• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.248-256
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• 2005

Background : Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections are increasingly being recognized as a cause of chronic pulmonary disease. This study describes the prevalence of NTM species from clinical specimens and the clinical characteristics of NTM pulmonary disease. Material and Methods : The NTM isolated from March 2003 to December 2003 at the Kosin Medical Center were identified using an oligonucleotide chip containing the internal transcribed space (ITS) sequence. The medical records of the patients with the NTM isolates, who fulfilled the 1997 ATS diagnostic criteria for NTM pulmonary disease, were analyzed, retrospectively. Results : Twenty four species (24.2%) of NTM were isolated from 99 cultured AFB specimens. M. avium complex (MAC) (13 isolates), M. szulgai (3), M. kansasii (2), M. malmoense (2), M. abscessus (1), M. chelonae (1), M. scrofulaceum (1), and unclassified (1). Of the 23 patients with isolated NTM, 11 patients were found to be compatible with a NTM pulmonary infection according to the ATS criteria; MAC was found in 6 cases (54.5%), M. szulgai in 2 cases (18.2%), and M. abscessus, M. szulgai, M. kansasii and M. malmoense in 1 case each (9.1%). Ten patients (91%) were male and the median age at diagnosis was 61 years. In the pre-existing diseases, malignant disease was found in 6 cases including 5 patients with lung cancer, and history of old pulmonary tuberculosis was identified in 4 cases. The radiological patterns showed lung destruction lung in 3 cases, a cavitary mass in 3 cases, a nodular pattern in 2 cases, and reticulonodular, consolidation and a bronchiectasis pattern were in 1 case each. Conclusion : Various types of NTM pulmonary diseases were found in a tertiary hospital at Busan, Korea. The NTM pulmonary diseases were caused by MAC, M. szugai, M. kansasii, M. malmoense, M. abscessus, M. chelonae, and M. scrofulaceum in the order of frequency.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.1-26
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• 2001

This research is aimed to define how the depression, performing ability of IADL and muscular-skeletal pain of the Aged, according to their residential circumstance, sex and age, can affect the subjective health index and how all these are related and associated with. For the period of June 1 to July 31, 2000, in order to study and define how the depression, performing ability of IADL and muscular-skeletal pain are related to the subjective health index of the Aged, we have conducted an enquete through a direct interview with 693 persons over age sixty-five (65) in Daejon and in other adjacent areas, divided into three different residential types “The Aged living at home”, “The Aged living at welfare facilities” and “The Aged living alone”. We have studied all the data and information obtained through this enquete and have analyzed χ²-test, t-test, ANOVA, analysis of simple correlation, analysis of factor. by SPSS10.0/PC+. The results were as follows: Generally, the four (4) factors depression, IADL performing ability, muscular-skeletal pain and the subjective health index of the Aged, are a lot influenced by and related to their residential circumstance, their sex and their age. With regard to the depression of the Aged by their sex, it was analyzed that, on an average, the female-Aged gains 48.3 point which reflects comparatively the higher points and the female-Aged is more depressed. In analyzing depression of the Aged by their age, it appears that the Aged between eighty (80) to eight-four (84) years of age, gains 49.2 point which is the highest points and simultaneously we could realize that depression follows age, - the more the age gets, the more the depression is increased. In analyzing depression of the Aged by their residential type, it shows that “the Aged living alone” gains 50.9 point and is most depressed. With regard to the IADL performance of the Aged by their sex, it was analyzed that, on an average, the female-Aged gains 23.8 point, which shows the performance of the female-Aged is less independent. In addition, it was also found that the IADL performing ability is becoming less and less independent following their age increasing. In analyzing IADL performance by their residential type, it appears that “the Aged living at welfare facilities” gains the lowest 21.5 point and is least independent. We conclude that some assistances from others are required for the Aged living at welfare facilities in their performing IADL. With regard to the muscular-skeletal pain of the Aged by their sex, it was analyzed that, on an average, the female-Aged gains 3.0 point and the female-Aged suffers from this pain more severely. In analyzing this pain by their residential type, it was found that, on an average, the 3.0 point goes for “the Aged living alone”, which explains the Aged living alone is having the most serious pain. With regard to the subjective heath index of the all Aged participated in this research, the analysis indicates 8.8 point and this is considered as a general standard (7-10 point). In analyzing this index by their sex, the female-Aged gains 8.6 point only and it explains a lot of female-Aged consider they are not really healthy. In analyzing this index by their residential type, “the Aged living at welfare facilities” and “the Aged living alone” gain the comparatively lower point, -respectively 8.4 point for the Aged living at welfare facilities and 8.8 point for the Aged living alone. The Aged of these two residential types express they are obviously in a bad condition of health, which makes us think a lot. With regard to the factors affecting the subjective health index of the Aged, it was analyzed that this index can significantly be influenced by their depression, their pain, their age and by how much they are satisfied with their current living conditions, and also analyzed that the correlative relation certainly exists between the depression and pain, and the subjective health index, - that is, the more the depression and pain are serious, the lower the subjective health index indicates. As for the IADL, it appears that the IADL's relation with this index is not that significant and even not important.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.39-51
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• 2008

The objectives of this study were to analyze the socio-economical factors related to smoking and drinking behaviors using the Korea Welfare Panel data. The key variables were sex, age, frequency of health and medical facilities visit, subjective health level, smoking level, drinking level, depression symptoms, and low income level. Since the health variables in the Welfare Panel data were limited, the analysis was exploratory. In male population of those older than 30 years old, low income group people were more likely to smoke cigarettes than the general income population. In the result of the Chi square analysis, the smoking rate showed significantly different relationships with the different age groups, gender and income level. According to the descriptive analysis, persons with low income level were more likely to experience health risk behaviors and showed more medical service utilization. The utilization of the local public health centers was 4.6% for the Bow income level and 1% for the general level. The higher smoking rate was associated with the younger age, and the lower income. The smoking rate in the age category from 20 to 29 was 23.3% for the general level and 25% for the low income level. On the other hand, the drinking rate was even higher in the general families. The rates of non use of alcohol was 36.7% in the general families and 58.4% for the low income families. For both smoking and high risk drinking issues, demographic and sociological variables such as sex, age, education levels and income levels were analyzed, and there wer significant relationships. Health risk factors were serious for males, with age groups of 20's and 30's, lower education level, and in a low income family. In general, females were more unhealthy. The rates of smoking and drinking were higher in the low income level. Even in the health and nutrition survey results in 2005, persons in the low income class were experiencing poorer health in health level or the degree of action restriction. Since the effects of the health promotion could not be measured in a short period of time, it has not been easy to create the basis for the substantial effects. Factors related to health risks needs to be continuously studied using data from diverse field.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.182-188
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• 2011

Purpose: Recently in Korea, there have been significant improvements in neonatal mortality rate (NMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR). This study aimed to investigate the proportion of the NMR among IMR, with the goal of discerning the influence of improved NMR on the reduction of IMR in the last 5 years in Korea. Methods: All data were from Statistics Korea. Changes in the NMR percentage among IMR and the percentage of the death by the distribution of the birth weight and gestational were investigated. Results: The total birth rate decreased, but the total number of preterm and low birth weight infants increased. These was a large decrease in NMR and IMR. The proportion of NMR among INR exceeded 50%. Early NMR was higher than late NMR. Among the total infant death, the mortality of preterm and low birth weight infants was high. Conclusion: Between 2005 and 2009, the total birth has declined in Korea, but the frequency of low birth weight infants is trending upward. The improvements in NMR and IMR, and the downtrend of the NMR percentage in IMR, are encouraging. It seems that the continued decrease of mortality of preterm and LBWI is required for better improvements NMR and IMR in Korea. This result is expected to be used for the basic data to improve the management of the newborns in Korea.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.203-208
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• 1999

Purpose: The information on the change of the relative renal function after operation is essential to set the initial treatment plan in unilateral hydronephrosis. So we analyzed the preoperative and postoperative relative renal function, and observed the functional changes by operation and reliability of the various factors in those changes. Materials and Methods: A retrospective trial was done of 81 patients, 35 ureteropelvic junction(UPJ) obstruction and 46 vesicoureteral reflux(VUR), among 393 patients undergoing operations at our institution from March. 1992 to February. 1997. The patients who had infravesical abnormalities, abnormal contralateral kidney and insufficient research data were excluded. We determined the relative renal functions using DTPA and MAG3 scan in UPJ obstruction and DMSA scan in VUR. The mean observation period after operation was 2.01(0.25-4) years. Results: A. UPJ Obstruction 1. The relative renal function was improved significantly after operation(P=0.0007). 2. The kidneys which have preoperative functions between 20% and 40% improved significantly in relative renal function comparing to the kidneys of the other functions(P=0.0046). B. VUR 1. The renal functions didn't improve significantly after operation(P>0.05). 2. There was no significant factor affecting the prognosis in renal functions. Conclusions: 1. The kidneys with UPJ Obstruction show the difference in functional improvement after operation according to the degree of the preoperative renal function, but more investigations about the exact value are needed. 2. In VUR there was no difference between preoperative and postoperative functions, the theoretical basis on objectives of the operation could be the symptoms or factors except the operation.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.129-137
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• 2004

Purpose : Nocternal enuresis is a common disorder. Tricyclic antidepressant and desmopressin have been accepted pharmacological treatment for this disorder We conducted a cooperative study to investigate the efficacy and adverse reactions of imipramine, desmopressin and combination treatment in children with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis(PMNE). Methods: Data from a large multicenter study were analysed. In the period of 8 months in 2002, the study comprised of 168 children(78 boys and 90 girls, 5 to 15 years old) with PMNE for imipramine, desmopressin or combination treatment. Before treatment a history, physical examination and laboratory tests were performed and the children were observed for 2 weeks. Response rate, adverse reactions and enuresis episodes after stopping drug administration were evaluated after 12-weeks of imipramine, desmopressin or combination of both. Results: After 4 weeks, the frequency of bed wetting in all treated patients decreased during treatment significantly Even though a 30-50%, reduction in the number of wet nights were 68.6%, 74.4% and 86.1% during 12 weeks treatment by imipramine, desmopressin and both of them respectively, there was no significant difference between them. The most common adverse reaction was decreased appetite from imipramine administration. But no serious drug-related adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Efficacy of the combination therapy of imipramine and desmopressin in PMNE appears not to be better than either drug alone. It is necessary to pay attention on account of adverse reactions during imipramine treatment even though imipramine and desmopressin were generally well tolerated.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.127-134
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• 2015

This study was designed to determine the prevalence of gallstones in the last three years and evaluate the associated risk factors in the population who underwent health screening. Although there are many studies reporting the prevalence and risk factors of GB polyp, the results varied among each report. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence rate and risk factors of GB polyp, colon polyp and fatty liver in the population who underwent health screening. The study population consisted of 4,877 visited the health promotion center in Dalseogu, Daegu in Korea from January 2011 to December 2013. Each participant in the study had their biliary system gallbladder examined using ultrasonography. The prevalence of GB polyp was evaluated along with age, gender, metabolic syndrom, body mass index (BMI), Fatty liver, Colon polyp. A showed of total 383 (7.9%) people were found to have GB polyps. The prevalence of sex among 256 (9.8%) patients men and 127 (5.6%) women which showed significantly higher in male than in female subjects(p=0.001). The mean size of the GB polyps 4.92 mm (1.6-17 mm). The sizes of most GB polyps (73.6%) were less than 10 mm in diameter. 122 subjects (31.28%) had multiple GB polyps which 2 or more polyps and 261 subjects (68.2%) had single polyp. Independent risk factors related with GB polyp were male gender (OR 0.551, p<0.001), overweight that BMI above $23kg/m^2$ (OR 0.713, p=0.002) triglyceride (OR 0.571, P<0.001), metabolic syndrome (OR 0.049, p=0.033) and colon polyp (OR 1.409, p=0.002). In spite of the conclusion, the prevalence GB polyp was higher than previous Korea and other country reports. The GB polyp in a healthy population was results as 7.9%. The risk factors of GB polyps were found to be male, being overweight, triglyceride, metabolic syndrome and colon polyp. Not only the subject of a health examination is needed but, a further study of the general public when possible.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.263-271
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• 2006

$\underline{Purpose}$: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of fentanyl-TTS in the management of radiotherapy induced acute pain and cancer pain treated with radiotherapy. $\underline{Materials\;and\;Methods}$: Our study was open labelled prospective phase IV multi-center study. the study population included patients with more 4 numeric rating scale(NRS) score pain although managed with other analgesics or more than 6 NRS score pain without analgesics. Patients divided into two groups; patients with radiotherapy induced pain (Group A) and patients with cancer pain treated with radiotherapy (Group B). All patients received 25 ug/hr of fentanyl transdermal patch. Primary end point was pain relief; second end points were change in patient quality of life, a degree of satisfaction for patients and clinician, side effects. $\underline{Results}$: Between March 2005 and June 2005, 312 patients from 26 participating institutes were registered, but 249 patients completed this study. Total number of patients in each group was 185 in Group A, 64 in Group B. Mean age was 60 years and male to female ratio was 76:24. Severe pain NRS score at 2 weeks after the application of fentanyl was decreased from 7.03 to 4.01, p=0.003. There was a significant improvement in insomnia, social functioning, and quality of life. A degree of satisfaction for patients and clinician was very high. The most common reasons of patients' satisfactions was good pain control. Ninety six patients reported side effect. Nausea was the most common side effect. There was no serious side effect. $\underline{Conclusion}$: Fentanyl-TTS was effective in both relieving pain with good tolerability and improving the quality of life for patients with radiotherapy induced acute pain and cancer pain treated with radiotherapy. The satisfaction of the patients and doctors was good. There was no major side effect.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.43-53
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• 2007

[ $\underline{Purpose}$ ]: To evaluate the relationship between the expression of EGFR, p53, Cox-2, Bcl-2 and the clinical parameters of NPC (nasopharyngeal carcinoma) patients treated with radiotherapy with/without chemotherapy, and to determine if these could be used as a biologic marker. $\underline{Materials\;and\;Methods}$: This study retrospectively examined 75 NPC patients who were pathologically diagnosed at St. Mary's Hospital and Kangnam St Mary's Hospital from March 1988 to August 2002 and treated with radiotherapy with/without chemotherapy. The levels of EGFR, p53, Cox-2, and Bcl-2 expression were determined immunohistochemically. The relationship between the levels of EGFR, p53, Cox-2 and Bcl-2 expression and the H- E staining findings including the WHO classification, TNM stage, tumor response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, disease free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) was analyzed. $\underline{Results}$: At a median follow up of 50.8 months (range: $5.5{\sim}201$ months), the 3 years OS rate and PFS rate were 68.7% and 68.2%, respectively. The five year OS rate and PFS rate were 53.5% and 51.1%, respectively. The median OS duration and PFS duration were 85.5 months and 61.1 months, respectively. The WHO classification correlated with the complete response rate, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis. The expression of p53 was associated with increased mitosis and poor overall survival. The expression of Bcl-2 correlated with the DFS and WHO classification. The expression of Cox-2 correlated with a poor overall survival and response rate in the lymph node. However, EGFR was not correlated with any factors. $\underline{Conclusion}$: These results suggest that the expression of p53, Cox-2, Bcl-2 plays role in predicting prognostic factors for NPC treated with radiotherapy with/without chemotherapy. However, further study on a larger number of patients will be needed to identify more useful biomarkers of NPC.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 1993

Seeds of Acanthopanx plants need about 2 years to germinate after sowing even if full matured fruits were harvested. I leave a room for doubt that this phenomenon could be brought by the immatured embryo in seed. If it is true, stratification method for the seed propagation of Acanthopanax plants would be used more effectively to promote the growth of embryo in relatively short time. Before stratification, seeds were devided into two parts. One of them was treated for 24hrs in the concentration of $GA_3$ 100 ppm. After stratification of non-treated and treated seeds, seeds for microtechnique were taken on interval of one month for three months, and fixed in Farmer's solution. The seed sizes of Acanthopanax plants were in biggest order A. sessiliflorus, A. seoulense, A. chiisanensis, A. koreanum and A. sieboldianum. The dehiscence phenomenon of seed coat didn't show in most of the seeds that stratified, but A. koreanum only dehisced in seeds treated in $GA_3$ 100ppm. The embryos of the stratified seeds that treated in $GA_3$ showed nomal growth, complete cotyledons and procambium in hypocotyl in any species, but the non-treated seeds could not expect the germination after sowing due to poor growing of the embryo in all species. In view of the results so far achieved, it has taken long times from sowing to germinate because the seed of Acanthopanax plants has immatured embryo.