• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.576-587
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• 2020

Objectives: This study calculated local residents exposures to VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) released into the atmosphere using the CalTOX model and carried out uncertainty analysis and sensitivity analysis. The model validity was analyzed by comparing the predicted and the actual atmospheric concentrations. Methods: Uncertainty was parsed by conducting a Monte Carlo simulation. Sensitivity was dissected with the regression (coefficients) method. The model validity was analyzed by applying r² (coefficient of determination), RMSE (root mean square error), and the Nash-Sutcliffe EI (efficiency index) formula. Results: Among the concentrations in the atmosphere in this study, benzene was the highest and the lifetime average daily dose of benzene and the average daily dose of xylene were high. In terms of the sensitivity analysis outcome, the source term to air, exposure time, indoors resting (ETri), exposure time, outdoors at home (ETao), yearly average wind speed (v_w), contaminated area in ㎡ (Area), active breathing rate (BRa), resting breathing rate (BRr), exposure time, and active indoors (ETai) were elicited as input variables having great influence upon this model. In consequence of inspecting the validity of the model, r² appeared to be a value close to 1 and RMSE appeared to be a value close to 0, but EI indicated unacceptable model efficiency. To supplement this value, the regression formula was derived for benzene with y=0.002+15.48x, ethylbenzene with y ≡ 0.001+57.240x, styrene with y=0.000+42.249x, toluene with y=0.004+91.588x, and xylene with y=0.000+0.007x. Conclusions: In consequence of inspecting the validity of the model, r² appeared to be a value close to 1 and RMSE appeared to be a value close to 0, but EI indicated unacceptable model efficiency. This will be able to be used as base data for securing the accuracy and reliability of the model.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.94-104
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• 2017

This study carried out field evaluation by experts, monitoring by the public, and visitor satisfaction survey for 77 cases of utilization of cultural property projects that received support from "Living and Breathing Hyanggyo and Seowon" in 2016. The result was 'normal' for the comprehensive evaluation, and by section, 'good' for planning, operating, performance, outcome and annual special index. The field evaluation by experts was rated as 'good', monitoring by the public was 'good', and also 'good' for visitor satisfaction survey. The advantages of the project were as follows; increased chance for enjoyment of local cultural heritage, expansion of human network for utilization of local cultural heritage, utilization of cultural heritage as community place, diversification of educational contents by using cultural heritage. On the other hand, the disadvantages were as follows; decline of program's quality, shortage of putting plan in practice, insufficient interest and participation of local government, insufficient promoting, shortage of educational contents for free semester system. At last, we suggested measures to develop the project as follows; develop program by using local characteristics, develop programs for foreigner, training experts, increasing on-line promotion, develop new lecture technique, utilization of cultural heritage as a local community place, utilization planning by each space, improvement of evaluation system, tightening up reflection of visitor's opinions, consulting for each programs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2015

Background and Objectives:The objective of this study was to investigate the features of post-thyroidectomy subjective voice disorder by Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and Voice Symptom Scale (VOISS) through aerodynamic analysis and to investigate the appropriate voice therapy intervention. Materials and Methods:Twenty post-thyroidectomy patients who had no recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis through laryngeal stroboscopy were enrolled for this study. Acoustic and aerodynamic evaluations were performed before operation, 2 weeks and 3 months after operation. Subjective voice evaluation was performed by VHI and VOISS. Aerodynamic evaluation was compared and analysed by maximum phonation time(MPT), phonation threshold pressure(PTP), mean air flow rate(MFR), etc. Subjective voice evaluation was surveyed through VHI and VOISS. To evaluate patients' symptoms related to functional voice disorder, scores on physical domain in VHI and VOISS were selected to be compared for each session. Results: The 10 out of 20 participants who complained of voice symptoms had no significant difference with pre-operation in acoustic evaluation, but all showed higher scores on 2 weeks and 3 months after operation compared to pre-operation, in VHI-physical domain and selected questionnaires in VOISS. They reduced MPT and increased PTP value simultaneously. Laryngeal massage and breathing training were simultaneously treated to them, 5 participants resulting in improvement in MPT and PTP compared to pre-treatment. Conclusion:Patients who complained voice change with no organic damage after thyroidectomy were all shown to have reduced MPT and increased PTP in some by aerodynamic evaluations. Reduced MPT may imply some problem in air flow beneath glottis. Increased PTP suggests much more effort in vocalization mechanism than pre-operation. Comparing aerodynamic evaluations in post-thyroidectomy may provide information on behavioral interventions. Additionally, study on laryngeal massage and breathing training simultaneously treated to patients with such voice disorder is needed to be conducted with larger number of participants.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.795-802
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• 1999

Objective : Cardiopulmonary exercise test is a useful tool to evaluate the operative risk and to plan exercise treatment for the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). In cardiopulmonary exercise test, most of the measured parameters are recorded at the time of peak exercise, which are hard to attain in COPD patients. So we evaluated the usefulness of the parameter, breathing reserve index(BRI=minute ventilation [$V_E$]/maximal voluntary ventilation[MVV]) at the time of anaerobic threshold($BRI_{AT}$) for the differentiation of COPD patients with normal controls. Methods : Thirty-six COPD patients and forty-two healthy subjects underwent progressive, incremental exercise test with bicycle ergometer upto possible maximal exercise. All the parameters was measured by breath by breath method. Results : The maximal oxygen uptake in COPD patients (mean$\pm$SE) was $1061.2{\pm}65.6ml/min$ which was significantly lower than $2137.6{\pm}91.4ml/min$ of normal subjects(p<0.01). Percent predicted maximal oxygen uptake was 54.3% in COPD patients and 86.0% in normal subjects(p<0.01). Maximal exercise(respiratory quotient; $VCO_2/VO_2{\geq}1.09$) was accomplished in 7 of 36 COPD patients(19.4%) and in 18 of 42 normal subjects(42.9%). The $BRI_{AT}$ of COPD patients was higher($0.50{\pm}0.03$) than that of control subject($028{\pm}0.02$, p<0.01), reflecting early hyperventilation in COPD patient during exercise. The correlation between $BRI_{AT}$ and BRI at maximal exercise in COPD patients was good(r=0.9687, p<0.01). Conclusion : The $BRI_{AT}$ could be a useful parameter for the differentiation of COPD patients with normal controls in the submaximal cardiopulmonary exercise test.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2014

Purpose : This study aims to evaluate 3D dosimetric impact for MIP image and each phase image in stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for lung cancer using volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Materials and Methods : For each of 5 patients with non-small-cell pulmonary tumors, a respiration-correlated four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) study was performed. We obtain ten 3D CT images corresponding to phases of a breathing cycle. Treatment plans were generated using MIP CT image and each phases 3D CT. We performed the dose verification of the TPS with use of the Ion chamber and COMPASS. The dose distribution that were 3D reconstructed using MIP CT image compared with dose distribution on the corresponding phase of the 4D CT data. Results : Gamma evaluation was performed to evaluate the accuracy of dose delivery for MIP CT data and 4D CT data of 5 patients. The average percentage of points passing the gamma criteria of 2 mm/2% about 99%. The average Homogeneity Index difference between MIP and each 3D data of patient dose was 0.03~0.04. The average difference between PTV maximum dose was 3.30 cGy, The average different Spinal Coad dose was 3.30 cGy, The average of difference with $V_{20}$, $V_{10}$, $V_5$ of Lung was -0.04%~2.32%. The average Homogeneity Index difference between MIP and each phase 3d data of all patient was -0.03~0.03. The average PTV maximum dose difference was minimum for 10% phase and maximum for 70% phase. The average Spain cord maximum dose difference was minimum for 0% phase and maximum for 50% phase. The average difference of $V_{20}$, $V_{10}$, $V_5$ of Lung show bo certain trend. Conclusion : There is no tendency of dose difference between MIP with 3D CT data of each phase. But there are appreciable difference for specific phase. It is need to study about patient group which has similar tumor location and breathing motion. Then we compare with dose distribution for each phase 3D image data or MIP image data. we will determine appropriate image data for treatment plan.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.77-81
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• 2008

Introduction: REM sleep which shows characteristic muscle atonia and increased resistance of upper respiratory track is known to be vulnerable to sleep apnea. Previous studies reported that REM sleep-dependent (or related) obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (REM-dependent OSA) could be one of sleep disordered breathing. The present study aimed to investigate clinical findings and polysomnographic variables of REM-dependent OSA. Methods: Fifty-six patients diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea by overnight polysomnography (5$53.7{\pm}16.7$ years, 42 males). REM-dependent OSA was defined as AHI-REM/AHI-NREM ratio>2. We compared clinical and polysomnographic findings between REM-dependent OSA and No REM-dependent OSA patients. Results: Among 56 patients, 37.5% (n=21, average age of $52.3{\pm}19.7$ years, 14 males) met the REM-dependent OSA criteria. There were no significant differences in age, sex and body mass index between two groups. After controlling for age, sex, body mass index and periodic leg movements index, REM-dependent OSA patients showed significantly lower AHI, lower number of oxygen desaturation events and higher stage 2 sleep proportion compared to No REM-dependent OSA patients (p=0.010, p=0.006, p=0.031, respectively). After controlling for age, sex, body mass index and periodic legs movements index, AHI-REM was positively correlated with the number of oxygen desaturation events in REM-dependent OSA group (p=0.002). Conclusion: Current results suggested that 37.5% of patients with mild to moderate severity of obstructive sleep apnea could be classified into REM-dependent OSA. REM-dependent OSA was more common in mild severity of OSA, equally prevalent in both sexes and accompanied with sleep architecture changes, i.e. increased proportion of stage 2. In addition, apneic events during REM sleep in REM-dependent OSA were related to oxygen desaturation.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2017

Purpose: The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical characteristics and polysomnographic results of patients visited the Seoul National University Dental Hospital (SNUDH) and to suggest guidelines for the management of sleep disordered-breathing patients in a dental clinic. Methods: Five hundred sixty-two patients who visited the Snoring and Sleep Apnea Clinic of SNUDH were evaluated for clinical characteristics including associated comorbidities, age, gender, body mass index (BMI), neck circumference, and daytime sleepiness and among them 217 patients were performed nocturnal polysomnography for evaluating respiratory disturbance index, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen saturation levels, and sleep stages. The associations among clinical characteristics, sleep parameters, and positional and rapid eye movement (REM) dependencies of the patients were analyzed. Results: The most common co-morbidities of the patients were cardiovascular (30.2%), endocrine (10.8%), and respiratory diseases (7.9%). Age (${\beta}=0.394$), total AHI (${\beta}=0.223$), and lowest $O_2$ saturation levels (${\beta}=0.205$) were significantly associated with the number of co-morbidities in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Mean $O_2$ saturation was not significantly associated with number of co-morbidities. Non-positional OSA patients had higher BMI, longer neck circumferences, more severe AHI values, and lower mean and lowest $O_2$ saturation levels compared to positional OSA patients. Not-REM-related patients were older and had more severe AHI values compared to REM-related patients. Not-REM-related patients have longer duration of stage I sleep and shorter stage II, III, and REM sleep than REM-related patients. There were no significant differences in each sleep stage between positional and non-positional patients. Neck circumference, positional dependency, REM dependency, and percentage of supine position were significantly associated with severity of OSA. Conclusions: Age, total AHI, and lowest $O_2$ saturation level were significantly associated with the number of co-morbidities in patients with OSA. Neck circumference, positional dependency, REM dependency, and percentage of supine position were significantly associated with severity of OSA.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.119-123
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• 2019

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder with no breathing symptoms due to repetitive upper airway resistance. OSA is a disease that can have significant effects on the cerebral cardiovascular system. Active treatment is needed to prevent these complications. The use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), the standard therapy of OSA, has comparative therapeutic effects. On the other hand, there is no comparison report of the polysomnography (PSG) results before and after CPAP therapy without using a mask. This paper reports a patient who was diagnosed as OSA and used CPAP every night for more than 2 years. The patient showed a decrease in the apnea-hypopnea index from 64.7/h to 12.9/h. In addition, other sleep-related indicators improved significantly. The daily use of CPAP as a treatment for OSA for more than 2 years may improve the PSG results. Constant follow up of PSG will be needed to adjust the appropriate CPAP pressure to patients because there might be a change in the Apnea-Hypopnea Index and other sleep-related indicators for constant CPAP users for at least 2 years.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.26-34
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• 2006

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of group therapeutic exercise programs on the cognitive function, Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and balance-performing ability in older adults. Fifteen community-dwelling subjects (mean age 73.7 yrs, standard deviation 2.4) participated in this study. An 8-week group therapeutic exercise program, including strengthening and balance training, breathing and gait exercise, and recreation, consisted of activities related to daily living. The Mini-Mental State Examination-Korean (MMSE-K), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Functional Reaching Test (FRT), and Timed Up & Go (TUG) test were measured during pre-exercise and post-exercise points. The results of this study were as follows: 1. After eight weeks, the MMSE-K and MBI total score was more significantly increased for post-exercise tests than pre-exercise tests (respectively, p<.05, p<.01). 2. Of the MBI contents, personal hygiene, dressing, ambulation, and chair/bed transfers scores were significant increased for post-exercise tests. 3. Post exercise BBS, FRT, and TUG scores were higher than the pre-exercise scores. The difference was statistically significant (respectively, p<.05, p<.05, p<.01). These findings suggest that group therapeutic exercise can be used to improve the cognitive function, ADL, and balance-performing ability in elderly persons.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to demonstrate reduction in stroke symptoms by analyzing the changes in respiratory function and activities of daily living (ADL) after respiratory muscle strengthening exercise in patients who had a stroke and thereby, propose an efficient exercise method. Methods: Twenty patients with hemiplegic stroke were divided into two groups, with 10 patients in each. The control group (CG) received the traditional exercise therapy, and the experimental group (EG) received the traditional exercise therapy combined with expiratory muscle strengthening training. The training continued for 6 weeks, 5 days a week. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1) were measured with a spirometer, $SpO_2$ was measured with a pulse oximeter, and ADL were assessed by using the modified Barthel index (MBI). A paired t test was applied to compare the differences before and after the intervention, and an independent t test was used to compare the differences between the groups. The level of statistical significance was set as ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: The changes in the FVC and FEV1 values within the group showed significant differences only in the EG (p<0.01). The between-group difference was statistically significant only for FVC and FEV1 in the EG (p<0.01). The changes in $SpO_2$ and MBI within the group showed significant differences only in the EG and CG (p<0.01). Between-group differences were statistically significant only for $SpO_2$ and MBI in the EG (p<0.05). Conclusion: The interventions with active patient involvement and combined breathing exercises had a positive impact on all the functions investigated in this study.