• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.819-832
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify risk factors that influence the probability and severity of elder abuse in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Self-report questionnaires were used to collect data from community-dwelling Koreans, 65 and older (N=416). Logistic regression, negative binomial regression and zero-inflated negative binomial regression model for abuse count data were utilized to determine risk factors for elder abuse. Results: The rate of older adults who experienced any one category of abuse was 32.5%. By zero-inflated negative binomial regression analysis, the experience of verbal-psychological abuse was associated with marital status and family support, while the experience of physical abuse was associated with self-esteem, perceived economic stress and family support. Family support was found to be a salient risk factor of probability of abuse in both verbal-psychological and physical abuse. Self-esteem was found to be a salient risk factor of probability and severity of abuse in physical abuse alone. Conclusion: The findings suggest that tailored prevention and intervention considering both types of elder abuse and target populations might be beneficial for preventative efficiency of elder abuse.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.329-336
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• 2011

The female has previously been shown to be an independent risk factor for mortality and morbidity after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate gender differences of the perioperative outcomes in elderly patients underwent CABG. Data for seventy elderly patients (>70 years) that underwent CABG (between January 2005 and July 2011) were divided into two groups: male patients (n=33, male group) and female patients group (n=37, female group). Heights, body weights, body surface area and coronary artery obstruction rate (right coronary artery territory) in the female group were lower than those of the male group ($P$ <0.05). History of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, congestive heart failure and percutaneous coronary artery intervention in the female group was higher than that of the male group ($P$ <0.05). Total cholesterol and brain natriuretic peptide levels in the female group were higher than those of the male group ($P$ <0.05). Platelet count in the female group was higher than the male group at preoperative (Pre-OP) period ($P$ <0.05). Erythrocyte count, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in the female group were lower than those of the male group at Pre-OP period ($P$ <0.05). But, erythrocyte count, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in the female group were higher than those of the Male group at postoperative (Post-OP) period ($P$ <0.05). Left ventricular ejection fraction in the female group was higher than the male group at Post-OP period ($P$ <0.05). Hospital stay length in the female group was higher than the male group ($P$ <0.05). Post-OP bleeding volume and incidence of ventricular premature contraction in the female group were lower than those of the male group ($P$ <0.05). These results suggest that despite female gender have a greater risk factors and require a longer hospitalization than male, there was no significant difference incidence of mortality and complication.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.17-26
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• 2011

We have developed a wearable device that can convert sensor data into real-time step counts. Sensor data on gait were acquired using a triaxial accelerometer. A test was performed according to a test protocol for different walking speeds, e.g., slow walking, walking, fast walking, slow running, running, and fast running. Each test was carried out for 36 min on a treadmill with the participant wearing an Actical device, and the device developed in this study. The signal vector magnitude (SVM) was used to process the X, Y, and Z values output by the triaxial accelerometer into one representative value. In addition, for accurate step-count detection, we used three algorithms: an heuristic algorithm (HA), the adaptive threshold algorithm (ATA), and the adaptive locking period algorithm (ALPA). The recognition rate of our algorithm was 97.34% better than that of the Actical device(91.74%) by 5.6%.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.291-297
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• 2014

The radioprotective effects of a single administration of kojic acid (KA) against ionizing radiation were evaluated via assessment of 30-day survival and alterations of peripheral blood parameters of adult C57BL/6 male mice. The 30-day survival rate of mice pretreated with KA (75 or 300 mg/kg body weight, KA75 or KA300) subcutaneously 27 h prior to a lethal dose (8 Gy, 153.52 cGy/min) of gamma irradiation was higher than that of mice irradiated alone (40% or 60% vs 0%). It was observed that the white blood cell (WBC) count/the red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin content, haematocrit and platelet count of mice with or without KA pretreatment as exposed to a sub-lethal dose (4 Gy, 148.14 cGy/min) of gamma irradiation decreased maximally at day 4/day 8 post-irradiation. Although the initial WBC values were low in KA300 or WR-2721 (amifostine) groups, they significantly recovered to normal at day 19, whereas in the control group they did not. The results from the cytotoxicity and cell viability assays demonstrated that KA could highly protect Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells against ionizing radiation with low toxicity. In summary, KA provides marked radioprotective effects both in vivo and in vitro.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.10
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• pp.374-379
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• 2015

Purpose: Incomplete Kawasaki disease (KD) is frequently associated with delayed diagnosis and treatment. Delayed diagnosis leads to increasing risk of coronary artery aneurysm. Anterior uveitis is an important ocular signs of KD. The purpose of this study was to assess differences in laboratory findings, including echocardiographic measurements, clinical characteristics such as fever duration and treatment responses between KD patients with and those without uveitis. Methods: We conducted a prospective study with 110 KD patients from January 2008 to June 2013. The study group (n=32, KD with uveitis) was compared with the control group (n=78, KD without uveitis). Laboratory data were obtained from each patient including complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), platelet count, and level of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, serum total protein, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP). Echocardiographic measurements and intravenous immunoglobulin responses were compared between the two groups. Results: The incidence of uveitis was 29.0%. Neutrophil counts and patient age were higher in the uveitis group than in the control group. ESR and CRP level were slightly increased in the uveitis group compared with the control group, but the difference between the two groups was not significant. No significant differences in coronary arterial complication and treatment responses were observed between the two groups. Conclusion: Uveitis is an important ocular sign in the diagnosis of incomplete KD. It is significantly associated with patient age and neutrophil count.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.370-377
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• 2015

This study attempted to examine the impact of musculoskeletal pain on pedestrian crossing using a sample that consisted of 282 aged people. The research method involved an examination of the musculoskeletal pain of the elderly using a musculoskeletal questionnaire. The subjects were also told to walk across four- and six-lane pedestrian crossings while their gait velocity, step count, and step time were measured. The research results for pain by body regions indicated that waist pain had the highest complaint rate(33.3%). When there was musculoskeletal pain in the waist and leg/foot, gait velocity also decreased and step count and step time increased. However, usage of a cane turned out to have a positive impact on pedestrian crossing. Nevertheless, no significant relationship between waist and leg/foot pain and pedestrian crossing characteristics was found. We expect there will be continuous further studies on the subject of diverse physical problems of the aged and pedestrian crossing.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.187-191
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• 1998

Aplastic anemia is a disease characterized by general lack of bone marrow activity; It may affect not only the red blood cells but also the white blood cells and platelets, resulting in pancytopenia. Spontaneous gingival hemorrhage is present in some cases and it is related to the blood platelet deficiency. This case report presents the periodontal treatment of a patient with aplastic anemia. A 43-year-old female was referred for continuous gingival bleeding after periodontal treatment. Periodontal findings revealed generalized gingival imflammation, oozing of blood from gingival crevice, and it was diagnosed as adult periodontitis. Root planing and extraction of the upper left third molar with poor prognosis were put into operation after elevation of the platelet count with platelet transfusion. The extraction socket was sutured with 3-0 silk. Bleeding continued even after digital compression at the upper right second premolar, second molar, and left canine areas, which presented severe inflammation. Although platelets were transfused repeatedly, platelet count did not stay elevated since survival rate of the transfused platelets were low due to alloimmunization. Thrombin gauze packing was not effective. Bleeding ceased 3 days after treatment with transfusion of donor platelets. 20 days after the treatment, the gingiva was generally healthy except upper right second premolar and lateral incisor areas. The result of periodontal treatment was good, but bleeding control after treatment was troublesome. In the periodontal treatment of patient with aplastic anemia, elevation of the platelet count with platelet transfusion seems to be the best method for hemorrhage control.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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• v.38B no.6
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• pp.446-453
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• 2013

Clustering schemes have been adopted as an efficient solution to prolong network lifetime and improve network scalability. In such clustering schemes cluster ratio is represented by the rate of the number of cluster heads and the number of total nodes, and affects the performance of clustering schemes. In this paper, we mathematically analyze an optimal clustering ratio in wireless sensor networks. We consider a multi-hop to one-hop transmission case and aim to provide the optimal cluster ratio to minimize the system hop-count and maximize packet reception ratio between nodes. We examine its performance through a set of simulations. The simulation results show that the proposed optimal cluster ratio effectively reduce transmission count and enhance energy efficiency in wireless sensor networks.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.123-127
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• 2011

Purpose: Kawasaki disease (KD) is the main cause of acquired heart disease in children. In addition to cardiovascular involvement, many complications have been recognized in KD. However, respiratory complications have been rarely reported. We investigated the differences in clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, radiography findings, and echocardiography findings of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and other types of pneumonia in KD patients. Methods: Among 358 patients with KD, 54 developed concurrent pneumonia. Among the 54 patients, 12 (22.2%) with high titers of anti-M. pneumoniae antibody (AMA) (>1:640) were grouped in the M. pneumoniae group and 42 were included in the control group. Serum AMA was measured in each patient. Clinical laboratory findings and total duration of fever were analyzed. Results: The duration of fever, serum hemoglobin, white blood cell count, platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level, albumin level, and the incidence of coronary arterial lesions showed no statistical difference in the 2 groups. Neutrophil count was significantly higher in the M. pneumoniae group than in the control group. Among various radiography findings observed in pneumonia, consolidation and pleural effusion were more frequent in the M. pneumoniae group than in the control group. On the other hand, parahilar peribronchial opacification, diffuse interstitial lesion, and normal findings prevailed in the control group. Conclusion: KD patients can have concurrent infections, especially pulmonary symptoms. The cause of KD is likely to be associated with M. pneumoniae infection. Thus, immediate treatment of M. pneumoniae infection in KD patients is very important.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.179-183
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• 2007

This study was carried out to evaluate water quality based on physicochemical properties, including ammonium nitrogen ($NH_3-N^+$), nitrate nitrogen ($NO_3-N^-$), consumption of $KMnO_4$ and microbial indicators, such as total colony counts and total surveyed a group of 30 samples three times in 2005 (January to March, July to September, October to December). The mean concentration values of ammonium nitrogen ($NH_3-N^+$), nitrate nitrogen ($NO_3-N^-$) and the consumption of $KMnO_4$, were 0.01 mg/L (range 0.00~0.09 mg/L), 0.48 mg/L (range 0.00~3.31 mg/L) and 0.61 mg/L (0.0~3.42 mg/L), respectively. Based on the results, total colony count was detected in the ranges of 0~412 CFU/mL. In details, 84.4% of test samples was ${\leq}30CFU/mL$, 10.0% was 30~100 CFU/mL and 5.6% was ${\geq}100CFU/mL$. The detected rate of total coliforms was 6.6%. In conclusion, the ground water quality of 30 military facilities in Seoul, Kyunggi-do, and Inchon-city was acceptable for drinking except for a few detection of total colony count and total coliforms over standard.