• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.75-86
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• 2009

Objectives: To identify the factors associated with the intention to undergo mammography among Korean women without a prior screening experience. Methods: Among 1,039 women of the general population, we selected 145 women (mean age: 54.2 years, age range : 40-78 years) without any prior experience with mammography. They were recruited for the 'Cancer Information Needs Assessment Survey' by using the method of random multi-stage cluster sampling. Data on the socio-demographic characteristics, intention to undergo mammography based on the Precaution Adoption Process Model, level of self belief and self efficacy for breast cancer screening, motivation for decision to undergo breast cancer screening were obtained by conducting a household survey. Results: Of the study subjects, 49.7% were classified as "unengaged" and "decided not to act" regarding breast cancer screening. Women with the intention to undergo mammography were more likely to be younger (OR 0.11, 95%CI 0.04-0.36), to have been recommended to undergo screening by others (OR 3.27, 95%CI 1.36-7.87), to have a high level of perceived sensitivity (OR 3.15, 95%CI 1.27-7.82), and to have a high level of self efficacy (OR 1.09, 95%CI 0.97-1.23). Exposure to campaigns and information regarding breast cancer screening, whether cancer patients are or not in around, perceived severity, perceived benefit, and perceived cost were factors that were not significantly associated with the intention to undergo mammography. Conclusion: It is necessary to develop tailored intervention strategies for women who have never undergone breast cancer screening on the basis of their demographic characteristics and factors that positively influence the intention to undergo mammography.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.105-116
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• 2023

Improved fish post-harvest technologies (IFPT) have been promoted as more efficient methods of fish processing, preservation, and value addition than the traditional methods prevalent in developing countries. The adoption rates, however, do not appear to be convincing. The purpose of this study was to determine the socio-demographic and psychological factors that influence intention of Kenyan farmed fish traders to use IFPT. The technology acceptance model (TAM) was used to properly explain the impact of TAM constructs such as perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), and attitude (ATT), as well as socio-demographic factors such as gender, age, education level and fish trading experience on traders' intention to use the technologies. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect data using a semi-structured questionnaire from 146 traders in Busia, Siaya and Kakamega counties. At a significance level of p = 0.05, a linear regression model was used to examine the socio-demographic and psychological determinants of the traders' behavioral intention to use the improved technologies. The regression analysis revealed that PU (β = 0.443; p = 0.000), PEOU (β = 0.364; p = 0.000) and ATT (β = 0.615; p = 0.000) influence traders' intention to use IFPT, with ATT having the highest influence on intention. However, the traders' socio-demographic characteristics have no effect on their intention to use the technologies, as the coefficients for gender (β = 0.148; p = 0.096), age (β = 0.016; p = 0.882), level of education (β = -0.135; p = 0.141) and fish trading experience (β = 0.017; p = 0.869) are all insignificant. These findings show that the traders intend to use IFPT and will use them when it is in their best economic interests.

• The Korean Journal of Medicine
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• v.99 no.1
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• pp.37-49
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• 2024

Background/Aims: In Korea, the incidence of primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the central nervous system (PCNSL) is increasing and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has improved the survival of younger patients. We explored our real-world experience with PCNSL at Asan Medical Center (AMC). Methods: We used the AMC lymphoma registry to collect patient data prospectively. We analyzed 279 patients diagnosed from 2002 until August 2019. Results: The PCNSL incidence at AMC increased progressively and comprised 7.4-8.9% of new non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients annually during the most recent 4 years. The median age was 60 years (range, 17-85) and males comprised 55%. Patients under 65 years of age (n = 183) had no significant differences in characteristics compared to those aged 65 years or over, with the exception of less occipital lobe involvement and lower beta-2 microglobulin levels. Rituximab, methotrexate, procarbazine, and vincristine (R-MPV) combination induction had the best overall response, of 95%. The median overall survival was 3.8 years with 5- and 10-year survival rates of 41.5% and 30.2%, respectively. Survival was better in younger patients and those treated with ASCT. Thiotepa, busulfan, and cytoxan (TBC) conditioning chemotherapy had better survival than other combinations. The International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center prognostic score systems were valid in this cohort. Age and performance status were independent prognostic factors. Exclusive extra-central nervous system failure occurred in six patients (5.6%) among 107 failures. Conclusions: The incidence of PCNSL is rising. R-MPV induction therapy followed by ASCT with TBC has improved the survival of young, fit PCNSL patients.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.161-167
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• 2002

Research on diet, acculturation, and ethnicity has suggested that immigrants dietary patterns differ from people who do not have immigration experience. The purpose of this paper is to present preliminary descriptive findings concerning consumption of foods that are common in Korean and American diets, by people of Korean descent residing in California. Adults (18 years of age or older, N=1334) of Korean descent who could be reached by listed residential telephone number in California were randomly selected and telephone-interviewed by closely supervised bilingual (Korean-English) interviewers who were specially trained for this task. This study found that dietary patterns of Koreans living in California differed according to age and gender; also, the frequency of consumption of foods differed according to number of years of residence and acculturation. Koreans who reported higher levels of acculturation to American society ate less of traditional Korean foods such as Kimchi and ate significantly more higher-fat foods common in the American diet. Increased acculturation was also related to an increased frequency of alcohol drinking. Older Koreans tended to eat slightly more of traditional foods such as rice, Kimchi, fruits, and fish, compared to younger Koreans. Women tended to eat healthier foods than men, consuming green vegetables, Kimchi, milk, cheese/yogurt, fruits, and bread more frequently. Koreans reporting longer residences in the United States reported a greater consumption of pork, bread, and soda.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.8
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• pp.261-265
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• 2017

Purpose: Studies on cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in immunocompetent children are lacking, and minimal information is available in the medical literature on hepatic manifestations and complications of CMV. The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and prognosis of children with CMV hepatitis, and to investigate its prevalence at a single medical center in Korea over a 10-year period. Methods: One hundred thirty-two children diagnosed with CMV infection based on specific markers (anti-CMV IgM, CMV polymerase chain reaction in blood and urine, or CMV culture of urine) were included in the study. Clinical and biochemical characteristics, immunological markers, and outcomes of hepatic CMV infection were determined. Results: The median age of patients (n=132) was 8.5 months (range, 14 days-11.3 years). Peak total bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase levels in serum ranged from 0.11-21.97 mg/dL, and 5-1,517 IU/L, respectively. Alanine aminotransferase remained elevated from 2-48 weeks. Jaundice was the most common clinical feature of hepatic CMV infection during infancy. The hematologic findings revealed anemia, leukocytosis, and monocytosis in CMV-infected patients. All participants recovered without administration of ganciclovir. Conclusion: In children with CMV hepatitis, fever was the most common symptom at presentation, and jaundice was the most common clinical feature of hepatic CMV infection in infants younger than 3 months of age. Hepatic CMV infection in immunocompetent children is often a self-limited illness that does not require antiviral therapy, as most patients in this study had favorable outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.517-524
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• 2012

Purpose: To compare and confirm the impact of prepregnancy body mass index on pregnancy outcome in women with a singleton conceived by assisted reproductive technology and spontaneously conceived pregnancy. Methods: A sample of 165 and 247 pregnant women with and without assisted reproductive technology were retrospectively recruited from electronic medical charts of C hospital. Results: There were significant differences between the two groups for maternal age, paternal age, length of marriage, prepregnancy body mass index, parity, spontaneous abortion experience, and preterm delivery. A prepregnancy body mass index of ${\geq}25$ was associated with higher risk for maternal and neonatal complication in the assisted reproductive technology group. Conclusion: The results indicate that a higher prepregnancy body mass index is associated with increased risks for adverse pregnancy outcomes for women using assisted reproductive technology. So these women need appropriate care to compensate for the risk.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.42-55
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• 1999

The purposes of this study were to understand health-promoting behavior of client visiting health-promoting center, to identify the major subscales affecting performance in health promoting behavior to facilitate nursing intervention for health promoting of this population and to test Pender's Health Promotion Model. The subjects for this study were 177 sampled among clients from health-promoting center in General Hospital at Teajon. Data was collected by self-reported questionnaires from February 11 to May 22, 1998. Analysis of the data was done by frequency, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson Correlation Coefficient, Stepwise multiple regrssion using SPSS-PC. The results of the study were summarized as follows : 1. The mean score of performance in the health-promoting behavior was 109.22 and range was 71 to 170. The subscale of the highest mean score was self-actualization(30.77) and the subscale of the lowest mean score was exercise(10.50). 2. The most important variable in the health promoting behavior was the perceived self-efficacy. The perceived self-efficacy explained 15.8% of the variance in health promoting behavior. The combination of perceived self-efficacy, perceived barriers, religion, perceived benefits, perceived symptom, and age explained 43.5% of the variance in health promoting behavior. 3. In the relationships between individual characteristics and experience and health promoting behavior, age, religion, the significant differences in the subscale of the health promoting behavior ; sex, educational state, previous occupation, monthly income, marrital state, perceived symptom, and visiting plan of health-promoting center. 4. The health promoting behavior was statistically significant correlated with perceived benefits, perceived barriers, affect related to action, and perceived self-efficacy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.156-162
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• 2001

Objective : The purpose of this study is to review our experience with spontaneous thalamic hemorrhage. Clinical outcome of patients was brought about by comparing stereotactic aspiration and conservative medical therapy. Methods : The study consists of seventy-three cases with spontaneous thalamic hemorrhage which were treated from the period of Jan. 1993 to Dec. 1999. Thirty-eighty patients were treated with computed tomography (CT) guided stereotactic aspiration and thirty-five patients were treated conservatively. We compared the factors affecting treatment and the factors are as follows : age & sex, conscious level on admission, hematoma volume, hematoma sites, presence of ventricular penetration. Results : The results in the thirty eight stereotactic aspirated cases for the 6 months from oneset are as follows : good recovery or moderate disability in 43%, severe disability in 32%, vegitative state in 11%, dead in 13% respectively. The clinical result was more favorable in stereotactic aspiration, with 11-30cc hematoma volume, extend to internal capsule of hematoma, poor conscious level on admission than conservative medical therapy. But age & sex, conscious level on admission, presence of ventricular penetration were not influential in the statistical outcome between stereotactic aspiration and conservative medical therapy. Conclusion : Treatment modality of spontaneous thalamic hemorrhage is still controversial. But stereotactic aspiration is more recommended for improvement therapeutic results than conservative treatment or open craniotomy in case of 11-30cc hematoma volume, extend to internal capsule of hematoma and poor conscious level on admission.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.8
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• pp.309-312
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• 2015

Permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus refers to diabetes that occurs before the age of 6 months and persists through life. It is a rare disorder affecting one in 0.2-0.5 million live births. Mutations in the gene KCNJ11, encoding the subunit Kir6.2, and ABCC8, encoding SUR1 of the ATP-sensitive potassium ($K_{ATP}$) channel, are the most common causes of permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus. Sulfonylureas close the $K_{ATP}$ channel and increase insulin secretion. KCNJ11 and ABCC8 mutations have important therapeutic implications because sulfonylurea therapy can be effective in treating patients with mutations in the potassium channel subunits. The mutation type, the presence of neurological features, and the duration of diabetes are known to be the major factors affecting the treatment outcome after switching to sulfonylurea therapy. More than 30 mutations in the KCNJ11 gene have been identified. Here, we present our experience with a patient carrying a novel p.H186D heterozygous mutation in the KCNJ11 gene who was successfully treated with oral sulfonylurea.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.191-194
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• 2007

Objective : Homeless patients probably have epidemiologic features that are different from those of general population. However, there have been no published articles about clinical characteristics of neurosurgical homeless patients. The authors tried to assess the clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of homeless neurosurgical patients. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and radiological films of 76 homeless patients and 72 non-homeless patients following head trauma who were admitted to our neurosurgical department between June 2001 and June 2005. We compared two groups of the patients with the demographics, the clinical and laboratory characteristics. Also, 3D-day mortality was determined according to Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score. Results : Age of homeless patients was younger than that of non-homeless patients. Homeless patients had previous craniotomy evidences in skull x-rays more frequently (10.5% vs. 1.4%). Acute subdural hematoma was the most common type of head injury in the two groups. Moderate and severe head injury, based on GCS score on admission was more frequent in homeless patients (64% vs. 39%). Fifty percent of homeless patients underwent operation for traumatic head injury. However, 3D-day mortality according to GCS score was not significantly higher in homeless patients. Conclusion : Most homeless neurological patients were relatively young men. Also, moderate or severe brain injuries were observed more frequently. However, mortality rate of homeless patients in neurosurgical field is not significantly higher in the present study.