• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.176-183
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine whether abdominal pressure belt has an immediate effect on pulmonary function, balance and gait ability for stroke patients. Twenty subjects measured pulmonary function and the COP, BBS, TUG, 10m walk test, and FGA prior to belt wearing. Immediately all subjects were post-tested after wearing abdominal pressure belt of elastic components. Except for forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced experimental volume in the 1 second (FEV1), there were significant differences after belt wearing. This study suggests that the application of abdominal pressure belt enhanced balance and gait ability. However, improving pulmonary function requires several efforts, such as changing the pressure level, posture.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.227-232
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• 2006

Background: In the measurement of bronchodilator reversibility, the forced expiratory volume in one second($FEV_{1}$) and the forced vital capacity(FVC) are commonly used parameters and recommended criteria for the reversibility requiring an increase of more than 200ml and 12% above the baseline, respectively. However, aged patients do not often meet the criteria of an increase in volume(>200ml) even though the medical history of that patient is adequate for asthma. This study investigated the role of the forced expiratory volume in six seconds($FEV_{6}$) in the bronchodilator reversibility test in elderly patients. Methods: A total of 236 patients more than 65 years of age with a $FEV_{1}$/FVC ratio<80% were enrolled in this study. The bronchodilator revesibility tests were examined. With the setting $FEV_{1}$ as the baseline, the patients were divided into three groups; Group I : $$FEV_{1}{\geq_-}80%$$ of the predicted value, Group II : 60%<$FEV_{1}$<80% of the predicted value, Group III : $$FEV_{1}{\leq_-}60%$$ of the predicted value. Results: Positive reversibility in the $FEV_{1}$, $FEV_{6}$, and FVC was in 33(14.0%), 49(20.8%) and 55(23.3%). However, Group III presented with reversibility in the $FEV_{1}$, $FEV_{6}$, and FVC in 15(22.4%), 30(44.8%) and 32(47.8%) respectively. Conclusions: The $FEV_{6}$ might be used as a complementary parameter in bronchodilatror reversibility in elderly patients. However, more study will be needed to determine the usefulness of $FEV_{6}$ in bronchodilator reversibility test.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.42-51
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• 2001

Background : Recently, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) has become a popular diagnostic method for differentiating the main cause of exertional dyspnea or exercise limitation. We evaluated the difference in the CPX results according to interpretative algorithms and the methals of exercise in Korea. Method : Sixty-six patients with chronic lung disease and 48 adults with dyspneic symptoms, but with no abnormalities in a spirometry performed symptom limited CPX, were included in this study. The results were interpreted using both Wasserman's(WA) and Eschenbacher's algorithm (EA), and a comparison between both algorithms was made. Thirty-three healthy medical students performed the CPX with a cycle ergometer and treadmill. The results were interpreted with EA and the concurrence in interpretations was evaluated accord ing to the methods of exercise. Results : 1. In patients with chronic lung disease, the overall concordance rate between the two algorithms was 63.6%. The concordance rates waw 69.8% in patients with obstructive, 25.0% in those with restrictive, and 66.7% in those with mixed pulmonary insufficiency. In patients with dyspneic symptoms but normal findings in resting spirometry, the concordance rate was 60.4%. 2. In healthy medical students, in results inter preted with EA, the concordance rate between the cycle ergometer and treadmill exercise was 25.0%. Conclusion : Both interpretative algorithms and methods of exercise may affect the CPX results. In using CPX as a diagnostic test for the causes of dyspnea in the Korean population. the interpretative algorithms and method of exercise need to be standardized, and a predictive $VO_2$max equation needs to be established.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.951-958
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• 1996

Bet een November 1991 and December 1993, twelve patients (Male: 2, Female: 10) who had mitral valve disease without primary pulmonary disease underwent mitral valve replacement. The pulmonary function test (PFT) was performed preoperatively and postoperatively (mean, 9 months after operation). Mitral valve replacement was indicated for mitral stenosis in 9 patients and for mitral insufficiency in 3 patients. Preoperative WHh functional class were 111 in 11 patients and class rV in 1 patient. Postoperatively, ten patients (83 %) were classified into NYHA functional class 1. There was a significant decrease in cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) postoperatively (p< 0.05). The pulmonary function before operation was low compared with predicted values in vital capacity (VC) and forced mid-expiratory flow (FEF 25∼75 %). The FEF 25%-75% and maximal voluntary ventilation (MW) were low compared with predicted values postoperatively. There was no significant difference in the pulmonary function before an after op- eration. Twelve patients were divided into 2 groups according to the early postoperative NYHA functional class. In class I group, the postoperative pulmonary function was significantly improved in 6 parameters (RV, FRC, TLC, FEVI , FEVI /FVC, and FEF 25∼75%), but in class ll group, there was no significant change in the pulmonary function after operation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.555-568
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• 1995

Background: It is most physiologic to measure the diffusing capacity of the lung by using oxygen, but it is so difficult to measure partial pressure of oxygen in the capillary blood of the lung that in clinical practice it is measured by using carbon monoxide, and single-breath diffusing capacity method is used most widely. However, since the process of withholding the breath for 10 seconds after inspiration to the total lung capacity is very hard to practice for patients who suffer from cough, dyspnea, etc, the intra-breath lung diffusing capacity method which requires a single exhalation of low-flow rate without such process was devised. In this study, we want to know whether or not there is any significant difference in the diffusing capacity of the lung measured by the single-breath and intra-breath methods, and if any, which factors have any influence. Methods: We chose randomly 73 persons without regarding specific disease, and after conducting 3 times the flow-volume curve test, we selected forced vital capacity(FVC), percent of predicted forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume within 1 second($FEV_1$), percent of forced expiratory volume within 1 second, the ratio of forced expiratory volume within 1 second against forced vital capacity($FEV_1$/FVC) in test which the sum of FVC and $FEV_1$ is biggest. We measured the diffusing capacity of the lung 3 times in each of the single-breath and intra-breath methods at intervals of 5 minutes, and we evaluated which factors have any influence on the difference of the diffusing capacity of the lung between two methods[the mean values(ml/min/mmHg) of difference between two diffusing capacity measured by two methods] by means of the linear regression method, and obtained the following results: Results: 1) Intra-test reproducibility in the single-breath and intra-breath methods was excellent. 2) There was in general a good correlation between the diffusing capacity of the lung measured by a single-breath method and that measured by the intra-breath method, but there was a significant difference between values measured by both methods($1.01{\pm}0.35ml/min/mmHg$, p<0.01) 3) The difference between the diffusing capacity of the lung measured by both methods was not correlated to FVC, but was correlated to $FEV_1$, percent of $FEV_1$, $FEV_1$/FVC and the gradient of methane concentration which is an indicator of distribution of ventilation, and it was found as a result of the multiple regression test, that the effect of $FEV_1$/FVC was most strong(r=-0.4725, p<0.01) 4) In a graphic view of the difference of diffusing capacity measured by single-breath and intra-breath method and $FEV_1$/FVC, it was found that the former was divided into two groups in section where $FEV_1$/FVC is 50~60%, and that there was no significant difference between two methods in the section where $FEV_1$/FVC is equal or more than 60% ($0.05{\pm}0.24ml/min/mmHg$, p>0.1), but there was significant difference in the section, less than 60%($-4.5{\pm}0.34ml/min/mmHg$, p<0.01). 5. The diffusing capacity of the lung measured by the single-breath and intra-breath method was the same in value($24.3{\pm}0.68ml/min/mmHg$) within the normal range(2%/L) of the methane gas gradient, and there was no difference depending on the measuring method, but if the methane concentration gradients exceed 2%/L, the diffusing capacity of the lung measured by single-breath method became $15.0{\pm}0.44ml/min/mmHg$, and that measured by intra-breath method, $11.9{\pm}0.51ml/min/mmHg$, and there was a significant difference between them(p<0.01). Conclusion: Therefore, in case where $FEV_1$/FVC was less than 60%, the diffusing capacity of the lung measured by intra-breath method represented significantly lower value than that by single-breath method, and it was presumed to be caused largely by a defect of ventilation-distribution, but the possibility could not be excluded that the diffusing capacity of the lung might be overestimated in the single-breath method, or the actual reduction of the diffusing capacity of the lung appeared more sensitively in the intra-breath method.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.480-485
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• 2007

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. COPD has systemic effects, such as skeletal muscle dysfunction and abnormal weight loss. It also has been suggested that COPD is related to other chronic disease, such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and anemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate a symptom questionnaire and laboratory findings in subjects with air flow limitation. Methods: We evaluated a symptom questionnaire and laboratory findings in subjects with airflow limitation detected by spirometry in conjunction with the Second Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 9,243 adults over the age of 18 were recruited. Among the adults, we finally analyzed 2,217 subjects who met the acceptability and repeatability criteria of spirometry, showed normal findings on chest radiography, and were older than 40 years of age. Results: There were 288 subjects with airflow limitation as determined by spirometry. The frequency of respiratory symptoms such as cough, sputum and wheezing were significantly higher in subjects with airflow limitation (p <0.01). Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were higher in subjects with airflow limitation (hemoglobin level 13.98 mg/dL vs. 13.62 mg/dL, hematocrit 42.10% vs. 40.89%; p<0.01). The HDL cholesterol level was lower in subjects with airflow limitation (44.95 mg/dL vs. 45.60 mg/dL; p<0.01). There was no significant difference in the total cholesterol, triglyceride, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and fasting glucose levels. Conclusion: In subjects with airflow limitation, prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher than in normal spirometry subjects and the levels of hemoglobin and the hematocrit were higher. The HDL cholesterol level was lower in subjects with airflow limitation.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1979.05a
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• pp.7.2-8
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• 1979

The tests related to air usage are valuable for evaluating phonatory function of clinical cases having glottic incompetence. Measurement of mean air flow rate, maximum phonation time and phonation quotient are important test for voice disorder. Stroboscopy is very useful for clinical evaluation of abnormality in the mode of vocal cord vibration. Author obtained following clinical result from 56 cases of laryngeal disorders in Kurume medical school in Japan. 1) Unilateral laryngeal lesions, are 35 cases (62.5%) and bilateral laryngeal lesions are 21 cases (37.5%). 2) Sex ratio is 39 cases (69.8%) of male and 17 cases (30.2%) of female. 3) In maximum phonation time below 10 seconds are 26 cases (46.4%) and above 10 seconds are 30 cases (53.6%). 4) In phonation quotient below 300 ml/sec are 33cases (58.9%). and above 300ml/sec are 23 cases (41.0%). 5) In mean air flow rate below 300ml/sec are 37 cases (66.1%) and above 300ml/sec are 19 cases (33.9%). 6) Symmetry of vibratory movement of the vocal cord, regularity of vibration, amplitude of vibration, wave on the mucosa and glottic closures are observed by stroboscopic examination. 7) Postoperative voice test and stroboscopic examination revealed good result in compare pre-operation with post-operation.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.125-131
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• 2002

Respiratory air flow rate is necessarily measured for the pulmonary function evaluation. The currently used devices are exposed to the problems of measurement reliability and cross-patient infection. The present study introduced a new technique which converted the bidirectional air flow rate into averaged dynamic pressure based on the famous Bernoulli's energy conservation principle. Single use plastic sensing element was assembled within the flow tube(mouth piece) made of paper, which was named "functional single use flow tube". Experiment demonstrated only ${\pm}1.5%$ relative error in the standard 3L volume measurement procedure well within the error limit suggested by the American Thoracic Society(ATS). Disposable use design completely eliminated cross-patient infection. The present device is best useful and safe for clinical respiratory air flow measurement such as spirometry.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.367-376
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• 1996

Background : The diagnosis of emphysema during life is based on a combination of clinical, functional, and radiographic findings, but this combination is relatively insensitive and nonspecific. The development of rapid, high-resolution third and fourth generation CT scanners has enabled us to resolve pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities with great precision. We compared the chest HRCT findings to the pulmonary function test and arterial blood gas analysis in pulmonary emphysema patients to test the ability of HRCT to quantify the degree of pulmonary emphysema. Methods : From october 1994 to october 1995, the study group consisted of 20 subjects in whom HRCT of the thorax and pulmonary function studies had been obtained at St. Mary's hospital. The analysis was from scans at preselected anatomic levels and incorporated both lungs. On each HRCT slice the lung parenchyma was assessed for two aspects of emphysema: severity and extent. The five levels were graded and scored separately for the left and right lung giving a total of 10 lung fields. A combination of severity and extent gave the degree of emphysema. We compared the HRCT quantitation of emphysema, pulmonary function tests, ABGA, CBC, and patients characteristics(age, sex, height, weight, smoking amounts etc.) in 20 patients. Results : 1) There was a significant inverse correlation between HRCT scores for emphysema and percentage predicted values of DLco(r = -0.68, p < 0.05), DLco/VA(r = -0.49, p < 0.05), FEV1(r = -0.53, p < 0.05), and FVC(r = -0.47, p < 0.05). 2) There was a significant correlation between the HRCT scores and percentage predicted values of TLC(r = 0.50, p < 0.05), RV(r = 0.64, p < 0.05). 3) There was a significant inverse correlation between the HRCT scores and PaO2(r = -0.48, p < 0.05) and significant correlation with D(A-a)O2(r = -0.48, p < 0.05) but no significant correlation between the HRCT scores and PaCO2. 4) There was no significant correlation between the HRCT scores and age, sex, height, weight, smoking amounts in patients, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and wbc counts. Conclusion : High-Resolution CT provides a useful method for early detection and quantitating emphysema in life and correlates significantly with pulmonary function tests and arterial blood gas analysis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.259-266
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• 1993

Background: To evaluate the risk factor of pneumothorax (PNX) which is the most common complication of CT-guided needle aspiration of the lung, we have examined the frequency of PNX according to the presence of obstructive ventilatory impairment determined by pulmonary function tests. Methods: A comparative study of analysis of forecd expiratory volume and folw-volume curves, and determinations of diffusing capacity taken before procedure were made between each 16 cases with PNX and controls with no PNX. Each of the control group was matched for sex, age, height, and size and depth of lesion with the former. Results: 1) In comparison of vital capacity and parameters derived from forced expiratory volume curve between two groups, VC and FVC were not significantly different, whereas $FEV_1$, $FEV_1$/FVC%, and FEF25-75% showed a significant decrease in the PNX gorup. Also, in the PNX group, all the observed values of parameters analyzed from flow-volune curve were siginificantly reduced in the PNX group compared with those in the control group. 2) The diffusing capacity tended to decrease along with varying individual differences in the PNX group. 3) Patients who had obstructive ventilatory impairment according to the results of pulmonary function tests experienced a twofold increase in the frequency of PNX and a sixfold increase in the frequency of chest tube drainage for treatment of PNX compared with those whose results were normal. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the exact evaluation of obstructive lung disease determined by pulmonary function test be considered assessing a pastient's risk for PNX in the patients who will take the CT-guided needle aspiration of the lung.