• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.57 no.10
• /
• pp.451-456
• /
• 2014

Purpose: We evaluated serum procalcitonin (PCT) as a diagnostic marker of neonatal sepsis, and compared PCT levels with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 269 neonates with a suspected infection, admitted to Wonkwang University School of Medicine & Hospital between January 2011 and December 2012, for whom PCT and CRP values had been obtained. Neonates were categorized into 4 groups according to infection severity. CRP and PCT values were analyzed and compared, and their effectiveness as diagnostic markers was determined by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. We also calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and positive, and negative predictive values. Results: The mean PCT and CRP concentrations were respectively $56.27{\pm}81.89$ and $71.14{\pm}37.17mg/L$ in the "confirmed sepsis" group; $15.64{\pm}32.64$ and $39.23{\pm}41.41mg/L$ in the "suspected sepsis" group; $9.49{\pm}4.30$ and $0.97{\pm}1.16mg/L$ in the "mild infection" group; and $0.21{\pm}0.12$ and $0.72{\pm}0.7mg/L$ in the control group. High concentrations indicated greater severity of infection (P<0.001). Five of 18 patients with confirmed sepsis had low PCT levels (<1.0 mg/L) despite high CRP levels. In the ROC analysis, the area under the curve was 0.951 for CRP and 0.803 for PCT. The cutoff concentrations of 0.5 mg/L for PCT and 1.0 mg/L for CRP were optimal for diagnosing neonatal sepsis (sensitivity, 88.29% vs. 100%; specificity, 58.17% vs. 85.66%; positive predictive value, 13.2% vs. 33.3%; negative predictive value, 98.6% vs. 100%, respectively). Conclusion: PCT is a highly effective early diagnostic marker of neonatal infection. However, it may not be as reliable as CRP.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.454-462
• /
• 2021

Background: This study was performed to reveal the relationships between the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the paraspinal muscles and the severity of low back pain (LBP), including the level of disability. Methods: This single-center cross-sectional study was conducted on 164 patients with chronic LBP. The effects of demographic characteristics, posture, level of physical activity, disc herniation type, and sarcopenia risk on the CSAs of paraspinal muscles were evaluated along with the relationship between the CSAs and severity of pain and disability in all patients. The CSAs of paraspinal muscles were evaluated using the software program Image J 1.53. Results: A negative significant correlation was found between age and the paraspinal muscle's CSA (P < 0.05), whereas a positive correlation was present between the level of physical activity and the CSA of the paraspinal muscle at the L2-3 and L3-4 levels. The CSAs of paraspinal muscles in patients with sarcopenia risk was significantly lower than those in patients without sarcopenia risk (P < 0.05). The CSAs of paraspinal muscles at the L2-3 and L3-4 levels in obese patients were significantly higher than those in overweight patients (P = 0.028, P = 0.026, respectively). There was no relationship between the CSAs of paraspinal muscles and pain intensity or disability. Conclusions: Although this study did not find a relationship between paraspinal CSAs and pain or disability, treatment regimens for preventing paraspinal muscles from atrophy may aid pain physicians in relieving pain, restoring function, and preventing recurrence in patients with chronic LBP.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.68-74
• /
• 2019

This paper confirmed the effect of Baekho-tang(白虎湯) on psoriasis patient diagnosed with Yangmyung-Yeoljeung(陽明熱證). We treated patients with psoriasis classified as Yangmyung-Yeoljeung(陽明熱證) according to Shanghanlun(傷寒論) with Baekho-tang(白虎湯). Two patients was treated with Baekho-tang(白虎湯) for 18 days and 75 days, respectively. Baekho-tang(白虎湯) used in the treatment consisted of Gypsum Fibrosum 16g, Oryza semen 12.5g, Anemarrhena Rhizoma 6g and Glycyrrhizae Radix 2g. The severity of psoriasis was evaluated by PASI(psoriasis area severity index) and pictures. Also we checked the change in Pruritus by VAS(visual analogue scale). After the Baekho-tang(白虎湯) treatment, the PASI of 2 patients decreased from 13 to 2.8 and from 10.8 to 0.8 respectively. In addition, VAS of 2 patients diminished from 10 to 3 and from 8 to 1 respectively. Moreover, no side effects were observed. We received effective results by giving Baekho-tang to Psoriasis patients with sweaty, dry mouth, and heating sensation. Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic effects and immunomodulatory functions of Baekho-tang(白虎湯) could lead to improvement of psoriasis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.81-88
• /
• 2010

As there occurs recently and frequently a flash flood due to the climate change, a sudden local flood of great volume and short duration caused by heavy or excessive rainfall in a short period of time over a small area, it is increasing that significant danger and loss of life and property in Korea as well as the whole world. Since a flash flood usually occurs as the result of intense rainfall over small steep slope regions and has rapid runoff and debris flow, a flood rises quite quickly with little or no advance warning to prevent flood damage. The aim of this study is to quantify the severity of flash food by estimation of a flash flood index(FFI) from probability rainfall data in a study basin. FFI-D-F(FFI-Duration-Frequency) curves that present the relative severity of flash flood are developed for a study basin to provide regional basic information for the local flood forecasting and warning system particularly in ungauged catchments. It is also expected that FFI-D-F curves can be utilized for evaluation on flash flood mitigation ability and residual flood risk of both existing and planned flood control facilities.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.137-144
• /
• 2023

Exserohilum turcicum is a fungus that causes northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) and has deleterious effects on maize production globally. Therefore, it is prudent to mitigate the effects of NCLB using genetic diversity. The objective of this research was to assess the severity of NCLB disease on the growth and yield of various maize genotypes. A randomized complete block design field experiment, replicated three times, was conducted to evaluate the effect of E. turcicum on 10 maize hybrids. Percent disease index, plant height, and leaf area were recorded at the silk stage. Cob weight, grain fresh weight, and grain yields were determined at harvest maturity. All measured parameters were significantly different (P<0.05) between the maize hybrids. Of the 10 genotypes, four (PAN 4R-528R, PAN 4R-728BR, PAN 3R-724BR, and P1788BR) were susceptible, five (DKC74-74BR, PAN 5R-582R, PAN 5R-890R, PAN 5R-854R, and PAN 5R-590R) were moderately susceptible, and one (DKC80-40BR) was moderately resistant. DKC80-40BR exhibited greater cob weight, while DKC74-74BR was superior in all other plant growth and yield components. Interestingly, although not significant (P>0.05) and high, maize growth and yield parameters had negative correlations with disease incidence, except for grain fresh weight. Therefore, DKC80-40BR may be selected for cultivation in areas prone to NCLB to reduce maize susceptibility to the disease, while DKC74-74BR may improve crop performance. These hybrids could be considered as potential sources of resistance or tolerance to NCLB for further validation by plant breeders.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.207-217
• /
• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors in which employee's health beliefs affect their intention to get COVID-19 vaccines. Methods: The participants of this survey were 237 emlpoyees living in Busan. Data were collected using structured online questionnaires from April 26th to May 6th, 2021. The data were analyzed in SPSS WIN version 25.0 using descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square test, multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: At the average score for each area of health beliefs regarding COVID-19, self-efficacy was 4.45 points, perceived sensitivity 4.71 points, perceived severity 3.59 points, perceived benefit 4.46 points, and perceived disability 2.19 points. Monthly income, perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, and perceived benefit were found to be factors affecting the intention to get COVID-19 vaccines. Conclusions: In order to improve the vaccination intention of COVID-19, it is necessary for subjects to recognize the seriousness of the disease, increase their sensitivity to the disease, and actively promote and educate the community about the benefits of vaccination.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
• /
• v.20 no.10
• /
• pp.71-77
• /
• 2022

The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting the mental health of female middle school students living in rural areas. The study period was from March 14 to 25, 2022, and was conducted with 239 female middle school students attending three middle schools located in G district. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression. As a result of the study, significant influencing factors on the subject's mental health were living with both parents (β=.12, t=2.50, p =.013), past subjective mental health status (β=.15, t=2.83, p=.005), subjective physical health status (β=-.21, t=-3.94, p<.001), loneliness (β=.22, t=4.23, p<.001), and severity of insomnia (β=.36, t=6.55, p<.001), and these variables showed 46% explanatory power for mental health. Through this study, further research is needed to specify the causal relationship between living with both parents, past mental health status, physical health status, loneliness, and severity of insomnia and intervention strategies for the mental health of female middle school students considering these variables.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.1871-1885
• /
• 2013

In this study, spatio-temporal distribution of future drought in South Korea was predicted by using the meteorological data generated from GCMs on which a variety of climate changing scenarios are applied. Drought phenomena was quantitatively analyzed using SPI(Standardized Precipitation Index). In addition, potential drought hazard maps for different drought duration and return period were made for the South Koreaby drought frequency analysis after deriving SDF(Severity-Duration-Frequency) curves using the 54 weather stations throughout the country. From the potential drought hazard maps, drought is expected to be severer in Nakdong River basin and Seomjin River basin under A2 scenario. It was also predicted that drought would be severe in the Han River basin by RCP8.5 scenario. In the future, potential drought hazard area would be expanded until the Eastern part of Nakdong River basin as compared with that of past under A2 scenario condition. Research results indicated that future drought would be extensively occurred all areas of South Korea not limiting in the southern part of country.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute Of Construction Engineering and Management
• /
• 2008.11a
• /
• pp.610-614
• /
• 2008

In 2005, the revision of the Private Investment Law made the private investment objectives to extend a new area, such as institute and well-fare, military facilities by BTL(Build-Transfer-Lease). This revison will cause budget extension from 1.3 trillion to 1.6 trillion in military facilities BTL project Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the general problem of BTL and its cases. And then to be successful project, the problems must be improved. This study was focused on the improvement of regulations and analyzed the general problem from previous studies and the military projects. And then it conducted survey to soldiers for severity and performance. Finally it suggested the improvement of regulations of military facilities in BTL scheme from FGI.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.86-92
• /
• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to present two treatment cases of psoriasis with insomnia. Methods: We administered Guibi-tang medication to the psoriasis patients with insomnia and tested the results by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(PASI) and Insomnia Severity Index(ISI) as well. Results: After the treatment both the patients showed improvements in PASI and ISI as well. PASI of Patient 1 changed from 15.2 to 1.2 along with the change of ISI from 27 to 2. In case of Patient 2, PASI changed from 14.6 to 1.8 while ISI changed from 21 to 6. Conclusions: The results suggest that Guibi-tang can be an effective treatment for insomnia and psoriasis as well. Further studies will be needed to demonstrate conclusively the effect of Guibi-tang on psoriasis cure.