• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2016

Purpose: It is important to alleviate care burden for terminal cancer patients and their families. This study investigated the factors associated with care burden among family caregivers (FCs) of terminally ill cancer patients. Methods: We analyzed data from 289 FCs of terminal cancer patients who were admitted to palliative care units of seven medical centers in Korea. Care burden was assessed using the Korean version of Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA) scale which comprises five domains. A multivariate logistic regression model with stepwise variable selection was used to identify factors associated with care burden. Results: Diverse associating factors were identified in each CRA domain. Emotional factors had broad influence on care burden. FCs with emotional distress were more likely to experience changes to their daily routine (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 2.54; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.29~5.02), lack of family support (aOR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.04~4.97) and health issues (aOR, 5.44; 2.50~11.88). Family functionality clearly reflected a lack of support, and severe family dysfunction was linked to financial issues as well. FCs without religion or comorbid conditions felt more burdened. The caregiving duration and daily caregiving hours significantly predicted FCs' lifestyle changes and physical burden. FCs who were employed, had weak social support or could not visit frequently, had a low self-esteem. Conclusion: This study indicates that it is helpful to understand FCs' emotional status and family functions to assess their care burden. Thus, efforts are needed to lessen their financial burden through social support systems.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.540-547
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• 2006

Background : Vital stability and right side heart failure are major prognostic factors of acute pulmonary thromboembolism. While it is important to recognize right side heart failure, it is often difficult in real practice. Recently, several studies have described early diagnostic tools for detecting right side heart failure including echocardiography and biochemical markers. This study, we evaluated the prognostic role of the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in an acute pulmonary thromboembolism. Methods : Thirty-four patients with a diagnosis of acute pulmonary thromboembolism were enrolled in the study. The BNP levels were measured and echocardiography was performed at the Emergency Department. Data on the prognostic factors including ventilatory support, vital stability, pulmonary artery pressure, degree of tricuspid valve regurgitation, complications and death was collected from the patients' medical records. The patients with an acute pulmonary thromboembolism were divided into two groups based on the vital stability and the BNP level and the cutoff values and prognostic factors of the two groups were compared. Results : The predictors of the vital stability that influence the prognosis of patients with acute pulmonary thromboembolism were the BNP level, ventilatory support and death. The plasma BNP levels showed a strong correlation with the vital stability, ventilatory support, thrombolytic therapy and death. When the BNP cutoff level was set to 377.5 pg/dl in a ROC curve, the sensitivity and the specificity for differentiating between the groups with stable or unstable vital signs was 100% and 90%, respectively. Conclusion : This study indicates that a measurement of the plasma BNP levels may be a useful prognostic marker in patients with an acute pulmonary thrombo-embolism.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.617-623
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• 2005

Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to microwave-assisted process (MAP) extraction for effective components from Mosla dianthera M. Microwave power (2,450 MHz, 0-160 W) and extraction time (1-5 min) were used as independent variables ($X_i$) for central composite design to yield 10 different extraction conditions. Optimum conditions were predicted for dependent variables of $75\%$ ethanol extracts, such as total yield($Y_1$), total phenolics($Y_2$), total flavonoids($Y_3$), and electron donation ability($Y_4$, EDA). Determination coefficients ($R^2$) of regression equations for dependent variables ranged from 0.8397 to 0.9801, and microwave power was observed to be more influential than extraction time in MAP. The maximal values of each dependent variable predicted at different extraction conditions of microwave power (W) and extraction time (min) were as follows; $6.76\%$ of total yield at 142.00 W and 4.36 min, 78.68 mg/g of total phenolics at 136.78 W and 4.40 min, 6.75 mg/g of total flavonoids at 159,69 W and 3.17 min, and $49.81\%$ of EDA at 133.87 W and 4.47 min, respectively. The superimposed contour maps for maximizing dependent variables illustrated the MAP conditions of 79 to 113 W in power and of 2.73 to 3.84 min in extraction time.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.811-816
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• 2007

Background: We analyzed our experience of arrhythmia surgery in patients with congenital heart disease. Material and Method: A retrospective review was performed on 43 consecutive patients with congenital heart disease, who underwent arrhythmia surgery between June 1998 and June 2006. Result: The median age at surgery was 52 years ($4{\sim}75$ years). The most frequent cardiac anomaly was an atrial septal defect (23/43, 53.5%). The types of arrhythmias were atrial flutter-fibrillation, intermittent non-sustainable ventricular tachycardia and others in 37, 2 and 4, respectively. Arrhythmia surgery consisted of a bi-atrial maze operation in 18 patients (modified cox maze III procedure in 5 patients, and a right side maze plus pulmonary vein cryo-isolation in 13), right side maze operation in 18 patients, cavo-tricuspid isthmus cryoablation for benign atrial flutter in 4 patients, right ventricular endocardial cryoablation in 2 patients and extranodal cryoablation for atrioventricular node re-entry tachycardia in 1 patient. The median follow-up was 23.8 months ($1{\sim}95.2$ months). There was no early mortality, and one late non-cardiac related death. The overall rates of restored sinus rhythm before discharge and $3{\sim}6$ months after surgery were 79% and 81%, respectively (bi-atrial maze group: 72% and 83%, right-side maze group: 77%, 77%). Conclusion: Arrhythmias associated with congenital heart disease can be safely treated surgically with an excellent intermediate-term outcome.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 2010

Purpose: In patients with meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis, controversy remains as to whether arthroscopic menisectomy is worthwhile or not. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of arthroscopic medial meniscectomy in degenerative arthritis of the knee with meniscal tear. We also intended to identify pertinent indications and risk factors. Materials and Methods: 287 patients underwent arthroscopic medial meniscectomy from 2006 to 2008; 103 patients who had Kellgren-Lawrence grade II, III arthritis of the knee, were over 50 years old, and had minimum 1 year follow-up, were analyzed in this study. Clinical assessment was performed retrospectively using the arthroscopic surgery database, medical records, questionnires and interviews. Assessment included visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and Lysholm scores. Results: The mean Lysholm score increased from 69 to 85 after surgery. The mean VAS score improved from 7 to 3.1 after surgery. Kellgren-Lawrence grade II group and group with trauma history showed significant improvement of pain and function compared with grade III and group without trauma history. Outerbridge grade I showed significantly more improvement of pain than grade III and IV. Multiple regression analysis showed that trauma history and Outerbridge grade affect the improvement of Lysholm score. Conclusion: In one year follow-up, arthroscopic medial menisectomy can improve pain and function of patients in Kellgren-Lawrence grade II, III degenerative arthritis of the knee. We could expect good results especially in group with low Kellgren-Lawrence grade, trauma history, and mild articular cartilage lesion.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.3734-3740
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• 2014

The aim of this study was provide basic information and establish the criteria in radiation therapy planning by measuring the absorbed neutron dose of normal tissues and lesions according to the number of portals. From September 2013 to January 2014, 20 patients who were diagnosed with prostate cancer and were previously treated with radiation therapy were replanned retrospectively to measure the absorbed neutron dose distribution according to the number of portals. The absorbed neutron dose was measured in each of the 5, 7 and 9 portals using a 15 MV energy, which meant a therapeutic dose of 220 cGy. The optical stimulation luminescence dosimeter was separated by 20cm and 60cm away from the center of the field of view. As a result, the average radiation dose in the abdomen appeared to have a positive relationship with the number of portals, which was statistically significant (p<.05). The average radiation dose was $4.34{\pm}1.08$. The average radiation dose in the thyroid was $2.71{\pm}.37$. Although it showed a positive relationship with the number of portals, it did not have statistical significance. The number of portals and the neutron dose depending on the position showed a significant positive relationship, particularly in the abdomen. As a result of linear regression analysis, as the number of the portal increased in steps, the average volume of the neutrons increased significantly (0.416 times). In conclusion, efficient selection of the number of portals is needed considering the difference in the absorbed neutron dose in the normal tissues depending on the number of the portals.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 1983

This study was to estimate total annual volume growth by the measurement of mean tree growth during the last 10 years. Surveyed Forest stand was the second block (20.80 ha.)of Kyung Hee University Forests located at San 58 and 64, Gaegok-Ri, Gapyung-Yeup, Gapyung-Goon, Kyunggi province in Korea. The stand was mainly composed of uneven-aged Pinus densiflora and the estimation of tree volume was conducted by taking the cores at the D.B.H. of the sample tree which was selected by sub-sampling. The results obtained were as follows; 1) The regression between the diameter (D) and diameter growth ($\hat{I}$) was $\hat{I}=0.5499+0.0101D$. 2) The estimated equation of confidence interval for the diameter growth was $S^2{\hat{I}}=0.00817(0.09538-0.00952D+0.00027D^2$) 3) The equation for estimating tree height (H) from diameter was $H=1.32376D^{0.77958}$ 4) The equation for estimating tree volume from diameter and height $V=0.0000622D^{1.6918}H^{1.1397}$ 5) Total annual tree volume growth was $5.4041m^3/ha$, and ranged from 5.6131 to $5.1984m^3/ha$. 6) Annual growth rate of total tree volume and its error were 8.8% and 3.9%, respectively. The annual volume growth per tree for any districts can be estimated by this method, and the annual volume growth will be successfully predicted. Because of poor forest growing stock in Korea, annual amount of allowable cut should not exceed annual tree volume growth for better forest management. Accordingly, annual amount of allowable cut should be either equal to or less than annual tree volume growth for the balanced establishment between timber supply and demand in Korea. Demand shortage will be substituted with imported timber. Such plans enable Korean Government to develop a better policy of forest resources management.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.215-221
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to test whether metric measurements of crown length, root length and apex width during tooth development could be a better basis for correlation with age than the classical methods based on subjective estimations of various stages of tooth development. Panoramic radiographs of 120 children, aged 7 to 9 years, were collected from the department of the pediatric dentistry of Chonnam National University Hospital, Korea. The methods of Mornstad was used to estimate age. The structures measured were crown length root length and apex width in panoramic radiographic. The results were as follows : 1. In the boys, it showed higher correlation between lower 2nd molar crown length, lower 1st molar root length or lower 1st permolar apical width and age. In the girls, it showed higher correlation between lower 2nd premolar crown length, lower 2nd molar root length or lower 1st molar apical width and age. 2. With the aid of a multiple regression model, a linear relationship between some of these distances and age was shown. Boy(months) = 43.958 + lower 2nd molar crown length ${\times}$ 4.392 + lower 1st molar root length ${\times}$ 2.255 - lower 1st permolar apical width ${\times}$ 2.046, Girl(months) = 75.213 + lower 2nd premolar crown length ${\times}$ 3.910 lower 2nd molar root length ${\times}$ 2.280 - lower 1st molar apical width ${\times}$ 6.217 Age was estimated in boys and girls using the mathematic model ; the mean difference between chronological and estimated ages was $-2.1{\pm}6.8$ months for boys and $6.1{\pm}6.2$ months for girls. Therefore, it seems to be more accurate and easier than the earlier methods.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.133-143
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• 2014

Purpose : The aim of this study was to determine the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features associated with re-excision due to the presence of a positive margin after breast conserving therapy (BCT) in breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of 286 consecutive breast cancer patients who received BCT between January 2006 and December 2007. Among 246 patients who had undergone BCT, 38 (15.4%) underwent immediate further surgery due to positive margin status. We analyzed the MRI findings using ${\chi}^2$ test, Fisher's exact test and t tests. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted for prediction of re-excision. Results: Tumor size (p < 0.001), lesion multiplicity (p = 0.003), and non-mass-like enhancement (NMLE) type on MRI (p < 0.001) were associated with margin involvement in BCT. On preoperative MRI, larger size (${\geq}5cm$) (odds ratio = 2.96), NMLE (odds ratio = 3.81), and multifocal lesions (odds ratio = 2.54) were positively associated with re-excision. In cases involving NMLE, segmental distribution was associated with a greater likelihood of immediate re-excision. Conclusion: Larger size, multiplicity, and NMLE on MRI are significantly associated with re-excision after BCT in breast cancer patients. For NMLE lesions, the segmental distribution pattern was predictive of re-excision.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.375-380
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• 2014

The sweetpotato whitefly (SPW), Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, is a major pest in tomato greenhouses on Jeju Island because they transmit viral diseases. To develop practical sampling methods for adult SPWs, yellow-color sticky traps were used in commercial tomato greenhouses throughout the western part of Jeju Island in 2011 and 2012. On the basis of the size and growing conditions in the tomato greenhouses, 20 to 30 traps were installed in each greenhouse for developing a sampling plan. Adult SPWs were more attracted to horizontal traps placed 60 cm above the ground than to vertical trap placed 10 cm above the plant canopy. The spatial patterns of the adult SPWs were evaluated using Taylor's power law (TPL) and Iwao's patchiness regression (IPR). The results showed that adult SPWs were aggregated in each surveyed greenhouse. In this study, TPL showed better performance because of the coefficient of determination ($r^2$). On the basis of the fixed-precision level sampling plan using TPL parameters, more traps were required for higher precision in lower SPW densities per trap. A sequential sampling stop line was constructed using TPL parameters. If the treatment threshold was greater than 10 maximum adult SPWs on a trap, the required traps numbered 15 at a fixed-precision level of 0.25. In estimating the mean density per trap, the proportion of traps with two or more adult SPWs was more efficient than whole counting: ${\ln}(m)=1.19+0.90{\ln}(-{\ln}(1-p_T))$. The results of this study could be used to prevent the dissemination of SPW as a viral disease vector by using accurate control decision in SPW management programs.