• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.18-28
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• 2019

Recent studies reported that obesity upregulated the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and regulated particular behavior patterns in animal models. They also reported that ameliorated the increase in nNOS expression and decreased depression and anxiolytic effects. Thus, exercise seems to be an effective strategy for improving brain function by downregulating nNOS. However, the immune response differs greatly, depending on the exercise intensity. The aim of the present study was to investigate differences in brain nNOS expression in obese C57BL/6 mice that performed exercise of different intensities. Obesity was induced in 6-wks-old mice (n=35) by feeding a 60%-fat diet for 6-wks. A control (CON) group (n=14) was fed a normal diet. At the end of the induction 6-wks period of obesity, seven animals in the CON group and obesity-induced group were sacrificed to confirm obesity induction (preliminary experiments and confirmation of visceral fat accumulation). The remaining animals were then used in an 8-wks exercise intervention. Other than the CON (n=7), the obesity-induced animals were divided into the following groups: high-fat diet (HFD, n=7), HFD-low intensity (HFD-LI, n=7, 12 m/min for 75 min), HFD-moderate intensity (HFD-MI, n=7, 15 m/min for 60 min), and HFD-high intensity (HFD-HI, n=7, 18 m/min for 50 min). The exercise was performed on an animal treadmill. The expression of the nNOS protein in the hippocampus was significantly higher in the HFD group as compared with that in the CON group (p<0.01). However, there was no difference in the hippocampal expression of the nNOS protein in the other exercise groups as compared with that in the CON group. In contrast, nNOS expression in the HFD-HI group was significantly lower than that in the HFD-LI group (p<0.05). The expression of phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) was significantly higher in all the exercise groups as compared with that in the CON and HFD groups. There was no difference in the expression of pAkt in the cerebral cortex among groups, and the expression of pAkt in the cerebellum was significantly higher in the HFD-HI group as compared with that in the CON group (p<0.05). There were also no between-group differences in pAkt expression in the cerebellum among the various exercise groups. In conclusion, nNOS seems to be overexpressed in response to obesity, and it appears to be downregulated by exercise. Relatively high-intensity exercise may be effective in improving brain function by downregulating nNOS.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.201-210
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• 2021

This study was conducted not only to find out the effect of straight body exercise on neck pain, necks disability and neck length change of turtle neck syndrome patients but also to provide fundamental data for this field in the future. Number of 60 persons were selected by pre-test and divided to 21 persons in straight body exercise group, 19 persons in exercise group and 20 persons in control group(non-exercise group). 5 kinds of straight body exercise were applied in straight body exercise group, 8 kinds of strengthening cervical vertebral exercise were applied in exercise group and no exercise was applied in control group. Neck pain, necks disability index and neck length were measured before and after exercise and 10 weeks later as well. The data were analyzed by SPSS(v18.0). In straight body exercise group and exercise group, neck length, neck pain and necks disability index were significantly decreased after eight weeks of exercise and there was no significant difference in control group. Neck length which was checked every week in straight body exercise group and exercise group was significantly decreased and there were significant differences after 3 weeks.. After 2 weeks of 8 weeks exercise, neck length, neck pain and necks disability were checked again in post test and those results were maintained just like 8 weeks exercise status. As above results, it was more efficient in the straight body exercise group than exercise group and control group to decrease neck pain, necks disability and neck length of turtle neck syndrome patients. Furthermore, after 2 weeks of 8 weeks exercise, the results were maintained just like 8 weeks exercise status. Therefore, the author consider that straight body exercise will be effective exercise for turtle neck syndrome patients, and this study would provide fundamental data for this field in the future.

• Korean Journal of Labor Studies
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-45
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• 2017

The aim of this study is to analyze the process of the struggle and bargaining for the change of the employment position of the irregular (in-house subcontracted) workers being at work in the Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) plants into the status of the regular employee of the company, and evaluate the results and limitation of the irregular workers' movement. Since the unionization of irregular workers in 2003, they have carried on the struggle against and the bargaining with the HMC, over the past 10 years and more, making claims for abolishing 'illegal temporary agency work' and for converting their positions into the regular ones. The HMC have gradually altered a confrontational stance against the workers' claim at the early stage, into the bargaining relationship with irregular workers' union. Eventually, the collective agreement on the 'special hiring' of about six thousands irregular workers by the HMC was reached in 2016. We attempt to analyze in depth the overall process by dividing three phases of the movement, according to the criteria of the relationship between the alliance and conflict system, and the cycle of protests of irregular workers. Furthermore, we try to trace the long and winding path of the movement, focusing on the cooperation/conflict relationship within the movement's alliance system, the confrontation/bargaining relationship between the movement and the conflict system, and the critical roles played by mediators (or third parties) between two systems. In the conclusion of the paper, we evaluate the results and limitation of the irregular workers' movement upon the basis of the following points; the convergence of the workers' demands into the prime goal of 'becoming HMC's regular employee,' the breakaway of regular workers' union from the movement's alliance system, and a virtual extinction of irregular workers' union after the final labor-management agreement of 2016.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.771-785
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• 2021

This study was performed to provide detailed and comprehensive information on inflammation-related blood indicators, joint range of motion, pain scale, and psychological indicators by patient characteristics by performing a 12-week home-based exercise program for ankylosing spondylitis patients. For the purpose of this study, 10 patients with ankylosing spondylitis were selected by age (30s vs. 40s vs. 50s), gender (male vs. female), and duration (less than 5 years vs. 5 years or more). The home-based exercise program was a combination of aerobic exercise and Pilates-based resistance exercise, and was performed 4 times a week for 12 weeks at an intensity of 50-70% of maximal heart rate (MHR). As a result, after 12 weeks of home-based exercise intervention, the blood C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration of patients with ankylosing spondylitis decreased (-35.6%, p=.002), and the blood inflammation level was improved, and each joint (hip, lumbar, cervical) improved mobility (p<.05). In addition, the bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) was decreased by -67% (p=.001) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) was decreased by -64.8% (p=.001), stiffness and pain has been alleviated. In particular, as the degree of depression decreased by -65.5% (p=.001) and the degree of anxiety by -55.2% (p=.003), 12 weeks of home-based exercise improved not only physical changes but also psychological factors. On the other hand, there was no difference in exercise effect according to age, gender, and disease duration in ankylosing spondylitis patients (p>.05). These results suggest that the 12-week home-based exercise applied in this study can be an effective exercise program that can be universally used for ankylosing spondylitis patients regardless of patient characteristics.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2021

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in occupational balance and quality of life caused by COVID-19 in occupational therapy students. Methods : From May 27 to June 26, 2020, questionnaires were distributed to a total of 35 universities among 62 occupational therapy departments nationwide. General characteristics, COVID-19 related characteristics, OBQ and WHOQOL-BREF were used to evaluate and analyze occupational balance and quality of life. The SPSS/PC 24.0 program was used to analyze frequency analysis, crossover analysis, chi-square test, independent t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation analysis. Results : There were significant differences in school system(years), class, life pattern, quality of life, personal and public schedule depending on whether they are interested in occupational balance. There were significant differences in occupational balance(OBQ) and quality of life(WHOQOL-BREF), 'Hobby', 'new hobbies after COVID-19', 'life patterns', 'use of public transportation', 'maintenance of occupational balance', and 'quality of life'. There was a significant positive correlation occupational balance and quality of life. Conclusion : This study showed that the more people who have changed their lives due to COVID-19 are interested in work balance, and the better they maintain their work balance and emotional well-being, the higher the work balance and quality of life, and the positive correlation between work balance and quality of life was confirmed. This will be the basis for studies related to intervention strategies that can improve occupational balance and quality of life in a time when social isolation is easy due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.321-329
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• 2022

Riboflavin and its derivatives, flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), are key components of mitochondrial energy metabolism and oxidation-reduction reactions. Proposed dietary reference intakes for Koreans (KDRIs), that is, estimated average requirements (EARs), for riboflavin, based on current knowledge of riboflavin and riboflavin derivative levels, and glutathione reductase activity, are 1.3 mg/d for men aged 19-64 years and 1.0 mg/d for women aged 19-64 years. By applying a coefficient of variance of 10%, reference nutrient intakes (RNIs) were set at 1.5 mg/d for men aged 19-64 years and 1.2 mg/d for women aged 19-64 years. Likewise, EARs and RNIs of riboflavin intake were proposed for all age groups and women in specific life stages such as pregnancy. Mean adult riboflavin intake for adults aged ≥ 19 years was 1.69 mg/d in Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2020, which was 124.9% of EAR according to the 2020 KDRIs. In the 2015-2017 KNHANES study, the mean riboflavin intake from foods and supplements was 2.79 mg/d for all age groups, and 32.7% of individuals consumed less riboflavin than EAR according to the 2020 KDRIs. For those that used supplements, mean intakes were 1.50 mg/d for riboflavin from foods, 10.26 mg/d from supplements, and 11.76 mg/d from food and supplements, and 5.5% of individuals consumed less riboflavin than EAR. Although the upper limit of riboflavin has not been established, the merits of increasing supplement use warrant further consideration. Also, additional epidemiologic and intervention studies are required to explore the role of riboflavin in the etiology of chronic diseases.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.337-347
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• 2021

This study is a qualitative study conducted to provide basic data for therapists working in long-term care hospitals to improve their countermeasure strategies for new infectious diseases and improvement of the treatment room infection management system, and to help therapists understand their infection management work. Colaizzi's phenomenological research method was applied as the research method. Telephone interviews were conducted with nine occupational therapists and physical therapists working in nursing hospitals. The contents of the interview were recorded with the consent of the study subjects, and additional confirmation was received by email. The recorded content was analyzed after transcription, and the meaning and nature of the experience coping with COVID-19 were described. The content was organized into 6 themes, 17 main meaning and 49 meaning units. In accordance with the COVID-19 situation, the infection control system has been strengthened by reinforcing infection control education in nursing hospitals, practicing infection control, and supervising infection control outside business hours. It was found that the treatment environment was changed due to the restriction of treatment activities by practicing distancing in the treatment room, adjusting rest and meal times during working hours, and strengthening infection control. In addition, the therapist's role has been expanded and the paradigm of treatment has changed, such as considering the untact intervention, and they have experienced cohort quarantine, pre-tested for COVID-19, vaccinations, and side effects from COVID-19. However, due to the infection work, the therapist's work burden is increased, and the person is experiencing fear, depression, and work stress from the spread of COVID-19. They were also aware of the need for nursing hospital care personnel support, such as guaranteeing rest after vaccination and providing infection control tools and equipment. The results of this study are expected to be used as basic data for human and physical support for the development of infectious disease response strategy programs in nursing hospital treatment rooms and for infection control in nursing hospitals.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.229-236
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the utility of preliminary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements in the ultrasound-guided L4 selective nerve root block. Materials and Methods: As a retrospective study, 71 patients, who met the criteria for outpatient visits from March 2016 to December 2017, were included. From March 2016 to February 2017, 31 patients who underwent an L4 nerve root block without MRI were classified as group A, and 40 patients who underwent an L4 nerve root block through MRI measurements from March 2017 to December 2017 were classified as group B. Group A was injected under ultrasound-guidance through the pararadicular approach without a pre-interventional MRI evaluation, and group B was injected under ultrasound-guidance according to the preliminary MRI measurements. The results were assessed using the numeric rating scale scores before, three hours, and two, six, and 12 weeks after the procedure. Results: At three hours after the procedure, the proportion of patients better than good results were 51.6% in group A and 67.5% in group B. At two weeks after the procedure, the proportion of patients with better than good results were 48.4% and 70.0% in groups A and B, respectively; 58.1% and 62.5% of patient of groups A and B, respectively, showed better than good results after six weeks. In 12 weeks after the procedure, the results of group A and B were 67.7% and 62.5%, respectively. At three hours and two weeks after the procedure, group B showed significant symptom improvement than group A (p<0.05). The procedures were repeated 2.8 and 1.7 times in groups A and B, respectively, between two and six weeks for satisfactory pain relief (p<0.05). Conclusion: A pre-interventional MRI evaluation might improve pain relief within the initial two weeks after ultrasound-guided L4 selective nerve root block by improving the success rate of the procedure.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.111-120
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• 2021

Objectives : Shift work has been known to cause various health problems by making it difficult for humans to adapt to their natural circadian rhythms. In particular, shift workers tend to complain of sleep difficulties associated with work schedules, and sometimes use alcohol as a self-medication to induce sleep. To date, no clear mechanism has been identified regarding the link between shift work and sleep, between shift work and drinking. This study aims to confirm the relationship between shift work and sleep, and to analyze whether the change in sleep caused by shift work causes drinking. Methods : This study included 11360 people (5704 men and 5656 women) among the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey data in 2014, 2016 and 2018. The work type between 6am-6pm was defined as day work, and other work types were defined as shift work. Using logistic regression analysis, the relationship between shift work and sleep quality, shift work and high risk drinking, drinking amount at 1 time, drinking frequency were analyzed. In addition, we analyzed whether sleep mediates the relationship between shift work and drinking using mediated analysis. Results : Shift work showed a significant negative relationship with sleep quality in men and women (male OR=1.37, 95% CI 1.11-1.70, female OR=1.26, 95% CI=1.05-1.50). There was no significant relationship between shift work and alcohol in the case of men, but in the case of women, there was a significant positive relationship between shift work and the number of alcohol consumption (OR=1.34, 95% CI=1.04-1.72). When mediation analysis was conducted, it was found that women's sleep quality partially mediated the relationship between shift work and the frequency of drinking. Conclusions : The results of this study suggest that shift work causes sleep difficulties, and in the case of women, drinking can be induced through the partial mediating effect of sleep. Considering that women are more likely to choose drinking as a coping method for sleep problems, more active interventions for female shift workers are needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.477-490
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• 2022

Serious Accident Punishment Act(SAPA) went into effect as of Jan. 27, 2022. The subject of study was the worker of the nuclear medicine department and the investigation was aimed at identifying the present situation of their understanding on the issue in the here and now, which can be utilized as basic research for further study. The survey was conducted on 51 people of the worker in the nuclear medicine department. The general factors were classified by their gender, the scale of the hospitals, the period of career, and the detailed occupational categories. The conclusion was drawn, including 1 missing data in gender and 2 in the type of occupation. The targeted hospitals were tertiary hospital, university hospital, and general hospital which have nuclear medicine department in. The period of subjects' career was categorized by less than 3 years, 3 to 5 years, 5 to 10 years, and more than 10 years. The specific occupation was classified by in-vivo radiological technologist, radiation safety manager and others. The amount of pressure that the job entails was highest in the category of general hospital, the period of 3 to 5 years of job experience, and radiation safety manager each. The system of the code was well constructed in the category of general hospital, the period of less than 3-year career, and radiation safety manager, as they responded. The blood transmissible disease had the largest number of outbreak of accidents related to the serious industrial accident. In addition, the radiopharmaceutical dosing error had the highest number of outbreak of accidents related to the serious civil accident. Therefore, we need to improve SAPA, facility inspection, security of budget, security of professional manpower. It will help the stable use of radiation and ensure patient safety.