• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.28 no.3 s.51
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• pp.623-639
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• 1995

We have never seen any method to cope basically with complicated situation and problems around medical reimbursement rates here in Korea since 1977 witnessed by the beginning of medical insurance. By the way researchers concerned are beginning to propose some kinds of innovative and detailed ideas to government these days. They are Diagnosis-related group(DRG) and Resource-based .elative value scale(RBRVS). In the light of this situation it is so encouraging that our government can come up with that and move. In case of RBRVS research we have already been reaching even to the level of reviewing and revising methodology for its further development after naive pilot study on internal medicine and general surgery last year. However there might be something different conditions between USA and Korea to apply the same Dr. Hsiao's method and it must be vital to check so called' total work approach' compared with 'intra-service work approach' before expanding to the whole medical fields. According to the' Intra-service approach', the physician's work is supposed to be divided into three sub-works by the name of intraservice work, pre, and post service work. These sub-works, again should be merged together to be the pre-postwork subset through some statistical methods of the estimation process applied by Dr. Hsiao's methodology in RBRVS development later on. But in this paper that estimation process was not taken because we could have real values for all of those surveyed items related to just one specialty, OB & GY. Instead, We used some statistical comparison procedures relevant to demographic characteristics, reliability & validity and correlation analysis with American RVU(Relative value unit) between the total work and merged total work from intraservice work approach. The unit of analysis was individual physicians of OB & GY and 300 physicians were selected for each approach through statistical sampling method based on national population of OB & GY physicians in Korea. And also with the thankful help of Advisory Committee under Korean Association of OB & GY, questionnaires were made and mailed to the subjects, two times. As a result there were not any statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics between the two approaches except for the variable 'Response time for the questionnaires', but in other sections of comparisons, response rate, representative values, reliability & validity test, correlation analysis with American RVU, all showed 'Total approach' was not only more rational and statistically meaningful than 'Intra-service approach' but also had considerable merits. But we are not absolutely sure about this paper's robustness. Because of some limitations, we'd rather like to suggest further researches should be followed. In that sense the first thing would be a research for the influence of doctor's characteristics, especially 'frequency' on the rating of work and the way to define total work more clearly.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.12
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• pp.526-532
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• 2014

Purpose: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in atherosclerosis, and therefore, are considered risk factors for metabolic dysfunction in adults. However, there is little data on circulating levels of MMPs and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) with regard to obesity-related biomarkers in the general adolescent population. In the present study, we determined the associations of MMP-8, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 levels and MMP-8/TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios with obesity-related biomarkers in apparently healthy adolescent boys. Methods: We measured MMP and TIMP concentrations in plasma samples using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and analyzed their associations with obesity-related biomarkers, such as liver enzymes and lipid profiles, in a sample of 91 Korean boys aged 13-14 years who participated in a general health check-up. Results: The mean age of the boys was $13.8{\pm}0.3years$; 72 boys were normal weight and 19 were overweight/obese. The Pearson correlation coefficients revealed a significant correlation between MMP-8 and aspartate aminotransferase (r=0.217, P=0.039) and alanine aminotransferase (r=0.250, P=0.017) and between TIMP-1 and aspartate aminotransferase (r=0.267, P=0.011). In a multivariate linear regression analysis, serum alanine aminotransferase was positively associated with the MMP-8 level. There were no significant differences in the MMP-8, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 levels or MMP-8/TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios between control and overweight/obese subjects. Conclusion: We found a significant association between the MMP-8 level and alanine aminotransferase in the apparently healthy adolescent boys. These findings indicate that there may be a pathophysiological mechanism underlying the relationship between MMP-8 and liver enzymes in young adolescents.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.376-385
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• 2014

This study is aimed to ascertain the hospital information inquired by medical consumers and to propose the consumer-oriented marketing direction of the medical institutions. In the pursuit of this purpose, we examined about the purpose of the hospital information usage by medical consumers, the contents of the inquired information, the method of the information acquisition and the practicability of the acquired information. As the result of this study, more than 90% out of the purposes of hospital information usage is for the practical use of the medical institution, especially, 58.7% is for the effective selection of the medical institutions when consumer's family or relatives are sick. Regardless of the purpose of hospital information usage, for the contents of the inquired information, more than 50% responded with the medical institution facility, the specific contents about the professional field and the special field. The most favorite method to acquire the information according to the purpose of hospital information usage is through 'Acquaintance' which are the highest rate, more than 50% and the level of 24~28% are through 'Internet'. And the practicability of the acquired information was fairly low like the result as 4.8% for the selection of the medical institutions when consumer's family or relatives are sick and 0.5% for the health counseling or the medical check-up.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.290-297
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• 2016

This study analyzed the features of the nodules requiring a fine needle aspiration, which were found in thyroid ultrasonography of the employee health check-up examinees. Based on the fine needle aspiration results, over 1 cm nodules or those implying malignancy on the ultrasonography were categorized into the 1st group. Whereas, regardless of the size the fine needle aspiration results implying malignancy on the ultrasonography were categorized into the 2nd group. In the 1st group, 15.8% were malignant, and in the 2nd group, 28% were malignant. The findings implying malignancy were statistically significant. However, even though the nodules were larger than 1 cm, when the nodules were not accompanied by a high risk factor and showed a spongiform structure in the ultrasonographic results, most of them were benign, and a fine needle aspiration was not required. The ultrasonographic findings are important rationales in making a decision on whether or not a fine needle aspiration is required for thyroid nodules. Currently, the fine needle aspiration for thyroid nodules is commonly performed when the size of the nodule is larger than 1 cm, even though it has a spongiform structure, to relieve the patient's anxiety. However, if ultrasonographic findings of thyroid are correctly understood in differentiating malignant from benign nodules, unnecessary fine needle aspiration can be avoided.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.443-452
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• 2016

Six preservice teachers who participated in the "2016 service of summer vacation daycare programs by university and college students" focused on the programs for the formation of art, music and physical education and recreation culture were selected as research participants. The meaning of the experience they had through the service process was qualitatively analyzed. The subjects accepted the purpose of the self-directed service in which they should themselves solve a series of the entire process, from planning a volunteer program through drawing up the budget and purchasing materials to practice, evaluation and expressed the intention of participation. A volunteer program was conducted including visiting a daycare program for lower graders of elementary school (1st and 2nd grades) with more than 40 class hours during vacation. As research materials, research participants' journals, transcripts of individual interviews and group interviews, transcripts of phone calls, e-mail messages, and self-evaluation records of each class hour were collected. To increase the reliability and validity of the study, triangulation, member check, advice and review of the experts were conducted. In the study results, the volunteering experience-related significance for the preservice teachers who participated in the self-directed service were broadly categorized into 'Becoming a capable professional teacher', that consists of 'Increasing the power of thinking', 'Realizing the importance of communication', 'Doing together itself is important' and 'Ability to apply information and resources is needed'. 'Increase the continuity between preschool and elementary education' was subdivided into 'Get to know the necessity of the continuity between preschool and elementary education' and 'Want to learn the continuity between preschool and elementary education.'

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.81-95
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• 2006

This study was made to find out how stress affect on nutrition status of the college freshmen who were experiencing physical growth and development as well as drastic emotional change. 400 male and female freshmen in 4 year colleges were surveyed respectively through the health check-up procedure for college entrance in February, In order to find out the stress in each group frustration, deprivation, lack of self efficacy, type A behavior and anxiety response were surveyed through 10 questions with total 40 points by assigning 4 points for each question. Diet Status was expressed by DDS (Dietary Diversity Score by 5 food groups) and DVS(Dietary Variety Score). 24-hrs recall method was used to find out the quantity of daily nutrient of EAR(estimated adquacy ratio) by KDRIs(Korean Dietary Recommended Intakes). Nutrition level was analyzed by Can-Pro for professionals (Korea Nutrition Association). And for the quality intake, percentage was calculated and MAR(Mean Adequacy Ratio) were produced. Highest point was obtained in the stress of anxiety with the total 40 score of 30.20, and the scores were 29.79, 28.67, and 28.39 for deprivation, type A behavior and frustration respectively. There was no difference of blood components in accordance with stress type. Stress type was divided into less sensitive group and highly sensitive one and the relationship with the blood nutrient status was observed. The difference of blood component and blood pressure in sensitive and highly sensitive groups was observed in deprivation and anxiety. The index of blood pressure(p<0.05), hemoglobin(p<0.01), HDL-cholesterol(p<0.05), and Fe(p<0.05) was high in the deprivation of sensitive group. Blood pressure and hemoglobin was high in type A of sensitive group(p<0.05). And the contents of blood triglyceride was high in the anxiety of sensitive group(p<0.001) The result of nutrition intake analysis according to stress type showed that there was low intake for energy, riboflavin, and niacin. When the degree of deprivation was high there was a lack of riboflavin intake and there was no significant difference of nutrition intake in lack of self efficacy, type A behavior and anxiety response. Thus, it is necessary for colleges to educate the students to maintain mental stability through various programs and activities after catching a kind and extent of the stress college students we meeting with like the confusion of value system, open heterosexual relationship, and the employment difficulties linked with political uncertainty and economic recession.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.329-336
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• 2015

In this study, Pilates mat exercise program three times a week for 8 weeks, 10 minutes for a warm up, 40 minutes of main exercise, and 10-minute cool down exercise using gadgetry to the middle aged women. Pilates exercise program when exercise intensity based on the instructions of the ACSM (2010) as 1-4 weeks 50-60% HRR, 5-8 weeks 61-70% HRR to give 50-70%, maintaining the strength of 4 weeks. Pilates exercise program by gadgetry has increased the strength of wireless heart rate meter (Polar Analyzer, Polar Electro of Finland) Karvonen (1979), proceed individual target heart exercise obtained as a way now to check your strength workout through individual conciousness. We estimated immunoglobulin change for Pilates mat exercise by gadgetry during 8-week. It showed the following conclusions. First, immunoglobulin IgA has been increased and Interaction effects has been showed thruough Pilates mat exercise programs for 8 weeks. Second, immunoglobulin IgG has been increased and showed Interaction effects has been showed thruough Pilates mat exercise programs for 8 weeks. Third, immunoglobulin IgM has been increased and showed Interaction has been showed effects thruough Pilates mat exercise programs for 8 weeks. Therefore, this study was conducted on a Pilates mat exercise using props immune function are positive hormonal changes, can prevent private for the disease and effective exercises that are the fodder.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.35-45
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• 1998

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to determine correlation between coping strategies to disease and quality of life in chrome viral B hepatitis patients ; to investigate difference of coping strategies to disease and quality in life between chronic viral B hepatitis patients and normal persons ; and to identify major variables related to quality in life of chronic viral B hepatitis patients. Methods: The authors used Weisman coping strategy scale for measuring coping ability and efficacies, and the questionnaire for measuring quality of life including physical, psychological, social and economical aspects and satisfaction of sexual life was made by authors based on related literatures. Data were collected through questionnaire survey over a period from Sep 15, 1994 to Nov 11, 1994. Subjects served for this study consisted of 94 chronic viral B hepatitis patients visited to department of internal medicine at one general hospital and 100 normal persons visited to one general hospital for routine check up of health. The collected data were analyzed by SAS and the statistical methods for analysis were Chisquare, t-test and multiple regression analysis. Results : 1) It was revealed that coping strategies to disease significantly correlated to individual's quality of life. 2) There was no significant difference in coping strategies to disease between chronic viral B hepatitis patients and normal persons. However, chronic viral B hepatitis patients showed the lower scroes of quality of life in physical, psychological and economical aspects. 3) The most important variables which were influenced upon quality of life were coping strategies to disease and satisfaction of sexual life. That is, the more active coping strategies to diseases and the higher satisfaction of sexual life, consequently the higher quality of life was. Especially male patient group or normal persons showed each other the higher scores of quality of life in physical and psychological area than female group or patient group. 4) No statistically significant difference in coping strategies to disease and quality of life was found between HBeAg positive group and HBeAg negative group. Conclusions : The authors suggest that chronic viral B hepatitis patients may show the lower score of quality of life than normal person. Therefore, quality of life assessment should become an integral part of all clinical area that seek to assess the effectiveness of treatment. Also, through the interdisciplinary approach, a comprehensive paradigm that can better account for the effects of chronic disease on the individual' s quality of life should be developed.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.71-74
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• 2006

We analyzed retrospectively our experience to evaluate an effect of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for renal stone with infundibular stenosis. From January 2002 to August 2005, 35 patients with renal stone with infundibular stenosis were treated with ESWL. The diagnosis of infundibular stenosis was made by intraveneous pyelography or retrograde pyelography. The final follow-up check was performed by simple abdominal film or computed tomography and interview after 6 months to 24 months (mean 10 months). 7(20.0%) of 35 patients was freed completely, but Stone free rate including less than 2 mm size was 80%(28/35). 30(85.7%) patients became asymptomatic, 4(11.4%) patients were continued, and 1(2.9%) patient was required the percutaneous nephrostolithotomy. Although ESWL has a low complete stone free rate, We suggest that renal stone with infundibular stenosis should be treated with ESWL, because that is likely to produce a high symptom free and low complications.

• Diabetes and Metabolism Journal
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.529-537
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• 2018

Background: Serum albumin and uric acid have been positively linked to metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the association of MetS incidence with the combination of uric acid and albumin levels has not been investigated. We explored the association of albumin and uric acid with the risk of incident MetS in populations divided according to the levels of these two parameters. Methods: In this retrospective longitudinal study, 11,613 non-MetS participants were enrolled among 24,185 individuals who had undergone at least four annual check-ups between 2006 and 2012. The risk of incident MetS was analyzed according to four groups categorized by the sex-specific medians of serum albumin and uric acid. Results: During 55,407 person-years of follow-up, 2,439 cases of MetS developed. The risk of incident MetS increased as the uric acid category advanced in individuals with lower or higher serum albumin categories with hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.386 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.236 to 1.554) or 1.314 (95% CI, 1.167 to 1.480). However, the incidence of MetS increased with higher albumin levels only in participants in the lower uric acid category with a HR of 1.143 (95% CI, 1.010 to 1.294). Conclusion: Higher levels of albumin were associated with an increased risk of incident MetS only in individuals with lower uric acid whereas higher levels of uric acid were positively linked to risk of incident MetS regardless of albumin level.