• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.47-55
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• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate the factors associated with electronic cigarette use by Korean adults. To accomplish this, data collected from 228,477 individuals during a community health survey conducted by the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2015 were analyzed by descriptive analysis, the Chi-squared test, and logistic regression analysis. The lifetime prevalence of electronic cigarette smoking was 11.1% for men and 0.8% for women. The current prevalence for electronic cigarettes smoking was 24.2% for men and 26.1% for women among lifetime users of electronic cigarettes. The lifetime experience rate of electronic cigarette smoking was significantly associated with age, educational attainment, occupation, income status and current smoking status, respectively. The current universal smoking e-cigarette is significantly related to the current smoking status, which shows a significantly higher number of current smokers than groups that have smoked in the past. The preference for electronic cigarette smoking was high. E-cigarettes were perceived by those who aimed to quit smoking as having a smoking cessation effect compared to regular cigarettes while also providing the pleasure of smoking and addressing the addiction. Therefore, e-cigarettes were highly favored because they were reflected as a solution to the dilemma of smoking. In 2014, electronic cigarette imports tripled from the previous year, and interest in electronic cigarettes is increasing worldwide. Accordingly, measures related to the prevention and discontinuation of e-cigarettes should be considered. Strengthening anti-smoking education and active promotion of anti-smoking risks is needed to improve smokers' wrong perception of smoking-related health. The WHO also reports that there is a lack of grounds to ensure or acknowledge that e-cigarettes are effective. Accordingly, it is important to identify environmental factors influencing the use of electronic cigarettes and explore the relationship between electronic cigarette recognition and use.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.685-696
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• 1999

Background : Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a diffuse inflammatory and fibrosing process that occurs within the interstitium and alveolus of the lung with invariably poor prognosis. The major problem in management of IPF results from the variable rate of disease progression and the difficulties in predicting the response to therapy. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the short-term efficacy of steroid and immunosuppressive therapy for IPF and to identify the pre-treatment determinants of favorable response. Method : Twenty patients of IPF were included. Diagnosis of IPF was proven by thoracoscopic lung biopsy and they were presumed to have active progressive disease. The baseline evaluation in these patients included clinical history, pulmonary function test, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and chest high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Fourteen patients received oral prednisolone treatment with initial dose of 1mg/kg/day for 8 to 12 weeks and then tapering to low-dose prednisolone (0.25mg/kg/day). Six patients who previously had experienced significant side effects to steroid received 2mg/kg/day of oral cyclophosphamide with or without low-dose prednisolone. Follow-up evaluation was performed after 6 months of therapy. If patients met more than one of followings, they were considered to be responders : (1) improvement of more than one grade in dyspnea index, (2) improvement in FVC or TLC more than 10% or improvement in DLco more than 20% (3) decreased extent of disease in chest HRCT findings. Result : One patient died of extrapulmonary cause after 3 month of therapy, and another patient gave up any further medical therapy due to side effect of steroid. Eventually medical records of 18 patients were analyzed. Nine of 18 patients were classified into responders and the other nine patients into nonresponders. The histopathologic diagnosis of the responders were all nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) and that of nonresponders were all usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) (p<0.001). The other significant differences between the two groups were female predominance (p<0.01), smoking history (p<0.001), severe grade of dyspnea (p<0.05), lymphocytosis in BAL fluid ($23.8{\pm}16.3%$ vs $7.8{\pm}3.6%$, p<0.05), and less honeycombing in chest HRCT findings (0% vs $9.2{\pm}2.3%$, p<0.001). Conclusion : Our results suggest that patients with histopathologic diagnosis of NSIP or lymphocytosis in BAL fluid are more likely to respond to steroid or immunosuppressive therapy. Clinical results in large numbers of IPF patients will be required to identify the independent variables.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2007

Purpose : Short stature is an important complication that impairs the quality of life in survivors of childhood brain tumors. We studied their final adult height (FAH) to evaluate risk factors for short stature. Methods : We reviewed the medical data of 95 survivors of childhood brain tumors (64 males and 31 females) who had been followed up from 1982 to 2006, reached FAH, and had a more than five year-disease-free survival. Results : Final adult height standard deviation score (FAHTSDS: $mean{\pm}SD$) of the patients was lower than those of general population ($-1.15{\pm}1.72$), HTSDS at diagnosis ($-0.13{\pm}1.57$), and target HTSDS ($-0.49{\pm}0.69$). FAHTSDS of craniopharyngioma patients did not decrease ($0.57{\pm}1.17$), but those of germ cell tumor and medulloblastoma patients were significantly reduced ($-1.20{\pm}1.45$, $-2.70{\pm}1.46$; P<0.05). The patients treated with craniospinal radiation or chemotherapy had lower FAHTSDS ($-1.93{\pm}1.58$, $-2.27{\pm}1.44$; P<0.01). In the spinal irradiation group, the younger the age at diagnosis was, the more the loss of FAH (r=0.442, P<0.01). Growth hormone replacement (GHR) didn't improve FAHTSDS, but starting GHR under 12 years was an independent factor for improving FAH once treatment methods were taken into account (P=0.01). Conclusion : The younger age at diagnosis, spinal radiation and chemotherapy were all important risk factors of height loss, and height gain was expected in patients who received GHR under the age of 12 years. Therefore, regular check-ups of growth and early intervention with growth hormones are needed for high risk groups to improve FAH.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.30 no.2 s.79
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• pp.143-157
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• 2000

To investigate the developmental stages of dental and skeletal maturation by ages and the correlations among dental maturity, skeletal maturity of cervical vertebrae, and that of hand-and-wrist, the author used the cephalograms, orthopantomograms, and hand-and-wrist radiograms of 1055 patients (male 458, female 597) aged 7 to 20 years old. In the cephalograms, the skeletal maturity stages of each bone were mainly assessed by Hassel and Farman's cervical vertebrae maturation indicators (CVMI) method. In the orthopantomograms, the dental maturity stages of each tooth were mainly assessed by Nolla's tooth calcification stages method. In the hand-and-wrist radiograms, the skeletal maturity stages of each bone were mainly assessed by Fishman's skeletal maturity indicators (SMI) method. The results were as follows. 1. There was a high correlation among dental maturity, skeletal maturity of cervical vertebrae, and that of hand-and-wrist in the both sexes (P<0.001). 2. There was a high correlation (r=0.91-0.93) between skeletal maturity of cervical vertebrae and that of hand-and-wrist. 3. There was a high correlation (r>0.8) between skeletal maturity of hand-and-wrist and maturity of upper and lower canine, first premolar, and second premolar. 4. There was high a correlation(r=0.8) between skeletal maturity of cervical vertebrae and maturity of upper canine. 5. By the ages, dental maturity, skeletal maturity of cervical vertebrae, and that of hand-and-wrist were obtained in the both sexes. In summary, dental maturity, skeletal maturity of cervical vertebrae, and that of hand-and-wrist we of sufficient diagnostic worth as an index to predict adolescent growth.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2006

Purpose: To demonstrate that water bolus in the patient surface can decrease the dose inhomogeneity by patient surface large tissue defect when the surface is in an electron-beam field. And We tried to find a easy way to water control. Methods and Materials: To demonstrate the use of water bolus in the irregular surface clinically, the case of a patient with myxofibrosarcoma of the chest wall who was treated with electrons. We obtained dose distribution using missing tissue option of PINACLE 6.2b (ADAC, USA). We fabricate a Mev-green for water bolus in patient with defect of tissue. Then put the water bolus which is vinyl packed water into the designed Mev-green. We peformed CT scan with CT-simulator. Three-dimensional (3D) dose distributions with and without water bolus in the large irregular chest wall were calculated for a representative patient. Resulting dose distributions and dose-volume histograms of water bolus were compared with missing tissue option and non bolus plans. We fabricate a new water control device. Results: Controlled Water bolus markedly decrease the dose heterogeneity, and minimizes normal tissue exposure caused by the surface irregularities of the chest wall mass. In the test case, The non bolus plan has a maximum target dose of 132%. After applying water bolus, the maximum target dose has been reduced substantially to 110.4%. The maximum target dose was reduced by 21.6% using this technique. Conclusion: The results showed that controlled water bolus could significantly improve the dose homogeneity in the PTV for patients treated with electron therapy using water control device. This technique may reduce the incidence of normal organ complications that occur after electron-beam therapy in irregular surface. And our new device shows handiness of water control.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.234-241
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• 2004

Background : There has been a gradual increase in the number of newly diagnosed cases of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) pulmonary disease. However, the optimal therapeutic regimen for the disease has not yet established and there is no report about the treatment outcome of MAC pulmonary disease in Korea. This study examined the effect of clarithromycin-based regimen in patients with pulmonary MAC disease without a HIV infection. Materials and Methods : Fifty-six patients with pulmonary MAC disease were diagnosed according to the American Thoracic Society criteria from January 2000 to December 2003 at this hospital. Of these patients, 15 were treated with clarithromycin, rifampin, and ethambutol for more than 6 months, together with streptomycin initially (first 6 months) in 8 patients. Results : Six months after the treatment, the sputum cultures converted from positive to negative in 8 patients (53%) and the radiological findings improved in 10 (67%). At 12 months 4 patients (44%) achieved sputum negative conversion and 6 patients out of 9 patients (67%) who were treated for more than 12 months showed radiological improvement. Overall, the sputum findings converted to negative in nine patients (60%) who underwent medical treatment. A pulmonary resection was successfully performed in one patient. Only one patient discontinued the treatment due to side effects such as gastrointestinal intolerance and optic neuritis. Conclusion : A combined regimen containing clarithromycin is relatively safe and tolerable even in the elderly outpatients. However, the results of this combined chemotherapy were unsatisfactory and new companion drugs for MAC pulmonary disease are needed. A resection may be considered for localized disease.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 2017

Upper gastrointestinal series is non-invasive examination, and it is useful for patients or elderly patients who have difficulty in endoscopic examination because of absence of any side effects other than temporary constipation or abdominal pain. The entire image of the gastrointestinal tract can be seen and have been widely used in the diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal diseases. However, there is a possibility that radiation dose increases due to improper movement and breath control, when examination is carried out by lack of understanding the overall inspection process for the upper gastrointestinal series. In upper gastrointestinal series to increase understanding of examination, to induce appropriate cooperation during examination, to reduce the number of retakes and shorten examination time, and to reduce dose of the subject, the procedure and precautions of the gastrointestinal test were made as a movie. We investigated the effectiveness of pre-education using the movie to reduce the inspection time, the number of re-shoots, and the reduction of exposure dose by watching the movie during the waiting time before examination. 120 patients that were selected each 20 patients aged from 30s to 80s were evaluated were evaluated for exposure dose, examination time, and the number of retakes before and after the movie training. The radiation dose, the examination time, and the number of retakes were respectively $3171.83{\mu}Gy{\cdot}m^2$ and $2931.73{\mu}Gy{\cdot}m^2$, 8.05 min, and 6.75 min, and 1.68 times and 1.22 times before and after movie training. It can be concluded that the movie training on the gastrointestinal examination influences the reduction of the examination time, the number of retakes and the reduction of the radiation dose.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2018

Brain perfusion CT scanning is often employed usefully in clinical conditions as it accurately and promptly provides information about the perfusion state of patients having acute ischemic stroke with a lot of time constraints and allows them to receive proper treatment. Despite those strengths of it, it also has a serious weakness that Lens may be exposed to a lot of dose of radiation in it. In this study, as a way to reduce the dose of radiation to Lens in brain perfusion CT scanning, this researcher conducted an experiment with Bismuth shielding and change of patients' position. TLD (TLD-100) was placed on both lens using the phantom (PBU-50), and then, in total 4 positions, parallel to IOML, parallel to IOML (Bismuth shielding), parallel to SOML, and parallel to SOML (Bismuth shielding), brain perfusion scanning was done 5 times for each position, and dose to Lens were measured. Also, to examine how the picture quality changed in different positions, 4 areas of interest were designated in 4 spots, and then, CT number and noise changes were measured and compared. According to the results of conducting one-way ANOVA on the doses measured, as the significance probability was found to be 0.000, so there was difference found in the doses of radiation to crystalline lenses. According to the results of Duncan's post-hoc test, with the scanning of being parallel to IOML as the reference, the reduction of 89.16% and 89.66% was observed in the scanning of being parallel to SOML and that of being parallel to SOML (Bismuth shielding) respectively, so the doses to Lens reduced significantly. Next, in the scanning of being parallel to IOML (Bismuth shielding), the reduction of 37.12% was found. According to the results, reduction in the doses of radiation was found the most significantly both in the scanning of being parallel to SOML and that of being parallel to SOML (Bismuth shielding). With the limit of the equivalent dose to Lens as the reference, this researcher conducted comparison with the dose to occupational exposure and dose to Public exposure in the scanning of being parallel to IOML and found 39.47% and 394.73% respectively; however in the scanning of being parallel to SOML (Bismuth shielding), considerable reduction was found as 4.08% and 40.8% respectively. According to the results of evaluation on picture quality, every image was found to meet the evaluative standards of phantom scanning in terms of the measurement of CT numbers and noise. In conclusion, it would be the most useful way to reduce the dose of radiation to Lens to use shields in brain perfusion CT scanning and adjust patients' position so that their lens will not be in the field of radiation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.365-368
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• 2002

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG) imposes large amount of medical costs, which are greatly affected by the surgical approach, quality of perioperative care and associated co-morbidities. Recently, off-pump CABG(OPCAB) has been introduced and performed with increasing frequency. To evaluate the efficacy of OPCAB in view of financial impact, we analyzed the costs and medical resources of OPCAB and compared with conventional CABG. Material and Method: From January 1998 to July 1999, 184 patients underwent CABG operation; 111 patients with OPCAB(group I) and 73 patients with conventional CABG(group II). We prospectively collected clinical data including risk factors and retrospectively reviewed the hospital resources. Result: Preoperative parameters including risk factors, postoperative mortality, morbidity and length of hospital stay were not different between the two groups, Duration of stay in the intensive care unit(ICU) (51.3 vs 128.3 hours, p<0.01) and ventilator, support time(14.9 vs 56.2 hours, p<0.01) were significantly shorter in the OPCAB group. Total hospital coats were 17,220,000 add 21,250,000(Korean Won) in group I and II, respectively(p<0.01). There were significant differences in operation fee, costs for operative materials, transfusion and diagnostic radiology between two groups. In group I, all the resources except diagnostic radiology were significantly decreased compared with group II. Conclusion: OPCAB has a beneficial effect on hospital charge and resource utilization. Shorter duration of the ICU stay and ventilatory support time may reduce the total hospital costs.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.45-53
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• 2006

The objectives of this study are to determine the primary yield components responsible for yield differences in a subtropical environment of the Hunan province China and in a temperature environment of Honam province Korea. Field experiments were conducted in a subtropical environment in Hunan province China during 2002 and in a temperate environment in Honam province Korea during 2003. Seven rice cultivars were grown under optimum crop management in each experiment field. Yield, yield components and plant dry matter were determined at maturation. The highest yield (567 kg/10a) was produced at Honam province by Jinyou 207, a Chinese cultivar, The maximum yield at Hunan province was 453 kg/10a by Sanyou 63. On the average across cultivars, Honam produced 23% greater yields than Hunan. Sink size (spikelets per $m^2$) was responsible far these yield differences. Panicle number per $m^2$ was much greater at Honam.