• Title/Summary/Keyword: right factor

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Impact Assessment of Agricultural Reservoir on Streamflow Simulation Using Semi-distributed Hydrologic Model (준분포형 모형을 이용한 농업용 저수지가 안성천 유역의 유출모의에 미치는 영향 평가)

  • Kim, Bo Kyung;Kim, Byung Sik;Kwon, Hyun Han
    • KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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    • v.29 no.1B
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    • pp.11-22
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    • 2009
  • Long-term rainfall-runoff modeling is a key element in the Earth's hydrological cycle, and associated with many different aspects such as dam design, drought management, river management flow, reservoir management for water supply, water right permission or coordinate, water quality prediction. In this regard, hydrologists have used the hydrologic models for design criteria, water resources assessment, planning and management as a main tool. Most of rainfall-runoff studies, however, were not carefully performed in terms of considering reservoir effects. In particular, the downstream where is severely affected by reservoir was poorly dealt in modeling rainfall-runoff process. Moreover, the effects can considerably affect overall the rainfallrunoff process. An objective of this study, thus, is to evaluate the impact of reservoir operation on rainfall-runoff process. The proposed approach is applied to Anseong watershed, where is in a mixed rural/urban setting of the area and in Korea, and has been experienced by flood damage due to heavy rainfall. It has been greatly paid attention to the agricultural reservoirs in terms of flood protection in Korea. To further investigate the reservoir effects, a comprehensive assessment for the results are discussed. Results of simulations that included reservoir in the model showed the effect of storage appeared in spring and autumn when rainfall was not concentrated. In periods of heavy rainfall, however, downstream runoff increased in simulations that do not consider reservoir factor. Flow duration curve showed that changes in streamflow depending upon the presence or absence of reservoir factor were particularly noticeable in ninety-five day flow and low flow.

The Effect of Heat Shock Response on the Tumor Necrosis Factor-$\alpha$-induced Acute Lung Injury in Rats (Tumor Necrosis Factor-$\alpha$로 유도되는 백서의 급성 폐손상에 열충격반응이 미치는 효과)

  • Koh, Youn-Suck;Lim, Chae-Man;Kim, Mi-Jung;Cho, Won-Kyung;Jeoung, Byung-O;Song, Kyu-Young;Shim, Tae-Sun;Lee, Sang-Do;Kim, Woo-Sung;Kim, Dong-Soon;Kim, Won-Dong
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.44 no.6
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    • pp.1343-1352
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    • 1997
  • Background : Heat-treated cells are known to be protected from lysis by TNF, which is considered to play a central role in the pathogenesis of sepsis-induced acute lung injury. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of heat shock response by heat-pretreatment on the acute lung injury of the rats induced by intratracheally administered TNF-$\alpha$, Methods : We intratracheally instilled either saline or TNF (R&D, 500ng) with and without heat pretreatment in Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250~350 g. The heated rats were raised their rectal temperature to $41^{\circ}C$ and was maintained thereafter for 13 minutes at 18 h before intratracheal administration of saline or TNF. After 5 h of intratracheal treatment, lung leak, lung myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) and heat shock proteins were measured in rats. Lung leak index was defined as counts per minute of $I^{25}$ in the right lung divided by counts per minutes of $I^{25}$ in 1.0 ml of blood. All data are expressed as means ${\pm}$SE. Results : There is no difference in acute lung leak index ($0.099{\pm}0.024$ vs $0.123{\pm}0.005$) among the rats given saline intratracheally with and without heat pretreatment, but MPO activity showed a decreased tendency in heat-pretreated rats ($4.58{\pm}0.79\;U/g$) compared with heat-unpretreated rats ($7.32{\pm}0.97\;U/g$) (P=0.064). Rats administered TNF intratracheally with heat-pretreatment had decreased lung leak index ($0.137{\pm}0.012$) and lung MPO activity ($5.51{\pm}1.04\;U/g$) compared with those of heat-unpretreated and TNF-administered rats ($0.186{\pm}0.016$, $14.34{\pm}1.22\;U/g$) (P<0.05 in each). There were no significant difference of lung leak index and MPO activity between TNF-treated rats with heat-pretreatment and saline-treated rats with and without heat-pretreatment. Conclusion : The heat shock response attenuated neutrophil recruitment and acute lung leak induced by intratracheal instillation of TNF-in rats.

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Evaluation of the Radioimmunotherapy Using I-131 labeled Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor2 Antibody in Melanoma Xenograft Murine Model (흑색종에서의 I-131표지 혈관내피세포성장인자 수용체2항체를 이용한 방사면역치료 평가)

  • Kim, Eun-Mi;Jeong, Hwan-Jeong;Park, Eun-Hye;Cheong, Su-Jin;Lee, Chang-Moon;Jang, Kyu-Yun;Kim, Dong-Wook;Lim, Seok-Tae;Sohn, Myung-Hee
    • Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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    • v.42 no.4
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    • pp.307-313
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    • 2008
  • Purpose: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor, fetal liver kinase 1 (Flk-1), play an important role in vascular permeability and tumor angiogenesis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of $^{131}I$ labeled anti-Flk-1 monoclonal antibody (DC101) on the growth of melanoma tumor, which is known to be very aggressive in vivo. Materials and Methods: Balb/c nude mice were injected subcutaneously with melanoma cells in the right flank. Tumors were allowed to grow up to $200-250\;mm^3$ in volume. Gamma camera imaging and biodistribution studies were performed to identify an uptake of $^{131}I$-DC101 in various organs. Mice with tumor were randomly divided into five groups (10 mice per group) and injected intravenously; control PBS (group 1), $^{131}I$-DC101 $50\;{\mu}g/mouse$ (group 2), non-labeled DC101 $50\;{\mu}g/mouse$ (group 3), $^{131}I$-DC101 $30\;{\mu}g/mouse$ (group 4) and $15\;{\mu}g/mouse$ (group 5) every 3 or 4 days for 20 days. Tumor volume was measured with caliper twice a week. Results: In gamma camera images, the uptake of $^{131}I$-DC101 into tumor and thyroid was increased with time. Biodistribution results showed that the radioactivity of blood and other major organ was gradually decreased with time whereas tumor uptake was increased up to 48 hr and then decreased. After 4th injection of $^{131}I$-DC101, tumor volume of group 2 and 4 was significantly smaller than that group 1. After 5th injection, the tumor volume of group 5 also significantly reduced. Conclusion: These results indicated that delivery of $^{131}I$ to tumor using FlK-1 antibody, DC101, effectively blocks tumor growth in aggressive melanoma xenograft model.

The Irradiated Lung Volume in Tangential Fields for the Treatment of a Breast (유방암의 접선 조사시 피폭 폐용적)

  • Oh Young Taek;Kim Juree;Kang Haejin;Sohn Jeong Hye;Kang Seung Hee;Chun Mison
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • v.15 no.2
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    • pp.137-143
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    • 1997
  • Purpose : Radiation pneumonitis is one of the complications caused by radiation therapy that includes a Portion of the lung tissue. The severity of radiation induced pulmonary dysfunction depends on the irradiated lung volume, total dose, dose rate and underlying Pulmonary function. It also depends on whether chemotherapy is done or not. The irradiated lung volume is the most important factor to predict the pulmonary dysfunction in breast cancer Patients following radiation therapy. There are some data that show the irradiated lung volume measured from CT scans as a part of treatment Planning with the tangential beams. But such data have not been reported in Korea. We planned to evaluate the irradiated lung volume quantitatively using CT scans for the breast tangential field and search for useful factors that could Predict the irradiated lung volume Materials and Methods : The lung volume was measured for 25 patients with breast cancer irradiated with tangential field from Jan.1995 to Aug.1996. Parameters that can predict the irradiated lung volume included; (1) the peruendicular distance from the Posterior tangential edge to the posterior part of the anterior chest wall at the center of the field (CLD) ; (2) the maximum perpendicular distance from the posterior tangential field edge to the posterior Part of the anterior chest wall (MLD) ; (3) the greatest perpendicular distance from the Posterior tangential edge to the posterior part of anterior chest wall on CT image at the center of the longitudinal field (GPD) ; (4) the length of the longitudinal field (L). The irradiated lung volume(RV), the entire both lung volume(EV) and the ipsilateral lung volume(IV) were measured using dose volume histogram. The relationship between the irradiated lung volume and predictors was evaluated by regression analysis. Results :The RV is 61-279cc (mean 170cc), the RV/EV is $2.9-13.0\%\;(mean\;5.8\%)$ and the RV/IV is $4.9-29.0\%\;(mean\;12.2\%)$. The CLD, the MLD and the GPD ave 1.9-3.3cm, 1.9-3.3cm and 1.4-3.1cm respectively. The significant relations between the irradiated lung volume such as RV. RV/EV, RV/IV and parameters such as CLD, MLD, GPO, L. $CLD\timesL,\;MLD\timesL\;and\;GPD\timesL$ are not found with little variances in parameters. The RV/IV of the left breast irradiation is significantly larger than that of the right but the RV/EVS do not show the differences. There is no symptomatic radiation pneumonitis at least during 6 months follow up. Conclusion : The significant relationship between the irradiated lung volume and predictors is not found with little variation on parameters. The irradiated lung volume in the tangential held is liss than $10\%$ of entire lung volume when CLO is less than 3cm. The RV/IV of the left tangential field is larger than that of the right but there was no significant differences in RV/EVS. Symptomatic radiation pneumonitis has not occurred during minimum 6 months follow up.

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Distortion of the Dose Profile in a Three-dimensional Moving Phantom to Simulate Tumor Motion during Image-guided Radiosurgery (방사선수술에서 종양 움직임을 재현시킨 움직이는 팬텀을 이용하여 선량 분포의 왜곡에 대한 연구)

  • Kim, Mi-Sook;Ha, Seong-Hwan;Lee, Dong-Han;Ji, Young-Hoon;Yoo, Seong-Yul;Cho, Chul-Koo;Yang, Kwang-Mo;Yoo, Hyung-Jun;Seo, Young-Seok;Park, Chan-Il;Kim, Il-Han;Ye, Seong-Jun;Park, Jae-Hong;Kim, Kum-Bae
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • v.25 no.4
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    • pp.268-277
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    • 2007
  • Purpose: Respiratory motion is a considerable inhibiting factor for precise treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery using the CyberKnife (CK). In this study, we developed a moving phantom to simulate three-dimensional breathing movement and investigated the distortion of dose profiles between the use of a moving phantom and a static phantom. Materials and Methods: The phantom consisted of four pieces of polyethylene; two sheets of Gafchromic film were inserted for dosimetry. Treatment was planned to deliver 30 Gy to virtual tumors of 20, 30, 40, and 50 mm diameters using 104 beams and a single center mode. A specially designed robot produced three-dimensional motion in the right-left, anterior-posterior, and craniocaudal directions of 5, 10 and 20 mm, respectively. Using the optical density of the films as a function of dose, the dose profiles of both static and moving phantoms were measured. Results: The prescribed isodose to cover the virtual tumors on the static phantom were 80% for 20 mm, 84% for 30 mm, 83% for 40 mm and 80% for 50 mm tumors. However, to compensate for the respiratory motion, the minimum isodose levels to cover the moving target were 70% for the $30{\sim}50$ mm diameter tumors and 60% for a 20 mm tumor. For the 20 mm tumor, the gaps between the isodose curves for the static and moving phantoms were 3.2, 3.3, 3.5 and 1.1 mm for the cranial, caudal, right, and left direction, respectively. In the case of the 30 mm tumor, the gaps were 3.9, 4.2, 2.8, 0 mm, respectively. In the case of the 40 mm tumor, the gaps were 4.0, 4.8, 1.1, and 0 mm, respectively. In the case of the 50 mm diameter tumor, the gaps were 3.9, 3.9, 0 and 0 mm, respectively. Conclusion: For a tumor of a 20 mm diameter, the 80% isodose curve can be planned to cover the tumor; a 60% isodose curve will have to be chosen due to the tumor motion. The gap between these 80% and 60% curves is 5 mm. In tumors with diameters of 30, 40 and 50 mm, the whole tumor will be covered if an isodose curve of about 70% is selected, equivalent of placing a respiratory margin of below 5 mm. It was confirmed that during CK treatment for a moving tumor, the range of distortion produced by motion was less than the range of motion itself.

Risk Factor Analysis and Surgical Indications for Pulmonary Artery Banding (폐동맥 밴딩의 위험인자 분석과 수술적응중)

  • Lee Jeong Ryul;Choi Chang Hyu;Min Sun Kyung;Kim Woong Han;Kim Yong Jin;Rho Joon Ryang;Bae Eun Jung;Noh Chung I1;Yun Yong Soo
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.38 no.8 s.253
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    • pp.538-544
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    • 2005
  • Background: Pulmonary artery banding (PAB) is an initial palliative procedure for a diverse group of patients with congenital cardiac anomalies and unrestricted pulmonary blood flow. We proved the usefulness of PAB through retrospective investigation of the surgical indication and risk analysis retrospectively. Material and Method: One hundred and fifty four consecutive patients (99 males and 55 females) who underwent PAB between January 1986 and December 2003 were included. We analysed the risk factors for early mortality and actuarial survival rate. Mean age was $2.5\pm12.8\;(0.2\sim92.7)$ months and mean weight was $4.5\pm2.7\;(0.9\sim18.0)\;kg$. Preoperative diagnosis included functional single ventricle $(88,\;57.1\%)$, double outlet right ventricle $(22,\;14.2\%)$, transposition of the great arteries $(26,\;16.8\%)$, and atrioventricular septal defect $(11,\;7.1\%)$. Coarctation of the aorta or interrupted aortic arch $(32,\;20.7\%)$, subaortic stenosis $(13,\;8.4\%)$ and total anomalous pulmonary venous connection $(13,\;8.4\%)$ were associated. Result: The overall early mortality was $22.1\%\;(34\;of\;154)$, The recent series from 1996 include patients with lower age $(3.8\pm15.9\;vs.\;1.5\pm12.7,\;p=0.04)$ and lower body weight $(4.8\pm3.1\;vs.\;4.0\pm2.7,\;p=0.02)$. The early mortality was lower in the recent group $(17.5\%;\;16/75)$ than the earlier group $(28.5\%;\;18/45)$. Aortic arch anomaly (p=0.004), subaortic stenosis (p=0.004), operation for subaortic stenosis (p=0.007), and cardiopulmonary bypass (p=0.007) were proven to be risk factors for early death in univariate analysis, while time of surgery (<1996) (p=0.026) was the only significant risk factor in multivariate analysis. The mean time interval from PAB to the second-stage operation was $12.8\pm10.9$ months. Among 96 patients who survived PAB, 40 patients completed Fontan operation, 21 patients underwent bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt, and 35 patients underwent biventricular repair including 25 arterial switch operations. Median follow-up was $40.1\pm48.9$ months. Overall survival rates at 1 year, 5 years and 10 years were $81.2\%\;65.0\%,\;and\;63.5\%$ respectively. Conclusion: Although it improved in recent series, early mortality was still high despite the advances in perioperative management. As for conventional indications, early primary repair may be more beneficial. However, PA banding still has a role in the initial palliative step in selective groups.

The Study on the Independent Predictive Factor of Restenosis after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention used Drug-Eluting Stent : Case on MDCT Calcium-Scoring Implementation Patient (약물용출 스텐트를 이용한 관상동맥중재술 후 재협착의 독립적 예측인자에 관한 연구 : MDCT calcium-scoring 시행 환자 대상으로)

  • Kim, In-Soo;Han, Jae-Bok;Jang, Seong-Joo;Jang, Young-Ill
    • Journal of radiological science and technology
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    • v.33 no.1
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    • pp.37-44
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    • 2010
  • We sought to confirm an independent factor about in-stent restenosis (ISR) in the patients who underwent drug-eluting stent (DES) and know a possibility as a predictor of measured coronary artery calcium score by MDCT. A total of 178 patients (159 men, $61.7{\pm}10.0$ years of age) with 190 coronary artery lesions were included in this study out of 1,131 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with DES implantation for significant stenosis on MDCT at Chonnam National University Hospital between May 2006 and May 2009. All lesions were divided into two groups with the presence of ISR : group I (re ISR, N = 57) and group II (no ISR, N = 133). Compared to group II, group I was more likely to be older ($65.8{\pm}9.0$ vs. $60.2{\pm}9.9$ years, p = 0.0001), diabetic (21.8% vs. 52.6%, p = 0.0001), have old myocardial infarction (8.8% vs. 2.3%, p = 0.040), left main stem disease (5.3% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.047), and smaller stent size ($3.1{\pm}0.3\;mm$ vs. $3.3{\pm}0.4\;mm$, p = 0.004). Group II was more likely to be smokers (19.3% vs. 42.1%, p = 0.003), have dyslipidemia (8.8% vs. 23.3%, p = 0.019). Left ventricular ejection fraction, lesion complexity, and stent length were not different between the two groups. Total CAC score was $389.3{\pm}458.3$ in group I and $371.2{\pm}500.8$ in group II (p = 0.185). No statistical difference was observed between the groups in CAC score in the culprit vessel, left main stem, left anterior descending artery, left circumflex artery, and right coronary artery. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, left main stem disease (OR = 168.0, 95% CI = 7.83-3,604.3, p = 0.001), male sex (OR = 36.5, 95% CI = 5.89-2,226.9, p = 0.0001), and the presence of diabetes (OR = 2.62, 95% CI = 1.071-6.450, p = 0.035) were independent predictors of ISR after DES implantation. In patients who underwent DES implantation for significant coronary stenosis on MDCT, ISR was associated with left main stem disease, male sex, and the presence of diabetes. However, CAC score by MDCT was not a predictor of ISR in this study population.

Changes of the surface roughness depending on immersion time and powder/liquid ratio of various tissue conditioners (수종의 조직 양화재의 침수시간과 분액비에 따른 표면 거칠기의 변화)

  • Kim, Kyung-Soo;Moon, Hong-Suk;Shim, June-Sung;Jung, Moon-Kyu
    • The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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    • v.47 no.2
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    • pp.108-118
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    • 2009
  • Statement of problem: Volume stability, microstructure reproducibility and fluidity along with compatibility with dental stone must be in consideration in order to use tissue conditioner as a material for functional impression. There are few studies concerning the influence of time factor in oral condition on surface roughness of the stone and optimal retention period in the oral cavity considering such changes in surface roughness. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find out the influence of various kinds of tissue conditioner, its powder/liquid ratio and immersion time on surface roughness of the stone. Material and methods: Materials used in this study were the three kinds of tissue conditioners(Coe-Comfort, Visco-Gel, Soft-Liner) and were grouped into three: group R-mixed with standard powder/liquid ratio that was recommended by the manufacturers, group M-mixed with 20% more powder, group L-mixed with 20% less powder. Specimens were made with the size of 20 mm diameter and 2 mm width. Each tissue conditioner specimens were subdivided into 5 groups according to the immersion time(0 hour, 1 day, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days), completely immersed into artificial saliva and were stored under $37^{\circ}C$. Specimens of which the given immersion time elapsed were taken out and were poured with improved stone, making the stone specimens. Surface roughness of the stone specimens was measured by a profilometer. Results: Within the limitation of this study, the following results were drawn. 1. Major influencing factor on surface roughness of the stone model made from tissue conditioner was the retention period(contribution ratio($\rho$)=62.86%, P<.05) of the tissue conditioner in oral cavity to make functional impression. 2. In case of Coe-Comfort, higher mean surface roughness value of the stone model with statistical significance was observed compared to that of Soft-Liner and Visco-Gel as immersion time changes(P<.05). 3. In case of group L(less), higher mean surface roughness value of the stone model with statistical significance was observed compared to that of R(recommended) and M(more) group as immersion time changes(P<.05). Conclusion: We may conclude that as the retention period of time in oral cavity influences surface roughness of the stone model the most and as the kind of tissue conditioner and its P/L ratio may influence also, clinician should well understand the optimal retention period in oral cavity and choose the right tissue conditioner for the functional impression, thus making the functional impression with tissue conditioner usefully.

A Study OR Investigation of the Factors having Affect on Junior Highschool Boys관 Practice of Health Care (중학교 남학생들의 건강관리 실천과 이에 영향을 미치는 요인 조사 연구)

  • 기경숙
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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    • v.15 no.1
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    • pp.59-75
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    • 1985
  • Accepting the health as the fundamental human right, the nation and society came to admit the duty to give it to all the people. Korean government is expanding the Primary Health Care as one of the policies for developing the people's health by the lead of community. Like this current situation the School Health Service which is the center of community Health Service schould be active to keep, promote and maintain the health of students and teachers. This investigation was attempted to help to establish the basis of the Health Education Program which would perform the health education efficiently and bring the reforming of student's health control, by measuring the degree of junior high school student's practice concerning health care and con-firming the relationship of knowledge, concern and level of health. The subjects for this study were made up 296 boys at the third grade in a school, located in Seoul. The tool for this study was questionaire. Data were collected for five days, September 22∼26, 1983. The investigators explained the students how to answer the questions of the survey questionaire and then collected the survey cards immediately. The data were analyzed by means of percentages, Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Stepwise Multiple Regression. The results of this study are as follows. 1. The subjects' reaction to the practice concerning Health Care; According to the average proportion of practice concerning health care, subjects' practice in the aspect of Infectious Disease Care is the highest 82.4% and they showed their practice in the aspect of the accident prevention by 77.5% and in the aspect of mental health by 74.8%. Their practice in the aspect of personal hygiene and daily lifehabit is the lowest 71.2%. 2. Health Knowledge; The whole mark distribution of health knowledge is ranged from the lowest 4 point to the highest, 30 point, therefore point range is 26.0. The Average point is 16.58. 11.2% of students solved more than two thirds of personal knowledge levels. 81.4% of students did more than one third of them. 7.415 of students did less than one third of them. 3. Health Concern; The Students of the average 3.99 point respond positively to the question about the health concern, ‘They think health is more important than money’, this is the highest rate. The students of the average 2.78 respond“when they are sick, they enter the appointed hospital where they own choose”, while it is the lowest. 4. Subjects' response to the health level are at follow: Very healthy 26.0%, healthy 47.0%, less healthy 10.5%, 34.9% of them have ever been sick within two weeks, the number of symptoms they reported amount to 114 and the number of cases poi one person is 0.35. 5. The hypotheses test about the practice concerning health care and the factor which effect on it. 1) The main first hypothesis:“The more knowledge of health the subjects have, the better they practice health care.”was accepted. (r=0.1582, p <0.05) 2) The minor first hypothesis:“The more interest in health subjects have, the better they practice”was accepted. (r=0.4354, p <0.001) 3) The minor second hypothesis;“The healthier subjects are, the better they practice health care”was accepted. (r=0.1069, p<0.05) As other test, partical correlation test is performed in other refine whether health knowledge, a fact influencing the students practice concerning health care, is associated with the practice after controlling the third variables. First, after controlling health concern, the correlation of health knowledge and practice concerning health care was kept. (r=0.1347, p <0.005) Second, after controlling health level, the correlation of health knowledge and practice concerning health care was kept. (r=0.1526, p <0.005) And finally, after controlling economic state, the correlation of health knowledge and practice concern-ing health care was kept. (r=0.1413, p <0.05) Additionally Stepwise Multiple Regression between practice concerning health care and variables. 1.6591 of compliance was explained with the know-ledge (F=5.584, p <0.05), 20.0% of compliance was explained with the health concern added to knowledge. (F=63,213, p <0.005) As the above, health knowledge obviously have effects on the practice about the health care. But, contrary to researcher's expectation, health concern has more affects than health knowledge. Therefore, we must grope the plan to enhance health concern through the regular curriculum and systematic health education for students. Besides, we must study further on, to find the factors which have affect on the practice concerning health care.

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Proving Causation With Epidemiological Evidence in Tobacco Lawsuits (담배소송에서 역학적 증거에 의한 인과관계의 증명에 관한 소고)

  • Lee, Sun Goo
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.49 no.2
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    • pp.80-96
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    • 2016
  • Recently, a series of lawsuits were filed in Korea claiming tort liability against tobacco companies. The Supreme Court has already issued decisions in some cases, while others are still pending. The primary issue in these cases is whether the epidemiological evidence submitted by the plaintiffs clearly proves the causal relationship between smoking and disease as required by civil law. Proving causation is difficult in tobacco lawsuits because factors other than smoking are involved in the development of a disease, and also because of the lapse of time between smoking and the manifestation of the disease. The Supreme Court (Supreme Court Decision, 2011Da22092, April 10, 2014) has imposed some limitations on using epidemiological evidence to prove causation in tobacco lawsuits filed by smokers and their family members, but these limitations should be reconsidered. First, the Court stated that a disease can be categorized as specific or non-specific, and for each disease type, causation can be proven by different types of evidence. However, the concept of specific diseases is not compatible with multifactor theory, which is generally accepted in the field of public health. Second, when the epidemiological association between the disease and the risk factor is proven to be significant, imposing additional burdens of proof on the plaintiff may considerably limit the plaintiff's right to recovery, but the Court required the plaintiffs to provide additional information such as health condition and lifestyle. Third, the Supreme Court is not giving greater weight to the evidential value of epidemiological study results because the Court focuses on the fact that these studies were group-level, not individual-level. However, group-level studies could still offer valuable information about individual members of the group, e.g., probability of causation.