• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2012

This study purposed to analyze the differences of cost, length of stay, and number of visits between patients who referred from clinics to a general hospital and patients who directly visit a general hospital. Study sample included 402 patients (177 patients who were not referred from clinics, 225 patients who referred from clinics) who visited the Dept. of Gastroenterology in a university hospital in Daejeon from January to June in 2007. Cost and patients' information were collected from Hospital Information System and medical record. SPSS v.12.0 was used for the statistical analysis. Multiple regression analysis found that for inpatients, location variables and malignant tumors of digestive organs had a significant influence on cost variable. For outpatients, a referring hospital type and visiting month had significant influences on total cost, and sex and visiting month (February) had significant relationship with number of visit. The study results help to understand the differences of patient care depending on whether they were referred from clinics or not. Hospital managements could use the results for marketing purposes, and it could provide valuable information for increasing the competitiveness of hospital in a given market.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.274-286
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to provide a basic data that may help develop health promotion programs by identifying health problems and perceived health status of the rural elderly. Method: The subjects of the study were 366 elders recruited from 24 villages located in Mari Myun, Geochang Gun, Korea. The sample was selected using a quota sampling method. The instruments used in the study included 117 items for health problems and 4 items for perceived health status. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test, ANOVA and scheffe test using SPSS program. Results: 1) The most prevalent health problem was ailments in 'musculoskeletal system', followed by 'fatigue', 'eyes and ears', 'genitourinary system', 'mood & temper patterns', 'cardiovascular system', 'digestive system', 'nervous system', 'respiratory system' and 'skin'. 2) Womens health problems were more prevalent than men's health problems. 3) The mean score of perceived health status was 7.68. 4) Health problems of the rural elderly were significantly correlated with demographic variables such as education (F=9.532, p=0.000), gender (t=-4.246, p=0.000), marital status (t=-3.531, p=0.000), family type (F=5.742, p=0.00l), and occupation (t=3.356, p=0.001). 5) Perceived health status of the rural elderly was significantly correlated with demographic variables such as education (F=6.408, p=0.002), gender (t=2.949, p=0.003), marital status (t=0.802, p=0.034), family type (F=4.844, p=0.003), and occupation (t=-2.485, p=0.011). 6) Health problems of the rural elderly were significantly correlated with life style pattern variables such as drinking (F=5.223, p=0.006), smoking (F=4.087, p=0.007), salty food intake (F=3.424, p=0.034), greenish yellow vegetables intake (F=6.343, p=0.002) and fat food intake (F=5.327, p=0.005). 7) Perceived health status of the rural elderly was significantly correlated with life style pattern variables such as sleeping hours (F=3.966, p=0.020) and drinking (F=7.231. p=0.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that nurses need to understand health problems and perceived health status of the rural elderly and to develop health promotion programs for them in the future in the consideration of regional and environmental elements.

• 대한상한금궤의학회지
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.53-63
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• 2015

Objective : This case report show the effect of Dahuanghuanglianxiexin-tang on VulvoVaginal Candidiasis. Methods : According to disease pattern identification diagnostic system based on shanghanlun provisions, The author diagnosed Taeyang-byung kyeolhyung. The symptoms of VulvoVaginal Candidiasis were worsen when the patient had long sitting position and digestive problems. Therefore the patient treated with Dahuanghuanglianxiexin-tang for 3 months. The severity of Candida Vaginitis was evaluated by patient's subjective statements(Vaginal pruritus, Vaginal secretion, Burning sensation). Results : After the treatment, Level of syptoms decreased from Severe to Trace and Eliminated. Conclusions : Dahuanghuanglianxiexin-tang improved the symptoms of VulvoVaginal Candidiasis on this study. Although Dahuanghuanglianxiexin-tang is not an usual treatment for VulvoVaginal Candidiasis, the author could prescribe the medicine due to shanghanlun six meridian patterns diagnostic system.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.208-220
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to determine health problems experienced by workers in special employment relationships (WSER) and identify coping strategies used when such problems occur. Methods: This qualitative study used the focus group interview method. Thirteen study participants included five home-visit tutors, five insurance salespersons, and three credit card recruiters. The interviews were conducted from November 2018 through January 2019, with each occupational group interview lasting about 2 hours. Analysis based on phenomenological research was independently performed by two researchers. Results: Most participants had common health problems involving vocal cord symptoms, and stress related to emotional labor and traffic accidents. The unique health problems included cystitis, musculoskeletal, and digestive symptoms in home-visit tutors; reduced vision and hearing in insurance salespersons; and mental distress in credit card recruiters. There was no protection system for their health coverage, and the company emphasized their self-employed status to avoid taking responsibility for them. Twelve participants did not purchase occupational accident insurance owing to both not having adequate information and economic burden concerning premium status. Conclusion: WSER experienced both physical and mental health problems. These problems were caused by their unstable employment status, and the social security system for their coverage being non-functioning.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.845-849
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• 2016

Background: Worldwide, the incidence of cancers is increasing and is becoming a major public health issue, including those in the Asia Pacific region. South-East Asia is a region with diverse populations with different disease spectra. This study looked at the spectrum of cancers among South-East Asians working in Brunei Darussalam. Materials and Methods: The cancer registry from 1994 to 2012 maintained by the State Laboratory was retrospectively reviewed. Crude incidence rates were calculated based on the population census of 2010. Results: Altogether, there was a total of 418 cancer cases diagnosed among South-East Asians, giving an incidence of 5.1% (n=418/8,253). The affected nationals in decreasing frequency were Malaysians (53.1%), followed by Filipinos (25.8%), Indonesians (15.3%), Thais (3.8%), Myanmese (1.7%) and Vietnamese (0.2%) with no recorded cases for Singapore and the People's Republic of Laos. The overall mean age of diagnosis was $46.1{\pm}4.2$ years old, with an increasing trend over the years (p<0.05 ANOVA). The overall gender ratio was 42.3:57.7 (male:female), more females among the Filipinos and Indonesians, more males among the Thais, and equal representation among the Malaysians and the Myanmese. The most common were cancers of the digestive system (19.9%), followed by female reproductive/gynecologic system (16.0%), breast (15.6%), hematological/lymphatic (12.0%) and head/neck (8.1%). There were differences in the prevalence of cancers among the various nationalities with highest crude incidence rate among the Myanmese (141.2/100,000), followed by the Malaysian (88.5/100,000), and the Filipinos (40.6/100,000) and the lowest among the Thais (18.4/100,000), Indonesians (10.5/100,000) and the Vietnamese (6.3/100,000). Conclusions: Cancers among South-East Asian residing in Brunei Darussalam accounted for 5.1% of all cancers. The most common cancers were cancers of the digestive, gynecologic/female reproductive system and breast with certain types slowly increasing in proportions. There mean age of diagnoses was increasing.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.228-235
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• 2023

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are the mammalian ortholog of Drosophila melanogaster protein Toll, originally identified for its involvement in embryonic development. In mammals, TLRs are mainly known for their ability to recognize pathogen- or damage-associated molecular patterns and, consequently, to initiate the immune response. However, it is becoming clear that TLRs can play a role also in mammal embryo development. We have previously described TLR4 and TLR7 expression in developing mouse peripheral nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. In the present study, we extended the investigation of TLR4 and TLR7 to the respiratory system and to the two main accessory organs of the digestive system, the liver and pancreas. TLR4 and TLR7 immunostaining was performed on mouse conceptuses collected at different stages, from E12 to E18. TLR4 and TLR7 immunoreactivity was evident in the embryo pancreas and liver at E12, while, in the respiratory apparatus, appeared at E14 and E17, respectively. Although further studies are required to elucidate the specific role of these TLRs in embryo development, the differential spatiotemporal TLR4 and TLR7 appearance may suggest that TLR expression in developing embryos is highly regulated for a possible their direct involvement in the formation of the organs and in the acquisition of immune-related features in preparation for the birth.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.332-345
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• 2002

It is a recent observation that about 80 per cent of the body's immune system is localized in the gastrointestinal tract. This explains to a large extent why eating right is important for the modulation the immune response and prevention of disease. In addition it is increasingly recognized that the body has an important digestive system also in the lower gastrointestinal tract where numerous important substances are released by microbial enzymes and absorbed. Among these substances are short chain fatty acids, amino acids, various carbohydrates, poly-amines, growth factors, coagulation factors, and many thousands of antioxidants, not only traditional vitamins but numerous flavonoids, carotenoids and similar plant- and vegetable produced antioxidants. Also consumption of health-promoting bacteria (probiotics) and vegetable fibres (prebiotics) from numerous sources are known to have strong health-promoting influence. It has been calculated that the intestine harbours about 300,000 genes, which is much more than the calculated about 60,000 for the rest of the human body, indicating a till today totally unexpected metabolic activity in this part of the GI tract. There are seemingly several times more active enzymes in the intestine than in the rest of the body, ready to release hundred thousand or more of substances important for our health and well-being. In addition do the microbial cells produce signal molecules similar to cytokines but called bacteriokines and nitric oxide, with provide modulatory effects both on the mucosal cells, the mucosa- associated lymphoid system (MALT) and the rest of the immune system. Identification of various fermentation products, and often referred to as synbiotics, studies of their role in maintaining health and well-being should be a priority issue during the years to come.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.348-360
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• 2015

Objectives From observing the tongue of a patient, one can assess the health status; this method has been frequently used in traditional Korean Medicine (KM) clinics. In particular, KM posits that the color of the tongue is highly related to digestive functions. In this study, the color of tongue and heart rate variability (HRV) were compared between chronic dyspepsia (CD) patients and healthy subjects. Methods Healthy subjects and CD patients with functional dyspepsia (FD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or chronic gastritis (CG) were enrolled for the study. Profile view images of the tongue were acquired by using a computerized tongue image acquisition system (CTIS). The color of the tongue body was extracted from the non-coated region on the tongue images. Results Color differences in CIE L*a*b* color space between the three sub-types of CD patients and healthy subjects were analyzed by using multiple linear regression analysis with age and sex as the factors. The variable b* was significantly lower in GERD patients than in the controls (p=0.017). Variable a* was significantly lower in CG than in the controls (p=0.03). No significant difference was seen between FD and controls. In GERD, the tongue body seems to be intense red in color; in CG, pale red. Frequency domain analysis showed that HF was significantly lower in GERD patients than in the controls (p=0.041). Conclusions The color of the tongue body and HF of HRV can be used for diagnosing digestive functions in health care.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.51-63
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• 2013

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the current situation of Internet health counseling in Korean Medicine by analyzing the contents and pattern of the questions and answers in NAVER Jisik-iN. Methods : 1,121 questions answered by Korean Medicine doctors in NAVER Jisik-iN from January 2012 to June 2012 were extracted and analyzed. The contents and pattern of the questions and answers were classified. Then statistical analysis was performed and the research findings were compared with other studies. Results : Korean Medicine (KM) accounted for 1.73 percent of health counseling in NAVER Jisik-iN. Analyzing the questions and answers of KM counseling, questions about symptoms and answers providing medical knowledge were most common. The most frequently asked symptom was digestive disorder. Applying to Suchman's "Stage of Illness and Medical Care" model, 'the symptom-experience' stage took the first place. Conclusions : KM counseling in NAVER Jisik-iN has served as guidance for potential Korean Medicine consumers by providing medical knowledge about symptoms. For more effective guidance there should be a systematic Internet counseling system offering reliable information by KM doctors to meet the needs of medical consumers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.5217-5221
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• 2016

Objective: A study of primary cancer morbidity among children and subsequent calculation of average annual incidence were carried out for boys and girls, and young men and women in Kazakhstan. Methods: The investigated population lived in three areas of the Aral Sea region: designated catastrophe (Aral, Kazalt, Shalkar regions), crisis (Zhalagash, Karmakshy, Shiely regions), pre-crisis (Irgiz, Arys, Ulytau regions). Zhanaarka region of Karaganda oblast was applied as a control. Parameters were retrospective analyzed for the 10 years from 2004 to 2013. Result: The results indicate that indices of children cancer morbidity were slightly higher in the Aral Sea region than in the control district, but they were comparable with similar data from studies in other regions. In all areas of the Aral Sea region, except for Ulytau, primary cancer morbidity exceeded the control level by 1.3-2.7 times (4.7%000). Hematological malignancies, including solid tumors - tumors of musculoskeletal system and skin, digestive system, brain and central nervous system predominated. Stress levels in zones of the Aral Sea region were slightly higher in the crisis zone than in the catastrophe zone that can be explained by the phenomenon of wave-like dynamics of disease growth risk. Gender differences in characteristics of malignancy formation were not more pronounced in the studied region. Conclusion: Indices of children cancer are slightly higher in the Aral Sea region than in the control area of Kazakhstan, but they are comparable to results for other regions.