• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.325-331
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• 2003

Objectives : To analyze medical service utilization and trends among the elderly in the last year of life. Method : The subjects of this study were People that had died at the age sixty-five and above between January $1^{st}$ and June $30^{th}$ 2000 The names of the deceased and their dates of death were collected from the data of the funeral-expenses-receivers of the National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC). This data was merged with that of the individual medical expenses of the NHIC. Results : In the first half of 2000, 84.2% of the funeral-expenses-receivers (53,063) utilized medical services during the year prior to their death; 51.0% (27,042) were female and 49.0% (26,021) male. In the last twelve months of life, the medical fees, the number of days receiving medical services and the number of days receiving medicine were 3,107,935 Won, 47.88 and 153.21, respectively, for each person. As the age of the groups increased, the level of medical service utilization decreased; the change was more obvious in female group. The level of medical service utilization during the twelve months prior to death drastically increased around the time of death. Conclusions : This study, from an analysis of the level of medical service utilization prior to death, shows a concentrated volume of medical services during a certain time period prior to death.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.147-154
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• 2013

Objectives: Many epidemiological studies have suggested that a variety of medical illnesses are associated with suicide. Investigating the time-varying pattern of medical care utilization prior to death in suicides motivated by physical illnesses would be helpful for developing suicide prevention programs for patients with physical illnesses. Methods: Suicides motivated by physical illnesses were identified by the investigator's note from the National Police Agency, which was linked to the data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment. We investigated the time-varying patterns of medical care utilization during 1 year prior to suicide using repeated-measures data analysis after adjustment for age, gender, area of residence, and socioeconomic status. Results: Among 1994 suicides for physical illness, 1893 (94.9%) suicides contacted any medical care services and 445 (22.3%) suicides contacted mental health care during 1 year prior to suicide. The number of medical care visits and individual medical expenditures increased as the date of suicide approached (p<0.001). The number of medical care visits for psychiatric disorders prior to suicide significantly increased only in 40- to 64-year-old men (p=0.002), women <40 years old (p=0.011) and women 40 to 64 years old (p= 0.021) after adjustment for residence, socioeconomic status, and morbidity. Conclusions: Most of the suicides motivated by physical illnesses contacted medical care during 1 year prior to suicide, but many of them did not undergo psychiatric evaluation. This underscores the need for programs to provide psychosocial support to patients with physical illnesses.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.3-25
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• 1990

Life table of Korean population for years 1983 1985 1987 and 1989 were constructed byt the National Bureau of Statics. The ago specific death rates were calculated froom the death registral ion for numerators and the estimated population by age and sex for denominators. In the course of constructing life tables, we have maole some adjustments for deficiencies in regist rat ion olata as follows. First, the non-registered portion oof infant deaths especially for neo-natal deaths was estirnateol and added too the original data. The main reason is that deaths occorring in the neo-natal period and prior to the registrat ion of birth leave little incentive for the registration of either the birth or the death. Second. t he do~hayed p(ortioon of deaths registering after one year of occurrence was estimated and added too the original data. Third t the ptortioon haying in, occuracies in ,~oge reporting was also estimated. Fourth the moving average methood was finally employed in an effort too remove the random error. The major fin(hings are as foolloows. 1. the average life expectancy at birth in 1989 is calculateol as 70.8 years in 1989, 2. a gap netween the male and female life expectancies is widened to more than 8 years toorm 1.8 years in 1906 10. It means that the female life expectancy has increased substantially, 3. the death rates of the middle - aged men starting age 40 are found to he relatively higher than those of females and younger age groups. This peculiar pattern was also found with the comparison of those of other countries.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.1-14
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• 2019

With a view to developing a database of death years of Korean firs (Abies koreana) at Yeongsil in Mt. Halla and investigating their abrupt inter-annual growth reduction tree-ring analysis was employed. To this end, 10 living trees (YSL) were selected to establish a master chronology and 20 dead trees were used to date their dead years. To investigate the difference in death years by death types, 10 trees, which remained standing (YSSD) out of the 20 dead trees were selected. The rest 10 dead trees were already fallen (YSFD). Two increment cores per tree at breast height were extracted in contour direction using an increment borer. A 106-year master chronology (1911-2016) was successfully established from the 10 YSLs. Through cross-dating between individual YSSD time series and the master chronology, it was verified that 1 YSSD was dead in summer 1978, 1 YSSD between autumn 1999 and spring 2000, 2 YSSDs in summer 2007, 1 YSSD in summer 2010, 1 YSSD in summer 2012, and 1 YSSD in summer 2013. The youngest tree rings of 2 YSSDs having no bark were in 1977 and 2002. For the YSFDs, it was verified that 1 YSFD was dead between autumn 1997 and spring 1998, 1 YSFD between autumn 2001 and spring 2002, 2 YSFDs between autumn 2009 and spring 2010, 1 YSFD in summer 2010, and 2 YSFDs between autumn 2012 and spring 2013, while the youngest tree rings of 2 YSFDs having no bark were in 1989 and 2004. To note, the death years of two trees, one from each death type (YSSD and YSFD), could not be verified due to poor cross-dating with the master chronology. The inter-annual growth reductions of YSSD and YSFD occurred more frequently and intensively than YSL. Typically, the YSFD showed the most frequent and intensive inter-annual growth reduction. On comparing the inter-annual growth reductions with the corresponding records of typhoons however we could not find any reliable relationship. Finally, from prior reports and results of the current study it can be concluded that the death and abrupt growth reduction of korean fir at Yeongsil in Mt. Halla are not caused by only a certain environmental factor but various factors.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2017

Locoregional failure is the most frequent pattern of failure in locally advanced head and neck cancer patients and it leads to death in most of the patients. Second primary tumors occurring in the other head and neck region reach up to almost 40% of long-term survivors. Recommended and preferred retreatment option in operable patients is salvage surgical resection, reporting a 5-year overall survival of up to 40%. However, because of tumor location, extent, and underlying comorbidities, salvage surgery is often limited and compromised by incomplete resection. Reirradiation with or without combined chemotherapy is an appropriate option for unresectable recurrence. Reirradiation is carefully considered with a case-by-case basis. Reirradiation protocol enrollment is highly encouraged prior to committing patient to an aggressive therapy. Radiation doses greater than 60 Gy are usually recommended for successful salvage. Despite recent technical improvement in intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), the use of concurrent chemotherapy, and the emergence of molecularly targeted agents, careful patient selection remain as the most paramount factor in reirradiation. Tumors that recur or persist despite aggressive prior chemoradiation therapy imply the presence of chemoradio-resistant clonogens. Treatment protocols that combine novel targeted radiosensitizing agents with conformal high precision radiation are required to overcome the resistance while minimizing toxicity. Recent large number of data showed that IMRT may provide better locoregional control with acceptable acute or chronic morbidities. However, additional prospective studies are required before a definitive conclusion can be drawn on safety and effectiveness of IMRT.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.197-199
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• 2017

A 14-year-old castrated male ShihTzu diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) 6 months prior was referred to our clinic. The patient had been experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, poor appetite and hind limbs weakness. Hematology tests showed that he had a non-regenerative anemia. With aggressive treatment, the patient's state had gotten worse. He showed ragged breath, vomiting blood and loss of consciousness temporarily. Hematocrit maintained low level. Gastric hemorrhage was strongly suspected by hematemesis. Whole blood transfusion was performed and heparin was used as an anticoagulant. Prior to transfusion, the blood cross matching between donor and patient was performed and the result was compatible. After the transfusion was stabilized, 1 mg of protamine sulfate for each 100 units of heparin was prepared and given intravenously over 3 minutes to reverse the effects of heparin. Immediately after protamine injection, the patient conducted severe anaphylactic shock. Protamine sulfate is used to reverse the anticoagulant action of heparin in dogs and humans. The adverse reaction of protamine sulfate range from mild reaction to fetal cardiac arrest. When using protamine sulfate as heparin neutralization, it can lead to the death of a patient cause of anaphylactic shock. For this reason, the protamine sulfate should be injected slowly with antihistamine and the clinician should carefully monitor patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 1972

The recent development of cardiovascular surgery as well as aortoarteriogaphy has been established excellent operative result with great aid of limb-salvage. However, less consideration or less experience still exists on the regard of vascular accident and vascular disease, as well as vascular surgery in Korea. During the last 13 years, we experienced only two cases of aorto-iliac occlusion,acute and chronic, regardless of having had more than 300 cases of mitral valvotomy and gradual increasing tendency of arteriosclerosis and hypertension in Korea. Therefore it is noteworthy to report the cases in order to promote the consideration for vascular surgery. Case 1; 52 year old female who had 20 years history of mitral stenosis with uricular fibrillation and received medical treatment for recent 1 year in the medical department. 10 days before admission, acute saddle emboli developed and 15 days after the onset, embolectomy through both common femoral arteries on the groin and abdominal approach was made. The progression of emboll to the right popliteal bifurcation was found by arteriography on operating table and retrograde flushing with heparin solution by the polyethylene catheter inserted through posterior tibial artery. The operation was successful, but 9 hours after operation sudden death occurred. Considering this case, first, mitral valvotomy already before might prevent peripheral embolizatlon, secondarily, the more early detection and surgery might also prevent the progression of emboli. Thirdly, although preoperative or postoperatlve heparinization is controversial for mitraI stenosis, heparinization might prevent additional emboli to vital organs in this case Cases 2; 66 year old female who had 4 years history of left hip and calf intermittent claudication and has had rest pain, inability to walk and ischemic necrosis on the the left leg since last 3 months prior to admission to the orthopedic department under the suspicion of herniated disc. Absence of pulsation on the groin and aortography evidenced aortoillac occlusion predominantly on the left side. Thromboendarterectomy was made and the operative result was successful with absence of claudication, healing of ulcer and aortographic patency of occlusive site. This chronic occlusion is considered to result from arteriosclerosis in origin with the evidence of moderate hypertension, x-ray evidence of calcified plaque on the aortic knob and operative finding of palpable plaques.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.475-485
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• 1980

For the past 5 year 6 months from January 1975 to June 1980, 176 patients with empyema have been treated in Chonnam University Hospital. They were 134 males and 42 females ranging from ] 8 days to 69 years of age. [mean age: 26.1 years] The duration of illness prior to treatment was relatively shorter in pediatric group than in adult group, that is, the duration of less than 1 month was 89.5% in pediatric group and 38.0% in adult group. In bacteria study there were Staphylococcus 26.1%, Streptococcus 17.6%, E. coil 10.8%, Pseudomonas 10.8%, Diplococcus pneumoniae 5.7% and Candidia. And 4 children and 3 adults had infections of two species of bacteria. The underlying pathologic lesions were pyogenic pneumonia 34.7%, tuberculosis 29.5%, paragonimiasis 15.3%, trauma 9.7% and postoperative state. The over-all mortality rate was 1.7% [3 patients]. The causes of death were sepsis In 1 child and sepsis secondary to esophageal fistula in 2 adults. Adequate drainage and obliteration of the pleural space seems to be the most important aspect of treatment and can frequently be achieved by initial tube drainage in acute empyema, especially in the pediatric group. The chronic thick walled or loculated cavities required open window therapy, decortication, resection therapy and sterilization. Modified Eloesser`s operation and 0.3-0.5% potadine irrigation brought good result in the patients who had general weakness, marked pulmonary parenchymal destruction due to pyothorax, and pyothorax with severe bronchopleural fistula.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.627-632
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• 1986

This report describes our 17-years experience with intracardiac repair in 123 patients older than 15 years with tetralogy of Fallot. Major clinical manifestation was cyanosis and clubbing [102 Pts], but other minor associated manifestation were infective endocarditis, pulmonary tuberculosis, brain abscess, congestive heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, and tuberculous spondylitis. Prior palliative shunts had been performed in 10 patients. Preoperative hemoglobin ranged from 9.7 gm/dl to 25 gm/dl [mean 19 gm/dl]. The type of ventricular septal defect were typical perimembranous type, and total canal defect [13%]. The right ventricular outflow tract obstruction was due to combined [58.5%], infundibular [35%], and valvular stenosis [6.5%]. Transannular patch was used in 17% of patients. Hospital mortality was 9.8% in overall, but decreased to 1.7% since 1982. There was two late death [12 year actuarial survival [97%] due to fulminant hepatitis, residual abnormalities [PS, VSD]. Ninety two percent of survivors at follow-up are asymptomatic and leading an active normal life. Residual ventricular septal defect was detected with radionuclide single pass study in 15.3% of patients but almost cases were Qp/Qs less than 1.5, and only two patients had been candidates for reoperation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.2993-2998
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• 2015

Background: Distance from anal verge and abdominoperineal resection are risk factors for circumferential resection margin (CRM) positivity in rectal cancer. Induction chemotherapy (IC) before concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) has emerged as a new treatment modification. Impact of IC before concurrent CRT on CRM positivity in low rectal cancer remains to be independently studied. The objective of this study was to determine CRM positivity in low rectal cancer, with and without prior IC, and to identify predictors of disease free and overall survival. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent surgery for rectal cancer between 2005 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed and divided into two groups. Group 1 received IC before CRT and Group 2 did not. Demographics, clinicopathological variables and CRM status were compared. Actuarial 5 year disease free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS) and independent predictors of survival were determined. Results: Patients in the IC group presented with advanced stage (Stage 3=89.2% versus 75.4%) (P=0.02) but a high rate of total mesorectal excision (TME) (100% versus 93.4%) (P=0.01) and sphincter preservation surgery (54.9 % versus 22.9%) (P=0.001). Patients with low rectal cancer who received IC had a significantly low positive CRM rate (9.2% versus 34%) (P=0.002). Actuarial 5 year DFS in IC and no IC groups were 39% and 43% (P=0.9) and 5 year OS were 70% and 47% (P=0.003). Pathological tumor size [HR: 2.2, CI: 1.1-4.5, P=0.01] and nodal involvement [HR: 2, CI: 1.08-4, P=0.02] were independent predictors of relapse while pathological nodal involvement [HR: 2.6, CI: 1.3-4.9, P=0.003] and IC [HR: 0.7, CI: 0.5-0.9, P=0.02] were independent predictors of death. Conclusions: In low rectal cancer, induction chemotherapy before CRT may significantly decrease CRM positivity and improve 5 year overall survival.