• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3593-3601
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• 2013

Background: For a number of reasons from cultural compatibility, to accessibility, to cost, traditional healers are a major source of health care in developing countries. In Malaysia, it's been estimated that upwards of 80% of the population consult traditional healers even if simultaneously seeking treatment from the Western medical system. Partially as a result of the widespread practice of visiting traditional healers, cancer diagnosis and treatment in Malaysia is often delayed or interrupted resulting in late presentation, advanced stage diagnosis, and a higher mortality rate than in Western countries. However, there is very little research on the role of traditional healers in cancer treatment in Malaysia. Materials and Methods: This qualitative study was designed to identify the roles traditional healers play in cancer diagnosis and treatment, with an eye to alleviating the cancer burden through educational responses with four publics in mind-policy makers, Western medical personnel, traditional healers, and the general public. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 Malay traditional healers, 13 cancer survivors who had seen both traditional healers and Western doctors, and 12 cancer medical specialists. Results: Analysis of the data from these 39 participants revealed four roles traditional healers play in cancer treatment-medicinal healer, emotional comforter, spiritual guide, and palliative caregiver. Conclusions: Three roles (emotional, spiritual, palliative) can be seen as complementary to the allopathic system. Emotional and spiritual roles may augment the effectiveness of biomedical treatment. Cancer awareness and education programs need to position traditional healers as complementary, rather than an alternative to Western medical treatment; Validating the roles Traditional Healers can play in cancer treatment in MY through health promotion and education will contribute to alleviating the nation's cancer burden.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.376-387
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was to systematically review the contents and effects of nurse-led transitional care programs for discharged patients from hospital to home. Methods: Randomized controlled trials published between 2005 and 2015 were searched in Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane(Central Register of Controlled Trials) and CINAHL. Data were analyzed using Cochrane Review Manager(Revman) software 5.3. Results: Nine studies were selected and analyzed. Patient assessment, education and discharge planning were included in pre-discharge phase. Referring, communication and care planning were performed by nurses in transition phase. Home and phone visits, monitoring and multidisciplinary advices were included in post-discharge phase. Various outcome measures such as hospital utilization(30 days readmission and emergency department visit), quality of life, and cost were used to identify effectiveness of nurse-led transitional care programs. 30 days readmission(OR=.73, 95% CI 0.54, 0.98; p=.03) and emergency department visit(OR=.67, 95% CI 0.50, 0.88; p=.005) were statistically significant in meta-analysis. However, participant blinding was not done in seven studies which put at the risk of performance bias. Conclusion: The results indicated that nurse-led transitional care program is effective in reducing unnecessary hospital utilization. Nevertheless, small sample size and risk at performance bias are the limitation of this study. Thus, we suggest that well-designed randomized controlled trials need to be conducted.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.271-282
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• 2004

The purposes of this study were to research the behavior of consumption and needs about the female university students to provide useful information which would help finding the marketing source of cosmeceuticals. The sample was consisted of 464 female university students who had experiences of using the cosmeceuticals. Data were analyzed by factor analysis, frequency, x2-test, t-test, ANOVA(LSD) using SPSSWIN. The results were as follows: When the female university students purchased the cosmeceuticals, they considered the effectiveness and the price, so were satisfied with good effect and low price. The most important marketing methods in cosmeceuticals for female university students were through the internet and mail order shopping. Whereas, demerit factors of internet shopping were founded to be the complexity of exchange or refund and the little chance of free samples for trial. The good marketing strategies might be sending trial samples, future payment system after trial period, and/or supporting the event held in the university. Besides, it might be a consideration to have an event for the improvement by public trial. Anti-aging cosmeceutical was the most preferred item for female students, sun protection and whitening cosmetics next in order. Therefore, a target customer for cosmeceuticals might be lowered in age. The purchasing cost system and therapeutic effect of cosmeceuticals had to be developed for 20's. It was necessary to be safe and effective. The factors affecting the level of satisfaction for cosmeceuticals could be categorized into 4; market environment, simplicity of purchase, product merit and additional service. The needs for cosmeceuticals showed significant differences according to grade and kinds of product.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.12-23
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the aspects of the Korean medicine (KM) treatment among children with cerebral palsy (CP) according to the disease characteristics. Methods: In a prospective observational multicenter study for children with CP, we analyzed 78 baseline questionnaires of children having experience of KM treatments such as acupuncture and Korean herbal medicine and 43 follow-up data of children who have received KM during the one observation year. Results: Of all the 182 participants, 38 children were currently getting KM treatment and 40 children have discontinued KM treatment. Children with non-spastic CP and more health problems tended to use KM. The most frequent reason for quitting acupuncture therapy was 'suffering of children' and the highest reason of stopping herbal medicine was 'rejection of children'. Among the 133 participants finished one year follow-up, 43 children have received at least one KM treatment. The average number of acupuncture therapy was twice a week and the average monthly cost of acupuncture therapy and herbal medicine were 65,922 won and 476,003 won, respectively. Children under 32 month old have received significantly more acupuncture and children with non-spastic CP have taken significantly more herbal medicine. Conclusions: Further study will be required to confirm the effectiveness of KM and increase the utilization of KM among the children with CP. More efforts should be made to increase the convenience of acupuncture therapy and herbal medicine and to expand the insurance coverage of KM for children with CP.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.372-382
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• 2023

Purpose: Suggests measures to improve the construction company's safety management system according to the enforcement of the Severe Accident Punishment Act. Method: The effectiveness of practice-oriented disaster prevention activities was analyzed through safety and health diagnosis of the level of safety and health management system for the countermeasures against the Severe Accident Punishment Act implemented at the construction site and headquarters. Result: The effect of reducing the accident rate and the advancement of the safety and health management system were analyzed by linking the Severe Accident Punishment Act with the safety and health management system, and a plan to improve the safety and health management system was presented through the analysis of the comprehensive results of safety activities before and after the implementation of the Severe Accident Punishment Act. Conclusion: The effect of practical performance measurement was manifested through the improvement of business owners' awareness, the expansion of investment for disaster prevention, and the quantification of disaster prevention activities according to the enforcement of the Severe Accident Punishment Act.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.194-205
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• 2023

Objectives : This study investigated the current utilization status of thermotherapy devices in Korean medicine (KM) institutions and identified areas for improvement and further development, as perceived by KM doctors (KMDs). Methods : An online survey was conducted, targeting KMDs primarily engaged in clinical patient care. The questionnaire included items about respondents' clinical practices, the extent of thermotherapy device usage, their opinions on these devices, and perceived improvement needs. The collected data underwent quantitative analysis. Results : From the 1,025 respondents, data from 862 respondents who provided complete responses were analyzed. On average, respondents utilized thermotherapy treatments for 80% of their patients. Infrared (IR) phototherapy unit, electrical moxibustion apparatus, and heater-based thermotherapy devices were predominantly owned by respondents, with IR being the most frequently used. The average satisfaction score for current thermotherapy devices was 79. A significant concern raised was the necessity for improved health insurance coverage and efficacy evaluation. Conclusions : This research has confirmed that the extensive use of thermotherapy devices by KMDs in treating primarily musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal ailments - common conditions among patients in KM institutions. The main areas identified for improvement encompass safety, cost-effectiveness, and device efficacy. Future enhancements in thermotherapy devices should address these crucial aspects.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.81-95
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to apply participatory action-oriented training (PAOT) principle for the management of metabolic syndrome and to assess its effectiveness in the workplace. Methods: The metabolic syndrome management program applying participatory action-oriented training (PAOT) principle is constructed action checklist, Group discussion, self-creation of an action plan, after 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, the practice carried out check up and encourage practice activity. Results: The seventy-seven workers who participated in the metabolic syndrome management program made a total of 246 action plans, 3.8 action plans per person and 234 action plans were achieved after one year, so that 81.0% of action plans have been achieved. After 1 year, in the intervention group, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI), the risk factors score decreased statistically significant, and metabolic syndrome prevalence decreased 54.8%. whereas the control group also showed a significant decreased in the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, the risk factors score. but, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was significantly increased. Conclusions: To improve the effectiveness of metabolic syndrome management program applying participatory action-oriented training (PAOT) principle, the need to continues implementing programs and analysis of the long-term effects are required. Participatory action-oriented training (PAOT) principle can applying without cost and time, the human burden for the prevention and management of chronic diseases such as metabolic syndrome.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.16 no.1 s.60
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• pp.1-10
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• 2006

Rock masses in nature include various rock discontinuities such as faults, joints, bedding planes, fractures, cracks, schistosities, and cleavages. The behavior of rock structures, therefore, is mainly controlled by various rock discontinuities. In many tunnels, enormous cost and time are consumed to cope with the failing or sliding of rock blocks, which cannot be predicted because of the complexity of rock discontinuities. It is difficult to estimate the properties of rock masses before the rock excavation. The observational design and construction method of tunnels in rock masses is becoming important recently. In this paper, a new observational design and construction method for rock block evaluation of tunnels in discontinuous rock masses is proposed, and then applied to the tunnel based on actual rock discontinuity information observed in the field. It is possible to detect key blocks all along the tunnel exactly by using the numerical analysis program developed far the new observational design and construction method. This computer simulation method with user-friendly interfaces can calculate not only the stability of rock blocks but also the design of supplementary supports. The effectiveness of the proposed observational design and construction method has been verified by the confirmation of key block during the enlargement excavation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.259-265
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• 2008

Generally speaking, there are two widely used methods of Nitrogen removal from waste water: 1) nitrification using autotrophic microorganisms, and 2) denitrification using heterotrophic microorganisms. The C/N ratio is an important factor of the denitrification process. In this case, if methanol is added to increase the lacking organic matter, a high economic cost is incurred and methanol is left in the processed water. In an effort to fix these issues, autotrophic denitrification through the use of Hydrogen, Iron and Sulfur is being studied, and among those Sulfur is cheaper and carries out denitrification effectively, and therefore is being studied the most. In this study, after cultivating T. denitrificans, the presence of T. denitrificans was determined and the effectiveness of denitirification via T. denitrificans was studied. In order to find out about the inhibition of T. denitrificans from the loading of organic matter, this shows that the greater the loading of organic matter, the more the denitrification ability of T. denitrificans is hindered. In order to research the hindrance of T. denitrificans resulting from the loading of $NO_3{^-}-N$, these results show that concentrations less than 100mg/L per 100mL of gel volume do not hinder T. denitrificans. In order to research the optimization of denitrification resulting from T. denitrificans, three 500mL samples of Sulfur granules were prepared: 1) one with only T. denitrificans attached (Mode I), 2) one with both T. denitrificans and active sludge attached (Mode II), and 3) one with only active sludge attached (Mode III). The results showed that autotrophic denitrification using S from Mode I was the most active.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 2020

Background Ultrasonic dissection devices cause less thermal damage to the surrounding tissue than monopolar electrosurgical devices. We compared the effects of using an ultrasonic dissection device or an electrocautery device during prosthetic breast reconstruction on seroma development and short-term postoperative complications. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent implant-based reconstruction following mastectomy between March 2017 and September 2018. Mastectomy was performed by general surgeons and reconstruction by plastic surgeons. From March 2017 to January 2018, a monopolar electrosurgical device was used, and an ultrasonic dissection device was used thereafter. The other surgical methods were the same in both groups. Results The incidence of seroma was lower in the ultrasonic dissection device group than in the electrocautery group (11 [17.2%] vs. 18 [31.0%]; P=0.090). The duration of surgery, total drainage volume, duration of drainage, overall complication rate, surgical site infection rate, and flap necrosis rate were comparable between the groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that the risk of seroma development was significantly lower in the ultrasonic dissection device group than in the electrocautery group (odds ratio for electrocautery, 3.252; 95% confidence interval, 1.242-8.516; P=0.016). Conclusions The findings of this study suggest that the incidence of seroma can be reduced slightly by using an ultrasonic dissection device for prosthesis-based breast reconstruction. However, further randomized controlled studies are required to verify our results and to assess the cost-effectiveness of this technique.