• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.305-320
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• 2020

Background and objective: The problem that follows the increase of dementia patients is the burden of caregivers caring for dementia patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of horticultural therapy programs improving the quality of life and reducing the depression and burden of caregivers of the elderly with dementia. Methods: In this study, 19 caregivers of the elderly with dementia were selected, and the experiment was conducted by dividing the control group (n=9) and the experimental group (n=10) by random distribution. The experimental group was given eight horticultural therapy programs twice a week for a total of 4 weeks. Subjects were assessed using the depression(CES-D), quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF), and care burden scales. The evaluation results were verified at a 95% significance level using descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: In the case of depression, the control group's score tended to increase, and the experimental group's score appeared to decrease, but it was not a statistically significant change. In the quality of life, the control group was not statistically significant, but scores decreased overall. On the other hand, in the experimental group, the general quality of life increased significantly from 11.60 to 14.20 points (p = .02), and the total quality of life increased to a marginally significant level from 61.59 points to 68.85 points (p = .059). In the post-test of the total care burden score, a marginally significant difference was found between the control group (94.44 points) and the experimental group (82.50 points; p = .079). Conclusion: This study confirmed the applicability to reduce the burden of caregiving and improve the deterioration of quality of life of the caregivers. In particular, the results will serve as an opportunity to confirm accessibility in a new way to support the caregiver of dementia patients by demonstrating the applicability of horticultural therapy at a time when problems such as the burden of supporting the caregiver are emerging as social problems.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.120-128
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• 2022

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are a basic component in the electronics industry and are widely used in nearly all electronic products, such as mobile phones, tablet computers, and digital cameras, as well as in electric equipment. PCB manufacturing involves the use of many chemicals and chemical processes and therefore has more risks than other manufacturing sectors. This study aims to identify the causes of possible accidents during PCB manufacturing through risk assessment, develop and implement safety measures, and evaluate the effectiveness of these measures. Note that the safety measures developed to mitigate the risks of a certain process were also implemented for other similar processes. The risk assessments conducted over seven years, from 2015 to 2021, at a PCB manufacturing company identified 361 hazardous processes. Between 2016 and 2019, 41-56 hazardous processes were identified per year; such processes decreased to fewer than 20 per year after 2020. Application of the risk assessment results to the improvement of the hazardous processes with the similar characteristics seems to be effective in decreasing the risks. Equipment-related factors such as lack of appropriate maintenance, low work standards, and defective protection devices were responsible for 59.8% of all possible accidents. Because PCB manufacturing involves many chemicals, skin contact with hazardous substances, electric shock, fire, and explosion were the most common types of possible accidents (81.7%). In total, 505 safety measures were implemented, including 157 related to purchase and improvement of equipment and devices for safety (31.1%), 147 related to the installation/modification of fire prevention facilities (29.1%), and 69 related to the use of standard electrical appliances (13.7%). Risk assessment conducted after implementing the safety measures showed that these measures significantly decreased risk; 247 processes (68.4%) had a risk level of 3, corresponding to "very low," and 114 processes (31.6%) showed a risk level of 4, corresponding to "low." In particular, risk assessment of 104 processes with risk scores of 12 and 10 other processes with risk score of 16 showed that the risk decreased to 4 after implementing the safety measures. Thus, implementing these measures in similar manufacturing sectors that involve chemical processes can mitigate risk.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.137-145
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• 2022

Purpose: This retrospective chart review study was conducted to examine the frequency of delirium and to identify the risk factors of delirium in elderly surgical patients. Methods: The subjects of this study were 394 patients aged 65 years or older who underwent surgery. The diagnosis of delirium was based on the nursing assessment records with scores from the day of surgery to the 4th day after surgery. The collected data were analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis. Results: The incidence of delirium was 4.3%, and delirium occurred most frequently on the first day of surgery and lasted for 2.16 days on average. Of delirium patients, 76.5% underwent gastrointestinal surgery, and the most common delirium pattern was disorientation. In terms of the characteristics of the subjects, the occurrence of delirium was statistically different by age (𝝌²=10.79, p=.005), systemic-specific disease (𝝌²=9.63, p=.047), use of delirium-inducing drug(benzodiazepine) before surgery (𝝌²=15.90, p<.001), walking ability before surgery (𝝌²=7.65, p=.006), history of delirium (𝝌²=35.92, p<.001), and emergency surgery (𝝌²=16.40, p<.001). As risk factors of delirium, gastrointestinal surgery was found to increase the risk of delirium by 12.57 times (95% CI=2.45~64.46, p=.002), and the use of benzodiazepines before surgery was shown to increase delirium by 10.07 times (95% CI=2.21~45.87, p=.003). Conclusion: It is necessary for nurses to actively evaluate delirium using screening tools for early detection and prevention of delirium in elderly surgical patients with delirium risk factors.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.275-280
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• 2022

The treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) is challenging due to its complex etiology. From epidermal disruption to chronic inflammation, various cells and inflammatory pathways contribute to the progression of AD. As with immunosuppressants, general inhibition of inflammatory pathways can be effective, but this approach is not suitable for long-term treatment due to its side effects. This study aimed to identify a plant extract (PE) with anti-inflammatory effects on multiple cell types involved in AD development and provide relevant mechanistic evidence. Degranulation was measured in RBL-2H3 cells to screen 30 PEs native to South Korea. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Parasenecio auriculatus var. matsumurana Nakai extract (PAE) in AD, production of cytokines and nitric oxide, activation status of FcεRI and TLR4 signaling, cell-cell junction, and cell viability were evaluated using qRT-PCR, western blotting, confocal microscopy, Griess system, and an MTT assay in RBL-2H3, HEK293, RAW264.7, and HaCaT cells. For in vivo experiments, a DNCBinduced AD mouse model was constructed, and hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, toluidine blue, and F4/80-staining were performed. The chemical constituents of PAE were analyzed by HPLC-MS. By measuring the anti-degranulation effects of 30 PEs in RBL-2H3 cells, we found that Paeonia lactiflora Pall., PA, and Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. ex Steud. show an inhibitory activity of more than 50%. Of these, PAE most dramatically and consistently suppressed cytokine expression, including IL-4, IL-9, IL-13, and TNF-α. PAE potently inhibited FcεRI signaling, which mechanistically supports its basophil-stabilizing effects, and PAE downregulated cytokines and NO production in macrophages via perturbation of toll-like receptor signaling. Moreover, PAE suppressed cytokine production in keratinocytes and upregulated the expression of tight junction molecules ZO-1 and occludin. In a DNCB-induced AD mouse model, the topical application of PAE significantly improved atopic index scores, immune cell infiltration, cytokine expression, abnormal activation of signaling molecules in FcεRI and TLR signaling, and damaged skin structure compared with dexamethasone. The anti-inflammatory effect of PAE was mainly due to integerrimine. Our findings suggest that PAE could potently inhibit multi-inflammatory cells involved in AD development, synergistically block the propagation of inflammatory responses, and thus alleviate AD symptoms.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.11
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• pp.457-466
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• 2021

This study sought to identify the effectiveness of training programs by developing mobile app-based training programs to enhance memory, attention, and language function, which is known to be vulnerable to menopause women. It was conducted on 40 Climacteric woman between 40 to 60 years complaining about cognitive function decline. The mobile app-based cognitive training was an 8 week program. There were a total of 24 sessions and each session took 20-30 minutes, three times per week. The survey was carried out including a baseline study pre and post intervention study. The research variables were objective cognitive function (overall cognitive function, memory, attention, and language function), subjective cognitive function and quality of life. The cognitive training program showed a significant increase in overall cognitive function(t=-8.688, p<.001), memory(t=-4.765, p<.001), attention : number of correct answers(t=-7.293, p<.001), language high frequency response speed(Z=-2.179, p=.036), language low frequency response speed(Z=-2.737, p=.009) and quality of life (t=-3.358, p=.002). However, there was no significant difference in the scores for subjective cognitive function. The cognitive training program was found to be an effective intervention for improving the cognitive function of Climacteric women. It could be used as a cognitive intervention tool that is accessible at home without expert help.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.236-243
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• 2022

Background: In the case of multiple exposures to different types of heavy metals, such as the conditions faced by residents living near a smelter, it would be preferable to group hazardous substances with similar characteristics rather than individually related substances and evaluate the effects of each group on the human body. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of factor analysis in the assessment of health effects caused by exposure to two or more hazardous substances with similar characteristics, such as in the case of residents living near a smelter. Methods: Heavy metal concentration data for 572 people living in the vicinity of the Janghang smelter area were grouped based on several subfactors according to their characteristics using factor analysis. Using these factor scores as an independent variable, multiple regression analysis was performed on health effect markers. Results: Through factor analysis, three subfactors were extracted. Factor 1 contained copper and zinc in serum and revealed a common characteristic of the enzyme co-factor in the human body. Factor 2 involved urinary cadmium and arsenic, which are harmful metals related to kidney damage. Factor 3 encompassed blood mercury and lead, which are classified as related to cardiovascular disease. As a result of multiple linear regression analysis, it was found that using the factor index derived through factor analysis as an independent variable is more advantageous in assessing the relevance to health effects than when analyzing the two heavy metals by including them in a single regression model. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that regression analysis linked with factor analysis is a good alternative in that it can simultaneously identify the effects of heavy metals with similar properties while overcoming multicollinearity that may occur in environmental epidemiologic studies on exposure to various types of heavy metals.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.137-147
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• 2022

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to investigate how the existence of companion animals and the type of companion animals affect the quality of life and emotional stability of adults in their 20s. Methods : The subjects of this study were adults in their twenties living in Busan who could understand the method of this study. The survey method was conducted with a questionnaire, consisting of 4 questions on general characteristics, 26 questions on quality of life, and 20 questions on emotional stability for a total of 50 questions. An independent t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to verify the difference in quality of life and emotional stability according to general characteristics. Results : As a result of analyzing the difference in the quality of life of the study subjects, the case of having a companion animal scored statistically significantly higher in the satisfaction of the physical domain, psychological domain, living environment domain, overall quality of life domain, and social domain. In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in the case of companion animals according to the type of companion animal. However, there was no statistical significance in the analysis of differences in emotional stability of study subjects according to the presence or absence of companion animals. Conclusion : This study was conducted with 400 adults in their twenties to determine the effects of the presence and absence and type of companion animals on the quality of life and emotional stability of adults in their twenties. As a result, the group with companion animals showed higher satisfaction scores than the group without companion animals in terms of quality of life. This suggests that raising companion animals for adults in their 20s has a positive effect on improving their quality of life. Therefore, it can be recommended for the physical, psychological, and social health of adults in their 20s.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2022

Equilume light masks had no impact on hastening the resumption of estrous cyclicity in mares maintained in outdoor pastures on the mainland of Korea due to the cold weather conditions. Jeju Island is a major horse-breeding site in Korea and is warmer than the mainland during the winter season. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to explore the efficiency of the Equilume light mask on the resumption of seasonal estrous cycles in Thoroughbred mares on Jeju Island. A total of 20 nonpregnant mares were randomly divided into the Equilume light mask (n = 9) and stable lighting (n =11) groups. The experiment was performed at seven different horse-breeding farms located on Jeju Island from November 15, 2020, to February 15, 2021. The mares were exposed to the respective lights from 16:00 to 23:00. Follicle size and uterine edema were measured by ultrasound scanning. Body condition scores (BCS) were also monitored during the experiment. Statistical analysis was conducted using the SAS and SPSS software, and p-values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Two of the nine (22.2%) mares in the Equilume light mask group and three of the 11 (27.28%) mares in the stable lighting group were still cycling in December and January, which were considered as all-year-round cycling mares. On February 15, there was no difference between groups in the resumption of early seasonal estrus cycle, which was determined by follicles > 25 mm in addition to uterine edema. All mares in the Equilume light mask group and five of the eight mares (62.5%) in the stable lighting group had resumed cycling. Interestingly, six of the seven mares (87.5%) in the Equilume light mask and four of eight mares (50%) in the stable lighting group had already ovulated on February 15 (p > 0.05), as determined by the presence of a recent corpus luteum. No difference was observed in BCS and uterine edema between groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the Equilume light mask can be an effective approach to induce early seasonal estrus cycles of mares in Jeju Island, and it also enhances the efficiency of farm management by reducing labor.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.189-201
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of McConnell taping and Kinesio taping on pain and lower extremity joint angles when patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) ascend stairs. Methods: Fifty young adults who were experiencing anterior knee pain due to PFPS were selected as participants. Then, 25 patients were randomly assigned to the McConnell taping group and 25 to the Kinesio taping group. Pain and lower extremity joint angle were measured while ascending stairs before and after the intervention. A paired t-test was performed to evaluate the amount of change in the parameter values after the intervention within the groups, and an independent t-test was used to compare the results of the groups. Results: In the within-group comparisons, a statistically significant difference was found in both groups between the anterior knee pain scale scores recorded before and after the intervention (p < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was also found between the groups (p < 0.05). Comparison of the lower extremity joint angles at initial contact, loading response, terminal stance, and pre-swing within the groups showed that there were statistically significant differences in the hip, knee flexion, abduction, lateral rotation, and dorsiflexion angles in both the McConnell and Kinesio taping groups (p < 0.05). There was also a statistically significant difference in all angles between the groups during the following events (p < 0.05): (1) at initial contact, (2) at loading response (except hip flexion angle), (3) at terminal stance (except hip flexion and lateral rotation angles), and (4) at pre-swing (except hip, knee abduction, and inversion angles). Conclusion: McConnell taping and Kinesio taping both effectively improved the occurrence of knee pain and the lower extremity joint angles during stair ascent in patients with PFPS. However, McConnell taping had a significant impact on pain reduction and lower extremity joint angles compared to Kinesio taping.

• Journal of Practical Engineering Education
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2022

This study examined the impact of direct structured approach of students who demonstrate little or no sense of basic engineer concepts in physics courses. This direct structured instruction is one of the methodologies that focuses on explicit and systematic practices in which an instructor set clear learning outcomes and clarifies the direction of the instruction. 90 participants were randomly selected and tested on the areas of problem-solving skills, reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. 20% of the participants were found to be students with basic engineering disabilities. On the other hand, in the direct structured group, 51.7% and 58.0% of the sample group (90 students) showed a 6.3% increase from the mid-term to final examinations, respectively. The subgroups with 50% or lower grades were decreased from 26.7% to 24.5%. However, five students with the lowest grade of 20% were selected as students with learning disabilities in the study and the average scores of mid-term and final exams were increased by 8.6%, which was 17.9% and 26.5%, respectively at the end of the study. As a result, it showed that direct structured approach for students with learning disabilities in the engineer concepts was effective.