• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.254-261
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• 2022

Background: The use of systemic steroids for 6+ weeks in children is associated with decreased bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD). However, the effects of a shorter duration of use on BMD are unknown. Purpose: To determine the effect of the use of systemic steroids for 2-6 weeks on BMD and BMC in pediatric patients. Methods: Twenty-five pediatric patients (21 with tuberculosis, 2 with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, 1 with inflammatory bowel disease, 1 with autoimmune hemolytic anemia) who received systemic steroids for 2-6 weeks and 25 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. BMC, BMD, and z scores of the whole body (WB), lumbar spine (LS), nondominant distal radius (DR), and total body less the head (TBLH) were determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at baseline, the end of steroid therapy or 6 weeks (whichever was earlier; first follow-up), and at the end of 3 months from baseline (second follow-up) in patients and at baseline in controls. The values were adjusted for confounding variables. Continuous and categorical variables were compared using Student t test and the chi-square test or Fisher exact test, respectively. Pairwise comparisons employed Bonferroni correction. Results: Statistically significant decreases in BMC, BMD, and all z scores were observed. BMC declined by 5.37%, 2.08%, 1.82%, and 2.27%, and 11.42%, 3.75%, 3.34%, and 4.17% for WB, LS, DR, and TBLH, respectively, at the first and second follow-ups, respectively. Similarly, BMD declined by 2.01%, 2.31%, 2.18%, and 1.70% and 4.59%, 3.76%, 3.14%, and 3.50% for the WB, LS, DR, and TBLH, respectively, at the first and second follow-ups, respectively. A significant negative correlation was found among bone densitometric parameters, duration, and cumulative dose. Conclusion: The use of systemic steroids for 2-6 weeks in pediatric patients decreased the BMD and BMC of trabecular and cortical bones, an effect that persisted after discontinuation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.78-87
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• 2021

Objective : Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) has been widely used during spine surgery to reduce or prevent neurologic deficits, however, its application to the surgical management for cervical myelopathy remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the success rate of IONM in patients with cervical myelopathy and to investigate the factors associated with successful baseline monitoring and the effect of increasing the stimulation intensity by focusing on motor evoked potentials (MEPs). Methods : The data of 88 patients who underwent surgery for cervical myelopathy with IONM between January 2016 and June 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The success rate of baseline MEP monitoring at the initial stimulation of 400 V was investigated. In unmonitorable cases, the stimulation intensity was increased to 999 V, and the success rate final MEP monitoring was reinvestigated. In addition, factors related to the success rate of baseline MEP monitoring were investigated using independent t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, chi-squared test, and Fisher's exact probability test for statistical analysis. The factors included age, sex, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, smoking history, symptom duration, Torg-Pavlov ratio, space available for the cord (SAC), cord compression ratio (CCR), intramedullary increased signal intensity (SI) on magnetic resonance imaging, SI length, SI ratio, the Medical Research Council (MRC) grade, the preoperative modified Nurick grade and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score. Results : The overall success rate for reliable MEP response was 52.3% after increasing the stimulation intensity. No complications were observed to be associated with increased intensity. The factors related to the success rate of final MEP monitoring were found to be SAC (p<0.001), CCR (p<0.001), MRC grade (p<0.001), preoperative modified Nurick grade (p<0.001), and JOA score (p<0.001). The cut-off score for successful MEP monitoring was 5.67 mm for SAC, 47.33% for the CCR, 3 points for MRC grade, 2 points for the modified Nurick grade, and 12 points for the JOA score. Conclusion : Increasing the stimulation intensity could significantly improve the success rate of baseline MEP monitoring for unmonitorable cases at the initial stimulation in cervical myelopathy. In particular, the SAC, CCR, MRC grade, preoperative Nurick grade and JOA score may be considered as the more important related factors associated with the success rate of MEP monitoring. Therefore, the degree of preoperative neurological functional deficits and the presence of spinal cord compression on imaging could be used as new detailed criteria for the application of IONM in patients with cervical myelopathy.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.10-17
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• 2010

This paper presents a calibration method of an omnidirectional stereo camera which may be essentially performed for distance measurement to a certain point. In the calibration of the omnidirectional stereo camera, the independent calibrations of two cameras or the calibration of a stereo camera having the small baseline is feasible applying many methods studied in the past. However, the baseline should be large enough for long distance measurement by the omnidirectional stereo camera, since it is not easy to calibrate two cameras with a large baseline at the same time. It is because a test pattern for the calibration, which is simultaneously captured by two omnidirectional cameras, appears too small in at least one of the omnidirectional cameras. It causes inaccurate calibration. In this paper, therefore, we propose a calibration method of the omnidirectional stereo camera with a large baseline and empirically verify its feasibility.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.97-104
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• 2015

KIGAM has surveyed most of the Korean territory since 1982 using airborne gamma-ray spectrometry, and complete the nationwide scale map in the near future. However, since the duration of survey is too long and the conditions of survey is not consistent, the data does not have physical consistency. In addition, the window counts (count/sec) were recorded instead of potassium, uranium and thorium radioelement concentrations. Thus, the data could not be registered to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) radioelement datum. This limits the usefulness of the data and it is not possible to easily combine surveys into regional compilations or make quantitative interpretations between different survey areas. To solve these problems, we undertook a test baseline survey over Jincheon-Eumseong area, to level the different two sets of data and to map radioelement concentrations. This survey confirms to IAEA radioelement baseline. The method and procedures of data leveling prepared by this study improve the usefulness and usability of the radiometric data, and make it enable to compile the nationwide scale radioelement concentration maps.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.32-50
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• 2000

A descriptive exploratory design was used in this study to evaluate the effects of sponge bathing on physiological(heart rate, heart period, vagal tone, oxygen saturation, respiration) and behavioral responses in newly born 40 preterm infants from intensive care unit of S University Hospital in Seoul. Data has been collected from October, 1997 to March, 1999. The infants were between 27-33 weeks gestational age at birth, and were free of congenital defects. The subjects entered the protocol when they were medically stable (determined by initiation of feeding and discontinuation of all respiratory support) but still receiving neonatal intensive care. The infants' physiologic parameters were recorded a 10 - minute before, during, and after bathing. Continuous heart rate data were recorded on a notebook computer from the infant's EKG monitor. The data were digitized off-line on software(developed by Lee and Chang in Wavelet program) which detected the peak of the R wave for each heart beat and quantified sequential R-R intervals in msec(i.e. heart periods). Heart period data were edited to remove movement artifact. Heart period data were quantified as : 1) mean heart period; 2) vagal tone. Vagal tone was quantitfied with a noninvasive measure developed by Porges(1985) in Mxedit software. To determine behavioral status, tools were developed by Scafidi et al(1990) were used. Collected data were analyzed with the SPSS program using paried t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. The result were as follow. 1. The results of the ANOVAs indicated that vagal tone were signifcantly lower during bathing than baseline and post-bathing. There were significant differences in heart period and heart rate levels across the bathing. But the mean oxygen saturations and respirations were no differences. Also, there were no significant differences on behavioral sign, motor activity, behavioral distress, weight changes, morbidity, and hospitalization period. 2. To evaluate the relation between vagal tone and subsequent parameters, the two groups (the high group had 19 subjects and low group had 21subjects) were divided by the mean baseline vagal tone. Vagal tone measured prior to bathing were significantly associated with respiration before bathing, vagal tone during bathing, and the magnitude of change in both vagal tone. But, other subsequent reactivities were no differences in two groups. 3. Correlations were also calculated between vagal tone and the subsequent physiological reactivities from baseline through after- bathing. Correlations were significant between baseline vagal tone and baseline heart rate, between baseline vagal tone and baseline heart period, between baseline vagal tone and oxygen saturation after bathing. In summary, the bathing in this study showed a stressful stimulus on premature infants through there was significance in the physiological parameters. In addition, our study represents the documentation that vagal tone reactivity in response to clearly defined external stimulation provides an index of infant's status.

• Journal of Oriental Medical Thermology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.69-75
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• 2008

Purpose: We investigated the effect of far-infrared radiating products on cold hypersensitivity of lower limbs using CST. Methods: 7 patients with cold hypersensitivity of lower limbs were investigated in this study. Exclusive criteria was skin diseases, spinal nervous disease and external wounds. They were asked to answer the VAS of cold hypersensitivity at baseline and after 3 weeks. We measured temperature of lower limbs with Spectrum 9000 MB (Dorex Inc, USA). We performed cold stress test (CST) by 3 thermographic observation using DITI : 1st was taken after 15 minutes resting at $25^{\circ}C$, the 2nd was immediately taken after 1 minute soak in $20^{\circ}C$ water, the 3rd was taken at 15 minutes after soak. We performed 3 times of CST : 1st CST was perfomed at baseline, 2nd CST was perfomred after 1 week and just observation, 3rd CST was performed after 1 week using far-infrared radiating products (lasner, UMT, Korea). Results: After using products, temperature of foot incresed more than thigh area, but there was no significance. There was no statistical difference of VAS, change of temperature and CST between before and after using far-infrared radiating products. Conclusion: There was no statistical effect of far-infrared radiating products on change of temperature of lower limbs.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.307-313
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• 2012

The Oriental White Stork (Ciconia boyciana) is a representative wetland species distributed across East Asia. The species has been declined to face the threat of species extinctions with estimation of at about 3000 individuals. In order to re-introduce the endangered storks in the field, we developed a baseline model using the program VORTEX, performed sensitivity test, and finally suggested an ideal model based on results of the sensitivity test. The baseline model predicted 12.5% extinction probability with mean time to first extinction of 82.0 year. Sensitivity test revealed that two demographic variables (first-year mortality and percent of adult female breeding) had the greatest impacts on population persistence. Thus, corrected model improved the population persistence, where the extinction probability decreased to 1.0% in 100 years by changing values of two variables within a range of applicable to the population. Our models for stork re-introduction suggest this population will be stable by improving first-year mortality and adult female fecundity.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.287-294
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• 2018

Purpose: The neurodynamic test used to implicate symptoms arising from the nerve is proposed to selectively increase the strain of the nerve without increasing the strain of adjacent tissue, although this has not yet been established in the time of nerve tension application. This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of nerve stretching time on nerve excitability using compound nerve action potential (CNAP) analysis. Methods: Thirty healthy young adults (mean age=23.10 years) with no medical history of neurological or musculoskeletal disorder voluntarily participated in this study. Nerve excitability was assessed using the median nerve conduction velocity test. The amplitude of the CNAP was measured under three conditions: resting phase (supra-maximal stimulus, without nerve stretching), baseline phase (two-thirds of the supra-maximal stimulus, without nerve stretching), and stretch phase (two-thirds of the supra-maximal stimulus, with 1-5 minutes nerve stretching). One-way repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to compare the latency and amplitude of CNAP. A post-hoc test was analyzed using the contrast test. Results: The latency was significantly delayed after 1 min. of nerve stretching in comparison with the baseline test. However, no significant difference was found during the nerve stretching (1-5 min.). The amplitude was significantly increased by nerve stretching. Conclusion: Nerve stretching can induce nerve excitability without any nerve injury. Based on the results, more than 1 min. of nerve stretching as a neurodynamic test can be a useful method in the clinical setting.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.63-77
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of task-oriented training with functional electrical stimulation on hand function in incomplete cervical cord injury. Method : The subjects of the study were 3 adults diagnosed as incomplete cervical cord injury. The design of this study was ABA single-subject research design to compare dominant hand function of before and after intervention and detect individual effects. The experiment consisted of 30sessions, in which baseline process A1 and A2 were implemented 5 sessions each for 10sessions. Intervention B was implemented 20 sessions. The dependent variable was converted to the change of hand function every session, and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test(JTHFT), Wolf Motor Function Test(WMFT) were selected for outcome measurements. Result analysis was suggested through visual analysis using a graph and comparison of pre, post and follow-up intervention measurements. Results : As a result, the quality and quantity of dominant hand function increased during intervention B compared to the baseline A1 for all subjects. Baseline A2 was also maintained without training. Additionally, JTHFT, WMFT and COPM scores demonstrated improvement and maintain. The follow up JTHFT and WMFT showed increased required time on all subjects and decrease or maintain task performance and satisfaction in COPM. Conclusion : The task-oriented training with function electrical stimulation in this study has been positive effects on hand function and task performance and satisfaction.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.97-113
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• 2009

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the intervention effects on health efficacy and health knowledge related to health behaviors for improving cardiovascular health in elementary school children. Methods: A repeated measure, pre-post-test design was used to identify the intervention effect on health efficacy and health knowledge among 5th grade school children. Intervention consisted of a curriculum classroom intervention and parent intervention. Health efficacy, health knowledge, and perceived parental monitoring were measured for testing intervention effect. A sample of 219 participants completed a baseline pre-test and two tests during intervention and after intervention from March to July 2004. Results: Mental health efficacy improved significantly from baseline test to the test after intervention (F = 32.88, p < 0.0001). Physical health efficacy also significantly increased during intervention (F = 50.51, p < 0.0001), but did not significantly change after parent intervention. Health knowledge increased significantly from baseline test to the test after education (F =10.23, p < 0.0001), but decreased after parent intervention. Perceived parental monitoring had a significant impact on mental health efficacy and physical health efficacy. Conclusion: The findings support school-based cardiovascular health promotion intervention as effective in improving health efficacy and health knowledge. Parental influence should also be considered to maintain improved health efficacy and health knowledge by thinking process in the intervention for elementary school children.