• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.65-73
• /
• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between intention to use advance directives and level of death anxiety in community-dwelling elders. Method: The participants were 200 older adults who were aged 60 or over and attended the community welfare centers. The level intention to use advance directive was measured by a questionnaire that was developed by the authors for the study. The measure by Kraus and Ellisond was administered to evaluate the level of death anxiety. Result: The average score for intention to use advance directives was $2.05{\pm}0.88$ and that of death anxiety was $6.2{\pm}2.28$. There were significant differences in the intention to use advance directives according to education levels and individual properties. Although there was no significant relationship between the intention to use advance directives and the level of death anxiety, they were negatively associated. Therefore, older adults who had lower death anxiety would tend to use advance directives. Conclusion: It would be necessary to screening the level of death anxiety to promote use of the advance directives. In addition, education programs for advance directives would be essential to consider about advance directives for their end-of-life especially for the community-dwelling elderly in Korea.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.69-76
• /
• 2011

With a concentration on online university student behavior in highly-wired countries of Canada, the US, and South Korea, this study is aimed at identifying and comparing students' perception to the Internet use, willingness to use, and performance from its use. The cross-national comparison unveiled that students in each country did not have a compatible pattern of relationship among perception, intention, and performance. This study also examines the impact of levels of Internet use motivations on users' attitude, intentions to use, and performance. The results of the study help understand the factors affecting the Internet use in three countries and identify the differences in willingness to use and performance from cultural heterogeneity. Implications of the study, limitations, and further research directions are also discussed.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.1075-1091
• /
• 2011

The purposes of this study were to investigate the actual state of indoor air quality in semi-underground multi-family housing units in early summer, to analyze the influencing factors, and to make suggestions for improvement. A series of field investigations were conducted in four target units between June 22, 2010, and June 28, 2010. The field investigations included measurements of indoor air quality as well as the observation of architectural characteristics and living conditions. In addition to the field investigation, on-site questionnaire surveys were administrated to residents in 90 units. The findings are summarized as follows: (1) The average $CO_2$ levels in each of the four units ranged from 759ppm to 1885ppm. $CO_2$ levels in three units exceeded the evaluation standard (1000ppm), and one unit was lower than the standard. This unit had smaller number of staying person and a large amount of ventilation than others; (2) the average CO levels in each unit were almost 0ppm, but 0.1~1.1 levels of CO were revealed at several times; (3) the average PM-10 levels ranged from $8{\mu}g/m^3$ to $40{\mu}g/m^3$, which distributes within the standard ($150{\mu}g/m^3$). The influencing factors of PM-10 levels were analyzed as inflow from outside, the use of a gas range, and the residents' activities; (4) therefore, it was evaluated to be necessary to improve ventilation for the indoor air quality of semi-underground housing in aspect of $CO_2$ levels.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.171-180
• /
• 2019

Purpose: Malnutrition may influence neurocognitive development in children by directly affecting the brain structural development, or indirectly by affecting the children's cognition experience. Malnutrition alters the cell numbers, cell migration, synaptogenesis, and neurotransmission due to inadequate availability of necessary micronutrients to support cell growth. We aimed to analyze neurocognitive development in infants with malnutrition and its association with long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), micronutrients levels and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) findings. Methods: The study included two groups; group 1, infants with malnutrition (n=24), group 2; healthy infants (n=21). Peripheral blood was obtained from the participants for studying micronutrients and LC-PUFA levels. The neurocognitive development was analyzed by the use of an Ankara Developmental Screening Inventory test. MRS were performed on all infants. Results: All parameters of neurocognitive development and serum calcium ($9.6{\pm}0.9mg/dL$ vs. $10.4{\pm}0.3mg/dL$, p<0.05) and magnesium ($2.02{\pm}0.27mg/dL$ vs. $2.2{\pm}0.14mg/dL$, p<0.05) levels were noted as being low in infants with marked malnutrition. No difference was found in LC-PUFA levels between healthy and malnourished infants. Thalamic choline/creatine levels were significantly high in infants with malnutrition ($1.33{\pm}0.22$ vs. $1.18{\pm}0.22$, p<0.05). Total neurocognitive development in infants was positively correlated with serum calcium levels (p<0.05, r=0.381). Conclusion: Calcium supplementation may improve neurocognitive development in malnourished infants.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.619-625
• /
• 2001

Diabetes mellitus was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-245g by injection of streptozotocin(STZ) into the tail vein at a dose of 45mg/kg and were divided into seven groups ; normal, diabetic control, and five experimental groups(fractions of hexane, chloroform(CHCl$_3$), ethylacetate(EtOAc), butanol(BuOH) and water($H_2O$)). The rats of all groups were fed on AIN-93 diet and the five experimental groups were orally administered each fraction for 14 days. The body weight and diet intake were monitored daily. The plasma levels of glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, free fatty acid and aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities were analyzed. Diabetic rats showed the lower weight gain compared to the normal rats. The plasma glucose levels of the CHCl$_3$, and $H_2O$ fraction groups were significantly lower than the other experimental groups. The plasma insulin level of the CHCl$_3$ fraction group was much higher than that of diabetic control group. The plasma cholesterol levels were increased in all the experimental groups. The groups of hexane, BuOH and H2() fractions showed the lower plasma triglyceride levels compared to diabetic control group. The plasma free fatty acid levels were not significantly different in all groups. HDL-cholesterol levels were definitely higher in hexane, CHCl$_3$ and EtOAc fraction groups than that of diabetic control group. In conclusion, administration of CHCl$_3$ and $H_2O$ fractions of methanol extract of Alisma canaliculatum exhibited hypoglycemic effects in STZ induced diabetic rats, showing the possibility of therapeutic use of Alisma canaliculatum to the diabetes mellitus.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.114-126
• /
• 2010

Purpose: To examine the levels of the disease-related knowledge and educational demands of pre-dialysis, chronic renal failure patients at different GFRs and stages. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional survey and aimed at 116 pre-dialysis, chronic renal failure patients, who were registered and received regular treatment from December 1 to December 31, 2009 at the nephrology departments of tertiary medical centers in Seoul. Stages were classified into Stage 3, 4 and 5 depending on GFR ranges. To measure the levels of knowledge and educational demands, the tool, which were first invented by Young Ae Lim (1996) and then modified by Hyo Sun Lim (2005) to adjust the knowledge and educational demands measuring tool for hemodialysis patients to pre-dialysis patients with chronic renal failure, was used. Collected data was analyzed with the SPSS WIN 12.0 program (average, standard deviation, Pearson's correlation coefficient, t-test and ANOVA). Results: There was a significant difference in the disease-related knowledge levels of the subjects at each stage (F=24.41, p=.000). The Scheffe post hoc test confirmed that patients at higher stages had higher levels of knowledge of their disease. Also, although the results showed that patients at higher stages had higher educational demands, there was no significant difference among the groups (F=1.259, p=.288). Conclusion: As patients have different levels of knowledge of the disease and educational demands depending on their stages, it is important to develop and use a systematic education program that reflects the demands and levels of patients at each stage in order to help pre-dialysis patients with chronic renal failure with self-management and improve their quality of life.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.222-234
• /
• 1992

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the systemic and local production of immunoglobulins and their levels in patients with periapical cysts using Enzyme - Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Streptococcus sanguis, Bacteroides gingivalis, and Bacteroides intermedius were grown for use as antigen and they were harvested by centrifugation. The patients were divided into two groups: patients of periapical cysts and normal control. 5 patients of each group were selected and their blood were obtained via intravenous puncture prior to surgical operation. Sera were prepared by centrifugation of each blood samples. Cyst fluid were aspirated from cystic cavity and cyst wall were excised at operation. Control tissue were also excised at extraction site of impacted wisdom teeth from normal control. Each tissue was prepared by homogenization and centrifugation. Then antibodies of each sample were measured by modified ELISA. The following results were obtained: 1. Serum IgG and IgM levels were not significantly different between patients with periapical cyst and normal control. 2. IgG and IgM levels of cyst fluid to Bacteroides gingivalis and Bacteroides intermedius were significantly higher than those of serum of patients with periapical cyst, but there was no significant difference to Streptococcus sanguis. 3. IgG and IgM levels of cyst wall to Bacteroides gingivalis and Bacteroides intermedius were significantly higher than those of control tissue, but there was no significant difference to Streptococcus sanguis. 4. IgG and IgM levels in cyst fluid and IgG levels in cyst wall were highest to Bacteroides gingivalis, and IgM levels in cyst wall were highest to Bacteroides intermedius.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.321-328
• /
• 2018

Purpose: Feeding children is a problem in pediatric intensive care units (PICU) and it is difficult to know the correct amount. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if prealbumin or retinol binding proteins (RBP) are effective relative to daily enteral nutrition, without being affected by severity of diseases or infections and can be used to follow up nutritional amount. Methods: This is a prospective observational study that includes 81 patients admitted to PICU in Akdeniz University with estimated duration >72 hours, age between 1 month and 8 years. Daily calorie and protein intake were calculated and prealbumin, RBP and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured on the first, third, fifth and seventh mornings. Results: We find moderate correlation between daily calorie intake and prealbumin levels (r=0.432, p<0.001), RBP levels and daily protein intake (r=0.330, p<0.001). When we investigated the relationship between changes of prealbumin, RBP, CRP, calorie and protein intake during intensive care stay, we found that increase of Prealbumin and RBP levels are explained by decrease of CRP levels (r=-0.546 and -0.645, p<0.001) and not with increase of nourishment. Conclusion: Even adjusted for PRISM3, age and CRP, prealbumin and RBP are correlated with last 24 hours' diet. However, it is not convenient to use as a follow up biomarker because increase of their levels is related with decrease of CRP levels.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.304-317
• /
• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the importance and performance of sodium reduction practices among childcare center cooks in the Yongin area before and after a 3-month salinometer support program. Methods: In total, 313 cooks employed in childcare centers in Yongin were surveyed before and after participating in a salinometer support program. The survey included questions on general information, sodium-related dietary habits, and perceived importance and performance levels of sodium reduction approaches in the purchasing, cooking, and serving areas. The centers were divided into childcare centers registered as group-feeding facilities (FS group, n = 68) and those not registered as such (non-FS group, n = 245). The differences between the two groups were analyzed. Results: The overall importance levels increased significantly after the program in both the FS-group (P < 0.001) and non-FS group (P = 0.005). The overall performance levels also increased significantly in both groups (P < 0.001 for all). Consequently, the significant difference between the importance and performance levels disappeared in both groups after the program. However, unlike the FS group, which showed no significant differences between the importance and performance levels after the program in all three areas, the non-FS group still demonstrated lower performance levels than importance levels in the purchasing (P = 0.011) and serving (P = 0.034) areas after the program. Conclusions: The use of salinometers significantly enhanced the performance and importance of low-sodium management practices among cooks in childcare centers, especially in the FS group. The continuous monitoring of salinity measurements and tailored education specialized for the FS and non-FS groups are recommended.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.135-142
• /
• 1996

Prolonged in-plant personnel exposure to high noise levels results in permant hearing damage. There are no way to correct this hearing damage by treatment or use of hearing aids. Therefore, every employer is responsible for providing a workplace free of such hazards as excessive noise. This study was carried out to evalute and predict a given noise environment based on specific limit as the noise guarantee for a newly-founded petrochemical plant. The maximum total sound level should not exceed 85dBA in the work area, except where the area is defined as a restricted area and 70dBA at the plant boundary. Prediction of the noise levels within the plant area for a newly-founded petrochemical plant was achieved by dividing all plant area into 20m$\times$20m regular grid spaces and noise level inside the area or unit that in-plant personel exposure to high noise levels was estimated computed into 5m$\times$5m regular grid spaces. The noise level at the grid point that was propagated from each of the noise sources(equipments) computed using the methematical formula was defined as follows : $SPL_2$=$SPL_1-20log{\frac{r_2}{r_1}}$(dB) where $SPL_1$ =sound pressure level at distance $r_1$ from the source $SPL_2$=sound pressure level at distance $r_2$ from the source As a result, the equipments exceeded noise limit or irritaring noise levels were identified on the specific grid coordinates. As for equipments in the area that show high noise levels, appropriate counter-measures for noise control (by barriers, enclosure, silencers, or the change of equipments, for example) should be reviewed. Methods for identifying sources of noise applied in this study should be the model for prediction of the noise levels for any newly-founded plant.