• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.7-19
• /
• 2018

Purpose: With the purpose of educating and producing outstanding paramedics by enhancing their competencies, this study aimed to make policy suggestions to re-establish the education system and improve the national examination and the certification scheme. Methods: This study used focus group interviews and questionnaires to collect data. Totally, there were 277 subjects, including experts from the education and field. Data were collected from September 9 to 20, 2016, and analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Results: To strengthen the curriculum of paramedics, this study suggested 27 courses with 94 credits as the standardized curriculum and derived 9 core competencies of paramedics. For the national examination, this study suggested consolidating written test subjects, adding scenario questions to practical tests, and applying critical criteria to simple practical tests that performs a procedure, grading these tests on a pass/fail basis. In addition, this study suggested converting certification into license, reflecting paramedics' healthcare job characteristics. Conclusion: The quality of emergency medical services in Korea will improve when those with core competencies that originated from the standardized curriculum based on the results of this study acquire their certification through the national test scheme, and the certification management system creates a virtuous cycle to further enhance paramedics' professionalism.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.33 no.12
• /
• pp.1036-1045
• /
• 2023

Sarcopenia, a condition characterized by the insidious loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, represents a significant and growing healthcare challenge, impacting the mobility and quality of life of aging populations worldwide. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of soybean leaf extract (SL) for dexamethasone (Dexa)-induced muscle atrophy in vitro and in an in vivo model. In vitro experiments showed that SL significantly alleviated Dexa-induced atrophy in C2C12 myotube cells, as evidenced by preserved myotube morphology, density, and size. Moreover, SL treatment significantly reduced the mRNA and protein levels of muscle RING-finger protein-1 (MuRF1) and muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx), key factors regulating muscle atrophy. In a Dexa-induced atrophy mouse model, SL administration significantly inhibited Dexa-induced weight loss and muscle wasting, preserving the mass of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles. Furthermore, mice treated with SL exhibited significant improvements in muscle function compared to their counterparts suffering from Dexa-induced muscle atrophy, as evidenced by a notable increase in grip strength and extended endurance on treadmill tests. Moreover, SL suppressed the expression of muscle atrophy-related proteins in skeletal muscle, highlighting its protective role against Dexa-induced muscle atrophy. These results suggest that SL has potential as a natural treatment for muscle-wasting conditions, such as sarcopenia.

• Food Engineering Progress
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.299-306
• /
• 2010

This study was performed to develop new functional red ginseng drinks with Astragali Radix and Opuntia humifusa. Optimum extraction conditions such as solvent property and temperature for Astragali Radix were determined by distilled water vs. ethanol (95%) ratio (0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25) and 60 vs. $80^{\circ}C$. Water-soluble extracts at $80^{\circ}C$ showed higher antioxidant activities than fat-soluble extracts at $60^{\circ}C$. Viscosities of 1-2% (w/v) of Opuntia humifusa solution were similar to that of the 0.1% guar gum solution. Addtion of Astragali Radix (3% and 5%, w/v) and Opuntia humifusa (1.2%, w/v), especially, had effect on the changes of pH of the red ginseng solution(5%, w/v) during storage for 7 days. A significant difference during the storage was shown in total plate counts by addition of Opuntia humifusa (1.2%, w/v) and microorganisms were reduced by six log cycles. Significant antiproliferation effects of red ginseng (5%, w/v) solution with Astragali Radix (3% & 5%, w/v) and Opuntia humifusa (1.2%, w/v) on Colon26m-3.1 carcinoma (colorectal carcinoma) cell and U87-MG neuronale glioblastoma (brain carcinoma) cell were not observed.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.44-49
• /
• 2012

Purpose: In the whole body PET/CT scan, it is natural to lift the patient's arm for its quality improvement. However, when the lesion is located in head and neck, the arms should be located lower. This study was designed to compare the CT effective dose for each arm position applying Automatic Exposure Control (AEC). Materials and Methods: 45 patients who had $^{18}F$-FDG whole body PET/CT scan were studied with Biograph Truepoint 40 (SIEMENS, GERMANY), Biograph Sensation 16 (SIEMENS, GERMANY), Discovery STe 8 (GE healthcare, USA). The CT effective dose of 15 patients for each equipment was measured and comparatively analyzed in both arm-lifted position and lower-arm position. ImPACT v1.0 program was used as the method of measurement for CT effective dose. For the statistics analysis, Paired t-test which paired with SPSS 18.0 statistic program was applied. Results: In the case of arm-lifted, it was measured as $6.33{\pm}0.93mSv$ for Biograph Sensation 16, $8.01{\pm}1.34mSv$ for Biograph Truepoint 40, and $9.69{\pm}2.32mSv$ for Discovery STe 8. When arms are located lower position, it was measure as $6.97{\pm}0.76mSv$, $8.95{\pm}1.85mSv$, $13.07{\pm}2.87mSv$ for each. CT effective dose according to the arm position was 9.2% for Biograph Truepoint 40, 10.5% for Biograph Sensation 16, and 25.9% for Discovery Ste 8. The statistics analysis showed the meaningful difference ($p$<0.05). Conclusion: For the whole body PET/CT case, CT effective dose applying AEC was decreased the radiation exposure of the patients when the arm was lifted for 15.2% of average value. The patient who has no lesion in head and neck would decrease the artifact occurrence in objective part and lower the CT effective dose. Also, for the patient who had lesion in head and neck, the artifact in objective part can be lower by putting the arms down, the fact that CT effective dose increases should be concerned in its whole body PET/CT scan.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.142-149
• /
• 2017

This study targeted 123 dental hygienists working at the university and dental hospital as well as the dental clinic in Busan. The study ran for 5 months beginning July 23, 2016. The purpose of the study was to understand the relationship between core competencies and job performance for dental hygienists. The major core competencies of dental hygienists were interpersonal relation competency (3.61) was the highest, followed by management and educational competency (3.59), organizational relation competency (3.57), and basic dental hygiene management competency (3.56). Regarding the subjects' job performance, 'the task requested by a boss could be finished by the deadline' (3.93) was the highest, followed by 'there has been no case where others were harmed owing to carelessness' (3.76). 'The performance exceeding the targets set by the boss' (3.11) was relatively low. The group working for dental hospitals showed higher job performance than the group working for dental clinics (p=0.009) while there were high correlations between core competencies and job performance (p=0.733). Also, analysis for understanding relevant variables of core competencies that affected job performance revealed that the interpersonal relation competency (p=0.25), self-control competency (p=0.32), and basic dental hygiene competency (p=0.15) were significant. In summary, reinforcement of the dental hygienists' core competencies has a positive effect on job performance. Improved job performance in turn should improve patient care as well as the performance of the healthcare organization overall which will be eventually helpful to the provision of high-quality medical service to patients, and helpful for the hospital organization Helpful in making their performance better. Therefore, it would be necessary to establish administrative/educational support to facilitate dental hygiene education to develop major competencies and vocational basic abilities, as well as reinforce diverse competency educational programs for the current dental hygienists.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.33-44
• /
• 2018

Objective : This study aims to review research trends in driving rehabilitation for the disabled in South Korea since 2000 suggesting research directions for clinicians and researchers. Methods : Fifty eight articles in 16 journals listed in accredited or candidate journal lists of National Research Foundation of Korea from January, 2000 to December, 2016 were reviewed. 'Driving rehabilitation' and 'driving for disabled' were used as search terms. Descriptive statistics were used to classify articles according to study methodology, levels of evidence, study participants, research topics, and academic associations or official journals. Results : Fifty percent of analyzed researches have been published since 2012. Twenty-two studies (37.9%) were published as group comparison and correlational research. Only seven studies (12.1%) were included in evidence level I. There were 19 studies (38.8%) conducted with brain-injured patients among 49 studies including participants. The Korean Society of Occupational Therapy Journal, having published 15 studies (25.9%) about driving rehabilitation, ranked first among the analyzed journals. In research topic, 15 (25.9%) studies were performed about clinical evaluation. Conclusion : The present study showed that the quality of driving rehabilitation-related studies has been increasing, but more intervention-based researches need to be carried out and it is also necessary to carry out various researches in related fields in order to establish efficient driving rehabilitation in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.22-27
• /
• 2014

Purpose There is the recent PET/CT scan in tendency that use low dose to reduce patient's exposure along with development of equipments. We diminished $^{18}F$-FDG dose of patient to reduce patient's exposure after setting up GE Discovery 690 PET/CT scanner (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, USA) establishment at this hospital in 2011. Accordingly, We evaluate acquisition time per proper bed by change of infusion dose to maintain quality of image of PET/CT scanner. Materials and Methods We inserted Air, Teflon, hot cylinder in NEMA NU2-1994 phantom and maintained radioactivity concentration based on the ratio 4:1 of hot cylinder and back ground activity and increased hot cylinder's concentration to 3, 4.3, 5.5, 6.7 MBq/kg, after acquisition image as increase acquisition time per bed to 30 seconds, 1 minute, 1 minute 30 seconds, 2 minute, 2 minutes 30 seconds, 3 minutes, 3 minutes 30 seconds, 4 minutes, 4 minutes 30 seconds, 5 minutes, 5 minutes 30 seconds, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, and 30 minutes, ROI was set up on hot cylinder and back radioactivity region. We computated standard deviation of Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) and BKG (Background), compared with hot cylinder's concentration and change by acquisition time per bed, after measured Standard Uptake Value maximum ($SUV_{max}$). Also, we compared each standard deviation of $SUV_{max}$, SNR, BKG following in change of inspection waiting time (15minutes and 1 hour) by using 4.3 MBq phantom. Results The radioactive concentration per unit mass was increased to 3, 4.3, 5.5, 6.7 MBqs. And when we increased time/bed of each concentration from 1 minute 30 seconds to 30 minutes, we found that the $SUV_{max}$ of hot cylinder acquisition time per bed changed seriously according to each radioactive concentration in up to 18.3 to at least 7.3 from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. On the other side, that displayed changelessly at least 5.6 in up to 8 from 2 minutes 30 seconds to 30 minutes. SNR by radioactive change per unit mass was fixed to up to 0.49 in at least 0.41 in 3 MBqs and accroding as acquisition time per bed increased, rose to up to 0.59, 0.54 in each at least 0.23, 0.39 in 4.3 MBqs and in 5.5 MBqs. It was high to up to 0.59 from 30 seconds in radioactivity concentration 6.7 MBqs, but kept fixed from 0.43 to 0.53. Standard deviation of BKG (Background) was low from 0.38 to 0.06 in 3 MBqs and from 2 minutes 30 seconds after, low from 0.38 to 0 in 4.3 MBqs and 5.5 MBqs from 1 minute 30 seconds after, low from 0.33 to 0.05 in 6.7 MBqs at all section from 30 seconds to 30 minutes. In result that was changed the inspection waiting time to 15 minutes and 1 hour by 4.3 MBq phantoms, $SUV_{max}$ represented each other fixed values from 2 minutes 30 seconds of acquisition time per bed and SNR shown similar values from 1 minute 30 seconds. Conclusion As shown in the above, when we increased radioactive concentration per unit mass by 3, 4.3, 5.5, 6.7 MBqs, the values of $SUV_{max}$ and SNR was kept changelessly each other more than 2 minutes 30 seconds of acquisition time per bed. In the same way, in the change of inspection waiting time (15 minutes and 1 hour), we could find that the values of $SUV_{max}$ and SNR was kept changelessly each other more than 2 minutes 30 seconds of acquisition time per bed. In the result of this NEMA NU2-1994 phantom experiment, we found that the minimum acquisition time per bed was 2 minutes 30 seconds for evaluating values of fixed $SUV_{max}$ and SNR even in change of inserting radioactive concentration. However, this acquisition time can be different according to features and qualities of equipment.