• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to reveal the circumstances under which the cases of harm to health caused by humidifier disinfectant were neglected and show the points where the number of victims and the degree of damage could have been reduced. In addition, it attempts to describe how damage management proceeded immediately after the incident and actually exacerbated the damage. Finally, it explores the unfortunate aspects of the recent trial. By doing so, it attempts to take this as an opportunity to consider whether a tragic event such as the humidifier disinfectant incident could occur in the future. Methods: This study collected and analyzed data on chemical material characteristics related to humidifier disinfectants, data on health effect characteristics, data on related laws and regulations from the Ministry of Environment, data related to the damage investigation by the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute, and current contents. Results: The lack of related systems and laws is the area where the greatest responsibility for the cause of the humidifier disinfectant disaster falls, so it is difficult for the government to escape this responsibility. Establishing a dedicated department to identify the prevalence of certain diseases within the functions of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service to monitor health can greatly contribute to the prevention and management of diseases through early detection and management of group outbreaks caused by harmful factors. Humidifier disinfectant damage relief should have been expanded earlier beyond HDLI (humidifier disinfectant lung injury) to include non-specific diseases such as asthma, pneumonia, and interstitial pneumonia. The scope of relief benefits should have also been expanded earlier to include the payment of disability benefits. Fortunately, with the 2020 revision of the Special Act, the conditions for estimating causal relations were eased and individual screening systems such as health impact assessment were reorganized along with the introduction of a rapid screening system. Conclusions: The management system for chemical substances in a country is clearly of paramount importance, and the ministry in charge must have a response system in case of damage to health effects. Administration that looks at the victims' situation from their point of view is needed, and technical countermeasures are required to quickly recognize the prevalence of certain diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.32-44
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• 2002

Gu-Chang is a disorder characterized by recurring ulcers confined to the oral mucosa. Despite much clinical and research attention, the causes remain poorly understood. In this paper, we will compare Gu-Chang with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis(RAS) in order to know what is the similiarity between Gu-Chang and RAS. So we will arrange various oriental and western medical literatures which are important. As a result of arrangement of the causes, symptoms and therapys of Gu-Chang, we can conclude through the studies as follows. 1. The etiologies of Gu-chang are following. In the Sthenia syndrome, there are evil heat of external factor, heat of heart and spleen, insomnia, heat of upper warmer, stress and diet, heat of lung and heart, excessive heat of upper warmer, inappropriate food intake, heat conveyance of organ, heat of stomach merdian, moistured heat of spleen and stomach and stasis of liver energy. In the Asthenia syndrome, there are deficiency of stomach energy, deficiency of upper warmer leading to heat, deficiency of middle warmer leading to cold, deficiency of lower warmer leading to heat, deficiency of middle energy, deficiency of blood, decreased fire and deficiency of soil, yin fire of lower warmer, deficiency of heart yin, deficiency of spleen yin and deficiency of qi and blood. 2. In western medicine the causes of RAS is presumed as local, microbial, systemic, nutritional, genetic, immunologic factors. 3. Once Gu-chang is compared with RAS, in the deficiency of yin leading to hyperactivity of fire, deficiency of yin leading to floating of fire and stasis of liver energy, recurring of Gu-chang is similar to RAS. Although recurring of Gu-chang due to tripple warmer of excessive fire has no recurrance, since there are the degree of Pain, site of lesion, dysphagia etc, it is similar to major RAS. It is may be believed that Sthenia Gu-chang is similar to major RAS, shape of recurring, site of lesion, degrree of Pain and white color of Asthenia Gu-chang are similar to minor RAS, but there is no similarity concerning herpes RAS in the literatures that describe the symptoms. 4. Generally, the treatment of Gu-chang is divided into Asthenia and Sthenia Syndrome. The method of cure to Sthenia syndrome is heat cleaning and purge fire, Asthenia syndrome is nourish yin to lower and adverse rising energy and strength the middle warmer and benefit vital energy. 5. Following is the medication for Sthenia syndrome. Heat of heart and spleen is Do Jok San, Yang Gyek San, Juk Yup Suk Go Tang, evil heat of external factor is Yang Gyek San Ga Gam, Stasis of liver energy is Chong Wi Fae Dok Yum, moistured heat of spleen and stomach is Chong Gi Sam Syep Tang. The medication for Asthenia Syndrome is following. Deficiency of upper warmer leading to heat is Bo Jung Ik Gi Tang, deficiency of middle warmer leading to cold is Bu Ja Lee Jung Tang, deficiency of lower warmer leading to heat is Yuk Mi Ji Hwang Tang, deficiency of yin leading to hyperactivity of fire is Ji Baek Ji Hwang Hwan, deficiency of yin leading to floating of fire is Lee Jung Tang Ga Bu Ja Medicine for external use were Yang Suk San, Boo Wyen San, Rok Po San, Yoo Hwa San ate. 6. In western medicine, there is no specific treatment for RAS, and management strategies depend on dinical presentation and symptoms and includes antibiotics, oral rinses, glucocorticoids, immunomodulatory drugs, vitamines, analgesics, laser and antiviral agents.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.406-414
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• 2011

Thermally induced bone necrosis during implant surgery is a rare phenomenon and a potential contributing factor to implant failure. The frictional heat generated at the time of surgery causes a certain degree of necrosis of the surrounding differentiated and undifferentiated cells. The bone necrosis occurred in the mandible in all three cases, leading to a soft tissue lesion and pain. In each case, radiolucent areas appeared in the middle and apical portions of the implant 4 weeks after surgery. Thermally induced bone necrosis did not improve following systemic antibiotic medication, necessitating surgical treatment. The nonintegrated implants were removed, and meticulous debridement of dead bone and granulation tissue was performed. Then, new implants were implanted along with the placement of autogenous and xenogenic bone covered with a collagen membrane. No further complications occurred after re-operation. The radiolucencies around the new implants gradually resolved entirely, and the soft tissue lesions healed successfully. At 4-5 months after reoperation, implant loading was initiated and the implant-supported restorations have been functioning. The aim of this case report is to present the successful clinical treatment of three cases suspected to be caused by thermally induced bone necrosis after implant drilling.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.557-564
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• 2021

Background: Conscious sedation is a useful adjunct in the treatment of patients in dentistry; however, a lack of knowledge among the dental profession regarding sedation is a restricting factor in the practice of dental sedation. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the knowledge and practice of sedation in dentistry among dental professionals in Tanzania. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted for five months targeting all practicing dental professionals in Tanzania. A modified questionnaire contained 14 questions regarding knowledge about sedative agents and a section on the practice of sedation. The data obtained from this study were coded and entered into a computer program and analyzed using SPSS software version 23.0. The data are presented as frequencies and percentages in tables and charts. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The age range of participants was between 24 and 63 years (mean 36.6 ± 7.7 years). There were 107 men (78.1%), and the male-to-female ratio was 3.6:1. The majority (76.6%) of participants only had an undergraduate dental degree. Thirty-one percent of participants only worked in publicly owned health facilities. Slightly more than half (59.9%) of participants had satisfactory knowledge regarding sedation in dentistry. There was no statistically significant association between the level of sedation-related knowledge and the demographic characteristics of the participants. Only 21.9% reported using sedation in their practice, and the most commonly used sedative drug was diazepam. The reasons for not using dental sedation in clinical practice included a perceived lack of knowledge on sedation, lack of equipment, and cost. Conclusion: Most dental professionals in Tanzania have basic knowledge of sedation in dentistry, although knowledge regarding sedative agents is generally low. The practice of sedation in dentistry in Tanzania is very low compared to that in middle- and high-income countries. Inadequate knowledge, lack of equipment, and the cost of practicing sedation are the main reasons for not practicing sedation.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.296-310
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• 2000

During the past 10 years, concern for community people's health has increased together with the changes. Public health policies and studies for community people's health, however, have influenced those in childmaternal health care to want more general coverage and studies of health and wellness. Particularly, the study of community people's health in the extent an island area is almost rare as that personal and the material benefits in this area are lacking of community people's work is large, and the basic elements of living, such as diet and elimination, are irregular due to the schedule of the tide. Thus, there are many potential health problems. In this regard, the study attempted to understand the health problems of island community people and to provide a basis for developing health promotion and health education programs. In collecting data for the study, face to face interviews were made through a structured questionnaire from October 1 to December 30, 1996. Collected data were analyzed with the SAS statistics program, descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA. Subjects' health status was examined by classifying into such categories as their health perception, complaints of health problem, related lifestyle, psychosocial health staus, the result of examination is as follows; 1. For subjects' health perception, 26.9% of the subject answered not sick, but not so healthy'; 30.9% thought they were healthy, while 22.9% answered that they were not healthy. 2. For the health problem complaints many complained of pains in their muscles and skeletal system, especially knee joint pain. Women's health problems related with breast and the reproductive system included 52.3% of cases doing breast self examination, while 56.55% received the cervical cancer screening test. In men's health problems, 44.2% of subjects answered that they have moderate to severe BPH(Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy) symptom. 3. There were statistically a significant difference in the degree of physical health according to marital status(p=0.0028), occupation(p=0.0442), income(p=0.0357). 4. For stress status, 17.2% was to need the intervention, 50.2% was to need observation. 5. The mean score of self-esteem was 27.7 showing a relatively high score. 6. For the rate of smoking, 37.7% used to smoke, while 28% used to take alcohol. 7. The rate of substance abuse was 45.9% of subjects. 8. Most of subjects' health behaviors included most of the acupuncture (52%). 9. The rate of subjects receiving comprehensive medical testing was 34.36% while 34.78% did after care managing behavior. 10. For the obesity grade, 53% is normal weight, low-weight 32.8%, obesity 33%. 11. For nutrition status, 78.7% illy balanced to need intervention of nutritional education. 12. For 78.7% of subjects, muscle strength and 40.7% of stretching were not good enough to need health education on physical exercises. Therefore, based on the results, appropriate health education programs need to be developed to promote health of community people on an island.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.72-87
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• 1998

This study examined the rates of spinal abnormal curvature and the correlation of the Body Mass Index (BMI), Low Back Pain (LBP) and spinal curvature by measuring scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis in university students. The study population included 67 male, 92 female university students, making a total of 159, in Wonju City. Spinal curvature was measured by an electrogoniometer in a computerized skeletal analysis system. Lateral curvature of spine of more than 10 degrees was considered as nonspostural scoliosis. The correlation of BMI, LBP and the spinal curvature was analysed by Pearson's correlation coefficient and t-test. The following results were obtained: 1. The overall incidence and rate of scoliosis in cases with a greater than 10 degree curve in males was an incidence of 8 and a rate of 11%. In females the incidence was 36 and the rate 39.2%. 2. The overall incidence and rate of kyphosis of less than 20 degrees in males was a rate of 9 and an incidence of 11.9%. In females, the rate was 5 and the incidence 5.4%. In kyphosis cases of more than 40 degrees, the male rate was 5 and the incidence 7.7%. For female the rate was 13 and the incidence 14.2%. 3. The overall incidence and rate of lordosis with curves of less than 20 degrees was a rate of 6 for males and an incidence of 9.0%. For females, the rate was 5 and the incidence 5.4%. In cases of more than 50 degrees lordosis, the female rate was 2 and the incidence 2.2%. There were no males in this category. 4. There was a negative correlation between kyphosis and BMI. The greater the kyphotic curve, the less the BMI in males (p<0.05). There was no significant BMI difference by gender in either scoliosis or lordosis. There was, however, a significantly decreased sacral angle in the female group with LBP. The results of this study cannot be generalized to the general population because the subjects were all from one university. The measurements were quite reliable because the angles determined by the Metrocom System were highly correlated with radiologic findings. This study shows the need for a regular screening system for spinal curvatures in university health examination procedures.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.638-648
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• 2022

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the diurnal variation in cervical disc hydration and its relationship with cervical degeneration. Materials and Methods: C3-C7 discs of 86 prospectively enrolled participants (37 males, 49 females; mean age ± standard deviation, 23.5 ± 2.5 years) were assessed using T2 mapping in the morning and evening. All discs were stratified by Miyazaki grade or C2-C7 Cobb angle and T2 values (T2). The degree of diurnal T2 variation (T2-DDV), defined as (morning T2 - evening T2)/morning T2 x 100%, was measured for the entire disc, annulus fibrosus (AF), nucleus pulposus (NP), and endplate zones. Results: T2 of the entire disc decreased significantly after the daytime load (p < 0.001), with a T2-DDV of 13.3% for all discs and 16.0%, 12.2%, and 13.0% for healthy (grade I), mild degenerative (grade II), and advanced degenerative (grade III/IV) discs, respectively. T2 of regional NPs and AFs decreased significantly from morning to evening (p ≤ 0.049) except in the healthy anterior inner AF (p = 0.092). Compared with healthy discs, mild degenerative discs displayed lower T2 and T2-DDV in regional NPs (p < 0.001). Advanced degenerative discs showed higher T2-DDV in the anterior inner AF compared with healthy discs (p = 0.050). Significant diurnal T2 changes in the endplate zones were observed only in healthy discs (p = 0.013). Cervical discs in the low Cobb angle group showed higher T2-DDV in the anterior AFs and anterior NP and lower T2-DDV in the posterior AF than those in the high Cobb angle group (p ≤ 0.041). Conclusion: This study characterized the diurnal variation in hydration of the cervical discs as assessed using T2 mapping and revealed early chemo-mechanical coupling dysfunction in degenerating discs. Cervical sagittal alignment on MRI can affect the diurnal stress patterns of the cervical discs. T2 mapping is sensitive to disc biomechanical dysfunction and offers translational potential from biomechanical research to clinical application.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.362-368
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• 2023

Purpose: Clinical reports on treatment outcomes of sternal fractures are lacking. This study details the clinical features, treatment approaches, and outcomes related to traumatic sternal fractures over a 10-year period at a single institution. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients admitted to a regional trauma center between January 2012 and December 2021. Among 7,918 patients with chest injuries, 266 were diagnosed with traumatic sternal fractures. Patient data were collected, including demographics, injury mechanisms, severity, associated injuries, sternal fracture characteristics, hospital stay duration, mortality, respiratory complications, and surgical details. Surgical indications encompassed emergency cases involving intrathoracic injuries, unstable fractures, severe dislocations, flail chest, malunion, and persistent high-grade pain. Results: Of 266 patients with traumatic sternal fractures, 260 were included; 98 underwent surgical treatment for sternal fractures, while 162 were managed conservatively. Surgical indications ranged from intrathoracic organ or blood vessel injuries necessitating thoracotomy to unstable fractures with severe dislocations. Factors influencing surgical treatment included flail motion and rib fracture. The median length of intensive care unit stay was 5.4 days (interquartile range [IQR], 1.5-18.0 days) for the nonsurgery group and 8.6 days (IQR, 3.3-23.6 days) for the surgery group. The median length of hospital stay was 20.9 days (IQR, 9.3-48.3 days) for the nonsurgery group and 27.5 days (IQR, 17.0 to 58.0 days) for the surgery group. The between-group differences were not statistically significant. Surgical interventions were successful, with stable bone union and minimal complications. Flail motion in the presence of rib fracture was a crucial consideration for surgical intervention. Conclusions: Surgical treatment recommendations for sternal fractures vary based on flail chest presence, displacement degree, and rib fracture. Surgery is recommended for patients with offset-type sternal fractures with rib and segmental sternal fractures. Surgical intervention led to stable bone union and minimal complications.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1071-1082
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the efficacy of using Korean medicine treatment with cold hypersensitivity of the hands and feet with lumbar spinal herniated intervertebral disc. Case presentation: We used Korean medicine treatment (Gyejigabuja-tang, acupuncture) to treat a hospitalized patient with cold hypersensitivity of the hands and feet with lumbar spinal herniated intervertebral disc. To evaluate the treatment, we used the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). The degree of cold hypersensitivity of the hands and feet was also evaluated using evaluation paper. The generic health status was measured using the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) scale. The 31-year-old female underwent 13 days of inpatient treatment. Her pattern identification was that both hands and feet are cold (BiYangHeo) types. The treatments were herbal medicine and acupuncture. She took Gyejigabuja-tang for 13 days. She also received acupuncture for 20 minutes twice a day at LI11 (曲池), L14 (合谷), TE5 (外關) on her hands, LR3 (太衝), SP6 (三陰交), SP9 (陰陵泉) ST36 (足三里), GB41 (足臨泣) on Feet, GV4 (命門), GV3 (腰陽關), BL23 (腎兪), BL24 (氣海兪), BL25 (大腸兪), and BL26 (關元兪) on the low back. After 2 weeks of treatment, the NRS scale of her cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet symptoms dropped from NRS 7 to NRS 3, and her low back pain dropped from NRS 6 to NRS 3. Her cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet evaluation paper score decreased from 64 to 32, and her EQ-5D increased from 0.487 to 0.681. After the end of treatment, continued symptom improvements and no significant side effects were confirmed. Results: These findings suggest that Korean medical treatment (Gyejigabuja-tang, acupuncture) may be effective for treating cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet with lumbar spinal herniated intervertebral disc. The NRS, evaluation paper, and EQ-5D scores improved after treatment, with no side effects.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.114-118
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• 2002

Backgrounds : Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that is usually diagnosed by electrophysiologic studies. However, CTS provide limited information to determine the causes of CTS and to choose the treatment method. We evaluated diagnostic sensitivity of MR imaging and treatment decisions by MR imaging in electrodiagnosed CTS. Methods : 14 patients (26 wrists) with electrodiagnosed CTS were studied using MR imaging. In 26 wrists for which axial T1 & T2 weighted images were obtained at 1.5T with a decided wrist coil. Previously described MR imaging of CTS such as increased median nerve signal, flattening of median nerve, reticular bowing, tenosynovitis and space occupying lesions were retrospectively evaluated. Degree of improvement was evaluated by global symptom score (GSS). The GSS rated symptoms from 0 (no symptoms) to 10 (severe) in each of five categories: pain, numbness, paresthesia, weakness/clumsiness, and nocturnal awakening. Subjects' GSS was recorded at baseline, 2 weeks, 1 month, 6 months after treatment. We decided to medical treatment that showed mainly inflammatory sign such as increased median nerve signal, tenosinovitis and to surgical treatment such as space occupying lesion, high canal pressure sign. Results : MR imaging showed that increased median nerve signal were in 20 wrists (77%), flattening of median nerve were in 6 wrists (23%), reticular bowing were in 3 wrists (12%), tenosynovitis were in 8 wrists (32%), decreased canal size in 2 wrists (7.6%), space occupying lesion were in 1 wrist (4%). A good outcome was revealed in 21 wrists by medical treatment that showed mainly increased median nerve signal, tenosynovitis. The mean GSS were 27.7 at baseline, 11.2 at 2 weeks, 11.0 at 6 months in medical treatment group. Another 5 wrist had surgical treatment shown by ganglion and high canal pressure sign such as median nerve flattening, reticular bowing, decreased canal size: 3 wrists had good prognosis, but 2 wrists (one patient) had no significant improvement due to small carpal tunnel size. Conclusions : Our results are in agreement with most previously described MR imaging signs of CTS. MR imaging plays an important role in several cases and especially in the assessment of failure of surgical treatment. Knowledge of MR findings may permit more rational choice of treatment.