• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.194-201
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• 2005

Purpose: Gall bladder (GB) stones in children are rarely observed, and so reports of them have been quite limited in Korea. Therefore, we tried to assess the epidemiology and clinical features of children with GB stone diagnosed at Severance Hospital. Methods: A clinical study was performed on 18 patients below 15 years of age diagnosed with GB stone by abdominal ultrasonography or CT scan at Severance hospital from January 1999 to May 2005. Results: Concerning patients' profile, their sex ratio of male to female in total 18 cases was 2 : 1 with the mean age of $6{\pm}4.3years$. 15 patients (83.3%) were asymptomatic. Inducing factors were found in 14 children (77.8%) including ceftriaxone therapy in 6 cases (33.3%), infection in 4 cases (22.2%), spherocytosis in 3 cases (16.7%), Down syndrome and abdominal operation in 1 case (5.6%) respectively. Single stone was found in 13 cases (76.5%) and multiple in 4 cases (23.5%). 15 cases (88.2%) had the stones less than 5 mm in size, and 2 cases (11.8%) between 5 and 10 mm. 17 patients received conservative treatment, and one patient had cholecystectomy due to Meckel diverticulum. Conclusion: In this report, Pediatric GB stones are predominant in male children, without typical symptoms, having inducing factors, single and small. Recently the diagnosis of them has been increased because of the development of imaging study. But the reports for them were still rare in Korea. Therefore the study for them is more necessary to find it's clinical characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.284-295
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• 2020

In December 2019, the first coronavirus disease- 2019 (COVID-19) patient was reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Since then, the number of patients who suffered severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by the novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 or 2019-nCoV) has increased dramatically in Korea. This new variant virus induces pulmonary diseases, including cough, sore throat, rhinorrhea, dyspnea, and pneumonia. Because SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus, real-time reverse-transcriptase PCR has been used widely to diagnose COVID-19. As the Korea Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (KCDC) and Ministry of Food & Drug Safety (MFDS) approved emergency use authorization, clinical specimens collected from COVID-19 patients and even healthy people have been clinically diagnosed by laboratory medicine. Based on a literature search, this paper reviews the epidemiology, symptoms, molecular diagnostics approved by KCDC, a current diagnosis of COVID-19 in the laboratories, the difference between molecular and serological diagnosis, and guidelines for clinical specimens. In addition, the Korean guidelines of biosafety for clinical laboratory scientists are evaluated to prevent healthcare-associated infection. The author's experience and lessons as clinical laboratory scientists will provide valuable insights to protect the domestic and international health community in this COVID-19 pandemic around the world.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2 s.32
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• pp.337-393
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• 1996

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and standardize the four scales of Questionnaire for the Sasang Constitution Classification 　II (QSCCII). QSCCII is newly prepared by statistical item analysis and is designed to examine its diagnostic discriminability. QSCCII is administered to 1366 random informants. From the survey, we could get the data for the standardization. The criteria of standardization are based on the data from 265 informants who are examined by professionals. Collectted data are analyzed by internal consistency, variation analysis(ANOVA), Duncan test and discrimination analysis of SPSS PC+ V4.0 program. The results are as follows reliability of four scales for QSCCII is relatively valid. The internal consistency of Tae-yang(太陽) (太陽) scale is Cronbach's a=0.5708. That of So-yang(少陽) scale is a=0.5708. That of Tae-eum(太陰) scale is a =0.5922. That of So-eum(少陰) scale is a=0.6319. 2. There is a significant difference between each group through variation analysis of four scales. 3. The process of standardization is based on the average value and standard deviation with respect to age and sex difference of each criteria 4. This study suggests a source of standardization of Sasang Constitution Classification by providing norms in which the differences of age, sex, and number of items are taken into deep consideration. QSCC Ⅱ, therefore, can be applied to every age(the 10's to the 60's) and sex groups. 5. The recalculation of the raw-score to standard value (T-score) shows that the diagnostic discriminability (Hit-ratio: 70.08%) of QSCC Ⅱ brings about 37% improvement than proportional chance criteria (33.33%). Especially, Hit-ratios of Tae-eum In(74.5%) and So-eum In(70.8%) are higher than that of So-yang In(60.0%). 6. QSCC has discriminability only to male informants. Compared with QSCC, however, QSCC II has relatively efficient discriminability both to male and female informants. 7. These results would be a demonstration of the fact that the QSCC II could be used as a tool for sasang constitution classification.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.101-110
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• 2019

Objectives : It is not clear which clinical variables are most closely associated with delirium in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). By comparing clinical data of ICU delirium and non-delirium patients, we sought to identify variables that most effectively differentiate delirium from non-delirium. Methods : Medical records of 6,386 ICU patients were reviewed. Random Subset Feature Selection and Principal Component Analysis were utilized to select a set of clinical variables with the highest discriminatory capacity. Statistical analyses were employed to determine the separation capacity of two models-one using just the selected few clinical variables and the other using all clinical variables associated with delirium. Results : There was a significant difference between delirium and non-delirium individuals across 32 clinical variables. Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS), urinary catheterization, vascular catheterization, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Blood urea nitrogen, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Examination II most effectively differentiated delirium from non-delirium. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that, with the exception of vascular catheterization, these clinical variables were independent risk factors associated with delirium. Separation capacity of the logistic regression model using just 6 clinical variables was measured with Receiver Operating Characteristic curve, with Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.818. Same analyses were performed using all 32 clinical variables;the AUC was 0.881, denoting a very high separation capacity. Conclusions : The six aforementioned variables most effectively separate delirium from non-delirium. This highlights the importance of close monitoring of patients who received invasive medical procedures and were rated with very low RASS and HAM-A scores.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.163-167
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe causes and injury mechanisms during inline skating and to find preventive measures .Materials and Methods: We have carefully selected 57 patients who have been treated in our hospital and nearby hospital. There are 37 males and 20 females, and mean age is 9 years 9 months (range,6-40 years old) . We have meticulously investigated their injured sites, their favorite location for inline skating , their use of protective means while they were on the wheels and their injury mechanisms . Results: Injury consisted of 50 fractures,1 meniscal tear,2 medial collateral ligament rupture and 4 contusion or sprain. Fracture sites varied as follows : 33(66$\%$) cases in distal radius and ulna,5(10$\%$) in elbow. 3(6$\%$) in diaphysis of humerus, etc Location at the time of injury varied as follows : 22 cases(39$\%$) in their apartment complex, 19 cases in (33$\%$) narrow streets, and 16 cases(28$\%$) in parks Only five patients admitted that any means of protection were used.2 cases only had knee pad on , 1 case put on elbow pad in addition, and 2 cases put on wrist guard as well. However none of the patients had helmet on Conclusion: We would strongly like to stress the importance of using sufficient protections and of choosing area where it is safe to ride, in order to reduce the risk of accidents. In addition, continuous and effective prior education from inline skate circles may be in order before riding the inline skate.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.122-127
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• 2005

Purpose: To study the mechanism of injuries or discomfort during kendo and to analyze the causes of injury, injured parts of body, treatments modalities, and degree of return to the pre-injury activity level. Materials and Methods: We studied ninety-eight kendo players who had played at three gymnasium of Korean Kumdo Association, were older than high-school age, had been playing kendo for more than six months, and had any pain or discomfort after playing kendo. We analyzed the questionnaire and interviewed the patients concerning the injured parts of body, symptoms, treatments. Results; The mean age was 30.2 years old, and the onset of symptoms was between two weeks and six months after starting the kendo. Many of them were injured during attacking(32.2%). The injuries of feet were increased on players who exercised for less than 1 year. Only fifty-nine players(60.2%) were treated within one month. Among them, thirty-eight percent were treated by oriental medicine or other departments and only thirty-six percent were treated by orthopaedic surgeons. The prevalence of injuries of the foot and ankle was highest(38.8%), and there were the wrist(13.1%), shoulder(11.9%), knee(11.9%) in order of prevalence. Fifty percents of them could return to the pre-injury activity level. Conclusion: The prevalence of injuries of the foot and ankle was highest(38.8%), and were increased on players who exercised for less than 1 year. Sixty percents of players were treated with any proper modalities, and only thirty-six percent were treated by orthopaedic surgeons.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2008

Purpose: The most concerning issue in children with urinary tract infection(UTI) is the probability of underlying genitourinary anomalies and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), which is frequently associated with renal scarring and eventually end-stage renal disease. Therefore, voiding cystourethrography(VCUG) is usually recommended at the earliest convenient time for children with UTI. However, VCUG is an invasive procedure that requires catheterization and exposure to X-ray. In this study, we aimed to determine the predictability of clinical, laboratory and imaging parameters for VUR in children with UTI. Methods: Data of children with bacteriologically proven UTI who underwent VCUG were evaluated retrospectively for clinical(age, gender, fever), laboratory(leukocytosis, ESR, CRP, pyuria, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine) and imaging(renal ultrasound and DMSA renal scan) findings. First, children with UTI were divided into two groups according to the presence of VUR as non-VUR group and with VUR group, and clinical, laboratory variables were compared between these groups. Second, patients who had VUR were reclassified as low-grade VUR(grade I-II) group and high-grade(grade III-V) VUR group according to grading of VUR, and clinical, laboratory and imaging variables were compared between these groups. Results: Among 410 children with UTI, 137 had VUR and 78 high-grade VUR. Fever, leukocytosis, ESR, CRP, pyuria were associated with VUR. In addition, abnormal findings of ultrasonography and DMSA renal scan were closely related to VUR. However, these clinical and laboratory variable in patients with high grade VUR were not different significantly, compared to those with low-grade VUR group. Conclusion: Fever, leukocytosis, ESR, CRP seems to be potentially useful predictors of VUR in pediatric patients with UTI. In addition, renal ultrasonography and DMSA renal scan findings supported the presence of VUR. Further study of these findings could limit unnecessary VCUG in patients with UTI.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.34-38
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• 2011

Purpose: The SUV is a widely used semi-quantitative index in PET for the estimation of radio-tracer accumulation in VOI. In this study, SUVs from three different PET/CT scanners were assessed, and differences between SUVs were evaluated. Materials and Methods: The PET/CT scanners which were assessed in this study were GEMINI, GEMINI TF 64 (Philips) and Biograph True Point True V 40 (Siemens). The NEMA PET phantom (Data Spectrum Corp., USA) was used to evaluate SUVs. The NEMA PET phantom has6.8 kg weight and three hot inserts. Two different activity distributions for the background and inserts were tested. The activity ratio were 3.7:3.7:7.4:11.1 MBq (1:1:2:3) and 1.85:7.4:9.25:11.1MBq (1:4:5:6) for each of background, insert 1, insert 2 and insert 3. Acquisition time was 2 minutes per bed position and NEMA PET phantom could be covered by two bed positions for all PET/CT scanners. The SUVs from each PET/CT scanner were compared with calculated true value. Results: For both activity ratios, all scanners showed similar results. The differences between each scanner were insignificant. Each scanner showed 91.2%, 85.9% and 87.2% of true SUV for GEMINI, GEMINI TF 64, Biograph True Point TrueV, respectively. Conclusion: For all scanners, SUVs were slightly lower than true value. However, the difference between scanners was insignificant. The SUVs from these scanners would be clinically meaningful if their consistent underestimation is kept in mind.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.18-29
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• 2012

Purpose: We analyzed how clinical nurses in Korea perceive terminally ill patients' medical decision-making. Methods: The Q-methodology which analyzes the subjectivity of each item was used. We selected 34 Q-statements among those provided by each of 37 subjects and grouped them into a shape of normal distribution using a 9 point scale. The collected data were analyzed using a QUANL PC program. Results: Four types of perception toward medical decision-making were identified. Type I focuses on patient participation, and Type II emphasizes the role of health professionals. Type III is characterized by an open-minded culture toward death, and Type IV values the role of family members. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate the need for development of a multi-disciplinary curriculum medical decision-making and death for medical and nursing students.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.381-390
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• 2002

Purpose : To develop a dose calibration program for the IAEA TRS-277 and AAPM TG-21, based on the air kerma calibration factor (or the cavity-gas calibration factor), as well as for the IAEA TRS-398 and the AAPM TG-51, based on the absorbed dose to water calibration factor, so as to avoid the unwanted error associated with these calculation procedures. Materials and Methods : Currently, the most widely used dosimetry Protocols of high energy photon beams are the air kerma calibration factor based on the IAEA TRS-277 and the AAPM TG-21. However, this has somewhat complex formalism and limitations for the improvement of the accuracy due to uncertainties of the physical quantities. Recently, the IAEA and the AAPM published the absorbed dose to water calibration factor based, on the IAEA TRS-398 and the AAPM TG-51. The formalism and physical parameters were strictly applied to these four dose calibration programs. The tables and graphs of physical data and the information for ion chambers were numericalized for their incorporation into a database. These programs were developed user to be friendly, with the Visual $C^{++}$ language for their ease of use in a Windows environment according to the recommendation of each protocols. Results : The dose calibration programs for the high energy photon beams, developed for the four protocols, allow the input of informations about a dosimetry system, the characteristics of the beam quality, the measurement conditions and dosimetry results, to enable the minimization of any inter-user variations and errors, during the calculation procedure. Also, it was possible to compare the absorbed dose to water data of the four different protocols at a single reference points. Conclusion : Since this program expressed information in numerical and data-based forms for the physical parameter tables, graphs and of the ion chambers, the error associated with the procedures and different user could be solved. It was possible to analyze and compare the major difference for each dosimetry protocol, since the program was designed to be user friendly and to accurately calculate the correction factors and absorbed dose. It is expected that accurate dose calculations in high energy photon beams can be made by the users for selecting and performing the appropriate dosimetry protocol.