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This study proposes a decision-making framework that integrates a routing model based on the geographic information system (GIS) and a genetic algorithm into a building-information modeling (BIM) environment to overcoming the limitations of the planning process of traditional street-based sporting events. There is a lack of research on improving the manually conducted decision-making processes for street-based sporting events. Moreover, previous routing studies were limited to GIS environments, and proposals for decision-making models integrated with BIM environments are lacking. In this study, the applicability of the framework was verified by presenting the variables of the existing GIS-based routing model as environmental variables to consider the impact of street-based sports events on a city. The evaluation model for the route selection was parameterized independently, such that its priority could be changed according to the user's needs. Moreover, we integrated the data into BIM to create and analyze models that assess urban effects. This method is a decision-making system for policymakers and event planners to promptly conduct initial venue surveys through the technological integration of GIS–routing–BIM. Additionally, the GIS stipulated in this study can be applied to other cities. The Gwanghwamun area of Seoul, South Korea, was selected as the case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized clinical genotyping, providing high‐resolution HLA genotyping with a low ambiguity rate. This study aimed to develop new NGS‐based HLA genotyping (HLAaccuTest, NGeneBio, Seoul, KOREA) on the Illumina MiSeq platform and validate the clinical performance. The analytical performance of HLAaccuTest was validated for 11 loci comprising HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C, ‐DRB1/3/4/5, ‐DQA1, ‐DQB1, ‐DPA1, and ‐DPB1 using 157 reference samples. Among the 345 clinical samples, 180 were tested for performance evaluation and protocol optimization, and 165 were used in clinical trials in the validation phase for five loci, including HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C, ‐DRB1, and ‐DQB1. In addition, the improvement in the resolution of ambiguous alleles was also evaluated and compared with other NGS‐based HLA genotyping for 18 reference samples, including five overlapping samples in analytical performance validation. All reference materials produced 100% concordant results for 11 HLA loci, 96.9% (2092 of 2160 HLA alleles) of the clinical samples were matched with the SBT results in the pre‐validation phase. After the optimization phase, the clinical trials in the validation phase showed 99.7% (1645/1650 alleles) concordance with the complete resolution for 34 ambiguity results. The retesting of five discordant cases resolved all issues and yielded 100% concordant results with the SBT method. Additionally, for ambiguity using 18 reference materials with ambiguous alleles, about 30% of ambiguous alleles were more resolved than Trusight HLA v2. HLAaccuTest was successfully validated using a large volume of clinical samples and is fully applicable to the clinical laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human cognitive processes in wayfinding may differ depending on the time taken to accept visual information in environments. This study investigated users' wayfinding processes using eye-tracking experiments, simulating a complex cultural space to analyze human visual movements in the perception and the cognitive processes through visual perception responses. The experiment set-up consisted of several paths in COEX Mall, Seoul—from the entrance of the shopping mall Starfield to the Star Hall Library to the COEX Exhibition Hall—using visual stimuli created by virtual reality (four stimuli and a total of 60 seconds stimulation time). The participants in the environment were 24 undergraduate or graduate students, with an average age of 24.8 years. Participants' visual perception processes were analyzed in terms of the clarity and the recognition of spatial information and the activation of gaze fixation on spatial information. That is, the analysis of the visual perception process was performed by extracting "conscious gaze perspective" data comprising more than 50 consecutive 200 ms continuous gaze fixations; "visual understanding perspective" data were also extracted for more than 300 ms of continuous gaze fixation. The results show that the methods for analyzing the gaze data may vary in terms of processing, analysis, and scope of the data depending on the purpose of the virtual reality experiments. Further, they demonstrate the importance of what purpose statements are given to the subject during the experiment and the possibility of a technical approach being used for the interpretation of spatial information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: We evaluated the clinical features and outcomes of invasive breast cancer (BC) among different age groups by analyzing a modern BC registry including subtypes and treatment information. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 6,405 women aged 18 years or older with pathologically confirmed stage I, II, or III BC who underwent curative surgery followed by adjuvant therapy at a university-based hospital in Seoul, South Korea, between January 2003 and December 2011. The study end point was all-cause mortality. We used Cox proportional hazards models and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs calculated after adjusting for age, body mass index, stage, subtype, and treatment, including type of surgery and use of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy. RESULTS: During 36,360 person-years of follow-up (median follow-up: 5.45 years; interquartile range, 4.3-7.1), 256 deaths were reported (mortality rate, 7.0/1,000 person-years). The adjusted HR for all-cause mortality was higher in patients older than 40 years (HR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.44 to 2.87) and older than 60 years (HR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.63 to 3.39) than in patients aged 40 to 49 years. Across age groups, advanced stage at diagnosis, luminal type as well as triple-negative BC, and not receiving adjuvant treatment were associated with increased risk of mortality. CONCLUSION: A strong J-shaped relationship was observed between age and mortality, indicating worse clinical outcomes in young and old patients. This study suggested a possible benefit of personalized BC screening examination and precise and active treatment strategies to reduce BC-related mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We determined the relation between indoor pollutants and certain building and environmental factors. We gathered data on variables such as biological pollutants (mold and bacteria), and chemical pollutants (formaldehyde, CO 2 , CO, and total volatile organic compounds, also known as TVOCs) from 25 daycare centers. The level of bacteria exceeded the limit of 800 CFU m −3 as mandated by Korea's Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) standard. The level of these bacteria showed a significant positive association with the building age and area, and a negative link with the ventilation time. As determined through a thermal assessment (p = 0.035), the levels of mold were significantly higher in water-damaged facilities than in those without. The levels of the five VOCs (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and styrene) were observed at the highest indoors at night, compared to indoors and outdoors during the day. Proper ventilation and management of water and/or relative humidity in daycare buildings can help reduce the exposure to certain biological and chemical pollutants. The findings are useful to ensure the well-being of children in daycare centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There have been only a few reports on the survival and management of patients with ovarian carcinosarcomas. We evaluated the clinical characteristics, outcomes and prognostic factors of ovarian carcinosarcomas. Methods: Retrospective analysis of data obtained from medical records of 40 patients treated at the Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, between January 1989 and January 2008. Results: Median survival was significantly longer in patients <60 years of age than in those ≥60 (p = 0.001), patients with early-stage compared to advanced tumors (p = 0.035), those with optimally debulked tumors compared to suboptimally (p < 0.001) in the advanced stage, and patients treated with paclitaxel/platinum compared to patients treated with other chemotherapies (p < 0.001). The progression-free interval was longer in patients with early-stage (p = 0.003) and optimally debulked tumors (p = 0.001), as well as in those treated with paclitaxel/platinum (p = 0.049). Multivariate analysis showed that advanced-stage, non-optimal debulking and non-paclitaxel/platinum chemotherapy were significant independent predictors of a shorter progression-free interval, and that non-optimal debulking and non-paclitaxel/platinum chemotherapy were significant independent predictors of shorter overall survival. Conclusions: Early-stage optimal debulking and adequate chemotherapy can influence time to progression and survival, indicating that the most effective treatment for patients with ovarian carcinosarcomas consists of optimal debulking surgery followed by paclitaxel/platinum chemotherapy. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some studies have proposed that subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) has adverse effects on the cardiovascular system, but little is known about the effect on patients undergoing cardiovascular operations. We examined the influence of preoperative SCH on postoperative outcome in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: Among patients who underwent CABG between July 2005 and June 2007 at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 224 with normal thyroid function and 36 with SCH were enrolled. Preoperative risks and postoperative outcomes were evaluated prospectively without thyroid hormone replacement. Results: There were no significant differences in primary outcomes (major adverse cardiovascular events) and secondary outcomes such as wound problems, mediastinitis, leg infection, respiratory complications, delirium, or reoperation during the same hospitalization. However, patients with SCH had a higher incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation than those with normal thyroid function after adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, and other independent variables such as emergency operation, the use of cardiopulmonary bypass, combined valvular operation, preoperative creatinine levels, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and nonuse of β-blockers (45.5% vs 29%; odds ratio, 2.552; 95% confidence interval, 1.117 to 5.830; p = 0.026). Conclusions: SCH appears to influence the postoperative outcome for patients by increasing the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation. However, it is still unproven whether preoperative thyroxine replacement therapy for patients with SCH might prevent postoperative atrial fibrillation after CABG. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Candidemia is one of the fatal causes of nosocomial infection, requiring prompt recognition and treatment. Echinocandins are recommended for the treatment of invasive candidiasis and candidemia. Although similar clinical efficacy and safety are well known between caspofungin and micafungin, there are few studies comparing micafungin and anidulafungin. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety between micafungin and anidulafungin treatment for adult patients with candidemia. Methods This retrospective cohort study was performed on adult candidemia patients diagnosed from January 2006 through December 2018 at a tertiary medical center, Seoul, South Korea. The study subjects included adult patients ≥19 years with candidemia who were only treated with micafungin or anidulafungin for more than 3 days. Baseline and clinical characteristics were reviewed through electrical medical records. Liver function was assessed according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version 5.0. Hepatotoxicity was defined as the elevation of more than CTCAE grade 1 and severe hepatotoxicity was defined as the CTCAE grade 3 or higher elevations. Results A total of 98 patients with candidemia was treated with micafungin (n = 46, 46.9%) or anidulafungin (n = 52, 53.1%). In the univariate analysis, there were no significant differences in age, sex, source of candidemia, and comorbidities between the micafungin and anidulafungin groups. Although the clearance time of candidemia after echinocandin treatment was shorter in the anidulafungin than in the micafungin (5.64 ± 2.79 vs. 8.06 ± 5.30 days, P = 0.009) group, there was no significant difference in terms of clinical response (51.9% vs. 46.7%), mycological response (76.9% vs. 67.4%), and mortality (54.3% vs. 55.8%) between these two groups. The overall incidence of hepatotoxicity was similar. Also, there was no difference in the development of hepatotoxicity or severe hepatotoxicity between micafungin and anidulafungin groups for patients with normal baseline liver function test(LFT) and abnormal baseline LFT. Conclusion Our results suggest that clinical efficacy and hepatotoxicity may be similar between micafungin and anidulafungin treatment for adult patients with candidemia. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better understand air quality issues in South Korea, it is essential to identify the main contributors of air pollution and to quantify the effects of transboundary transport. In this study, geostationary satellite measurements were used to assess the effects of aerosol transport on air quality in South Korea. This study proposes a method to define the long-range transport (LRT) of aerosols into the Korean Peninsula using remote sensing obervations and back-trajectories and estimates the LRT effects on air quality in Seoul using in-situ particulate matter (PM) measurements. Aerosol optical depths (AODs) are obtained from the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI), and the back-trajectories are from the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) HYbrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model. For LRT events, satellite observations showed high AOD plumes over the Yellow Sea, a pathway between Eastern China and South Korea, and the movements of aerosol plumes transported to South Korea were also detected. PM 2.5 concentrations, PM 10 concentrations, and AOD during LRT increased by 52%, 49%, and 81%, respectively, relative to their average values for 2015–2018. To quantitatively characterize the LRT of aerosols, the effects of LRT on PM 2.5 concentrations were estimated for each PM concentration category. The contribution of LRT to PM 2.5 concentrations was estimated to be 33% during 2015–2018. When high concentrations of PM 2.5 were observed in Seoul, they were likely to be associated with LRT events. Image 1 • Procedure to detect long-range transport (LRT) of the aerosol is developed. • Impact of long-range transported aerosols on air quality in Seoul is investigated. • LRT increased PM 2.5 (52%) and PM 10 (49%) concentrations compared to average values. • Contribution of LRT to the PM2.5 concentration is estimated to be 20%–39%. • LRT of aerosols largely contributes to high PM 2.5 episodes in Seoul. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite enormous investment in air-quality regulations, there are only a few studies about the health effects of the air-quality regulations. By applying synthetic control methods to controlled-interrupted time-series analysis, this study aimed to test whether air-quality regulations implemented in Seoul metropolitan area since 2005 had reduced cardiovascular mortality rate in Seoul and Incheon. Each synthetic control for Seoul and Incheon was constructed to predict the counterfactual cardiovascular mortality rate through synthetic control methods. By using a synthetic control as a control group in controlled-interrupted time-series analysis, we tested whether the air-quality regulations had changed the trend of cardiovascular mortality rate in Seoul and Incheon after the intervention. The results showed a significant slope change in cardiovascular mortality rate in Seoul (coefficient: −0.001, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.0015, −0.0004) and Incheon (coefficient: −0.0006, 95% CI: −0.0012, 0). This study suggests additional evidence that air-quality regulations implemented in the Seoul metropolitan areas since 2005 had beneficial effects on cardiovascular mortality rate in Seoul and Incheon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compares differences in eating alone attitude according to dietary habits and age in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do region in South Korea. Out of total 411 participants, 207(50.4%) were males and 204(49.6%) were females. 30 types of eating alone attitude were identified to perform a factor analysis; further these 30 types of attitudes were categorized into 8 factors termed as: 'enjoyable eating alone', 'eating alone as a daily routine', 'healthy eating alone', 'self-conscious eating alone', 'choose what I want', 'efficient eating alone', 'lonely eating alone', and 'solo dining'. Our investigation on the link between dietary habits and eating alone attitude revealed significant differences in 3 factors out of those 8 factors: healthy eating alone, solo dining, eating alone as a daily routine. The high healthy meal group was found to have less frequency of eating alone. Among people in their 20s and 30s, the low healthy meal group had more population than the high healthy meal group. There was a tendency that the population of the high healthy meal group increases as age rises. Our data indicated that the younger generation eats alone more frequently as a daily routine (p < 0.01), feels freer when eating alone, eats out alone more frequently (p < 0.01). People in their 20s were found to be more positive on eating alone and tended to be willing solo diners. The high healthy meal group did eat alone in a healthy way whereas the low healthy meal group had a negative view on eating alone. Our study aims at providing a good starting point to develop programs for healthy eating alone by finding gaps between healthy and unhealthy eating alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]