• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.697-719
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• 2022

Gadoxetate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used in clinical practice for liver imaging. For optimal use, we must understand both its advantages and limitations. This article is the outcome of an online advisory board meeting and subsequent discussions by a multidisciplinary group of experts on liver diseases across the Asia-Pacific region, first held on September 28, 2020. Here, we review the technical considerations for the use of gadoxetate, its current role in the management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and its relevance in consensus guidelines for HCC imaging diagnosis. In the latter part of this review, we examine recent evidence evaluating the impact of gadoxetate on clinical outcomes on a continuum from diagnosis to treatment decision-making and follow-up. In conclusion, we outline the potential future roles of gadoxetate MRI based on an evolving understanding of the clinical utility of this contrast agent in the management of patients at risk of, or with, HCC.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.98-109
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The efficacy of Lab4 probiotic and vitamin C combination on the prevention of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) was investigated in two studies with children. Our objective was to pool dataset of 57 preschool children from the PROCHILD study (ISRCTN28722693) and the dataset of 50 preschool matched cohort from the PROCHILD-2 study (ISRCTN26587549) to evaluate the impact of probiotic/vitamin C combination on the prevention of upper respiratory tract symptoms and provide a more robust assessment of effect using detailed individual level data. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The children were supplemented daily for 6 months with either the multistrain probiotic (1.25×10¹⁰ cfu/tablet consisting of two strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus CUL21 and CUL60, Bifidobacterium bifidum CUL20 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CUL34) plus 50 mg vitamin C or a placebo. RESULTS: In the pooled analysis of the individual participant data (per protocol population), significant reductions were observed for the incidence (-25%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66, 0.85; P < 0.0001) and duration (-14.9 days; 95% CI, -24.8, -5.1; P = 0.0030) of typical URTI symptoms in the active group compared with the placebo. The incidence rates of absenteeism from preschool (IR ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.66, 0.86; P < 0.0001), paediatric visits (IR ratio, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.47; 0.68; P < 0.0001) and antibiotic usage (IR ratio, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.39, 0.71; P < 0.0001) were also significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: The pooled analysis findings of comparable preschool cohorts from two studies indicate that the supplementation with probiotic and vitamin C combination is beneficial in the prevention and management of URTI symptoms.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.19-25
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• 2024

Objectives : Jeopgoltang (JGT) is a new Korean herbal medicine formulation that is used to treat bone fractures. Although JGT is frequently used in clinical practice, there is a lack of scientific evidence on its safety. This study aimed to evaluate the preclinical toxicity of JGT using a single oral dose toxicity test in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods : Five male and female rats per group were orally administered 1,250, 2,500, or 5,000 mg/kg of JGT after fasting for 12 h. Mortality and changes in clinical signs, body weight, and necropsy findings were monitored for 14 days according to the guidelines of the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Results : No significant clinical signs or mortality were observed after a single administration of up to 5,000 mg/kg. In addition, no significant necropsy findings related to JGT administration were observed. Conclusions: In conclusion, these results suggest that approximate Lethal Dose (ALD) of JGT on SD rats is over 5,000 mg/kg.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.12-25
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• 2024

Purpose: This quasi-experimental study used a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design with clinical nurses to develop a compassion improvement program and verify its effects on compassion competence and empathic communication. Methods: The Triandis Interpersonal Behavior model (Triandis, 1980) was used as a theoretical framework, and a compassion improvement program was developed based on the ADDIE model. The experimental treatment in the program was conducted for 120 minutes per session, once a week, for a total of six sessions. The data collection and research period ranged from September 7 to November 16. It involved a pre-survey of measured variables, six sessions of experimental treatment, a post-survey, and a follow-up survey in sequence. The collected data were analyzed using the statistical program SPSS/WIN 25.0 and then based on a t-test and repeated measures ANOVA to verify the effectiveness of the program. Results: Clinical nurses participating in the compassion improvement program showed improved compassion competence (F=8.00, p=.001) due to the cultivation of insight, sensitivity, and communication skills. In addition, the improvement in attentive listening (F=3.32, p=.024) indicated that the program was partially effective in empathic communication. Conclusion: The compassion improvement program for clinical nurses, which was developed in this study, is expected to be useful in nursing practice. In other words, the compassion improvement program may contribute to creating a positive atmosphere in the workplace for nurses and an empathic relationship between nurses and healthcare recipients through improvement in the compassion competence of nurses. If the compassion improvement program is continuously implemented as a facilitating condition, it will greatly help prevent the turnover of clinical nurses, assist them in adapting to hospital life, and enhance the quality of nursing care.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.523-533
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Given that adolescents watch Mukbang (eating broadcast) more frequently than other age groups, interest in the potential health effects of watching Mukbang and Cookbang (cooking broadcast) is growing. This study aimed to determine the status of watching Mukbang and Cookbang among Korean adolescents and its relationship with their dietary behaviors. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We used data from the 18th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey, conducted in 2022 (n = 51,850). The study included the frequency of watching Mukbang and Cookbang and the self-rated impact of watching them. Dietary behaviors included consumption of the following items: fruits (≥ once a day), vegetables (≥ 3 times a day), fast foods (≥ 3 times a week), late-night snacks (≥ 3 times a week), caffeinated drinks (≥ 3 times a week), and sweet-flavored drinks (≥ 3 times a week). Furthermore, obesity, weight loss attempts during the past 30 days, body image distortion, and inappropriate methods to control weight were also included. RESULTS: Among adolescents, 70.6% watched Mukbang and Cookbang, and 13.2% watched them more than 5 times a week. Approximately 27.6% of the adolescents responded that they were influenced by watching Mukbang and Cookbang. Adolescents who frequently watched Mukbang and Cookbang consumed less vegetable and fruit; however, the likelihood of consuming fast food, late-night snacks, sugary drinks, and caffeinated drinks increased. In addition, they were more likely to attempt inappropriate weight-loss methods and become obese. Adolescents who responded that their eating habits were influenced by watching Mukbang and Cookbang were more likely to have unhealthy eating behavior compared to the group who responded that their habits were not influenced by these shows. CONCLUSION: Watching Mukbang and Cookbang is common among Korean adolescents and is associated with unhealthy dietary behaviors. Prospective studies, including broadcasting content, should evaluate the impact of Mukbang and Cookbang on health.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.87 no.3
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• pp.261-281
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• 2024

Cardiovascular comorbidity is common in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This factor interferes with pharmacological treatment. The use of β-blockers has been proposed for their known cardioprotective effects. However, due to their adverse reactions, and the risk of causing bronchospasm, there is reluctance to use them. To summarize existing evidence on the effects of β-blocker use in COPD associated with cardiovascular comorbidities in relation to disease severity, exacerbation, and mortality outcomes. EMBASE, Medline, Lilacs, Cochrane Library, and Science Direct databases were used. Observational studies that evaluated the effects of β-blockers on individuals with COPD and cardiovascular comorbidities, and related disease severity, exacerbations, or mortality outcomes were included. Studies that did not present important information about the sample and pharmacological treatment were excluded. Twenty studies were included. Relevance to patient care and clinical practice: The use of β-blockers in individuals with COPD and cardiovascular disease caused positive effects on mortality and exacerbations outcomes, compared with the results of individuals who did not use them. The severity of the disease caused a slight change in forced expiratory volume in 1 second. The odds ratio for mortality was 0.50 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39 to 0.63; p<0.00001), and for exacerbations, 0.76 (95% CI, 0.62 to 0.92; p=0.005), being favorable to the group that used β-blockers. Further studies are needed to study the effect of using a specific β-blocker in COPD associated with a specific cardiovascular comorbidity.

• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.293-297
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• 2024

Objective: As the prevalence of neuroendovascular interventions increases, it is critical to mitigate unnecessary radiation for patients, providers, and health care staff. Our group previously demonstrated reduced radiation dose and exposure during diagnostic angiography by reducing the default pulse and frame rates. We applied the same technique for basic neuroendovascular interventions. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of prospectively acquired data after implementing a quality improvement protocol in which pulse rate and frame rate were reduced from 15 p/s to 7.5 p/s and 7.5 f/s to 4.0 f/s respectively. We studied consecutive, unilateral middle meningeal artery embolizations treated with particles. Total radiation dose, radiation per angiographic run, total radiation exposure, and exposure per run were calculated. Multivariable log-linear regression was performed to account for patient body mass index (BMI), number of angiographic runs, and number of vessels catheterized. Results: A total of 20 consecutive, unilateral middle meningeal artery embolizations were retrospectively analyzed. The radiation reduction protocol was associated with a 39.2% decrease in the total radiation dose and a 37.1% decrease in radiation dose per run. The protocol was associated with a 41.6% decrease in the total radiation exposure and a 39.5% decrease in exposure per run. Conclusions: Radiation reduction protocols can be readily applied to neuroendovascular interventions without increasing overall fluoroscopy time and reduce radiation dose and exposure by 39.2% and 41.6% respectively. We strongly encourage all interventionalists to be cognizant of pulse rate and frame rate when performing routine interventions.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.305-317
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• 2018

In this study, we investigated the characteristics of participant students' modeling with the blackbox simulation program and epistemic criteria. For this research, we developed a blackbox simulation program, which is an ill-structured problem situation reflecting the scientific practice. This simulation program is applied in the activities. 23 groups, 89 second year students of an education college participated in this activity. They visualized, modeled, modified, and evaluated their thoughts on internal structure in the blackbox. All of students' activities were recorded and analyzed. As a result, the students' models in blackbox activities were categorized into four types considering their form and function. Model evaluation occurred in group model selection. Epistemic criteria such as empirical coherence, comprehensiveness, analogy, simplicity, and implementation were adapted in model evaluation. The educational implications discussed above are as follows: First, the blackbox simulation activities in which the students participated in this study have educational implications in that they provide a context in which the nature of scientific practice can be experienced explicitly and implicitly by constructing and testing models. Second, from the beginning of the activity, epistemic criteria such as empirical coherence, comprehensiveness, analogy, simplicity, and implementation were not strictly adapted and dynamically flexibly adapted according to the context. Third, the study of epistemic criteria in various contexts as well as in the context of this study will broaden the horizon of understanding the nature of scientific practice. Simulation activity, which is the context of this study, can lead to research related to computational thinking that will be more important in future society. We expect to be able to lead more discussions by furthering this study by elaborating and systematizing its context and method.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.384-399
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• 1996

The concept of parish nursing began in the late 1960s in the United States when increasing numbers of churches employed registered nurses (RNs) to provide holistic, preventive health care to the members of their congregations. Parish nursing role was developed in 1983 by Lutheran chaplain Granger Westberg, and provides care to a variety of church congregation of various denominations. The parish nurse functions as health educator, counselor, group facilitator, client advocate, and liaison to community resources. Since these activities are complementary to the population-focused practice of community health' CNSs, parish nurses either have a strong public health background or work directly with both baccalaureate-prepared public health nurses and CNSs. In a Midwest community in U.S.A., the Healthy People 2000(1991) objectives are being addressed in health ministries through a coalition between public health nurses and parish nurses. Parish nursing is in the beginning state in Korea and up untill now, there has been no research was conducted on concrete role of korean parish nurses. The main purpose of this study was to identify, classify and analyze activities of parish nurses. The other important objective of this study was to establish an effective approach and direction for parish nursing and provide a database for korean parish nursing model through analysis and' classification of the content of the nursing record which included nursing activities. This study was a descriptive survey research. The parish nurses were working in churches where the demonstration project developed on parish nursing. The study was done on all nursing records which were working in churches where the demonstration project developed on parish nursing. The study was done on all nursing records which were documented by parish nurses in three churches from March, 1995 to February, 1996. Namsan, Taegu Jeei and Nedang presbyterian churches in Taegu and Keimyung nursing college incooperated together for the parish nursing demonstration project. The data analysis procedure was as follows: First, a record analysis tool was developed and second, the data was collected, coded and analyzed, the classification for nursing activities was developed through a literature review, from which the basic analysis tool was produced and cotent validity review was also done. The classification of the activities of parish nurses showed 7 activitity categories. 7 activity categories consisted of visitation nursing, health check-ups, health education, referring, attending staff meetings, attending inservices and seminar, volunteers coordinating. The percentage of activities were as follows: Visitation nursing(A: 51.6%, B: 55%, C: 42.6%) Health check-ups(A: 13.5%, B: 12.1%, C: 22.3%) Health education(A: 13.5%, B: 13.2%, C: 18.2%) Referring(A: 1.4%, B: 4.2%, C: 2.4%) Attending staff meeting(A: 18.8%, B: 13.0%, C: 12.2%) Attending inservices and seminar(A: 1.5%, B: 2.2%, C: 2.1%) Volunteers coordinating(A: 0.3%, B: 0.4%, C: 0.0%) To establish and develope parish nursing delivery network in Korea, parish nurses role, activities and boundaries of practice should be continuously monitored and refined every 2 years. Also, It is needed to develope effective nursing recording system based on the need assessment research data of various congregation members. role, activities and boundaries of practice and arrangement of the working structure, continuing education, cooperation with community resources and structuring and organizing parish nursing delivery network. Also, It is needed to develope effective nursing recording system based on the need assessment research data of various congregation members.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.206-220
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between practice and infectious diseases in elementary, middle and high school students. Methods: In 16 metropolitan cities and province of the Korea, the students who from fourth grade of elementary school to third grade of high school were surveyed by personal interviews and an web-based online survey from 5 to 25 September, 2014. We analyzed data with chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Common cold, diarrhea, and eye infections were more prevalent among students in higher grade than lower grade. In particular, common cold was more prevalent among girls than boys, using hand sanitizer than washing with soaps, and students who wash the dorsal side of hand than not wash the dorsal side of hand. Conclusions: Higher-grade students showed low status of hand washing practice. Hand washing was determined as the fact which influences to increase the prevention of communicable disease such as common cold. Considering the fact that youth groups have higher risk of being infected due to their group life, schools are recommended to provide adequate educations regarding proper hand washing practice with soap.