• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.151-156
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• 2005

Background : Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important pathogen in hospital-acquired infection, and is prevalent in intensive care units (ICU). The MRSA colonization rates of the nares and throat were examined in both the ICU and general ward. This study was performed to investigate the MRSA rate and necessity for MRSA screening cultures in patients admitted to ICU. Methods : Between June and September 2004, those patients admitted to both the medical ICU and general ward participated in this study. Bacterial cultures were performed on swabs of the nares and throat taken within 24 hours of admission. Clinical data were also collected. Results : One hundred and twenty one patients and 84 patients, admitted to the medical ICU and medical general ward, respectively, were investigated. The numbers of nasal MRSA colonization in the ICU and general ward were 3 (2.5%) and 3 (3.6%), respectively. There were 2 (1.7%) cases of throat MRSA colonization in the ICU, but none in the general ward. The MRSA colonization rates of the nares and throat were no different between the ICU and general ward. There were no significant differences in the previous admission, operation history and admission route between the ICU and general ward groups. Conclusion : The MRSA colonization rates of the nares and throat were 3.3 and 3.6% in the ICU and the general ward, respectively. The MRSA screening test does not appear to be required in all patients admitted to the ICU, but further studies, including high-risk patients, are recommended.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.625-641
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• 2003

Background: This study presents a biomechanical and histometric comparison of bone response to implants with various area of hydroxyapatite(HA) coating. Methods: The implants were placed in the tibia of 10 rabbits weighing 2.5-3.5kg. The control group had a machined surface, the experimental group 1 had 50${\mu}m$ thick HA coated in a band form, and the experimental group 2 had 50${\mu}m$ thick HA coated on the entire surface. 8 weeks after implantation, the animals were sacrificed. Removal torque was measured and histologic preparation was also performed for histologic and histometric analysis. Bone to implant contact as well as percentage of bone area inside threads were measured. ANOVA post hoc, and t-test were used for statistical analysis with p-value p<0.05. Results: 1. The removal torques were 9.36${\pm}$5.64 Ncm, 48.40 ${\pm}$ 16.66 Ncm, and 82.37${\pm}$22.56 Ncm for the control, exp. 1, and exp. 2 group respectively. Statistically significant difference were found among all the groups(p<0.05). 2. Bone to implant contact in the cortical bone were 38.94${\pm}$10.9 %, 66.90${\pm}$14.1 %, 73.00${\pm}$19.4 %, in the marrow bone, 8.30${\pm}$5.4%, 14.59${\pm}$5.9%, 18.54${\pm}$11.8%, and in total, 22.40${\pm}$10.1%, 31,17${\pm}$7.5%, 41.41${\pm}$12.2% for the control, exp. 1, and exp. 2 group respectively . In the cortical bone, exp. 1, and exp. 2 group showed statistically significantly higher contact compared to control group. Total contact and in the marrow bone, only exp. 2 group showed statistically significantly higher contact compared to control group(p<0.05). In all the groups significantly higher contact were observed in the cortical bone compared to the marrow bone(p<0.05). 3. Percentage of bone area inside threads in the cortical bone were 55.68${\pm}$7.25%, 55.19${\pm}$13.19%, 57.04${\pm}$13.33%, in the marrow bone, 12.34${\pm}$14.61%, 17.56${\pm}$20.04%, 20.26${\pm}$12.83%, and in total, 30.30${\pm}$12.46%, 31.57 ${\pm}$15.15%, 34.25${\pm}$12.56% for the control, exp.1, and exp. 2 group respectively. There was no statistical difference among the groups. In all the groups significantly higher bone area were observed in the cortical bone compared to the marrow bone(p<0.05)

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1051-1062
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• 1997

Background : In asthma, airway obstruction is usually reversible, either spontaneously or with treatment. However, the responses to treatment are variable and some patients show an irreversible component of airflow obstruction. This may be associated with structural changes in the airway. To assess the relationship between the difference in airway reversibility and structural changes, we evaluated the HRCT findings and pulmonary function test. Methods : We studied 40 asthmatic subjects who had had acute exacerbation of symptoms and had showed normal chest X-ray findings. They had monitered PEFR daily, and had performed PFT and HRCT within three days after initiation of treatment. According to serial PEFR, they were grouped into 3 categories (Group 0 ; initial PEFR was within normal limit, Group 1 ; revealed increment of 30% in PEFR within 3 days after initiation of treatment, Group 2 ; revealed within 2 weeks) and then grouped again into 4 (Group 0, Group 3 ; reached to normal value of PEFR within 3 days after initiation of treatment, Group 4 ; within 2 weeks, Group 5 ; not within 2 weeks). Results : (1) Age in Group 0 was significantly lower than other groups(p<0.05), but there was no significance in other groups. (2) Duration of asthma in Group 2 was significantly longer than Group 0, 1(p<0.05). (3) FVC(%) and FEV1(%) were significantly decreased with delayed response to the treatment (p<0.05). (4) $FEV_1$/FVC(%) in Group 1, 2 were significantly lower than Group 0(p<0.05). $FEV_1$/FVC(%) in Group 5 was significantly lower than Group 0,3,4 (p<0.05). (5) Air trapping was increased significantly with delayed response to the treatment (p<0.05). (6) Mucus impaction in Group 0 was significantly larger than Group 1,2 (p<0.05). $FEV_1$/FVC(%) in Group 0,4,5 were significantly larger than Group 3 (p<0.05). Conclusion : Difference in reversibility of airway obstruction was associated with age, duration of asthma and severity of initial airflow obstruction There was no definite difference in HRCT findings in asthma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.203-209
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• 2000

Background: Exercise is a very common precipitant of asthma. Bronche-constriction associated with exercise can occur in 75~90% of individuals with asthma The estimated prevalence(30~85%) of gastroesophageal reflux(GER) in patients with asthma is significantly higher than in general population. We performed pH monitoring during the exercise in order to evaluate whether exercise induced asthma(EIA) could be related to GER and acid reflux-induced esophagobronchial reflex-mediated bronchospasm might be a factor for EIA. Method: Following an overnight fast, 18 patients with a suspected EIA(6 men, 12 women) were studied. Monitoring of intraesophageal pH, ECG and spirometry was done for 1 hour before treadmill exercise. After baseline monitoring, subjects underwent symptom-limited treadmill exercise with Bruce protocol and continuous monitoring for 60 min after exercise. Spirometry was done at baseline prior to exercise, and repeated every 10 min after full exercise for 60 min. Results: Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction was noted in 15 patients, who performed MBPT and 12 patients confirmed for bronchial asthma and 3 patients were diagnosed exercise-induced astham. Five of 15 EIA patients demonstrated a pathologic degree of GER. Conclusion: We suggest that GER may be one of pathophysiologic factors of EIA and evoke further concentration on the GER in the EIA patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.491-499
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• 1996

Background : Pleural effusion is a common disease in clinical practice but its effect on pulmonary function and altered pulmonary mechanics after removal of effusion are not still largely understood. Previous studies have shown that there is little or a relatively small improvement in pulmonary function and arterial blood oxygenation after therapeutic thoracentesis. The present study was designed to assess the effect on pulmonary function of pleural effusion and to test whether there was a significant improvement in pulmonary function and arterial oxygenation after thoracentesis and to observe long tenn effect after thoracentesis. Method : We examined flow-volume curve, body box and arterial blood gas analysis according to severity of effusion, present symptom, and symptom duration. Then, we measured changes of pulmonary function after thoracentesis and observed longterm effect after thoracentesis. Result: 1) Pleural effusion cause restrictive pulmonary insufficiency. Not only functional impairment of small airway but also large airway is provoked. 2) MMFR, FEV1, Raw, POz are earlier improved than FVC and TLC after thoracentesis and patients without complication have mild restrictive pulmonary insufficiency after longterm observation. 3) FVC, FEV1, & TLC are similarly restricted as severity of pleural effusion and po, is relatively decreased. 4) Cases with symptom duration 1 week or less and cases with dyspnea have more severe pulmonary insufficiency than others. 5) The flow volume curves show a relatively greater improvement in flow rates at large lung volumes than small airway. 6) Significant relationship is shown between first thoracentesis amount and changes of FEV1, FVC, TLC. Conclusion: Pleural effusion cause restrictive pulmonary insufficiency and not only functional impairment of small airway impairment but also large airway is provoked. Then, Pulmonary function is progressively improved after thoracentesis and remained mild restrictive pulmonary insufficiency after recovery.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.24-41
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• 2008

This research is aimed at analyzing and understanding the perception and attitudes of inpatients in a general hospital in Seoul towards the activation of private health insurance. Survey was conducted against 231 inpatients, results of which were analyzed in the methods of frequency analysis, chi square test, and logistic regression. The results are summarized as follows; First, better-educated population who finished college education at least, higher-income population, and people who had more knowledge about private health insurance showed more perception about activation of private health insurance. Second, better-educated population who finished college education at least, higher-income population, those who are insured in existing private insurance, oncological patients, and people who had more knowledge about private health insurance showed more positive attitude towards private health insurance paying for actual damages, long-term care insurance, and income security insurance. Third, age and education were the factors affecting perception about activation of private health insurance. The older the age is, perception was 1.035 times positive towards activation of private health insurance, and those who finished college education or above showed 3.148 times positive perception towards the same. Forth, surgical patients showed 1.087 times more positive attitude towards private health insurance paying for actual damages than internal medicine patients, while oncological patients showed 2.314 times more positive attitude than internal medicine patients. Further, understanding on the activation of private health insurance was 6.014 times higher in the higher understanding group than in the lower understanding group. Intention to use long-term care insurance was 2.692 times stronger in the male group than in the female group, and 3.616 times stronger in the oncological patients group than in internal medicine patients group. Further, understanding on the activation of private health insurance was 3.881 times deeper in the higher understanding group than in the lower understanding group. Intention to use income security insurance was 3.185 times stronger in those who have academic background of under the high school than those over the college, and 4.175 times higher in the group those whose monthly average income is over 4 million won than those under 4 million won. Also, intention to use income security insurance was 4.323 times higher in the group those who are insured by existing private insurances than those who are not insured by those insurances and it was 5.234 times higher in the group of oncological patients than in the group of internal medicine patients. Further, intention to use income security insurance was 3.559 times higher in the group those who thought that out-of-pocket money of the National Health Insurance is too much to bear than those it is quite endurable. Understanding on the activation of private health insurance was 4.875 times deeper in the higher understanding group than in the lower understanding group. There were some suggestions could be made based on the results of this research. First, reinforced publicity and education is needed for the low-educated or low-income group, as there are gaps in the understanding on the activation of private health insurance depending on the degree of education and income. Second, government should prepare administrative complementary measures to solve the problem of adverse selection by the consumer which is foreseen when private health insurances are activated. Third, government should suggest the desirable course of development of private health insurance items to ensure efficient use of enormous fund of private insurance market for health security of the people. Further, institutional complementary measures are needed to convert existing cancer insurances or specific disease insurances to private health insurances paying for actual damages guaranteeing against every kind of disease. Forth, it judged that, not only private health insurances paying for actual damages, but also long-term care insurances and income security insurances are prospective as fields to create fresh demand for insurance industry.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.395-402
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: Azadirachta indica Extract(AIE) containing azadirachtin as active ingredient have been used worldwide as environment-friendly organic material having pest control properties. However, the extracts prepared with different solvent and from different plant site is very diverse and have different toxicity. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, the four week repeated oral dose toxicity test of aqueous AIE in Sprague-Dawley rats was carried out to investigate the toxic effect of liver, main toxicity target organ of AIE. The male and female rats were divided into 4 groups, respectively; control(0 g/Kg bw), low-dose group(0.5 g/Kg bw), middle-dose(1.0 g/Kg bw) and high-dose group(2.0 g/Kg bw). As a results, relative liver weight increased with dose-dependent of AIE(p<0.05). Serum LDH in all AIE-treated groups were significantly lower than the control in male rats(p<0.05). However, serum GOT and GPT were significantly increased in all male AIE-treated groups in male rats(p<0.05) and, in particular, increase of serum GPT in dose-dependent manner raise the possibility of liver damage. Even through serum GLU was increased significantly in high-dose group in male rats compared to control, there were no significant differences of urinary GLU among all groups(p<0.05). In addition, histopathological examination of the liver did not reveal any lesions in all AIE-treated groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, 4 weeks of the repeated oral administration of AIE 2.0 g/Kg to rats has resulted no toxic response in liver. Therefore, AIE was no indicated to have any toxic effect in the SD rats, when it was orally administrated below the dosage 2.0 g/Kg/day for 4weeks.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.254-261
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to investigate effects of silicate fertilizer application on red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) productivity with improving soil chemistry under plastic film house in paddy field. METHODS AND RESULTS: The silicate fertilizer was applied as 0, 100, 200, and 300 kg/10a as basal dressing before transplanting pepper plant seedlings. Cultivar of the pepper plant was Cheon-Ha-Dae-Se. Amounts of inorganic fertilizer applied as $N-P_2O_5-K_2O$=19.0-6.4-10.1kg/10a was estimated depending on soil test values. After applying 50% of nitrogen, 100% of phosphorus, and 60% of potassium fertilizers as basal dressing, the seedlings of pepper plant were transplanted. The rests of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers were applied as side-dressing after the first, second, and fourth harvests of red pepper. When comparing selected chemical properties of soils between before transplanting and after final(the fifth) harvest, soil pH, available $P_2O_5$, and exchangeable $Ca^{2+}$ increased with increasing the applications of silicate fertilizer, whereas electrical conductivity(EC) decreased. However, exchangeable $K^+$ was higher with the treatments of 100 and 200 kg/10a, and exchangeable $Mg^{2+}$ was higher with 300 kg/10a application. In addition, nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of red pepper collected from the first harvesting stage decreased with increasing the applications of silicate fertilizer, but potassium, calcium, and magnesium concentrations in red pepper were highest with 300 kg/10a application. Yield of red pepper increased between 9.0 and 11.8% with the applications of silicate fertilizer. Marketable fruit rate of res pepper was highest(97.3%) with 200 kg/10a application. CONCLUSION: The application of silicate fertilizer as basal dressing in paddy-converted fields improved soil chemistry and increased red pepper productivity.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.133-143
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• 2003

Purpose : Amont the various issues concerning bio-ethics, the concern on euthanasia has increased along with the development of medical technology. Thus, the general public tends to have more liberal opinion. They have detail research data and real practices in US, Europe and Australia, but we lack such studies in our country. This study was undertaken to address the need of studies on the recognition of euthanasia among the public because the existing studies have been focused on the medical staff. Methods : Survey 413 people the age of 17 or more, from May to July 2000. Testify the data on the variation of demography and the recognition of euthanasia by using SAS 6.12, the statistic program. Results : 304 people (73.6%) think that euthanasia should be legislated, 156 people (37.8%) permit euthanasia to the rage of voluntary one, and 234 people (56.6%) permit passive euthanasia. When the subject of voluntary euthanasia was himself, more people whose age is 35 or more (P=0.001) responded that they will undertake euthanasia. And, on issues related to the passive euthanasia, one's educational background (P=0.046) and economic power (P=0.040) arrangement showed significant differences. When the subject of voluntary euthanasia is other people, more people whose age is 35 or more than 35 (P=0.001), whose sex is male (P=0.001), and married people (P=0.002) were for allowing the matter. For the subject of passive euthanasia, survey participant's occupation (P=0.016) created meaningful difference. More people whose age is 35 or more than 35 responded that they want voluntary euthanasia for themselves (P=0.001), and in the case when euthanasia is legislated, marital status (P=0.002) also shows meaningful difference. Passive euthanasia is permitted by the more people whose age is less than 35 for respondents other people (P=0.001), marital status show meaningful difference in case for respondent himself. In the case of legal euthanasia is more people whose age is 35 or more than 35 (P=0.001), sex is male (P=0.004) and more married people (P=0.001) responded that they want voluntary euthanasia for other people. And, age (P=0.002), sex (P=0.001), education (P=0.025) and economic power (P=0.001) show meaningful difference for case the subject of passive euthanasia. Conclusion : Most of general public responded that the legislation on euthanasia is required; and, age, education and economic power seem to have an influence on their decisions on euthanasia. Not only such a study of demographic and sociological correlation; but, various basic data on the legislation of euthanasia are needed.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.31-41
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• 2004

Background : The cun measurement system, an essential and convenient method in locating acupoints, has been widely used in the practice of acupuncture. However, traditional cun measurement has been criticized for its lack of reliability. Objectives : The purposes of this study are to determine if one cun measured by the directional methods have a consistency with that of proportional methods and to investigate which factors are related with these differences, especially in forearm. Methods : The distance between the elbow crease and the wrist crease of forearm was compared to a reference value of one cun obtained by the directional method. In this method, one cun is one third of the distance between index finger and small finger of a subject, measured at proximal interphalangeal joint. In addition, to investigate the factors influencing the differences between these two methods, we measured the height and body weight and calculated body mass index (BMI). Finally we analyzed the factors correlated with these lengths by linear regression test. Results : The results showed that one cun obtained by the directional methods were significantly different from one cun by the proportional methods in forearm. It was demonstrated that the length acquired with the directional method was more correlated with body weight and body mass index, while the length obtained by the proportional method was more correlated with the height. Conclusion : These findings suggest that the directional method is less likely dependable in locating acupoints than the proportional method because the influencing factors are different.