• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.310-320
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• 2014

Backgrounds: Endotoxin, which found in the outer membrane of the gram-negative bacteria cell wall, makes up almost all of the lipopolysaccharide(LPS). When people are exposed to endotoxin,it can result in diverse health effects such as an airway irritation and inflammation, fever, malaise, bronchitis, allergic asthma, toxic pneumonitis, hypersensitivity lung disease. Cases among the elderly, children or pregnant can occur more frequently than a healthy adult if they are repeatedly exposed to the existing endotoxin. Therefore, we investigated and assessed the environmental characteristics associated with the airborne endotoxin concentration level in six hospital lobbies. Method: Endotoxin from indoor air in six hospital lobbies was measured by an area sampling method and analyzed according to American Society for Testing and Materials International(ASTM international) E2144-01. Total suspended particulate(TSP), carbon dioxide($CO_2$), temperature and humidity were also measured by using direct reading measurements or airborne sampling equipment at the same time. Environmental characteristics were appropriately divided into two or three groups for a statistics analysis. One-way analysis variable(one-way ANOVA) was used to examine a difference of the endotoxin concentration, depending on the environmental characteristics. In addition, only variables with p-value(p<0.25) were eventually designed to the best model by using multiple regression analysis. Results: The correlation analysis result indicated that TSP(p=0.003) and $CO_2$(p<0.0001) levels were significantly associated with endotoxin concentration levels. In contrast, temperature(p<0.068) and humidity(p<0.365) were not associated with endotoxin concentration. Levels of endotoxin concentration were statistically different among the environmental characteristics of Service time(p=0.01), Establishment of hospital(p<0.001), Scale of hospital(p=0.01), Day average people using hospital(p=0.03), Cleaning time of lobby(p=0.05), Season(p<0.001), and Cleaning of ventilation system(p<0.001) according to ANOVA. Finally, the best model(Adjusted R-square=72%) that we designed through a multiple regression test included environmental characteristics related to Service time, Area of lobby, Season, Cleaning of ventilation system, and Temperature. Conclusions: According to this study, our result showed a normal level of endotoxin concentration in the hospital lobbies and found environmental management methods to reduce the level of endotoxin concentration to a minimum. Consequently, this study recognized to be requirement for the management of ventilation systems and an indoor temperature in order to reduce the level of endotoxin concentration in the hospital lobbies.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.2060-2077
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• 2019

Recently, mobile healthcare services have attracted significant attention because of the emerging development and supply of diverse wearable devices. Smartwatches and health bands are the most common type of mobile-based wearable devices and their market size is increasing considerably. However, simple value comparisons based on accumulated data have revealed certain problems, such as the standardized nature of health management and the lack of personalized health management service models. The convergence of information technology (IT) and biotechnology (BT) has shifted the medical paradigm from continuous health management and disease prevention to the development of a system that can be used to provide ground-based medical services regardless of the user's location. Moreover, the IT-BT convergence has necessitated the development of lifestyle improvement models and services that utilize big data analysis and machine learning to provide mobile healthcare-based personal health management and disease prevention information. Users' health data, which are specific as they change over time, are collected by different means according to the users' lifestyle and surrounding circumstances. In this paper, we propose a prediction model of user physical activity that uses data characteristics-based long short-term memory (DC-LSTM) recurrent neural networks (RNNs). To provide personalized services, the characteristics and surrounding circumstances of data collectable from mobile host devices were considered in the selection of variables for the model. The data characteristics considered were ease of collection, which represents whether or not variables are collectable, and frequency of occurrence, which represents whether or not changes made to input values constitute significant variables in terms of activity. The variables selected for providing personalized services were activity, weather, temperature, mean daily temperature, humidity, UV, fine dust, asthma and lung disease probability index, skin disease probability index, cadence, travel distance, mean heart rate, and sleep hours. The selected variables were classified according to the data characteristics. To predict activity, an LSTM RNN was built that uses the classified variables as input data and learns the dynamic characteristics of time series data. LSTM RNNs resolve the vanishing gradient problem that occurs in existing RNNs. They are classified into three different types according to data characteristics and constructed through connections among the LSTMs. The constructed neural network learns training data and predicts user activity. To evaluate the proposed model, the root mean square error (RMSE) was used in the performance evaluation of the user physical activity prediction method for which an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model, a convolutional neural network (CNN), and an RNN were used. The results show that the proposed DC-LSTM RNN method yields an excellent mean RMSE value of 0.616. The proposed method is used for predicting significant activity considering the surrounding circumstances and user status utilizing the existing standardized activity prediction services. It can also be used to predict user physical activity and provide personalized healthcare based on the data collectable from mobile host devices.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.263-267
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• 2007

The mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reaction is involved in many allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. The discovery of drugs for the treatment of mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic diseases is a very important subject in human health. In this study, we investigated the effect of small black soybean (Glycine max Merr.) (Leguminosae) on mast cell-mediated allergic reaction and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. Small black soybean (SBS) inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic reaction. SBS attenuated immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated local allergic reaction. In addition, SBS decreased the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-8 secretion in human mast cells. These results indicate that SBS may be beneficial in the treatment of mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.82-94
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• 2010

This study was undertaken in an attempt to provide scientific grounds in explaining the causes of environmental and respiratory diseases resulting from air pollutants in Gyeongju and its neighboring areas. In relation to heavy metals, lead (Pb) was $0.0135{\sim}0.1744\;{\mu}g/m^3$ and high in order of Pohang, Ulsan, and Gyeongju while nickel (Ni) was $0.0023{\sim}0.0115\;{\mu}g/m^3$. The concentrations of heavy metals in the investigated areas did not exceed the environmental standards or Guideline Value of Korea or other countries. However, it is considered necessary to apply intensive control to some heavy metals including cadmium (Cd) that show a relatively high level of hazard. Based on the responses to the survey, measured personal interest in environmental pollution and the basic knowledge of the causes of the respiratory diseases was higher in those with a family history of allergic reactions to metals and bronchial asthma. The incidence of allergic disease was higher in those who are currently in poor health state. In addition, the general knowledge of environmental pollutants was higher in those with higher educational level and those with a higher interest in environmental pollution. Personal interest in environmental pollution was higher in those with higher basic knowledge of environmental pollutants. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the awareness through better education and campaigns on environmental pollution.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.205-212
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• 2006

Objectives: In spite of the recent increased concern for Asian dust storms, there are few studies concerning how dangerous the general public recognizes these dust storms to be. This study examined the public's perceptions of the risk of the Asian dust storms and also the source of the information concerning the risk. Methods: A telephone interview survey using a standardized questionnaire was done for the adults living in Seoul and its metropolitan area from May 15th, 2003 to May 16th, 2003. The contents of the questionnaire were the sociodemographic characteristics, the perceptions of risk to the Asian dust storms, and the coping strategy of the study participants. Results: The study participants get their information on Asian dust storms mainly from TV newscasts and they have a good knowledge of them. They regard it as one of the most dangerous health risks, along with dioxin. They think that it is associated with allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and bronchial asthma, etc. Of the 500 study participants, 201 (40.2%) persons suffered bodily discomforts during the Asian dust storm period. Conclusions: Although there are uncertainties about the health risks of Asian dust storms, the public thinks these dust storms are very dangerous to health in many ways This negative perception will not disappear easily. To fill the gap of the public's perceptions of the risk and the objective evidence of its health effects, more studies about its health effects and the methods to reduce exposure are required.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.144-149
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• 2006

The immediate-type allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is involved in many allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. The discovery of drugs for the treatment of immediate-type allergic diseases is a very important subject in human health. In this study, we investigated the effect of Rubus coreanus Miq.(Rosaceae) unripe fruits (RCF) on mast cell-mediated allergic reaction and inflammatory cytokine secretion. RCF inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic reactions in mice. RCF attenuated immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated local allergic reactions. In addition, RCF dependently reduced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells local allergic reactions. In addition, RCF dependently reduced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells activated by compound 48/80 or IgE. Furthermore, RCF decreased the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-6 secretion in human mast cells. Our findings provide evidence that RCF inhibits mast cell-derived immediate-type allergic reactions.

• 성인간호학회지
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.665-672
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• 2015

Purpose: The aims of current study were to assess the inhaler competency and medication adherence, and to identify association of inhaler competency with medication adherence in patients with obstructive lung disease. Methods: We did a secondary analysis of the Hanyang Obstructive Pulmonary Evaluation data in a single institution from June 2014 to April 2015 after an approval of Institutional Review Board. A total of 150 patients with asthma or chronic obstructive lung disease participated in the study. Inhaler competency was evaluated accuracy in each step for using metered dose inhaler. Medication adherence was calculated using actually dispensed doses based on the prescribed inhaler doses. Results: Older adults (${\geq}65$) had lower competency in using inhaler (66.7 vs 83.3, z=-4.52, p<.001) and poorer medication adherence (67.7 vs 91.8, $x^2=14.06$, p<.001) than adults (<65). Inhaler competency was associated with medication adherence (p=.26, p=.001). Surprisingly, more than 50% of patients were current smokers. Conclusion: Inhaler competency and medication adherence were lower in older adults with obstructive lung disease than those in adult-age patients. Therefore, an individual education program for older patients should be developed to improve the rates of proper use of inhalers. Nursing management for obstructive lung disease should focus on developing behavioral intervention strategies for smoking cessation.

• 한국산학기술학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국산학기술학회 2009년도 춘계학술발표논문집
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• pp.587-590
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• 2009

천식환자의 폐활량 측정 및 관리는 정기적으로 검사되어 관리될 필요가 있는 매우 중요한 관리 항목이다. 본 연구는 천식환자의 폐활량을 정기적으로 관리할 수 있도록 PC-기반 폐활량기를 이용한 천식환자의 폐활량 측정 및 관리 시스템의 설계 및 구현에 관한 연구이다. 폐활량 검사는 크게 3종류 구성되며, 본 연구는 노력성 폐활량 검사(Forced Vital Capacity Test)를 1차적으로 설계 및 구현 방법을 제안하였다. FVC 검사의 목적은 폐질환의 진단, 중증도 그리고 치료효과 판정, 기관지 천식의 진단 및 관리, 수술시 마취방식의 결정 등으로 무엇보다 정확한 검사와 정기적인 검사를 필요로 하는 중요한 검사이다. FVC 검사는 검사과정에서 천식환자에게 많은 노력을 필요로 하는 힘든 검사로서 검사자의 도움이 필수적이므로 폐활량 검사 프로그램 개발에 있어 고려되어 알고리즘이 효율적으로 개발되어야 한다. 본 시스템은 휴대형 폐활량기(Spirometer)를 PC에 연결하고, 폐활량을 측정할 수 있도록 구성되었고, 검사 내용은 PC의 DB에 저장하고, 추후에 정기적으로 서버의 DB로 전송함으로서 보다 더 폭넓은 관리를 가능하도록 하며 천식환자는 서버가 제공하는 웹 사이트를 이용함으로서 자신의 건강관리를 가능하도록 구성된다. FVC 검사 프로그램은 정확한 검사와 편리한 사용자 인터페이스를 제공하도록 설계 및 구현하였고 따라서 자체 개발된 폐활량기를 PC-기반 프로그램으로 제어 가능함으로서 추후 다양한 임상실험의 데이터 확보, 기능의 확장과 성능의 개선을 할 수 있고, 좀 더 편리하고, 정확한 폐활량측정이 가능 할 것이다.

• 대한기관식도과학회지
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.84-93
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• 1997

The bronchoscopy is usually performed in the patients who present symptoms of wheezing, hemoptysis, signs of airway obstruction, unexplained long-term chronic cough with or without radiologic features of pneumonia, emphysema or atelectasis. The symptoms and signs of cases of suspected airway foreign body are of often cofused with those of asthma pneumonia and other respiratory tract disease. The ventilating bronchoscopy will be helpful for removal of certain foreign bodies as well as alleviating medically-unresponsive bronchopulmonary conditions via removing abnormal secretions or merely improving ventilation. The authors have performed clinical analysis of 59 patients who were suspected of airway foreign bodies and treated by ventilating bronchoscopy from September 1985 to February 1995. The results were as follows: 1) Among the 59 cases of bronchoscopy, 51 cases(97%) were under the age of 3. The ratio of male and female was 2.69:1 2) Most common presenting symptom was coughing(84.7%) followed by dyspnea, fever, wheezing and anterior chest pain. 3) Among 39 cases of identified foreign bodies, abnormal findings in the chest X-ray films were found in 33 cases(84.6%) and most common abnormal radiologic feature was pneumonia in 10 cases(25.6%) followed by combination of pneumonia and emphysema, or emphysema alone. All the 20 cases of absent foreign body presented abnormal radiologic features and common findings were pneumonia and atelectasis. 4) Vegetable foreign bodies were the most common form of removed airway foreign bodies(69.2%) followed by metallic foreign bodies(12.8%) and plastic foreign bodies(7.7%). 5) By distribution of the location of foreign bodies, 29 cases(74.4%) were located in the main bronchus( 16 cases of right side and 13 cases of left side), 8 cases were in the trachea and 2 cases were found at the cordal level. 6) By duration of foreign body lodgement in the airway, 9 cases(23.1%) were removed within 7 to 30 days, 10 cases(5.6%) within 3 days and 5 cases(12.8%) were enlodged over 30 days. 7) In the cases of absent foreign bodies, common bronchoscopic findings were mucopurulent or thick mucoid discharge in the main bronchi, erythema or edema of bronchial mucosa and all the cases were improved after ventilating bronchoscopy with concomitant medical management.

• Journal of Web Engineering
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.265-283
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• 2022

Bauhinia scandens L. (Family: Fabaceae) is commonly used to treat cholera, diarrhea, asthma, and diabetes disorder in integrative medicine. This study aimed to screen the presence of phytochemicals (preliminary and UPLC-QTOF-M.S. analysis) and to examine the pharmacological activities of Bauhinia scandens L. stems (MEBS) stem extracts. Besides, in silico study was also implemented to elucidate the binding affinity and drug capability of the selected phytochemicals. In vivo anti diarrheal activity was investigated in mice models. In vitro, antibacterial and antifungal properties of MEBS against several pathogenic strains were evaluated using the disc diffusion method. In addition, in silico study has been employed using Discovery studio 2020, UCFS Chimera, PyRx autodock vina, and online tools. In the anti-diarrheal investigation, MEBS showed a significant dose-dependent inhibition rate in all three methods. The antibacterial and antifungal screening showed a remarkable zone of inhibition, of the diameter 14-26 mm and 12-28 mm, by MEBS. The present study revealed that MEBS has remarkable anti-diarrheal potential and is highly effective in wide-spectrum bacterial and fungal strains. Moreover, the in silico study validated the results of biological screenings. To conclude, MEBS is presumed to be a good source in treating diarrhea, bacterial and fungal infections.