• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.278-284
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• 2021

Background: Osteoporosis is a disease that affects the quality of life and imposes a high socioeconomic burden. Studies have reported that statins, a HMG CoA reductase inhibitor, have a positive or negative effect on osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between statins and osteoporosis risk. Methods: We used the total patient sample data of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA-NPS-2018). We analyzed the prevalence of osteoporosis in adult patients of Korea who were diagnosed with dyslipidemia and were prescribed statins at the same time. The odds ratio (OR) according to the intensity and type of statin was used to confirming the prevalence. Results: Among the 1,138,899 patients included in the study, 143,895 patients used statins and 27,524 patients (19.13%) were diagnosed with osteoporosis in the statin group. The OR value of statin group was 0.96 (95% CI 0.94-0.98), confirming that the prevalence of osteoporosis decreased, and a significant decrease was seen in all statin intensity. Some of the moderate-intensity statins rather increased the prevalence of osteoporosis, but atorvastatin and rosuvastatin obtained positive results at both medium- and high-intensity doses, and lovastatin, a low-intensity statin, showed the greatest reduction in the prevalence of osteoporosis. Conclusion: We found that the prevalence of osteoporosis was reduced in the statin group, and there was a constant correlation regardless of gender or age. However, a large, prospective, double-blind and randomized study is needed for a long period of time to demonstrate the effectiveness of statins.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.223-231
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Soy isoflavones are expected to improve menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis in women. However, their efficacy is still inconclusive, and there was limited data for postmenopausal women in South Korea. We examined the effects of soy isoflavones on climacteric symptoms, bone biomarkers, and quality of life in Korean postmenopausal women. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A randomized, double-blind study design was used. Eighty-seven participants who had undergone natural menopause were randomly administered either 70 mg/day isoflavones (n = 43) or placebo (n = 41) for 12 weeks. We assessed the Kupperman index for climacteric symptoms and the menopause-specific quality of life (MENQOL) questionnaire for quality of the life. Biomarkers of bone metabolism were also measured in serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin (OC), N- and C-terminal cross-linking telopeptides of type Ι collagen (NTx, CTx), and urine-deoxypyridinolin (u-DPD). RESULTS: Scores of the Kupperman index were decreased in both the isoflavones group ($-7.0{\pm}15.8$, P = 0.0074) and placebo group ($-6.3{\pm}14.6$, P = 0.0064) during the intervention, but no significant difference was noted between the groups. Regarding the bone formation markers, the level of serum BALP increased by $6.3{\pm}4.1%$ (P = 0.004) and OC increased by $9.3{\pm}6.2%$ (P < 0.001), meanwhile those of the placebo were not changed. For the bone resorption markers, NTx, CTx, and u-DPD were not significantly different in either group. MENQOL was significant decreased in the isoflavone group ($-0.6{\pm}0.5$) and placebo group ($-0.6{\pm}0.4$), with a significant difference between groups (P = 0.0228). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that 70 mg isoflavones supplement has beneficial effects on bone formation markers; however, it showed no benefit compared to the placebo on climacteric symptoms or quality of life.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.12-20
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was designed to find out the effectiveness of vertebral segment instability, muscle fatigue response on lumbar spine after apply lumbosacral stabilization exercise program to 4 patients with chronic low back pain and for 12 weeks. In this study, the lumbar spine motion with blind by MedX test machine and the difference of instability to lumbar vertebra segments in flexion, extension test of standing position and spinal load test(Matthiass Test) by Spinal Mouse. The stabilization exercise program was applied 2 times a week for 12 weeks in hospital and 2 times a day for 20 minutes at home. The results of the present study were as follows: 1. Instability test of lumbar vertebra segment is 2 type differential angle test between vertebrae segment and loading test of spine(matthiass) by Spinal Mouse. It appeared to improve stability of segments in sagittal plane after applying program. So lumbar spine curve increased lordosis toward anterior and was improved of the lumbar spine flexibility in flexion and extension. Specially, in matthiass test, (-) value was increased between lumbar vertebra segment when was the load on spine. And so applying stability improved after program. 2. Fatigue response test(FRT) results, in male, was raised muscle fatigue rate during increase weight, on the other hand female appeared lower than male. As a results, lumbosacral stabilization exercise was aided to improvement of lumbar spine vertebra segments stabilization. Spine instability patients will have a risk when in lifting a load or working with slight flexion posture during the daily of living life and it is probably to increase recurrence rate. Thus, not only lumbar extension muscle strength but also stability of vertebra segments in lumbar spine may be very important.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.237-247
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was a randomized single-blind trial of whole versus split-dose PEG solutions for colonoscopy preparation to compare the patient compliance, quality of bowel cleansing, and endoscopist's satisfaction. Methods: The participants were recruited from outpatients who planned to receive colonoscopy of C hospital in Busan. Sixty participants were randomly assigned to receive either a spit-dose group(n=30) consuming $2{\ell}$ of PEG solution twice, or a whole-dose group(n=30), consuming $4{\ell}$ of PEG solution once. These participants completed the questionnaire to assess their compliance before colonoscopy. The quality of bowel cleansing was assessed using the Ottawa Scale with the endoscopist who was blinded to the type of preparation, and their satisfaction by using VAS. Results: The participants who did not completely consume $4{\ell}$ of PEG solution were less in split-dose than in whole-dose group (0% vs 13.3%). The split-dose group complained less about abdominal pain(t=2.644, p=0.009) and abdominal bloating(t=2.802, p=0.013) with a statistical significance. For the quality of bowel preparation, there were no significant differences in the bowel cleansing scores and the endoscopist's satisfaction between two groups. Conclusion: Colonic preparation with split-dose of PEG solution could be a more useful method for better patient compliance, with no significant impact on bowel cleansing quality.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1831-1835
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• 2014

Background: To investigate the relationship between extracellular matrix parameters and texture of prostatic lesions evaluated by transrectal real-time tissue elastography (TRTE). Methods: 120 patients suspicious for prostate cancer underwent TRTE. Targeted biopsies were carried out after 12-core systematic biopsy. Epithelia were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and Victoria blue and Ponceau S were used to stain elastic-collagen fibers, and picric acid-sirius red for visualization of collagen type I (Col1) and III (Col3). Smooth muscles were visualized by immunohistochemistry. All image analyses were performed in a blind manner using Image Pro Plus 6.0, and the area ratios of epithelium, elastic fibers, collagen fibers and Col1/Col3 were determined. Results: 42 patients with typical elastograms were included in the final data analysis. Significant differences were detected between the benign and malignant groups in the area ratios of epithelium (P = 0.01), smooth muscles and Col1/Col3 (P = 0.04, P = 0.02, respectively). There were no significant differences in the area ratios of epithelium, smooth muscle and elastic fibers between the stiff and soft lesion groups. The area ratio of Col1 was ($0.05{\pm}0.03$) in the stiff group, and ($0.02{\pm}0.01$) in the soft group (P= 0.00). However, the area ratio of Col3 was ($0.03{\pm}0.02$) in the stiff group, and ($0.05{\pm}0.04$) in the soft group (P = 0.16). Col1/Col3 in the stiff group ($1.99{\pm}1.59$) was greater than in the soft group ($0.71{\pm}0.64$) (P = 0.01). Conclusions: Tissue hardness of prostatic tumors was mainly dependent on the Col1 content, Col1/Col3 being higher in malignant than in benign lesions, so the prostate tissue texture can be used as a target for distinguishing between the two with TRTE.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.339-364
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• 2010

Following a joint OECD/NEA-IAEA-sponsored meeting to define the current role and future perspectives of the application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to nuclear reactor safety problems, three Writing Groups were created, under the auspices of the NEA working group WGAMA, to produce state-of-the-art reports on different aspects of the subject. The work of the second group, WG2, was to document the existing assessment databases for CFD simulation in the context of Nuclear Reactor Safety (NRS) analysis, to gain a measure of the degree of quality and trust in CFD as a numerical analysis tool, and to take initiatives to extend the existing databases. The group worked over the period of 2003-2007 and produced a final state-of-the-art report. The present paper summarises the material gathered during the study, illustrating the points with a few highlights. A total of 22 safety issues were identified for which the application of CFD was considered to potentially bring real benefits in terms of better understanding and increased safety. A list of the existing databases was drawn up and synthesised, both from the nuclear area and from other parallel, non-nuclear, industrial activities. The gaps in the technology base were also identified and discussed. In order to initiate new ways of bringing experimentalists and numerical analysts together, an international workshop -- CFD4NRS (the first in a series) -- was organised, a new blind benchmark activity was set up based on turbulent mixing in T-junctions, and a Wiki-type web portal was created to offer online access to the material put together by the group giving the reader the opportunity to update and extend the contents to keep the information source topical and dynamic.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.7-16
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was designed to find out the effectiveness of vertebral segment instability, muscle fatigue response on lumbar spine after apply lumbosacral stabilization exercise program to 4 patients with chronic low back pain and for 12 weeks. In this study, the lumbar spine motion with blind by MedX test machine and the difference of instability to lumbar vertebra segments in flexion, extension test of standing position and spinal load test(Matthiass Test) by Spinal Mouse. The stabilization exercise program was applied 2 times a week for 12 weeks in hospital and 2 times a day for 20 minutes at home. The results of the present study were as follows: 1. Instability test of lumbar vertebra segment is 2 type differential angle test between vertebrae segment and loading test of spine(matthiass) by Spinal Mouse. It appeared to improve stability of segments in sagittal plane after program. So lumbar spine curve increased lordosis toward anterior and was improved of the lumbar spine flexibility in flexion and extension. Specially, in matthiass test, ( - ) value was increased between lumbar vertebra segment when was the load on spine. And so stability improved after program. 2. Fatigue response test(FRT) results, in male, was raised muscle fatigue rate during increase weight, on the other hand female appeared lower than male. As a results, lumbosacral stabilization exercise was aided to improvement of lumbar spine vertebra segments stabilization. Spine instability patients will have a risk when in lifting a load or working with slight flexion posture during the daily of living life and it is probably to increase recurrence rate. Thus, not only lumbar extension muscle strength but also stability of vertebra segments in lumbar spine may be very important.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.336-338
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• 2011

A 5-day-old male Korean native calf was referred with the primary complaint of anorexia, absence of feces, depression, and abdominal distention. Although this case was tentatively diagnosed as atresia coli, plain and contrast radiography was performed to confirm site and appearance of obstruction. A plain radiograph revealed gas distension in the large intestine, with absence of fecal material in the descending colon. In a contrast radiograph, the blind part of descending colon that was accumulated with contrast media smoothly protruded to distended colon with gas and the middle part was seen as narrow. These findings were well corresponded with the mucosal blockage junction between distended spiral loop with gas and descending colon that was hypoplasia or atropy in necropsy. In conclusion, contrast radiography was considered very useful method to identify the site and type of obstruction in diagnosis of atresia coli.

• English & American cultural studies
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-21
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• 2018

In Woman Watches over the World, Linda Hogan explores the broken identity of herself and her family, the issue of the poverty and the identity crisis, the alcoholism, prevalent in the Native American community and their silenced history. Previous studies have claimed that her memoir contributes to the restoration of Native American identity and history by accusing the violence of white culture, and seeks to recognize a dialogue between native culture and white mainstream culture as well. However they seem to overlook the complicated relations among story, identity, body and nature, to which Hogan as a multi-binded storyteller resorts as a way to break the silence of herself and her tribe for healing. Her own story, as a way to break the silence, becomes the formative drive to reveal the silenced history of her own tribe to lead the young generation to the future. She also understands the formative function of the story, which becomes the vehicle for embodying and connecting themselves to nature. To her, healing lies in the restoration of sympathetic relationship with nature. History, as a type of story, can be made up or mistold just like a story. There may be a blind spot where one can not assess what is true. In spite of the vision of the parallel worlds of the two cultures she presents, there seems to be no immediate solution to the discrimination against the Native American, poverty, identity crisis, and environmental problems which the Native American community faces. However, it can be said that her memoir serves as a rudder by presenting a direction to not only the Native American but also to readers in other cultures in its quest for practical possibilities for the future.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.239-244
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• 2014

Retro-reflectors have been used for a wide range of applications such as traffic safety, special blinds, optical devices, etc. We analyzed the characteristics of the reflected light of a strap retro-reflector as a function of incidence angle. It is expected that various solar control structures may be designed more quantitatively using the characteristic chart we have prepared.