• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.123-131
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• 2009

Purpose: We tested a sample of nuclear medicine workers at Korean healthcare institutions for internal contamination with radioactive isotopes, measuring concentrations and evaluating doses of individual exposure. Materials and Methods: The detection and measurement was performed on urine samples collected from 25 nuclear medicine workers at three large hospitals located in Seoul. Urine samples were collected once a week, 100~200 mL samples were gathered up to 6~10 times weekly. A high-purity germanium detector was used to measure gamma radiations in urine samples for the presence of radioactive isotopes. Based on the detection results, we estimated the amounts of intake and committed effective doses using IMBA software. In cases where committed effective doses could not be adequately evaluated with IMBA software, we estimated individual committed effective doses for radionuclides with a very short half life such as $^{99m}Tc$ and $^{123}I$, using the methods recommended by International Atomic Energy Agency. Results: Radionuclides detected through the analysis of urine samples included $^{99m}Tc$, $^{123}I$, $^{131}I$ and $^{201}Tl$, as well as $^{18}F$, a nuclide used in Positron Emission Tomography examinations. The committed effective doses, calculated based on the radionuclide concentrations in urine samples, ranged from 0 to 5 mSv, but were, in the majority of cases, less than 1 mSv. The committed effective dose exceeded 1 mSv in three of the samples, and all three were workers directly handling radioactive sources. No nurses were found to have a committed effective dose in excess of 1 mSv. Conclusions: To improve the accuracy of results, it may be necessary to conduct a long-term study, performed over a time span wide enough to allow the clear determination of the influence of seasonal factors. A larger sample should also help increase the reliability of results. However, as most Korean nuclear medicine workers are currently not necessary to monitored routinely for internal contamination with radionuclides. Notwithstanding, a continuous effort is recommended to reduce any unnecessary exposure to radioactive substances, even if in inconsequential amounts, by regularly surveying workplace environments and frequently monitoring atmospheric concentrations of radionuclides.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.599-610
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• 2016

This paper reports the results of a systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis research to compare the effect of Kangaroo care, targeting mothers and premature infants. A randomized clinical trial study was performed until February 2015. The domestic literature contained the non-randomized clinical trial research without restriction according to the level of the study design. A search of the Ovid-Medline, CINAHL, PubMed and KoreaMed, the National Library of KOREA, the National Assembly Library, NDSL, KISS and RISS. Through the KMbase we searched and combined the main term ((kangaroo OR KC OR skin-to-skin) AND (care OR contact)) AND (infant OR preterm OR Low Birth Weight OR LBW), ((kangaroo OR kangaroo OR kangaroo) AND (care OR nursing care OR management OR skin contact)) was made; these were all combined with a keywords search through the selection process. They were excluded in the final 25 studies (n=3051). A methodology checklist for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) designed by SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) was utilized to assess the risk of bias. The overall risk of bias was regarded as low. In 16 studies that were evaluated as a grade of "++", 9 studies were evaluated as a grade of "+". As a result of meta-analysis, kangaroo care regarding the effects of premature mortality, severe infection/sepsis had an insignificant effect. Hyperthermia incidence, growth and development (height and weight), mother-infant attachment, hypothermia incidence, length of hospital days, breast feeding rate, sleeping, anxiety, confidence, and gratification of mothering role were considered significant. In satisfaction of the role performance, depression and stress presented contradictory research results for individual studies showing overall significant difference. This study has some limitations due to the few RCTs comparing kangaroo care in the country. Therefore, further RCTs comparing kangaroo care should be conducted.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.602-609
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• 2006

Purpose : As the prone position is thought to be an important factor in sudden infant death syndrome(SIDS), this study was conducted to contribute to reducing SIDS by analyzing sleeping positions of infants. Methods : A face-to-face questionnaire was carried out with a total of 170 parents with a baby aged less than 6 months. Results : A total of 170 infants included 95 males(55.9 percent) and 75 females(44.1 percent); their average age was 2.8 months. 45.3 percent slept in a supine position; 34.7 percent in a side or supine position; 7.1 percent in a side position; 4.7 percent in a prone position; 4.1 percent in a non-specific position. Among those in a side position, 59.7 percent were in a supine position in the morning; 19.5 percent were in the side position; 13.4 percent were in a non-specific position; and 4.1 percent were in a prone position. To the question why they slept in a specific position, 34.9 percent answered their baby slept comfortably, and particularly, 42.9 percent in the prone position group answered so. In the supine position group, 21.6 percent answered they had no reason. Both in the prone position and side position groups, 21 percent each answered they were worried about the shape of their baby's head. In the side position group, 22 percent answered that they had a fear of choking due to vomiting. In all sleeping position groups, 8.2 percent and 7.4 percent answered it was because they had a fear of suffocation and they wanted to avoid SIDS, respectively. Conclusion : Many of the parents preferred unstable positions, e.g. the side position and the prone position, which could cause SIDS. Their decision on their baby's sleeping position was not based on exact medical knowledge, but on convenience in taking care of their baby. As it was found that only 6 percent of the subjects were advised from their pediatrist about their baby's sleeping position, moreover, it is necessary to carry out more studies and activities for preventing SIDS caused by improper sleeping positions and educating patents about recommended sleeping positions for their baby.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.12
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• pp.1212-1216
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• 2007

Purpose : To determine optimal maintenance dose and to evaluation the efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG4000) in children with chronic functional constipation. Methods : This study enrolled 41 children with chronic functional constipation at the Konkuk university hospital August 2005, then June, 2007. Effective maintenance dose was designed as initial amount of PEG4000 that improved frequency, bowel movement, stool consistency for 2 months. Clinical outcome was analysed on the basis of defecation diary. Adverse effect was monitored clinically and biochemically. Results : As a whole group effective maintenance dose of PEG4000 was $0.55{\pm}0.16g/kg/day$ (0.25-0.86). With respect to age, 3-5 years ($0.60{\pm}0.15$), 6-8 years ($0.57{\pm}0.16$), 9-13 years ($0.44{\pm}0.14$) (P=0.024). With respect to body weight, <30 kg ($0.62{\pm}0.14$), ${\geq}30kg$ ($0.41{\pm}0.10$) (P=0.001). One child comlained apigastric soreness on medication. Conclusion : PEG4000 is effective and safe in children with chronic constipation. Initial maintenance dose of PEG4000 was 0.55 g/kg/day.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.167-175
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• 2007

There are some positive effects by the introduction of PACS(Picture Archiving Communication System). This study is to analyze the mutual relation between before and after of the introduction of PACS in terms of the environment effect. It is supposed to cause the reduction of developing and fixing wastewater according to the increase in the rate of a non-film. This study will also show the amount of wastewater. Target places were the department of image medicine(diagnostic radiation) of the general hospitals in Seoul and Gyeonggi-Do, which are equiped with full PACS. The authors examined questionnaires on the number of projection, the number of indirect projection, the amount of the film used, the number of radiation image CD loan, the amount of the developing and fixing solution used, the change of the amount of fixing wastewater. According to the analysis, we analyzed the change of the amount of developing and fixing solution per a film and the change of the amount of developing and fixing wastewater which is supposed to be reduced proportionally by the introduction of PACS. We got conclusion as below after analyzing 8 hospitals except the largest and the least amount of examination, film used, developing and fixing solution and the amount of developing and fixing wastewater in order to decrease the deviation from 10 general hospitals located in Seoul and Gyeonggi-Do. We compared data one year before adopting PACS Versus 3 years after adopting PACS. 1. The frequences of examination increased to 7,357.7 cases per month but the amount of film used decreased to 90%, from 42,774.4 to 4,181.88 after adopting the PACS. 2. 3 years after adopting PACS, monthly average amount of developing solution used decreased to 92% and the monthly average amount of fixing solution decreased to 86%. 3. Monthly average amount of developing solution used per film increased to 1.49 times and fixing solution increased as much as three times. 4. Monthly average wastewater for developing decreased to 88% and wastewater for fixing decreased up to 87%. 5. Monthly average wastewater for developing per film increased to 3.77 times and wastewater for fixing increased to 3.85 times. Although the amount of film used and the amount of developing and fixing wastewater affected by the reduction of the developing and fixing solution became less on the whole by introduction of PACS, they did not decrease proportionally. Moreover the amount of the developing and fixing solution used and the amount of developing and fixing wastewater per a film increased. That means the expectation for an environmental improvement differs from the actual condition.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.58-65
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• 2011

Purpose: Some hormonal and electrolyte abnormalities have been reported in pediatric patients with urinary tract infection (UTI). This study aimed to investigate the relationships between the imbalance of electrolytes and the severity of infection and associated urologic anomalies in children with febrile UTI. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 267 patients with febrile UTI who were admitted to Korea University Guro Hospital during the period from January, 2007 until February, 2010. According to the presence of hyponatremia or hyperkalemia, clinical parameters and associated renal anomalies, such as hydronephrosis, cortical defects and vesicoureteral reflux, were compared. Results: 42.7% of all patients had decreased concentration of serum sodium. In patients with decreased concentration of serum sodium, cortical defects were significantly increased compared to normal patients (40.4% vs. 14.4%, P <0.05). White blood cell (WBC) counts ($15,721{\pm}6,553/uL$ vs. $12,885{\pm}5,367/uL$, P <0.05), C-reactive protein (CRP) ($61.8{\pm}56.1$ mg/L, vs. $29.9{\pm}39.8$ mg/L, P <0.05), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) ($43.9{\pm}34.3$ mm/hr vs. $27.4{\pm}26.8$ mm/hr, P <0.05) in peripheral blood showed significant increases in the group with decreased concentration of serum sodium. Duration of fever, presence of gastrointestinal symptom, the incidence of hydronephrosis and vesicoureteral reflux did not differ between the two groups. None of the patients had significant hyperkalemia. Conclusion : We suggest that decreased concentration of serum sodium in febrile UTI might be a helpful marker for leukocytosis and increased CRP and ESR in peripheral blood, and acute pyelonephritis.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.52-61
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• 2009

Objectives : The aim of this study was to assess health-related quality of life and evaluate the risk factors affecting severity of menopausal symptoms in early and late postmenopausal women based on the stages of reproductive aging workshop(STRAW) paradigm. Methods : This cross-sectional study examined 497 Korean postmenopausal women aged 41-59 years in Seoul and Gyeonggi province. We divided subjects into early postmenopause group and late postmenopause group. Menopause Rating Scale(MRS) was used to measure the quality of life. MRS scores, sociodemographic variables, smoking, alcohol use, age at menopause, and risk factors such as attitude to menopause, depression, history of premenstrual dysphoric disorder were compared between early and late postmenopause groups. Multiple regression analysis was performed in each group to assess the independent contribution of several variables. Results : Early postmenopause group showed significantly higher MRS scores, more negative attitude toward menopause, higher scores of depressive symptoms than late postmenopause group. Moderate to very severe hot flush group showed significantly, more negative attitude toward menopause, higher score of depressive symptoms, and higher MRS scores than none to mild hot flush groups. Depressive symptoms and attitude toward menopause contributed to the severity of menopausal symptom in both early and late postmenopause groups. Chronological age, age at menopause, history of PMDD contributed to severity of menopausal symptoms in early postmenopause group while marital status and occupation contributed in late postmenopause group. Conclusion : Health-related quality of life in postmenopause women was significantly lower in early postmenopause group than the late. Attitude toward menopause and depressive symptoms contributed significantly to quality of life in both early and late postmenopause groups but other variables contributed differently in each group. Further studies on clinical samples of postmenopausal women in order to confirm quality of life and its risk factor are needed to be done.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.73-85
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• 2017

Objectives : In this study I made investigations how 'strange hunger' and 'compulsive overeating' threatening the ego could be resolved and healed. And I aim to present a healing model of psychotherapy and analysis as one of methods of treatment for 'eating disorder'. Methods : The analysands of this study were outpatients who visited the department of psychiatry of Yong-In Mental Hospital from March 2008 to February 2017 with 'hunger' and 'compulsive overeating' as their chief complaints. This study is based on the detailed records of the process of analysis including dreams and visions. Results : 1) Throughout the process of analysis that explore both consciousness and unconsciousness(dream, vision), hunger and compulsive overeating is improved and healed in all analysands. 2) The Imago of 'Snake' appeared in dreams and visions of all analysands. 3) By suffering impulse rather than acting it out, impulse transformes itself into 'Imago'. As impulse transforms into 'Imago' and reveals the 'meaning' of it, ego-threatening power of impulse weakens and mood is calmed. And as a result, synthesis of consciousness and unconsciousness and creative transformation of personality can be possible. Conclusions : In some people, 'hunger' and 'compulsive overeating' are 'creative impulses' that aim 'Self-realization' which can be fruited as creative transformation of personality and as creative transformation in the relation with the world. 'Creative impulses', which often can be experienced as instinctive impulse or emotional suffering unless ego realizes the meaning, reveal the meaning in dreams or visions through 'Imago' and 'Symbol'.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.68-75
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• 2018

Objectives : Since pain in cancer patients is an important factor that greatly affects the quality of life and prognosis, many attempts have been actively made to reduce the pain. Despite continuous effort on reducing pain after Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), research has not been done on psychological factors as much as on biological factors affecting pain. The objective of this study is to investigate the psychological factors affecting postoperative pain in gastric tumor patients who underwent gastric ESD. Methods : 91 gastric tumor patients who visited National Health Service Ilsan Hospital in Korean between May 2015 and June 2016, and received ESD were evaluated. Baseline characteristics including sociodemographic factors, anxiety, depression, and resilience were evaluated before the procedure. Multivariate logistic regression was done to analyze factors affecting postoperative pain. Results : The group with high postoperative pain showed lower alcohol consumption and higher depressive symptom scores than the group with low postoperative pain. Also, the group with high postoperative pain showed lower total resilience score with lower subtotal scores in self-control and positive item. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of the postoperative pain showed that patients with lower score in self-control of resilience [odd ratio (OR), 0.911 ; 95% CI, 0.854-0.971, p=0.004) reported more pain after ESD. Conclusions : This study showed that patients with lower self-control ability of resilience felt more pain after ESD. Among the psychological factors evaluated in this study, resilience of an individual seems to have effect on pain.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.176-184
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• 1997

Abnormal illness behavior in patients with somatoform disorders were known formed by their traditional disease concepts and somatization-prone socio-cultural factors. The authors evaluated the characteristics of abnormal illness behavior in patients with somatoform disorders(who had somatization) by using abnormal illness behavior questionnaire. Methods : 29 somatoform disorders(SD) and 57 disease controls were compared by clinical characteristics, severity of pain, state anxiety(by Spielberger's State & Trait Anxiety Inventory), depression(by Beck's Depression Inventory) and level of psychosocial stess(by DSM-III-R). The illness behavior was measured by illness Behavior Questionnaire(IBQ). Results SD group had longer period of somatic symptoms with less severity in pain. The degree of anxiety and depression were higher in SB compared with controls. However, the degree of psychosocial stress was almost same between both groups. In IBQ, SD showed higher scores in general hypochondriasis, disease conviction, and affective disturbance subscales compared to control group. Conclusion: High disease conviction and hypochondriacal nature revealed by IBQ seemed to be a role in making somatization by way of somatic focusing and hypervigilance. And those tended to lead patients visit hospital frequently and report various somatic complaints. Evaluating abnormal illness behavior in somatoform disorders would be not only helpful in understanding the natures of somatoform disorders but also useful differentiating SD with other psychiatric conditions.