• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.157-163
• /
• 2013

This study was to analyze quantitatively movement of planning target volume (PTV) and change of PTV volume through movement of diaphragm according to breathing phase. The purpose of present study was to investigate optimized respiration phase for radiation therapy of lung cancer. Simulated breathing training was performed in order to minimize systematic errors which is caused non-specific or irregular breathing. We performed 4-dimensional computed tomography (4DCTi) in accordance with each respiratory phase in the normalized respiratory gated radiation therapy procedures, then not only defined PTVi in 0 ~ 90%, 30 ~ 70% and 40 ~ 60% in the reconstructed 4DCTi images but analyzed quantitatively movement and changes of volume in PTVi. As a results, average respiratory cycle was $3.4{\pm}0.5$ seconds by simulated breathing training. R2-value which is expressed as concordance between clinically induced expected value and actual measured value, was almost 1. There was a statistically significant. And also movement of PTVi according to each respiration phase 0 ~ 90%, 30 ~ 70% and 40 ~ 60% were $13.4{\pm}6.4mm$, $6.1{\pm}2.9mm$ and $4.0{\pm}2.1mm$ respectively. Change of volume in PTVi of respiration phase 30 ~ 70% was decreased by $32.6{\pm}8.7%$ and 40 ~ 60% was decreased by $41.6{\pm}6.2%$. In conclusion, PTVi movement and volume change was reduced, when we apply a short breathing phase (40 ~ 60%: 30% duty cycle) range. Furthermore, PTVi margin considered respiration was not only within 4mm but able to get uniformity of dose.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.719-726
• /
• 2002

Purpose : Neonates in neonatal intensive care units(NICU) have a high risk of acquiring nosocomial infection because of their impaired host defence mechanism and invasive procedures. Nosocomial infection result in considerable morbidity and mortality among neonates. This study was carried out to survey both the epidemiology of nosocomial infection in our NICU and the annual trends of pathogens. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed culture proven nosocomial infection which occurred in our NICU from January 1995 to December 1999. The data included clinical characteristics, site of infection, pathogens, and mortality. Results : Nosocomial infection rates was 9.0 per 100 NICU admissions during the five-year period. Major sites of infection were bloodstream(32.3%), skin(18.4%), endotracheal tube(17.2%), and catheter(10.6%). The most common pathogen was S. aureus(29.9%). and the others were coagulase- negative staphylococci(CONS)(14.8%), Enterobacter(12.4%), and Candida(9.0%). During the five-year period, nosocomial infection rates increased from 9.5 to 11.6 per 100 admissions with the increase of CONS, Candida, Klebsiella, and Acinetobacter baumannii. The infection rate of S. aureus decreased. Multiple episodes of nosocomial infection occurred in 26.1% of all nosocomial infections. Overall bloodstream infection rates were 3.6 per 100 NICU admissions during five years. CONS(29.1%) and S. aureus(27.1%) were the two most common pathogens. Increasing rates of bloodstream infection by CONS, Candida, Klebsiella, and Acinetobacter baumannii were observed. Bloodstream infection related mortality was 11.9%. Conclusion : The predominant pathogens of nosocomial infection in NICU were S. aureus and CONS. Bloodstream infection, the most frequent nosocomial infection, should be a major focus of surveillance and prevention efforts in NICU.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.190-196
• /
• 2010

Nowadays many people use antibiotics to protect processed foods from many pathogenic bacteria. The abuse of antibiotics, however, can run the risk of creating resistant forms of bacterium. Our study focus is on making new substances that can not only replace antibiotics but also be friendly to the environment. In our experiments, we used fermented citrus fruit, soil microbes and coenzyme Q10 as probiotics and prebiotics. Chickens in the experimental group were fed these substances via oral route while those in the control group were not. After specific time periods, blood and feces samples were collected to test for Salmonella spp.. It is interesting that fermented citrus fruit was the most effective in suppressing this bacterium. Furthermore, dissection of the experiment group chickens shows that their livers did not change to a yellow color, in contrast to the control group. The results confirmed our proposal that the chickens fed with these materials can be protected from infection by Salmonella and other pathogens. These probiotics and prebiotics are highly practical because they are natural substances that can be easily recycled in the environment. It can also be used as an animal feed ingredient because of its safety.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.80-85
• /
• 2017

Purpose The D530c have cadmium zinc telluride(CZT) detectors that are arranged focus on the heart. This structural characteristic allows for quicker imaging without rotation, but this is sensitive to patient movement and can affect the test results. The aim of this study is to optimize the image quality by reducing patient movement during the examination. Materials and Methods We analyzed the patients' movements, and performed various activities such as provided patient education about correct breathing techniques and avoiding patient movements, and created breathing correction tools to minimize patient movement during exam. The 70 patients who underwent myocardial perfusion SPECT with D530c in November 2016 were categorized as the group before the corrective steps. Another 70 patients who underwent the procedure with D530c from February 14, 2017 to February 21, 2017 were categorized as the improvement group. Images acquired during stress and at rest were compared and analyzed by measuring the durations of heart movements over certain distances (4 mm, 8 mm, 12 mm, or more) noted on the x-, y-, and zaxes. Results After the activities, the durations of heart movements decreased in the images acquired both under stress and at rest. In particular, there were no large motions greater than 12 mm recorded in the stress images after the improvement. There was a significant difference (p<0.005) in the 4-mm and 8-mm fluctuations on the X-axis and the 8-mm fluctuations on the Z axis in the stress images, but there was no significant difference (p>0.005) in the other stress and rest intervals. Conclusion The decrease in the time of motion occurrence due to the 4 mm fluctuation distance that can occur through breathing can be understood as a result of the breathing being corrected through training and motion prevention tools. It is expected that the image quality will be improved by reducing the occurrence time according to the variation distance of 8 mm or 12 mm, which is expected as the actual movement of the patient other than the breathing.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.53 no.3
• /
• pp.300-306
• /
• 2010

Purpose : Recent changes in the population structure of Korea, such as rapid decline in birth rate and exponential increase in old-aged people, prompted us to prepare a new health improvement program in children and adolescents. Methods : We reviewed current health screenings applied for children and adolescents in Korea and other developed countries. We collected and reviewed population-based data focused on mortality and morbidity, and other health-related statistical data. We generated problem lists in current systems and developed new principles. Results : Current health screening programs for children and adolescents were usually based on laboratory tests, such as blood tests, urinalysis, and radiologic tests. Almost all of these programs lacked evidence based on population data or controlled studies. In most developed countries, laboratory tests are used only very selectively, and they usually focus on primary prevention of diseases and health improvement using anticipatory guidance. In Korea, statistics on mortality and morbidity reveal that diseases related to lifestyle, such as obesity and metabolic syndrome, are increasing in all generations. Conclusion : We recommend a periodic health screening program with anticipatory guidance, which is focused on growth and developmental surveillance in infants and children. We no longer recommend old programs that are based on laboratory and radiologic examinations. School health screening programs should also be changed to meet current health issues, such as developing a healthier lifestyle to minimize risk behaviors—or example, good mental health, balanced nutrition, and more exercise.

• Proceedings of The Korean Society of Health Promotion Conference
• /
• 2004.10a
• /
• pp.59-88
• /
• 2004

' Healthy Japan 21 ' is a new health policy that has been proposed for the 21st century: it embodies a totally new concept for its viewpoints and methods. To start with, for its goal, the focus is placed on the ' quality of life ' or a life that is tree of diseases, rather than mere prolongation of life. For its doctrine, the emphasis has shifted dramatically from improving the health of the entire population (the traditional approach for health improvement) to ' achieving an ideal health status for each individual. The ultimate aged society that arrives first in Japan is a society in its ultimate form for human being. Why did Japan become westernized, giving up her traditional culture? Why did she go through industrialization, sacrificing her nature? And why does she try so hard to industrialize the developing countries? These efforts are all preparation for the arrival of a ultimate aged society. During the 20th century, we believed in unlimited possibilities and expanded our social frontier. 1n the 21st century, on the other hand, a super-aged society (the ultimate society), a glimpse of which we have witnessed from time to time, will descend on us sooner or later. It is expected to arrive first in Japan. ' Healthy Japan 21 ' is intended to prepare for the arrival of the hitherto unheard of super-aged society by building the physiological basis of people. This policy is social experimentation on an immense social scale, in which questions are posed on the understanding of health, the relationship between individuals and society, the relationship between administration and citizens, the manner by which central and local governments operate, and the new relationship between prevention and therapy. ' Healthy Japan 21 ' may be summarized as an experiment on a huge scale directed to the ultimate form of human society, in which Japan and each of her citizens playa role and set an example for the rest of the world. Even just by considering various approaches newly suggested for this venture, one may be convinced that it is a policy with features suitable for a country that has already achieved the world's highest longevity.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.207-217
• /
• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to garner useful information through a comparative analysis of health behaviors and health states between the young-old and old-old elderly in a rural Korean area. Methods: We define the young-old elderly as those 65 to 74 years of age, and the old-old as those over 70. The survey was administered in October and November of 2009 at senior citizen centers in Sangju City, Kyongsangbuk-do, South Korea. The number of subjects surveyed approximated the demographics of the aged population of the administrative district of centers of 24 eup, myeon, and dong. Results: Compared with the young-old elderly, the old-old were vulnerable to population sociological characteristics. While there were many cases of contraction of diseases, only a small percentage of old-old elderly were engaged in regular exercise. In addition, the old-old elderly lagged behind the young-old in terms of physical activity, mental and oral health, hearing, and vision. Conclusions: The vulnerability of the old-old elderly in terms of physical and mental health needs to be acknowledged as various characteristics of the elderly that appears according an age group. A variety of disease prevention and health promotion programs that focus on the health behavior and status of the young-old and old-old elderly need to be developed and put into practice.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.270-285
• /
• 2016

Various opinions and discussions have been actively in progress which are connected with cultural heritage since 'Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs' was announced by UN Sustainable Development Summit 2015 as Post-2015 Development Agenda. Apart from SDGs, conservation of cultural heritage itself stands on the basis of sustainability that originality, characteristic, diversity of cultural heritage should be permanently preserved. From that point of view, it is necessary to understand practical ODA for cultural heritage, far from theoretical approaches and policies. This paper is intended to look into the domestic and overseas situation related to ODA of Asian cultural heritage and the mentioned problems, future plans and challenges. First, the background and concepts about ODA were described and then ODA projects which have been carried out by Japan and China as typical ODA countries for Southeast Asia were introduced. ODA of cultural heritage in Korea has relatively recently started for restoration work for historic sites of Laos and Cambodia and its scale and performance do not come to much yet. Therefore, to develop ODA of cultural heritage, there are suggestions as in the followings. First, it is necessary to have a long-term master plan of ODA projects for sustainability of cultural heritage. Second, based on the view from the long-term perspective, the selection and focus for ODA partner countries should be considered, avoiding short-term projects aiming at a number of countries. Not widespread existing projects by other countries, but the model of Korean ODA for cultural heritage only Korea can conduct should be prepared. The next thing is connection with sustainability, and ultimately the conservation of cultural heritage should result in benefit to the natives by giving an impetus to economy as well as fostering tourism of local areas. To accomplish that connection, educational training and building capacity are suggested as the most suitable alternatives. Cultural heritage of each country reflects its indigenous originality and characteristics, therefore, the restoration work should be conducted by people in each country as the best way. From this point of view, ACPCS held by National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage will take a role of a specialized training program in Korean way. Lastly, establishment of a control tower for ODA in Korea is necessary. JCIC(Japan Consortium for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage), which was set up in Japan for sharing information, establishment of cooperation system and prevention of overlapped projects will be an example we can take into consideration.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.53 no.3
• /
• pp.278-289
• /
• 2021

The rapid aging of society has led to a surge in cognitive dysfunction in the elderly. As there is limited evidence for the development of dementia in medicine, a shift in focus on prevention strategies using bioactive compounds in food is required. This systematic review evaluated the effects of various bioactive compounds on age-associated cognitive decline. The literature was searched for terms related to bioactive compounds in cognitive decline and article selection was limited to clinical randomized controlled trials for a single bioactive compound. We identified 21 studies that evaluated the strength of the evidence. ω-3 fatty acids and vitamin B presented a strong evidence level, whereas vitamin D and E, anserine/carnosine, and chromium were defined as having moderate levels of evidence. ω-3 fatty acids relieved cognitive decline and reduced amyloid β-related protein accumulation. Vitamin B decreased homocysteine levels, which is accompanied by alleviation of cognitive function. In conclusion, ω-3 and vitamin B have the potential to improve age-associated cognitive decline.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.75-99
• /
• 2023

The current study aimed to explore the suicidal behaviors and risk factors of completed suicides using psychological autopsy and use them as index variables to classify suicidal types. In addition, this study looked into the influential factors that affect each suicidal type. related to suicidal behaviors and suicidal risk factors by psychological autopsy. In addiction, the distinctions among the classes were analyzed. For this, psychological autopsies were conducted on the families and the close ones of 128 completed suicides. Then, the index variables were finally chosen for classifying suicidal types. The selected index variables for suicidal risk factors were mental disorders, suicide/self-harm, significant changes in physical appearance, marital conflict, adjustment and relationship issues at work/school, unemployment/layoff, jobless status and serious financial problems. The selected index variables for suicidal behaviors were expressing their suicidal attempts, writing suicidal notes, asking for help, the time/place/method of suicidal behavior, past suicidal/self-harm experience and the first person who witnessed the suicide. The Latent Class Analysis(LCA) and the 3-step method were used for classifying suicidal types. Then external variables(financial changes, cohabitation, existence of stressors, changes in stress level or relationships and family members with mental disorder/alchohol problems/ physical disorders, and work/school stisfaction) were applied for distinguishing classes. As a result, 5 classes(financial problems, adjustment problems, complex problems, psychiatric problems, and response to event[s]) were revealed on suicidal behaviors and 3 classes(residence- suicidal attempt- found by family, nonresidence- nonsuicidal attempt- found by acquaintances, residence- nonsuicidal attempt- found by family) were presented on suicidal risk factors. External variables such as gender, marital status, cohabitation, changes in relationships significantly differentiated among the 3 classes. Especially, class 3(residence- nonsuicidal attempt- found by family) tended to cohabit with others, were married, and had a significantly high level of interpersonal conflicts. When comparing the 5 classes of suicidal risk factors, auxiliary variables such as economic changes, cohabitation, stress, relationship changes, and family-related problems, and school/work satisfaction significantly differentiated the 5 classes. Especially class 3 (complex problems) experienced comparatively less family-related problems, but showed an aggravating level of personal stress. Suicial prevention strategies should be provided considering the characteristics of each class and the influential factors.