• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.19-32
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• 2023

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the educational status, knowledge, awareness, and readiness for dysphagia therapy among university occupational therapy students. Methods : One hundred and five online questionnaires completed by senior-year students at an occupational therapy university were analyzed. The questionnaire assessed the educational status, knowledge, awareness, and readiness for dysphagia therapy. Descriptive statistics and differences between those with and without practical experience were analyzed. The relationships among educational status, knowledge, and readiness were analyzed. Results : Independent opening of the dysphagia therapy class (69.5%) and experience in dysphagia practice were high (79.0%). Dysphagia education and knowledge in university and practice were moderate and item scores were higher for university education. Knowledge of adult dysphagia therapy was higher than that of pediatric dysphagia therapy. Scores on awareness, knowledge, and readiness for dysphagia therapy were significantly higher among students with practical experience. Conclusion : Education and knowledge of dysphagia therapy were moderate. Knowledge and readiness in adults are higher than in children. Systematic dysphagia therapy education in university and associated practices are needed to enhance the specialty of dysphagia therapy.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.612-622
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• 2023

T-cell deficiency may occur in various clinical conditions including congenital defects, cell/organ transplantation, HIV infection and aging. In this regard, the development of artificial thymus has recently been attracting much attention. To achieve this aim, the development of techniques for 3D culture of thymic stromal cells is necessary because thymocytes grown only in a 3D thymic microenvironment can be differentiated fully to become mature, immunocompetent T cells; the same cannot be achieved for thymocytes grown in 2D. This study aimed to develop a nanotechnology-based 3D culture technique using polymeric scaffolds for thymic epithelial cells (TECs), the main component of thymic stromal cells. Scanning electron microscopic observation revealed that the pores of both PCL and PCL/PLGA scaffolds were filled with TECs. Interestingly, TECs grown in 3D on polydopamine-coated scaffolds exhibited enhanced cell attachment and proliferation compared to those grown on non-coated scaffolds. In addition, the gene expression of thymopoietic factors was upregulated in TECs cultured in 3D on polydopamine-coated scaffolds compared to those cultured in 2D. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrate an efficient 3D culture model for TECs using polymeric scaffolds and provide new insights into a novel platform technology that can be applied to develop functional, biocompatible scaffolds for the 3D culture of thymocytes. This will eventually shed light on techniques for the in vitro development of T cells as well as the synthesis of artificial thymus.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.25-33
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• 2023

Purpose : Stabilization exercise and respiratory muscle training are used to train trunk muscles that affect postural control and respiratory function. However, there have been no studies that combine stabilization exercise and respiratory muscle training. The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of stabilization exercise with and without respiratory muscle training on respiratory function and postural sway. Methods : Fifteen healthy adults were recruited for this experiment. All the subjects performed stabilization exercise with and without respiratory muscle training. For stabilization exercise with respiratory muscle training, the subjects sat on a gym ball wearing a stretch sensor. The subjects inspire maximally as long as possible during lifting one foot off the ground, alternately for 30 seconds. The stretch sensor was placed on both anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS), and the stretch sensor was used to monitor inspiration. For stabilization exercise without respiratory muscle training, the subjects sat on a gym ball and lifted one foot off the ground, without respiratory muscle training. Kinovea program used to investigate postural sway tracking during exercise. The maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) were measured using a spirometer to investigate changes of respiratory muscle strength before and after exercise. A paired t-test was used to determine significant differences postural sway tracking, MIP, and MEP between stabilization exercise with and without respiratory muscle training. Results : There were significantly lower a distance of postural sway tracking during stabilization exercise with respiratory muscle training, compared with stabilization exercise without respiratory muscle training (p<.05). The MIP and MEP were significantly increased after stabilization exercise with respiratory muscle training compared with before stabilization exercise with respiratory muscle trianing (p<.05). Conclusion : The results of this study suggest that stabilization exercise with repiratory muscle training would be recommended to improve postural control and respiratory muscle strength.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.507-514
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to find a formula that can easily calculate the effective photon energy in the X-ray beam of mammography. The tube voltage measured for each set tube voltage was obtained using the X2 MAM Sensor. The mass attenuation coefficient for aluminum of the aluminum filter was obtained from the half value layer measurement from each measured tube voltage X-ray beam. The mass attenuation coefficient of aluminum obtained from each measured tube voltage X-ray beam was corresponded to the mass attenuation coefficient of aluminum for each photon energy obtained from NIST. The photon energy corresponding to the matching mass attenuation coefficient was determined as the effective photon energy. The formula for calculating the determined effective photon energy was obtained by polynomial matching of the effective photon energy for each tube voltage in the Origin pro 2019b statistical program as y = 28.98968-1.91738x + 0.07786x2-0.000946717x3. Here, x is the measuring tube voltage and y is the effective photon energy. The calculation formula of the effective photon energy of the mammography X-ray beam obtained in this study is considered to be very useful in obtaining the interaction coefficient between the X-ray beam and a certain substance in clinical practice.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.203-213
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to compare the anxiety, sexual attitudes, and sexual behavior according to smartphone use and contacts with obscene materials. 110 university students surveyed demographic characteristics, smartphone use, contacts with obscene materials, anxiety, sexual attitudes, and sexual behavior, and analyzed 102 questionnaires except missing and incomplete responses. The collected data were analyzed by independent t-test or chi-square test. Men were significantly more likely to have contacts with obscene materials, sexual attitudes, and sexual behavior than the women (p<.05). In type of residence, boarding room or lodging was significantly higher at time of smartphone use, anxiety, and sexual behaviors than the home (p<.05). There was no difference in variables according to religion (p>.05). There was no difference in variables according to the level of academic achievement (p>.05). Time of smartphone use over 3 hours was significantly higher for contacts of obscene materials, anxiety, and sexual attitudes and behaviors than less 3 hours (p<.05). Higher levels of time of contacts with obscene materials were significantly higher in anxiety and sexual behaviors than lower level (p<.05). The results of this study can be used as a basis for the development of intervention programs for those who are experiencing excessive smartphone use and contacts with obscene materials.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.79-92
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• 2023

Objective : This study aimed to assess the reliability of a three-dimensional (3D) motion analysis program for measuring the range of motion (ROM) of wrist and finger joints. Methods : The study recruited 50 people who had no restrictions on wrist and finger movements, understood the purpose of this study, and agreed to participate. Using a goniometer and a 3D motion analysis program, a total of 11 wrist and finger ROM were measured once each. To measure the reliability of the 3D motion analysis program, the degree of agreement and inconsistency of the measured values were compared. Results : Analysis of the degree of agreement of the measured values revealed that 38 out of 44 items showed a very high degree of agreement. Regarding analysis of inconsistency in the measured values, inconsistencies were found in three items. Conclusion : The results of this study confirmed that the ROM of the joint could be measured using the 3D motion analysis program applied in this study. In addition, it might be expected that the 3D motion analysis program would be used in various clinical fields owing to the advantages of measurement convenience and accuracy.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.229-237
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• 1999

The influence of ascorbic acid (Asc) and ferrous sulfate (Fe$^{2＋}$) on capacitation, acrosome reaction and fertility in vitro was investigated in boar frozen-thawed spermatozoa with or without preincubation. The addition of 0-1.0 mM Fe$^{2＋}$ to sperm suspensions during preincubation increase acrosome reaction (P＜0.05) and oocyte penetration. These increase are also associated with addition of 0~0.5 mM Asc, but the penetration rates were higher in those without than with sperm preincubation. The addition of 0.1 mM Asc than 0.5 mM in medium with Fe$^{2＋}$ were significantly (P＜0.05) higher on acrosome reaction at 2 h after sperm preincubation. No significant differences, however, were observed in penetration rates among the concentrations of Asc. On the other hand, when preincubation medium containing the Asc was supplemented with 0.1mM Fe$^{2＋}$, the percentage of spermatozoa acrosome-reacted were significantly (P＜0.05) higher than in medium wothout Fe$^{2＋}$, on the contrary, the penetration rate was significantly (P＜0.05) low during in-vitro fertilization. These findings indicate some apparent effects of Fe$^{2＋}$ or Asc addition on acrosome reaction and the fertilizing potential by sperm preincubation.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.28-37
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• 2022

Pregnancy requires an important interpretation of thyroid function tests. The presence of anti-thyroid antibodies and viral infectious agents affect the health of both the fetus and the mother. Hence, a selective evaluation of thyroid function in pregnancy is required. This study is a retrospective cross-sectional survey to examine the correlation between thyroid hormones and viral infections during pregnancy. The results showed that the triiodothyronine (T3) decreased with increasing age, especially in the hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive group (P<0.01). In addition, although negative for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), thyroxine (FT4) showed a significant increase in near-threshold or twin pregnant women (P<0.05). The thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was highly distributed at the age of 30, and there was no statistically significant correlation with other viral infection factors. In addition, as a result of dividing and analyzing the result of TSH by the quantiles, FT4 and T3 showed a positive correlation but showed a negative correlation with TSH (P<0.05). Therefore, the evaluation of prenatal thyroid screening during pregnancy and viral infection factors should reflect the time of pregnancy, exposure to infection, and the quantitative values. Adequate thyroid hormone and viral infections availability is important for an uncomplicated pregnancy and optimal fetal development.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2022

Procalcitonin (PCT) can provide an experimental rationale and a diagnostic lead to distinguish between bacterial and viral infections. This study sought to investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with high PCT levels, to improve clinical diagnosis, and to determine whether PCT levels were associated with the subsequent development of sepsis in the general population. This was a retrospective observational study conducted on outpatients (N=127) over a year. The general data and laboratory parameters studied were PCT, C-reactive protein (CRP), and complete blood count (CBC). The positive rates of CRP and white blood cells (WBCs) in the elevated PCT group were higher than those of the normal group (P<0.05); the specificity and sensitivity of the PCT levels were obviously higher than those of the CRP and WBC levels at diagnosis (P<0.05). The mean PCT levels in the low group were significantly higher than those in the high or moderate group (P<0.001). There was a significant positive correlation with CRP, total WBCs, and neutrophils (P<.001). The main finding of this study was the significant association between an elevated PCT level and CRP and WBC levels, signifying a high diagnostic value. This has important implications for the diagnosis of bacterial infections and therapeutic implications for the use of antibiotic treatment in specific patients.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.20-33
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• 2023

Objectives: This study is designed to statistically analyze the features of patients who visited to Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion at OO Korean Medicine Hospital for 3 years. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients at Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion at OO Korean Medicine Hospital using IBM SPSS ver. 27.0 for Windows. Results: 1. In the analysis of the total number of patients, those in their 30s accounted for the highest percentage, male patients had a higher rate. 2. In the analysis of KCD-8 code, spinal stenosis and fractures in areas other than the spine were the most common in the 70s and older, and cervical sprains were the most common in other. 3. In the analysis of the number of hospitalizations, patients classified as illness or higher age had more re-hospitalization than patients classified as injury or lower age in first-time care. 4. In the analysis of hospitalization duration, patients classified as illness, female or higher age had longer hospitalization duration than patients classified as accident, male or lower age in first-time care. Conclusion: We expect that the results of this study would be used as reference materials for analyzing medical consumption condition of Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion.