• Title/Summary/Keyword: Mixed Methods Research

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The Prognostic Factors of Selective Transforaminal Epidural Block in Patients with Low Back Pain (요하지통 환자에서 선택적 경추간공 경막외강 블록의 예후 인자)

  • Choi, Byung In;Han, Jeong Mi;Kweon, Tae Dong;Lee, Youn-Woo
    • The Korean Journal of Pain
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    • v.20 no.1
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    • pp.54-59
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    • 2007
  • Background: Selective transforaminal epidural block (STEB) has showen effectiveness as a diagnostic and therapeutic option for the management of patients with low back pain or sciatica. This study was carried out in order to determine the short-term effects and prognostic factors associated with STEB in patients with low back pain or sciatica. Methods: Ninety-seven patients were selectedfor participation in this study. Their diagnosis were based werewason the clinical symptoms and MRI findings. We performed STEB under fluoroscopic guidance and injected 3 ml of radio opaque dye in order to confirm the technical success of the procedure. We then injected 20 mg of triamcinolone mixed into 3 ml of 0.5% mepivacaine. One month later, we classified the patient outcomes as excellent, good, moderate or poor, according to the degree of reduction in VAS score from baseline. The independent variables assessed included symptom duration, block level, number of blocks, primary diagnosis, prior caudal block, anterior epidural space filling of dye, medication history, demographic data, radiating pain, back surgery and spondylolisthesis. Results: At a mean follow-up period of 1 month after STEB, excellent results were noted in the patients diagnosed with herniated lumbar disc (70%), non-specific spondylosis (54%), spinal stenosis (44%), and failed back syndrome (28%). The patients with epidural adhesion and combined spondylolisthesis were associated with poorer outcomes. Combined caudal block, symptom duration and the extent of epidural spread of the drug were not related to the effectiveness of the treatment. Conclusions: Selective transforaminal epidural block is effective in treating patients with radiculopathy, such as herniated lumbar disc, but it isrelatively ineffective in treating patients with structural deformities, such as failed back syndrome and spondylolisthesis.

Removal of Copper from the Solution Containing Copper, Nickel, Cobalt and Iron (구리, 니켈, 코발트, 철 혼합용액(混合溶液)으로부터 구리의 제거(除去))

  • Park, Kyung Ho;Nam, Chul Woo;Kim, Hyun Ho;Barik, Smruti Prakash
    • Resources Recycling
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    • v.22 no.6
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    • pp.48-54
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    • 2013
  • The methods to separate and remove copper in the mixed solution ((399 ppm Cu, 208 ppm Fe, 15.3 g/L Ni, 2.1 g/L Co) with nickel, cobalt and iron were investigated. With hydroxide precipitation method, copper and iron ions were completely precipitated and removed from the solution at pH 7 while some nickel and cobalt also were precipitated. 99.75% copper could be precipitated and removed as copper sulfide from the solution with adding $Na_2S$ (1.25 w/v concentration) of 2 times equivalent of Cu at pH 1. Copper was selectively absorbed on TP 207 ion exchange resin at equilibrium pH 2.0 and could be eluted from copper-loaded resin using 5% $H_2SO_4$.

Regeneration of Bovine Mammary Gland in Immunodeficient Mice by Transplantation of Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells Mixed with Matrigel

  • Park, Hyun Jung;Lee, Won Young;Jeong, Ha Yeon;Song, Hyuk
    • International Journal of Stem Cells
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    • v.9 no.2
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    • pp.186-191
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    • 2016
  • Background and Objectives: With the global demand for dairy protein for consumption growing annually, there has been increasing activity in the research field of dairy protein synthesis and production. From a manipulation perspective, it is more difficult to use live cattle for laboratory studies on the production of milk as well as of dairy protein such as casein, as compared with using laboratory animals like rodents. Therefore, we aimed to develop a mouse model of bovine mammary alveolar ducts for laboratory-scale studies. We studied the formation of the bovine mammary gland ductal structure by transplanting the MAC-T bovine alveolar cell line into mice. Methods and Results: MAC-T cells ($1{\times}10^7$) were suspended in Matrigel and injected into the dorsal tissue of 8-week-old male BALB/C nude mice. Histological analysis of tissue dissected from the MAC-T cell-transplanted mice after 6 weeks showed the typical morphology of the tubuloalveolar female gland, as well as glands made up of branching ducts that were surrounded by smooth muscle with small alveoli budding off the ducts. In addition, the epithelial markers CK14 and CK18 were expressed within the duct-like structure. Prolactin was detected in the duct interior in these CK14+ and CK18+ cells but not in the non-transplanted MAC-T cells. Conclusions: These results showed that duct-like tissue had been successfully formed after 6 weeks of transplantation of the CK14+ and CK18+ MAC-T cells into mice dorsal tissue. This mouse model will be a useful tool for further research on the bovine mammary gland.

Association between Weekend Admission and In-hospital Mortality among Cardiovascular Patients in Korea

  • Lee, Sang Ah;Park, Eun-Cheol;Shin, Jaeyong;Ju, Yeong Jun;Lee, Hoo-Yeon
    • Health Policy and Management
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    • v.29 no.2
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    • pp.237-244
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    • 2019
  • Background: Weekend admission is known for having association with increased mortality attributed by poor quality of care and severe patients. We investigated the association between hospital admission on weekends and the in-hospital mortality rates of patients with cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, we examined this association stratified by admission via emergency room or not. Methods: We analyzed claim data provided by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment in 2013. In total, 80,817 cardiovascular patients were included in this study, which treated in-hospital mortality (early and during total length of stay) as a dependent variable. A generalized linear mixed effects model was used. We conducted subgroup analyses stratified by admission via emergency room or not. Results: Patients who admitted on weekend showed higher in-hospital mortality both early (odds ratio [OR], 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-1.78) and during total length of stay (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.02-1.33) compared to those admitted on weekdays. Patients who were admitted to the hospital on a weekend by emergency room were more likely to experience early in-hospital mortality compared to those admitted on weekdays. Furthermore, we found that patients not admitted to the hospital through the emergency department were more likely to experience both early and total length of stay in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: Our study shows higher in-hospital mortality rates for cardiovascular patients admitted on weekends. Efforts to improve the quality of care on weekend are important to mitigate the 'weekend effect' and improve patient outcomes.

Cone-beam computed tomography-guided three-dimensional evaluation of treatment effectiveness of the Frog appliance

  • Li, Mujia;Su, Xiaoxia;Li, Yang;Li, Xianglin;Si, Xinqin
    • The korean journal of orthodontics
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    • v.49 no.3
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    • pp.161-169
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    • 2019
  • Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Frog appliance in three dimensions by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Methods: Forty patients (21 boys and 19 girls), averaged 11.7 years old, with an Angle Class II division 1 malocclusion were included in our study. They had either late mixed dentition or early permanent dentition, and the maxillary second molars had not yet erupted. All patients underwent CBCT before and after the treatment for measuring changes in the maxillary first molars, second premolars, central incisors, and profile. Paired-samples t-test was used to compare the mean difference in each variable before treatment and after the first phase of treatment. Results: The maxillary first molars were effectively distalized by 4.25 mm (p < 0.001) and 3.53 mm (p < 0.05) in the dental crown and root apex, respectively. The tipping increased by $2.25^{\circ}$, but the difference was not significant. Moreover the teeth moved buccally by 0.84 mm (p < 0.05) and 2.87 mm (p < 0.01) in the mesiobuccal and distobuccal cusps, respectively, whereas no significant changes occurred in the root apex. Regarding the anchorage parts, the angle of the maxillary central incisor's long axis to the sella-nasion plane increased by $2.76^{\circ}$ (p < 0.05) and the distance from the upper lip to the esthetic plane decreased by 0.52 mm (p = 0.01). Conclusions: The Frog appliance effectively distalized the maxillary molars with an acceptable degree of tipping, distobuccal rotation, and buccal crown torque, with only slight anchorage loss. Furthermore, CBCT image demonstrated that it is a simple and reliable method for three-dimensional analysis.

A Systematic Study on the Intervention Study of Intellectual Disability Students in Elementary Schools : Focusing on the Design of Single-Subject Research in Korea (초등학교 지적장애 학생의 수업 참여도 중재 연구에 관한 체계적 고찰 : 국내 단일대상연구 설계 중심으로)

  • Hwang, In-Bi;Choi, Yoo-Im
    • The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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    • v.19 no.3
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    • pp.44-60
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    • 2021
  • Objective : The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of domestic single-subject research related to the participation of students with intellectual disabilities in classes. Methods : We investigated a total of five papers to determine the features and qualitative levels of the papers being analyzed. Results : A total of 12 subjects were studied, and experiments were conducted at all stages. All research used a multiple baseline design. The independent variables were the positive behavior support approach (2), the strength-oriented activities approach, the self-decision teaching and learning model approach, and the self-monitoring approach. As a dependent variables, there were four pieces set up exclusively for class participation behavior, and one that was set up mixed with class interruptions behaviors. The qualitative level of the studies to be analyzed was 100% of the high level. Conclusion : Through this study, single-subject studies that applied interventions related to participation in class for intellectual disabilities in elementary schools have confirmed that effective interventions were applied and that the quality levels were reliable.

A Study on the Applicability of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Underwater Cultural Heritage Survey in Intertidal Zones (조간대에서의 수중문화재 조사를 위한 무인항공기의 적용 가능성에 관한 연구)

  • Young-Hyun Lee;Dong-Won Choi;Sang-Hee Lee;Sung-Bo Kim
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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    • v.26 no.4_2
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    • pp.697-703
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    • 2023
  • Intertidal zones, akin to tidal flats, are among the potential areas where underwater cultural heritage might be submerged. However, the shallow depths in these regions present challenges for conventional vessel-based survey methods. Moreover, during low tides, intertidal zones transform into tidal flats, limiting the efficiency of survey efforts due to restricted access and potential risks. As a result, proper underwater cultural heritage surveys encounter difficulties in these environments. In recent times, extensive research is underway to address these issues by investigating underwater cultural heritage surveys in intertidal zones, encompassing diverse fields, including equipment-based investigations. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to conduct intertidal cultural heritage surveys, employing aerial photography and 3D mapping to create detailed orthoimages and 3D models. The study focused on assessing the potential application of these techniques for cultural heritage surveying within intertidal zones. Notably, the survey conducted in Jindo's Naesan-ri demonstrated high-resolution capabilities, enabling the distinction of actual pottery fragments mixed within gravel fields. Similarly, in the survey of Jindo's Byeokpa-hang, it was found that a wooden pillar structure existed in a section about 200m long. The integration of various sensors, including LiDAR, with UAVs allows for diverse investigation possibilities, including bathymetric measurements, and is expected to facilitate the acquisition of varied datasets for further research and assessment.

Economic Feasibility Assessment for the Interior Materials Selective Dismantling System Promotion in Buildings (건축물 분별해체 제도 활성화를 위한 경제적 효용성 평가)

  • Ji-Sun Park;Kyung-Pil Jang;Tae-Hyeob Song
    • Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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    • v.11 no.3
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    • pp.251-259
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    • 2023
  • In this study, as a foundational research aimed at promoting the efficient recycling and environmentally friendly disposal of construction waste through the activation of a selective dismantling system, our primary objective was to analyze the economic feasibility of implementing selective dismantling. To achieve this, we conducted an assessment on a 5-story residential building with a construction area of 2,400 m2 as a case study. When considering the additional cost of dismantling construction ① the reduction in waste disposal costs due to decreased mixed waste, ② and the potential revenue from recycling through the separation and sorting of waste materials, and ③ we were able to comprehensively confirm that there is an expected cost-saving effect totaling 34,727,000 KRW when compared to conventional demolition methods.

Equine helminths: prevalence and associated risk factors in Gamo Gofa Zone, Ethiopia

  • Yared Abate Getahun;Bekahegn Simeon Tsalke;Abreham Wondimu Buzuneh;Mekoya Mereta Mejo;Wondyfraw Tsegaw Habtewold
    • Journal of Veterinary Science
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    • v.25 no.3
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    • pp.41.1-41.12
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    • 2024
  • Importance: Equines are indispensable in reducing the huge burden on children and women and income generation. On the other hand, minimal attention is given to improving their health and welfare. Objective: This study examined the prevalence and associated risk factors of helminth parasites of equine in the Gamo Gofa Zone. Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed from June 2019 to March 2020. The study districts and Kebeles were selected purposively based on agroecology whereas selection of study households and animals were performed based on simple random sampling techniques. Identification of nematode, trematode parasite ova and larvae of D. arnfieldi were done by floatation, sedimentation, and Baermann techniques respectively. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression was applied to estimate the prevalence and association of risk factors with helminth parasites. Results: The overall helminth parasite prevalence in the study area was 90.4%, 425/470 (95% [CI], 87.16-92.9). The prevalence of Strongyle, Fasciola, O. equi, P. equorum, D. arnfieldi, and mixed parasite infections were 65.1%, 21.7%, 17.4%, 34%, 34%, and 58.1%, respectively. Infections from Fasciola species and D. arnfieldi infection were four ([AOR], 4.4; 95% CI, 2-9.4) and two times (AOR, 2; 95% CI, 1.1-3.6) respectively more likely occur in donkeys than in mules. The occurrence of Strongyle species in midland agroecology was two times (AOR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.4-4.7) more likely than lowland agroecology. Conclusions and Relevance: The present study identified diverse species of equine helminth parasites that necessitate urgent disease control and prevention measures.

The evaluation of the correlation between histomorphometric analysis and micro-computed tomography analysis in AdBMP-2 induced bone regeneration in rat calvarial defects

  • Park, Shin-Young;Kim, Kyoung-Hwa;Koo, Ki-Tae;Lee, Kang-Woon;Lee, Yong-Moo;Chung, Chong-Pyoung;Seol, Yang-Jo
    • Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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    • v.41 no.5
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    • pp.218-226
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    • 2011
  • Purpose: Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) has been widely used in the evaluation of regenerated bone tissue but the reliability of micro-CT has not yet been established. This study evaluated the correlation between histomorphometric analysis and micro-CT analysis in performing new bone formation measurement. Methods: Critical-size calvarial defects were created using a 8 mm trephine bur in a total of 24 Sprague-Dawley rats, and collagen gel mixed with autogenous rat bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) or autogenous rat BMSCs transduced by adenovirus containing bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2) genes was loaded into the defect site. In the control group, collagen gel alone was loaded into the defect. After 2 and 4 weeks, the animals were euthanized and calvaria containing defects were harvested. Micro-CT analysis and histomorphometric analysis of each sample were accomplished and the statistical evaluation about the correlation between both analyses was performed. Results: New bone formation of the BMP-2 group was greater than that of the other groups at 2 and 4 weeks in both histomorphometric analysis and micro-CT analysis (P=0.026, P=0.034). Histomorphometric analysis of representative sections showed similar results to histomorphometric analysis with a mean value of 3 sections. Measurement of new bone formation was highly correlated between histomorphometric analysis and micro-CT analysis, especially at the low lower threshold level at 2 weeks (adjusted $r^2=0.907$, P<0.001). New bone formation of the BMP-2 group analyzed by micro-CT tended to decline sharply with an increasing lower threshold level, and it was statistically significant (P<0.001). Conclusions: Both histomorphometric analysis and micro-CT analysis were valid methods for measurement of the new bone in rat calvarial defects and the ability to detect the new bone in micro-CT analysis was highly influenced by the threshold level in the BMP-2 group at early stage.