• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.5492-5500
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• 2015

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a major modifiable risk factor for cardio- cerebrovascular disease. In clinical practice, however, it is primarily calculated using the Friedewald formula as a cost-effective method. The aim of this study was to compare Friedewald-estimated and directly measured LDL-C values and assess the concordance in guideline LDL-C risk classification between the two methods. The data were derived from the 2009 and 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey (KNHANES). Analysis was done for 4,319 subjects with lipid panels-total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), directly measured LDL-C using an enzymatic homogeneous assay, and triglycerides (TG). For subjects with TG lower than 400 mg/dL, Friedewald-estimated and directly measured LDL-C were highly correlated (r = 0.958, p < 0.001) and overall concordance was 82.7%. As TG increased, overall concordance decreased. Overall concordance was 85.4% at TG lower than 150 mg/dL; 78.2% at TG of 150-199 mg/dL; and 71.4% at TG of 200-399 mg/dL. The Friedewld equation tended to overestimate LDL-C when TG are of < 150 mg/dL; however, underestimate LDL-C when TG are of ${\geq}150mg/dL$. As a result, Friedewald estimation misclassified 382 subjects (9.1%) in a higher category versus 348 subjects (8.3%) in a lower category. Our findings suggest that overestimation of LDL-C by the Friedewald formula can be a great problem as well as underestimation.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.160-165
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Korea is quickly becoming an aged society. Dementia is also becoming a vital public health problem in Korea. Cognitive impairment as a pre-stage of dementia shares most risk factors for dementia. The aim of the present study was to determine associations of serum levels of vitamins A, C, and E with the risk of cognitive impairment among elderly Koreans. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 230 participants aged 60-79 years from Yangpyeong cohort were included. Cognitive function was assessed by the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination for Dementia Screening. The logistic multivariable regression model was applied to determine the effect of serum vitamins A, C, and E on the risk of cognitive impairment. RESULTS: There was no significant association between the risk of cognitive impairment and serum levels of vitamin A and vitamin C. There was a significant odd ratio when the second tertile group of beta-gamma tocopherol level was compared to the first tertile group [odds ratio (OR) = 0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.14-0.98, P for trend = 0.051]. In subgroup analyses, there were significant negative associations between beta-gamma tocopherol level and the risk of cognitive impairment in men (OR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.03-0.87, P for trend = 0.028), non-drinkers or former drinkers (OR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.02-0.66, P for trend = 0.025), and non-smokers or former smokers (OR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.09-0.82, P for trend = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Serum beta-gamma tocopherol levels tended to be inversely associated with the risk of cognitive impairment. Further prospective large-scaled studies are needed to examine this association.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.47-52
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• 2009

This study has been to examine the occupational exposure levels of Fluorouracil (5-FU) in a hospital and to investigate the most effective cleaning reagent for control. Fluorouracil is one of the cytotoxic drugs which are therapeutic agents used to treat cancer. The health practitioners working in the cytotoxic work room and oncology ward areas are exposed to adverse health risks like cytogenetic and DNA damage from cytotoxic drugs exposure by frequent skin contact from contaminated surfaces. Four kinds of cleaning reagents has been examined to degrade the 5-FU. It was found that 5-FU was only degraded soon after the reaction in 0.5%(w/v) NaClO solution. Therefore, 0.5%(w/v) NaClO solution has been chosen to decompose any residues on the contamination surfaces. A substantial level of contamination was found on the surfaces of cytotoxic work room and oncology ward areas. The contamination ranges of the surfaces in cytotoxic work room and oncology ward areas were from 2.0 to $13.8{\mu}g/m^2$ and 5.39 to $11.53{\mu}g/m^2$ respectively. Consequently, regulation of the occupational exposure limit, procedure of special cleaning, and the use of personal protective equipment are recommended during the manipulation and administration of the drugs to avoid skin contamination from cytotoxic drugs like 5-FU.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.130-137
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• 2022

Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, appropriate management of sequelae and treatment of infectious symptoms became increasingly important healthcare issues. Although the practice guidelines and treatment cases based on the East Asian traditional medicine have been reported, there are rare studies on the use of Korean medicine in Korea. Therefore, this study aimed to present the progress of non-contact Korean medical treatment for infected patients at a local public health center using retrospective chart review. A total of 18 patients were prescribed with 5 days of herbal decoction and medicine extract covered by the national health insurance. With the questionnaire form, the progression and improvement of symptoms before and after treatment were evaluated using the numerical rating scale (NRS), and the treatment satisfaction and opinions were obtained. The symptoms such as cough (5.56±2.23 to 2.89±2.14), sputum (6.11±1,75 to 3.28±2.47), sore throat (6.06±2.70 to 1.47±1.62), anorexia (5.56±2.63 to 1.94±2.21), nausea (3.75±1.71 to 1.17±1.11), diarrhea (3.40±2.63 to 1.50±1.51), chest tightness (4.93±2.46 to 2.29±2.30) and fatigue (6.44±1.79 to 2.67±1.88) all improved according to the NRS, and the satisfaction with herbal medicine treatment on a 5-point Likert scale was 4.24±0.90. No side effects and adverse reactions were reported. Thereupon non-contact Korean medical treatment can be concluded that it effectively reduces the COVID-19 infection mild symptoms in restrictive extent. Since the retrospective data does not include a control group, the more confirmative data is needed by multicenter and large-scale controlled clinical study afterwards.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.234-247
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• 2009

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the shear bond strength of rebonded ceramic brackets according to each condition and find an appropriate method to rebond ceramic brackets with proper shear bond strength in clinical practice. Methods: The study consisted of 12 experimental groups, according to the types of brackets, debonding methods, and treatment methods of the bracket base. Shear bond strength was measured, and adhesive residues left on the tooth surface were assessed. The base of the bracket was examined under scanning electron microscopy. Results: The shear bond strength of the monocrystalline ceramic bracket group was significantly higher than thatof the polycrystalline bracket group with only sandblasting (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in shear bond strength between groups that used rebonded brackets which were debonded with shear force and debonded with laser (p > 0.05). The shear bond strength of the sandblasted/silane group was significantly higher than that of the selectively grinded group with a low-speed round bur and the sandblasted only group (p < 0.001). The retentive structure was more presented in groups where laser was applied than in groups where shear force was applied to debond brackets prior to rebonding. The bracket bases which were treated before rebonding presented smoother surfaces than new brackets. Conclusions: Shear bond strength could be increased by applying a silane coupling agent after sandblasting before rebonding. Also, the bond strength of the selectively grinded group with a low-speed round bur and the sandblasted group showed acceptable bond strength for clinical orthodontic treatment.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.20-29
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Korean version of a tool used to measure dental anxiety and fear. The Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear ($IDAF-4C^+$) was translated into Korean, and modified and revised to adapt to Korean culture. A survey was conducted among 457 patients in a dental clinic. The validity and reliability were determined using PASW Statistics ver. 18.0 and IBM SPSS AMOS ver. 21.0. Factor analysis showed that Korean version of $IDAF-4C^+$ was composed of three elements: dental anxiety, dental phobia, feared stimulus. The validity of the model was examined by confirmatory factor analysis and satisfied relevant requirements. All elements had convergent validity and discriminant validity exceeding requirements to ensure validity. Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ showed good reliability. In conclusion, the findings of this study demonstrate that the Korean version of $IDAF-4C^+$ has high validity and reliability. Furthermore, it can be used in clinical practice and research to decrease dental anxiety and fear.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.322-333
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction are 2 of the independent predictors for cardiovascular disease, while Acanthopanax senticosus Harms (ASH) is a traditional medicinal plant that can improve cardiovascular health. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of the fruit of ASH on vascular function in apparently healthy subjects. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, consisting of healthy adults with at least 2 of the following 3 conditions: borderline high blood pressure (BP; 120 mmHg ≤ systolic BP ≤ 160 mmHg or 80 mmHg ≤ diastolic BP ≤ 100 mmHg), smoking (≥10 cigarettes/day), and borderline blood lipid levels (220 ≤ total cholesterol ≤ 240, 130 ≤ low density lipoprotein cholesterol ≤ 165, or 150 ≤ triglyceride ≤ 220 mg/dL). Randomly assigned 76 subjects who received a placebo or 2 doses of ASH fruit (low, 500 mg/day; high, 1,000 mg/day) completed the intervention. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), flow-mediated dilation, carotid intima-media thickness, and BP were measured both at baseline and following the 12-week intervention. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation was assessed by western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the placebo group, the low-dose group showed more significant changes after the 12-week intervention period in terms of systolic BP (0.1 vs. -7.7 mmHg; P = 0.044), baPWV (31.3 vs. -98.7 cm/s; P = 0.007), and the ratio of phospho-eNOS/eNOS (0.8 vs. 1.22; P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that ASH fruit extract at 500 mg/day has the potential to improve BP and arterial stiffness via endothelial eNOS activation in healthy adults with smoking and the tendency of having elevated BP or blood lipid parameters.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-40
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• 2005

This study investigated the relationship among home care nurses' perception of ethical values and conflicts and job satisfaction. The subjects of the study were 257 home care nurses working at 101 institutions involved in home care practice, the data were collected between December 28, 2004 February 14, 2005. The instruments were perception of ethical values, ethical conflicts, and job satisfaction and it was revised by the author. The reliability of Cronbach's a was .74, .93, .85, respectively. SAS 8.0 program was used to analyze the data, and frequency, percentage, unpaired t-test, ANOVA, $Scheff\`{e}$ test, and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient were calculated for data analysis. Followings are the results of the study: The scores of home care nurses' perception of ethical values were average 3.8points (5points scale). There was no significant difference between the groups according to general characteristics such as age (P=.001), religions (P=.001), ethical standard (P=.018), and current job satisfaction (P=.000). The scores of home care nurses' ethical conflicts were average 2.9points (5points scale). There was significant difference according to pay (P=.008) and employment status (P=.001) of general characteristics; conflicts was showed to go up with higher pay and temporary employment status. The scores of home care nurses' job satisfaction were average 3.3points (5points scale). There was significant difference among the groups according to age (P=.023), pay (P=.001), job career of home care (P=.030), and current job satisfaction (P=.000) of the general characteristics. There was significant positive correlation between subject's perception of ethical values and ethical conflicts (P=.004) and perception of ethical values and job satisfaction (P=.005). However, ethical conflicts and job satisfaction (P=.772) showed negative correlation, but it was not significant. With the results, home care nurses showed firm perception of ethical values and relatively higher job satisfaction. However, they showed ethical conflicts regarding the lack of administrative support and dignity of human life. In conclusion, It requires some alternative measures to solve the ethical conflicts and to enhance job satisfaction of home care nurses through the support in policy, continuous ethics education, rewarding system, and introducing laws to protect individual home care nurses.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.299-307
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the financial hardships affecting the quality of life of cancer survivors. Method: Data were collected from five convalescent hospitals using self-administered questionnaires, and 422 questionnaires were used for the final analysis. We used a 5-step hierarchical multiple-regression analysis by entering each sociodemographic variable, medical variable, and three types of financial hardship (a material situation, the psychological response, and coping behavior coming from cancer treatment cost) into each step. Results: The results of statistical analysis indicate that the most influential factor in the quality of life was the financial difficulty, which was the frustration that they could not work as usual or support their family financially. In addition, the performance of physical activity, accompanying diseases, women patients, psychological burden on cancer treatment cost, the satisfaction of communication with medical staff for medical expenses, and the feeling unsuccessful financial coping strategy were predictors for the quality of life of cancer survivors. Conclusion: This study provides a blueprint for the development of intervention programs in practice to improve the quality of life of cancer patients, clinical intervention plans, and health policies.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.130-133
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• 2009

The use of screening tests as part of a diagnostic work-up is common in domestic canine practice, but understanding of the diagnostic test characteristics and factors affecting diagnostic accuracy is not clear among clinicians. This article was aimed to provide clinicians with a better understanding on the selection of test kits and with a proper interpretation of test results using an example from heartworm(Dirofilaria immitis) studies. From the literatures, diagnostic accuracy varied depending on the kits: percent average sensitivity and specificity of ELISA antigen-detecting kits were DiroChek(Synbiotics, USA) 78.1 and 95.2, SNAP(IDEXX, USA) 66.3 and 98.1, and Solo Step(Heska, Switzerland) 69.5 and 97.5, respectively, while the values for three hematological methods(Modified Knott's, direct smear and capillary tube) ranged from 38.4 to 81.8% and from 96.9 to 100%, respectively. Furthermore, it was also reported that the prevalence of heartworm disease in domestic dog populations varied depending on the regions studied: 2.5-22.8% for microfilarial test and 2.2-66.3% by ELISA. The values of predictive values for positive(PPV) and negative(NPV) provide useful information to clinicians on the probability of heartworm infection, but the PPV and NPV are greatly dependent on the heartworm prevalence. This suggests that PPV or NPV values of a test should be interpreted carefully in different clinical settings. Practical methods on the interpretation taking into account heartworm prevalence were discussed.