• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.441-445
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• 2001

In this work we investigated distribution of the natural and artificial radioactive nuclides and level of the regional background in soil in Busan. For 45 points, the environmental radioactivity concentration of Busan surface soil is $14.38{\sim}57.03\;(mean\;:\;33.95)\;Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ for $^{226}Ra,\;2.41{\sim}86.58\;(mean\;:\;51.08)\;Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ for $^{228}Ra,\;223.64{\sim}1332.30\;(mean\;668.51)\;Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ for $^{40}K$ and $<0.33{\sim}33.37\;(mean:13.74) Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ for $^{137}Cs$. Also, in order to investigate vertical distribution for radioactivity, we examined radioactive concentration with mountain height. But there was no correlation between radiaoactivity distribution and mountain height. The $^{226}Ra/^{228}Ra$ and $^{226}Ra/^{40}K$ concentration ratios were $0.68{\pm}19 %$ and $0.06{\pm}34%$, respectively.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.169-177
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• 2009

In the past decade there has been increasing concern about the atopic dermatitis (AD) associated with environmental diseases. AD has been increased in the last decade and known as one of the multifactoral diseases, which has the genetic background and environmental factors at the same time. The purposes of this study were to investigate the prevalence rate and etiologic risk factors of atopic dermatitis in preschool children in Changwon, which is a one of the Korean cities and has a large industrial complex. We reviewed and analyzed the statistical data, obtained from Korea National Health Insurance Corporation, related to prevalence rate by age and administrative district. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey, based on ISAAC (International Study of Allergy and Asthma in Childhood), was conducted on random samples of preschool children (5 to 8 years old) of large sized kindergartens in Changwon. The lifetime and last one years prevalence of AD in preschool children in Changwon was increased from 1998 to 2008. The prevalence rate of AD in the preschool children in Changwon city was 9.6%. The prevalence rate in boys was 9.7% and that in girls was 9.4%. The one year prevalence of AD was ranked as middle among other provincial cities in Korea in 2008. This study showed that the prevalence rate of the atopic disease in Changwon was 9% in 2008, which was increased especially compare to 2000. More active governmental approaches for control and prevention of atopic dermatitis for children are recommended. Further studies are needed for more accurate estimation of the prevalence of AD in Korea including different regional and age population.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.58 no.9
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• pp.35.1-35.10
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• 2016

Background: The aim of this work was the comparison between the carcass and the meat ewes of the regional Traditional market and the Islamic religious (Halal) market. Methods: Thirty and 20 at the end of career traditional market and Halal market ewes were slaughtered following the EC (European Council, 2009) animal welfare guidelines. Live weight of ewes was taken and dressing percentage of carcasses was calculated. On every carcass zoometric measurement and the evaluation trough the EU grid rules were performed. On the Musculus longissimus thoracis of 12 Traditional market carcasses and 11 Halal market carcasses the physical-chemical and nutritional analysis were performed. Consumer tests for liking meat ewe were performed in order to find consumer's preference level for Traditional and Halal markets ewe meat. Considering as fixed factor the ewe meat market (Traditional and Halal), results were submitted to oneway Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and to Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Results: The Halal market ewes have shown lower dressing percentages ($42.91{\pm}0.82$ vs $46.42{\pm}0.69$) and lower conformation score ($4.5{\pm}0.5$ vs $7.8{\pm}0.4$). The Halal market meat showed higher cooking loss in oven ($37.83{\pm}1.20$ vs $32.03{\pm}1.15%$), lesser Chroma value ($18.63{\pm}0.70$ vs $21.84{\pm}0.67$), and lesser Hue angle value ($0.26{\pm}0.02$ vs $0.34{\pm}0.02$). This product had also lower fat percentage ($4.2{\pm}0.4$ vs $7.09{\pm}0.4$). The traditional market meat had higher percentage in monounsatured fatty acids (MUFA) ($43.84{\pm}1.05$ vs $38.22{\pm}1.10$), while the Halal market meat had higher percentage in ${\omega}3$ poliunsatured fatty acids (PUFA) ($5.04{\pm}0.42$ vs $3.60{\pm}0.40$). The consumer test showed as the ewe meat was appreciate by the consumers. Conclusions: Both meat typologies have shown good nutritional characteristics. The traditional market meat had higher MUFA composition, and a better MUFA/satured fatty acids (SFA) ratio, while the Halal market meat had higher PUFA composition. These results were also supported by the PCA. The consumers preferred the traditional market meat.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.63-77
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• 2002

Salinization is an important environmental problem encountered in coastal aquifers. In order to evaluate the salinization problem in the western coastal area of Korea, we have performed a regional hydrochemical study on shallow well groundwaters (N=229) collected within 10 km away from the coastline. The concentrations of analyzed solutes are very wide in range, suggesting that the hydrochemistry is controlled by several processes such as water-rock interaction, seawater mixing, and anthropogenic contamination. Based on the graphical interpretation of cumulative frequency curves for some hydrochemical parameters (esp., $Cl^{-}$ and ${NO_3}^-$), the collected water samples were grouped into two major populations (1) a background population whose chemistry is predominantly affected by water-rock interaction, and (2) an anomalous population which records the potential influences by either seawater mixing or anthropogenic pollution. The threshold values obtained are 34.7 mg/l for $Cl^{-}$ and 37.2 mg/l for ${NO_3}^-$, Using these two constituents, groundwaters were further grouped into four water types as follows (the numbers in parenthesis indicate the percentage of each type water) : (1) type 1 waters (38%) that are relatively poor in $Cl^{-}$ and ${NO_3}^-$, which may represent their relatively little contamination due to seawater mixing and anthropogenic pollution; (2) type 2 waters (21%) which are enriched in $Cl^{-}$, Indicating the considerable influence by seawater mixing; (3) ${NO_3}^-$-rich, type 3 waters (11%) which record significant anthropogenic pollution; and (4) type 4 waters (30%) enriched in both $Cl^{-}$ and ${NO_3}^-$, reflecting the effects of both seawater mixing and anthropogenic contamination. The results of the water type classification correspond well with the grouping on a Piper's diagram. On a Br x $10^4$versus Cl molar ratio diagram, most of type 2 waters are also plotted along or near the seawater mixing line. The discriminant analysis of hydrochemical data also shows that the classification of waters into four types are so realistic to adequately reflect the major process(es) proposed for the hydrochemical evolution of each water type. As a tool for evaluating the degree of seawater mixing, we propose a parameter called 'Seawater Mixing Index (S.M.I.)’ which is based on the concentrations of Na, Mg, Cl, and $SO_4$. All the type 1 and 3 waters have the S.M.I. values smaller than one, while type 2 and type 4 waters mostly have the values greater than 1. In the western coastal area of Korea, more than 21% of shallow groundwaters appear to be more or less affected by salinization process.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.733-744
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• 2001

Background: The optimal therapeutic strategies for patients with coarctation of the aorta(CoA) and ventricular septal defect(VSD) remain controversial. This study was undertaken to determine the outcome and the need for reintervention following single-stage repair of coarctation with VSD in infants younger than 6 months. Material and Method: Thirty three consecutive patients who underwent single-stage repair of CoA with VSD, from January 1995 to December 2000, at Sejong General Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Mean age and body weight at repair were 54$\pm$37 days(12 days-171 days) and 3.9$\pm$1.1 kg(1.5~6 kg), respectively. The surgical repair of CoA was performed under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest(CA) in the early period of the study and under regional cerebral perfusion through a direct innominate arterial cannulation without CA in the later period. The technique used in the repair of the CoA was resection and extended end-to-end anastomosis(EEEA; n=16) and extended side-to-side anastomosis(ESSA; n=2) in the early period, and resection and extended end-to-side anastomosis(EESA; n= 15) in the later period. The simultaneous closure of VSD was done with a Dacron patch(n= 16) and autologous pericardium(n=17). Aortic arch hypoplasia was present in 29 patients(88%) and its types were distal(n=18), complete(n=5), and complex(n=6)

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.1-4
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• 2016

Background and Objectives: National cancer center institute reports that male patients of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) are annually increasing. This study aimed to analyze the features of the male patients with PTC. Materials and Method: We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed clinical records of 170 patients who were treated for PTC in male patients between 2000 and 2010. Clinical features, size, pathologic type, extrathyroidal extension, recurrence, multiplicity, extent of surgery, and lymph node metastasis were retrospectively evaluated.Univariate and multivariate analyses of various clinical factors were performed. Results: Total 4145 patients received surgery for papillary thyroid carcinoma. The number of male patients was 170 (4.1%) among them. Of170 male patients, only 16(9.4%) patients underwent the recurrence of PTC. The size of tumor, central neck node metastasis, lateral neck node metastasis, extrathyroidal extension and RAI ablation therapy were associated with recurrence(p< 0.05) in univariate analysis. However, only the extrathyroidal extension [p=0.03, Odds ratio=3.58(95% CI. 1.09~14.24)] was related to the recurrence in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Re-estimation of clinical features in male PTC patients should be concerned. The recurrence of PTC in male patients was 16(9.4%) and nearly same as the other studies. The extrathyroidal extension was revealed as an associated factor for the recurrence. Evaluation of regional or distant metastasis should be considered in patients with the extrathyroidal extension in male PTC patients during long-term follow-up.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.58-73
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• 2010

Background : Cancer is a disease that not only places a significant burden on patients clinically but also requires significant expense for diagnosis and treatment. Although the cancer coverage of health insurance has recently been expended, the need for financial assistance among cancer patients and their families is still expected to be significant. In this study, cancer patients' need for financial assistance in Korea was examined and its influence factors were analyzed. Methods : Target study subjects were those who are over 18 years of age and were diagnosed with cancer more than four months prior at the National Cancer Center and 9 Regional Cancer Centers in Korea during the period from July to August of 2008. Quarter sampling was conducted according to the ratio of the type of each cancer. A face to face interview survey was conducted. A total of 2,661 cancer patients finished the survey. Medical charts were reviewed in order to obtain the cancer type and SEER stage of cancer patients. An ordered logistic regression model was used to examine the level of need for financial assistance according to the demographical, clinical, and socio-economic variables of cancer patients. Result : The percentage of cancer patients who needed financial assistance was 69.0%, and 36.9% needed significant financial assistance. The need for financial assistance was perceived to be greater in males, younger age group, low income group, low education group, medical aid recipients, those who were diagnosed recently, those with a low level of quality of life measured through EQ5D, and those with decreased income after cancer diagnosis. Conclusion : In spite of the current policy to increase health insurance coverage, the majority of cancer patients and their families in Korea still need financial assistance due to cancer. In particular, there were more vulnerable groups, such as the low income, or low education group. In the future, policies that focus on the disadvantaged, which strengthen social security, should be considered for achievement of a substantially better quality of life for cancer patients and their families.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.33-44
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• 2010

This paper is to give Korean small and medium enterprises the direction for strengthening the competitiveness through looking the problems and improvements about the government policy that domestic small and medium enterprises is essential for the growth anc development. To derive these results, the theoretical background was established through considering the existing research literature. This paper has drawn the final policy alternatives through collecting field data and analysing the practical support after meeting with executives that are operating a small business related to research purposes. In this paper in order to strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises of the government's support policy, it is critical for the financial support policy and the tax support policiest policy. The conclusions in this study are following. SMEs in Korean economic growth contribute greatly to advance industrial structure, regional balanced development, employment opportunities and to alleviate the concentration of economic power. However, there are these positive, and the negative such as the absence of entrepreneurial spirit and passive participation in society. Therefore, SMEs now should have your own a lot of effort to improve their competitiveness. In addition, government believe that SMEs directly impact on the national economy, especially the people, but they still need systematic and aggressive policy support in the future because of the lack of the result. Finally, if they try strategic approach for several issues and improvement of government's support policy that this study suggested for SMEs, the entrance toward developed countries can be through jumping of Korean economy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2965-2972
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• 2016

Background: China carries a heavy burden of cervical cancer (CC) and substantial disparities exist across regions within the country. In order to reduce regional disparities in CC, the government of China launched the National Cervical Cancer Screening Program in Rural Areas (NCCSPRA) in 2009. Critical to the success of the program are the health care workers who play a pivotal role in preventing and managing CC by encouraging and motivating women to use screening services and by providing identification and treatment services. This study aimed to assess cervical cancer knowledge among these health care workers at the county level in maternal and child health (MCH) hospitals across different socio-economic regions of China. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted and self-administered questionnaires were sent to all health care workers (a total of 66) providing cervical cancer screening services in 6 county level MCH hospitals in Liaoning, Hubei and Shaanxi provinces, representing eastern, central and western regions of China; 64 (97.0%, 64/66) of the workers responded. ANOVA and Chi-square test were used to compare the knowledge rate and scores in subgroups. Results: The knowledge level of the respondents was generally low. The overall combined knowledge rate was 46.9%. The knowledge rates for risk factors, prevention, clinical symptoms, screening and diagnostic tests and understanding of positive results were 31.3%, 37.5%, 18.1%, 56.3% and 84.4%, respectively. Statistically significant differences in scores or rates of CC knowledge were seen across the different regions. The total and sectional scores in the less developed regions were statistically significantly lower than in the other regions. Conclusions: The majority of the health care workers who provide CC screening service in NCCSPRA at county level MCH hospitals do not have adequately equipped with knowledge about CC. Given the importance of knowledge to the program's success in reducing CC burden in rural women in China, efforts are needed to improve the knowledge of health care workers, especially in less developed regions.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.44.1-44.15
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• 2021

Background: Intraoperative fluids are still poorly studied in veterinary medicine. In humans the dosage is associated with significant differences in postoperative outcomes. Objectives: The aim of this study is to verify the influence of three different fluid therapy rates in dogs undergoing video-assisted ovariohysterectomy. Methods: Twenty-four female dogs were distributed into three groups: G5, G10, and G20. Each group was given 5, 10, and 20 mL·kg^-1·h^-1 of Lactate Ringer, respectively. This study evaluated the following parameters: central venous pressure, arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, acid-base balance, and serum lactate levels. Additionally, this study evaluated the following urinary variables: urea, creatinine, protein to creatinine ratio, urine output, and urine specific gravity. The dogs were evaluated up to 26 h after the procedure. Results: All animals presented respiratory acidosis during the intraoperative period. The G5 group evidenced intraoperative oliguria (0.80 ± 0.38 mL·kg^-1·h^-1), differing from the G20 group (2.17 ± 0.52 mL·kg^-1·h^-1) (p = 0.001). Serum lactate was different between groups during extubation (p = 0.036), with higher values being recorded in the G5 group (2.19 ± 1.65 mmol/L). Animals from the G20 group presented more severe hypothermia at the end of the procedure (35.93 ± 0.61℃) (p = 0.032). Only the members of the G20 group presented mean potassium values below the reference for the species. Anion gap values were lower in the G20 group when compared to the G5 and G10 groups (p = 0.017). Conclusions: The use of lactated Ringer's solution at the rate of 10 mL·kg^-1·h^-1 seems to be beneficial in the elective laparoscopic procedures over the 5 or 20 mL·kg^-1·h^-1 rates of infusion.