• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.275-280
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on physical fitness (dominant hand grip power, dominant isokinetic leg muscle strength, abdominal muscle endurance, flexibility, cardiopulmonary endurance) and depression in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: This study was a cross sectional study and subjects consisted of 60 young males with chronic low back pain. The subjects were allocated to two groups following a self-report survey: cigarette smoking group (n=25) or non-smoking group (n=35). Physical fitness (dominant hand grip power, dominant isokinetic leg muscle strength, abdominal muscle endurance, flexibility, cardiopulmonary endurance) were measured using objective methods and depression in patients with chronic low back pain was measured using the Korean version of center for epidemiologic studies depression (CES-D) scale. Results: The results of this study were as follows: In physical fitness, the cigarette smoking group showed a significant decrease in abdominal muscle endurance, flexibility, and cardiopulmonary endurance compared with the non-smoking group. Depression index (CES-D scale score) was significantly higher in the cigarette smoking group than in the non-smoking group. Conclusion: These results suggest that cigarette smoking had a negative effect on abdominal muscle endurance, flexibility, and cardiopulmonary endurance in patients with chronic low back pain. In addition, depression of patients with chronic low back pain was affected by cigarette smoking. Thus, we suggested that cigarette smoking may play a significant role in the deterioration of physical fitness and depression of chronic low back pain patients.

• Communications for Statistical Applications and Methods
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.487-500
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• 2014

A new method to calculate the transmittable prevalence of an epidemic disease is proposed based on a back-calculation formula. We calculated the probabilities of reactivation and of parasitemia as well as transmittable prevalence (the number of persons with parasitemia in the incubation period) of malaria in South Korea using incidence of 12 years(2001-2012). For this computation, a new probability function of transmittable condition is obtained. The probability of reactivation is estimated by the least squares method for the back-calculated longterm incubation period. The probability of parasitemia is calculated by a convolution of the survival function of the short-term incubation function and the probability of reactivation. Transmittable prevalence is computed by a convolution of the infected numbers and the probabilities of transmission. Confidence intervals are calculated using the parametric bootstrap method. The method proposed is applicable to other epidemic diseases in other countries where incidence and a long incubation period are available. We found the estimated transmittable prevalence in South Korea was concentrated in the summer with 276 cases on a peak at the $31^{st}$ week and with about a 60% reduction in the peak from the naive prevalence. The statistics of transmittable prevalence can be used for malaria prevention programs and to select blood transfusion donors.

• 대한불안의학회지
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.141-145
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• 2012

Objective : The purpose of this study was to describe and compare trends in suicidal ideation, suicidal attempt and suicide in Republic of Korea from 2006 to 2011. Such data are needed to guide policies to reduce suicidal behaviors. Methods : Data came from the 2006-2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Korea National Statistical Office and 2006-2011 Korean Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study Replication and 2007-2011 National Emergency Department Information System. Results : No change occurred between 2006-2011 in suicidal ideation, suicidal attempt, whereas suicide rate increased annually. Suicidal attempt events was decreased in age over 50. Suicidal attempts by poisoning and hanging have increased, although suicide caused by poisoning of insecticide have decreased. Especially, suicides caused by hanging have gradually increased in both sex. Conclusions : These finding suggest that fatal suicidal methods may influence increased suicidal rate. Instead of traditional suicidal process, investigation of other pathway about suicidal behaviors should be needed.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.193-199
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• 2003

목 적 : 1997년부터 2002년까지 6년 동안 포항지역에서 발생한 무균성 뇌막염의 역학적 양상을 연도별로 비교하고 누적발생률을 확인하여 추후 무균성 뇌막염의 전파양상 규명과 예방에 기초자료를 제공하기 위해 본 연구를 시행하였다. 방 법 : 1997년부터 2002년까지 포항지역 3개 종합병원에 무균성 뇌막염으로 1일 이상 입원한 15세미만 환아 중 소아과 전문의와 전공의의 의무기록지 검토를 통해 확인된 1,750명을 대상으로 역학적 발생양상을 조사하고, 누적발생률을 산출하였다. 결 과 : 전산기록으로 확인한 환아의 95.2%(1,750명 : 남아 1,078명, 여아 672명)를 무균성 뇌막염으로 확인하였다. 6개년도 모두 남아가 여아보다 많았으며(1.6 : 1), 1997년에 464명이 발생한 이후 발생수가 감소하였다가 2000년 이후 다시 증가하여 2002년 648명으로 가장 많이 발생하였다. 발생월별 분포는 6월이 31.3%로 가장 많았으며, 5월부터 8월까지 4개월간 집중적으로 발생하여 전체 발생의 84.2%를 차지하였다. 증상 발현일부터 입원까지 걸린 기간은 0일에서 35일까지 다양하였으며, 평균 $4.19{\pm}2.96$(중앙값 3일)일이 소요되었다. 5일 이내가 1,417명(81.0%)을 차지하였다. 증상발현 당일 입원한 경우는 3명(0.2%)에 불과하여 증상이 진행된 후에 병원을 방문하는 것으로 확인되었다. 환아의 연령을 3단계로 구분하여 각 연도별로 인구 10만명당 누적발생률을 조사한 결과 각 연도마다 다발 연령군이 상이한 결과를 보였으며, 매년 특정 연령군 대에 환아가 집중하지 않는 것으로 확인되었다. 결 론 : 1997년부터 2002년까지 포항지역 3개 종합병원에서 입원 치료받은 무균성 뇌막염 환아의 역학적 양상을 조사하였다. 포항지역의 무균성 뇌막염 환아가 매년 지속적으로 보고되고 있으므로 원인을 규명하고 장기적인 예방대책을 수립하기 위한 연구가 계속되어야 할 것이다.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.123-130
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• 2009

목 적: 원내 감염 로타바이러스 위장관염의 역학적 및 임상적 특성을 지역사회 획득 감염과 비교하고자 하였다. 방 법: 2001년 1월부터 2005년 12월까지 5년간 로타바이러스 위장관염으로 입원한 환아 들 중, 원내 감염군(100명)과 지역사회 획득 감염군(528명)의 역학적 특성을 비교하였다. 또한 지역사회 획득 감염군 중 연령을 일치시킨 100명을 대상으로 임상적 특성을 비교하였다. 결 과: 양군 간에서 남녀비는 1:4 및 1:5를 보였으며, 원내 감염군의 평균 연령이 지역사회 획득 감염군에 비해 더 낮았다 (21.9${\pm}$15.5개월 vs.16.6${\pm}$10.3개월, P <0.001). 연령별, 연도별 분포와 계절별 발생은 양군에서 비슷한 양상을 보였다. 5년간 연도별 발생 수에 대한 원내 감염 비율은 9.8-22.4 %를 보였으며, 원내 감염 발생 수는 2003년에, 지역사회획득 감염 발생 수는 2002년에 가장 많았다. 임상 양상 비교에서 원내 감염군에서 발열 기간이 길었으나(P<0.001), 설사 중등도에 서는 양군에서 차이가 없었다(P =0.07). 검사실 소견에서 원내 감염군의 백혈구 수가 더 높았으나(P =0.04), BUN의 평균값(P =0.02) 및 20 mg/dL 이상인 환아의 수(16% vs. 4%, P=0.01)는 지역사회 획득 감염군에서 더 많았다. 결 론: 원내 감염 로타바이러스 위장관염은 사회획득 감염 위장염과 비교하여 연령별, 연도별, 계절적 발생 양상 및 임상양상에서 유사하였다.

• 정신신체의학
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.83-93
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• 2016

연구목적 역학연구 우울척도 개정판은 우울 증상을 평가하는 데에 유용성이 입증된 척도로 알려져 있으며 '정신장애의 진단 및 통계 편람 제4판(DSM-IV)'에 기술되어 있는 주요우울장애의 주요한 우울 증상들을 포괄하고 있다. 이 연구에서는 한국판 역학연구 우울척도 개정판을 제작하여 척도의 신뢰도, 타당도와 특성을 평가하고자 하였다. 방 법 DSM-IV의 진단기준에 근거한 MINI를 사용하여 주요우울증, 기분부전증, 달리 분류되지 않는 우울장애로 진단된 48명의 환자군과 48명의 정상 대조군이 연구에 참여하였다. 연구 참여자들은 한국판 역학연구 우울척도 개정판, 몽고메리-아스버그 우울증 평가척도, 우울증 선별척도, 단축형 우울증상 평가 척도, 상태-특성 불안척도를 포함한 척도검사를 시행하여 교차 검증하였다. Cronbach's alpha 계수, Pearson 상관계수, 주성분 분석, Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC) 곡선, 최적 절단점 산출을 위한 통계분석을 시행하였다. 결 과 한국판 역학연구 우울척도의 Cronbach's alpha 계수는 0.98이었으며, 한국판 역학연구 우울척도 개정판의 총점은 본 연구에서 시행하였던 다른 우울 및 불안척도의 점수와 높은 상관 관계를 보였다. 주성분 분석에서는 두 요인이 전체 분산의 76.29%를 설명하였으며, ROC 곡선을 이용하였을 때, 한국판 역학연구 우울척도 개정판의 최적 절단점은 13점이었다. 결 론 본 연구는 한국판 역학연구 우울척도 개정판의 표준화를 위한 첫 번째 연구로, 한국판 역학연구 우울척도는 우울 증상을 평가하는데 있어 신뢰성 있고, 타당한 척도임을 밝혔다. 또한 이 척도가 진료 및 역학 연구에서 유용한 선별검사 도구로 사용될 수 있을 것으로 기대한다.

• 대한미생물학회지
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.289-297
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• 2000

Background: Staphylococcus aureus (s. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) are major pathogens in community and hospital. And they sometimes cause the outbreak in hospital in the immunocompromised patients. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) has been regarded as a standard method for genotyping in epidemiologic studies, but it is laborious and time-consuming. Infrequent restriction site-polymerase chain reaction (IRS-PCR), a new genotyping methods, was performed to compare the applicability with PFGE. Methods: We performed PFGE and IRS-PCR on S. aurues (n=120) and E. coli (n=117) which were collected clinically in 4 different hospitals. We assessed each method in terms of discriminatory power, quality, and efficiency. Results: In E. coli, the discriminatory power of IRS-PCR was $46.7{\sim}86.7%$, and that of PFGE was $88.9{\sim}96.7%$ according to hospital. But in S. aurues, the discriminatory power of IRS-PCR was $20{\sim}56.7%$, and that of PFGE was $40{\sim}90%$ according to hospital. The typablity and reproducibility of IRS-PCR were 100% of each. PFGE needed four days to complete the procedure, but IRS-PCR could be performed within one day, IRS-PCR showed better resolution than PFGE. Conclusion: In case of gram negative bacteria (like E. coli), IRS-PCR could be a reliable alternative for epidemiologic typing due to better efficiency and comparable discriminatory power. But in the case of gram positive bacteria (like S. aureus), IRS-PCR does not seem to be suitable for the strain-to-strain differentiation. More trials and changes of restriction enzymes or primers could reveal the efficacy of IRS-PCR in the field of molecular typing.

• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.151-161
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• 2013

The assessment of personal exposure is a critical component in population-based epidemiologic studies of air pollution. This study was conducted to apply and compare the four exposure estimation methods of individual-level to air pollution concentration in a cohort including 2,283 subjects in Gwangyang, Korea. Individual-level exposure of air pollution were estimated using multiple approaches, including average across all monitors, nearest monitor, and spatial interpolation by inverse distance weighting and kriging. The mean concentrations of $PM_{10}$, $NO_2$, $SO_2$, CO, $O_3$ by four exposure estimation methods were slightly different but not significantly different from each other. Cross-validation showed that kriging was more accurate than other exposure estimation methods because kriging has probably predicted individual exposure levels equivalent to residential locations after estimating the parameters of a model according to the spatial surface of air pollution concentration. These data support that spatial interpolation methods may provide better estimates than selecting the value from the nearest monitor and averaging across values from all monitors by reflecting spatial attributes of air pollution on personal level.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.228-236
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• 2001

Objectives : To propose a feasible, valid and appropriate study designs and epidemiologic methods for evaluating the adverse health effects of Agent Orange-chemical defoliants used in Vietnam- in Korea. Methods : A literature study was peformed on Agent Orange, herbicides, pesticides and dioxins. The study subjects, study design, exposure assessment and health outcomes assessment were examined in each study. The potential data sources for the study subjects, study design, exposure assessment and health outcomes assessment in Korea were investigated. Results and Conclusion : In earlier Korean studies, research subjects for studying the effects of Agent Orange were identified from the patients or persons who claimed to have Agent Orange-related diseases due to the difficulties in identifying the entire population of Vietnam veterans in Korea. In this study, an attempt was made to identify the total number of Vietnam veterans in Korea. As a result, the addresses of 20,000 Vietnam veterans were obtained. It is proposed that a retrospective cohort design on a sample of the total number of Vietnam veterans is a feasible and appropriate study design. Self report questionnaires and military records were proposed to assess the exposure level. It is believed that measuring the plasma or tissue TCDD should be used only for a validation study assessing the level of exposure. For the health outcomes assessment, it is possible to obtain the mortality, cancer frequency, physical examination, screening and medical insurance record data.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제11권5호
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• pp.788-797
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• 2001

The usefulness of three PCR methods were evaluated for the epidemiological typing of Staphylococcus aureus: an enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence PCR (ERIC-PCR), repetitive extragenic palindromic element PCR (REP-PCR), and 16S-23S intergenic spacer PCR (ITS-PCR). The analysis was performed using a collection of S. aureus strains comprised of 6 reference and 79 isolates from patients with various diseases. Among the 85 S. aureus strains tested, 6 references and 6 isolates were found to be susceptible to methicillin, whereas the remaining 73 isolates were resistant to it. PCR methods are of special concern, as conventional phenotypic methods are unable to clearly distinguish among methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains. The ability of the techniques to detect different unrelated types was found to be as follows: ERIC-PCR, 19 types; REP-PCR, 36 types; and ITS-PCR, 14 types. On the basis of combining the ERIC, REP, and ITS fingerprints, the 85 S. aureus strains were grouped into 56 genetic types (designated G1 to G56). The diversities for the 85 S. aureus strains, calculated according to Simpson\`s index, were 0.88 for an ERIC-PCR, 0.93 for a REP-PCR, and 0.48 for an ITS-PCR, and the diversity increased up to 0.97 when an ERIC-PCR and REP-PCR were combined. The above discrimination indices imply that the genetic heterogeneity of S. aureus strains is high. Accordingly, this study demonstrates that DNA sequences from highly conserved repeats of a genome, particularly a combination of ERIC sequences and REP elements, are a convenient and accurate tool for the subspecies-specific discrimination and epidemiologic tracking of S. aureus.