• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.93-103
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• 2020

Background: Risk assessment for pulmonary resection in patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is important for minimizing postoperative morbidity. Depletion of skeletal muscle mass is closely associated with impaired nutritional status and limited physical ability. We evaluated the relationship between skeletal muscle depletion and early postoperative complications in patients with early-stage NSCLC. Methods: Patients who underwent curative lung resection between 2016 and 2018 and who were diagnosed with pathological stage I/II NSCLC were included, and their records were retrospectively analyzed. The psoas volume index (PVI, ㎤/㎥) was calculated based on computed tomography images from routine preoperative positron emission tomography-computed tomography. Early postoperative complications, defined as those occurring within 90 days of surgery, were compared between the lowest sex-specific quartile for PVI and the remaining quartiles. Results: A strong correlation was found between the volume and the cross-sectional area of the psoas muscle (R²=0.816). The overall rate of complications was 57.6% among patients with a low PVI and 32.8% among those with a normal-to-high PVI. The most common complication was prolonged air leak (low PVI, 16.9%; normal-to-high PVI, 9.6%), followed by pneumonia (low PVI, 13.6%; normal-to-high PVI, 7.9%) and recurrent pleural effusion (low PVI, 11.9%; normal-to-high PVI, 6.8%). The predictors of overall complications were low PVI (odds ratio [OR], 2.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-4.09; p=0.03), low hemoglobin level (OR, 0.686; 95% CI, 0.54-0.87; p=0.002), and smoking history (OR, 3.93; 95% CI, 2.03-7.58; p<0.001). Conclusion: Low PVI was associated with a higher rate of early postoperative complications in patients with early-stage NSCLC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.2731-2737
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• 2013

Background: This study evaluated the validity and reliability of applying the Katz's Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale in an Iranian sample of elderly oncologic patients following initial cancer treatment. Materials and Methods: The scale was translated with the forward-backward procedure to give an Iranian version. The ADL scale was then applied in a random sample of 400 oncologic patients aged 60 and older following initial cancer treatment. Assessment of the scale stability was twice, with a 14-days (two weeks) interval, to 30 (of the 400) eligible elderly cancer patients in March 2012. To measure treatment effects, the index was run with 150 patients in a three month recall, following oncology processing. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was performed for assessment of construct validity of the Katz's ADL. Reliability was measured with internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha co-efficient), and test/retest (Spearman's r value) of the instrument. Criterion validity was evaluated by comparing the Katz with Physical Function (PF) subscale of SF 36. Known-group validity was approved by comparing of Katz' ADL between quartile groups of PF subscale of SF 36. Results: In our study the ADL demonstrated a high degree of internal homogeneity (Cronbach's alpha 0.923). There was a high correlation between scores of two time measurement of Katz's ADL (p value of two- related- samples test was 0.3). Construct validity showed a correlation coefficient of 0.572 between the ADL and PF scores. In factor analysis, 2 factors were extracted. Evidence for the reliability of the questionnaire was good and known group validity was approved by significant differences of ADL score between quartiles of the PF subscale of SF36. Conclusions: The results suggest that the Iranian version of ADL applied for oncologic older adult patients following initial cancer treatment is a reliable and a valid clinical instrument and comparable to those reported in other studies.

• The Korean Journal of Financial Management
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.71-89
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• 2005

The purpose of this research is to examine X-efficiency of Korean local credit unions in 2001 by employing the stochastic frontier approach. This study uses the intermediation approach in order to define outputs and inputs of the credit unions. We define the outputs as the amounts of loans, and securities. The inputs are labor, deposit and physical capital. The price of labor is estimated by dividing the total wages by the number of employees. The price of deposit equals total interest divided by total deposit, and the price of physical capital is also computed to divide the total sales and administrative expenses by the physical capital. By the result of this study, the average efficiency score is 0.81. This fact indicates that credit unions can reduce their inputs by 19% for the given outputs. If results are arranged into quartiles based on the efficiency, inefficiency of top 25% credit unions is below 9%, and half of them is over 17%. In addition, e result shows that the efficiency is significantly influenced by region and size even if credit unions in Seoul and Daegu showed little difference in efficiency by size. Generally, medium size credit unions are more efficient than large size.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.227-235
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• 2018

In this study, we developed a relational formula for observing high - resolution rainfall using vehicle rain sensor. The vehicle rain sensor consists of eight channels. Each channel generates a sensor signal by detecting the amount of rainfall on the windshield of the vehicle when rainfall occurs. The higher the rainfall, the lower the sensor signal is. Using these characteristics of the sensor signal generated by the rain sensor, we developed a relational expression. In order to generate specific rainfall, an artificial rainfall generator was constructed and the change of the sensor signal according to the variation of the rainfall amount in the artificial rainfall generator was analyzed. Among them, the optimal sensor channel which reflects various rainfall amounts through the sensitivity analysis was selected. The sensor signal was generated in 5 minutes using the selected channel and the representative values of the generated 5 - minute sensor signals were set as the average, 25th, 50th, and 75th quartiles. The calculated rainfall values were applied to the actual rainfall data using the constructed relational equation and the calculated rainfall amount was compared with the rainfall values observed at the rainfall station. Although the reliability of the relational expression was somewhat lower than that of the data of the verification result data, it was judged that the experimental data of the residual range was insufficient. The rainfall value was calculated by applying the developed relation to the actual rainfall, and compared with the rainfall value generated by the ground rainfall observation instrument observed at the same time to verify the reliability. As a result, the rain sensor showed a fine rainfall of less than 0.5 mm And the average observation error was 0.36mm.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.536-545
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• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate osteopenia and osteoporosis prevalence of radius and tibia using Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) and to identify affecting factors of osteoporosis. A total of 4,340 women aged 40 - 69 years, living in Ansung (rural) and Ansan (mid-sized) area, and free of illnesses affecting bone metabolism participated in the community-based cohort study. Among them 4,059 subjects measured radius bone density and 4,089 measured tibia. The T-score threshold, defined as < -1.0 and $\le$-2.5, was used to identify subjects with osteopenia and osteoporosis by WHO criteria. The crude prevalence of osteoporosis in radius and tibia was $8.4\%$ and $23.3\%$ respectively; after adjustment for age, it changed $6.3\%$ and $18.8\%$. In simple logistic regression analysis, the prevalence of osteoporosis increased by aging, non-marital status, low education, low income. Otherwise, high intakes of Ca/P, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, and vitamin E were decreased osteoporosis prevalence. Compared to the normal BMI (body mass index) group 08.5 $\le$ BMI < 23), the odds ratio (ORs) of the low BMI group (BMI < 18.5), and high BMI groups (BMl25-30, BMI $\ge$ 30) were significantly increased. The OR of osteoporosis decreased across increasing quartiles of intakes of Ca, P and Ca/P. Therefore, maintaining normal BMI and increasing Ca intake and Ca/P ratio may have a beneficial effect on bone health of Korean women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2014

This study was conducted to develop a Han-sik database as well as to assess the effects of Han-sik on dietary quality among Koreans. The Han-sik database was developed by a focus group composed of food and nutrition specialists considering the results of Han-sik perception surveys conducted in previous studies for frequently consumed dishes. Among the 1,322 dish items identified in the $4^{th}$ (2007-2009) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 973 items (73.6%) were classified as Han-sik. Han-sik usage was defined as the percentage of Han-sik items of all individually consumed dish items in the dietary data of 22,113 subjects who participated in a 24-hour diet recall in the $4^{th}$ (2007-2009) KNHANES. Dietary quality was evaluated based on adherence to the Korean Food Guidance System (KFGS), which was calculated as the percentage of the number of servings consumed in each food group out of recommended servings according to age and sex. Mean usage of Han-sik was 80.1% and was higher in older age groups, rural areas, as well as in households at the lowest income level. Han-sik usage was also higher on weekdays as well as for breakfast. Adherence to the KFGS was significantly higher for grains, meat fish egg beans, vegetables, and fruits (p<0.001) but lower for milk dairy products and oils fats sugars (p<0.001) across the quartiles of Han-sik usage. The results of this study indicate that Han-sik usage is high among Koreans. Further studies are needed to update the Han-sik database as well as investigate the association between health-related factors and Han-sik use.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.167-176
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• 2002

To assess the dietary fiber intake of preschool children in Busan and to evaluate the relationship between of the intake of dietary fiber and nutrient intake. Nutrient intake using 24 hour recall, and total dietary fiber (TDF) intake based on tables of TDF of common Korean floods developed by the modified Prosky Method, were estimated for 176 preschool children. The mean daily intakes of TDF, and TDF after adjusting energy intake, were 10.20 g and 7.69 g/1,000 kcal, respectively. The mean daily intakes of TDF for children aged 1-3 and 4-6 years were 9.20 g and 11.08 g, respectively. The range of TDF intake was 1.86 to 22.16 g. The major sources of TDF were cereals (31.0%), vegetables (18.9%) and fruits (11.9%). The TDF intake showed positive correlations with nutrient adequacy ratios (NAR) of iron and Vitamin $B_1$, (p < 0.05, p < 0.05). The TDF intake per 1,000 kcal showed negative correlations with the NARs of protein, calcium, phosphate, iron, Vitamin A, vitamin $B_1$, Vitamin $B_2$, and niacin (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001) and with the mean adequacy ratio (MAR, p < 0.001). When children were stratified into quartiles ($Q_1-Q_4$) on the basis of their fiber intake per 1,000 kcal, their NARs for calcium, phosphate, iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin $B_1, Vitamin $B_2$ and niacin (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.001), and their MAR (p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the children with higher fiber intake per 1,000 kcal (the upper quartile). The NARs fur calcium (0.63), iron (0.60), Vitamin A (0.66), Vitamin $B_2$(0.74), niacin (0.64), Vitamin C (0.65) and the MAR (0.74) were lower than 0.75 in the children with fiber intakes of more than 9.25 g per 1,000 local (0,), the highest fiber intake per 1,000 kcal. Based on these results, the mean TDF intake of children was higher than the age (yr)+5g , the minimum recommended level for American children. Meals with a fiber intake of more than 9.25 g per 1,000 local ($Q_4$) could cause a decreased nutritional status for minerals and vitamins. The result of this study could contribute to the establishment of Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for dietary fiber for Korean Preschool children.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.173-180
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• 2006

Knowledge of growth and development is essential for pediatric dentistry treating growing patients. The data from the pediatric growth curve being used today does not reflect the growth transition of modern times, nor does it match the age range required for dental purposes. The present study, therefore, aims to introduce the process of producing a growth curve and growth rate curve based on data which represents a more accurate description of the present situation. The original data used in this study were from the 5th nationwide survey, SIZE KOREA 2004 study carried out by the Technology and Standards Policy Division, Department of Technology and Standards Planning, Ministry of Commerce, Industry. and Energy. Processing and rearranging the produced data with variations divided into the three quartiles and the 1st, 5th, 95th and 99th percentiles were included to produce a growth observation chart according to sex, height and weight differences. In the same way, a growth rate curve based on the geometric mean value was produced. The resulting growth charts can be used as an index for growth and development, and used for better communication between the pediatric dentist, patients or their parents.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.22-30
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• 2009

This study aimed to examine nutritional status and similarities of diets between Vietnamese female immigrants and Korean spouses and dietary changes of Vietnamese females after immigration. Subjects were 608 couples visiting 13 medical centers for the Cohort of Intermarried Women in Korea from November 2006 to November 2007. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were obtained and dietary intakes were assessed using one-day 24-hour recall. Sixty-eight percent of wives answered there have been changes in their diets and consumptions of meats, fish, dairy products, vegetables, and fruits increased after immigration. Energy intakes of wives and spouses were 1491.7 kcal and 1788.8 kcal, respectively, showing most couples (80.1%) consumed less than the Korean estimated energy requirements. More than half of the couples were below the Korean estimated average requirements of zinc, vitamin $B_2$, and folate. The correlation coefficients between couples ranged 0.15-0.38 for unadjusted, 0.22-0.35 for per 1000 kcal, and 0.21-0.40 for energy-adjusted, respectively. The proportions of couples in the same quartiles of each nutrient intake and in the same answers of each question of Mini Dietary Assessment were about 30% across nutrients and around 50% across questions. The length of residence is related to similarities of nutrient intakes between couples: similarities decreased after 3 years of residence in Korea. In conclusion, nutritional intakes of inter-married couples were inadequate although wives reported that their dietary intakes increased after immigration. Inadequate nutrient intakes of wives were partly explained by similar diets between couples because these wives without enough adjustment to Korean culture were more likely to follow what their spouses ate. Findings from this study may be helpful to improve the nutritional status of inter-married couples and make policies and programs for them. A follow-up study should identify factors affecting inadequate nutritional status of intermarried couples and similarities of their diets.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.68 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2010

Background: D-dimer testing is widely applied as a first step in the diagnostic work-up of pulmonary embolism (PE). Although this is the most sensitive assay for ruling out PE, the prognostic implications of D-dimer testing in patients with normotensive PE are not well known. The aim of this study was to determine if D-dimer testing on admission predicts major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with normotensive PE. Methods: A total of 180 consecutive patients with normotensive PE admitted between January 2003 and June 2009 were included. The group was divided into quartiles on the basis of their D-dimer levels. We compared the frequency of MACE by quartile of D-dimer level and estimated sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for MACE in the first and fourth quartile. Results: In the 37 (20.6%) patients with MACEs, the median D-dimer level (7.94[IQR:4.03~18.17]${\mu}g/mL$) was higher than in patients with a benign course (5.29[IQR:2.60~11.52]${\mu}g/mL$, p<0.01). The occurrence of MACEs was increased with increasing D-dimer level (p=0.017). In the first quartile (D-Dimer <$2.76{\mu}g/mL$) sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for predicting MACEs were, respectively, 91.9%, 29.4%, 25.2%, and 93.3%. Conclusion: Patients with D-dimer levels below $2.76{\mu}g/mL$ have a low risk of MACEs. Our study suggest that D-dimer level may be used to identify low risk patients with normotensive PE.