• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.82 no.4
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• pp.341-347
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• 2019

Background: Information about the epidemiology of venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence in Korea is lacking. The purpose of this study was to investigate VTE cumulative recurrence rates and identify risk factors for VTE recurrence among Korean adults. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on adult patients (${\geq}18years$) admitted to a university teaching hospital for pulmonary embolism (PE) from 2005 to 2013. The main outcome of interest was a recurrence of VTE. We used Cox proportional hazard regression analyses to calculate the relative risk of VTE recurrence. Results: Five-year cumulative incidence of recurrent VTE events was 21.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.7-25.4) in all cases of PE; 17% after provoked and 27% after unprovoked PE. Multivariate analysis showed that body mass index (BMI) of ${\geq}25$ (hazard ratio [HR], 2.02; 95% CI, 1.17-3.46; p=0.01) and longer anticoagulation therapy duration (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.84-0.96; p<0.01) were independently associated with risk of VTE recurrence. Risk factors not found to be statistically significant at the <0.05 level included history of VTE (HR, 1.81; 95% CI, 0.84-3.88; p=0.12), unprovoked PE (HR, 1.70; 95% CI, 0.89-3.25; p=0.10), symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 0.89-2.94; p=0.10), and female sex (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 0.78-2.55; p=0.24). We found that age, history of cancer, and other co-morbidities did not significantly affect the risk of VTE recurrence. Conclusion: Recurrence of VTE after PE is high. Patients with BMI ${\geq}25$ or reduced anticoagulation therapy duration have a higher risk of recurrent VTE.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.462-472
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• 2023

We investigated the physio-chemical and geochemical parameters in the spraying shellfish aquacultures (Yeoja and Gangjin Bay) to establish the systematic strategy for effective environmental management. Spatial variation of each parameter showed partially significant difference (P<0.05) between Yeoja and Ganjin Bay, inferring the discriminative progress (i.e., accumulation and degradation) of the autochthonous organic matter within the aquaculture environments. We additionally integrated various properties (e.g., water/sediment quality, natural hazard, and biological health) which may affect the biological growth within the aquaculture habitats based on the biogeochemical cycles related to environmental components and aquaculture species. We used a screening approach (i.e., one out-all out; OOAO) which can permit the assessment of the health levels of aquaculture species, the scoring for other parameters (seawater, sediment, and natural hazard) as three levels (excellent, moderate and poor) depending on the complex interactive properties occurring in the aquaculture environments. Actual, discriminative scores obtained via our case studies may confirm that these stepwise processes are effectively evaluated for optimal health conditions within the aquaculture habitats. Thus, this approach may provide valuable insights for effective environmental management and sustainable growth of aquaculture operation.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.65-80
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• 2020

This paper deals with risk assessment of life in a landslide-prone area by a GIS-based modeling method. Landslide susceptibility maps can provide a probability of landslide prone areas to mitigate or proper control this problems and to take any development plan and disaster management. A landslide inventory map of the study area was prepared based on past historical information and aerial photography analysis. A total of 550 landslides have been counted at the whole study area. The extracted landslides were randomly selected and divided into two different groups, 50% of the landslides were used for model calibration and the other were used for validation purpose. Eleven causative factors (continuous and thematic) such as slope, aspect, curvature, topographic wetness index, elevation, forest type, forest crown density, geology, land-use, soil drainage, and soil texture were used in hazard analysis. The correlation between landslides and these factors, pixels were divided into several classes and frequency ratio was also extracted. Eventually, a landslide susceptibility map was constructed using a logistic regression model based on entire events. Moreover, the landslide susceptibility map was plotted with a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calculated the area under the curve (AUC) and tried to extract a success rate curve. Based on the results, logistic regression produced an 85.18% accuracy, so we believed that the model was reliable and acceptable for the landslide susceptibility analysis on the study area. In addition, for risk assessment, vulnerability scale were added for social thematic data layer. The study area predictive landslide affected pixels 2,000 and 5,000 were also calculated for making a probability table. In final calculation, the 2,000 predictive landslide affected pixels were assumed to run. The total population causalities were estimated as 7.75 person that was relatively close to the actual number published in Korean Annual Disaster Report, 2006.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.151-162
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• 2024

PURPOSE. This study aimed to analyze factors influencing the success and failure of implant prostheses and to estimate the lifespan of prostheses using standardized evaluation criteria. An online survey platform was utilized to efficiently gather large samples from multiple institutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS. During the one-year period, patients visiting 16 institutions were assessed using standardized evaluation criteria (KAP criteria). Data from these institutions were collected through an online platform, and various statistical analyses were conducted. Risk factors were assessed using both the Cox proportional hazard model and Cox regression analysis. Survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier analysis and nomogram, and lifespan prediction was performed using principal component analysis. RESULTS. The number of patients involved in this study was 485, with a total of 841 prostheses evaluated. The median survival was estimated to be 16 years with a 95% confidence interval. Factors found to be significantly associated with implant prosthesis failure, characterized by higher hazard ratios, included the 'type of clinic', 'type of antagonist', and 'plaque index'. The lifespan of implant prostheses that did not fail was estimated to exceed the projected lifespan by approximately 1.34 years. CONCLUSION. To ensure the success of implant prostheses, maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial. The estimated lifespan of implant prostheses is often underestimated by approximately 1.34 years. Furthermore, standardized form, online platform, and visualization tool, such as nomogram, can be effectively utilized in future follow-up studies.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.112-121
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Since the usefulness of neoadjuvant chemo(radiation) therapy (NAT) for pancreatic cancer has been demonstrated, recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO) in patients with pancreatic cancer with a fully covered self-expandable metal stent (FCSEMS) during NAT is expected to increase. This study investigated the impact of sarcopenia on RBO in this setting. Methods: Patients were divided into normal and low skeletal muscle index (SMI) groups and retrospectively analyzed. Patient characteristics, overall survival, time to RBO (TRBO), stent-related adverse events, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify the risk factors for short TRBO. Results: A few significant differences were observed in patient characteristics, overall survival, stent-related adverse events, and postoperative complications between 38 patients in the normal SMI group and 17 in the low SMI group. The median TRBO was not reached in the normal SMI group and was 112 days in the low SMI group (p=0.004). In multivariate analysis, low SMI was the only risk factor for short TRBO, with a hazard ratio of 5.707 (95% confidence interval, 1.148-28.381; p=0.033). Conclusions: Sarcopenia was identified as an independent risk factor for RBO in patients with pancreatic cancer with FCSEMS during NAT.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.5-15
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• 2020

The liquefaction phenomenon that occurred during the Pohang earthquake (M_L=5.4) brought new awareness to the people about the risk of liquefaction caused by the earthquake. Liquefaction hazard maps with 2 km grid made in 2014 used more than 100,000 borehole data for the whole country, and regions without soil investigation data were produced using interpolation. In the mapping of macro liquefaction hazard for the whole country, the site amplification effect and the ground water level 0 m were considered. Recently, the Ministry of Public Administration and Security (2018) published a new site classification method and amplification coefficient of the common standard for seismic design. Therefore, it is necessary to rewrite the liquefaction hazard map reflecting the revised amplification coefficient. In this study, the results of site classification according to the average shear wave velocity in soils before and after revision were compared in the whole country. Also, liquefaction assessment results were compared in Gangseo-gu, Busan. At this time, two ground accelerations corresponding to the 500 and 1,000 years of return period and two ground water table, 5 m for the average condition and 0 m the extreme condition were applied. In the drawing of liquefaction hazard map, a 500 m grid was applied to secure a resolution higher than the previous 2 km grid. As a result, the ground conditions that were classified as S_C and S_D grounds based on the existing site classification standard were reclassified as S₂, S₃, and S₄ through the revised site classification standard. Also, the result of the Liquefaction assessments with a return period of 500 years and 1,000 years resulted in a relatively overestimation of the LPI applied with the ground amplification factor before revision. And the results of this study have a great influence on the liquefaction assessment, which is the basis of the creation of the regional liquefaction hazard map using the amplification factor.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.37-48
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• 2011

Some industrial minerals used in domestic industries such as monazite, apatite, bauxite, and ilmenite belong to NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials) because they show a high radioactivity. Products, semi-products, wastes, and by-products which show higher radioactivity than NORM belong to TENORM (Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials). Apatite used for manufacturing phosphate fertilizer in Namhae Chemical company belongs to NORM, and its by-product, phospo-gypsum, belongs to TENORM. A geological investigation is needed for the future environmental impact assessment of the Namhae Chemical company's site. According to survey results of the Namhae Chemical company's site, soil mineral composition indicated the mixture of minerals derived from the country rock (quartz, feldspar, mica, $l4{\AA}$ mineral, kaolin and amphibole) and minerals from the gypsum open-air storage yard (gypsum and apatite). Soil samples showed average content of U 4.6 ppm and Th 10 ppm, which are similar to average crustal abundances. They also show average contents of $^{40}K$ 191-1,166 Bq/kg, $^{226}Ra$ 15.6-710 Bq/kg, and $^{232}Th$ 17.4-72.7 Bq/kg, which indicate moderate levels of radio nuclide. But $^{226}Ra$ anomaly in the gypsum open storage yard is clearly confirmed and $^{232}Th$ anomaly is also confirmed in the east road side of the factory and nearby mountain areas. Soil external hazard indices ranged 0.24-2.01 with the average 0.54. Although most external hazard indices were lower than 1, which means radiation hazard index to be negligible, 5 samples out of total 40 samples showed higher values than 1, and further detailed investigation is needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.71-76
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• 2008

The purposes of this study were to examine the coping behavior of the elderly in the warning phase of disaster and to explore factors influencing the coping behavior of the elderly. Data were collected from 130 senior citizens aged over 60 who are residing in Pyungchang and Injae of Kangwon province which had damaged by flood disaster in 2006. Perry & Lindell (1997)'s index, a series of six categories that represent coping behaviors which progressively approximate the action of evacuating in the warning phase of disasters was used. Results showed that respondents have high coping skills. Although Activities of Daily Living (ADL) has positive influence on the coping behavior, length of residence has negative effect on the coping behavior of the elderly. This finding proves the elderly are not uncompliant or uncooperative population in the warning phase of disaster. This result also emphasizes the importance of rapid and accurate giving of public warning system of disaster and necessity of prior notification of useful information about natural disaster and effective evacuation plan for the elderly.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.79 no.4
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• pp.289-294
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• 2016

Background: The aim of our study was to evaluate the prognostic value of Charlson's weighted index of comorbidities (WIC) in patients with prolonged acute mechanical ventilation (PAMV, ventilator care ${\geq}96$ hours). Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 299 Korean PAMV patients who were admitted in a medical intensive care unit (ICU) of a university-affiliated tertiary care hospital between 2008 and 2013. Survivors were defined as patients who survived for 60 days after ICU admission. Results: The patients' mean age was $65.1{\pm}14.1$ years and 70.6% were male. The mean ICU and hospital length of stay was $21.9{\pm}19.7$ and $39.4{\pm}39.1$ days, respectively. In addition, the 60-day mortality rate after ICU admission was 35.5%. The mean WIC was $2.3{\pm}1.8$, with significant differences between nonsurvivors and survivors ($2.7{\pm}2.1$ vs. $2.1{\pm}1.7$, p<0.05). The area under the curve of receiver-operating-characteristics curve for WIC was 0.593 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.523-0.661; p<0.05). Based on Kaplan-Meier curves of 60-day survival, WIC ${\geq}5$ had statistically lower survival than WIC <5 (logrank test, p<0.05). In a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, WIC ${\geq}5$ was associated with poor prognosis (hazard ratio, 1.901; 95% CI, 1.140-3.171; p<0.05). The mortality rate of patients with WIC ${\geq}5$ was 54.2%. Conclusion: Our study showed a WIC score ${\geq}5$ might be helpful in predicting 60-day mortality in PAMV patients.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.509-521
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to find out geochemical characteristics of stream sediments which are good indicator of geochemical hazard valuation and water in primary channels of the Jangheung area. We separated three groups which were granitoid area, granite gneiss area and tuffeous area by petrological properties. Physical and chemical characteristics of stream water such as temperature, pH, and EC were measured in the field between 1999 and 2001 and stream sediments samples were collected from April to May in 1999. For the chemical analysis of stream sediments samples, XRF, ICP-AES and NAA were used. The contents of the major elements had a similar contents in three groups and those of rare earth elements in granite gneiss area were lower value than those of other two groups. Zn and Cu were higher value than the other toxic elements. Through the enrichment factor and enrichment index features of the elements, we knew that $Fe_2O_3$, MgO, $TiO_2$, MnO and Eu, Yb of the tuffeous area samples and Co, Cr, Zn were enriched.