• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.42-50
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• 2010

Purpose : The clinical characteristics and associated anomalies in children with solitary kidney (SK) were analyzed retrospectively. Methods : Total 38 children diagnosed to have SK at our hospital between December 1989 and December 2009 were recruited, and the clinical records including imaging studies were retrospectively reviewed. SK was defined as unilateral renal agenesis by imaging studies only, and patients with regression of unilateral dysplastic kidney were excluded. Results : Among total 38 patients, 12 were male. The median age at the diagnosis of SK was 6.5 months (at birth-13 years). SK was detected by prenatal ultrasonography in 14 patients and during work-up for renal or urinary tract diseases in 13 (including urinary tract infection in 7). In 10 patients, SK was detected incidentally. Anomalies in the SK were noted in 17 patients including vesicoureteral reflux in 11. Other anomalies in the genitourinary tract were present in 16 patients, and multi-organ-involving syndromes or chromosomal anomalies were detected in 9. The mean duration of follow-up was 9 years (9 months-20 years). Two patients developed chronic renal failure during follow-up, and the median serum creatinine concentration of the remaining 36 at their last follow-up was 0.6 mg/dL. Conclusion : SK may be isolated and clinically asymptomatic; it is frequently accompanied by other anomalies in genitourinary tract and other organs, some of which can induce progressive renal dysfunction. Early recognition of associated anomalies with SK and regular follow-up is recommended to reduce long-term risk.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.366-374
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• 2012

Recently pathogenic E. coli is one of the main foodborne pathogens resulting in many patients in Korea. To understand the characteristics of pathogenic E. coli outbreaks in Korea, the epidemiological investigation reports of pathogenic E. coli outbreak in 2009 (41 reports) and in 2010 (27 reports) were collected in the web site of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reviewed and analysed in this study. The main places of the pathogenic E. coli outbreaks were food catering service area (64.8%) and restaurants (25.0%). The main type of the pathogens were EPEC (44.7%) and ETEC (34.2%). EAEC and EHEC was responsible for 10.5 and 9.2%, respectively. Eight of 68 outbreak cases were caused by more than 2 types of pathogenic E. coli which implicates the complicated contamination pathways of pathogenic E. coli. The incidence rate of pathogenic E. coli was $33.6{\pm}30.5%$ and the main symptoms were diarrhea, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, and fever etc. The two identified food sources were identified as frozen hamburger pattie and squid-vegetable mixture. To improve the food source identification by epidemiological investigation, food poisoning notification to the agency should not be delayed, whole food items attributed the outbreak should be collected and detection method of the various pathogenic E. coli in food has to be improved. In conclusion, the characteristics between the EHEC outbreaks in the western countries and the EPEC or ETEC outbreaks in Korea needs to be distinguished to prepare food safety management plan. In addition, the development of the trace back system to find the contamination pathway with the improved detection method in food and systemic and cooperative support by the related agencies are necessary.

• Journal of The Korean Ophthalmological Society
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.380-386
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• 2017

Purpose: To compare the clinical characteristics and prognosis of Fuchs dystrophy patients according to COL8A2 gene mutation status. Methods: Eighty-one patients (162 eyes) initially diagnosed with Fuchs dystrophy from 1996 to 2015 were divided into two groups according to COL8A2 gene mutation status. Retrospective analysis was performed comparing gender, age at diagnosis, presence of family history, diabetes mellitus, symptoms of blurred vision in the morning, changes in central corneal thickness and endothelial cell density with time, need for corneal transplantation, and pre-operative corneal status in the two groups. Results: Of the 81 patients, 12 were shown to harbor a COL8A2 gene mutation. Individuals with mutation were significantly associated with presence of family history, diabetes mellitus, and blurred vision in the morning (p = 0.021, p = 0.024, p = 0.044, respectively). They also had significantly thicker central cornea and lower endothelial cell density at the time of diagnosis (p = 0.020, p = 0.005, respectively). The differences in central corneal thickness and endothelial cell density between the two eyes in one patient were significantly smaller in patients with gene mutation (p = 0.043, p = 0.022, respectively). Over a 5-year follow-up period, 60.0% of eyes in patients with gene mutation and 19.2% of eyes in patients without gene mutation underwent corneal transplantation, a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.014). Conclusions: By testing for COL8A2 gene mutation, early binocular disease progression and the possible need for corneal transplantation in the future can be predicted among patients diagnosed with Fuchs dystrophy.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.20-29
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to verify and reconstruct the record information for big old trees of Jeju on the basis of the precise map of Jeju island in 1918 which was produced 100 years ago. For the analysis of high altitude, coordinate system and georeferencing were performed by selecting representative points using ArcGIS. We extracted digitized information by using point extraction method and extracted attribute information based on legend type and relative size in map. Based on the map of the past 100 years ago, the present situation of the big old tree in Jeju was analyzed and their characteristics were analyzed. In addition, based on the information of the protected big old trees in present, we discussed the characteristics of past tree (1918), present tree (2019), and contribution of big old tree in Jeju landscape and vegetation. As a result, 1,013 individuals were distributed in Jeju Island 100 years ago. Even when it was intensive in the use of timber, the big old trees were protected, and contributed as a representative component of Jeju's unique landscape. The remaining distribution of Jeju's big old tree is 159 trees. As in the past, distribution has been confirmed around the lowlands, but declines in numbers are found throughout the island. The major factors for the decline of individuals are large-scale development projects such as reaching the limit of life, natural disturbance (typhoon, disease, pest, drought, etc.). However, it is presumed that a large number of individuals have played a leading role in shaping the current forests as contributing to important species sources in the restoration process of Jeju vegetation. However, it is presumed that a large number of individuals (405) have played a leading role in forming the present forest by contributing to the species pool in the restoration process of Jeju vegetation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.107 no.4
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• pp.486-496
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• 2018

Pine wilt disease (PWD) in Gyeonggi province was first detected in Gwangju in 2007, and ever since has caused extensive damage. Insect vector and host tree in Gyeonggi province are Monochamus saltuarius and Pinus koraiensis, respectively, which are different from the southern region that consist of Monochamus alternatus and Pinus densiflora. Consequently, spread and mortality characteristics may be different, but our understanding is limited. In this research, we utilized the spatial data of newly infected trees in Gyeonggi province from 2008 to 2015 to analyze how it is related to various environmental and human factors, such as elevation, forest type, and road network. We also analyzed the minimum distance from newly infected tree to last year's closest infected tree to examine the dispersal characteristics based on new outbreak locations. Annual number of newly infected trees rapidly increased from 2008 to 2013, which then stabilized. Number of administrative districts with infected trees was 5 in 2012, 11 in 2013, and 15 in 2014. Most of the infected trees was Pinus koraiensis, with its proportion close to 90% throughout the survey period. Mean distance to newly infected trees dramatically decreased over time, from 4,111 m from 2012 to 2013, to approximately 600 m from 2013 to 2014 and 2014 to 2015. Most new infections occurred in higher elevation over time. Distance to road from newly infected trees continuously increased, suggesting that natural diffusion dispersal is increasingly occurring compared to human-influenced dispersal over time.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 2019

Objectives : Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is a life-saving therapy for patients with terminal liver disease. Many studies have focused on recipients rather than donors. The aim of this study was to assess the emotional status and personality characteristics of LDLT donors. Methods : We evaluated 218 subjects (126 male, 92 female) who visited Daegu Catholic University Medical Center from August 2012 to July 2018. A retrospective review of their preoperative psychological evaluation was done. We investigated epidemiological data and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 questionnaire. Subanalysis was done depending on whether subjects actually underwent surgery, relationship with the recipient, and their gender. Results : Mean age of subjects was $32.19{\pm}10.91years$. 187 subjects received LDLT surgery (actual donors) while 31 subjects didn't (potential donors). Donor-recipient relationship included husband-wife, parent-children, brother-sister etc. Subjects had statistical significance on validity scale L, F, K and all clinical scales compared to the control group. Potential donors had significant difference in F(b), F(p), K, S, Pa, AGGR, PSYC, DISC and NEGE scales compared to actual donors. F, D and NEGE scales were found to be predictive for actual donation. Subanalysis on donor-recipient relationship and gender also showed significant difference in certain scales. Conclusions : Under-reporting of psychological problems should be considered when evaluating living-liver donors. Information about the donor's overall psychosocial background, mental status and donation process should also be acquired.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2021

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate datas related to panic attack and treatment in emergency room of panic disorder patients who visited emergency room for panic attack. Methods : A retrospective analysis of medical records was conducted on 92 patients with panic disorder who visited Chungju Konkuk university hospital emergency department due to panic attack and had bodily symptoms from 1st January 2010 to 31th December 2019. In addition to demographic characteristics and comorbid disorders, triggering stressors and alcohol consumption were corrected as pre-panic attack datas, bodily symptoms at the time of panic attack were corrected as datas during attack, electrocardiogram trial, consultation with psychiatrist, admission and information of used psychotropic drugs were corrected as post-attack data. Depending on size of data, Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used. Collected data was analyzed using R 4.03. Results : Cardiovascular disease was accompanied by 5.4% and depressive disorder was the most common coexisting mental disorder. Among triggering stressors, economic problem/work-related stress was significantly higher in men than women (𝛘²=4.322, p<0.005). The most common physical symptom during attack was circulatory (65.2%), followed by respiratory (57.6%), numbness-paralysis (33.7%), dizziness (19.6%), gastro-intestinal (14.1%) and autonomic symptom (12.0%). Electrocardiogram was taken at higher rate when patients complained circulatory symptom (𝛘²=8.46, p<0.005). The psychotropic drug most commonly used in emergency room was lorazepam, used in 92.1%. Conclusions : The most common bodily symptom during panic attack was circulatory symptom and the most common triggering stressor in men was economic problem/work-related stress. The most commonly used psychotropic for panic attack was lorazepam.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.552-558
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• 2021

Traditional foods are manufactured according to the characteristics of each region for the nations of the world. Korea has mainly farmed, and seasonings have developed around rice and vegetables. In fermented foods, lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus sp. and Pediococcus sp. and Bacillus sp. were isolated and identified from fermented foods. In this study, lactic acid bacteria were isolated and identified from commercially available traditional Korean fermented foods, and candidate strains were selected through antibacterial activity tests on human and fish disease bacteria. Thereafter, the final strain was selected by examining the resistance to simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, and hemolysis. The three (M1, K1, C13) final selected latic acid bacteria were miced with prebiotics and the antibacterial activity of synbiotics was evaluated. As for the fist antibacterial activity result, C13 showed high antibacterial acitivity in human diseases and fish diseases. Then, M1, K1 and C13, which did not produce β-haemolysis and were resistant to simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, were subjected to the second antibacterial activity of synbiotics. When the three prebiotics (FOS, GOS, Inulin) and probiotics (M1, K1, C13) were mixed, the antibacterial activity was increased or inhibited. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequencing results, K1 and M1 were analyzed as Bacillus tequiensis 99.72%, Bacillus subtilis 99.65%, Bacillus inaquosorum 99.72%, Bacillus cabrialesii 99.72%, Bacillus stercoris 99.58%, Bacillus spizizenii 99.58%, Bacillus halotolerans 99.58%, and Bacillus mojavensis 99.51%. And C13 was analyzed as Bacillus velezensis 99.71%, Bacillus nematocida 99.36%, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 99.44%, Bacillus atrophaeus 99.22%, and Bacillus nakamurai 99.44%.

• 한국노년학
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.729-746
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• 2020

For the development and better use of information and communication technology(ICT) for promoting health and quality of life in older people, it is important to understand personal factors associated with ICT use. The aims of this study were to describe the pattern of ICT use according to health characteristics of elderly and to investigate significant factors related to ICT use among three age groups. The data of 2017 National Survey of Older Koreans was used for analysis and 10,058 of older adults aged 65 and over were included for study participants. As results, first, the young old(65~74) used more functions of ICT than the middle-old(75~84) and the old-old(85 and over). Second, ICT was more used among older people with good conditions in chronic disease, subjective health, cognition, depression, vision, hearing, walking and IADL. Third, higher prevalence of ICT use was significantly associated with age, education, household income, subjective health, depression, cognitive function, vision limitation and walking limitation. Fourth, factors influencing the use of ICT were a little different among three age groups. For the young-old(65~74), subjective health, depression, cognitive decline, walking limitation, and IADL disability were significant factors affecting on ICT use. For the middle-old(75-84), subjective health, depression, cognitive decline, vision, hearing, and walking limitation were related with their ICT use. For the old-old(85 and over), only cognitive function and depression were associated with their ICT use. Based on these results, this study suggested the need to consider multiple health conditions for developing and using ICT for older adults.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.29-39
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• 2023

In this study, an analysis of medical waste generation characteristics was conducted, differentiating between ordinary situation and the outbreaks of massive infectious diseases. During ordinary situation, prediction models for medical waste quantities by type, general medical waste(G-MW), hazardous medical waste(H-MW), infectious medical waste(I-MW), were established through regression analysis, with all significance values (p) being <0.0001, indicating statistical significance. The determination coefficient(R2) values for prediction models of each category were analyzed as follows : I-MW(R2=0.9943) > G-MW(R2=0.9817) > H-MW(R2=0.9310). Additionally, factors such as GDP(G-MW), the number of medical institutions (H-MW), and the elderly population ratio(I-MW), utilized as influencing factors and consistent with previous literature, showed high correlations. The total MW generation, evaluated by combining each model, had an MAE of 2,615 and RMSE of 3,353. This indicated accuracy levels similar to the medical waste models of H-MW(2,491, 2,890) and I-MW(2,291, 3,267). Due to limitations in accurately estimating the quantity of medical waste during the rapid and outbreaks of massive infectious diseases, the generation unit of I-MW was derived to analyze its characteristics. During the early unstable stage of infectious disease outbreaks, the generation unit was 8.74 kg/capita·day, 2.69 kg/capita·day during the stable stage, and an average of 0.08 kg/capita·day during the reduction stage. Correlation analysis between generation unit of I-MW and lethality rates showed +0.99 in the unstable stage, +0.52 in the stable stage, and +0.96 in the reduction period, demonstrating a very high positive correlation of +0.95 or higher throughout the entire outbreaks of massive infectious diseases. The results derived from this study are expected to play a useful role in establishing an effective medical waste management system in the field of health care.