• Health Policy and Management
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.381-396
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• 2011

This study is to investigate the factors affecting the regional rate of certification for long-term care insurance benefits. Analyzed data were the 253,935 certified beneficiaries (equivalent to 4.9% of total elderly population) as long-term care degree (LTC degree) 1~3 extracted from the applicants for long-term care in the beginning stage of the system from April 15 2008 to July 1 2009. Although the data were collected from individuals, after restructured into regional data and then analysed in the unit of 225 administrative regions for the Korean Long-term Care Insurance. The rate of certification was operated as the percentage of people of LTC degree 1~3 to the elderly population in each region. The average rate of certification among regions was 4.91%, and ranged from 2.20% to 8.32%. In the analysing regression models, most socio-demographic variables, applicants' disease characteristics, regional service infrastructure, and the certification interviewer's characteristics were included. The most influencing variables were the disease factors of applicants, especially dementia or cerebrovascular disease rather than arthritis, osteoporosis, or fracture patients were strong factors for the regional rate of certification. However, advanced studies adding more explainable factors on the regional variance of certification rate would be necessary to provide political agenda and measures for evidence-based certification process with high reliability and validity for a sustainable LTC system in Korea.

• 한국노년학
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.871-884
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• 2011

Standard Long-term care(LTC) Utilization Plan is a kind of care plan, which aims to help beneficiaries and their family choose services to meet their care needs. The objective of this study is to determine the relationships among family caregivers' perceived quality, overall satisfaction and utilization in Standard LTC Utilization Plan. Data were gathered from family caregivers with beneficiaries who have used community service in long-term care insurance system. A national cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted in December 2008, using proportionate quota sampling. Finally, 351 family caregivers completed questionnaires which included demographic characteristics, perceived quality(9 items), overall satisfaction(1 item) and utilization(2 items). Path analysis was conducted to find a causal relationship. This study shows firstly, the quality of Standard LTC Utilization Plan was categorized into three dimensions, that is, assessment of care needs, recommended care plan, and management of monthly benefits. Secondly, reliability and validity of quality items were satisfied. Finally, in the effect of perceived quality and satisfaction for utilization, assessment of care needs(indirect effect, path coefficients=0.077) and overall satisfaction(total effect, path coefficients=0.324) were statistically significant. The findings of this study would be helpful in developing the strategies, which is needed to improve the role of Standard LTC Utilization Plan.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.90-94
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• 2011

An in vitro bioassay-guide revealed that the methanol (MeOH) extract of the whole plant of Patrinia saniculaefolia (Valerianaceae) showed cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) dual inhibitory activity by assessing their effects on the production of prostaglandin $D_2$ ($PGD_2$) and leukotriene $C_4$ ($LTC_4$) in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs). Phytochemical study of the MeOH extract of this plant led to the isolation of twelve compounds; ${\beta}$-farnesene (1), squalene (2), nardostachin (3), patridoid I (4), patridoid II (5), patridoid II-A (6), oleanolic acid (7), oleanonic acid (8), 23-hydroxyursolic acid (9), oleanolic acid 3-O-${\alpha}$-L-arabinopyranoside (10), oleanolic acid 3-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside (11), oleanolic acid 3-O-[${\beta}$-D-xylopyranosyl-(1${\rightarrow}$3)-${\beta}$-D-(6-O-butyl)glucuronopyranoside] (12). Among the compounds, 4 and 5 strongly inhibited both the COX-2-dependent $PGD_2$ generation with $IC_{50}$ values of 8.7 and 13.6 ${\mu}M$, respectively, and the generation of $LTC_4$ in the 5-LOX dependent phase with $IC_{50}$ values of 41.7 and 46.9 ${\mu}M$, respectively, which suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity of P. saniculaefolia might occur in part via the inhibition of both $PGD_2$ and $LTC_4$ generation by 4 and 5.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.386-397
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare functional status and the level of health care needs in elderly Koreans in health care institutions. Methods: Data were collected from 2,521 elderly patients admitted in 50 health care institutions (hospitals, oriental hospitals, geriatric hospitals, and health care facilities) selected through proportional stratified sampling in 2008. We used a long-term care (LTC) assessment tool developed by the government, which consists of 52 items with 5 subscales. Results: Statistically significant differences were detected in functional status and the level of health care needs among the subjects in different health care institutions. Of the sample population in geriatric hospitals, 48.9% were eligible for LTC Category 1, 20.9% for Category 2, and 17.2% for Category 3, and 13.1% of the subjects were not eligible for any of the categories. Of the sample population in health care facilities, 29.9% were eligible for LTC Category 1, 20.5% for Category 2, and 21.8% for Category 3, and 27.0% of the subjects were not eligible for any of the categories. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate the necessity of the development of an evaluation system that helps determine whether a subject is eligible for LTC.

• Journal of ILASS-Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.190-196
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• 2017

The aim of this work is to investigate the combustion and exhaust emission characteristics of low-temperature combustion (LTC) at various EGR test conditions using a single cylinder common-rail diesel engine. In high EGR rate combustion mode with DME fuel, 30% (${\Phi}=0.61$) and 50% (${\Phi}=0.86$) of EGR were respectively examined, and then the combustion, exhaust emissions, nano-particle characteristics of each cases were measured. From these results, it revealed that The ignition delay and combustion duration are prolonged as the increase of EGR rate. In addition, at an advanced injection timing (BTDC $30^{\circ}$), ignition delays were fairly increased because the dilution effect of EGR and also low charge in-cylinder temperature created a lean mixture, thus decreased the peak release rate.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.438-444
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• 2011

Dojuk-San is known to be effective for treating a urinary diseases and stomatitis. However, its effects on the bone marrow-derived mast cell(BMMC) mediated allergy and inflammation mechanism remain unknown. In this study, the biological effects of Dojuk-San ethanol extract(DJS) were evaluated while focusing on its effects on the allergic mediator in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187(A23187)-stimulated BMMCs. An investigation was also conducted to determine its effects on the production of several allergic mediators including interleukin-6(IL-6), prostaglandin D2($PGD_2$), leukotrieneC4(LTC4) and ${\beta}$-Hexosaminidase(${\beta}$-Hex). The results revealed that DJS inhibited the PMA plus A23187 induced production of IL-6, PGD2, LTC4 and ${\beta}$-Hex. Taken together, these findings indicate that DJS has the potential using in the treatment of allergy.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.360-369
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• 2019

Cadherins are essential transmembrane proteins that promote cell-cell adhesion and maintain the corpus luteum structure in the ovary. This study examined the influence of prostaglandin F2 alpha ($PGF2{\alpha}$) on E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and adhesion in luteal theca cells (LTCs). The luteal cells were isolated from the mid-phase corpus luteum, and the LTCs were cultured separately from the luteal heterogeneous cells according to the morphology of the mesenchymal cells and to determine if steroidogenic and endothelial cells of LTCs, 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase ($3{\beta}$-HSD), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) mRNA were used. The LTCs were then incubated in the culture medium supplemented with 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 mM $PGF2{\alpha}$ for 24 h, and the E-cadherin and N-cadherin proteins in the LTCs were detected by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results revealed $3{\beta}$-HSD mRNA expression in the LTC but no VEGF2R mRNA expression. The E-cadherin and N-cadherin proteins of the LTCs were damaged in the 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 mM $PGF2{\alpha}$ treatment groups, and the expression of the N-cadherin protein was reduced significantly in 0.01 mM $PGF2{\alpha}$ compared to the 0 mM $PGF2{\alpha}$ treatment groups (P<0.05). In addition, the number of attached LTCs were significantly lower in the 0.01 mM $PGF2{\alpha}$ treatment group than in the 0 mM $PGF2{\alpha}$ treatment group (P<0.05). In conclusion, $PGF2{\alpha}$ affected the disruption of cadherin proteins and cell adhesion in LTCs. These results may help better understand the cadherin and adhesion mechanism during corpus luteum regression in the ovary.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.283-290
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• 2017

Totally, one hundred and sixty 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were fed with a diet containing 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg of aflatoxin $B_1(AFB_1)/kg$ of feed for 21 days. Body weight was lower for the $AFB_1$-treated broilers than for the control group. At 14 and 21 DPF, the broilers fed with 2.0 mg of $AFB_1/kg$ of feed weighed significantly lower than those of the other groups (p<0.05). Relative liver weights increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner, and relative spleen weights were significantly high in the chicks fed with 2.0 mg of $AFB_1/kg$ of feed at 21 DPF (p<0.001). Biochemical analyses showed that total protein and albumin levels decreased significantly at 7 and 14 DPF for the chicks of the group fed with 2.0 of mg $AFB_1/kg$ of feed, compared with those fed with 0.5 and 1.0 mg of $AFB_1/kg$ of feed (p<0.05). AST and ALT levels increased significantly at 14 and 21 DPF (p<0.05), and the AST levels, particularly, increased dose-dependently (p<0.05). Histopathological analyses showed that the liver tissues of the $AFB_1$-treated chicks showed significant lesions, including hemorrhage, hepatocyte necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and fatty degeneration. The severity of both hepatocyte necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration appeared to increase dose- and time-dependently. Similarly, hepatic fibrosis increased dose-dependently (p<0.05). The results of this study could improve our understanding of parameters used for evaluating aflatoxicosis in poultry.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.99-104
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of emotional labor behavior of employee at geriatric long-term care(LTC) facilities on job burnout and service quality focusing on the emotional leadership of superior to improve the working environment of LTC employee and provide the high-quality service to seniors. First, it is appeared that between emotional labor behaviors deep acting has a negative effect on job burnout, in contrast surface acting has a positive effect on job burnout. and, emotional labor behavior has positive influence on service quality. Second, self efficacy has partial mediating effect of tangibility, reliability, assurance and empathy on service quality only for the deep acting between emotional labor behaviors. Third, between emotional labor behavior, emotional leadership has moderating effect on emotional depletion and deterioration of personal accomplishment. In contrast, moderating effect of emotional leadership is not appeared on surface acting and depersonalization. In conclusion, further study is required to improve service quality of elderly in LTC facility and working environment of LCT facility workforce.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1099-1109
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• 2018

Objective: In a proof of concept study, we compared no-touch radiofrequency ablation (NtRFA) in bipolar mode with conventional direct tumor puncture (DTP) in terms of local tumor control (LTC), peritoneal seeding, and tumorigenic factors, in the rabbit VX2 subcapsular hepatic tumor model. Materials and Methods: Sixty-two rabbits with VX2 subcapsular hepatic tumors were divided into three groups according to the procedure: DTP-RFA (n = 25); NtRFA (n = 25); and control (n = 12). Each of the three groups was subdivided into two sets for pathologic analysis (n = 24) or computed tomography (CT) follow-up for 6 weeks after RFA (n = 38). Ultrasonography-guided DTP-RFA and NtRFA were performed nine days after tumor implantation. LTC was defined by either achievement of complete tumor necrosis on histopathology or absence of local tumor progression on follow-up CT and autopsy. Development of peritoneal seeding was also compared among the groups. Serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured via ELISA (Elabscience Biotechnology Co.) after RFA for tumorigenic factor evaluation. Results: Regarding LTC, there was a trend in NtRFA (80%, 20/25) toward better ablation than in DTP-RFA (56%, 14/25) (p = 0.069). Complete tumor necrosis was achieved in 54.5% of DTP-RFA (6/11) and 90.9% of NtRFA (10/11). Peritoneal seeding was significantly more common in DTP-RFA (71.4%, 10/14) than in NtRFA (21.4%, 3/14) (p = 0.021) or control (0%). Elevations of HGF, VEGF or IL-6 were not detected in any group. Conclusion: No-touch radiofrequency ablation led to lower rates of peritoneal seeding and showed a tendency toward better LTC than DTP-RFA.