• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.366-373
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• 2016

Background: The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that in patients with chronic complex sternum dehiscence, the use of muscle flap repair minimizes the occurrence of paradoxical motion of the chest wall (CWPM) when compared to sternal rewiring, eventually leading to better respiratory function and clinical outcomes during follow-up. Methods: In a propensity score matching analysis, out of 94 patients who underwent sternal reconstruction, 20 patients were selected: 10 patients underwent sternal reconstruction with bilateral pectoralis muscle flaps (group 1) and 10 underwent sternal rewiring (group 2). Eligibility criteria included the presence of hemisternum diastases associated with multiple (${\geq}$3) bone fractures and radiologic evidence of synchronous chest wall motion (CWSM). We compared radiologically assessed (volumetric computed tomography) ventilatory mechanic indices such as single lung and global vital capacity (VC), diaphragm excursion, synchronous and paradoxical chest wall motion. Results: Follow-up was 100% complete (mean $85{\pm}24months$). CWPM was inversely correlated with single lung VC (Spearman R=-0.72, p=0.0003), global VC (R=-0.51, p=0.02) and diaphragm excursion (R=-0.80, p=0.0003), whereas it proved directly correlated with dyspnea grade (Spearman R=0.51, p=0.02) and pain (R=0.59, p=0.005). Mean CWPM and single lung VC were both better in group 1, whereas there was no difference in CWSM, diaphragm excursion and global VC. Conclusion: Our study suggests that in patients with complex chronic sternal dehiscence, pectoralis muscle flap reconstruction guarantees lower CWPM and greater single-lung VC when compared with sternal rewiring and it is associated with better clinical outcomes with less pain and dyspnea.

• Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.686-697
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• 2018

Purpose: Several markers for eosinophilic inflammation have been proposed to predict response to asthma treatment. However, definitive criteria for treatment decisions have not yet been established. We investigate a potentially useful relatively non-invasive biomarker, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), to predict favorable responses to budesonide or montelukast, common treatment for children with asthma. Methods: Young children (1 to 6 years old) were enrolled in this randomized, parallel, 2-group, open-label trial. Criteria for eligibility included: 1) being symptomatic during the run-in period; and 2) having a serum EDN (sEDN) level ${\geq}53ng/mL$, with positive specific immunoglobulin E to house dust mite. Eligible patients were randomly placed into 2 groups: the BIS group received budesonide inhalation suspension (BIS) 0.5 mg once daily; the MONT group received montelukast 4 mg once daily. Ineligible patients were invited to receive montelukast 4 mg once daily (OBS group). Treatment period was 12 weeks. Results: Asthma control days increased significantly in the BIS and MONT groups (P < 0.000) over the 12-week study period. There was no significant change in sEDN in the BIS group but there was a significant decrease in the MONT group (P < 0.000). Patients in the OBS group with high EDN levels (> 53 ng/mL) showed a significant decrease due to MONT treatment (P = 0.023). Rescue medication usage significantly decreased in the BIS and MONT groups (P < 0.000). Conclusions: EDN is a useful relatively non-invasive biomarker for predicting responses to montelukast and budesonide treatment of preschool children with beta2-agonist responsive recurrent wheeze and multiple-trigger wheeze (Trial registry at UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000008335).

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• no.39
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• pp.287-314
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• 2008

This paper tests the stigma hypothesis and administration hypothesis on the illegal take-up group and non take-up group in the National Livelihood Security Program. A set of survey data, using multinomial logistic model, was analyzed for this purpose. Compared with the legal take-up group, the feature of illegal take-up group which has more workable household supports the administration hypothesis - the low skill of means-test office would increase the possibility of benefit fraud. The features of non take-up group support both the stigma hypothesis - the stigma prevents eligible person from participating in the social assistance program, and the administration hypothesis - the administration office is apt to make error to deny the eligibility of person who has supposed family supporters.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.203-210
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• 2021

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate whether intralipid administration improved the outcomes of in vitro fertilization. Online databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Medline, and Embase) were searched until March 2020. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the role of intralipid administration during in vitro fertilization were considered. We analyzed the rates of clinical pregnancy and live birth as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included the rates of chemical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, and missed abortion. We reviewed and assessed the eligibility of 180 studies. Five RCTs including 840 patients (3 RCTs: women with repeated implantation failure, 1 RCT: women with recurrent spontaneous abortion, 1 RCT: women who had experienced implantation failure more than once) met the selection criteria. When compared with the control group, intralipid administration significantly improved the clinical pregnancy rate (risk ratio [RR], 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-1.79), ongoing pregnancy rate (RR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.31-2.53), and live birth rate (RR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.44-2.38). However, intralipid administration had no beneficial effect on the miscarriage rate (RR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.48-1.17). A funnel plot analysis revealed no publication bias. Our findings suggest that intralipid administration may benefit women undergoing in vitro fertilization, especially those who have experienced repeated implantation failure or recurrent spontaneous abortion. However, larger, well-designed studies are needed to confirm these findings.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.331-338
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• 2021

This study used data from the 10rd and 15th year of the Korean Welfare Panel to evaluate the effects of the Energy Voucher Program(EVP) on the consumption and expenditure of EVP users' households. The study consisted of program group using EVP and control group not using. Chi-square and t-test were used for the characteristic differences among the groups, and the difference of consumption expenditure was identified by multiple regression analysis. As a result, EVP had a statistically significant effect on the health care costs of EVP users' households, resulting in an increase in health care costs(𝛽=3.06). However, there was no statistically significant effect on the total cost of living, basic cost, education cost, and recreation/entertainment cost. Therefore, in order to increase the effectiveness of the EVP system, it is required to improve the EVP system by expanding the level of benefits and easing the qualification standards for the eligibility for benefits.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.528-533
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• 2021

Bladder acontractility affects several thousand patients in the United States, but the available therapies are limited. Latissimus dorsi detrusor myoplasty (LDDM) is a therapeutic option that allows patients with bladder acontractility to void voluntarily. Our goal was to conduct a systematic review of the literature to determine whether LDDM is a better option than clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) (standard treatment) in patients with bladder acontractility. On January 17, 2020, we conducted a systematic review of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Clinical Answers, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases, without time frame limitations, to identify articles on the use of LDDM for bladder acontractility. Of 75 potential articles, 4 fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The use of LDDM to treat patients with bladder acontractility was reported in four case series by the same group in Europe. Fifty-eight patients were included, and no comparison groups were included. The most common cause of bladder acontractility was spinal cord injury (n=36). The mean (±standard deviation) operative time was 536 (±22) minutes, postoperative length of hospital stay ranged from 10 to 13 days, and follow-up ranged from 9 to 68 months. Most patients had complete response, were able to void voluntarily, and had post-void residual volume less than 100 mL. Although promising outcomes have been obtained, evidence is still weak regarding whether LDDM is better than CIC to avoid impairment of the urinary tract among patients with bladder acontractility. Further prospective studies with control groups are necessary.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.301-308
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• 2021

Objectives: Despite its advantages, it is not yet common practice in Korea for researchers to investigate disease associations using spatio-temporal analyses. In this study, we aimed to review health-related epidemiological research using spatio-temporal analyses and to observe methodological trends. Methods: Health-related studies that applied spatial or spatio-temporal methods were identified using 2 international databases (PubMed and Embase) and 4 Korean academic databases (KoreaMed, NDSL, DBpia, and RISS). Two reviewers extracted data to review the included studies. A search for relevant keywords yielded 5919 studies. Results: Of the studies that were initially found, 150 were ultimately included based on the eligibility criteria. In terms of the research topic, 5 categories with 11 subcategories were identified: chronic diseases (n=31, 20.7%), infectious diseases (n=27, 18.0%), health-related topics (including service utilization, equity, and behavior) (n=47, 31.3%), mental health (n=15, 10.0%), and cancer (n=7, 4.7%). Compared to the period between 2000 and 2010, more studies published between 2011 and 2020 were found to use 2 or more spatial analysis techniques (35.6% of included studies), and the number of studies on mapping increased 6-fold. Conclusions: Further spatio-temporal analysis-related studies with point data are needed to provide insights and evidence to support policy decision-making for the prevention and control of infectious and chronic diseases using advances in spatial techniques.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.353-359
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• 2021

Information technology and the need for timely and effective communication during the Covid-19 have made most governments adopt technological approaches to provide their services. E-government services have been adopted by most governments especially in developed countries to quickly and effectively share information. This study discusses the reasons why governments in the Gulf region should develop a new model for information technology knowledge management practices. To achieve this, the author identified possible benefits of adopting information technology knowledge management practices and why most governments in the Gulf find it hard to adopt them. Knowledge management allows for learning, transfer as well as sharing of information between government organizations and citizens and with the development of technology, the effectiveness of electronic services can easily be achieved. Also, effective adoption of information technology can improve knowledge management with the help of techniques that enhance capture, storage, retrieval as well as sharing of information. The author used systematic literature review to select 28 journals and articles published post 2019. IEEE, Google Scholar and Science Direct were used to select potential studies from which 722 journals and articles were selected. Through screening and eligibility assessment, 21 articles were retained while the back and forward search had 7 more articles which were also included in the study. Using information gathered from these articles and journals a new conceptual model was developed to help improve information technology knowledge management for governments in the Gulf region to effectively deliver e-services during Covid-19. This model was developed based on the process of KM, Theory of Planned Behavior and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Based on the developed model. From UTAUT model, performance expectancy, effort expectancy as well as social influence had a great impact.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.63-73
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• 2021

Purpose : Selective functional movement assessment(SFMA) is a movement-based assessment tool designed for clinicians to diagnose and treat pain and functional physical problems. This concept is used for assistance in occupations related to movement, including clinical medical personnel, such as physical therapists, physical education instructors, and athlete coaches. Although this concept is widely used by clinicians, research and scientific proofs are relatively insufficient. This study aimed to review the literature on the understanding, reliability and effectiveness of SFMA, and to consider its role in the future of rehabilitation. Methods : In this review, a total of nine articles were selected according to the eligibility criteria of three major thesis topics. The main topics covered in the literature are reliability and effectiveness of clinical use of SFMA. To gather research articles, we searched official term 'Selective Functional Movement Assessment'. Among the searched 60 studies, nine were mentioned in this study that contained overlapping information and matched our desired topic. We reviewed four reliability analyses, four case reports, and one experimental study. Results : Reliability has an intermediate degree between high raters and within raters. The validity of the SFMA system is influenced by a combination of experience and logic; hence, further improvement is needed. Therefore, if the intervention was effective based on the diagnosis result, then biomechanical evidence is necessary to further support the claim. Conclusion : In future research, to use SFMA as a diagnostic tool with high accuracy, it is necessary to improve the reliability of the main problem through breakout, support for guidelines and validity and efficiency.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.81-91
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to specifically explore the dilemma posed by lifelong education for the disabled in Korea at the point of convergence. Research to achieve the research objectives consisted of areas that should be considered in developing and implementing support systems for lifelong education for the disabled. The outcome of the area consisted of five things: convergence dilemmas in fields, convergence dilemmas in institutions, convergence dilemmas in eligibility, convergence dilemmas in disability areas, and convergence dilemmas in national administration. And the five areas were considered by interlinked views and contexts. Based on the results of the study, the university's special education department (including vocational special education) was concluded and considered with emphasis on strengthening the role functions of the university's special education system for the support system for lifelong education for the disabled, including the preconditions for establishing the academic identity of lifelong education for the disabled. Through this ideal, it is worth suggesting that the academic identity of lifelong education for the disabled should be established as appropriate based on convergence between the categories of lifelong education and special education based on the practical nature and context of education for the Korean.