• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 1973

In this study noise source in a ward at four general hospitals in Seoul area has been investigated and analysed. The degree of reaction against noise by 171 randomly has also been examined. The results of the study have shown that the source of noise is the speakers of wired broadcasting or from visiting guests in two hospitals located in residential area. The patients at the two other hospitals located at commercial site have been suffered more from traffic noise. However, because of their separated living at hospital from their ordinary houselife, sixty one percent of the inpatients have wished a music sound of around 60 dB (A). After having considered the results of the investigation and wishes of the inpatients, following suggestions have been made: 1. Reduce the number of guests or their length of stay. 2. Wired broadcasting system should be substitued by wireless one, or if it's unavoidable, it should be used in office rooms only. 3. Since the stops and starts of vehicles induce much noise, Seoul City Government be requested to prepare an appropriate administrative measure for the vehicles around hospital area and it should prevent the establishment of new hospitals along high way site. 4. By using earphone, inpatients can choose a wireless channel according to each individual's taste. This through the masking effect, would cover up the noise source. 5. Rooms along the streets should be utilized as offices, otherwise double windows should be set up for inpatient's wards.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.359-365
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• 2020

This study aimed to investigate the causes of bacterial growth to prevent infection caused by ultrasound gel and gel containers in contact with patients during ultrasonography. To investigate bacterial contamination during manufacturing or storage, we cultured ultrasound gels originally supplied from three manufacturers. To analyze bacterial growth according to the lapse of time and frequency of use of the ultrasound gel container, the gel and container were cultured at regular intervals every week for 4 weeks. In addition, to determine the source of infection, the examiner's hand was inspected with hand plate and the degree of bacterial contamination was measured before the test. As a result of the study, bacteria were not detected in the gel provided at the initial supply, and in the gel and gel container used repeatedly for 4 weeks, the same bacteria residing on the skin were identified in the examiner's hand, such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, Micrococcus luteus, Leuconostoc mesenteroid spp cremoris, Kocuria rhizophila, and etc. Separated strains were classified as those of the low- or non-pathogenicity; however, most of these strains may render fatal consequences to patients of lower level of immunity due to acquired tolerance to antibiotics. At week 1, when the number of tests was the highest, 44 colonies were identified, and at week 4, when the number of tests was the lowest, 4 colonies were identified. As r=0.994, it was found that the number of colonies increased as the number of tests increased. In conclusion, it was confirmed that the cause of the infection was not the ultrasound gel, but the examiner's hand. The ultrasound gel or gel container may be contaminated by skin flora of examiner's hands, which can cause opportunistic infection in patients with low immunity. The ultrasound gel or gel container may be contaminated by skin flora of examiner's hands, which can cause opportunistic infection in patients with low immunity. Therefore, it was confirmed that thorough hand disinfection was necessary to block healthcare-associated infections.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.32
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• pp.151-176
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• 2012

Government organizations (including police, prosecutor, and Financial Supervisory Service) and programs to uncover or prevent from insurance crime are not well developed. However, insurance crime are increasing among not only private insurances such as life insurance, indemnity insurance, and auto insurance but also public insurances including national health insurance and industrial accident compensation insurance. The damages of crimes are serious in both economical and ethical perspectives. Insurance crime deteriorates a current account of insurance companies and the leakages due to insurance fraud worsen loss ratio. Consequently, insurance crime increases customers' costs of insurance. For this reason, insurance companies stated to establish Special Investigation Unit(SIU) to detect insurance crime and fraud by themselves. However, organizational and operational efficiencies are limited. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between work environment factors, perception of insurance crime and job satisfaction among Special Investigation Units. Therefore, this study investigated the perception of work environments of Special Investigation Units. In addition, this study examined how their work environments and general perception of insurance crime influence their job satisfaction. In order test the purpose of this study, reliability test, exploratory factor analysis(EFA), multiple regression were employed. The results of this study suggested that clarity of insurance company, distress/difficulty of resolve, compensation, perception of work pressure are statistically significant on jab satisfaction among Special Investigation Unit in South Korea. This exploratory study expected to contribute to understanding of Special Investigation Unit, and their insurance crime prevention system. The results from this analysis will be examined in light of previous findings and policy implications discussed.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.55-67
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• 2020

Objective : This study aimed to understand the burnout experience of hospital occupational therapists through phenomenological research. Methods : We conducted in-depth interviews with 6 occupational therapists working at hospital for 8 weeks. The data were analyzed using the Palangsae 2.0 software to derive meaning through the process of transcription and data entry, coding, and topic creation. Results : From the collected data, 14 sub-themes, 9 theme clusters, 3 categories were identified. The cause of burnout was confirmed as being due to therapy-related work and workplace conditions. The impacts of burnout on individual life were psychological in nature and also included being an adverse, influence on others. The coping strategies to deal with burnout were enrichment of personal life, self-awareness and philosophy, conscious approach, social support, and setting new goals for life. Conclusion : We suggest that spontaneous efforts are needed by occupational therapists in order to alleviate the conflicts of job identity. In addition, organizational regulations and programs and the establishment of horizontal organizational cultures are required to overcome and prevent burnout of occupational therapists.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.809-817
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• 2008

This study was conducted to provide basic information snack intake frequency, eating patterns and current dental caries in high school students. A total of 626 students (333 males, 293 females) in Gimhae city participated in this study. The survey conducted by using a self-administered questionnaire in January, 2008. Dental caries-related information was obtained during the students' physical examination at the designated clinical hospital in 2007. The results were as follows. Sixty three point nine percent of the students were shown to have dental caries, which includes a sealant. The average number of dental caries was 3.1, which was greater in female than in male students (p < 0.001). Eighty six percent of the students were shown to maintain correct toothbrushing habits to prevent dental caries. Twenty percent of the participants brushed there teeth ‘instantly’ a meal or snack, and 27.3% of the participants brushed there teeth, gum and tongue, and 58.9% of the participants received toothbrushing education. In snack intake frequency, participants with no dental caries had preference to white milk whereas those with dental caries had preference to snacks such as chewing gums and carbonated beverages. Female students were shown to have more dental caries maybe because of their higher snack intake frequency in chocolate, cookies and chips, yoghurt and ice-cream. Dental caries did not affect eating behaviors. This study suggests that more education for correct toothbrushing and cariogenic and detergent foods are needed for better dental hygiene.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.521-530
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• 2013

Protein-energy malnutrition, PEM, and increased hs-CRP level are considered to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. This is commonly referred to as the vicious circle of malnutrition-inflammation-atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease (MIA syndrome) in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Low protein intake can decrease the serum level of albumin and increase inflammational markers; further, both low serum albumin and high hs-CRP are independent risk factors for all-cause mortality in HD patients. The aim of this study is comparing the serum levels of albumin and hs-CRP in HD patients according to the protein intake levels. The total number of subjects was 60 hemodialysis patients; they were grouped by dietary protein intake: low protein intake group (LPI, protein intake < 1.0 g/kg IBW, 11 men and 19 women) and adequate protein intake group (API, protein intake ${\geq}$ 1.0g/kg IBW, 12 men and 18 women). Blood biochemical parameters, nutrient intake, and dietary behaviors were compared between the LPI and API groups. The LPI group showed a significantly lower serum level of albumin and higher serum level of hs-CRP than the API group (p < 0.05). The LPI group showed a significantly lower intake of most nutrients than the API group (p < 0.05). Index of Nutritional Quality of most nutrients of the LPI and API groups were lower than 1.0. Dietary protein intake was positively correlated with the serum level of albumin (r = 0.306, p < 0.05) and negatively correlated with the serum level of hs-CRP (r = -0.435, p < 0.01). The serum level of hs-CRP was negatively correlated with that of albumin (r = -0.393, p < 0.01). According to these result, serum albumin and hs-CRP in HD patients were influenced by the protein intake levels. To prevent MIA syndrome, it is necessary to improve nutritional status, especially in protein and energy.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.493-502
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• 2013

In this study, we designed to confirm the dietary effect of anti-obesity of fermented soybean curd residue (FSCR; SCR-Meju; Biji-meju) by A. oryzae, which is well known as a Korean traditional meju microbe. We observed that body weight gain, serum and hepatic lipid profile, as well as the activity of ROS generating enzyme and ROS scavenging enzyme in high-fat diet induced obese mice fed experimental diet (SCR and SCR-meju). Body weight gain and epididymal fat weight of HC (high-fat diet control) was markedly higher than that of NC (Normal control). Conversely, body weight gain and epididymal fat weight of the SCR (Biji) and SCR-meju (Biji-meju) group was significantly lower than that of HC; these of the SCR-meju group was lower than that of the SCR group. Furthermore, serum TG and total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol contents of SCR and SCR-meju groups were lower than that of HC, and HDL-cholesterol level of the SCR-meju group was significantly higher than that of HC. In conclusion, although precise mechanisms of the antiobese effects of SCR-meju in this study are unknown, the present study provides an experimental evidence that SCR-meju may prevent obesity and obesity related metabolic syndromes, such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension and diabetes, and liver disease by high-fat diet. Nevertheless, further study in this filed will be needed.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.190-196
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• 2018

Obesity has been reported to be a cluster of risk factors in the pathological ecology, In particular, there is increasing evidence that inflammation-related factors are associated with diabetes. This study examined the relationship between the hs-CRP level and FBG, fructosamine, and $HbA_1c$ in 4,734 non-diabetic adults aged 20 years or older, who were approved by the National Health and Nutrition Survey in 2015. The results showed that the FBG, fructosamine, and $HbA_1c$ levels increased with increasing BMI; the hs-CRP levels were the highest in the obese group, and HOMA-IR, an index of insulin resistance, was also significantly higher in the obese group. The hs-CRP level was the highest in obese adults. The levels of FBG, fructosamine. and $HbA_1c$, which are involved in blood glucose control, increased with increasing hs-CRP level. The FBG, fructosamine, and $HbA_1c$ levels increased significantly with increasing hs-CRP level after adjusting for various related variables. These results suggest that the obesity-induced increase in hs-CRP is a risk factor for diabetes mellitus in non-diabetic adults. Therefore, proper dietary habits and regular exercise should prevent diabetes by preventing obesity in non-diabetic adults.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2007

The term, "food safety", has traditionally been viewed as a practical science aimed at assuring the prevention acute illnesses caused by biological microorganisms, and only to a minor extent, chronic diseases cause by chronic low level exposures to natural and synthetic chemicals or pollutants. "food safety" meant to prevent microbiological agents/toxins in/on foods, due to contamination any where from "farm to Fork", from causing acute health effects, especially to the young, immune-compromised, genetically-predisposed and elderly. However, today a broader view must also include the fact that diet, perse (nutrients, vitamins/minerals, calories), as well as low level toxins and pollutant or supplemented synthetic chemicals, can alter gene expressions of stem/progenitor/terminally-differentiated cells, leading to chronic inflammation and other mal-functions that could lead to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, atherogenesis and possibly reproductive and neurological disorders. Understanding of the mechanisms by which natural or synthetic chemical toxins/toxicants, in/on food, interact with the pathogenesis of acute and chronic diseases, should lead to a "systems" approach to "food safety". Clearly, the interactions of diet/food with the genetic background, gender, and developmental state of the individual, together with (a) interactions of other endogenous/exogenous chemicals/drugs; (b) the specific biology of the cells being affected; (c) the mechanisms by which the presence or absence of toxins/toxicants and nutrients work to cause toxicities; and (d) how those mechanisms affect the pathogenesis of acute and/or chronic diseases, must be integrated into a "system" approach. Mechanisms of how toxins/toxicants cause cellular toxicities, such as mutagenesis; cytotoxicity and altered gene expression, must take into account (a) irreversible or reversal changes caused by these toxins or toxicants; (b)concepts of thresholds or no-thresholds of action; and (c) concepts of differential effects on stem cells, progenitor cells and terminally differentiated cells in different organs. This brief Commentary tries to illustrate this complex interaction between what is on/in foods with one disease, namely cancer. Since the understanding of cancer, while still incomplete, can shed light on the multiple ways that toxins/toxicants, as well as dietary modulation of nutrients/vitamins/metals/ calories, can either enhance or reduce the risk to cancer. In particular, diets that alter the embryo-fetal micro-environment might dramatically alter disease formation later in life. In effect "food safety" can not be assessed without understanding how food could be 'toxic', or how that mechanism of toxicity interacts with the pathogenesis of any disease.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.21-38
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• 2004

Objectives : Moxibustion has been become very useful tool to prevent and treat various diseases with acupuncture in oriental medicine. Expecially, moxibustion combining the heat stimulation and chemical stimulation of Artemisiae Argyi has a non-invasive characteristics comparing to the other therapeutic tools. However, because the moxibustion makes the patient's skin be burn by the combustible feature of moxibustion, most of people have been scared of being scald. Methods : In this study, we have developed new non-combustible moxibustion tools in collaboration with company (Hana Medical, co. and ICURE, co.) and tested the efficacy through effects of moxibustion of Cheon-chu $(ST_{25})$ on the abdominal thermography of health subject. The non-combustible moxibustion has main characteristics of controlled heating to inhibit being scald and heat stimulation lasting over 1 hrs. Also, to induce the chemical stimulation, the bottom contacting with skin was coated by the extract of artemisiae argyi. The volunteers who participating in this study had taken rest for 20 - 30 mins in room temperature $(23-25^{\circ}C)$ before the examination and informed them what to prohibit smoking, drinking and administration of drug for the previous day The thermography of abdomen including a below part of the chest was taken using Infra-Red Imaging System (IR 2000, MEDI-CORE Co., Korea) by time interval of 15 minutes. Results : The results showed that moxibustion of Cheon-chu $(ST_{25})$ had more potencies of changes on all the ROIs of abdominal thermography than those of control group. Also, it was observed that the quantities of thermal changes following moxibustion of Cheon-chu $(ST_{25})$ been increased significantly comparing that of control group at all the ROIs (region of interest). Observed the thermography classified by ROI, however, moxibustion of Cheon-chu $(ST_{25})$ could modulate ipsilateral specific areas concerning to the abdominal pathway of Stomach Meridian. Conclusion : These results suggest that new non-combustible moxibusion has some similarity as like as the conventional moxibustion and moxibustion of Cheon-chu $(ST_{25})$ may modulate thermal changes of abdominal areas.