• Laboratory Medicine Online
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.26-34
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• 2011

Background: Laboratory diagnosis of new influenza A (H1N1) is crucial for managing patients and establishing control and prevention measures. We compared the diagnostic accuracies of the real time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) test recommended for the confirmation of the new flu and the viral culture method used conventionally for viral disease with that of the rapid antigen test (RAT). Methods: We performed RAT, R-mix culture, and real-time PCR by using 861 respiratory samples collected from December 2009 to January 2010 and evaluated the abilities of these methods to detect new influenza A. The relationship among the positive rates of RAT, grades of culture, and the cycle threshold (Ct) values of rRT-PCR was also evaluated. Results: Of the 861 patients, 308 (35.8%) were diagnosed with new influenza A. The sensitivities, specificities, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values of the tests were respectively as follows: 59.7%, 99.5%, 98.4%, and 81.6% for RAT; 93.2%, 100%, 100%, and 96.3% for R-mix culture; and 95.8%, 100%, 100%, and 97.7% for rRT-PCR. Samples with weak positive grade in culture and those with Ct values of 30-37 in rRT-PCR showed positivities as low as 25.3% and 2.3% in RAT, respectively. The hospitalization rate and death rate of the confirmed patients were 3.2% and 0.3%, respectively, and gastrointestinal symptoms were observed in 7.2% of the patients. Conclusions: R-mix culture and rRT-PCR tests showed excellent reliability in the diagnosis of new influenza A and could be very useful, especially for samples with low viral load.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.20-32
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the etiology and risk factors of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) requiring hospitalization in Korean children during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: Clinical information of children admitted with CAP to Seoul National University Children's Hospital (SNUCH) between January 1, 2021, and February 28, 2022, was retrospectively collected and analyzed. In addition, the etiologic diagnosis and demographic data of children with CAP who were discharged at the other seven hospitals between January and February 2022 were collected. Pneumonia was diagnosed using strict criteria comprising clinical symptoms, physical examination findings, and chest radiographic findings. Results: Among 91 children hospitalized with CAP at SNUCH during the 14-month period, 68.4% were aged <5 years and 79.1% had underlying diseases. Among the 95 CAP cases, respiratory assistance was required in 70.5%, and the use of a ventilator was required in 20.0%. A total of five patients expired, all of whom were either immunocompromised or had underlying neurological diseases. Neurological diseases and immunosuppression were significantly correlated with respiratory assistance (P=0.003) and death (P=0.014). A total of 55% of the detected respiratory pathogens were viruses, the most common of which was rhinovirus at 35.9%. Among the 169 children hospitalized for CAP at the eight institutions, ≥1 respiratory virus was detected in 92.3%, among which respiratory syncytial virus (79.8%) was the most prevalent. Conclusions: Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Korean children were hospitalized with CAP caused by seasonal respiratory viral pathogens. Although atypical and pyogenic bacteria were not detected, continuous clinical monitoring and further prospective studies should be conducted.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.475-481
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• 2019

The soybean cultivar 'Neulchan' was developed for production of soy-paste and tofu. SS91501-9-1-1 and SS96205 (F₂) were crossed in 1998, and F₃ to F₇ were selected by the pedigree method. A preliminary yield trial (PYT) and an advanced yield trial (AYT) were conducted from 2006 to 2008, and a regional yield trial (RYT) in nine regions was conducted from 2009 to 2011. In the RYT, 'Neulchan' was stable in variable environments and generated high yield. 'Neulchan' was determinate with white flower, light brown pod color, yellow spherical seed, and yellow hilum. Its flowering date and maturity date were Jul. 30 and Oct. 9, respectively. The plant height was shorter than that of 'Daewonkong' (a standard cultivar). 'Neulchan' had the same node number (14), higher first-pod height (12 cm), and lighter seed weight (21.7 g/100-seed weight) than those of 'Daewonkong' (14, 11, and 24.2 g/100-seed weight, respectively). 'Neulchan' had high resistance to bacterial pustule, and its resistance to soybean mosaic virus was similar to that of 'Daewonkong'. The yield and color of 'Neulchan' tofu were similar to those of 'Daewonkong' tofu, but the hardness was lower than that of 'Daewonkong' tofu. The soybean malt scent, fermented soybean yield, and γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) of 'Neulchan' were 3, 215%, and 24.6 mg/g, respectively. Its yield in adaptable regions was 307 kg/10a, higher than that of 'Daewonkong'. 'Neulchan' was expected to be cultivated and used widely for soy-paste and tofu production. (Registration No. 4904).

• Korean journal of health promotion
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.91-95
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• 2019

Background: Obesity and deterioration of pulmonary function are known to increase all-cause mortality and morbidity associated with chronic diseases. Obesity is a known risk factor for decreasing pulmonary function; however, studies on the effect of changes in body weight or body mass index (BMI) on pulmonary function are rare. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the change in body weight or BMI and the pulmonary function test (PFT) in Koreans who underwent consecutive screening at a health promotion center. Methods: We enrolled 5,032 patients who underwent consecutive screening health check-ups at a health promotion center in 2015 and 2017. The BMI was calculated as the body weight (kg) divided by the square of the height (m²) in 2015 and 2017. We analyzed the association between the change in body weight or BMI and PFT. Results: In males, PFT and changes in body weight were associated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) but not with changes in BMI. In females, FEV₁/forced vital capacity and forced expiratory flow between 25-75% of vital capacity (FEF_25-75%) were significantly associated with the changes in body weight and BMI. A correlation analysis between body weight and BMI showed a negative correlation with FEF_25-75% in males. In females, FEV₁/FVC and FEF_25-75% were negatively correlated. Conclusions: We observed that the increase in body weight and BMI was significantly associated with pulmonary function. This finding suggests that careful monitoring of body weight and BMI may aid in maintaining proper pulmonary function, thereby, reducing mortality and morbidity.

• Journal of Korean Historical Folklife
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• no.33
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• pp.31-72
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• 2010

At first, I extract materials on folk religion from four encyclopedic literatures of late Chosun dynasty-Lee, Ji-Bong-Ryu-Seol(『芝峯類說』) by Soo-Kwang(李晬光), San-Lim-Kyung-Jae(『山林經濟』) by Hong, Man-Sun(洪萬選), Sung-Ho-Sa-Seol(『星湖僿說』) by Lee-Ik(李瀷), O-Ju-Yeon-Moon-Jang-Jun-San-Go(『五洲衍文長箋散稿』) by Lee, Kyu-Kyung(李圭景), and present these materials by tables. Second, I examined the contents and characters of these materials on folk religion. The conclusions from this research are as follows. ① There are common features and points of difference between these four encyclopedic literatures. One of common features are that all these four are encyclopedic works, but San-Lim-Kyung-Jae is more practical than another three. ② These encyclopedic literatures regard folk religion as a negative culture, because these literatures based on Confucianism. But they did not deny miraculous virtues of folk religion. ③ These encyclopedic literatures give us many informations on gods and spirits of Korean folk religion, i.e. city gods(城隍神)·Yup-Sin(업신)·spirits of disease, god Kim-Bu(金傅大王神)·god Jung-Duk-Yang(鄭得揚)·god of King Kuan-u(關王神)·god Bu-keun(付根神) etc. So I review these gods and spirits referenced in encyclopedic literatures. ④ These encyclopedic literatures show much interest in ghost in common. The reason of interest is that authors of these encyclopedic literatures are all scholars of Sung Confucianism and Sung Confucian was concern about ghost. The Sung Confucianism denied the ghost as personal being whom Korean folk religion regards to a kind of spirits. Instead of beliefs in ghost of folk religion, they insist on the ghost as Ki(氣), a kind of cosmic principle. But these encyclopedic literatures acknowledge some parts of folk religion's beliefs in ghost, because they admit the miraculous virtues of these parts. ⑤ There are many items on divination in these encyclopedic literatures. But they show dual attitude on divinations. The one is negative attitude to divinations on individual destiny and the other one is positive attitude to divinations on agriculture. ⑥ There are also many items on witchcrafts in these encyclopedic literatures. Through these items, I assumed pervasiveness of beliefs on witchcraft at that time. ⑦ Shamans, as religious specialist, are stand on a central position of Korean folk religion. So it is a matter of course that these encyclopedic literatures concerned on Korean shaman. As Confucians, authors of these encyclopedic literatures did not regards shamans as positive one. But they did not deny miraculous virtues of shamans. In spite of these encyclopedic literatures have negative view points to, and include false informations Korean folk religion, I would like to emphasis on importance of these encyclopedic literatures to understand Korean folk religions, especially Korean folk religions of late Yi Dynasty.

• Journal of the Korean Society of International Agriculture
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.249-254
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• 2019

'Japonica 6' is a japonica rice variety developed from a cross between 'MS11', the beginning variety adaptable to tropical region, and 'IR86743-28-1-4', an elite line of high yield and good plant type by a Korea(RDA)-IRRI cooperative breeding program at IRRI in 2017. The growth duration of 'Japonica 6' is 121 days from sowing to harvest. It is 10 days later than that of the check variety 'MS11'. The culm length of 'Japonica 6' is 70 cm, and 1,000-brown rice grain weight is 26.7 g. It has a shorter culm and a larger grain. size than that of MS11. 'Japonica 6' is moderately resistant to blast disease but susceptible to bacterial blight, tungro virus and plant hoppers. The milled rice recovery rate of 'Japonica 6' is improved than that of 'MS11'. The head rice rate of 'Japonica 6' is significantly higher than that of 'MS11'. Yield of 'Japonica 6' is averagely 3.59 MT/ha of milled rice in 5 areas of the Philippines. The 'Japonica 6' was registered in Philippines and would be adaptable to the diverse regions of tropical Asia (Registration No in Philippines. BPI-NSIC-2017-Rc 484SR).

• 한국노년학
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.1155-1167
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of falls, fear of falling, perceived health status, and number of disease according to cognitive function in community-dwelling the elderly women. This study utilized a descriptive survey design. Data were collected for six months with 311 elderly women who visited in public health center at S city. After obtaining Institutional Review Board(IRB) approval, a face-to-face, and private interview was conducted with each participant who was eligible and agreed to participate in this study by trained graduate-level nursing students. The questionnaires consisted of MoCA-K, K-MMSE, Fall Efficacy Scale, PHS scale. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS/WIN 17.0 program, which was used descriptive statistics, Chi-Square test and t-test, Correlation. The major findings of this study were as follows; 1) The average age of the subjects was 71.68±5.13 and cognitive function score was 22.14±4.32. approximately 35% of participants had fallen within one year. 2) there were significant differences in perceived health status according to cognitive function. 3) fear of fall and cognitive function, perceived health status and cognitive function were significant correlation. In conclusion, this study will contribute to establish strategies for preventing fall. Interventions for fall prevention and fear of fall enhancement should be developed with the consideration of the level of cognitive function in the elderly. Reducing the fear of falling through the comprehensive nursing intervention will ultimately improve the quality of life in the elderly.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.197-205
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• 2019

This study was to compare arterial stiffness and hemodynamic responses between male smokers and non-smokers. This study also investigates the influences of smoking before exercise on arterial stiffness and hemodynamic responses. 24 male subjects of age 20-29 without history of cardiorespiratory disease were divided into smokers and non-smokers. Smokers had more than 5 years of smoking experience. In order to evaluate the effects of pre-exercise smoking, smokers were tested twice, once with a cigarette before the exercise and the other once without one. Data was collected from bio-impedance analysis, SphygmoCor XCEL, graded exercise test, and fitness test. Main results of this study are as follows: First, there are differences between smokers and non-smokers in cardiorespiratory and hemodynamic response functions, as shown by maximal oxygen consumption, exercise duration, and heart rate. Second, the although the arterial stiffness between smokers and non-smokers showed statistically significant differences in the speed of the pulse wave velocity and augmentation index, smoker had a faster rate. It shows that smoking behavior has a negative impact on the cardiovascular system. Third, pre-exercise smoking behavior does have an impact on cardiorespiratory and hemodynamic response functions, as shown by exercise duration and heart rate. Lastly, arterial stiffness between smokers and non-smokers showed statistically not significant in the speed of the pulse wave velocity and augmentation index. However, the difference was not statistically significant. Brachial systolic pressure, a component of pulse wave analysis, on the other hand, was significantly dependent on pre-exercise smoking behavior. Subjects who participated in this study are college students in early 20s. Given their relatively short history of smoking, it is possible that their smoking habits are not severe enough to develop into cardiorespiratory or cardiovascular diseases. But Smokers showed lower levels of cardiopulmonary functions, as maximal oxygen consumption and exercise duration than nonsmokers.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1247-1259
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• 2009

Muscle mass is reduced by aging. There seems to be no direct relationship between sarcopenia(muscle loss) and medical cost in the elderly, but lowering muscle mass results in increase risk of fall and decrease of strength, fitness, physical activity, and independent life. This is coupled with physical trouble and chronic degenerative disease such as diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. Thus, sarcopenia is potential risk factor increasing mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of elastic band exercise and detraining on sarcopenia prevention related variables, body composition and fitness. The subject of this study was 60~70 aged 14 seniors who participated in exercise program in J-welfare senior center at J-gu in S-city. Elastic band exercise was performed twice per week for 12 weeks. The body composition and fitness variables were measured before 12 weeks of control, after control(before exercise), after 12 weeks of exercise(before detraining), and after 12 weeks of detraining. There was no significant difference in body composition and fitness variables before and after 12 weeks of control, but elastic band exercise before and after 12 weeks has effect on body composition variables such as weight (t=2.978, p=0.001), body mass index (t=3.502, p=0.004), percent body fat (t=2.216, p=0.045), muscle mass (t=-3.837, p=0.002), visceral fat area (t=5.186, p<0.001), and waist-hip ratio (t=3.045, p=0.009) and on fitness variables such as 2-minutes step (t=-6.891 p<0.001), arm curl (t=-4.702, p<0.001), chair stand (t=-4.860, p<0.001), chair sit and reach (t=-5.910, p<0.001), back scratch (t=-3.835, p=0.002), and 8-ft up and go (t=7.560, p<0.001). This exercise effect was continued after 12 weeks of detraining on body composition variables such as weight (t=2.323, p=0.037), body mass index (t=2.503, p=0.026), muscle mass (t=-3.137, p=0.008) and on fitness variables such as 2-minutes step (t=-6.489 p<0.001), chair stand (t=-4.694, p<0.001), chair sit and reach (t=-3.690, p=0.003), and 8-ft up and go (t=7.539, p<0.001). It was found that the elastic band exercise has positive effect on body composition and fitness in the elderly and the effect was maintained over 12 weeks of detraining.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.375-384
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term aerobic dancing exercise on body composition, physical fitness and mental function in older women over 70 years old. All subjects were limited to older women aged 70 to under 85. The experimental group performed aerobic exercise of 2-3 times a week for 9.2 ± 4.6 yrs, and the control group did not perform any regular exercise and spent 3-4 times a week mainly in the relaxing facility for older. As a results in this study, the weight, muscle mass and body fat percentage of the aerobic group were not significantly different from those of the control group, but there were significantly positive effects of aerobic group in visceral fat mass, abdominal obesity rate(%), body water content and systolic blood pressure(p < .05). In terms of physical fitness, Sit & reach, one-legged stand (right) and TUG of the aerobic group were significantly higher than those of the control group(p < .05), but there were no significant differences between two groups in the shoulder flexibilities and grip strength. MMSE as a cognitive function was not significantly different between the two groups, but GDS was significantly lower in the aerobic group than in the control group(p < .05). According to the correlation analysis between all variables and MMSE and GDS, MMSE was significantly inversely correlated with height (r = -0.425)(p < .05), and no correlation was detected with other variables. However, GDS have signitively negative correlations with resting heart rate(r = -0.464), sit & reach(r = -0.525) left(r = -0.491) and right grip strengths(r = -0.635) as well as positive correlation systolic blood pressure(r = 0.482) and TUG (r = 0.479), respectively(p < .05). In conclusion, long-term aerobic exercise of elderly women over 70 older had positive effects on variables related to metabolic disease (visceral fat and resting heart rate), silver fitness variables related to falls, and depression level in the elderly.