• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.265-270
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• 2017

Background: Endotracheal intubation during anesthesia induction may increase airway resistance ($R_{aw}$) and decrease dynamic lung compliance ($C_{dyn}$). We hypothesized that prophylactic treatment with a transdermal ${\beta}2$-agonist tulobuterol patch (TP) would help to reduce the risk of bronchospasm after placement of the endotracheal tube. Methods: Eighty-two American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) category I or II adult patients showing obstructive patterns were divided randomly into a control and a TP group (n = 41 each). The night before surgery, a 2-mg TP was applied to patients in the TP group. Standard monitors were recorded, and target controlled infusion (TCI) with propofol and remifentanil was used for anesthesia induction and maintenance. Simultaneously, end-tidal carbon dioxide, $R_{aw}$, and $C_{dyn}$ were determined at 5, 10, and 15 min intervals after endotracheal intubation. Results: There was no significant difference in demographic data between the two groups. The TP group was associated with a lower $R_{aw}$ and a higher $C_{dyn}$, as compared to the control group. $R_{aw}$ was significantly lower at 10 min (P < 0.05) and 15 min (P < 0.01), and $C_{dyn}$ was significantly higher at 5 min (P < 0.05) and 15 min (P < 0.01) in the TP group. A trend towards a lower $R_{aw}$ was observed showing a statistically significant difference 5 min after endotracheal intubation (P < 0.01) in each group. Conclusions: Prophylactic treatment with TP showed a bronchodilatory effect through suppressing an increase in $R_{aw}$ and a decrease in $C_{dyn}$ after anesthesia induction without severe adverse effects.

• The Journal of Society for e-Business Studies
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.13-32
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• 2018

Btcoin has made a big progress through anonymity, decentralized authority, sharing economy, multi-ledger book-keeping, block-technology and the convenient financial vehicle. Bitcoin has the characteristics of mining and supply by decentralized suppliers, limited supply quantity and the partial money-like function as well as gold. The paper studies the hedge and safe-haven of Bitcoin and gold on daily frequency data over the period of July 20, 2010-Dec. 27, 2017 employing Asymmetric Vector GARCH. It finds that gold has the hedge and safe-haven against inflation and capital markets while Bitcoin has the weak hedge and the weak safe-haven. It shows insignificant effects of inflations of US and Korea on the volatilities of Bitcoin and gold. It also suggests the necessity of clearing of vagueness behind the anonymity for fair and transparent trade through the law application in the absence or fault in law (Lucken im Recht). following the spirit of the living constitution (lebendige gutes Recht oder Vorschrift). The relevant institutions are hoped to be given some of obligations such as registration, minimum required capital. report, disclosure, explanation, compliance and governance with autonomous corresponding rights. The study also suggests the reestablishment of the relevant financial law and taxation law. The hedge would not be successfully accomplished without the vigilant cautions of investors.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.82 no.4
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• pp.306-310
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• 2019

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is increasing in immigrants. We aimed to investigate the current status of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment for North Korean Refugees (NKR) compared to South Koreans Contacts (SKC). Methods: TB close contacts in a closed facility of SKC and NKR who underwent LTBI screening in a settlement support center for NKR were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Among tuberculin skin test (TST) ${\geq}10mm$ (n=298) reactors, the males accounted for 72.2% in SKC (n=126) and 19.5% in NKR (n=172) (p<0.01). The mean age was higher in South Korea ($42.8{\pm}9.9years$ vs. $35.4{\pm}10.0years$, p<0.01). Additionally, the mean TST size was significantly bigger in NKR ($17.39{\pm}3.9mm$ vs. $16.57{\pm}4.2mm$, p=0.03). The LTBI treatments were initiated for all screened NKR, and LTBI completion rate was only 68.0%. However, in NKR, LTBI treatment completion rate was significantly increased by shorter 4R regimen (odds ratio [OR], 9.296; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.159-20.774; p<0.01) and male (OR, 3.447; 95% CI, 1.191-9.974; p=0.02). Conclusion: LTBI treatment compliance must be improved in NKR with a shorter regimen. In addition, a larger study regarding a focus on LTBI with easy access to related data for NKR should be conducted.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.535-546
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• 2019

The purpose of this research was to analyze the relationship between human risk factors and evacuation behavior stages for tunnel safety. Therefore, we conducted a survey using a structured questionnaire on the relationship between safety facilities and safety behavior in order to derive an optimized interaction between the two. The research subjects were 141 tunnel users who understand the tunnel environment. The survey period was from June 24, 2018, to September 28, 2018. As data analysis methods, we employed a frequency analysis, a multiple regression analysis, and an independent-sample t-test. In the analysis of the correlation between the human risk factors and the major variables of evacuation behavior, the evacuation phases 1, 2, and 3 were all correlated with acceleration and delay, and the human risk factors were partially correlated. In the multiple regression analysis, the will to comply with laws (${\beta}=0.188$, p=0.034) and information recognition within the tunnel (${\beta}=0.220$, p=0.009) were factors that influence the relationship between human risk factors and evacuation behavior, indicating 12% explanatory power of the impact of human risk factors for the acceleration of evacuation behavior 3. The important variables between human risk factors and evacuation behavior were compliance with laws and information recognition in tunnels. Hence, it is necessary to study the elements that interact with the environment in the tunnel.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.37-43
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• 2020

Phenylketonuria is the most prevalent disorder caused by an inborn error in aminoacid metabolism. It results from mutations in the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene. If untreated or late treated, results in profound and irreversible mental disability. Newborn screening test identify patients with phenylketouria. The early initiation of a phenylalanine restricted diet very soon prevents most of the neuropsychiatric complications. However, the diet therapy is difficult to maintain and compliance is poor, especially in adolescents and adulthood. Since 2015, American Medical College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) recommended more strong restrictive diet therapy for target blood level of phenylalanine (<360 umol/L). For over four decades the only treatment was a very restrictive low phenylalanine diet. This changed in 2007 with the approval of cofactor therapy (Tetrahydrobiopterin, BH4) which is effective in up to 30% of patients. Data from controlled clinical trials with sapropterin dihydrochloride indicate a similar occurrence of all-cause adverse events with this treatment and placebo. Large neutral aminoacids (LNAA) competes with phenylalanine for transport across the blood-brain-barrier and have a beneficial effect on executive functioning. A new therapy has just been approved that can be effective in most patients with PAH deficiency regardless of their degree of enzyme deficiency or the severity of their phenotype. Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL-PEG) was approved in the USA by FDA in May of 2018 for adult patients with uncontrolled blood phenylalanine concentrations on current treatment. Nucleic acid therapy (therapeutic mRNA or gene therapy) is likely to provide longer term solutions with few side effects.

• Journal of Apiculture
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.253-259
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• 2017

Propolis, natural antibacterial agent, which has been used traditional medicine across the globe, is resinous mixture to include abundant bioactive substances. In present study, we investigated antimicrobial activity according to quality characteristics of propolis collected from 9 different regions in Korea. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by measuring growth inhibition zone using agar well diffusion method against Streptococcus mutans. Constituents analysis of propolis samples were measured through total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents and quantitative analysis of major compound (pinocembrin) by ultra performance liquid chromatography. As a result, 9 different propolis (10mg/mL) and pinocembrin (1mg/mL) showed antimicrobial activity that has growth inhibition zone more than 11.9mm on S. mutans. The total flavonoid contents of 8 different propolis excluding Jeju island were in compliance with standard of health functional food in Korea and were found to affect antimicrobial activity on S. mutans when contained over 10mg/g. In addition, when content of pinocembrin in propolis was ranged from 12mg/g to 32mg/g, each propolis excluding Jeju island exhibited antimicrobial activity alike. These results indicate that pinocembrin plays a important role for antimicrobial activity of propolis collected from 8 different regions in Korea, and that it can be used as basic data for standardization of Korean propolis.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.262-273
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• 2020

A fluorine content analysis method for krill oils, which is a representative oil formulation in foods, was developed in compliance with the Korea Food and Drug Ministry's "Guidelines for Validation of Testing Methods Related to Food". Using this method for krill oils, the presence of impurities was evaluated via combustion-ion chromatography (C-IC). A review of published technical data on fluorine in krill oils showed that while the traditional wet potentiometric method was typically used, it was not reliable. Moreover, there was no food testing/analysis laboratory in Korea to perform a fluorine test analysis on such an oil matrix. Therefore, we identified halogen (fluorine) tests, developed to national and international standards, and developed a test method suitable for krill oils by selecting a C-IC method that is sufficiently applicable to the oil matrix. Based on the characteristics of the oil matrix, the optimal test method was established through various experiments by reviewing the concerns related to loss and interference in the preparation and introduction of samples. The fluorine content test was carried out on 11 krill oil products that were purchased online. Most products (with the exception of only one) were found to contain less than the reporting limit obtained by the test method. Furthermore, after additional testing, a high fluorine content of approximately 2,000 ~ 3,000 mg/kg was detected on the krill surface, although the concentration varied depending on the area of the krill. A comparison with samples from two ISO/IEC 17025 testing laboratories confirmed that there was no significant difference in the statistical analysis results obtained by ANOVA among the three laboratories. A testing guide for fluorine content analysis was completed.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.281-288
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• 2021

This study was conducted to analyze and compare the concentrations of heavy metals in 430 different products of 20 types of herbal medicines available in the domestic market in Korea by Graphite Furnace-Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GF-AAS) and automated mercury analyzer. The accuracy for lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) was in the range 92.67-102.56%, and the precision was 0.21-6.00 relative standard deviation (RSD%), which was in compliance with the Codex acceptable range. Furthermore, the Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme (FAPAS) quality control (QC) material showed a recovery range of 96.7-102.0% and 0.33-4.93 RSD%. The average contents (㎍/kg) of Pb, As, Cd, and Hg in herbal medicines were 254.9 (not detected (N.D.)-2,515.2), 171.0 (N.D.-2,465.2), 99.2 (N.D.-797.1), and 6.0 (N.D.-83.6), respectively. Based on the quantitative analysis results, the heavy metal contents of 20 types of herbal medicines distributed in Korea are within the acceptable range according to the standards issued by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). By using the manufacturer of herbal products as the standard for QC, the Pb, As, Cd, and Hg contents were investigated in the packaging process just before distribution to determine the actual conditions of residual heavy metals in herbal medicines. Thus, these result may contribute to monitoring the QC of herbal medicines distributed in Korea and could provide basic data for supplying safe herbal medicines to the public.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.73-82
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aims to examine the quality of tuberculosis (TB) care after the 1st to 3rd national quality assessment (QA) program for TB healthcare service in Korea was conducted. Methods: We analyzed Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) claims data of new TB patients during the period of January to June from 2018-2020. The new TB patients were defined as TB patients reported to Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KCDA). The unit of analysis was the patient. Chi-square tests were used to analyze the differences in indicator value according to the types of medical facilities. The QA indicators of TB care were divided into 3 areas consisting of the following 7 quality indicators: 4 indicators of diagnosis test (the rate of acid-fast bacilli smear, the rate of acid-fast bacilli culture, the rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-polymerase chain reaction, drug susceptibility test), 1 compliance of treatment guideline, and 2 indicators of care management of TB patients (encounter rate, day of therapy). Results: The QA program for TB care was conducted among 8,246 patients from 534 facilities in 2020. The value of the 7 quality indicators was shown to increase as a result of the QA program. The indicators of the diagnostic test were all higher than 95%, with the exception of the drug susceptibility test which was 84.8%. Both indicators for care management of TB patients were 88.5%. Conclusion: The quality of TB care has been improving with the implementation of the QA program. In order to continue to improve the quality of TB care, it will be necessary to disclose the results of the QA program in medical facilities in the future.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.69-80
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• 2022

Purpose: To identify research trends in the Journal of Muscle and Joint Health. Methods: In total, 315 studies published between 2008 and 2020 in the Journal of Muscle and Joint Health were reviewed using analysis criteria developed by the authors Results: Most participants were adults or older adults, they mostly had arthritis. The types of research design were descriptive research (46.4%), quasi-experimental design (21.9%), randomized controlled trial (1.9%), and qualitative research (4.1%). The occupation of most authors was professor in universities (61.0%). Data were collected mostly in hospitals (41.6%) or communities (24.4%) using a questionnaire (52.4%). Written consent was obtained at 75.6% and 47.9% of studies were approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The instruments measuring physical concepts such as pain, flexibility, sense of balance and fatigue were mostly used. The most common interventions in experimental studies were physical interventions, with the main being exercise. Key words were categorized into four nursing meta-paradigms: human, health, environment and nursing. The most frequently reported key words were included in the health domain. The most frequently used key words were physical intervention, older patient, osteoarthritis, pain and depression. Conclusion: The results suggest that more research studies targeting various age groups related to muscle and joint health are required. Additionally there is a need to increase the number of qualitative studies, randomized experimental studies, and systematic review studies. It is necessary to pay attention to compliance with research ethics publication regulations.