• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.18-22
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• 2018

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of different-sized airways of the inspiratory muscle trainer (IMT) on maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and the rating of perceived exertion, as measured by the modified Borg scale (m-Borg). Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects (10 men, 10 women) volunteered for the study. The spirometry was used to measure MIP. The trial order of the three spirometry conditions was chosen randomly. After measuring the MIP and before taking the final break, each of the conditions were immediately measured using the m-Borg. All subjects used the IMT with an airway diameter of 5-, 6-, and 7-mm. Results: The MIP significantly decreased with the decreasing airway diameter of the IMT (p<0.001), and the differences in all three conditions (7- and 6-mm, 6- and 5-mm, and 7- and 5-mm airways) were significant (p<0.05). The RPE significantly increased with the decreasing airway diameter of the IMT (p<0.001), and the differences in all three conditions (7- and 6-mm, 6- and 5-mm, and 7- and 5-mm airways) were significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: Decreasing the airway diameter of the IMT decreased the MIP and increased the m-Borg. In regards to physical exercise within the clinical setting, the m-Borg could be a useful as a prior monitoring method to prevent dyspnea for patients with narrowed airways (blocked with secretion or sputum in pulmonary disease) and the different-sized airways of the IMT could be applied as a useful tool to improve MIP for prevention of pulmonary disease.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2017

A cyclotron is a kind of particle accelerator that produces a beam of charged particles for the production of medical, industrial, and research radioisotopes. More than 30 cyclotrons are operated in Korea to produce $^{18}F$, an FDG synthesis at hospitals. A 30-MeV cyclotron was installed at ARTI (Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, KAERI) mainly for research regarding isotope production. In this study, we analyze and estimate the items of risk such as the problems in the main components of the cyclotron, the loss of radioactive materials, the leakage of coolant, and the malfunction of utilities, fires and earthquakes. To estimate the occurrence frequency in an accident risk assessment, five levels, i.e., Almost certain, Likely, Possible, Unlikely, and Rare, are applied. The accident consequence level is classified under four grades based on the annual permissible dose for radiation workers and the public in the nuclear safety law. The analysis of the accident effect is focused on the radioactive contamination caused by radioisotope leakage and radioactive material leakage of a ventilation filter due to a fire. To analyze the risks, Occupation Safety and Health Acts is applied. In addition, action plans against an accident were prepared after a deep discussion among relevant researchers. In this acts, we will search for hazard and introduce the risk assessment for the research 30-MeV cyclotron facilities of ARTI.

• Journal of Clinical Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.235-239
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• 2018

Due to the structure with one end closed, the external ear resonance effect in which the high frequency is amplified can be generated, and the sound can be perceived well. The external ear resonance normally has a first peak and a second peak. On average, the first peak has a gain of 18.6 dB at 2620 Hz and the second peak has a gain of 18.2 dB at 4210 Hz. The resonance of the external auditory canal changes with the state of the tympanic membrane, the presence of the ventilation tube, and the structure (length, diameter, shape) of the external auditory canal. A patient with a postauricular meatomastoid cutaneous fistula was admitted to the hospital with a foreign body which is the molding of the hearing aid. After removal of the foreign body, the resonance of the external auditory canal was lost and the subjective sound cognitive ability decreased. In the case of postauricular meatomastoid cutaneous fistula, we confirmed the improvement of sound cognitive ability, the change of pure tone hearing threshold, and the change of the external ear resonance after reconstruction of the ear canal without middle ear reconstruction.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.17-24
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of whole body vibration combined breathing resistance on lung capacity and respiratory muscle and to suggest a mediation method for improvement of respiratory function and lung function in the future. Methods: This study was a preliminary study design of two groups of 54 healthy young adults who were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=27) with core exercise combined with respiratory resistance and whole body vibration and a control group with respiratory resistance and core exercise (n=27). All interventions consisted of 6 core exercises every 40 seconds and rest for 20 seconds. To compare the effects of intervention, we measured spirometry and respiratory muscle strength. Results: Both the experimental group and the control group showed a significant increase in Forced vital capacity (FVC) and Maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) (p<.05). However, FEV1 and FEV1% were significantly increase only in the experimental group (p<.05). FVC, FEV1%, Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (MIP), Maximum Expiratory Pressure (MEP) showed more significant increase in the experimental group than the control group. Conclusion: These findings indicate that whole-body vibration combined breathing resistance is an effective intervention for people, with FVC, FEV1%, MIP, MEP increase.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.327-340
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• 2021

This is nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study to develop a sexual education program for improving sexual confidence of men with spinal cord injury disabled and assess the effect of the program. The program was based on Dick & Carey's systematic design of instruction, literature review, focus group, in-depth interview, expert meeting, and preliminary study and formative evaluation. Subjects were conveniently assigned to experimental group of 30 and control group of 29, and the program was provided to experimental group once a week for 90~120 minutes, 3 sessions total. Sexual knowledge, attitude, and marriage intention were measured before, after, and after 4 weeks of intervention, and there was a significant difference in sexual knowledge(p<.001) and attitude(p=.020). The program positively changed sexual knowledge and attitude of men with spinal cord injury, and was useful nursing intervention. This study is considered to be significant as a basic data for social awareness ventilation and health education for the disabled.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.136-144
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• 2021

Background: Zinc is known for modulating antiviral and antibacterial immunity and regulating inflammatory response. This study aimed to examine the effect of zinc supplementation on clinical outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients through systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Cochrane library databases were searched for studies comparing zinc supplement group versus control group for clinical outcomes of COVID-19 up to November 3, 2020. The search results were updated on February 9, 2021. The meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.4 software. Results: Total 4 studies were included in this systematic review. The zinc administered group had a significantly lower mortality rate compared with the control group (odds ratio [OR] 0.63, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.53-0.75, p<0.001), with significantly higher discharge rate (OR 1.32, 95% Cl 1.15-1.52, p<0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the intensive care unit admission rate (OR 1.07, 95% Cl 0.26-4.48, p=0.92), mechanical ventilation rate (OR 0.80, 95% Cl 0.45-1.41, p=0.44), and length of hospital stay (mean difference 0.75, 95% Cl -0.64 to 2.13, p=0.29) between the two groups. Conclusion: The meta-analysis of zinc administration showed positive clinical effects on the discharge rate and mortality of COVID-19 hospitalized patients. However, large-scale randomized controlled trial should be conducted for zinc to be considered as one of the adjuvant treatments.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.270-278
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• 2020

Background: Although the identification of clinical and laboratory features in pediatric COVID-19 patients is essential in establishing an appropriate treatment plan, a systematic review and meta-analysis on the topic has yet to be reported. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science to access clinical and laboratory characteristics as well as clinical outcomes of children with COVID-19 infection. A meta-analysis using random-effect model was performed to estimate pooled prevalence and 95% confidence intervals. Results: Among the 532 studies initially collected, 12 articles were finally included in the meta-analysis. Among the investigated 320 pediatric patients with COVID-19, fever (48.2%) and cough (39.3%) were the most common symptoms. Almost one third of patients (30.4%) were asymptomatic. In laboratory findings, only 11.4% of pediatric patients experienced lymphocytopenia. Increased inflammatory markers including c-reactive protein (18.6%) and procalcitonin (32.4%) were observed. Only a few patients needed mechanical ventilation and intensive care support, and only one death was reported. Conclusion: Pediatric patients with COVID-19 infection exhibited milder symptoms and more favorable outcomes compared to adults. However, considering the high rate of asymptomatic pediatric patients, close monitoring is required to prevent community infection in asymptomatic conditions and hidden disease progression.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.227-234
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• 2022

Background and Purpose: In 2021, lung cancer in school food workers was first recognized as an occupational cancer. The classification of the carcinogenicity of cooking fumes by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) was based on Chinese epidemiological data. This study aimed to determine the hazard levels of school cooking fumes in Korea. Materials and Methods: Based on public school cafeterias in one area, 25 locations were selected for the survey according to the number per school type, ventilation states, and environmental pre-assessments of cafeterias. Two inside cooking areas using a heat source and one outside cooking area were selected as control measurement points. Measurements of CO, CO₂, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), including benzene, formaldehyde, and particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, PM1, respectively), were taken. The concentrations and patterns of each substance in the kitchens were compared with the outdoor air quality. Result: Known carcinogens, such as the concentrations of PAHs, formaldehyde, TVOC (benzene), and particulate matter in school cooking fumes, were all detected at similar or slightly higher levels than those found outside. Additionally, substances were detected at relatively low concentrations compared to the Chinese cooking fumes reported in the literature. However, the short-term exposure to high concentrations of CO (or composite exposure with CO₂) and PM2.5 in this study were shown. Conclusion: The school cooking fumes in South Korea was a relatively less harmful than Chinese cooking fumes, however short-term, high exposure of toxic substances can cause a critical health effect.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.149-155
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• 2022

Purpose : This study investigated the effects of wearing a mask and different mask filters on the respiratory function of stroke patients. Methods : A total of 15 stroke patients were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The respiratory functions were compared between participants with and without masks and among respiratory functions with three different mask filters. The order of using masks was non-wearing masks, Dental masks, KF80 masks, and KF94 masks; the difference in respiratory volumes among these conditions were measured. For accuracy of the measurement, sufficient education on the respiratory measurement method was provided to the researcher, and the heart rate of the participants was estimated to confirm their stability before the measurements. To ensure accuracy, the subjects were educated on the researchers' respiratory measurement methods. Each measurement was followed by 10 min breathing stability before replacing the next mask. Results : The results of this study showed that the difference in respiratory functions, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV₁), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), in stroke patients was statistically significant among different masks (p<.05). Afterwards, the values of FVC, FEV₁, and MVV in stroke patients wearing masks were significantly lower than those of the non-masked control group (p<.05). The difference in respiratory functions with different mask filters showed no statistical significance (p<.05). Conclusion : This study showed that participants wearing any of the masks presented a lower respiratory function than that of those without using masks; additionally, no difference in respiratory functions was observed with differences in mask filters. Therefore, wearing a mask for a prolonged period is confirmed to affect breathing in stroke patients with weak respiratory function.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.1-8
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• 2022

With the development of the chemical industry, related accidents frequently occur, and fire and explosion accidents account for a large proportion. In order to prevent fire and explosion accidents, places that handle flammable liquids are classified according to the Korean Industrial Standards (KSC IEC60079-10-1) in accordance with the relevant laws. The same applies to laboratories dealing with flammable liquids. This paper verified the applicability of the procedure for classifying explosion hazard areas according to the Korean Industrial Standards when flammable liquid release from the laboratory to form an evaporative pool, and also verified the effect of a change in ventilation speed on the release characteristics. Through this, it was found that it was difficult to apply the criteria for the classification of places at risk of explosion according to the Korean Industrial Standards, and special safety measures should be prepared.