• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.177-184
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• 2011

In this study, the system for application of the bone stimulation was implemented using high frequency and low strain method. The whole system consists of the high frequency and low strain vibration stimulation system 177 for stimulating bone, LVDT sensor, and wireless sensor based on tri-axial accelerometer. To evaluate the usefulness of the system, the frequencies and accelerations from function generator were applied to the vibration stimulation system. The range of frequency was 17 Hz, 30 Hz, 45 Hz, 50 Hz and the range of acceleration was set 0.3 g, 0.6 g, 1g, and 2 g. The measured frequencies and acceleration using LVDT (linear variable difference transformer) sensor and 3-axial accelerometer were estimated and compared. The range of frequencies average difference was from 0.0 to 0.004 Hz. As the standard deviation of frequencies estimated by LVDT sensor and accelerometer was below 0.03 Hz and the output frequencies of function generator were similar: Also the results of t-test were satisfied with conditions of p > 0.05. And the acquired frequencies and acceleration from vibration measuring device module were estimated and analyzed. As the mean of accelerations was similar to the acceleration applied from function generator. And the standard deviation of acceleration estimated from vibration measuring device module was ranged from 0.019 g to 0.038 g. Also the results of t-test were satisfied with conditions of p > 0.05. Therefore, these results were airy similar to the acceleration applied from function generator. As a result, the usefulness of the system was confirmed. n a further study, clinical experiment will be carried out with the authorization of IRB (institutional review board) so that appropriate frequency and strain would be investigated in clinical field.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.29-49
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was a methodological study to verify the reliability and validity and to make a diagnosis of a diagnostic tool for climacteric and postmenopausal syndrome pattern identification (CaPSPI). Methods: This study was conducted from June 1, 2018 to October 18, 2018 with ${{\bigcirc}{\bigcirc}}$ University Korean Medicine Hospital IRB's approval (2018-3). To make a diagnosis using CaPSPI, we decided the cut-points for the tool. Three professors of ${{\bigcirc}{\bigcirc}}$Korean Medical University conducted pattern identification diagnosis. The result is marked from 0 to 3, 0 is 'No', 1 is 'Slightly Yes', 2 is 'Yes' and 3 is 'Very Yes'. And if two or more professors' diagnoses are the same, we took the diagnoses as a diagnostic criteria. The decision of pattern by three experts converted to 0-1 scores in two ways. In "method 1", if the diagnosis was zero points, the score was 0 (have no such identification), and the rest was 1 (have such identification). In "method 2", if the diagnosis was zero or 1 point, the score was 0, and the rest was 1. After that, intraclass correlation was calculated for experts agreement. And logistic regression was conducted. A response variable was the results of the experts' diagnosis and an explanatory variable was the results of the pattern identification diagnostic tool. Results: The diagnosis of the three experts showed excellent concordance of more than 0.794 and showed a significant correlation with the diagnostic tool. Both 'Method 1' and 'Method 2' showed statistically significant effects with the diagnosis of 3 experts and the results of the diagnostic tool. The frequency of cumulative pattern identification diagnosis in 'Method 1' and 'Method 2' were found to be 578 occasions and 203 occasions, respectively. The average number of pattern held by participants in 'Method 1' and 'Method 2' were found to be 5.26 and 1.85, respectively. In both "Method 1" and "Method 2," the yield frequency of liver qi depression was the highest, and the frequency of kidney yin deficiency and liver-kidney yin deficiency was relatively high. Conclusions: Based on the above results, it is thought that, in diagnosis using CaPSPI of menopausal women, 'method 1' could be used for the health diagnosis and prevention, 'method 2' could be used for the pattern diagnosis. On the conclusion, CaPSPI is thought to be available for pattern diagnosis of menopause women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.721-728
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition (BC) or backmuscle strength (BS). Sixty-one participants were measured by BMD using ultrasound bone densitometry and Inbody for BC (i.e., SLM=Soft lean mass, SMM=Skeletal muscle mass, FS=Fitness score. et al.), BS after self-questionnaire for life cycle. This study was performed after approving Institutional Review Board and obtaining the informed concent from all participants. Participants was divided into two group by BMD T-score; $T-score{\geq}-1.0$, T-score<-1.0. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS ver. 22.0(USA), Spearma test for correlation between BMD and BC or BS. BMD or SLM, BS was increased with increasing physical activity or body mass index. SMM or SMM, FS of BMD $T-score{\geq}-1.0$ group was higher than that of T-score <-1.0 group as well as BS(p>0.05). BMD T-score was correlated positively with SLM(r= 0.424) or SMM(r= 0.431) in men, as well as in women(p<0.05). BS was correlated positively with SLM or SMM, FS. BS was significantly positive correlated with BMD in women group (r= 0.591, p= 0.001), but not in men group. We concluded that BMD is the relationship with SLM or SMM, as well as BS in women.

• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.1-45
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• 2018

South Korea has recently emerged as one of the leading countries conducting clinical trials. Seoul, for instance, is now ranked at the top of the list among the cities in the world. This paper examines the rapid growth of research involving human subjects in Korea, not just from the economic perspective (e.g., the growth of global pharmaceutical markets and the subsequent increase in the demand for clinical trials), but from the policy perspective (e.g., the government?s drive to support and promote this field as a new industry). The industrialization of clinical trials in Korea has manifested itself in the rise of international Contract Research Organizations (CRO) doing their business in Korea. They are, figuratively speaking, invited to Korea by the government. This paper intends to uncover and discuss the bioethical issues concerning research on human subjects, the issues that tend to be set aside merely as procedural ones like ??workable documents??. To this end, it investigates the practice of clinical trials by collecting hitherto unherad voices from patient-volunteers, physician-researchers, CRO employees, and government officials. This paper also explores the themes of ??ethical variability?? and ??biocapital?? in order to compare and constrast the case in Korea with those in other countries.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2021

Objectives: We studied for the adjustment of the patterns of 'The Diagnostic Tool for Climacteric and Postmenopausal Syndrome Pattern Identification (hereinafter CaPSPI)' (studyI) and the correlation between CaPSPI and Korean medicine doctors' diagnosis which was carried out without knowing the results of CaPSPI (studyII). Methods: The studyI followed the previous study method in 2018 (2018-3). The studyII was conducted from June 1, 2019 to July 10, 2020 with ◯◯ University Korean Medicine Hospital IRB's approval (2019-4). Doctors' diagnosis was conducted face-to-face with the subjects. Doctors' diagnosis was carried out based on the Kupperman's questionnaire, 'Diagnosis System of Oriental Medicine (hereinafter DSOM)' and four examinations (四診) records. The diagnosis was marked with 0 for 'no', 1 for 'somewhat', 2 for 'yes' and 3 for 'very yes'. The correlation between CaPSPI and the mean of doctors diagnostic scores were investigated statistically. Results: The studyI showed that heart-heat (心火) pattern was added. The Factor loading coefficient for heart-heat was 0.551 to 0.789, and the Cronbach's coefficient was 0.896. The studyII showed that the diagnosis (Kappa statistic) of two doctors showed statistically significant concordance (all eight patterns), with correlation of them were 0.3 or higher. And the correlation between the CaPSPI score and the mean of doctors' diagnostic score showed a statistically significant correlation, with liver qi depression (肝鬱) being the highest at 0.552 and dual deficiency of the heart-spleen (心脾兩虛) being the lowest at 0.301. Conclusions: Since the diagnosis results of CaPSPI showed a significant correlation with the diagnosis of Korean traditional medicine experts, it was believed that the CaPSPI results can be trusted and used for clinical purposes.

• 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.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.91-98
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• 2022

Background Predicting the need for post-traumatic reconstruction of lower extremity injuries remains a challenge. Due to the larger volume of cases in adults than in children, the majority of the medical literature has focused on adult lower extremity reconstruction. This study evaluates predictive risk factors associated with the need for free flap reconstruction in pediatric patients following lower extremity trauma. Methods An IRB-approved retrospective chart analysis over a 5-year period (January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2017) was performed, including all pediatric patients (<18 years old) diagnosed with one or more lower extremity wounds. Patient demographics, trauma information, and operative information were reviewed. The statistical analysis consisted of univariate and multivariate regression models to identify predictor variables associated with free flap reconstruction. Results In total, 1,821 patients were identified who fit our search criteria, of whom 41 patients (2.25%) required free flap reconstruction, 65 patients (3.57%) required local flap reconstruction, and 19 patients (1.04%) required skin graft reconstruction. We determined that older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.134; P =0.002), all-terrain vehicle accidents (OR, 6.698; P<0.001), and trauma team activation (OR, 2.443; P=0.034) were associated with the need for free flap reconstruction following lower extremity trauma in our pediatric population. Conclusions Our study demonstrates a higher likelihood of free flap reconstruction in older pediatric patients, those involved in all-terrain vehicle accidents, and cases involving activation of the trauma team. This information can be implemented to help develop an early risk calculator that defines the need for complex lower extremity reconstruction in the pediatric population.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.195-199
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• 2022

Nasolacrimal duct (NLD) damage is associated in the majority of type II and III naso-orbito-ethmoid (NOE) fractures. Our study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of prophylactic NLD intubation in the setting of facial fractures, by comparing incidence of postoperative epiphora and wound infection. A retrospective matched control study was conducted on all patients with surgically treated facial fractures from 2008 to 2013 (n=280) (IRB ref number: DSRB 2013/01198). Patients with the following fracture types were included: NOE (n=16), frontal sinus (n=2), Le Fort II/III (n=8), and > 1 type (n=48). All patients in this study were included with the intention to treat. The study group comprised patients who were intubated, while the control group patients were not intubated. Each group had 37 patients matched for age, gender, fracture type, and injury type. A single oculoplastic surgeon skilled in lacrimal surgery performed the procedure for all intubated patients. Patients with more severe and complex facial fractures were intubated with bicanalicular Crawford stents. Postoperative epiphora and infective complications (both facial wound and dacryocystitis) were assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. There was no significant difference in incidence of either postoperative epiphora (p=0.152) or wound infection (p=0.556) comparing both groups. Reduced incidence of postoperative epiphora in the study group is statistically not significant and does not support the need for prophylactic intubation. If radiographic evidence of NLD disruption or regurgitation seen on syringing on the NLD intraoperatively is present, intubation is safe and efficacious only if performed by an expert.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.55-80
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• 2022

This study aimed to examine the effects of songwriting on the self-acceptance of adolescent in palliative care. Three participants were recruited from a university hospital in an urban area in South Korea. The songwriting intervention was conducted in six sessions, and each session was composed of an introduction, song writing and wrap-up. Participants were asked to complete the Unconditional Self-Acceptance Questionnaire (USAQ) before and after the intervention. Their verbal expressions and written song lyrics observed during the intervention were also measured. The results showed that the USAQ scores increased after the intervention, indicating the improvement in their acceptance of the self without judgement or high reactivity to feedback. In addition, the participants exhibited greater recognition of their emotions and acceptance of themselves as they are. They were also better able to discover internal resources and psychological competence. The participants reported that they could more freely express their emotions through song writing and that recording the songs they created was a means of communicating their feelings to others. Based on this study, it is expected that adolescents in palliative care will be able to experience self-acceptance through such brief song writing interventions.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.1152-1162
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether there are regional differences in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability of cognitively normal elderly participants and to identify factors influencing BBB permeability with a clinically feasible, 10-minute dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI protocol. Materials and Methods: This IRB-approved prospective study recruited 35 cognitively normal adults (26 women; mean age, 64.5 ± 5.6 years) who underwent DCE T1-weighted imaging. Permeability maps (K_trans) were coregistered with masks to calculate the mean regional values. The paired t test and Friedman test were used to compare Ktrans between different regions. The relationships between K_trans and the factors of age, sex, education, cognition score, vascular risk burden, vascular factors on imaging, and medial temporal lobar atrophy were assessed using Pearson correlation and the Spearman rank test. Results: The mean permeability rates of the right and left hippocampi, as assessed with automatic segmentation, were 0.529 ± 0.472 and 0.585 ± 0.515 (K_trans, x 10^-3 min^-1), respectively. Concerning the deep gray matter, the K_trans of the thalamus was significantly greater than those of the putamen and hippocampus (p = 0.007, p = 0.041). Regarding the white matter, the K_trans value of the occipital white matter was significantly greater than those of the frontal, cingulate, and temporal white matter (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0007, p = 0.0002). The variations in K_trans across brain regions were not related to age, cognitive score, vascular risk burden, vascular risk factors on imaging, or medial temporal lobar atrophy in the study group. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated regional differences in BBB permeability (K_trans) in cognitively normal elderly adults using a clinically acceptable 10-minutes DCE imaging protocol. The regional differences suggest that the integrity of the BBB varies across the brains of cognitively normal elderly adults. We recommend considering regional differences in K_trans values when evaluating BBB permeability in patients with neurodegenerative diseases.