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Impacts of Contaminated Water Outflow from the Lake Sihwa on the Meiobenthic Animals Living in the Coastal Zones of the Kyonggi Bay (시화호 오염수 방류에 따른 중형저서동물의 군집변동)

  • 김동성;이재학
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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    • v.18 no.2
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    • pp.279-290
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    • 2000
  • To alleviate the harmful effects from contamination, the Sihwa Lake waters have been regularly fluxed out into the ocean to mix and circulate with the oceanic waters, and then allowed to flow back into the lake. In the present study, eco-environmental impacts by the outflowing contaminated lake waters to the benthic communities of the coastal zones along Kyonggi Bay were examined at three separate areas. A total of 22 groups of meiobenthic animals were commonly found in the subtidal zones of the Bay. All groups of the meiobenthic animals on the 1st and 7th days after the outflow were remarkably reduced in numbers from the selected areas examined, as compared to those observed one day before the outflow. It was also found that the community structure of meiobenthos was changed drastically: At the station near the water gate, for example, where the immediate outflow of the lake water was encountered, the benthic harpacticoids, the group observed to be one of the predominant groups before the outflow, were found to have disappeared completely. For an area that was relatively far away from the water gate, the reduction rate of meiobenthos after the outflow events was slower and more gradual than the nearer sites. An area that is the farthest from the water gate, no reduction in any of the meiobenthos group was observed. The ratio between nematodes/copepods (N/C) was remarkably changed by the outflows at the station near the water gate: One day before the outflow, the ratio was 0.7 while the ratio was 19.0 at the station near the water gate. In contrast, at the stations relatively far from the water gate, the ratio decreased one day after the outflow event, but increasing trends were observed one week later. In the tidal flats, Station 1 exhibited the common observed regional values of the ratio whereas Station 2 showed a very high ratio of 191.3. The results suggested that the contaminated lake water outflows directly effect meiobenthos in a relatively short time period and thus the meiobenthos may be a good indicator animal group for examining the effect of pollution. [Lake Sihwa, contaminat water outflow, meiobenthic animals living]

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A Study on Relationships Between Environment, Organizational Structure, and Organizational Effectiveness of Public Health Centers in Korea (보건소의 환경, 조직구조와 조직유효성과의 관계)

  • Yun, Soon-Nyoung
    • Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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    • v.6 no.1
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    • pp.5-33
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    • 1995
  • The objective of the study are two-fold: one is to explore the relationship between environment, organizational structure, and organizational effectiveness of public health centers in Korea, and the other is to examine the validity of contingency theory for improving the organizational structure of public health care agencies, with special emphasis on public health nursing administration. Accordingly, the conceptual model of the study consisted of three different concepts: environment, organizational structure, and organizational effectiveness, which were built up from the contingency theory. Data were collected during the period from 1st of May through 30th of June, 1990. From the total of 249 health centers in the country, one hundred and five centers were sampled non proportionally, according to the geopolitical distribution. Out of 105, 73 health centers responded to mailed questionnaire. The health centers were the unit of the study, and a various statistical analysis techniques were used: Reliability analysis(Cronbach's Alpha) for 4 measurement tools; Shapiro-Wilk statistic for normality test of measured scores of 6 variables: ANOVA, Pearson Correlaion analysis, regressional analysis, and canonical correlation analysis for the test of the relationships and differences between the variables. The results were. as follows : 1. No significant differences between forma lization, decision-making authority and environmental complexity were found(F=1.383, P=.24 ; F=.801, P=.37). 2. Negative relationships between formalization and decision-making authority for both urban and rural health centers were found(r=-.470, P=.002 ; r=-.348, P=.46). 3. No significant relationship between formalization and job satisfaction for both urban and rural health centers were found (r=-.242, P=.132, r=-.060, P=.739). 4. Significant positive relationship between decision - making authority and job satisfaction were found in urban health centers (r=.504, P=.0009), but no such relationship was observed in rural health centers. Regression coefficient between them was statistically significant($\beta=1.535$, P=.0002), and accuracy of regression line was accepted (W=.975, P= .420). 5. No significant relationships among formalization and family planning services, maternal health services, and tuberculosis control services for both urban and rural health centers were found. 6. Among decision-making authority and family planning services, maternal health services, and tuberculosis control services, significant positive relationship was found between de cision-making authority and family planning services(r=.286, P=.73). 7. A significant difference was found in maternal health services by the type of health centers (F=5.13, P=.026) but no difference was found in tuberculosis control services by the type of health centers, formalization, and decision-making authority. 8. A significant positive relationships were found between family planning services and maternal health services and tuberculosis control services, and between maternal health services and tuberculosis control services (r=-.499, P=.001 ; r=.457, P=.004 ; r=.495, P=.002) in case of urban health centers. In case of rural health centers, relationships between family planning services and tuberculosis control services, and between maternal health services and tuberculosis control services were statistically significant (r=.534, P=.002 ; r=.389, P=.027). No significant relationship was found between family planning and maternal health services. 9. A significant positive canonical correlation was found between the group of independent variables consisted of formalization and de cision-making authority and the group of dependent variables consisted of family planning services, maternal health services and tuberculosis control services(Rc=.455, P=.02). In case of urban health centers, no significant canonical correlation was found between them, but significant canoncial correlation was found in rural health centers(Rc=.578, P=.069), 10. Relationships between job satisfaction and health care productivity was not found significant. Through these results, the assumed relationship between environment and organizational structure was not supported in health centers. Therefore, the relationship between the organizational effectiveness and the congruence between environment and organizational structure that contingency theory proposes to exist was not able to be tested. However decision-making authority was found as an important variable of organizational structure affecting family planning services and job satisfaction in urban health centers. Thus it was suggested that decentralized decision making among health professionals would be a valuable strategy for improvement of organizational effectiveness in public health centers. It is also recommended that further studies to test contingency theory would use variability and uncertainty to define environment of public health centers instead of complexity.

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Changes in the outcomes of neonatal intensive care unit at a single center over 12 years (단일기관에서의 12년간 신생아 집중 치료실의 치료성적 변화)

  • Lee, Hyun-Hee;Kim, Tae-Yeon;Shin, Seon-Hee;Sung, Tae-Jung
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.52 no.8
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    • pp.881-887
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    • 2009
  • Purpose : The survival rate of very low birth weight infant (VLBWI) had increased as a result of advances in neonatal intensive care. We evaluated the changes in outcomes of VLBWI who admitted to the neonatal care unit of Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital. Methods : Retrospective review of 339 VLBWI who were born from 1st January 1997 to 31th December 2008 were performed. Outcomes including survival rate, birth weight (BW), gestational age (GA), morbidities, and mortality between period I (1997- 2003) and period II (2004-2008) were compared. Results : Overall incidence of VLBWI was 2.3% and it was significantly higher in period II(3.3%). Mean BW and GA were significantly decreased in period II (P<0.001, P=0.01). The survival rate increased from period I (59.1%) to period II (74.2%). BW-specific survival rate increased in 1,000-1,249 gm and GA-specific survival rate significantly increased in 27-28 weeks and 29-30 weeks. The incidences of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), sepsis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, and necorotizing enterocolitis were same except patent ductus arteriosus. Conclusion : The survival rate of VLBWI was increased in period II, especially in less than 1,000 gm and below 27 weeks. This may be due to recent dramatic improvement of neonatal care. But more efforts are needed to improve outcome during initial phase and to reduce long term complication such as BPD and ROP.

A Study on Public Nuisance in Kwangju City (Survey on Air Pollution and Noise Level) (공해(公害)에 관(關)한 조사연구(調査硏究) -광주시(光州市)의 대기오염(大氣汚染) 및 소음(騷音)에 관(關)한 조사연구(調査硏究)-)

  • Chung, Yo-Han;Kim, Kil-Wng;Moon, Jae-Kyu;Jhoo, Heung-Kyu
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.5 no.1
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    • pp.1-7
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    • 1972
  • During the period from June 1st 1971 to November 30 th 1971, studies on air pollution were made in Kwangju city. The city was divided into 6 areas; the downtown area, the semi-downtown area, the heavy traffic area, the commercial area, the residential area, the park area, 13 surveying sites were selected each representing the characteristics of the area. The Measurement methods which were used are described below. Sulfur oxides were measured by $PbO_2$ cylinder method, sulfur dioxides ($SO_2$) and carbon monoxide (CO) by the MSA & Kitakwa detector, dustfall by the Deposit gauge method, and the noise levels by the Kanomax soundlevel meter. The results obtained are as follows: 1. The mean value of sulfur oxides in Kwangju city was $1.16mg\;SO_3/day/100cm^2\;PbO_2$, ranging from $0.45mg\;SO_3/day/100cm^2\;PbO_2$ to $3.10mg\;SO_3/day/100cm^2\;PbO_2$. 2. The mean values of sulfur oxides according to its specific area in the city were $1.45mg\;SO_3/day/100cm^2\;PbO_2$ in heavy traffic area, 1.36 in downtown area, 1.23 in semi-downtown area, 1.11 in commercial area, 0.96 in residential area, and 1.07 in park area, respectively. 3. The average concentration of sulfur dioxide was 0.063 ppm from 2 to 5 P.M in Kwangju city. 4. The average concentrations of sulfur dioxides according to its specific area, from 2 to 5 P.M, in the city were 0.084 ppm in heavy traffic area & downtown area, 0.067 in commercial area, 0.053 in semi-downtown area, 0.052 in residential area, and 0.036 in park area. 5. The average concentration of carbon monoxide was 22.3 ppm from 2 to 5 P.M, in Kwangju city. 6. The average concentrations of carbon monoxide according to its specific area, from 2 to 5 P.M, in the city were 27.0 ppm in downtown area, 26.3 in semi-downtown area, 23.0 in heavy traffic area, 21.7 in commercial area, 20.0 in residential arera, and 17.6 in park area. 7. The mean value of dusifall in Kwangju city was $29.28ton/km^2/month$, ranging from $9.85ton/km^2/month$ to $66.34ton/km^2/month$. 8. The mean values of dustfall according to its specific area in the city were $50.37ton/km^2/month$ in semi-downtown area, 42.76 in heavy traffic area, 34.67 in downtown area, 17.77 in commercial area, 14.40 in park area, and 14.76 in residential area. 9. The mean values of the soluble dust in Kwangju city was $10.23ton/Km^2/month$ and that of the insoluble dust was $19.05ton/Km^2/month$. 10. The mean value of noise level in Kwangju city was 62 phon, ranging from 37 phon to 88 phon. 11. The mean values of noise level according to its specific area in the city were 76 phon in heavy traffic area, 67 in semi-downtown area, 64 in downtown area, 59 in commercial area, 52 in part area, and 50 in residential area.

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An analysis of factors affecting aspects of disease and satisfied medical treatments for oriental medical users (한방의료(韓方醫療) 이용자의 질병양상(疾病樣相)과 치료만족도(治療滿足度)에 영향(影響)을 미치는 요인분석(要因分析))

  • An Chang-Su;Nam Chul-Hyun
    • Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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    • v.3 no.2
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    • pp.101-128
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    • 1999
  • A study on disease treated at oriental medical treatment facilities (OMTF) and patients' satisfaction levels was conducted in order to figure out why the patients visited oriental medical doctors and the level of satisfaction of the patients for the services offered to them by oriental medical doctors. This study was performed from March 2 through May 31, 1998 by interviewing 1.532 persons living in major and small cities in korea. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. The general characteristics of subjects. The highest portion of each part was, 66.9% female, persons in the age group of over 60's 22.7%, high school graduated 34.9%, house wife 30.8%, The married 65.0%, Buddhist 36.9%, maj or city residents 60.2%, company covered insurance benefiter 39.0% and etc. 2. 40.5% of subjects visited OMTF for skeletal and connective tissue diseases. 21.5% for digestive system diseases. 16.2% for respiratory system diseases. 13.3% for circulatory system diseases and 9.0% for neurological problems. 3. 42.7% of males visited OMTF for skeletal and connective tissue diseases, which were the highest and respiratory system disorders, digestive system disorders, circulatory system disorders and neurological diseases in order. 39.4% of females visited OMTF for skeletal and connective tissue disorders which were the highest and other conditions such as digestive system, circulatory, respiratory, and neurological disorders in order. 4. The males with circulatory system disorders were treated by herbal medicine, combination of herbal medicine and acupuncture, only in order. The females with the some conditions above were treated by combination of herbal medicine and herbal medical and acupuncture only in order. The males and females with respiratory system and digestive system diseases were treated by herbal medicine, combination of herbal medicine and acupuncture only in order. But the males and females with skeletal and connective tissue diseases were by acupuncture are the highest in order. 5. The females and persons in the age group of over 60' s and house wife. the not married, the unhealthy persons, residents living in small cities, the persons with high income by medical treatments frequency in circulatory system diseases are the highest. 6, The females, middle school graduated and the married, persons in the age group of over 60's, unemployed, sales and service industry workers, Buddhists, major city residents, the unhealthy persons, the persons with middle income by medical treatments frequency in respiratory system diseases are the highest. 7. The females, persons in the age group of over 60's, under graduated or elementary school graduated, the unemployed and house wife, the unmarried, Buddhists, major city residents, the unhealthy persons, the persons with low income by medical treatments frequency in digestive system diseases are the highest. 8. The males, major city residents, old ages, under graduated or elementary school graduated, go earn officials, people grown in small city, the persons who had health insurance policies, the persons with low income, the unhealthy persons by medical treatments frequency in skeletal and connective tissue disorders diseases. 9. 50.8% of the respondents said that the treatments at the OMTF were very effective. 47.7% of them said that the treatments were effective. The males, persons in the age group of 40's, high school graduates, official workes, the married, the persons who did not have religion, major city residents, the persons who had health insurance policies, the persons with high income and the healthy persons said that the treatment effects at OMTF were satisfactory. 10. The patients' satisfaction rate for OMTF on each disease is, 1st. Musculo-Skeletal system(most satisfied), 2nd. the pregnancy & delivery complications, 3rd. Eye & ophthalmics, 4th. Respiratory system, 5th. Mental & bodily disorder, 6th. Digestive system and etc. 11. The factors affect OMTF are age, satisfaction for OMTF, current disease, religion, efficiency of Oriental Medicine, health condition and etc. This explained power of variable were 39.0%. 12. The satisfied factors for OMTF is correlate to educational level, and economical variables.

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Outcome of Staged Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia and a Ductus-dependent Pulmonary Circulation: Should Primary Repair Be Considered?

  • Kim, Hyung-Tae;Sung, Si-Chan;Chang, Yun-Hee;Jung, Won-Kil;Lee, Hyoung-Doo;Park, Ji-Ae;Huh, Up
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.44 no.6
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    • pp.392-398
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    • 2011
  • Background: The tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) with pulmonary atresia (PA) and a ductus-dependent pulmonary circulation (no major aorto-pulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs)) has been treated with staged repair or primary repair depending on the preference of surgeons or institutions. We evaluated the 19-year outcome of staged repair for this anomaly to find out whether our surgical strategy should be changed. Materials and Methods: Forty-four patients with TOF/PA with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) who underwent staged repair from June 1991 to October 2010 were included in this retrospective study. The patients with MAPCAs were excluded. The average age at the first palliative shunt surgery was $40.8{\pm}67.5$ days (range: 0~332 days). Thirty-one patients (31/44, 70%) were neonates. The average weight was $3.5{\pm}1.6$ kg (range: 1.6~8.7 kg). A modified Blalock-Taussig (BT) shunt was performed in 38 patients, classic BT shunt in 4 patients, and central shunt in 2 patients. Six patients required concomitant procedures: pulmonary artery angioplasty was performed in 4 patients, pulmonary artery reconstruction in one patient, and re-implantation of the left pulmonary artery to the main pulmonary artery in one patient. Four patients required a second shunt operation before the definitive repair was performed. Thirty-three patients underwent definitive repair at $24.2{\pm}13.3$ months (range: 7.3~68 months) after the first palliative operation. The average age at the time of definitive repair was $25.4{\pm}13.5$ months (range: 7.6~68.6 months) and their average weight was $11.0{\pm}2.1$ kg. For definitive repair, 3 types of right ventricular outflow procedures were used: extra-cardiac conduit was performed in 30 patients, trans-annular patch in 2 patients, and REV operation in 1 patient. One patient was lost to follow-up after hospital discharge. The mean follow-up duration for the rest of the patients was $72{\pm}37$ months (range: 4~160 months). Results: Ten patients (10/44, 22.7%) died before the definitive repair was performed. Four of them died during hospitalization after the shunt operation. Six deaths were thought to be shunt-related. The average time of shunt-related deaths after shunt procedures was 8.7 months (range: 2 days~25.3 months). There was no operative mortality after the definitive repair, but one patient died from dilated cardiomyopathy caused by myocarditis 8 years and 3 months after the definitive repair. Five-year and 10-year survival rates after the first palliative operation were 76.8% and 69.1%, respectively. Conclusion: There was a high overall mortality rate in staged repair for the patients with TOF/PA with PDA. Majority of deaths occurred before the definitive repair was performed. Therefore, primary repair or early second stage definitive repair should be considered to enhance the survival rate for patients with TOF/PA with PDA.

The Surgical Management of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and the Results of a Fontan Operation (좌심형성부전증후군의 외과적 치료 및 폰탄수술의 결과)

  • Chung, Eui Suk;Kim, Woong-Han;Jeon, Jae-Hyun;Choi, Chang-Hyu;Lee, Chang-Ha;Lee, Young-Tak
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.42 no.1
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    • pp.9-13
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    • 2009
  • Background: Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is uniformly fatal if this condition is not properly treated. We reviewed the surgical results of treating hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and we evaluated the hemodynamics and functional status of these patients after they underwent a Fontan operation. Material and Method: To assess the surgical results, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 6 (M/F=4/2) patients who underwent a staged operation, including a Norwood procedure, a bidirectional Glenn procedure and a Fontan procedure between October 1997 to May 2005. The mean age of the patients was $17.3{\pm}10.8$ days (range: 9~36 days) at the $1^{st}$ staged operation, $8.9{\pm}7.1$ months (4.6~23.3 months) at the $2^{nd}$ staged operation (the Bidirectional Glenn procedure) and $32.4{\pm}9.8$ months at the final staged operation (the Fontan procedure). During the $2^{nd}$ staged operation, one of the patients received tricuspid valve repair due to regurgitation. All the patients underwent an extracardiac Fontan procedure using Gore-Tex conduit (20 mm: 2 patients, 18 mm: 4 patients) and one of them required fenestration. Result: 21 patients underwented a Norwood procedure. There were 7 early deaths and 4 interstage deaths. Bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt was performed in 10 patients and the Fontan procedure was done in 6 (mortality: 1 patient, Flow up loss: 1 patient, Awaiting a Fontan procedure: 2 patients). After the Fontan procedure, there was no complication except for one case of post operative bleedings. All the patients had good ventricular function and 2 had grade I tricuspid regurgitation, as noted on their echocardiography. The average follow up period after the Fontan procedure was $19.6{\pm}14.9$ months (range: 1.5~39.1 month). All the patients had normal sinus rhythm and they were put on aspirin and cardiac medication. During follow up period, all the patients had a good functional status (NYHA functional class I). Conclusion: All the patients who suffered with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and who underwent a Fontan procedure achieved a good hemodynamic and functional status, even though there was a relatively high operative mortality rate after stage I Norwood palliation. Therefore, thise staged operation should be strongly recommended as an important surgical strategy for treating hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

An Epidemiologic Study of Kawasaki Disease(1987-2000) : Incidence of Coronary Artery Complication in the Acute Stage (가와사끼병의 역학적 연구(1987-2000년) : 관상 동맥 이상을 중심으로)

  • Lee, Kyung-Yil;Park, Min-Young;Han, Ji-Whan;Lee, Hyung-Shin;Choi, Jin;Whang, Kyung-Tai
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.45 no.6
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    • pp.783-789
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    • 2002
  • Purpose : We evaluated the epidemiologic characteristics and incidence of coronary artery sequele of children with KD according to treatment. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed 506 medical records of children with KD, who were admitted at Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital from Jan. 1987 to Dec. 2000. Results : The mean annual incidence was $36.1{\pm}11.1$ cases per year. There was a slightly higher occurrence in summer with no significant difference in monthly incidence. The mean age was $2.4{\pm}1.7$ years and 450 children(88.9%) were below four years of age. The male to female ratio was 1.7 : 1. When the 345 cases between 1987 and 1994 were divided into three groups according to treatment, incidences of the coronary abnormality(above grade II) of aspirin-treated(54 cases; 15.6%), divided-intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) treated($400-500mg/day{\times}4-5days$, 224 cases; 64.9%), and one-dose IVIG treated(2.0 g/day, 67 cases; 19.5%) groups were 8.3%, 6.0%, and 7.5%, respectively. Between 1995 and 2000, 143 cases were treated with only one-dose IVIG and 21 cases(14.7%) showed coronary artery abnormalities(grade I, 15 cases; grade II, two cases; and grade III, four cases). Among the 143 cases, 22 cases(15.1%) were retreated with IVIG and/or steroid pulse therapy. The incidence of coronary artery abnormality in this group was 50.0%. Incidences of cases in recurrence and among siblings were 0.6% and 0.4% respectively. There was no fatal case. Conclusion : In Daejeon, Korea, the epidemiologic feature of KD showed slight annual variations without monthly differences. The incidence of coronary abnormality with one-dose IVIG therapy was 14.7%. The nonresponse of this therapy was 15.1% with a coronary abnormality of 50.0%.

Effect of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator(MBTI) Personality Type, Emotional Intelligence, Sress Coping Strategies on Nursing student's Adjustment to College Life (간호대학생의 MBTI성격유형, 감성지능, 스트레스 대처방식이 대학생활적응에 미치는 영향)

  • Han, Young-Mi;Kim, Sun-Hee
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.18 no.8
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    • pp.124-134
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    • 2017
  • The purpose of this study was to investigate the MBTI personality type, emotional intelligence, and stress coping strategies of nursing students and to examine the influence of these factors on their level of college adjustment.The subjects were 267 nursing students who are located in Chonnam city. The survey was conducted from March 6th to March 31st, 2017. The level of college adjustment showed a close correlation with the emotional intelligence(r=.29, p<.001) and stress coping strategies(r=.27, p<.001), and the level of MBTI personality type was not statistically insignificant in the nursing students. It was found that the effect of the emotional intelligence and stress coping strategies on the college life adjustment was 17.5%(F=8.03, p<.001). According to the results of this study, it is necessary to develop a systematic management program to integrate the educational curriculum and extra-curricular activities(in order to enhance the) emotional intelligence and stress coping strategies in nursing students. In addition, the type of psychological function and psychological temperament of the MBTI personality type were found not to have influenced the level of college adaptation of the nursing students and this should be confirmedin a large scale sample.

Clinical aspects of chronic urticaria in children (소아 만성 두드러기의 임상 양상 및 경과)

  • Kang, Hye Seon;Shin, Mee Yong
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.52 no.2
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    • pp.205-212
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    • 2009
  • Purpose : Chronic urticaria is a disorder characterized by the appearance of wheals for more than 6 weeks; in most cases, the etiology is unknown. This study was aimed to discover the clinical aspects, the etiologic factors, and the course of chronic urticaria. Methods : 51 children who were diagnosed with chronic urticaria in the past 4 years, and who had had follow-ups more than 6 months after diagnosis in the pediatric department of Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Bucheon, were enrolled in the study. The laboratory findings, clinical aspects, and courses were retrospectively investigated by medical record review and telephone interview. Results : The median age of children with chronic urticaria was 4 years (8 months to 16 years) and the ratio of male to female was 1.4:1. Of the total, 39.2% of patients had a history of atopy. Angioedema occurred concurrently with urticaria in 11.8% of patients, and dermographism was seen in 41.2%. Results of thyroid function tests were normal and thyroid autoantibodies were absent in all cases. Regarding etiology, most cases (74.5%) were forms of idiopathic urticaria. Urticaria was induced by physical factors in 19.6% of patients. Open challenge tests revealed that 3 patients were allergic to food additives (glutamate 2, glutamate, and sulfite 1). In this study, most of the patients reported good response after medication of 1st- or 2nd-generation antihistamines alone. Follow-up at 6 months revealed that 70.6% of patients had experienced remission, and 84.8% of children who had follow-up at 1 year presented remission. Conclusion : Chronic urticaria in most patients was idiopathic. Remission occurred within 1 year of diagnosis, in most cases so chronic urticaria in children seems to have good prognosis.