• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.243-255
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• 2024

Purpose: Although foot muscle imbalance has been confirmed in patients with hallux valgus deformity, there is insufficient information on how corrective taping affects muscle activity and contraction rate of the foot muscles. The purpose of this study was to confirm the effectiveness of Mulligan taping as a treatment method for hallux valgus deformity by examining changes in muscle activity and contraction rate when Mulligan taping with inelastic tape was applied to these patients. Methods: Thirty-two patients with hallux valgus deformity were randomly divided into two groups, experimental and control. In the experimental group, Mulligan taping with inelastic tape was applied to correct the hallux valgus angle of the big toe, and in the control group, placebo taping was performed in which inelastic tape was applied in a straight line without modifying the angle of the big toe. Muscle activity and muscle contraction rate were measured before and after the intervention, and changes were compared and analyzed. Results: In the experimental group where Mulligan taping was applied, the muscle activity and muscle contraction rate of the abductor hallucis muscle significantly increased after the intervention (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the muscle activity and muscle contraction rate of the adductor hallucis muscle and tibialis posterior muscle significantly decreased (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in muscle activity and muscle contraction rate in the control group, where placebo taping was applied (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Mulligan taping significantly changed muscle activity and contraction rates compared to placebo taping. By correcting the position of the big toe, the activity and contraction rate of the abductor hallucis muscle increased, while the activity and contraction rate of the adductor hallucis muscle and tibialis posterior muscle decreased. Therefore, Mulligan taping is considered an intervention that can prevent symptom worsening and enhance foot function by improving muscle imbalance in patients with hallux valgus deformity.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2024

Background and Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the supply and demand for cardiologists in Korea and provide evidence for healthcare policy to ensure a stable and adequate workforce for optimal cardiovascular disease management. Methods: Past trends of inflow and outflow of cardiologists were used to make crude projections, which were then adjusted based on demands of services to obtain final projections. Inflow of cardiologists was estimated using second-order polynomial regression and demand for cardiology care was estimated using linear regression. Results: There were 1,139 active cardiologists who were under the age of 65 in clinical practice in Korea. The estimated number of cardiologists from 2022 to 2040 showed that the number of cardiologists would peak at 1,344 in 2032 and gradually decrease thereafter. We also estimated an increase of 947,811 cases of heart-related procedures annually from 2023 to 2032. The number of heart-related procedures per cardiologist would increase 1.4 times from 12,964 in 2023 to 17,862 in 2032. The estimated number of emergency patients per cardiologist under 50 years old would almost double from 544 in 2022 to 987 in 2032. Conclusions: We expect significant shortage of cardiologists in Korea within the next 10 years. The number of emergency patients per cardiologist will increase by nearly 50%, leading to high individual workload for cardiologists. To prevent this imbalance between supply and demand, an organized and collective approach by the specialty of cardiology is imperative to produce a balanced workforce.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.228-239
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• 2024

Purpose: This retrospective study was conducted to identify factors associated with repeated suicide attempts by analyzing the electronic medical records of suicide attempters who visited emergency medical centers due to drug intoxication. Methods: Data from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021 were collected for this study and analyzed using SPSS/WIN 25.0. Results: In this study, the factors affecting repeated suicide attempts among individuals who visited the emergency medical center due to acute drug intoxication were the presence or absence of psychiatric diseases, the season of drug intoxication, and age. In order to identify the factors affecting repeated suicide attempts in those who presented with acute drug intoxication, logistic regression analysis was performed by inputting psychiatric diseases, season of drug intoxication, and age, all of which exhibited significant differences between those who did and did not attempt suicide again. The presence of psychiatric diseases (odds ratio [OR] = 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04~3.80), intoxication occurring in the fall (vs. spring; OR = 3.35, 95% CI = 1.28~8.75), and age ≥ 65 (vs. those under the age of 18; OR = 12.96, 95% CI = 2.02~83.17). The regression model was found to be statistically significant (F = 30.01, p < .001), and the coefficient of determination of Cox and Snell, which represents the explanatory power of the model, was 12.0%. Conclusion: This study suggests that to prevent repeated suicide attempts, it is necessary to develop a tool to evaluate the risk of suicide, use it to evaluate the risk of suicide, and then manage individuals accordingly.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.159-167
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• 2024

In this study, a total of 32 individual musculoskeletal examinations were performed to prevent sarcopenia through squatting exercises and corrective exercises in the elderly, and then squatting exercises and corrective exercises were performed twice a week for 12 weeks to apply and improve various exercise programs, and the following results were obtained. Body composition was significantly increased in skeletal muscle mass and basal metabolism after 12 weeks compared to before participation in the exercise program, and static postural balance was significantly improved in front shoulder, pelvic balance and deflection, left leg medial and lateral cervical and thoracic spine, and pelvic tilt after 12 weeks. Dynamic postural balance showed that the composite imbalance index, excessive upper body lean, lumbar lordosis or kyphosis, and single knee tilt and drop were all highly significant postural balances after 12 weeks. As shown in this study, the variety and precise analysis of exercise prescriptions for customized exercise programs for the elderly is very important, and it is necessary to pay attention to research on the maintenance and promotion of elderly health through practical applications in the field.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.721-745
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The high consumption of purine-rich meat is associated with hyperuricemia. However, there is limited evidence linking the consumption of red and processed meat to the genetic risk of hyperuricemia. We investigated the relationship between various combinations of red and processed meat consumption and the polygenic risk scores (PRSs) and the incidence of hyperuricemia in middle-aged Koreans. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We analyzed the data from 44,053 participants aged ≥40 years sourced from the Health Examinees (HEXA) cohort of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). Information regarding red and processed meat intake was obtained using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQ-FFQ). We identified 69 independent single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at uric acid-related loci using genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and clumping analyses. The individual PRS, which is the weighted sum of the effect size of each allele at the SNP, was calculated. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for covariates to determine the relationship between red and processed meat intake and the PRS in the incidence of hyperuricemia. RESULTS: During an average follow-up period of 5 years, 2,556 patients with hyperuricemia were identified. For both men and women, the group with the highest red and processed meat intake and the highest PRS was positively associated with the development of hyperuricemia when compared with the group with the lowest red and processed meat intake and the lowest PRS (hazard ratio [HR], 2.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.10-3.53; P < 0.0001; HR, 3.28; 95% CI, 2.45-4.40; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Individuals at a high genetic risk for uric acid levels should moderate their consumption of red and processed meat to prevent hyperuricemia.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.125-128
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• 2022

Post-vaccination side effects of AstraZeneca (AZ) coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine are common. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection immediately after the first dose of AZ COVID-19 vaccine has not been reported. In this case, a 30-year-old female without a past medical history of SARS-CoV2 infection presented to an outpatient clinic with lightheadedness and weakness 2 hours after getting the first dose of the AZ COVID-19 vaccine. Blood pressure (BP) was 80/60 mm Hg, and oxygen saturation (SpO₂) was 98%. After administering normal saline intravenous fluid, the BP was 110/80 mm Hg. On the first day, fever (oral temperature of 39℃), sweating, dry cough, sore throat, and injection-site pain were presented. On the second day, diarrhea, productive cough, and hypotension occurred in addition to fever (oral temperature of 39.9℃). The fever did not stop and productive cough, change in smell, and fatigue were reported. SpO₂ was 96%. On the third day, no abnormality of the spiral lung computed tomography and the positive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test were reported. Simultaneously, two out of three members of the family became symptomatic on the second day and their RT-PCR tests were positive. Dexamethasone ampule, Cefixime tablet, Acetaminophen tablet, and Diphenhydramine syrup were prescribed. After a week, fever subsided and SpO₂ was 98%. After 3 weeks of self-quarantine at home, her general condition improved. Despite the similarity between SARS-CoV2 infection signs and symptoms and AZ COVID-19 vaccine side effects, none of the approved vaccines contain the live virus that causes disease. Therefore, any unusual post-vaccination signs and symptoms should not be attributed to the vaccine itself and need to be considered for further evaluations and early actions in order to prevent the spread of the disease in society.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.177-182
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• 2024

This study proposes a big data-based analytical method to detect high-risk areas for solitary deaths among the elderly in Seoul. The study categorizes and analyzes the risk factors of solitary deaths into demographic, health, economic, and socio-environmental factors. Using data collected from the Seoul Open Data Plaza and Public Data Portal, variables were generated and scatter plots were created using K-means clustering, followed by visual implementation through map creation. The analysis identified Jungnang-gu, Gangbuk-gu, Nowon-gu, Eunpyeong-gu, Gangseo-gu, and Gwanak-gu as the highest-risk areas. This study addresses the limitations of previous survey-based research through big data analysis. The findings are expected to enhance the efficiency of solitary death prevention programs and serve as a basis for informed decision-making in budget allocation across districts.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.288-293
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the elementary school students' consciousness of safety, activities to prevent their accidents and factors causing such accidents. For this aim, a research was conducted from Nov. 19 through Dec. 22, 2007 by means of questionnaires distributed to 800 students enrolled in the 5th and 6th grades of 4 elementary schools in a urban-rural combined city. Out of the questionnaires distributed, 785 were collected and put to analysis by using SPSS 13.0 program to determine t-test, ANOVA, logistic regression, etc. 1. The maximum scores of safety consciousness revealing relatively high level of safety consciousness. There was, however, statistically significant difference by grade, type of residence, school life and academic achievements. In detail, 5th graders featured higher level of safety consciousness and those who live in apartments, lead a pleasant life at school and get better academic scores tended to keep higher level of safety consciousness. 2. The subjects of the high scored of activities to prevent accidents, with a statistically significant difference by gender, grade and individual personality. Females, 5th graders and active students were found to be more conscious of preventive activities for accidents. 3. In general, 6th graders and active students turned out to have experienced more accidents. 4. The main factors exerting influence on occurrence of accidents on the part of elementary school students are known to be preventive actions and consciousness of traffic safety in the category of safety consciousness. The significant variable in preventive actions was preventive actions of traffic accidents, burns and intoxication by category of accidents, but individual personality by category of general characters. Sixth graders and male students experienced more accidents, without significantly significant difference, though. As a result, From the above findings, prevention of safety accidents is found to be very important for elementary school students. It is therefore suggested that schools as well as homes should continue to conduct practical education to prevent accidents with priority placed on familiarizing students with preventive activities in daily life in consideration of their personal characters.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.181-199
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• 2010

As rapid progress of population aging and strong interest in health, the demand for new healthcare service is increasing. Until now healthcare service has provided post treatment by face-to-face manner. But according to related researches, proactive treatment is resulted to be more effective for preventing diseases. Particularly, the existing healthcare services have limitations in preventing and managing metabolic syndrome such a lifestyle disease, because the cause of metabolic syndrome is related to life habit. As the advent of ubiquitous technology, patients with the metabolic syndrome can improve life habit such as poor eating habits and physical inactivity without the constraints of time and space through u-healthcare service. Therefore, lots of researches for u-healthcare service focus on providing the personalized healthcare service for preventing and managing metabolic syndrome. For example, Kim et al.(2010) have proposed a healthcare model for providing the customized calories and rates of nutrition factors by analyzing the user's preference in foods. Lee et al.(2010) have suggested the customized diet recommendation service considering the basic information, vital signs, family history of diseases and food preferences to prevent and manage coronary heart disease. And, Kim and Han(2004) have demonstrated that the web-based nutrition counseling has effects on food intake and lipids of patients with hyperlipidemia. However, the existing researches for u-healthcare service focus on providing the predefined one-way u-healthcare service. Thus, users have a tendency to easily lose interest in improving life habit. To solve such a problem of u-healthcare service, this research suggests a u-healthcare recommender system which is based on collaborative filtering principle and social network. This research follows the principle of collaborative filtering, but preserves local networks (consisting of small group of similar neighbors) for target users to recommend context aware healthcare services. Our research is consisted of the following five steps. In the first step, user profile is created using the usage history data for improvement in life habit. And then, a set of users known as neighbors is formed by the degree of similarity between the users, which is calculated by Pearson correlation coefficient. In the second step, the target user obtains service information from his/her neighbors. In the third step, recommendation list of top-N service is generated for the target user. Making the list, we use the multi-filtering based on user's psychological context information and body mass index (BMI) information for the detailed recommendation. In the fourth step, the personal information, which is the history of the usage service, is updated when the target user uses the recommended service. In the final step, a social network is reformed to continually provide qualified recommendation. For example, the neighbors may be excluded from the social network if the target user doesn't like the recommendation list received from them. That is, this step updates each user's neighbors locally, so maintains the updated local neighbors always to give context aware recommendation in real time. The characteristics of our research as follows. First, we develop the u-healthcare recommender system for improving life habit such as poor eating habits and physical inactivity. Second, the proposed recommender system uses autonomous collaboration, which enables users to prevent dropping and not to lose user's interest in improving life habit. Third, the reformation of the social network is automated to maintain the quality of recommendation. Finally, this research has implemented a mobile prototype system using JAVA and Microsoft Access2007 to recommend the prescribed foods and exercises for chronic disease prevention, which are provided by A university medical center. This research intends to prevent diseases such as chronic illnesses and to improve user's lifestyle through providing context aware and personalized food and exercise services with the help of similar users'experience and knowledge. We expect that the user of this system can improve their life habit with the help of handheld mobile smart phone, because it uses autonomous collaboration to arouse interest in healthcare.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.159-193
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• 2015

Owing to causes such as population aging, increased use of various medical devices, long-term hospitalization of various patients with reduced immune function such as cancer, diabetes, and organ transplant patients, and the growing size of hospitals, hospital infections are continuing to increase. As seen in the MERS crisis of 2015, hospital infections have become a social and national problem. In order to prevent damage due to such hospital infections, it is necessary to first strictly implement measures to prevent hospital infections, while, on the other hand, providing proper relief of damage suffered due to hospital infections. However, the mainstream attitude of judicial precedents relating to hospital infection cases has been judged to in fact shift responsibility over damages due to hospital infections on the patient. In light of the philosophy of the damage compensation system, whose guiding principle if the fair and proper apportionment of damages, there is a need to seek means of drastically relaxing the burden of proof on the patient's side relative to conventional legal principles for relaxing the burden of proof, or the theory of de facto estimation. In relation to such need, the German civil code (Burgerliches Gesetzbuch), which defines contracts of medical treatment as typical contracts under the civil code, and has presumption of negligence provisions stipulating that, in cases such as hospital infections which were completely under the control of the medical care providers, if risks in general medical treatment have been realized which cause violations of the life, body, or health of patients, error on the part of the person providing medical care is presumed, was examined. Contracts of medical treatment are entered into very frequently and broadly in the everyday lives of the general public, with various disputes owing thereto arising. Therefore, it is necessary to, by defining contracts of medical treatment as typical contracts under the civil code, regulate the content of said contracts, as well as the proof of burden when disputes arise. If stipulations in the civil code are premature as of yet, an option may be to regulate through a special act, as is the case with France. In the case of hospital infection cases, it is thought that 'legal presumption of negligence' relating to 'negligence in the occurrence of hospital infections,' which will create a state close to equality of arms, will aid the resolution of the realistic issue of the de facto impossibility of remedying damages occurring due to negligence in the process of occurrence of hospital infections. Also, even if negligence is presumed by law, as the patient side is burdened with proving the causal relationships, such drastic confusion as would occur if the medical care provider side is found fully liable if a hospital infection occurs may be avoided. It is thought that, alongside such efforts, social insurance policy must be improved so as to cover the expenses of medical institutions having strictly implemented efforts to prevent hospital infections in the event that they have suffered damages due to a hospital infection accident, and that close future research and examination into this matter will be required.