• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.13-23
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• 2015

In order to reduce public medical expenses as well as to provide effective medical services, telemedicine between doctors and patients is considered as an alternative to the conventional hospital visit. But the medical community has been protesting the introduction of telemedicine for the efficacy and safety reasons. Korean government has been conducting a number of pilot projects to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of telemedicine for more than 10 years. However, still the system is not yet legalized. In this study, we have conducted a telemedicine pilot project in Cambodia for one year, where telemedicine can be more freely exercised. After the project, we conducted a survey based on the 'Rogers diffusion' theory. Survey results show that both physicians and patients are positive about the relative advantage of the telemedicine. However, the complexity and high cost of the equipment used in telemedicine has been found to be a possible obstacle. In addition, we found that there is no problem for providing telemedicine services under challenged environment, such as in Cambodia.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.285-293
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was aimed to develop evidence-based nursing practice guideline for preventing intermittent urinary catheterization (IUC) related complications using guideline remake process. Methods: Guideline remake process was conducted according to guideline adaptation manual developed by Gu et al (2012) which consisted of three main phases and 9 modules including a total of 24 steps. Results: Newly developed IUC guideline consists of introduction, overview of intermittent catheterization, summary of recommendations, recommendations, references, and appendices. There were 50 recommendations in 5 sections including assessment, equipments, catheterization, complications management, and education/consult. Three recommendations (6%) were graded A, and five (10%) and 41 recommendations(82%) were B and C, respectively. Conclusion: The IUC remade-guideline was developed based on evidence-based nursing and therefore, this guideline is recommended to be disseminated and utilized by nurses nationwide to improve the quality of care for IUC and to decrease the IUC related complications.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.11-24
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• 2008

GDNA was isolated from the jedo venus clam (Protothaca jedoensis, Lischke) from Boryeong (jedo venus clam from Boryeong JVCB) and Wonsan (jedo venus clam from Wonsan; JVCW) located in the West Sea and the East Sea of Korean Peninsula, respectively and we performed clustering analyses, DNA polymorphisms and the populations genetic variations. In the present study, the seven decamer primer generated the one hundred and eleven major/minor specific bands in JVCB population and ninety four-specific bands in JVCW population. Seven primers generated the unique shared bands to each population of one hundred and seventy-six, on average of 25,1, in JVCB population from Boryeong and three hundred thirty, on average of 47,1, in JVCW population from Wonsan, respectively. The dendrogram obtained by the seven oligonucleotides primers, indicates two genetic clusters. Especially, two Protothaca between the individual WONSAN no. 12 and BORYEONG no. 10 showed the longest genetic distance (0.537) in comparison with other individuals used. Accordingly, RAPD analysis showed that the JVCB was a little more genetically diverse than the JVCW population. This result implies the genetic similarity owing to rearing in the same and/or similar circumstances or inbreeding within the JVCW population. So to speak, JVCB population may have high levels of genomic DNA variability owing to the introduction of the wild individuals from the other sites to sampling sites although it may be the geographically diverse distribution of this species. However, it was confirmed that it did not appear like that really in this study. We feel convinced that RAPD analysis discovered a significant genetic distance between two Protothaca population pairs (P<0.001). The existence of population discrimination and genetic diversity between two Protothaca populations was identified by RAPD analysis.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.5-11
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• 2008

Primary rotavirus gastroenteritis infection usually occurs in infants under 2 years of age worldwide regardless of level of hygiene, quality of water, food or sanitation or type of behavior. In Korea, the disease mostly occurred in infants under 2 year old, and usually in late fall to early winter with the highest incidence shown in November until early 1990s. However, since then, relatively the age incidence of this infection has increased in children over 2 years old, and it has mainly occurred in late winter to early spring with the highest incidence shown between February and March. And rotavirus gastroenteritis serotypes varied year to year as well as varied by year within the same region in our country. The comparison of severity scores between age groups in Korea showed that severity score was lowest in infants less than 3 months and highest in infants more than 6 months and less than 12 months, and hospitalization period between age groups was longest in infants older than 3 months and less than 3 months and highest in infants more than 6 months and less than 12 months and less than 6 months. In this aspect, rotavirus vaccines should be given to infants less than 2 years of age in whom the incidence of rotavirus gastroenteritis is the highest, and vaccination should be ideally started before 3 months considering hospitalization period and severity of rotavirus gastroenteritis. However, It should be careful for the introduction of new rotavirus vaccine, and the effectiveness of rotavirus vaccines should be assessed by long-term post marketing surveillance. And we guess an multivalent vaccine may be an ideal rotavirus vaccine to prevent primary infection caused by variable rotavirus strains in Korea. In addition, clinical epidemiology studies on rotavirus gastroenteritis which evaluate the age and serotypes related severity should be continuously conducted in various regions.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.137-149
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• 2016

Objective: Online pharmacies were introduced in some countries such as United States of America or Canada. They can provide benefits to consumer because they can buy and take conveniently drugs without limitation of location or time. In Korea, online pharmacies are illegal and only pharmacists can sell drugs to consumers or patients. Therefore, we investigated the knowledge of online pharmacy and the possible problem in Korea to survey pharmacists. Methods: We developed questionnaire based on previous articles about online pharmacy and surveyed nation-wide pharmacists by mail or e-mail. The data was analyzed by SPSS and Microsoft Excel. P-values less than 0.05 were statistically significant. Results: 175 pharmacists involved in this study. About introduction of online pharmacies, 53.1% were opposition while 10.3% were approval and 36.6% were conditional. Although online pharmacies were introduced, 46.3% pharmacists do not have a plan to start online pharmacy. However, the approval and tends about starting online pharmacies were higher in younger pharmacists (20s, 30s) (p < 0.05). The criteria of permission about opening online pharmacies were 100% pharmacist license regardless of holding off-line pharmacy. 53.7% pharmacists responded education about taking medication is impossible. When online pharmacies are introduced, 65.1% pharmacists responded traditional pharmacies are affected negatively. Pharmacists concerned that the competition with large-sized distribution corporations, reduced reliance between pharmacists and patients, illegal transaction of counterfeit drugs, increased misuse of drugs. Conclusion: These results showed that Korea pharmacists have negative standard on online pharmacies. Therefore it is required to be more cautious before introducing online pharmacy and it need strict watching system and continuous education and study for safety after introducing online pharmacy.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.157-162
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• 2013

A good level of biosecurity practice is important for efficient porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) control. In the current study, disinfecting ability of ozone against PRRS virus (PRRSV) was evaluated in comparison with ultraviolet (UV) and an organic acid-based disinfectant to assess the possible use of ozone for disinfecting farm vehicles, equipments, and materials to reduce the risk of new virus introduction. For in vitro evaluation, the levels of infectious virus and viral RNA were determined on the swabs collected from the floor surface of each room treated with either ozone, UV or the disinfectant up to 30 min after contamination with 100 mL of VR2332 ($10^5\;TCID_{50}/mL$). For in vivo evaluation, 3, 4-week old, PRRS-free pigs were housed into those rooms right after the last swab collection. Then the pigs in each room were injected intramuscularly with the corresponding swab samples collected at the last time point and pooled per each room. Although ozone, UV, and the disinfectant significantly reduced the levels of PRRSV RNA contamination, ozone was most effective in removing the viral RNA. In addition, the virus collected after at least 10 min exposure to ozone failed to replicate in pigs while the virus collected after treatment with UV and the disinfectant for 30 min still replicated in pigs. Based on the results, it was concluded that ozone is more effective in inactivating PRRSV as compared with UV and the organic acid-based disinfectant.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.467-475
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to understand the definitions, types, and principles of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and scanners due to the introduction of digital workflows. Methods: This study was based on information from the government's law and articles published in academic journals. Results: CAD/CAM is a technology that measures the shape three-dimensionally, saves it as data, designs it into the desired shape, and processes the product. Scanners, which are classified as intraoral and extraoral scanners, measure teeth and the intraoral environment three-dimensionally and convert them into three-dimensional (3D). A 3D printer is a machine that creates a 3D object by layering materials based on a 3D drawing. It can be classified into four types according to the method: extrusion, powder bonding, lamination, and photopolymerization methods. The most used 3D printer methods in dentistry are stereolithograhpy and digital light processing, and they are widely used in prosthetic, surgical, and orthodontic fields. Conclusions: As the dental system is digitized, it is expected that the government will classify the dental hygienist scope of work and the universities will reflect the curriculum; it is necessary to develop excellent dental hygienists, diversify the educational pathways, and establish policies to meet the needs of the increasing number of patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.5
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• pp.1038-1052
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• 2020

Advancements of medical care with the use of new medical technologies have been promoting public health, but they can also place a financial burden on individuals and the country. Since the introduction of the health insurance system in 1977, the South Korean government has been attempting to control medical expenses. Radiological examinations have been a major target for cost reduction. Meanwhile, the radiological report fee has been combined with the technical fee for a long time; hence, its value has not been independently evaluated, and was also decreased proportionally with examination cost reduction. However, in the revised medical fee estimation system for MRI, the report fee has begun to be calculated separately from the technical fee, significantly contributing to the evaluation of the radiologists' work value. In conclusion, radiologists need to know and actively participate in the process of determining the insurance cost of radiological examinations and reports to get a proper value of their professionalism.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.2
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• pp.270-296
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• 2024

Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is recognized for its role as a gatekeeper for invasive coronary angiography in patients suspected of coronary artery disease because it can detect significant coronary stenosis with high accuracy. However, heavy plaque in the coronary artery makes it difficult to visualize the lumen, which can lead to errors in the interpretation of the CCTA results. This is primarily due to the limited spatial resolution of CT scanners, resulting in blooming artifacts caused by calcium. However, coronary stenosis with high calcium scores often requires evaluation using CCTA. Technological methods to overcome these limitations include the introduction of high-resolution CT scanners, the development of reconstruction techniques, and the subtraction technique. Methods to improve reading ability, such as the setting of appropriate window width and height, and evaluation of the position of calcified plaque and residual visibility of the lumen in cross-sectional images, are also recommended.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.32-44
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• 2002

The role of radiology department has been greatly increased in the past few years as the technology in the medical imaging devices improved and the introduction of PACS (Picture Archiving and Communications System) to the conventional film-based diagnostic structure is a truly remarkable factor to the medical history. In addition, the value of using digital information in medical imaging is highly expected to grow as the technology over the computer and the network improves. However, the current medical practice, using PACS is somewhat limited compared to the film-based conventional one due to a poor image quality. The image quality is the most important and inevitable factor in the PACS environment and it is one of the most necessary steps to more wide practice of digital imaging. The existing image quality control tools are limited in controlling images produced from the medical modalities, because they cannot display the real image changing status. Thus, the image quality is distorted and the ability to diagnosis becomes hindered compared to the one of the film-based practice. In addition, the workflow of the radiologist greatly increases; as every doctor has to perform his or her own image quality control every time they view images produced from the medical modalities. To resolve these kinds of problems and enhance current medical practice under the PACS environment, we have developed a program to display a better image quality by using the ROI optical density of the existing gray level values. When the LUT is used properly, small detailed regions, which cannot be seen by using the existing image quality controls are easily displayed and thus, greatly improves digital medical practice. The purpose of this study is to provide an easier medical practice to physicians, by applying the technology of converting the H-D curves of the analog film screen to the digital imaging technology and to preset image quality control values to each exposed body part, modality and group of physicians for a better and easier medical practice. We have asked to 5 well known professional physicians to compare image quality of the same set of exam by using the two different methods: existing image quality control and the LUT technology. As the result, the LUT technology was enormously favored over the existing image quality control method. All the physicians have pointed out the far more superiority of the LUT over the existing image quality control method and highly praised its ability to display small detailed regions, which cannot be displayed by existing image quality control tools. Two physicians expressed the necessity of presetting the LUT values for each exposed body part. Overall, the LUT technology yielded a great interest among the physicians and highly praised for its ability to overcome currently embedded problems of PACS. We strongly believe that the LUT technology can enhance the current medical practice and open a new beginning in the future medical imaging.