• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.153-160
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate needs and satisfaction on the medical services of cancer patients in Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. Methods: Total 174 cancer patients, who visited at the clinic of Jeju National University Hospital, submitted informed consent and participated in this study from July 13 to July 30, 2009. Self questionnaire was used and data were analyzed with Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Mann-Whitney U test, ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Participants expressed the needs of most economical support (3.38 out of 4), followed by counseling of treatment plan (3.22), information of disease (3.07), and disease management except cancer (2.97). Participants were satisfied most with religious counseling (3.41), followed by nursing service support (3.39), employment counseling (3.26), and counseling for family or interpersonal relationships (3.26). The satisfaction of economical support was the lowest (1.98). Satisfaction of men was higher than women, and needs in patients who were living with children was the highest. Patients who were living alone or with children showed the lowest satisfaction about the medical services. There were no significant differences in the general characteristics, however, participants who were older than 60 years of age or had higher income showed lower needs and higher satisfaction. There were no significant differences in the medical characteristics, however, thyroid cancer patients and patients who were treated with radiation therapy or transarterial embolization showed low satisfaction. Conclusion: Cancer patients seemed to need more economical support, information of treatment or disease, and symptom management. Furthermore, there were various needs about the services, depending on family formation or economical support of patients. Therefore, it is certain that patients who were suffering from other cancers, except the 5 major cancers, needed more services. In conclusion, continuous and systemic policy to consider patient's characteristics and needs are needed in community as well as health care system.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.145-155
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• 2019

Purpose: Amendment to the Act on Decisions on Life-sustaining Treatment was recently enacted to designate long-term care hospitals as providers of hospice and palliative care. Despite its benefit of providing improved accessibility to end-of-life care, the amendment has raised concerns about its effect on quality of service. This study aimed to use information obtained from an expert group interview and previous studies to compare how cancer patients, family caregivers, physicians, and the general Korean population perceive the potential benefits and risks of this amendment. Methods: We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study from July to October 2016. The included participants answered a structured questionnaire regarding the extent to which they agree or disagree with the questionnaire items indicating the potential benefits and risks of the amendment. Chi-square tests and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: Compared with the general population, physicians agreed more that long-term care hospitals are currently not adequately equipped to provide quality hospice and palliative care. Family caregivers found improved access to long-term care hospitals more favorable but were more likely to agree that these hospitals might prioritize profits, thereby threatening the philosophy of hospice care, and that families might cease to fulfill filial responsibilities. Compared with the general population, cancer patients were more concerned about the potentially decreased service quality in this setting. Conclusion: Although potential service beneficiaries and providers expected improved accessibility of hospice and palliative care services, they were also concerned whether the system can provide adequate quality of end-of-life care.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.2951-2957
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• 2015

The development of worldwide harmful algal blooms(HAB) is a serious problem for public health and fisheries industries. To evaluate the algicidal impact on the HAB species, algicide thiazolidinedione derivative (TD49) and yellow clay were examined, which is focus on assess the algicidal effects and inhibition to photosynthesis of HAB species. To obtain the detailed information, we analyzed the viability of target species related to activity Chl. a, photosynthetic efficiency($F_v/F_m$), and electron transport rate(ETR). Culture experiment was conducted to evaluate the algicidal effects of three harmful species(raphidophyceae Heterosigma akashiwo, Chattonella marina, and dinophyceae Heterocapsa circularisquama) and one non-harmful species (cryptophyceae Rhodomonas salina). Our experiments revealed that three HAB species were easily destroyed of the cell walls after TD49 dosing. Also, they had significantly reducing values of active Chl. a, $F_v/F_m$, and ETR, due to the damage of photosystem II by inter-cellular disturbance. As a result, the algicidal effect(%) for the three HABs were as follows, in the order of greatest to the least: H. circularisquama> C. marina> H. akashiwo. However, the algicidal effect for yellow clay remained to be <30% (p>0.01), implying that it may not have damaged the photosystem II. On the other hand, non-HAB R. salina was promoted at both TD49 and yellow clay treatments. Our results demonstrated that the TD49 is a good agent for the control of HABs H. akashiwo, C. marina, and H. circularisquama, whereas the yellow clay would not be suitable for the field application based on our experimental results.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2232-2239
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• 2012

This study set out to investigate the effects of the same amount of resting(30 minutes) after $VO_2max$ 20%, 40%, and 60% exercise on the variation of cortisol and catecholamine, serum stress hormones. The research efforts led to the following conclusions: First, there were no significant differences in serum cortisol concentration between the $VO_2max$ 20% group and the $VO_2max$ 40% group, but there were some significant differences in the significance level of p=.002 in the $VO_2max$ 60% group. Second, there were no significant differences in serum catecholamine concentration between the $VO_2max$ 20% group and the $VO_2max$ 40% group, but there were some significant differences in the significance level of p=.001 in the $VO_2max$ 60% group. Third, no significant differences were found in the changing rates of serum cortisol concentration between right after exercise and during break among different levels of exercise intensity according to measuring time. Fourth, there were significant differences in the changing rates of serum catecholamine concentration in the significance level of p=.000 right after exercise and in the significance level of p=.034 during break In short, there were significant differences only in the $VO_2max$ 60% group according to exercise intensity when the different groups took the same amount of break after exercise. The $VO_2max$ 60% group was also the only group that showed significant differences in the changing rates of cortisol and catecholamine. In conclusion, taking a break after exercise can generate huge effects only when the exercise intensity level is moderate or higher. That is, taking a break will have no significant effects when the exercise intensity level is lower than moderate.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.102-110
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to obtain the basic information for the improvement of dental environment by investigating the presence of methicillin- or vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA or VRSA) isolated from dental health care workers (DHCWs) and environment of the Chosun University Dental Hospital (CUDH) and a private dental clinic (control group). Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was isolated from anterior nares of 42 DHCWS and 38 sites, unit chairss, x-ray devices, computers, etc., at 10 departments of the CUDH and 20 DHCWs and 11 sites at the private dental clinic. S. aureus was isolated on mannitol salt agar plate and confirmed by PCR with S. aureus species-specific primer. Antimicrobial susceptibility test of clinical isolates of S. aureus against several antibiotics including methicillin (oxacillin) was performed by investigating minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using broth microdilution assay. In addition, PCR was performed to detect the methicillin- or vancomycin-resistant gene. The data showed that one strain of S. aureus was isolated from DHCWs of the CUDH and three strains of S. aureus was isolated from 3 samples of the private dental clinic, respectively. All of the isolates from the CUDH and the private dental clinic had resistance to penicillin G, amoxicillin and vancomycin and susceptibility to oxacillin and ciprofloxacin. The S. aureus strains were already obtained the resistance to penicillin G and amoxicillin. These results suggest that two dental clinics were under relatively safe environment.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.114-122
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• 2010

Se and Fe are trace minerals acting as antioxidant scavenging free radicals. Iron deficiency is the most frequently reported nutritional deficiency in females. Body iron status are known to be dependent not only upon dietary iron intake, but also upon micro-mineral nutrition and obesity. Antioxidants such as selenium are reported to play an important role on the regulation of erythropoiesis by protecting RBC membrane from antioxidative damage. In this study, iron status in young females and its relationships with selenium status and physique were examined. Serum selenium and iron concentrations were measured by HANARO research reactor using neutron activation analysis method (NAA-method). The proportion with iron deficiency and anemia were 27.1% and 8.6%, respectively in young females, but the proportion with iron deficient anemia was 1.4%. The mean serum selenium level was $12.0\;{\mu}g/dL$ and in normal range in the young women. The study participants were tertiled according to BMI and serum selenium levels. Serum ferritin and iron levels inclined with increasing BMI tertiles. Serum iron and RBC count were higher in middle selenium group than low selenium group. Individuals had significantly lower hematocrit level in the lowest tertile for their serum selenium levels compared with the highest tertile. The serum ferritin level was predicted 25% by BMI and RBC count 26.2% by the serum selenium level and body fat%. In conclusion, this study shows that body iron status in young adult females are influenced by obesity and body selenium status.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.181-188
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• 2010

Consumer perception of processed food and restaurant food's nutrient labelling was surveyed. The subjects of this survey consisted of 1,507 parents, whose ages were 20-59 years old. The ratio of the respondents that have known nutrition labelling on processed foods was 89.8% and the ratio of whom have checked the nutrition labelling at their point of purchase was 72.3%. The nutrients which were considered important for nutrition labelling were fat (57.1%), calorie (56.3%) and sodium (49.0%). Also nutrient which were able to be recognized at a glance by the subjects were in the order of trans fat (62.1%), cholesterol (26.9%), calorie (23.9%) and sodium (21.0%). If restaurant menu's nutrient labelling be enacted, the answer rate that the menu's nutrition labelling may affect their menu choice is 90.6% of the respondents. Besides of the Fastfoods that are enforcement, restaurants of that customers want the menu to be labeled were 'pizza and chicken restaurants'. Nutrients that customers preferred to be labelled were calorie (62.0%), fat (60.3%) and sodium (50.9%).

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.152-160
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aging process on the immunity in human subjects. In this investigation, nineteen families of three generations (daughters on college age, their mothers, and grandmothers) participated to avoid genetic variation among individuals. Dietary food records, anthropometric measurements and biochemical assessments of serum nutrients were used to evaluate the nutritional status of subjects. The immune parameters of subjects were assessed by the total and differential WBC count. Total B and T lymphocytes, and T cell subsets were quantified by flowcytometer. Serum immunoglobulin G, A, M concentrations were also measured as an index of humoral immunity. The result of this study can be summarized as follows: 1. Along with the aging process, body fat was found to be increased whereas lean body mass and total body water were diminished. Since there were no significant difference in serum vitamin E levels in all age groups, serum retinal concentrations tended to decrease as one gets old. 2. Although total number of T lymphocytes seemed to be unchanged, B lymphocytes and NK cell numbers were increased by aging. The Percentage of CD8 + lymphocytes was lower in the elderly subjects compared with the younger, resulting in higher ratio of CD4 +/CD8 + lymphocytes in the elderly. Serum Ig G and Ig A levels remained unchanged, but IgM levels were significantly decreased as the age processes continue. Taking all together, it could be suggested that the alteration of immune cell population by aging is selective and possibly nonage factors such as nutrition may be attributable to the change of immunity in the elderly. The nutritional status and aging process may selectively affect both the cell-mediated (CD8 +, CD4 + CD8 + ratio, NK cell) and humoral (B lymphocyte, Immunoglobulin M, G) immune parameters in human subjects.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.105-113
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• 2010

Ixeris dentata var. albiflora Nakai, a herbal plant, is often used to make a strong stomach as an antiphlogistic used when dyspepsia and to improve appetite in Korea and China. And also it is used for adult diseases such as diabetes and liver diseases as Korean traditional medicine. In this study, the composition and DPPH radical scavenging activities of the root of Ixeris dentata var. albiflora Nakai and its effects on cell viability on vero and chang cells were investigated. Moisture, crude ash, crude protein and crude lipid were 79.14, 2.49, 8.28 and 2.56 g/100 g respectively. The highest mineral content was K. The major free sugars were glucose, fructose and sucrose. Major fatty acid are linoleic acid, palmic acid and linolenic acid. Major amino acids were glutamic acid, arginine and aspartic acid and the total contents of amino acids were 28.12 mg/g. The methanol extracts were further fractionated with n-hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, butanol and water to get an active fraction. In addition, cell viabilities in each fraction were determined. Methanol extract, butanol, and aqueous fraction showed strong survival rates in vero cell and chang cell viability test, and hexane, chloroform, and ethylacetate fraction were examined for toxin in a cell. The root of Ixeris dentata var. albiflora Nakai had scavenging activities against DPPH radicals in a dose-dependent assay. Ethylacetate fraction's SC50 was $6.8\{\mu}g/mL$, very strong DPPH radical scavenging activities, but water fraction did not show any activity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.851-859
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• 2008

To promote the adoption of healthier eating patterns, this study was aimed to develop and evaluate alternative front of pack nutrition signposting concepts. Based on previous research, we developed two signposting concepts, Multiple Traffic Light (MTL) and Multiple Traffic Light with % Daily Value (MTL-%DV). The signposts featured three key nutrients, total sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. Actual food packaging with no front of pack signposting (NoSP) was included in the evaluation to act as a benchmark against which to compare the performance of the different signposting options. Using an interviewer administered method, we assessed the degree of understanding and time to interpret on a total of 534 subjects (194 elementary, 108 middle, and 103 high schoolers, 128 adults). In the individual product evaluations, MTL (87.0%) obtained the highest level of correct responses, followed by MTL-%DV (83.1%) and NoSP (52.2%). Except for signposting concepts, age, gender and living area were not associated with the degree of correct responses in multivariate analyses. When used to compare products with different colors of nutrient contents, correct responses were more than 90% for MTL-%DV (91.5%) and MTL (90.3%). The middle and high schoolers revealed the lower likelihood of correct response compared to the other two groups. In case of comparing products with same colors of nutrient contents, the proportion of correct responses was the highest in NoSP (90%), followed by MTL%DV (77.4%) and MTL (48.5%). In terms of time to interpret, MTL-%DV and MTL performed better than NoSP in the individual product evaluation and the comparison of two products with different colors of nutrient contents. NoSP performed the best in the comparison of two products with same colors of nutrient contents. A majority of the participants preferred MTL-%DV (78%) most and thought it the most useful in helping them make healthier food choices. Based on these findings, MTL-%DV was considered to most closely meet the objectives of the initiatives.