• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.41-55
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• 1980

The medical care insurance system, being put into practice nearly for three years, seem to have brought about some considerable problems as serious for the government as to consider a revision of that system. As one of the most serious problems of present system, the treatment cost of insurance patients is so remarkably low in comparison with than of non-insurance cases that normal operation of hospitals is threatened and care services of low quality are induced. The researcher carried out this survey to analyze and bring to light several aspects of treatment cost of non-insurance patients as a material for a re-assessment of the cost of insurance cases which shows a a considerable difference in amount at the standpoint of hospitals with than of non-insurance cases and further, hoping the significant blind spot of present insurance system(that is, the absence of regulations' for cost assessment by patterns or types of health care treatment) will be mended in near future. The survey was carried out with the treatment invoice sheets of total 902 in-hospital Patients of a general hospital in Seoul during the period of the 2 nd quarter of the year(1979). Among total 902 patients, 694 cases were used for analysis, because those disease or syndromes shared by less than 10% of the patients were put aside before procession. The data were analyzed by kinds or types of diseases, demographic characteristics of patients, hospitalization patterns, types of nursing treatment, etc. The result of analysis was as follows 1. Among all the non-insurance cases, those who received one or more kinds of nursing treatment mounted up to 96. 7 ％. The invoice issue frequency per person was 7.2 times, while that frequency per day for a person was 0.8, : the treatment cosr per person was ￦22,650 while its daily average was ￦2,430, due to the average 9.3 in-hospital days per person. 2. As to the nursing treatment types by the demographic characteristics of patients and hospitalization patterns. a. The unit cost female patients was generally more expensive them that of males, and independent nursing service was more given than other types of treatment. As to age, higher age groups received independent nursing service most, while the youngest group received instrumental and integrated nursing services. b. As to room grade, the unit cost of I.C.U. cases was the highest : and the cast of private room patients was higher than that of public room patients. By in-hospital days, the curve of function showed L. type : that is, the longer stay, the lower function. 3. State of treatment types by kinds of disease were ; a. Dependent nursing service showed comparatively high availability in surgical and neurologic disease and independent nursing service was most received by medical, obstetrical and urological patients, while instrumental and integrated services were most available for respiratory disease and obstetrical and neurologic diseases next. b. The invoice issue frequency per day for a patient was highest in obstetrical disease 3.8 times, and the unit cost(per one invoice sheet) was also highest in obstertrical disease(￦10,880) and next in neurologic cases(￦ 4,690 ). 4. As to the pertained departments. a. Cost amount per person was highest in department of Psychiatries daily cost was highest in obstetrical cases : while the invoice issue frequency was highest in obstetrics and next in pediatrics. b. In departments in need of surgical operation, dependent nursing care was highly availabl : while in internal medicine and obstetrics, independent service was higher. Psychiatrics showed the highest the of integrate nursing while pediatrics and obstetrics higher of instrumental services. The variation co-efficien of treatment cost came out to be relatively in high in special surgery, opthalmology and internal medicine. 5. State of treatment cost by types of nursing behavior was. a. The average frequency of invoice issue was 3.5 (times). Among the type four types of treatment, instrumetal service (4.3) and independent nursing behavior(3.9) showed higher frequency than average respectively. But as to unit cost (per invoice). dependent (￦5,200) and integrated (￦5,340) nursing care services were higher than average and considerably higher than the other two types. b. In repect patient distribution. independent nursing behavior(80.3% ) was the highest and depend ent nursing (31.7% ) the lowest. The variation co-efficient of treatment cost appeared highest in dependent nursing be havior as a whole, and among that, doctor's diagnosis showed the highest coefficient value (100.7). In conclusion, the variaty of treatment cost(treatment itself ) by various characteristics and treatment types pro- that treatment various sort of patients and treatment cost of various types of nursing behavior cannot be uniform. Therefore, to attain the equalization of health care service and its cost both for insurant and non-insurant patients, a more specific provision for assessment of cost should be added to the present medical care insurance system and, in addition, the cost of nursing treatment is desired to be inserted into the treatment invoice.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.177-187
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• 1999

This study was designed to investigate the effects of sports drink including the extract from Prunus mume on the changes of oxygen uptake, minute ventilaton, heart rate, and blood lactate concentration during 1 hour treadmill running exercise corresponding to 75%VO$_2$max. Subjects were 16 male athletes(long distance runners and tennis players). The changing patterns of oxygen uptake and minute ventilation showed no significnat difference among all types of sports drink, but the minute vetilation of the placebo group showed a higher value than type I group during submaximal exercise. Although the changing patterns of heart rate and blood lactate concentration showed no significnat difference among all types of sports drink, but type E group showed a lower heart rate compared to Placebo group. And blood lactate concentration of placebo group showed a higher value compared to the value corresponding to lactate threshold during submaimal exercise. but the other types of sports drink showed a lower value of blood lactate concentration. Especially blood lactate threshold of type D and E groups showed a lower value (range from 1.44 to 2.00mM) during submaximal exercise. In these results, the sports drink including the extract from Prunus mume showed no significant effects to the changes of oxygen uptake, minute ventilaton, heart rate, and blood lactate concentration during 1 hour treadmill runnuing exercise corresponding to 75%VO$_2$max. But it could be suggested the positive effects of the intake of sports drink including the extract from Prunus mume on the inhibition of exercise-induced fatigue during submaximal exercise, because of the lower changing Patterns of heart rate, blood lactate concentration, and ventilation efficiency in this results.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.248-256
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• 2005

Background : Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections are increasingly being recognized as a cause of chronic pulmonary disease. This study describes the prevalence of NTM species from clinical specimens and the clinical characteristics of NTM pulmonary disease. Material and Methods : The NTM isolated from March 2003 to December 2003 at the Kosin Medical Center were identified using an oligonucleotide chip containing the internal transcribed space (ITS) sequence. The medical records of the patients with the NTM isolates, who fulfilled the 1997 ATS diagnostic criteria for NTM pulmonary disease, were analyzed, retrospectively. Results : Twenty four species (24.2%) of NTM were isolated from 99 cultured AFB specimens. M. avium complex (MAC) (13 isolates), M. szulgai (3), M. kansasii (2), M. malmoense (2), M. abscessus (1), M. chelonae (1), M. scrofulaceum (1), and unclassified (1). Of the 23 patients with isolated NTM, 11 patients were found to be compatible with a NTM pulmonary infection according to the ATS criteria; MAC was found in 6 cases (54.5%), M. szulgai in 2 cases (18.2%), and M. abscessus, M. szulgai, M. kansasii and M. malmoense in 1 case each (9.1%). Ten patients (91%) were male and the median age at diagnosis was 61 years. In the pre-existing diseases, malignant disease was found in 6 cases including 5 patients with lung cancer, and history of old pulmonary tuberculosis was identified in 4 cases. The radiological patterns showed lung destruction lung in 3 cases, a cavitary mass in 3 cases, a nodular pattern in 2 cases, and reticulonodular, consolidation and a bronchiectasis pattern were in 1 case each. Conclusion : Various types of NTM pulmonary diseases were found in a tertiary hospital at Busan, Korea. The NTM pulmonary diseases were caused by MAC, M. szugai, M. kansasii, M. malmoense, M. abscessus, M. chelonae, and M. scrofulaceum in the order of frequency.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.166-173
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• 2002

Purpose : The aim of this study is to find out the distribution of illness, patterns of medical care utilization and factors determining medical care utilization in elementary school children. Methods : We performed the questionnaires in Gwangju city on 2,036 children of two elementary schools from June 1 to June 30, 1998. Results : The prevalence rate of illness was 32.3%. The distribution of illness was respiratory disease(64.7%), gastrointestinal disease(12.8%), injury & poisoning. The rate of persons having received medical treatment when they were sick, was 89.8%. The selection distribution among various medical facilities was pediatric hospital(46.7%), otolaryngologic hospital(19.8%), pharmacy (13.2%) and internal medicine in the decreasing frequency sequence. The major factors influencing the selection of medical facility were geographic accessibility and good results. The most common reason for the first visit to the pediatric hospital was geographic accessibility. The most common reason for a visit and to otolaryngologic hospital was a good result. The most frequently utilized medical facility for respiratory symptoms and gastrointestinal symptoms was pediatric hospital. The persons influencing the selection of medical facility in the children were mother(73.3%), father( 10.8%), doctor and others in decreasing sequence. The persons answering the questionaire thought that the optimal age of pediatric care was from 0 to 12 years(47.8%), to 10 years(22.4%) and to 15 years(18.5%) in decreasing rate. Conclusion : Other departments instead of pediatrics have treated children. Children have particular growth and development process, which is different to those of adults. So, it is necessary to choose special medical care and adequate medical facilities for children.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2008

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most common organism associated with nosocomial infections. MRSA infections are becoming increasing important because they have emerged no only as healthcare-associated (HA) infections but also as community-associated (CA) ones. This study examined the moleculo-epidemiology of MRSA, which was isolated from nasal swabs in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Konyang University Hospital. MRSA are classified into HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA. Methods: From June to September 2006, 353 patients who were admitted to the ICU in Konyang University Hospital were enrolled in this study. Single nasal swabs were obtained for culture in the ICU on the 1st day. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and the antimicrobial resistant patterns were analyzed between HA- and CA-MRSA. An antimicrobial sensitivity test was also performed. Results: Forty two strains of MRSA were isolated from 353 patients (11.9%). Among the 42 isolates, HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA were found in 33 (78.6%), and 9 (21.4%), respectively. Eleven different PFGE types (type A to K) were identified. Types A (n=9) and B (n=7) were the most common for HA-MRSA, and types A (n=2) and B (n=2) were identified in CA-MRSA. The proportion of types A and B in CA-MRSA (44.4%) was similar to that in HA-MRSA (48.5%). The rates of resistance rates to erythromycin and ciprofloxacin were higher in HA-MRSA than in CA-MRSA. Conclusion: The rate of isolation of MRSA in an ICU setting was 11.9%. HA-MRSA was isolated more frequently than CA-MRSA. The rate of resistance of HA-MRSA to erythromycin and ciprofloxacin was higher than that of CA-MRSA. Despite the small number of subjects, the main isolates (type A and B) of CA-MRSA were similar to those of HA-MRSA.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.175-183
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• 1995

Background: The incidence of mycoplasmal pneumonia is predominantly at childhood and early adulthood, but in adults, its incidence is low and its symptoms and physical findings are nonspecific. The definite diagnosis of M. pneumoniae pneumonia can be made by sputum culture, but requires several weeks for positive results, and the early diagnosis must initially be based on the serologic tests and appropriate clinical findings. Thus, we evaluated the clinical aspects of M. pneumoniae pneumonia in the adults patients. Method: Among the admitted patients due to pneumonia, the definite diagnosis is anti-M. pneumoniae antibody titer of $\geq$ 1:40 and a single cold agglutinin titer of $\geq$ 1:64. The presumptive diagnosis is anti-M. pneumoniae antibody titer of $\geq$ 1:40 or a single cold agglutinin titer of $\geq$ 1:64 and the clinical characteristics or chest X-ray findings are compatible with M. pneumoniae pneumonia. We studied the age and sex distribution, seasonal distribution, clinical symptoms, physical findings, serologic test, chest X-ray findings, treatment and its progression. Results: 1) The age distribution was even and the ratio of male to female was 1:1. 2) The monthly distribution was most common in January(16.7%) and the seasonal distribution in autumn and winter(autumn: 30%, winter: 33.3%). 3) The cold agglutinin titers were higher than 1:64 in 12 cases(40%), and reached the peak level around 2 weeks from onset and antimycoplasma antibody titers were higher than 1:160 in 5 cases(16.7%). 4) On the chest X-ray, pulmonary infiltration was noted in 28 cases(93.3%) among 30 cases and right lower lobe involvement was the most common(33.3%) and both lower lobe involvement was noted in 7 cases(23.3%). 5) The mean treatment duration was most common(33.3%) in 1 week to 2 weeks after admission and 26 cases(86.7%) were improved within 4 weeks. 6) On admission, there was fever(${\geq}38.9^{\circ}C$) in 17 cases(56.7%), and the fever subsided in 12 cases(70%) within 3 days after treatment using erythromycin. Conclusion: The mycoplasmal pneumonia in adults shows milder clinical patterns than that in childhood and can be completely recovered without complication by early diagnosis and treatment.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.185-194
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• 1999

Background: NF-$\kappa$B is a characteristic transcriptional factor whose functional activity is determined by post-translational modification of protein and subsequent change of subcellular localization. The involvement of the NF-$\kappa$B family of the transcription factors in the control of such vital cellular functions as immune response, acute phase reaction, replication of certain viruses and development and differentiation of cells has been clearly documented in many previous studies. Several recent observations have suggested that the NF-$\kappa$B might also be involved in the carcinogenesis of some hematological and solid tumors. Investigating the possibility that members of the NF-$\kappa$B family participate in the molecular control of malignant cell transformation could provide invaluable information on both molecular pathogenesis and cancer-related gene therapy. Method: To determine the expression patterns and functional roles of NF-$\kappa$B family transcription factors in human lung cancer cell lines NCI-H792, NCI-H709, NCI-H226 and NCI-H157 were analysed by western blot, using their respective antibodies. The nuclear and the cytoplasmic fraction of protein extract of these cell lines were subsequently obtained and NF-$\kappa$B expression in each fraction was again determined by western blot analysis. The type of NF-$\kappa$B complex present in the cells was determined by immunoprecipitation. To detect the binding ability of cell-line nuclear extracts to the KB consensus oligonucleotide, electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA) was performed. Results: In the cultured human lung cancer cell lines tested, transcription factors of the NF-$\kappa$B family, namely the p50 and p65 subunit were expressed and localized in the nuclear fraction of the cellular extract by western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. Immunoprecipitation assay showed that in the cell, the p50 and p65 subunits made NF-$\kappa$B complex. Finally it was shown by Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay(EMSA) that nuclear extracts of lung cancer cell lines are able to bind to NF-$\kappa$B consensus DNA sequences. Conclusion: These data suggest that in human lung cancer cell lines the NF-$\kappa$B p50/p65 complex might be activated. and strengthen the hypothesis that NF-$\kappa$B family transcription factors might be involved in the carcinogenesis of human lung cancer.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.757-765
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• 2000

Background : Angiogenesis plays a critical role in human tumor growth and metastasis. Microvessel count as a measure of tumor angiogenesis, has been significantly correlated with invasive and metastatic patterns in breast. prostate and cutaneous carcinomas. Materials and Methods : Fifty patients with curatively resected non-small cell lung cancer were evaluated. Tumor tissues embedded in paraffin block were stained by anti CD 31 (PECAM, platelet endothelial cellular adhesion molecule) using immunohistochemical method to assess microvessel count. Microvessels were counted in the most active areas of neovascularization(microscopy, 200$\times$). Results: 1) Mean microvessel count was 47.1$\pm$17.7(per 200$\times$field) in total 50 cases. 2) Mean microvessel count of adenocarcinoma (54.4$\pm$19.9) was significantly higher than that of squamous cancer (43.9$\pm$16.2) (p<0.05), but there were no relationship between microvessel count and TNM stages. 3) Median survival time, 2-year and 5-year survival rates of the low microvascular group (microvessel count<45, 22 cases) were 61 months, 80% and 40%, respectively, and those of the high microvascular group(microvessel count$\geq$45, 28 cases) were 46 months, 75% and 12%, respectively. As results, prognosis of low microvascular group is statistically significantly superior to that of the high microvascular group (p=0.0162, Kaplan-Meier, log-rank). Conclusion : Angiogenesis assessed by microvessel count can be used as one of the significant prognostic factors in non-small cell lung cancer.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.618-627
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• 1999

Background : Rifampicin (RFP) is a key component of the antituberculous short-course chemotherapy. Usually the RFP resistant M.tuberculosis is also resistant to isoniazid (INH), so the RFP resistance is the marker of multi-drug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis. But unusual cases of mono-RFP-resistant tuberculosis have been recently reported with increasing frequency, especially associated with HIV infection in western countries. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective study to investigate the frequency, causes, and the clinical characteristics of mono-RFP-resistant tuberculosis in Korea. Methods : Of the bacteriologically confirmed and susceptibility-proven 699 pulmonary tuberculosis patients (921 isolates) who visited Asan Medical Center from January 1990 to August 1997, eighteen patients with INH-susceptible and RFP-resistant tuberculosis were evaluated. Previous history of tuberculosis, antituberculous drug compliances, associated systemic illness, drug susceptibility patterns, and clinical outcomes were analysed. And rpoB gene sequencing was done in 6 clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis. Results : The mean age of 18 patients was $43{\pm}14$ years, and the sex ratio is 12:6 (M : F). Sixteen (89%) patients had previous history of tuberculosis. None had diagnosed gastrointestinal disorders, and 2 HIV tests that were performed came out negative. Susceptibility tests were done repeatedly in eleven patients, and six (55%) were mono-RFP resistant repeatedly while five (45%) evolved to MDR tuberculosis. Eight (44%) patients were cured, six (33%) failed, three (17%) were lost to follow-up, and the other one is now on treatment. rpoB gene sequencing showed 5 mutations, codon 531 TCG to TIG mutation in 4 isolates and 526 CAC to TAC in 1 isolate. Conclusion : The clinical characteristics of mono-RFP resistant tuberculosis were similar to that of MDR tuberculosis in Korea where the HIV infection rate is lower than western countries. But some patients with mono-RFP-resistant tuberculous could be cured by primary drug regimens including RFP, suggesting that mono-RFP-resistant tuberculous is a different entity from MDR tuberculosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.88-97
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• 2003

Background : Although smoking is a major cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), only 10-20% of cigarette smokers develop symptomatic COPD, which suggests the presence of genetic susceptibility. This genetic susceptibility to COPD might depend on variations in the activities of the enzyme that detoxify hazardous chemical products, such as microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEPHX) and glutathione-S transferase M1 subunit (GSTM1) genes. Methods : The genotypes of 58 patients with COPD, and 79 age matched control subjects, were determined by a polymerase chain reaction, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) for the mEPHX, and multiplex PCR for the GSTM1. Results : GSTM1 was deleted in 53.3% of the subjects. There was no difference in GSTM1 deletion rates between the COPD patients (32/58, 55.2%) and the control subjects (41/79, 51.9%). The combination patterns of two polymorphisms of mEPHX showed slow enzyme activity in 29(21.2%), normal in 73(53.3%) and fast in 32(23.4%). The COPD group (7/57, 12.3%) showed a significantly lower incidence of slow enzyme activity compared to the control subjects (22/77, 28.6%, p<0.05). However, when the COPD and control groups were compared with smokers only, there were no significant differences in the genotypes of GSTM1 and mEPHX. Conclusion : The genotypes of GSTM1 and mEPHX were not significant risk factors of COPD in this cohort of study.