• Health Policy and Management
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.164-172
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• 2022

Background: The purpose of this study was to the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak on emergency departments (EDs) in patients under the age of 18 years with respiratory disease. Also, we analyzed similarities and differences in patients including revisit before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: This study population was respiratory patients under the age of 18 years who visited all 403 EDs in Korea between January 1st, 2019 and December 31st, 2020, using the National Emergency Department Information System Database. The primary outcome was the number of respiratory patients according to age, sex, the type of EDs, season, Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS) levels, the result of ED, and length of stay. The secondary outcome was the number of revisit respiratory patients within 72 hours. We calculated the risk-adjusted revisit rates according to the KTAS level using a multiple logistic regression model. Results: The number of ED visits decreased from 274,526 in 2019 to 79,007 in 2020; this number was 71.2% lower than that before COVID-19. In spring 2020, this number was 90.1% lower than during the same period in 2019. For the revisit rate in the study population, the adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) was 1.22 (1.05-1.41) in 2019 and 1.39 (1.07-1.81) in 2020. Conclusion: Implementing appropriate emergency care policies in severe respiratory patients would have contributed to improving the safety of reducing in revisit rate.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.1596-1601
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• 2018

Smoking can be a significant cause of lung diseases and reduced respiratory functions. Among soldiers, smoking may have a negative impact on their health (physical strength) and well being. Information on differences in the respiratory functions of smokers and nonsmokers in the military services and the effects of the smoking duration and amount (i.e., the number of cigarettes smoked per day) would be useful. This study investigated smoking durations and smoking amounts among young male soldiers (N = 61). The forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1), and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec/forced vital capacities (FEV1/FEC) were measured FVC, FEV1, or FEV1/FEC of smokers and nonsmokers were not significantly different, and FVC and FEV1 were inversely proportional to smoking duration. Besides, the number of cigarettes smoked per day was not correlated with respiratory functions. These findings may be attributed to the effect of the strenuous physical activity (e.g., military drills) undertaken by soldiers on their respiratory functions. Despite the lack of evidence for a difference in the respiratory functions of smokers and nonsmokers, this study recommends ongoing respiratory function management through smoking cessation programs and respiratory physiotherapy to manage the respiratory functions of Korean smoking soldiers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.27 no.2_2
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• pp.457-465
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• 2024

This study used Korea's cause of death statistical data to identify the scale and characteristics of deaths from respiratory diseases in Jeollabuk-do over the past five years ('18~'22). The average number of deaths due to respiratory diseases in Jeollabuk-do over the past five years was approximately 11.5% of all deaths, and pneumonia accounted for 81.0% of deaths due to respiratory diseases. Deaths from respiratory diseases were highest among men, those in their 80s, those who were widowed, and those with elementary school education. The highest number of deaths by occupation were skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers, but when standardized by age, the highest number of deaths were among technicians and related workers. The main place of death due to respiratory diseases was found to be medical institutions. In order to reduce the occurrence and death of respiratory diseases, it is necessary to establish resident health promotion and disease management health policies that reflect regional characteristics.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.61 no.9
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• pp.1350-1357
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• 2012

Medical system for personal health management recently changes its paradigm from hospital service to self home care based on ubiquitous technology for healthcare anywhere at any time. The present study developed a wireless bio-signal measurement system for patients to self manage pulmonary disease and benign prostate hyperplasia(BPH), both of which are chronic diseases with increasing frequency in modern society. Velocity-type respiratory air flow transducer adapted to develop respiratory module for pulmonary disease management was simplified in structure to measure uni-directional flow since most important diagnostic parameters are evaluated on the expiratory flow signal only. Standard weight measurement technique was introduced to obtain urinary flow signal for BPH management. Three load cell signals were acquired for averaging to minimize noise, followed by accuracy evaluation. Transmission and receiver modules were also developed with user program for wireless communication. Averaged relative errors were 2.05 and 1.02% for respiratory volume and maximal flow rate, respectively, and the relative error was 2.17% for urinary volume, demonstrating that both modules enabled very accurate measurements. Wireless communication distance was verified within 15m, long enough for home care application. The present system allows the user to select a necessary measurement module on a particular health demand and to immediately provide the self-test results, thus better quality health care would be possible.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.148-156
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• 1976

Acute respiratory failure has become an increasingly frequent cause of death following shock or trauma. Interstitial or diffuse alveolar edema, as chief pathophysiologic change of acute respiratory insufficiency, can be the result of sepsis, fat embolism, cardiac failure, lung congestion, and oxygen toxicity. These pulmonary problems are extremely difficult to treat without early recognition of their development and aggressive management. If the treatment is delayed, the progressive respiratory failure is almost uniformly fatal. Authors have experienced two cases of acute respiratory insufficiency following the blunt chest trauma, which were healed uneventfully. Literatures were briefly reviewed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.75 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2013

Several papers on respiratory and critical care published from March 2012 to February 2013 were reviewed. From these, this study selected and summarized ten articles, in which the findings were notable, new, and interesting: effects of high-frequency oscillation ventilation on acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); safety and efficacy of hydroxyethyl starch as a resuscitation fluid; long-term psychological impairments after ARDS; safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine for sedation; B-type natriuretic peptide-guided fluid management during weaning from mechanical ventilation; adding of daily sedation interruptions to protocolized sedations for mechanical ventilation; unassisted tracheostomy collar of weaning from prolonged mechanical ventilations; and effects of nighttime intensivist staffing on the hospital mortality rates.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.3
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• pp.171-175
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• 2021

Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) is a type of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia with an acute or subacute clinical course. Bilateral lung consolidations located in the subpleural area and bronchovascular bundle are the most common findings on chest high-resolution computed tomography. The pathologic manifestations include granulation tissue in the alveoli, alveolar ducts, and bronchioles. COP responds fairly well to glucocorticoid monotherapy with rapid clinical improvement, but recurrence is common. However, treatment with combined immunosuppressant agents is not recommended, even if the COP patient does not respond to glucocorticoid monotherapy with expert opinion.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.6
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• pp.417-430
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• 2009

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.79 no.2
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• pp.98-100
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• 2016

We present a rare case of critically compromised airway secondary to a massively dilated sequestered colon conduit after several revision surgeries. A 71-year-old male patient had several operations after the diagnosis of gastric cancer. After initial treatment of pneumonia in the pulmonology department, he was transferred to the surgery department for feeding jejunostomy because of recurrent aspiration. However, he had respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. The chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed pneumonic consolidation at both lower lungs and massive dilatation of the substernal interposed colon compressing the trachea. The dilated interposed colon was originated from the right colon, which was sequestered after the recent esophageal reconstruction with left colon interposition resulting blind pouch at both ends. It was treated with CT-guided pigtail catheter drainage via right supraclavicular route, which was left in place for 2 weeks, and then removed. The patient remained well clinically, and was discharged home.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.422-429
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• 2007

Measurement of lung function is an integral component of respiratory physiology and of clinical assessment of lung diseases in school age children and adults. Pulmonary function test of infants and children under the age of 2 years have now been standardised and are being used both in research and as an adjunct to clinical management. By contrast, until recegntly, children of preschool age, i.e. between 2-6 years represented a major challenge for pulmonary function test assessment, this particular period commonly being referred to as the 'dark ages' of Pediatric Pulmonology. Measurement of lung function in preschool-aged children is now feasible. However, much work remains to be done in standardizing how these tests are performed, and in understanding the most appropriate role for the various tests in the study of growth and development of the respiratory system and in the clinical management of children in this age group. As the field develops and the knowledge of respiratory physiology in this age group expands, investigation of different and more appropriate algorithm use in preschool children, together with development of more appropriate reference data, may result in improved disease discrimination.