• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제87권2호
• /
• pp.176-184
• /
• 2024

Background: Results of studies investigating the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality in patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) have been conflicting. Methods: This multicenter, retrospective observational study, conducted between January 2020 and August 2021, evaluated the impact of obesity on outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 in a Korean national cohort. A total of 1,114 patients were enrolled from 22 tertiary referral hospitals or university-affiliated hospitals, of whom 1,099 were included in the analysis, excluding 15 with unavailable height and weight information. The effect(s) of BMI on patients with severe COVID-19 were analyzed. Results: According to the World Health Organization BMI classification, 59 patients were underweight, 541 were normal, 389 were overweight, and 110 were obese. The overall 28-day mortality rate was 15.3%, and there was no significant difference according to BMI. Univariate Cox analysis revealed that BMI was associated with 28-day mortality (hazard ratio, 0.96; p=0.045), but not in the multivariate analysis. Additionally, patients were divided into two groups based on BMI ≥25 kg/m² and underwent propensity score matching analysis, in which the two groups exhibited no significant difference in mortality at 28 days. The median (interquartile range) clinical frailty scale score at discharge was higher in nonobese patients (3 [3 to 5] vs. 4 [3 to 6], p<0.001). The proportion of frail patients at discharge was significantly higher in the nonobese group (28.1% vs. 46.8%, p<0.001). Conclusion: The obesity paradox was not evident in this cohort of patients with severe COVID-19. However, functional outcomes at discharge were better in the obese group.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• 제40권4호
• /
• pp.377-385
• /
• 2024

We investigated the effect of spectral fitting wavelength interval variations and selection of absorption cross-section on the sulfur dioxide slant column density (SCD) retrievals from the scattered sunlight observation using a UV-Vis hyperspectral instrument. The sulfur dioxide slant column densities were retrieved from the combinations of multiple spectral fitting intervals and absorption cross-sections. The observation was carried out at the site 0.53 km away from a combustion site located in Gimhae from December 1, 2023, to January 23, 2024. The radiances were obtained on the line of measurement sight toward the stack of the combustion facility. The best spectral fitting intervals were found to be from 305.7 to 321.1 nm. In terms of the absorption cross-section dependency, the SO₂ (293 K), O₃ (223 K, 243 K) show the best spectral fitting for the observed radiances with both the smallest fitting residual and SCD error. The effects of the fitting interval and cross sections found in this study can be useful information for improving SO₂ retrievals based on UV hyperspectral measurements.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• 제37권3호
• /
• pp.33-48
• /
• 2024

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of Korean-Western medicine integrative care for patients on hospitalized with gynecologic and breast cancer. Methods: The records were searched for integrative medical treatment the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in a Korean medical hospital between January 1st, 2021 and April 30, 2024, based on the Electronic Medical Record system (EMR). The records were reviewed and analyzed based on the patient's characteristics, the chief symptom, Korean medical treatment which patients received, and follow-up observation Results: 61 cases were screened, the patient's age is the highest in their 50s with 16 cases (26.23%). The average hospitalization period for patients with integrative care is 7.64 days. Among the patients with integrative care, 60 patients (98.36%) underwent surgery. Gastro-intestinal symptoms (nausea/vomiting, constipation /diarrhea etc.) showed the largest proportion in total symptoms (40.72%). After Korean-medicine integrative treatment, 62.30% of patients improved their symptoms, and 19.67% of cases were not improved because follow-up was not performed. Acupuncture is the most frequently performed Korean-medicine treatment (90.16%), followed by moxibustion (55.74%) and herbal medicine (37.70%). Among the herbal medicines, Gamisipjeon-tang and Geonchil-dan were the two most used herbal medicines. Conclusions: Included cases showed that treatments used in Korean medicine hospitals for integrative care with gynecologic and breast cancer are safe and effective based on several evidence. In the future, further high-quality large-scale study is needed to prove effectiveness of Korean-Western integrative care for patients with gynecologic and breast cancer.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
• /
• 제39권4호
• /
• pp.269-283
• /
• 2023

Based on daily data from January 4, 2016 to September 27, 2022, the impact of extreme movements of BDI on shipping companies' network connectivity was analyzed using CoVaR network connectivity. The main results and policy implications are as follows. First, according to the copula model results, the Student-t copula was selected as the most suitable model for COSCO, HMM, HRAG, MAERSK, and WAN. EVER was selected as a time-varying Gumbel copula, and YANG was selected as a time-varying rotated-Gumbel copula. Second, as a result of analysis using the TVP-VAR model, the linkage between shipping companies tended to increase when the BDI turned into an extreme risk state. In the comparison of net connectivity, the roles of COSCO and EVER changed. In addition, in the analysis of net pairwise connectivity, it was found that the change in the extreme risk state of BDI also affected the connectivity of shipping companies. In particular, EVER, WAN, and COSCO showed large changes. Taken together, the extreme fluctuations in BDI changed the role of Asian shipping companies, intensifying competition among shipping companies and strengthening risk delivery. It was confirmed that BDI has a great influence on the network connectivity of shipping companies and has an important influence on the stability of the stock market network. Therefore, the results of this study should consider not only the connectivity of shipping companies according to market conditions, but also the connectivity in extreme situations.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제59권2호
• /
• pp.164-169
• /
• 2005

Background : The role of combination therapy of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) plus long-acting ${\beta}_2-agonist$ (LABA) in asthma is well established, but nor much is known about this treatment in COPD. Recent studies have revealed that combining therapy is associated with fewer acute exacerbations in COPD, but in most of the studies, high-dose combination therapies have been employed. The current study assessed the effect of moderate or high-dose combination therapy of ICS plus LABA on the frequency of acute exacerbations in COPD. Methods : Between January 1, 2001 and August 31, 2004, 46 patients with COPD (moderate, severe, very severe) were enrolled who received either fluticasone/salmeterol (flu/sal) $250{\mu}g/50{\mu}g$ twice a day (group A) or flu/sal $500{\mu}g/50{\mu}g$ twice a day (group B) for more than a year. We divided them into two groups depending on the dosage of ICS plus LABA. Effect of drugs was compared based on the factors such as symptom aggravation, number of admission, and time to first exacerbation during a year after use. Results : Eleven of twenty-six patients in group A (42.3%) experienced acute exacerbation and eleven of twenty patients in group B (55%) experienced acute exacerbation during 1 year. Mean exacerbation rate of Group A was 0.96 and Group B was 1.05. Mean admission rate was 0.15 and 0.30, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference of aggravation rate, number of administration and time to first exacerbation between the two treatment groups. Conclusion : There was no significant difference between moderate and high dose combined inhaler therapy to reduce acute exacerbation in COPD patients (moderate, severe, very severe). Hence, the effective dose of combination therapy needs further study in patients with COPD.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• 제42권3호
• /
• pp.311-316
• /
• 2009

Background: Clopidogrel is widely used just before coronary artery bypass surgery, yet its pharmacological effect can cause postoperative bleeding-related complications. The purpose of this study was to find the effect of preoperative clopidogrel exposure on the blood transfusion requirement and on the rate of reexploration for bleeding control and the rate of readmission caused by bleeding in patients who undergo off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB). Material and Method: This study included 103 patients who had been on clopidogrel preoperatively and they underwent OPCAB by one surgeon from January, 2005 to November, 2007. We divided the patient into two group. Group 1 consisted of 45 patients who stopped cloidogrel 5 days before surgery and group 2 consisted of 58 patients who were taking clopidogrel within 5 days before surgery. Two groups were compared in terms of the bleeding related reoperation rate and the readmission rate, the amount of postoperative bleeding and the required amount of transfusion. Result: There were no significant differences between the two groups concerning the demographic, echocardiographic and hematologic features. There were no significant differences in the postoperative bleeding amount, but the amount of required transfusion was greater in group 2 (p=0.018). While group 1 showed a 0% reoperation rate for hemostasis and 0% readmission rate as related to postoperative bleeding, group 2 showed a 6.9% reoperation and a 5.2% readmission rate, but three were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: Continuous use of clopidogrel did not cause postoperative major bleeding, but can increase the amount of bleeding and the amount of required transfusion postoperatively. We that discontinuation of clopidogrel for a while before elective OPCAB can help the patient's postoperative recovery.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
• /
• 제15권1호
• /
• pp.143-150
• /
• 2020

This research is intended to identify how office worker's recognition of strength affects the intention of starting a business when it is used as a medium for utilizing strength. The survey period was conducted for two months from January 17, 2019 to March 8, 2019. In order to achieve the object of this study, a significant number of employees have been collected nationwide, and 287 office workers were analyzed after collecting 300 questionaires, excluding 13 office workers who were not sincere. The significant data were analyzed by utilizing the structural equation and technical statistics and by verifying the conformity of structural model and measurement model and by investigating the relationship between variables. The results of this study are summarized as follows: First, employee's perception of strength has been found to have a significant effect on the utilizing of strength. Second, the use of workers' strengths has been found to have a significant effect on the intention of starting a business. Third, it has been confirmed that in the relationship between the employee's perception of strength and intention to start a business, the recognition of strength has a significant effect on the intention of starting a business only through the use of strength. Most office workers are nervous about the future and make various plans. The time to live after retirement is getting longer and jobs and working hours are shrinking at an alarming rate. According to the analysis on the status of small business owners in the mid-term of 2017 data, the average monthly operating profit of small business owners across the country is decreasing over the years, and most start-ups are subsistence-type start-ups, and they decide to start their own businesses because they have no other choice than start-ups. As the number of small business owners suffering from financial difficulties has increased since the financial crisis and insecurity of job is pushing those with financial difficulties after retirement to the battleground of the start-up market, the result of this research suggest that the workers need to recognize their own strength and enhance the importance of utilizing the strength.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• 제32권3호
• /
• pp.346-352
• /
• 2014

This research was carried out to investigate the effect of supplemental lighting on stable productivity of paprika (Capsicum annuum L.) during low radiation period of winter season. The supplemental lighting sources used in this research were high pressure sodium (HPS) and lighting emitting plasma (LEP). Photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) emitted from both lamps decreased as vertical distance from lamp increased. The PPFD of LEP lamps were twice more than that of the HPS lamp per unit distance, but the rate of decreased PPFD of t he LEP per unit distance was higher than that of HPS lamp. And different degrees of PPFD between HPS and LEP lamps by horizontal distance had a smaller degree of difference than by vertical distance at the 100 cm away point. As daily average PPFD measured at the top of the plant under the supplemental lighting during January, the supplemental lighting significantly increased radiation. Radiation of HPS and LEP lighting was 137% and 315% higher than control (without supplemental lighting = sunlight). Air temperature in the top of the plant was not significant different among treatments. HPS and LEP lighting had no effect on increase of flower settings. Leaf length and width with LEP lighting was the longest, photosynthetic was higher than those of other treatments. Supplemental lighting treatments significant increased fruit length and diameter. Especially LEP lighting treatment had a greater effect on fruit length and diameter. In conclusion, LEP lighting treatment during low radiation period greatly affected growth and production of paprika. Further research will be required for the suitable application of LEP lighting in paprika production.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제47권6호
• /
• pp.768-774
• /
• 1999

Background: It is well known that rifampin decreases the hypoprothrombinemic effect of warfarin by induction of cytochrome P-450 enzyme in healthy volunteer. However, in patients the dosage schedule of warfarin during rifampin therapy is not established. Therefore, patients taking both rifampin and warfarin were reviewed to find out the adequate dosage schedule of warfarin in addition to side effects by interaction of two drugs. Method: Patients taking both rifampin and warfarin were retrieved from patients who were admitted due to heart disease and tuberculosis at Boochun Sejong Hospital from January of 1995 to August of 1999. To decide the adequate dosage of warfarin, the dosage of warfarin before, during, and after rifampin was evaluated in patients who kept adequate hypoprothrombinemic effect of warfarin during rifampin. To decide the adequate dosage schedule of warfarin, the time interval from the beginning of rifampin to normalization of prothrombin time(INR$\geq$1.1) was evaluated. And, the side effects by interaction of two drugs were reviewed. Results: All 12 patients taking both rifampin and warfarin were retrieved. Among them only 6 kept adequate hypoprothrombinemic effect of warfarin during rifampin. The dosage of warfarin during rifampin was $2.4{\pm}0.6$(mean$\pm$standard deviation) times as much as that before rifampin but the dosage after rifampin was the same as that before rifampin. The time interval from the beginning of rifampin to normalization of prothrombin time was $5.8{\pm}2.9$(mean${\pm}$standard deviation) days. 2 out of 12 had complication related to the interaction of rifampin and warfarin, one cerebral embolism just after the beginning of rifampin and the other cerebral hemorrhage just after the discontinuation of rifampin. Conclusion: When both rifampin and warfarin are prescribed, it would be a possible method to be confirmed by prospective study that warfarin be gradually increased about 2 times more than that without rifampin over 1 week or so after the beginning of rifampin and be tapered to the same dosage as that before rifampin when rifampin is discontinued. And, it would be prudent that prothrombin time be monitored frequently during rifampin and warfarin therapy, especially the beginning or discontinuation of rifampin.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• 제21권4호
• /
• pp.343-347
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine the dwarfing effect in variable temperature treatments on 1-year-old and 3-year-old Chloranthus glaber. The plants grown in four difference growth chamber under a mean light intensity $500{\pm}20$ lux, RH of $40{\pm}5%$, and temperature of $5^{\circ}C$, $10^{\circ}C$, $15^{\circ}C$, and $20^{\circ}C$ for 120 days from January 3, 2011. And then they were moved into a glass house (50% shading). In 1-year-old seedlings, the rate of plant height elongation was lowest at $5^{\circ}C$, but plant growth was not good. The number of leaves and leaf width were highly increased by $10^{\circ}C$ treatment although the plant height was slightly increased. Also the plant height of $15^{\circ}C$ and $20^{\circ}C$ was decreased and defoliation was started from the bottom leaves. Thus, $10^{\circ}C$ treatment was thought to be the most appropriate for dwarfing effect of 1-year-old seedlings. In 3-year-old seedlings, the plant height tended to increase with temperature, and growth pattern showed a similar trend between $5^{\circ}C$ and $10^{\circ}C$, $15^{\circ}C$ and $20^{\circ}C$. The number of leaves increased the most at $5^{\circ}C$. Lateral branches per node were mainly occurred at $5^{\circ}C$ and $10^{\circ}C$, whereas they almost didn't happen at $15^{\circ}C$ and $20^{\circ}C$. Flowering rate at $5^{\circ}C$ and $10^{\circ}C$ reached more than 90% and 60%, respectively, but it was too low at $15^{\circ}C$ and $20^{\circ}C$ until the end of August. From these results, it could improve plant quality of 1-year-old and 3-year-old Chloranthus glaber making compact potted plants when temperatures were maintained at $10^{\circ}C$ and $5^{\circ}C$, respectively.