• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.344-351
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• 2020

Background: The effects of far-infrared radiation (FIR) on the treatment of rotator cuff diseases remains unknown. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of FIR after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with regard to postoperative pain and healing. Methods: This prospective randomized comparative study included 38 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair due to a medium-sized tear. Patients were randomly divided into the FIR or control group (n = 19 per group). In the FIR group, FIR with an FIR radiator started 1 week postoperatively for 30 minutes per session twice daily. It lasted until abduction brace weaning at 5 weeks postoperatively. We assessed pain using a pain visual analogue scale (pVAS) and measured the range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder at 5 weeks, and 3 and 6 months, postoperatively. The anatomical outcome was evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging at 6 months postoperatively. Results: At 5 weeks postoperatively, the average pVAS score was lower in the FIR group than in the control group (1.5 ± 0.8 vs. 2.7 ± 1.7; P = 0.019). At 3 months postoperatively, the average forward flexion was higher in the FIR group (151.6° ± 15.3° vs. 132.9° ± 27.8°; P = 0.045), but there was no significant difference at 6 months postoperatively. There was no significant difference in healing failure between the groups (P = 0.999). Conclusions: FIR after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair could be an effective and safe procedure to reduce postoperative pain, thereby facilitating rehabilitation and better ROM in the early postoperative period.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.479-482
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• 2012

Aim: Soy foods are the major source of isoflavones, which are believed to play important roles in genesis of breast cancer and its progression. We here conducted a prospective study to evaluate the association of soy isoflavone food consumption with breast cancer prognosis. Methods: A prospective study was performed from January 2004 and January 2006 in China. Trained interviewers conducted face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire to collect information on dietary habits and potential confounding factors. The relative risk [hazard ratio (HR)] and 95% CI were calculated from the Cox regression model for all significant predictors from cancer diagnosis to the endpoint of the study (event). Results: After a median follow up of 52.1 months (range, 9-60 months), a total of 79 breast cancer related deaths were recorded in our study, risk being inversely associated with a high intake of soy isoflavone. With an average intake of soy isoflavone above 17.3 mg/day, the mortality of breast cancer can be reduced by about 38-36%. We also found the decreased breast cancer death with high soy protein intake, with a HR (95% CI) of 0.71 (0.52-0.98). Stratified analysis with reference to the ER status, further demonstrated a better prognosis of ER positive breast cancer with a high intake of soy isoflavone (HR 0.59, 0.40-0.93). Conclusion: Our study shows the soy food intake is associated with longer survival and low recurrence among breast cancer patients. A cohort study with a larger sample size and long term follow-up is now needed.

• 대한치과교정학회지
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• 제47권6호
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• pp.401-413
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• 2017

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the occlusal outcome and duration of fixed orthodontic therapy from clinical trials in humans with the Objective Grading System (OGS) proposed by the American Board of Orthodontics. Methods: Nine databases were searched up to October 2016 for prospective/retrospective clinical trials assessing the outcomes of orthodontic therapy with fixed appliances. After duplicate study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment according to the Cochrane guidelines, random-effects meta-analyses of the mean OGS score and treatment duration were performed and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: A total of 34 relevant clinical trials including 6,207 patients (40% male, 60% female; average age, 18.4 years) were identified. The average OGS score after treatment was 27.9 points (95% CI, 25.3-30.6 points), while the average treatment duration was 24.9 months (95% CI, 24.6-25.1 months). There was no significant association between occlusal outcome and treatment duration, while considerable heterogeneity was identified. In addition, orthodontic treatment involving extraction of four premolars appeared to have an important effect on both outcomes and duration of treatment. Finally, only 10 (39%) of the identified studies matched compared groups by initial malocclusion severity, although meta-epidemiological evidence suggested that matching may have significantly influenced their results. Conclusions: The findings from this systematic review suggest that the occlusal outcomes of fixed appliance treatment vary considerably, with no significant association between treatment outcomes and duration. Prospective matched clinical studies that use the OGS tool are needed to compare the effectiveness of orthodontic appliances.

• 한국수학교육학회지시리즈E:수학교육논문집
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.491-511
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• 2015

본 연구는 예비 교사교육에서 한국수학사의 교육적 적용을 탐색하는 일련의 연구로서, 그 목적은 예비 초등교사의 한국수학사 활용에 대한 인식을 조사하는 것과 조선산학 프로그램이 한국수학사 활용에 대한 교사인식에 미치는 영향을 살펴보는 것이다. 이를 위해 조선산학 프로그램에 참여한 학생 88명을 포함한 총 174명의 예비교사들을 대상으로 한국수학사 활용의 실태, 효과, 개선방안과 관련된 설문을 실시하였다. 분석 결과, 예비교사들은 한국수학사의 활용을 수학사의 활용보다 더 중요하게 인식하는 것으로 나타났으며, 수학교육에 한국수학사 도입이 필요하다는 의견이 많았다. 또한 예비교사들은 문화적 측면의 활용효과와 활용방식을 가장 높게 평가하였으며, 정의적 측면과 인지적 측면은 후순위로 조사되었다. 한편 교사교육 참여집단과 비참여집단의 인식 차이를 분석한 결과, 두 집단 간에 통계적으로 유의미한 차이가 나타난 문항은 전체 54개 문항 중 25개 문항으로 나타났다. 무엇보다도 교사교육 참여경험이 인지적 측면의 활용효과와 활용방식에 대한 인식에 긍정적인 영향을 미쳤음을 확인하였다. 이는 교사교육이 한국 수학사 활용에 대한 교사들의 인식과 한국수학사를 활용한 수학수업의 활성화에 주요 변수임을 의미한다.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제7권3호
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• pp.233-241
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• 2013

There are limited data on healthy dietary patterns protective against metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) development. We identified dietary patterns among middle-aged and older adults and investigated the associations with the incidence of MetSyn. A population-based prospective cohort study included 5,251 male and female Koreans aged 40-69 years. At baseline, all individuals were free of MetSyn, other major metabolic diseases, and known cardiovascular disease or cancer. Cases of MetSyn were ascertained over a 6-year of follow-up. Dietary patterns and their factor scores were generated by factor analysis using the data of a food frequency questionnaire. We performed pooled logistic regression analysis to estimate multivariable-adjusted relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for associations between factor scores and MetSyn risk. Two dietary patterns were identified; (1) a healthy dietary pattern, which included a variety of foods such as fish, seafood, vegetables, seaweed, protein foods, fruits, dairy products, and grains; and (2) an unhealthy dietary pattern, which included a limited number of food items. After controlling for confounding factors, factor scores for the healthy dietary pattern were inversely associated with MetSyn risk (P-value for trend < 0.05) while those for the unhealthy dietary pattern had no association. Individuals in the top quintile of the healthy diet scores showed a multivariable-adjusted RR [95% CI] of 0.76 [0.60-0.97] for MetSyn risk compared with those in the bottom quintile. The beneficial effects were derived from inverse associations with abdominal obesity, low HDL-cholesterol levels, and high fasting glucose levels. Our findings suggest that a variety of healthy food choices is recommended to prevent MetSyn.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제52권2호
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• pp.92-97
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• 2012

Objective : This study was performed to determine the safety and outcome of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and adjuvant chemotherapy with temozolomide for Korean patients with a newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Methods : Patients were recruited from four institutions between 2004 and 2007. The patients received fractionated focal irradiation in daily fractions of 2 Gy given 5 days per week for 6 weeks and daily temozolomide, followed by 6 cycles of adjuvant temozolomide. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) and the secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), response, and safety. Results : A total of 103 patients were enrolled in this study. Ninety-six patients (93%) completed the CCRT and 54 patients (52%) received 6 cycles of adjuvant temozolomide. The response rate was 73% (53/73) and the tumor control rate was 92% (67/73). Of the 96 patients who completed the CCRT, the median OS was 18.0 months and the 1- and 2-year OS rates were 74 and 38%, respectively. The median PFS was 10.0 months and the 1- and 2-year PFS rates were 33 and 16%, respectively. The only significant prognostic factor of survival was the extent of surgical resection (p<0.05). CCRT resulted in grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxic effects in 8% of patients. No opportunistic infections were noted. Conclusion : This study is the first prospective multi-institutional report of CCRT and adjuvant chemotherapy with temozolomide for patients with a newly diagnosed glioblastoma in Korea. The current protocol may prolong the survival of Korean patients with a glioblastoma and may be tolerable in terms of toxicity.

• 동의신경정신과학회지
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.63-76
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to verify the clinical effects of herbal medicines on patients with depressive disorder. Methods: A prospective observational study on patients with depressive disorder was conducted. The patients were treated with herbal medicines for eight weeks. The Korean Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (K-HDRS) was evaluated as the primary outcome and the Korean Beck's Depression Inventory (K-BDI), Instrument on Pattern Identification for Depression, Korean Symptom Checklist-95 (KSCL-95), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Korean State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-K), Korean State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI-K), EuroQol five-dimensional Questionnaire (EQ-5D), Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), Heart Rate Variability (HRV) were measured as the secondary outcome. Adverse events were assessed for safety. Results: A total of 35 participants were observed for 12 weeks. The K-HDRS improved significantly in four, eight, and 12 weeks and the K-BDI showed significant differences in four, and eight weeks. There were no significant improvements in other evaluation scales. Gyejibongnyeong-hwan was the most frequently and continuously prescribed, showing significant improvements of K-HDRS after eight weeks of treatment. Conclusions: In our observational study, herbal medicine was effective for relieving the depression of patients with depressive disorder and Gyejibongnyeong-hwan showed the most significant effectiveness.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제47권6호
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• pp.317-326
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• 2014

Objectives: Elevated serum uric acid (UA) has been known to be associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, no prospective studies have examined whether serum UA levels are actually associated with the development of MetS. We performed a prospective study to evaluate the longitudinal effects of baseline serum UA levels on the development of MetS. Methods: A MetS-free cohort of 14 906 healthy Korean men, who participated in a medical check-up program in 2005, was followed until 2010. MetS was defined according to the Joint Interim Statement of the International Diabetes Federation Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention. Cox proportional hazards models were performed. Results: During 52 466.1 person-years of follow-up, 2428 incident cases of MetS developed between 2006 and 2010. After adjusting for multiple covariates, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for incident MetS for the second, the third, and the fourth quartile to the first quartile of serum UA levels were 1.09 (0.92-1.29), 1.22 (1.04-1.44), and 1.48 (1.26-1.73), respectively (p for trend <0.001). These associations were also significant in the clinically relevant subgroup analyses. Conclusions: Elevated serum UA levels were independently associated with future development of MetS in Korean men during the 5-year follow-up period.

• KEPCO Journal on Electric Power and Energy
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.103-108
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• 2016

Carbon Capture and Storage technologies are recognized as key solution to meet greenhouse gas emission standards to avoid climate change. Although MEA (monoethanolamine) is an effective amine solvent in $CO_2$ capture process, the application is limited by high energy consumption, i.e., reduction of 10% of efficiency of coal-fired power plants. Therefore the development of new solvent and improvement of $CO_2$ capture process are positively necessary. In this study, improvement of $CO_2$ capture process was investigated and applied to Test Bed for reducing energy consumption. Previously reported technologies were examined and prospective methods were determined by simulation. Among the prospective methods, four applicable methods were selected for applying to 0.1 MW Test Bed, such as change of packing material in absorption column, installing the Intercooling System to absorption column, installing Rich Amine Heater and remodeling of Amines Heat Exchanger. After the improvement construction of 0.1 MW Test Bed, the effects of each suggested method were evaluated by experimental results.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• 제33권50호
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• pp.318.1-318.10
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• 2018

Background: In this prospective cohort study, we investigated the association between fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) in meconium as biomarkers of prenatal ethanol exposure and growth deficits, as birth outcomes, that constitute several of the key cardinal features of fetal alcohol syndrome. Methods: A total of 157 meconium samples were collected from enrolled infants within 24 hours of birth, and nine FAEEs were quantified using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. The relationships between cumulative concentrations of nine species of FAEEs in meconium and birth parameters of growth (age-sex-specific centiles of head circumference [HC], weight, and length) and respective and combined birth outcomes of growth deficits (HC ${\leq}10th$ centile, weight ${\leq}10th$ centile, and length ${\leq}10th$ centile) were determined. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that higher cumulative concentrations of meconium FAEEs correlated with elevated risks for HC and length, both, 10th percentile or less (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-7.74; P = 0.029) and HC and weight and length, all of them, 10th percentile or less (aOR, 3.27; 95% CI, 1.12-9.59; P = 0.031). Conclusion: The elevated cumulative FAEEs in meconium were associated with combined growth deficits at birth, specifically HC and length, both, 10th percentile or less, which might be correlated with detrimental alcohol effects on fetal brain and bone development, suggesting a plausible alcohol-specific pattern of intrauterine growth restriction.