MPD) have advanced with the purpose of serving its national interests. This research sought to better conceptualise South Korea’s middle power diplomacy particularly on the South China Sea disputes between the USA and China and determine whether or not it is essential for its national interests through active Korean IR scholars’ and policy researchers’ perspectives. It found that there is more uncertainty or concern about employing ‘middle power diplomacy’ due to their assessment of finding greater drawbacks than benefits. Yet, the utmost reason behind such discrepancy stems from the epistemic fallacies prevalent in the middle power scholarship. Ultimately, discussions on South Korea’s middle power diplomacy should begin with the awareness of such fallacies and attempt to address them by critically examining the ontology of South Korea’s middle power categorisation, which leads one to question what kind of reality entails South Korea’s being a ‘middle power’ in the SCS disputes and, from there, determine its appropriate role.

National Pride, Economic Evaluation, and Public Support for Economic Sanctions: The Case of Japan’s Economic Sanctions Against South Korea

Abstract This study addresses a research gap by exploring the impact of emotional factors, specifically national pride, on public support for economic sanctions, which has received relatively limited attention compared to the strategic aspects of sanctions. Our proposal posits that citizens’ national pride, acting as a symbolic motivation, particularly in the context of hostile national competition, can result in increased support for economic sanctions. Furthermore, we suggest that among individuals with strong national pride, the likelihood of supporting economic sanctions tends to rise as their economic perceptions improve. To investigate this relationship, we analyzed data from Japan Electoral Study VI, conducted during Japan’s economic sanctions against South Korea in 2019. These findings reveal that national pride significantly shapes public opinion on economic sanctions and that among individuals with strong national pride, positive perceptions of economic conditions act as a catalyst, strengthening their support for economic sanctions.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 in South Korea: a comprehensive analysis of cancer and comorbidity risks.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder characterized by myotonia and progressive muscle weakness. Beyond the primary symptoms, there is growing concern regarding a higher incidence of certain comorbidities in DM1 patients, including cancer, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, and cataracts. This study was designed to examine the occurrence of these conditions among patients diagnosed with DM1 in South Korea, using data from the National Health Insurance Service database. The study undertook a comprehensive review of 3,842 patients diagnosed with DM1 between 2012 and 2018. We assessed the incidence of cancer and the prevalence of diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, and cataracts among these patients, comparing their rates to those in the general population. In the study cohort, 463 out of 3,842 DM1 patients (12.04%) were diagnosed with cancer, indicating a substantial elevation in cancer risk with an overall standard incidence ratio of 1.9 (95% CI = 1.6-2.3, p < 0.01) when compared to the expected rates in the general population. Moreover, the prevalence of diabetes (15.2%) and thyroid dysfunction (17.6%) was noteworthy in the DM1 population. The mean age at which DM1 patients underwent cataract surgery was 55.07years, noticeably younger than the mean age of 69.25years for cataract surgery in the general population. DM1 patients have a noteworthy occurrence of several comorbidities such as cancer, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, and earlier cataract surgery. This highlights the importance of a comprehensive and integrative approach to the management and treatment of DM1, going beyond addressing only the primary neuromuscular symptoms. More research is required to understand the underlying mechanisms contributing to these comorbidities in DM1 patients, which may inform preventative measures and guide improvements in patient care.

Factors Influencing Private Equity Investments in Asian Countries

An overview of investment activities of the Asian private equity market is presented in this paper. The study began with a close examination of the movements in the Asian private equity market over the last few years and a comparison of Asian and other developed nations' private equity investing practices. The observation gave rise to a hypothesis that Asian and Western economies may not be directly comparable in terms of their influencing factors. As a result, investigating the variables impacting private equity investments in Asian economies has become the primary research question. The private investment activity of five Asian economies—China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and India—between 2010 and 2023 was examined in this study. The total private equity investment value across all five Asian economies' sectors was used to gauge the level of investment activity. The study was based on about three major dimensions: the investment environment, economic conditions and research &amp; development. Eight explanatory variables, including GDP, inflation, interest rates, stock market capitalization, research and development expenditure as a percentage of GDP, and the Intellectual Property Rights Index (IPRI), were included in the dataset. The correlation study between each of the eight variables has been performed before more in-depth analysis. The study was conducted using the regression analysis approach. The analysis identified that IPO, GDP and Research &amp; Development (R&amp;D) have a strong and significant impact on private equity investments, being significant drivers in attracting investments. The inflation has shown least influence on private equity investments. The IPRI index, stock market capitalization and liquidation showed no influence on the private equity investments. Lastly the results are subjected to limited data available about the factors. Keywords: Asian economies, Private equity, Investments