• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.17-28
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• 2022

Scoliosis is a 3-dimensional change of the spine, presenting 10° above Cobb angle. Various acupuncture methods are being increasingly performed to correct scoliosis. However, no systematic review has been published. Therefore, we report on the effectiveness of acupuncture on mild scoliosis in this systematic review. We searched various databases for acupuncture treatment for scoliosis published before June 2021. The primary outcome was Cobb angle, and the secondary outcomes were patient-centered scores. Six studies were identified. RCTs that compared combination therapy with acupuncture, and other treatment methods and showed significant improvement in the Cobb angle, and effective rate, but, with low quality evidence. Acupuncture monotherapy resulted in significant improvement in the Cobb angle and had high heterogeneity compared with other treatment methods, but no significant improvement in the effective rate was observed, and the quality of evidence was low. Regardless of the type of scoliosis, acupuncture monotherapy or combination therapy with acupuncture showed significant improvement in the Cobb angle, and the quality of evidence was moderate. No serious adverse events were observed in the 6 studies reviewed. Acupuncture is considered safe, and it is more effective when performed with other conventional treatments.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.255-264
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the differences before and after certification for internal members of nursing hospitals and Western hospitals that received the certification system of medical institutions after conducting a survey on 297 members of nursing hospitals and Western hospitals, SPSS 26.0 was used, and to understand the effect of improvement of member satisfaction, job stress, and medical service on the hospital operation effect. As for the hospital operation effect of a nursing hospital, it was revealed that the higher the satisfaction of the members and the improvement of the medical service, the higher the effect of the hospital operation. In the case of Western hospitals, the higher the satisfaction of the members and the improvement of the medical service, the lower the job stress, the more the hospital operation effect can be seen to increase. As the basic value system of the medical institution certification system is the improvement of patient safety and quality of care, it is believed that the effect of the certification system was higher than that of Western hospitals due to mandatory certification in nursing hospitals.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.204-214
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the occurrence and types of the adverse events (AEs) associated with oral fluconazole and itraconazole and factors associated with specific types of AEs. Methods: We analyzed AEs reported by community pharmacies nationwide over 10 years using the Korea Adverse Event Reporting System database. Various AE terms were categorized into 18 types, and concomitant medications were classified by drug-drug interaction (DDI) severity. The relationship between the specific type of AE and age, sex, and number of concomitant medications was investigated using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 879 AE reports of fluconazole and 401 reports of itraconazole were analyzed; of these reports, 321 and 83 reports of fluconazole and itraconazole, respectively, described concomitant drug administration categorized as DDI severity of contraindicated or major. Women had a higher risk of psychiatric AEs associated with fluconazole use (OR, 1.587; p=0.042). Polypharmacy increased the risk for psychiatric AEs (OR, 3.598; p<0.001 for fluconazole and OR, 2.308; p=0.046 for itraconazole). In dermatologic AEs, the mean age of patients who received itraconazole was lower than that of patients who received fluconazole (46.3±16.8 vs. 54.9±15.4; p<0.001). Co-administration of fluconazole with 1-3 drugs increased the risk of neurological AEs (OR, 1.764; p=0.028). Conclusion: When using fluconazole and itraconazole, psychiatric AEs should be noted, particularly in women and in case of polypharmacy; moreover, when fluconazole is co-administered with other drugs, attention should be paid to the occurrence of neurological AEs.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.180-193
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• 2022

Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) is a multisystem disorder characterized by intestinal and extraintestinal manifestations and complications. Cerebrovascular events (CVE) are rare extraintestinal complications in patients with PIBD. Statistics show that 3.3% patients with PIBD and 1.3-6.4% adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience CVE during the course of the disease. Therefore, this study aimed to review the records of children with IBD who developed CVE during the course of the disease. We retrospectively reviewed 62 cases of PIBD complicated by CVE. The mean patient age at the time of thrombotic events was 12.48±4.13 years. The incidence of ulcerative colitis was significantly higher than that of Crohn's disease (43 [70.5%] vs. 13 [21.3%] patients). Most patients (87.93%) were in the active phase of IBD at the time of CVE. The mean time interval between the onset of IBD and CVE was 20.84 weeks. Overall, 11 (26.83%) patients showed neurological symptoms of CVE at disease onset. The most frequent symptom on admission was persistent and severe headaches (67.85%). The most common site of cerebral venous thrombosis was the transverse sinuses (n=23, 53.48%). The right middle cerebral artery (n=3, 33.34%) was the predominant site of cerebral arterial infarction. Overall, 41 (69.49%) patients who were mostly administered unfractionated heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin (56.09%) recovered completely. Patients with IBD are at a risk of thromboembolism. CVE may be the most common type of thromboembolism. Based on these findings, the most common risk factor for CVE is IBD flares. In patients with CVE, anticoagulant therapy with heparin, followed by warfarin, is necessary.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.51-60
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• 2021

Purpose: Tuberculosis(TB) care unit in public health center should be carefully considered to be re-designed as an infection safety environment for both patient and healthcare workers. So, for the enhancement, this study analyses the facility requirements for co-using the screening clinic as a TB and other respiratory disease care unit. Methods: Not only screening clinic facility guidelines from "A Study for Standard Triage Design and Construction Document" but also the guidelines of TB care and related medical facility are reviewed; KDCA, CDC, ECDC and WHO as a TB care, and FGI and NHS for facility. The facility requirements are summarized space, approach, and mechanical requirement in order. By comparing the summary and screening clinic facility guidelines, supplementations are proposed for TB care unit setting. Results: The result of this study shows that both the space program and mechanical requirement of the screening clinic and that of TB care unit are almost identical and could be share, which include direct airflow or negative air pressure in an exam room. To increase functional and economical efficiency, however, it is necessary to consider a multi-functional negative pressured room, So care process may be re-designed based on a room type; face-to-face room or glass wall inbetween. Implications: The facility guidelines for TB care unit of a public health center should be developed to build a safe environment for infection control by reflecting its medical plan and budget.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.345-352
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• 2022

Background: Optimal needle depth in transforaminal epidural injection (TFEI) is determined by body measurements and is influenced by the needle entry angle. Physician can choose the appropriate needle length and perform the procedure more effectively if depth is predicted in advance. Methods: This retrospective study included patients with lumbosacral pain from a single university hospital. The skin depth from the target point was measured using magnetic resonance imaging transverse images. The depth was measured bilaterally for L4 and L5 TFEIs at 15°, 20°, and 25° oblique angles from the spinous process. Results: A total of 4,632 measurements of 386 patients were included. The lengths of the left and right TFEI at the same level and oblique angle were assessed, and no statistical differences were identified. Therefore, linear regression analysis was performed for bilateral L4 and L5 TFEIs. The R-squared values of height and weight combined were higher than the height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). The following equation was established: Depth (mm) = a - b (height, cm) + c (weight, kg). Based on the equation, maximal BMI capable with a 23G, 3.5-inch, Quincke-type point spinal needle was presented for three different angles (15°, 20°, and 25°) at lumbar levels L4 and L5. Conclusions: The maximal BMI that derived from the formulated equation is listed on the table, which can help in preparations for morbid obesity. If a patient has bigger BMI than the one in the table, the clinician should prepare longer needle than the usual spinal needle.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was undertaken to investigate how sedative-hypnotics affect the occurrence and severity of the patient's symptoms. In addition, we conducted a study to determine the type of patients who reacted severely and required hospitalization; patients were accordingly classified as hospitalized patients and patients discharged from the emergency room. Methods: From January 2017 to December 2019, we investigated the demographics, drug information, history, laboratory tests, and severity of patients who visited our emergency department and were diagnosed with benzodiazepine, zolpidem, and doxylamine succinate overdose. We further compared details of hospitalized patients and discharged patients. Results: Subjects who had overdosed and visited the ED included 120 for benzodiazepine, 147 for zolpidem, and 27 for doxylamine succinate. Comparisons between the three groups revealed differences in their early diagnosis, psychiatric history, and sleep disturbance. Differences between groups were also determined for mental state, poisoning history, treatment received in the intensive care unit, and intubation and ventilator support. In cases of benzodiazepine overdose, we obtained a high hospitalization rate (40.0%), admission to the intensive care unit (24.2%), and intubation rate (18.3%). Comparisons between hospitalized patients and discharged groups showed differences in transferred patients, early diagnosis, and mental state. Conclusion: Patients poisoned by sedative-hypnotics are increasing every year. In cases of benzodiazepine and zolpidem, the hospitalization rates were high, and benzodiazepine overdose resulted in hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, and pneumonia in a majority of cases. Therefore, active treatment and quick decisions in the emergency room are greatly required.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.348-355
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• 2022

Objectives: To compare the vital sign stability and cost of two commonly used sedatives, midazolam (MDZ) and dexmedetomidine (DEX). Patients and Methods: This retrospective study targeted patients who underwent mandibular third molar extractions under intravenous sedation using MDZ or DEX. The predictor variable was the type of sedative used. The primary outcome variables were vital signs (heart rate and blood pressure), vital sign outliers, and cost of the sedatives. A vital sign outlier was defined as a 30% or more change in vital signs during sedation; the fewer changes, the higher the vital sign stability. The secondary outcome variables included the observer's assessment of alertness/sedation scale, level of amnesia, patient satisfaction, and bispectral index score. Covariates were sex, age, body mass index, sleeping time, dental anxiety score, and Pederson scale. Descriptive statistics were computed including propensity score matching (PSM). The P-value was set at 0.05. Results: The study enrolled 185 patients, 103 in the MDZ group and 82 in the DEX group. Based on the data after PSM, the two samples had similar baseline covariates. The sedative effect of both agents was satisfactory. Heart rate outliers were more common with MDZ than with DEX (49.3% vs 22.7%, P=0.001). Heart rate was higher with MDZ (P=0.000). The cost was higher for DEX than for MDZ (29.27±0.00 USD vs 0.37±0.04 USD, P=0.000). Conclusion: DEX showed more vital sign stability, while MDZ was more economical. These results could be used as a reference to guide clinicians during sedative selection.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.260-267
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• 2023

We aimed to investigate the proportions of MTB- and NTM-positive tests and the distribution patterns of species isolated by contracted testing agencies in South Korea. Respiratory specimens submitted to contracted testing agencies in South Korea for AFB culture from January 2014 to December 2021 were included (533,713 specimens in total). Trends based on MTB and NTM detection, patient sex and age, culture medium type, and testing year were analyzed. MTB and NTM positive detection increased in the patients. The average ages of MTB- and NTM-positive patients increased in those aged ≥61 years. For solid culture, the MTB detection rate decreased from 5.9% in 2014 to 3.3% in 2018 and increased to 4.7% in 2021; the NTM detection rate increased from 2.1% in 2014 to 3.4% in 2018 and 3.7% in 2021. For liquid culture, the MTB detection rate decreased from 8.3% in 2014 to 5.5% in 2018 and increased to 6.0% in 2021; the NTM detection rate increased from 3.5% in 2014 to 5.5% in 2018 and decreased to 5.3% in 2021. An isolation ratio reversal between MTB and NTM was observed in 2018. In this study, we provide information on mycobacterial isolation rates and species distributions using AFB culture test results from Korea's referral laboratories. Increased MTB- and NTM-isolation rates were observed in individuals aged ≥60 years, indicating the need for regular testing and focused management for them. Expanding liquid culture applications, which show higher positivity rates than solid culture methods, is necessary.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.79-89
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• 2023

Purpose : Until recently, the number of cancer patients continues to increase, and these patients have many limitations in their activities of daily living. In the republic of Korea, cancer patients are showing an increasing trend every year. Cancer disease not only significantly reduces the quality of life in individuals, but also causes various side effects if not managed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise and resistance exercise on health-related problems in cancer patients. Methods : This study searched for studies that applied aerobic exercise and resistance exercise to cancer patients reported in search engines (google scala, dbpia, and pubmed) from 2017 to 2022. Six randomized controlled trials and two systematic reviews and meta-analyses were used for analysis in our study. "physical activity", "exercise", "aerobic exercise", "resistance exercise", and "cancer patient" were the main search terms. The data included aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, cancer patients' muscle strength, physical strength, quality of life, and physical activity. Results : According to the eight studies that met the criteria included in this review study, it was found that aerobic exercise and resistance exercise had an effect on the increase in physical fitness, muscular strength, quality of life, and range of motion in cancer survivors. Conclusion : It was confirmed that aerobic exercise and resistance exercise are safe and effective interventions that can be applied to cancer patients without side effects. A limitation of this study is that it did not examine cancer diseases in various population groups such as the elderly and children. Therefore, in future studies, studies that consider specific details such as age, gender, type of cancer, and physical differences are needed.