• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the perception regarding palliative care among Korean doctors and referral barriers toward palliative care for terminal cancer patients. Methods: Between May and June 2010, 477 specialists mainly caring cancer patients using a web-based, self-administered questionnaire. Results: A total of 128 doctors (26.8%) responded. All respondents (100%) deemed palliative care a necessary service for terminal cancer patients. More than 80% of the respondents agreed to each of the following statements: all cancer centers should provide palliative care service (80.5%); all terminal cancer patients should receive concurrent palliative care along with anti-cancer therapies (89.1%) and caring for terminal cancer patients requires interdisciplinary approach (96.9). While more than 58% of the respondents were satisfied with their performance of physical and psychological symptoms management and emotional support provided by patient's family members, 64% of the responded answered that their general management of the end-of-life care was less than satisfactory. Doctors without prior experience in referring their patients to palliative care specialists accounted for 26.6% of the respondents. The most common barrier to hospice referral, cited by 47.7% of the respondents, was "refusal of patient or family member", followed by "lack of available palliative care resources" (46.1%). Conclusion: Although most doctors do recognize the importance of palliative care for advanced cancer patients, comprehensive and sufficient palliative medicine, including interdisciplinary cooperation and end-of-life care, has not been put into practice. Thus, more active palliative consultation or referral is needed for effective care of terminal cancer patients.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.205-217
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• 1996

Today in the industrial society, the urban park is the place for citizens' health, recreation, exercise, and education. This is a very important place as a fine sight and maintenance of public security. As the results of rapid economic growth during the last thirty years, citizens are in the age of material civilization and are challenged with many serious urban problems such as pollution, noise, traffic congestion, human alienation, etc. Rapid material civilization brought to citizens' mental and physical diseases. To some of the problems, it is necessary that we should have proper leisure and recreation facilities, and that we should have the active, positive posture to them. Especially we need the out door recreational spaces and facilities. But nowadays the urban parks are given little thought in spites of the necessity of parks which should be used as a recreational spaces in the urban areas. So, This study attempt to comprehend the function, quantity and quality of the urban park system in Taegu. It is clear that the quantity is inappropriate. Because of inappropriate disposition and management, its coefficiency of utilization is low. In view of the population and park ratio, Dong Gu, Nam Gu, Suseong Gu and Dalseong Gun have comparative good, environments. However, Dalseo Qu, Seo Gu and Jung Gu have less geographical features. There are some methods to provide expansion of the aggregate of urban parks. We can use the school-grounds and their facilities. which were moved from C.B.D. to the outskirts of Daegu, or some parts of urban redevelopment, or the riverside of Sincheon river. In the urban park-program, users' satisfaction-factors are analyzed. We must reconsider the efficiency. The above problems are improved. Active administration and inhabitants' Positive participation are demanded so that the sound development of cities and daily life-surroundings are promoted.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2017

Daecheong Reservoir was made by the construction of a large dam (>15 m in height) on the middle to downstream of the Geum River and the discharge systems have the watergate-spillway (WS), a hydropower penstock (HPP), and two intake towers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the limnological anomalies of turbid water reduction, green algae phenomenon, and oligotrophic state in the lower part of reservoir dam site, and compared with hydro-meteorological factors. Field surveys were conducted in two stations of near dam and the outlet of HPP with one week intervals from January to December 2000. Rainfall was closely related to the fluctuations of inflow, outflow and water level. The rainfall pattern was depended on the storm of monsoon and typhoon, and the increase of discharge and turbidity responded more strongly to the intensity than the frequency. Water temperature and DO fluctuations within the reservoir water layer were influenced by meteorological and hydrological events, and these were mainly caused by water level fluctuation based on temperature stratification, density current and discharge types. The discharges of WS and HPP induced to the flow of water bodies and the outflows of turbid water and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively. Especially, when hypoxic or low-oxygen condition was present in the bottom water, the discharge through HPP has contributed significantly to the outflow of phosphorus released from the sediment into the downstream of dam. In addition, HPP effluent which be continuously operated throughout the year, was the main factor that could change to a low trophic level in the downreservoir (lacustrine zone). And water-bloom (green-tide) occurring in the lower part of reservoir was the result that the water body of upreservoir being transported and diffused toward the downreseroir, when discharging through the WS. Finally, the hydropower effluent was included the importance and dynamics that could have a temporal and spatial impacts on the physical, chemical and biological factors of the reservoir ecosystem.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2232-2239
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• 2012

This study set out to investigate the effects of the same amount of resting(30 minutes) after $VO_2max$ 20%, 40%, and 60% exercise on the variation of cortisol and catecholamine, serum stress hormones. The research efforts led to the following conclusions: First, there were no significant differences in serum cortisol concentration between the $VO_2max$ 20% group and the $VO_2max$ 40% group, but there were some significant differences in the significance level of p=.002 in the $VO_2max$ 60% group. Second, there were no significant differences in serum catecholamine concentration between the $VO_2max$ 20% group and the $VO_2max$ 40% group, but there were some significant differences in the significance level of p=.001 in the $VO_2max$ 60% group. Third, no significant differences were found in the changing rates of serum cortisol concentration between right after exercise and during break among different levels of exercise intensity according to measuring time. Fourth, there were significant differences in the changing rates of serum catecholamine concentration in the significance level of p=.000 right after exercise and in the significance level of p=.034 during break In short, there were significant differences only in the $VO_2max$ 60% group according to exercise intensity when the different groups took the same amount of break after exercise. The $VO_2max$ 60% group was also the only group that showed significant differences in the changing rates of cortisol and catecholamine. In conclusion, taking a break after exercise can generate huge effects only when the exercise intensity level is moderate or higher. That is, taking a break will have no significant effects when the exercise intensity level is lower than moderate.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.189-199
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• 2004

Purpose: Despite the small incidence, head and neck cancer may cause a wide range of physical transformation by surgical operation, damage to active functions such as eating and speaking. It may provoke hopelessness, change self-esteem and self-concept after its operation, influencing the quality life of head and neck cancer patients. Thus nursing intervention should be developed to provide supportive nursing for head and neck cancer patients and play roles as competent supporters. Methods: This study was a nonequivalent, control group, pretest-posttest, non-synchronized quasi-experimental research designed to determine how supportive nursing intervention effects on hopelessness, self-esteem and self-concept of head and neck cancer patients. Subjects of the study included 40 adult inpatients of K University hospital in Pusan who were diagnosed as having head and neck cancer and operated. They were divided into experimental and comparison groups, each consisting of 20 members. The data were collected during the period from December 1, 1999 to April 11, 2000. Tools of the study included the protocol of supportive nursing intervention which was developed by researcher by means of reference, literal review and expert's advice. The measurement tool of hopelessness was translated by Won was the device of hopelessness self-evaluation from Beck, the tool for self-esteem measurement was developed by Rosenberg and translated by Kim, and the device of self-concept used by Lee et al, modified by Lee were used respectively. Data were analyzed using the SPSS/PC 9.0 program. The homogeneity of the subjects were tested using $x^2-test$ and t-test. 3 hypotheses were tested using t-test. Results: The results of the study can be summarized as follows. 1. The third hypothesis that the experimental group receiving supportive nursing intervention showed a little hopelessness than the control group not receiving supportive nursing intervention was supported (t=4.550, P=.000). 2. The third hypothesis that the experimental group receiving supportive nursing intervention showed more self-esteem than the control group not receiving supportive nursing intervention was supported (t=-6.40, p=.000). 3. The third hypothesis that the experimental group receiving supportive nursing intervention showed more self-concept than the control group not receiving supportive nursing intervention was supported (t=-6.065, P=.000). Conclusion: Supportive nursing intervention was effective nursing intervention strategy for reducing hopelessness and increasing self-esteem and self-concept of head and neck cancer patients. Then the quality of life of head and neck cancer patients can be enhanced by providing supportive nursing intervention in nursing practice.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.227-235
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• 2009

Many of the protective functions of saliva can be attributed to the biological, physical, structural, and rheological characteristics of salivary glycoproteins. Therefore, the development of ideal saliva substitutes requires understanding of the rheological as well as biological properties of human saliva. In the present study, we investigated the changes of salivary enzymatic activities by saliva substitutes and compared viscosity of saliva substitutes with human saliva. Five kinds of saliva substitutes such as Moi-Stir, Stoppers4, MouthKote, Saliva Orthana, and SNU were used. Lysozyme activity was determined by the turbidimetric method. Peroxidase activity was determined with an NbsSCN assay. $\alpha$-Amylase activity was determined using a chromogenic substrate, 2-chloro-p-nitrophenol linked with maltotriose. The pH values of saliva substitutes were measured and their viscosity values were measured with a cone-and-plate digital viscometer at six different shear rates. Various types of saliva substitutes affected the activities of salivary enzymes in different ways. Stoppers4 enhanced the enzymatic activities of hen egg-white lysozyme, bovine lactoperoxidase (bLP), and $\alpha$-amylase. Saliva Orthana and SNU inhibited bLP activity and enhanced $\alpha$-amylase activity. MouthKote inhibited $\alpha$-amylase activity. Moi-Stir inhibited the enzymatic activities of bLP and $\alpha$-amylase. The pH values were very different according to the types of saliva substitutes. Stoppers4, MouthKote, and Saliva Orthana showed lower values of viscosity at low shear rates and higher values of viscosity at high shear rates compared with unstimulated and stimulated whole saliva. Moi-Stir and SNU displayed much higher values of viscosity than those of natural whole saliva. Collectively, our results indicate that each saliva substitute has its own biological and rheological characteristics. Each saliva substitute affects the enzymatic activity of salivary enzyme and finally oral health in different ways.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.1063-1073
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• 2016

Male climacteric syndrome, andropause, or testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) is one of the new health issues in elderly men. It is a natural phenomenon that happens with age in men, which is clinically characterized by a decline in levels of serum testosterone resulting in a significantly decreasing of physical and mental activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the putative alleviative effects of dandelion extract on the symptoms of TDS by increasing serum testosterone levels and compare the efficacy between dandelion extract (DE) and fermented dandelion extract (FDE). After daily intake of DE and FDE for 4 weeks, serum testosterone levels, muscles of vastus lateralis, forced swimming time, total sperm counts, and motile sperm counts were significantly increased in older rats (22 weeks). Additionally, SHBG, epididymal fat pad, total serum cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly decreased in DE and FDE fed groups. However, PSA levels were not different among all groups. Furthermore, DE and FDE enhanced the expression of genes related to testosterone biosynthesis in TM3 Leydig cells. Overall, these positive effects on andropause were greater in FDE compared to DE. These results suggest the potential of FDE as a safe and efficacious natural material for recovering testosterone levels and reducing andropause symptoms.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.364-372
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• 2010

Purpose : Good adherence of caregivers is essential for successful health outcomes in the treatment of childhood asthma. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors contributing to good adherence of maintenance treatment in children with well-controlled asthma. Methods : Children with well-controlled asthma being treated with a daily controller for at least 3 months in Korea University Anam Hospital were selected. Their caregivers who had good adherence to maintenance treatment were recruited. Qualitative study through in-depth interviews was conducted with 18 caregivers who agreed to the study. Results : The 18 caregivers (mean age, 40.0 years) consisted of 15 mothers, 2 grandmothers, and 1 father. The resulting consensus were identified and grouped into 2 domains: the caregiver/patient aspect with 8 theme factors and the treatment aspect with 4 theme factors. The main theme factors in the caregiver/patient aspect were enabling participation in physical activities and exercise (77.8%), perceptions regarding asthma and the need for long-term treatment (50.0%), and perceived value of the medications outweighing the risk of side effects (38.9%). The main theme factors in the treatment aspect were trust in the physician (77.8%), general satisfaction with the manner and attitude of the physician (77.8%) and verification of the necessity of further treatment by performing tests (38.9%). Conclusion : Efforts to improve caregivers' adherence to the treatment of childhood asthma must include a range of factors related to both caregiver/patient aspects and treatment aspects. Among all of these factors, it may be most important to establish a physician-caregiver partnership.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.66-76
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• 1997

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyse sleep habits and sleep disorders in the elderly population ased 65-84 years. Methods : Epidemiological survey was performed at home by means of semi structured interviews in the city of Pusan, Korea. Subjects were randomly selected. The questionnaire consisted of 128 items including demographic findings, sleep habits, sleep disorders, somatic illnesses, and psychological distresses. Results : (1) The mean retiring time was 10.28 h (SD 1.30 h) and the mean wake-up time was 5.24 h (SD 1.33 h). The mean duration of sleep was 5.63 h (SD 1.80 h). The mean sleep onset time was 44.51 min. The mean frequency of daytime napping was 2.49 (SD 3.23). The subjects reported they woke up an average of 2.05 (SD 1.59) times per night. All of the above results were not related to age or gender. However, the mean frequency of difficulty in initiating/maintaining sleep was 2.2 times for men and 3.2 times for women (p<0.05). (2) The prevalence of insomnia was 57.7% and was not related to age or gender. Difficulty in initiating sleep was the most commonly reported insomnia complaint(52.4%). Early morning awakening was reported by 50.0% of patients and difficulty in maintaining sleep was reported by 45.1% of them. Worrying in bed and physical pain were strong contributing factor to insomnia. Conclusions : The results of our study showed several characteristics of sleep habits in the elderly. Sleep disorder in old age is not inevitable or trivial. Since sleep disturbance in older adults is common and distressing, it has implications for general health and well-being. Active concern and therapeutic intervention for the sleep habits and sleep disorders in the elderly are needed.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.93-111
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• 2005

Defining soil quality in scopes and applications is one of the prerequisite for the sustainable management of soil environment to orient researches, strategies and policies. However, definition of soil quality is controversial depending upon a viewpoint of soil science or soil environment. Soil quality can be, irrespective of the disciplines, defined as the capacity of a soil to function within ecosystem boundaries to sustain biological productivity, maintain environmental quality and promote plant and animal health. Common to all of the soil quality concepts can be summarized as the capacity of soil to function effectively at present and in the future. The OECD includes soil quality as one of the agri-environment indicators. This article intends to i) summarize the current soil quality research, and ii) provide information on protocol of soil quality assessment. A framework for soil quality was divided into three steps: indicator selection as minimum data set (MDS), scoring of the selected indicators, and integration of scores into soil quality index. Korean government suggested possible physical and chemical indicators such as bulk density and organic matter for paddy and upland soils to OECD. The framework of soil quality assessment is not yet implemented in Korea. Countries such as USA, Canada and New Zealand have constructed the framework on soil quality assessment and developed a user-friendly version of soil quality assessment tools to evaluate the integrated effects of various soil management practices. The protocol provided in this review might help policymakers, scientists, and administrators improve awareness about soil quality and understand the way of soil environment management.