• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.622-629
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• 2021

Background Venous malformations (VMs) are the most common type of vascular malformations. Intramuscular venous malformations (IMVMs) are lesions involving the muscles, excluding intramuscular hemangiomas. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes between patients with IMVMs who were treated with sclerotherapy and those who were treated with surgical excision. Methods Of 492 patients with VMs treated between July 2011 and August 2020 at a single medical center for vascular anomalies, 63 patients diagnosed with IMVM were retrospectively reviewed. Pain, movement limitations, swelling, and quality of life (QOL) were evaluated subjectively, while radiological outcomes were assessed by qualified radiologists at the center. Complication rates were also evaluated, and radiological and clinical examinations were used to determine which treatment group (sclerotherapy or surgical excision) exhibited greater improvement. Results Although there were no significant differences in pain (P=0.471), swelling (P=0.322), or the occurrence of complications (P=0.206) between the two treatment groups, the surgical treatment group exhibited significantly better outcomes with regard to movement limitations (P=0.010), QOL (P=0.013), and radiological outcomes (P=0.017). Moreover, both duplex ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging showed greater improvements in clinical outcomes in the surgical excision group than in the sclerotherapy group. Conclusions Although several studies have examined IMVM treatment methods, no clear guidelines for treatment selection have been developed. Based on the results of this study, surgical excision is strongly encouraged for the treatment of IMVMs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.25 no.6_3
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• pp.1183-1190
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• 2022

Recently, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance announced a plan to reduce the proportion of economic evaluation in non-metropolitan areas and strengthen balanced development evaluation through the reorganization of the preliminary feasibility study system. In addition, the social value of the quality of life, such as job, environment, and safety, which may be affected by the implementation of transportation facility investment projects, was reflected as the main item of policy evaluation. In this study, the ripple effect of the project in terms of social value was reviewed for the Gangil-Chuncheon. The effect of highway opening was investigated by reviewing the feasibility report, post-evaluation report, and statistical indicators. Recently, the Gangil-Chuncheon highway is getting used by around 110,000 people per day. The number of tourists in Chuncheon rapidly has increased from 5 million a year to more than 11 million now. In addition, it was confirmed to produce effects such as population migration, net inflow and land price increase, improvement of living convenience, and expansion of emergency medical care. Although this ripple effect was influenced by various socio-economic factors as well as the opening of the highway, it is clear that it is difficult to occur without the opening of the highway. It is judged that the evaluation of indirect benefits and social values due to the opening of the highway can be quantified through continuous research and data construction. Post-evaluation of construction works, including project efficiency evaluation and ripple effect evaluation, is performed for construction works with a construction cost of more than 50 billion won. In the future, we will continuously improve the evaluation system in order to evaluate the indirect benefits and social values of public investment projects.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.19-32
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• 2023

Objectives The purpose of this study is to systematically review the degree of pain and function improvement in acupuncture treatment for patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched from Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, WanFang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Citation Information by NII (CiNII), Koreanstudies Information Service System (KISS), ScienceON, KoreaMed, and Korean Medical Database (KMbase). The methodological quality of selected RCTs' were evaluated according to Cochrane RoB2 tool. Results Total of 158 studies were identified and 7 RCTs were selected for systematic review. Frequently used evaluation method were visual analogue scale and Kujala scores. All studies showed significant effect on pain reduction and knee function between before and after treatment, but showed partial significance between the intervention and control group. Conclusions Research showed that acupuncture treatment is an effective treatment for improving the pain and function of PFPS, but it is difficult to conclude that it has a significant effect compared to other treatments. Selected studies included subjective evaluation indicators and the total of selected studies were small, so the interpretation of the results is limited. Also most of the included studies are evaluated to have some concerns of bias. Therefore, subsequent research should continously be done in more objective and systematic method.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.303-322
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• 2011

The increased needs for medical cost containment and the quality of life improvement for the low-income elderly with chronic disease require the complementary relationship between hospital care and community health services. This study investigated the current status of the linkage between Korean hospital care and community services using Seoul Welfare Panel Study(SWPS) data. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the effects of experiences of hospitalization and outpatient health services on use and needs of community health services. The analysis results indicated that the elderly with chronic disease who have not experienced outpatient health services were unlikely to receive health and social services in the community. Even those who have experienced hospitalization were not provided complementary health services in the community despite the increasing demand.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2022

Investment casting is a production method commonly used to manufacture precision equipment, medical fields, and accessories, and has continued to develop through the modernization of equipment and high quality of materials, and its scope of use has been expanded. The purpose of this study is to minimize the defect rate by deriving structural improvement and standardization of mold temperature, which are key elements of the investment casting process, to minimize the defect rate. The scope of the study is limited to jewelry manufacturing casting processes suitable for understanding the structure and principles of small gate, and an experimental research is to be conducted by using soft Wax, gypsum powder, and 14 K gold as research materials. According to the results, the most appropriate casting standard temperature for the casting pattern of Alloy 14 k was the lowest turbulence at 980℃ flask temperature of 550℃, so good products could be produced. As a future task of this study, detailed studies are needed to data the structure and system temperature of small gate, reduce production defects in the field, and provide data for excellent investment casting competitiveness.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.875-884
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the clinical improvement of aggravated functional dyspepsia due to COVID-19 with Korean medicine treatment. Methods: To assess treatment outcomes, we used the GIS (Gastrointestinal Symptom Score), European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) scale, and Numeral Rating Scale (NRS). Results: After treatment, the patient's clinical symptoms improved, as indicated by GIS, EQ-5D, and NRS scores. Conclusions: Korean medicine treatment improved late complications in COVID-19 patients. This finding suggests the possibility of Korean medicine treatment for long-term COVID infections.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.1
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• pp.75-91
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• 2023

The technical parameters and imaging interpretation criteria of the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADS v2) using multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) are updated in PI-RADS v2.1. These changes have been an expected improvement for prostate cancer evaluation, although some issues remain unsolved, and new issues have been raised. In this review, a brief overview of PI-RADS v2.1 is and several critical points are discussed as follows: the need for more detailed protocols of mpMRI, lack of validation of the revised transition zone interpretation criteria, the need for clarification for the revised diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging criteria, anterior fibromuscular stroma and central zone assessment, assessment of background signal and tumor aggressiveness, changes in the structured report, the need for the parameters for imaging quality and performance control, and indications for expansion of the system to include other indications.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.9-17
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• 2017

Purpose: The tissue description and electron density indicated by the Computed Tomography(CT) number (also known as Hounsfield Unit) in radiotherapy are important in ensuring the accuracy of CT-based computerized radiotherapy planning. The internal metal implants, however, not only reduce the accuracy of CT number but also introduce uncertainty into tissue description, leading to development of many clinical algorithms for reducing metal artifacts. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to investigate the accuracy and the clinical applicability by analyzing date from SMART MAR (GE) used in our institution. Methode: and material: For assessment of images, the original images were obtained after forming ROIs with identical volumes by using CIRS ED phantom and inserting rods of six tissues and then non-SMART MAR and SMART MAR images were obtained and compared in terms of CT number and SD value. For determination of the difference in dose by the changes in CT number due to metal artifacts, the original images were obtained by forming PTV at two sites of CIRS ED phantom CT images with Computerized Treatment Planning (CTP system), the identical treatment plans were established for non-SMART MAR and SMART MAR images by obtaining unilateral and bilateral titanium insertion images, and mean doses, Homogeneity Index(HI), and Conformity Index(CI) for both PTVs were compared. The absorbed doses at both sites were measured by calculating the dose conversion constant (cCy/nC) from ylinder acrylic phantom, 0.125cc ionchamber, and electrometer and obtaining non-SMART MAR and SMART MAR images from images resulting from insertions of unilateral and bilateral titanium rods, and compared with point doses from CTP. Result: The results of image assessment showed that the CT number of SMART MAR images compared to those of non-SMART MAR images were more close to those of original images, and the SD decreased more in SMART compared to non-SMART ones. The results of dose determinations showed that the mean doses, HI and CI of non-SMART MAR images compared to those of SMART MAR images were more close to those of original images, however the differences did not reach statistical significance. The results of absorbed dose measurement showed that the difference between actual absorbed dose and point dose on CTP in absorbed dose were 2.69 and 3.63 % in non-SMRT MAR images, however decreased to 0.56 and 0.68 %, respectively in SMART MAR images. Conclusion: The application of SMART MAR in CT images from patients with metal implants improved quality of images, being demonstrated by improvement in accuracy of CT number and decrease in SD, therefore it is considered that this method is useful in dose calculation and forming contour between tumor and normal tissues.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.254-259
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• 2010

Background: Diagnosing chronic pulmonary embolism at an early stage is difficult because of the patient’s nonspecific symptoms. This condition is not prevalent in Korea, and in fact, there have been only a few case reports on this in the Korean medical literature. We analyzed the surgical outcome of performing pulmonary thromboendarterectomy in patients with chronic pulmonary embolism. Material and Method: The study subjects included those patients who underwent surgery for chronic pulmonary embolism from 1996 to 2008. For making the diagnosis, echocardiography, chest CT and a pulmonary perfusion scan were performed on the patients who complained of chronic dyspnea. Result: Pulmonary endarterectomy was performed as follows: by incision via a mid-sternal approach (7 patients); by incision via a left posterolateral approach (1 patient); using the deep hypothermic circulatory arrest technique (4 patients); under ventricular fibrillation (3 patients); and under cardioplegic arrest (1 patient). The postoperative systolic pulmonary artery blood pressure significantly decreased from a preoperative value of $78.9{\pm}14.5\;mmHg$ to $45.6{\pm}17.6\;mmHg$ postoperatively (p=0.000). The degree of tricuspid regurgitation was less than grade II after surgery. Two patients died early on, including one patient who had persistent pulmonary hypertension without improvement and right heart failure. Conclusion: Patients who have chronic pulmonary embolism are known to have a poor prognosis. However, we think that early surgical treatment along with making the proper diagnosis before the aggravation of right heart failure can help improve the quality of a patient's life.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.315-322
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• 2009

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of individualized diabetes nutrition education. The nutrition education program was open to all type 2 diabetes patients visiting the clinic center and finally 67 patients agreed to join the program. To compare with 67 education group subjects, 34 subjects were selected by medical record review. The education program consisted of one class session for 1-2 hours long in a small group of 4~5 patients. A meal planning using the food exchange system was provided according to the diet prescription and food habits of each subject. Measurements of clinical outcomes and dietary intakes were performed at baseline and 3 months after the education session. After 3 months, subjects in education group showed improvement in dietary behavior and food exchange knowledge. In education group, intakes of protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin $B_2$, and folate per 1,000 kcal/day were significantly increased and cholesterol intake was significantly decreased. They also showed significant reductions in body weight, body mass index (BMI), and fasting blood concentrations of glucose (FBS), HbA1c, total cholesterol, and triglyceride. However, no such improvements were observed in control group. To evaluate telephone consultation effect, after the nutrition education session, 34 subjects of the 67 education group received telephone follow-up consultation once a month for 3 months. The others (33 subjects) had no further contact after the nutrition education session. Subjects in the telephone follow-up group showed a decrease in BMI, FBS, and HbA1c. Moreover, the subjects who did not receive telephone follow-up also showed significant decreases in BMI and FBS. These results indicated that our individually planned education program for one session was effective in rectifying dietary behavior problems and improving food exchange knowledge, and quality of diet, leading to an improvement in the clinical outcomes. In conclusion, our individualized nutrition education was effective in adherence to diet recommendation and in improving glycemic control and lipid concentrations, while follow-up by telephone helped to encourage the adherence to diet prescription.