• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.463-472
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• 2006

Background: Since video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was introduced as a new treatment modality for empyema thoracis, numerous reports have suggested that VATS is a more effective treatment method than the traditional methods that mainly use antibiotics and drainage apparatus. However, no confirmative evidence of the superiority of VATS over the traditional method has been provided yet. Methods: We attempted to evaluate the efficacy of VATS for the treatment of empyema thoracis by reviewing past medical records and simple chest films. First, we divided the patients into two groups based on the treatment method: group A of 15 patients who were treated with the traditional method between January 2001 and December 2003, and group B of 9 patients who were treated with VATS between December 2003 and August 2006. The final outcomes used in this study were the number of days of hospital stay, chest tube duration, leukocytosis duration, febrile duration, and intravenous antibiotics usage duration. In addition, radiological improvements were compared. Results: The mean age(${\pm}$standard deviation) of 11 men and 4 women in group A was $58.2{\pm}15.7$ years, and of 9 men and 2 women in group B was $51.6{\pm}9.5$ years. Group B had a significantly shorter hospital stay ($16.6{\pm}7.4$ vs. $33.7{\pm}22.6$ days; p=0.014), shorter chest tube duration ($10.5{\pm}5.7$ vs. $19.5{\pm}14.4$ days; p=0.039), shorter leukocytosis duration ($6.7{\pm}6.5$ vs. $18.8{\pm}13.2$ days; p=0.008), shorter febrile duration ($0.8{\pm}1.8$ vs. $9.4{\pm}9.2$ days; p=0.004), and shorter duration of intravenous antibiotics usage ($14.9{\pm}6.4$ vs. $25.4{\pm}13.9$ days; p=0.018). However, radiological improvements did not show any statistical differences. Conclusion: Early application of VATS for empyema thoracis treatment reduced hospital stay, thoracostomy tube duration, leukocytosis duration, febrile duration, and antibiotics usage duration in comparison with the traditional methods. The early performing of VATS might be an effective treatment modality for empyema thoracis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.65-79
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• 2014

This study selected Nakdong River basin zone in Daegu as an example area to conduct landscapetope classification and aesthetic value assessment of landscape according to the classified landscapetope. The main result of this research can be summed up as following. First, the result of landscapetope type classification showed 28 types of landscapetope including complex residential area (AA), natural stream type with copious vegetation (BA), forest type centered on mixed forest of soft and hardwood (EB) along with 129 types of imputed specific landscapetope. The result of the total first assessment using B-VAT showed the first grade 10 types, II grade 4 types, III grade6 types, IV grade 3 types, 5 types for V grade with the lowest value. The second assessment conducted toward the landscapetope types with the grade higher than the average (including III grade) in the result of the first assessment showed that there are 66 spaces for the sites (1a, 1b) with special meaning for aesthetic landscape evaluation. And also, there were 69 spaces for those (2a, 2b, 2c) with meaning for aesthetic landscape evaluation. The design model of this research is largely divided into improvement goal and specific execution plan. First, the improvement goal is divided into 6 categories including conservation area, complementary area, and restoration area, and the specific execution plan is divided into 14 categories including special landscape management area, general landscape management area, conservation of hill areas with optically good condition. A comprehensive master plan was suggested by directly applying the set landscape planning model to the subject place of this research.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.71
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• pp.245-265
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• 2016

A number of Chinese students who are studying in Korea have been gradually increasing since Korea and China established diplomatic relations. Many of them sale Korean products to China while studying for their degree programs in colleges. This kind of transactions can be named C2C overseas direct sales. C2C overseas direct sales which are being performed by Chinese student are good for exportation of Korean products. However Some of these transactions are not legal according to present law, First, Chinese student don't have legal status to make the transactions. Second, Chinese students usually make false declarations for evading the taxes, including tariff and VAT, Third, Chinese students can not offer the after-sale service for the goods for the Chinese consumers. Although C2C transactions have some legal matters, they should not be banned by a one-size-fits-all method. In this study, we highly recommend for the development of C2C transactions, First, Korean government should give Chinese students legal status. Second, China customs must strictly prohibit illegal activities of smuggling by taking advantage of postal route. Third, sellers in China can offer the after-sale service to consumers through some specialist A/S firms.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.9
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• pp.685-695
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• 2017

Obesity and the metabolic disorders that constitute metabolic syndrome are a primary cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Nonetheless, the changes in the proteins and the underlying molecular pathways involved in the relevant pathogenesis are poorly understood. In this study a proteomic analysis of the visceral adipose tissue isolated from metabolically healthy and unhealthy obese patients was used to identify presence of altered pathway(s) leading to metabolic dysfunction. Samples were obtained from 18 obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery and were subdivided into two groups based on the presence or absence of comorbidities as defined by the International Diabetes Federation. Two dimensional difference in-gel electrophoresis coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry was carried out. A total of 28 proteins were identified with a statistically significant difference in abundance and a 1.5-fold change (ANOVA, $p{\leq}0.05$) between the groups. 11 proteins showed increased abundance while 17 proteins were decreased in the metabolically unhealthy obese compared to the healthy obese. The differentially expressed proteins belonged broadly to three functional categories: (i) protein and lipid metabolism (ii) cytoskeleton and (iii) regulation of other metabolic processes. Network analysis by Ingenuity pathway analysis identified the $NF{\kappa}B$, IRK/MAPK and PKC as the nodes with the highest connections within the connectivity map. The top network pathway identified in our protein data set related to cellular movement, hematological system development and function, and immune cell trafficking. The VAT proteome between the two groups differed substantially between the groups which could potentially be the reason for metabolic dysfunction.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease risk factors in Korean type 2 diabetes patients. The subjects were 429 (male: 218, female: 211) type 2 DM patients visited DM clinic, and they were classified into quartiles based on $K_{ITT}$ index (%/min, Insulin Tolerance Test). Anthropometric and biochemical characteristics, and dietary intakes by Food Frequency Questionnaire were assessed. The means of waist circumference, fat mass, percent body fat and abdominal fat thickness were significantly higher in the lowest quartile (the most insulin resistant group) than in the highest quartile (the least insulin resistant group) of $K_{ITT}$ index (%/min)(p<0.05), For hematological values, the lowest quartile showed significantly higher fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, C-peptide, insulin, triglyceride, ApoB/apoA-1 ratio and C-reactive protein compared to the highest quartile (p < 0.05). Moreover, $K_{ITT}$ index (%/min) was negatively correlated with waist circumference, fat mass, percent body fat, abdominal fat thickness and fasting blood concentrations of glucose, HbA1c, C-peptide, insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, ApoB/apoA-1 ratio and C-reactive protein (p < 0.05). Nutrient intakes were not significantly different among the quartile groups of $K_{ITT}$ index (%/min) and also not correlated with insulin resistance, however, they showed correlation with obesity parameters (BMI, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, vat mass, abdominal fat thickness), which were strongly associated with insulin resistance. In conclusion, cardiovascular disease risk would be higher as the insulin resistance grows in Korean type 2 DM patients, and nutrient intakes would affect to the insulin resistance through the effect on anthropometric parameters.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.293-299
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• 2004

The purposes of this study were to : a) investigate the current status of contracted hospital food services, b) analyze and clarify various perspectives of contractors and hospitals. Thirty six hospitals and their contractors which were having more than 100 beds located in Seoul, Inchon and Kyungkido, were the subjects of this study. Data were collected through surveys. The survey was conducted during March to April in 2002. Questionnaires were mailed to the 36 directors of dietetic departments of hospitals and 36 managers of contract foodservice management company. Statistical analysis was completed using SPSS Win(11.0) for descriptive analysis, t-test and $x^2$-test. The results of the study can be summarized ; 1. The type of contract considered adequate by directors of dietetic departments and managers of contractors was fee-contract, combined type, followed by profit-and-loss contract. 2. According to the results from analysis on the contract cost per meal considered adequate by directors of dietetic departments and managers, the directors of dietetic department indicated that showing no difference with the current contract cost per meal. However, the managers of contractor indicated that showing significant differences compared with the current contract cost per meal(regular diet p<0.01, therapeutic diet p<0.001). 3. In the composition of contract cost per meal considered adequate, the managers of contracting businesses accounted labor cost (p<0.01) as a major cost, whereas the chiefs of nutrition departments accounted miscellaneous or controllable expense (p<0.001) and VAT (p<0.01) as major costs. 4. The directors of dietetic departments and managers thought that the hospital should be responsible for utility costs. On the other hand, directors of dietetic departments regarded that the contractor and managers thought that the hospital should pay for facility investment cost.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.812-816
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• 2002

Pericardial effusions result from various conditions such as inflammation, malignancies, open heart surgery and uremia. Recently, video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has been used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in the management of pericardial effusion and intrathoracic lesions due to its ability to provide outstanding visibility of intrathoracic structures with less pain, superior cosmetic effects, and shorter hospital stay Material and Method: From April 1995 to October 2001, 51 patients received pericardial window operation via either thoracoscopic(Group A, n＝37, m:f＝18:19, mean age＝56.4 yrs)or thoracotomy approach(Group B, n＝14, m:f＝8:6, mean age=58.4 yrs). Result: In group A, the operation time, duration of chest tube insertion, recurrence rate of pericardial effusion, and postoperative hospital stay were 61.2 minutes, 9.3 days, 2.7%, 16.2 days, respectively while in group B these values were 58.4 minutes, 12.2 days, 7.1, and 17.3 days. The number of injections for pain control in group A were 4.2 times, whereas in group B it was 6.3 times. Although there was a tendency for the mean hospital stay and duration of chest tube insertion to be shorter in group A than in group B, these differences did not reach statistical significance. There was also no significant difference in the operation time and recurrence rate between the two groups. Conclusion: The safety and effectiveness of VATS in the management of pericardial effusion is comparable to the open thoracotomy method. It allows for a shorter hospital stay, duration of chest tube insertion, lesser postoperative pain and a smaller skin incision.