• Journal of Korean Academic Society of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.18-22
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• 2007

Purpose: The rapid change to an aging society generates an increase in the incidence of chronic diseases. Many chronic patients have been facing their illnesses without enough preparation. In order to solve these problems, we designed and tested a public healthcare service based on ubiquitous technology. Method: Telemedicine has emerged as new medical care system of chronic disease. However, public potential of its technology is difficult to know under current traditional health care system. In this work, we developed a Personal Digital Access (PDA) phone based healthcare system by trained visiting nurses for elderly patients. A field test was performed by SeongBuk Public Health Center in Seoul, Republic of Korea (ROK). Result: Surveys were generated to assess the effects of this system compared to conventional public health system. Findings of trials demonstrate that healthcare coordination enhanced by PDA phone technology is satisfactory to the patients and nurses compared to previous one because prompt responses arouse their recognition of health. Conclusion: Ubiquitous healthcare system applied to public health service proved to be efficient and time-saving to monitor and control the chronic illnesses of large population.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.408-424
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• 2023

Central post-stroke pain (CPSP) is an incapacitating disorder that impacts a substantial proportion of stroke survivors and can diminish their quality of life. Conventional therapies for CPSP, including tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and opioids, are frequently ineffective, necessitating the investigation of alternative therapeutic strategies. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is now recognized as a promising noninvasive pain management method for CPSP. rTMS modulates neural activity through the administration of magnetic pulses to specific cortical regions. Trials analyzing the effects of rTMS on CPSP have generated various outcomes, but the evidence suggests possible analgesic benefits. In CPSP and other neuropathic pain conditions, high-frequency rTMS targeting the primary motor cortex (M1) with figure-eight coils has demonstrated significant pain alleviation. Due to its associaton with analgesic benefits, M1 is the most frequently targeted area. The duration and frequency of rTMS sessions, as well as the stimulation intensity, have been studied in an effort to optimize treatment outcomes. The short-term pain relief effects of rTMS have been observed, but the long-term effects (> 3 months) require further investigation. Aspects such as stimulation frequency, location, and treatment period can influence the efficacy of rTMS and ought to be considered while planning the procedure. Standardized guidelines for using rTMS in CPSP would optimize therapy protocols and improve patient outcomes. This review article provides an up-to-date overview of the incidence, clinical characteristics, outcome of rTMS in CPSP patients, and future perspective in the field.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.243-247
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• 2023

This study examined the dermatophytes of calves aged between 6 and 12 months in the Hanwoo calf auction market. Moreover, the research analyzed how dermatophytosis affected the auction price of Hanwoo calves based on their sex and age. The incidence rate of dermatophytosis was found to be 85 cases out of 1,955 calves (4.3%). The major location of dermatophytosis lesions were in the head region. Specifically, the highest prevalence was observed in the forehead (42.4%), followed by the eyes (30.1%), and the ears (18.8%). The auction prices of Hanwoo calves were observed that the average price for normal calves was 2,936,428 won, while calves with dermatophytosis were sold at 2,767,059 won. Comparing auction prices according to gender and age, it was observed that male calves and calves aged between 8 and 12 months had significantly lower auction prices compared to normal calves. The results provided valuable insights into the current situation of dermatophytosis in Hanwoo calves. Moreover, analyzing the impact of dermatophytosis on the auction prices of these calves, it has generated essential data that can serve as a foundation for implementing and enhancing ongoing management and prevention measures for dermatophytosis in cattle.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.338-347
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• 2022

Purpose: The incidence of high-risk pregnancies is increasing in Korea as the birth age increases due to late marriage. Maternal-fetal attachment is an important factor that affects children even after childbirth, but it is difficult for high-risk pregnant women to form maternal-fetal attachment. The current study aimed to explore whether taegyo practice (i.e., pregnant women's efforts for fetal good growth and development), self-esteem, and social support influenced the degree of maternal-fetal attachment in women with high-risk pregnancies. Methods: The participants included 226 pregnant Korean women at ≥20 gestational weeks, hospitalized with 15 high-risk pregnancy conditions as defined by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Recruitment via convenience sampling was done at four sites in Busan, Korea. Surveys were distributed and collected from February 1 to 28, 2022. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, the t-test, one-factor analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression. Results: On average, participants were 33.97±4.23 years of age and at 31.65±6.23 gestational weeks. Preterm labor (35.4%) and gestational diabetes (21.0%) were the most common high-risk conditions. Maternal-fetal attachment was positively correlated with taegyo practice (r=.70, p<.001), self-esteem (r=.53, p<.001), and social support (r=.53, p<.001), all with statistical significance. Taegyo practice (β=.50, p<.001) and social support (β=.17, p=.030) explained 53% of variance in maternal-fetal attachment in women with high-risk pregnancies. Conclusion: Nurses caring for women with high-risk pregnancies during hospitalization can use these findings by promoting taegyo practice and enhancing social support to increase maternal-fetal attachment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.130-137
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• 2022

Objective : COVID-19 has spread worldwide since the first case was reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Our institution is a regional trauma and emergency center in the northern Gyeonggi Province. The changing trend of patient care in the emergency room of this hospital likely reflects the overall trend of patients in the area. In the present study, whether changes in the surrounding social environment following the outbreak of COVID-19 changed the incidence of neurosurgical emergency patients and whether differences in practice existed were investigated. Methods : The overall trend was analyzed from January 2020 which is before the outbreak of COVID-19 to September 2020. To remove bias due to seasonal variation, the previous 2 year's records during the same period were reviewed and compared. Confirmed COVID-19 patients in the northern Gyeonggi Province were identified using data released by the government. And patients who came to the emergency department with head trauma and stroke were identified. Results : Based on the present study results, the total number of neurosurgery emergency patients decreased over the study period. In the trauma patient group, the number of patients not involved in traffic accidents significantly decreased compared with patients involved in traffic accidents. Among the stroke cases, the rate of ischemic stroke was lower than hemorrhagic stroke, although a statistically significant difference was not observed. Meanwhile, an increase in the risk of mortality associated with trauma or stroke cases was not observed during the COVID-19 outbreak compared with the same time period in the previous year. Conclusion : Due to the occurrence of COVID-19, non-essential activities have decreased and trauma cases not associated with traffic accidents appeared to decrease. Due to the decrease in overall activity, the number of stroke patients has also decreased. This trend is expected to continue even in the post-COVID-19 era, and accordingly, the results from the present study are relevant especially if the current situation continues.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2020.12a
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• pp.64-64
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• 2020

Bakanae disease, caused by several Fusarium species, imposes serious limitations to the productivity of rice across the globe. The incidence of this disease has been shown to increase, particularly in major rice-growing countries. Thus, the use of high resistant rice cultivars offers a comparative advantage, such as being cost effective, and could be preferred to the use of fungicides. In this research, we used a tropical japonica rice variety, Zenith, a bakanae disease resistant line selected as donor parent. A RIL population (F_8:9) composed of 180 lines generated from a cross between Ilpum and Zenith was used. In primary mapping, a QTL was detected on the short arm of chromosome 1, covering about 3.5 Mb region flanked by RM1331 and RM3530 markers. The resistance QTL, qBK1^Z, explained about 30.93% of the total phenotype variation (PVE, logarith of the odds (LOD) of 13.43). Location of qBK1^Z was further narrowed down to 730 kb through fine mapping using additional RM markers, including those previously reported and developed by Sid markers. Furthermore, there is a growing need to improving resistance to bakanae disease and promoting breeding efficiency using MAS from qBK1^Z region. The new QTL, qBK1^Z, developed by the current study is expected to be used as foundation to promoting breeding efficiency with an enhanced resistance against bakanae disease. Moreover, this study provides useful information for developing resistant rice lines carrying single or multiple major QTLs using gene pyramiding approach and marker-assisted breeding.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.17-30
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: To evaluate the impact of smoking in young adults on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the clustering effect of behavioral risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and depression. Methods: A Korean nationwide population-based cohort of a total of 3,280,826 participants aged 20-39 years old who underwent 2 consecutive health examinations were included. They were followed up until the date of CVD (myocardial infarction [MI] or stroke), or December 2018 (median, 6 years). Results: Current smoking, early age of smoking initiation, and smoking intensity were associated with an increased risk of CVD incidence. Even after quitting smoking, the risk of MI was still high in quitters compared with non-smokers. Cigarette smoking, obesity, and depression were independently associated with a 1.3-1.7 times increased risk of CVD, and clustering of 2 or more of these behavioral risk factors was associated with a 2-3 times increased risk of CVD in young adults. Conclusions: In young adults, cigarette smoking was associated with the risk of CVD, and the clustering of 2 or more behavioral risk factors showed an additive risk of CVD.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.301-313
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• 2024

Objective: The current body of evidence lacks clarity regarding the comparative efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) as minimally invasive treatments for benign thyroid nodules. The primary objective of this study is to clarify these concerns. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted using the Cochrane Library, Scopus, Europe PMC, and Medline databases until October 10th, 2023, using a combination of relevant keywords. This study incorporated literature that compared RFA and MWA for benign thyroid nodules. The primary outcome was the volume reduction ratio (VRR) from baseline to follow-up. Secondary outcomes were symptom score, cosmetic score, ablation time, major complications rate, hemorrhage, hoarseness, skin burn, cough, and sympathetic nerve injury. We used Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies - of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. We employed random effects models to analyze the standardized mean difference (SMD) and odds ratio for the presentation of outcomes. Results: Nine studies with 2707 nodules were included. The results of our meta-analysis indicated similar efficacy between RFA and MWA in terms of VRR during the 1 (SMD 0.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.13 to 0.26; P = 0.52) and 3 (SMD 0.11; 95% CI: -0.03 to 0.25; P = 0.12) months of follow-up. VRR was significantly higher in RFA than in MWA at the 6 (SMD 0.25; 95% CI: 0.06-0.43; P = 0.008) and 12 month of follow-up (SMD 0.38; 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.59; P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between RFA and MWA in symptom scores, cosmetic scores, or the incidence of complications, including hemorrhage, hoarseness, skin burn, cough, and sympathetic nerve injury. Conclusion: RFA showed a higher VRR than MWA at 6 and 12-month follow-ups, with a comparable safety profile.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.4_spc
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• pp.730-741
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• 2024

Pig production is one of the viable enterprises of the livestock sub-sector of agriculture. It contributes significantly to the economy and animal protein supply to enhance food security in Africa and globally. This article explored the present status of pig production in Africa, the challenges, prospects and potentials. The pig population of Africa represents 4.6% of the global pig population. They are widely distributed across Africa except in Northern Africa where pig production is not popular due to religio-cultural reasons. They are mostly reared in rural parts of Africa by smallholder farmers, informing why majority of the pig population in most parts of Africa are indigenous breeds and their crosses. Pig plays important roles in the sustenance of livelihood in the rural communities and have cultural and social significance. The pig production system in Africa is predominantly traditional, but rapidly growing and transforming into the modern system. The annual pork production in Africa has grown from less than a million tonnes in year 2000 to over 2 million tonnes in 2021. Incidence of disease outbreak, especially African swine fever is one of the main constraints affecting pig production in Africa. Others are lack of skills and technical know-how, high ambient temperature, limited access to high-quality breeds, high cost of feed ingredients and veterinary inputs, unfriendly government policies, religious and cultural bias, inadequate processing facilities as well as under-developed value-chain. The projected human population of 2.5 billion in Africa by 2050, increasing urbanization and decreasing farming population are pointers to the need for increased food production. The production systems of pigs in Africa requires developmental research, improvements in housing, feed production and manufacturing, animal health, processing, capacity building and pig friendly policies for improved productivity and facilitation of export.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.5107-5110
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• 2014

Background: The incidence rate of thyroid cancer has been increasing worldwide in recent years, and it is also the most prevalent cancer when it comes to the number of patients among Korean women. With it, ultrasonographic screening test has also become very common. However, there is still controversy over the performance of this screening test. Therefore, the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA) organized a Round-table Conference on the issues regarding ultrasonographic screening for thyroid cancer in Korea. The objective of the conference was mainly about delivering worthwhile information reflecting social value for the current situation, which was based on evidence surrounding thyroid cancer screening that relevant experts investigated and agreed on. The significance of this Round-table Conference lies in the fact that we reviewed the current evidence, and we were able to discuss the social value and future direction for ultrasonographic screening in Korea.