• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.159-184
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• 2021

The significance of the enactment of the 「Act On The Safety Of And Support For Advanced Regenerative Medicine And Advanced Biological Products」 is to break away from the regulation of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act and expand patient treatment opportunities through a medical technology approach to regenerative medicine, which is essentially a medical practice called 'transplantation'. However, more than a year after the law was enacted, clinical study has not been activated, with not a single high-risk study approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety being approved. The reason is that despite the legal purpose of expanding patient treatment opportunities, the data requirements for clinical study approval are set in connection with drug development despite the insufficient legal basis, making it difficult for many researchers to meet the data requirements. Prior to the enactment of the Act, submitted data for clinical study on cell therapy products within the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act were cosiderably exempted from quality and non-clinical test data, but with the enforcement of the Advanced Regenerative Bio Act, quality and non-clinical test data are required in accordance with pharmaceuticals when applying for approval of a clinical study plan. To rectify this, when considering the identity of clinical study on advanced regenerative medicine to expand treatment opportunities, recognize that there are limitations in connection with drug development. And it is necessary to preserve the identity of clinical study on advanced regenerative medicine, and on the other hand, in the case of drug product approval, clinical study results should be utilized while specifying usage requirements. Therefore, with the power of the market and the voluntary motive of the clinical researcher, it is necessary to prepare the necessary data by themselves rather than the basic requirements for clinical study approval.

• Journal of Appropriate Technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2021

This study proposes the design and implementation of a low-cost emergency ventilator which can be helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic where the supply of automatic ventilators is not smooth compared with the urgent demand worldwide. Easy implementation and lower price were made possible by using AMBU-bag and off-the-shelf embedded micro-controller board. Moreover, while 3D printing is used by companies and experts around the world to build prototype hardware, materials which are readily available from surrounding environments so that people in countries where it is difficult to access many advanced technologies could manufacture the system. The design features AMBU-bag automation, not use 3D printing, and it can contrl speed. By allowing speed control, ventilation can be performed according to the conditions of the patient being used. A complementary point in the study is that it is difficult to fix the start point of the wiper motor used first. A method for complementing this is a method for replacing the brush DC motor with a position feedback function. Secondly, the AMBU-bag may wear out in the long-term process of compressing the AMBU-bag because the arm and the fixing frame are made of wood. To complement this, the part of fixing frame and arm parts that the AMBU-bag touches need to be wrapped in a material such as silicon to minimize friction.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.782-793
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• 2022

The rise in chronic disease not only has a negative effect on people's lives, but it also increases the cost of medical care owing to the increased usage of medical care as health and medical technology improves, life expectancy rises, and rapid population ageing. In such context, this study examined the difference in the disease cost of hypertension according to demographic information and the effect of the initial diagnosis age and treatment period on the cost. This study used the Korean Health Panel Survey from 2010 to 2017, and selected subjects based on health insurance beneficiaries between the ages of 30 and under 80. With the selected data, the direct and indirect costs of disease loss were calculated according to the cost of illness approach, and we constructed a disease-loss ratio cohort considering the age of diagnosis and time of treatment for hypertension. From the results of the study, the annual cost of disease loss for hypertensive patients differed by gender by 110,107 won, and it was found that the cost increased by 1.8 times as the treatment time increased. In addition, when comparing disease loss ratios between the same age groups, it was found that the disease loss ratios between those in their 60s and 70s were affected by treatment time. This study confirmed that hypertension significantly affects the cost of the disease, and not only requires early diagnosis and management, but also preventive efforts to lower the incidence of hypertensive disease must be strengthened.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.68-72
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• 2022

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a lymphoproliferative disorder of mature T follicular helper cells. Atypical lymphoid cells were observed in the bone marrow of an 80-year-old woman, and the flow cytometric determined immunophenotypes of B-cells were unusual, that is, CD19+, CD20-, and CD22- with lambda light chain restriction. Initially, we suspected BM involvement of B-cell lymphoma based on the presence of abnormal B-cells. However, the patient was diagnosed with AITL involving BM. A re-analysis of flow cytometric immunophenotyping revealed a minor, aberrant T-cell population, and the lambda light chain restriction observed by surface staining was considered non-specific binding. This case demonstrates B-cells in patients with EBV-positive T-cell lymphoma may exhibit immunophenotypes resembling those of plasma cells, and that proliferation of abnormal B-cells or plasma cells could also potentially mask underlying T-cell lymphoma. A more integrated approach is required for accurate diagnosis.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Esthetic Dentistry
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.54-68
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• 2023

Treatment planning of edentulous patient with digital method is materialized by designing the surgical guide. When designing the surgical guide, we first implement the shape of the final prosthesis in the virtual space and then materialize the implantation plan based on this. However, it is challenging to make surgical guides for edentulous patients as their lack of both the reference for the arrangement of teeth and interocclusal relationship makes it hard to envision the shape of the final prosthesis. If there exists good partial or complete dentures or residual teeth, its teeth arrangement can be used as a reference for the virtual final prosthesis and the subsequent surgical guide. If such a reference is absent or unsatisfactory, a process of manufacturing a complete denture for diagnostic purposes and verifying it on patient's mouth is necessary and use it as a new reference for the virtual final prosthesis. But even if a surgical guide is produced through the reference from the thorough reflection of the virtual final prosthesis, when we use it in the surgical field, the intraoral condition of the patient may make the implants deviated from planned in the surgical guide. In the worst case, if the positioning of the surgical guide on the mouth is incorrect, it can lead to a catastrophic error that displaces all the implant, in which case the guided surgery would be much worse than the non-guided one. In this article, we will discuss how to obtain references of tooth arrangements in a timely manner and align or register them into a unified coordinate system in digital space, and also introduce how to transfer such an implantation plan from the virtual world into the patient's mouth of real world with minimum error. And lastly, I would like to express my opinion on the establishment of a rational and systematic protocol of guided surgery of the edentulous patients.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.13-17
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• 2023

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is main subtype of primary thyroid lymphoma and can be histologically transformed from a low-grade B-cell lymphoma. The characteristics and treatment guidelines of these particular DLBCL have not been fully established. The mainstay of treatment of primary thyroid DLBCL is multimodality treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Meanwhile, surgery can be considered only for diagnosis or alleviation of airway compressive symptoms. A 57-year-old female visited our outpatient clinic for recently enlarged long-held anterior neck mass. A thyroid mass compressing the airway and esophagus was identified on imaging, which was diagnosed as MALT lymphoma by excisional biopsy. After staging, the patient underwent total thyroidectomy with regional lymph node dissection for treatment of stage IIE MALT lymphoma and relieving airway compromise symptoms. The final diagnosis was DLBCL transformed from MALT Lymphoma, and chemotherapy was additionally performed. We report this rare experience with a review of literature.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2024

Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy with Lactic Acidosis and Stroke-like episode (MELAS) is a rare maternally inherited disorder primarily caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA, notably the m.3243A>G mutation in the MT-TL1 gene. This mutation impairs mitochondrial function crucial for cellular energy production, particularly in high-energy-demanding organs such as the brain and muscles. MELAS manifests as recurrent stroke-like episodes, seizures, diabetes mellitus, cardiomyopathy, and other multisystemic symptoms that are often present in childhood. The diagnosis combines genetic testing, clinical evaluation, and neuroimaging, with elevated lactate levels and characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings as key indicators. Treatment focuses on symptomatic management and enhancement of mitochondrial function through L-arginine, coenzyme Q10, high-dose vitamins, and taurine supplementation. Studies have identified additional genetic variants linked to MELAS, including mutations in POLG and other mitochondrial genes, further complicating the genetic landscape. Emerging therapies, particularly gene therapy and mitochondria-targeting drugs, offer promising avenues for addressing the underlying genetic defects and improving mitochondrial functioning. Furthermore, ongoing studies continue to enhance our understanding and management of MELAS, with the aim of reducing its burden and improving patient outcomes and quality of life. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the genetics, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of MELAS, highlighting the latest advancements and future directions for therapeutic interventions.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.315-331
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• 2024

Objectives: To report the effectiveness of a comprehensive Korean medical approach, incorporating acupuncture, herbal medicine, Chuna therapy, and traditional Korean psychotherapy, in the management of a patient with cerebellar ataxia and major depressive disorder. Methods: A 45-year-old female patient diagnosed with cerebellar ataxia and major depressive disorder received a comprehensive Korean medicine treatment, including acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine, Chuna therapy, and traditional Korean psychotherapy such as Giungoroen therapy, IiGyeungByunQi therapy, M&L therapy, and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). The efficacy was assessed through both subjective symptom reports and a range of psychological assessment tools, including the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), Korean Symptom Checklist-95 (KSCL-95), Korean Beck Depression Inventory-II (K-BDI-II), Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory XYZ form (STAI-XYZ), Korean version of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI-K), Padua Inventory-Washington State University Revision (PI-WSUR), Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), and the Korean Version of the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI-K). Results: Throughout treatment, the patient experienced marked improvements in physical symptoms, notably dizziness, and gait instability. Psychological evaluations demonstrated significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The overall quality of life was enhanced, with sustained benefits observed during follow-up assessments. Conclusions: This case suggests that a comprehensive Korean medicine approach that integrates acupuncture, herbal medicine, Chuna therapy, and traditional Korean psychotherapy may be effective in alleviating both physical and psychological symptoms associated with cerebellar ataxia and major depressive disorder.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.139-148
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• 1987

The community health practitioners (CHP) play an important role in primary health care services to the underserved population in rural area. Time and motion study of 26 CHPs in Kyungpook Province was conducted through work diary method for 6 consecutive days from the time they arrived until they left the primary health post(PHP) during the past 3 weeks from November 16 to December 5, 1987. The allocation of activity time by working category, service category, location of activity and CHP's function was analyzed according to the characteristics of CHPs i. e., age, marital status and experience as CHP. The major findings are as follows : The mean activity time per CHP in a week was 2,918 minutes. The length of their working hours was longer for older, married and more experienced CHPs than others. About 80% of the CHP's activities took place within the PHP and only about 20% occured outside of the PHP. Working hours for the outdoor activities were longer for younger, single and less experienced CHPs than others. The allocation of activity time by working category showed 46.3% in the technical work and 18.7% in the administrative work. Working hours for the technical activities were longer for younger, single and less experienced CHPs than others. The percentage of activity time revealed greatest as much as 63.1% for direct patient care in technical work and 61.6% for record keeping in administrative work. Of the total working hours in a week, direct patient care and public health activities accounted for 29.2% and 16.2%, respectively. Of the indoor activities, working hours for direct patient care were longer than those for public health activities. However, of the outdoor activities, working hours for public health activities were longer than those for direct patient care. The allocation of activity time by CHP's function showed 49.7% in management of common disease, 31.8% in management of PHP and technical supervision of village health workers, 9.5% in MCH and family planning, 6.6% in community health management and 2.4% in community approach. Based on these findings, it was found that CHPs were mainly working in the PHP with a majority of their time being spent for direct patient care rather than preventive and promotive health cares. To enhance the preventive and promotive health services of the CHPs and to involve the activities for community development, refresher course for CHPs should be reinforced and supervision mechanism of the CHPs should be established and operated in Gun- and province-level.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.231-240
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• 2008

We developed a user-friendly program to independently verify monitor units (MUs) calculated by radiation treatment planning systems (RTPS), as well as to manage beam database in clinic. The off-axis factor, beam hardening effect, inhomogeneity correction, and the different depth correction were incorporated into the program algorithm to improve the accuracy in calculated MUs. A beam database in the program was supposed to use measured data from routine quality assurance (QA) processes for timely update. To enhance user's convenience, a graphic user interface (GUI) was developed by using Visual Basic for Application. In order to evaluate the accuracy of the program for various treatment conditions, the MU comparisons were made for 213 cases of phantom and for 108 cases of 17 patients treated by 3D conformal radiation therapy. The MUs calculated by the program and calculated by the RTPS showed a fair agreement within ${\pm}3%$ for the phantom and ${\pm}5%$ for the patient, except for the cases of extreme inhomogeneity. By using Visual Basic for Application and Microsoft Excel worksheet interface, the program can automatically generate beam data book for clinical reference and the comparison template for the beam data management. The program developed in this study can be used to verify the accuracy of RTPS for various treatment conditions and thus can be used as a tool of routine RTPS QA, as well as independent MU checks. In addition, its beam database management interface can update beam data periodically and thus can be used to monitor multiple beam databases efficiently.