• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.34
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• pp.43-50
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study is to choose a treatment plan and equipment to maximize tangential irradiation to protect the normal brain tissues as much as possible during total scalp irradiation. Subjects and Methods: After zoning the total scalp of a phantom and selecting a target area for treatment, the study made a Helical TomoTherapy(HT) plan, a Helical TomoTherapy with a Complete Block(HTCB) plan, and a Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy(VMAT) plan. All of these plans made sure that the volume of a treatment plan with 95% of a prescription dose(40 Gy) would not exceed 95% of the entire volume and that Dmax would not be more than 110% of the prescription dose. The therapy plans compared doses among organs at risk of damage including the brain. Doses in the brain tissues were assessed based on the volumetric criteria for normal tissues in Emami et al. Results: HT, HTCB, and VMAT had a dose of 21.68 Gy, 13.75 Gy, and 20.89 Gy, respectively, in brain tissues at D_33%, a dose of 7.06 Gy, 3.21 Gy, and 7.84 Gy, respectively, at D_67%, and a dose of 3.14 Gy, 1.75 Gy, and 3.84 Gy, respectively, at D_100%. They recorded a Dmean of 16.64 Gy, 11.78 Gy, and 16.64 Gy, respectively. These results show that the overall dose was low in the HTCB plan. When the volume of a low dose was calculated based on 5 Gy, they recorded 87%, 49%, and 96%, respectively, in V_5Gy. In addition, the maximum dose in the remaining organ(brain stem, hippocampus, and both lenses) except for the optic pathway was the lowest in HTCB Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that TomoTherapy with a complete block minimized a dose in organs at risk of damage including the brain and hippocampus on both sides and accordingly reduced the probability of side effects such as radiation-induced brain injuries and a resulting decrease in neurocognitive functions. In addition to total scalp irradiation, if additional studies on ring targets treated in various areas are conducted to establish the benefits of tangential irradiation, it is believed that TomoTherapy using Complete Block can be used to maximize tangential irradiation in treatment planning.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2022

This study was carried out the estimation on consumption patterns and consciousness of domestic forage for improvement of the quality of domestic forage. Although the cultivated area in South Korea of forage has increased significantly compared to the past, the self-sufficiency rate of domestic forage has increased to around 80% since 2010. Also, livestock farmers prefer to use import forage than domestic due to convenience of use. In Korean beef farms, the ratio of import to domestic forage was higher in domestic forage (import forage 3 : domestic forage 7). In the method of securing domestic forage, purchase of forage (55.6%) was higher than self-cultivation of forage (44.4%). The ratio of use by bailing type was shown in the order of rice staw rice straw (50.5%), domestic hay (15%), imported hay (12.5%), and total mixed ratio (10.7%). The preference of forage was in the order of amount of foreign matter, moisture content, price, feed value in Korean native cattle farm. The result of satisfaction with domestic and import forage showed that the satisfaction of domestic forage price was higher than import forage, while the moisture content and foreign matter of forage were lower than import forage. In addition, in the results of the satisfaction and importance of domestic roughage compared to imported roughage, satisfaction with imported roughage was generally high in all items except for price. As a result, in order to improve the satisfaction of domestic forage in Korean native cattle farm, it is necessary to minimize foreign matter in forage and increase hay production for moisture content uniform in forage.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.17-27
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• 2022

In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant and antidiabetic effects of buckwheat. The diabetic animal models were divided into four groups: normal mice group (NOR), streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice group (STZ), group treated with seeds of common or tartary buckwheat (SCB or STB), and the group treated with whole plants of common or tartary buckwheat (PCB or PTB). Rutin content was 44-48 times higher in STB or PTB than in SCB. Oral glucose tolerance and insulin resistance were significantly reduced by treatment with STB, PCB, and PTB. Treatment with PTB also decreased the serum glucose level significantly and the serum insulin levels slightly compared with the STZ group. These results suggest that rutin content and antioxidant activity are closely related to the antidiabetic effect of the treatment. Our results demonstrate that the seeds of tartary buckwheat and whole plants of either common or tartary buckwheat have antidiabetic effects-attenuating blood glucose in an animal model of type II diabetes.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.411-417
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• 2019

Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes of single injection adductor canal block (SACB), continuous adductor canal block (CACB), and the concomitant use of transdermal buprenorphine after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Materials and Methods: A total of 125 patients who underwent TKA were divided into three groups and the clinical results were retrospecitively compared. Group I was comprised of patients with pain controlled by SACB (n=41). Group II consisted of patients with pain controlled by both SACB and transdermal buprenorphine (10 ㎍/h) (n=44). Group III contained patients with pain controlled by CACB (n=40). The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used as the pain control indicator and the patients were measured on a VAS for resting on the bed (VAS-Rest) at 12 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours after surgery. The VAS while doing continuous passive motion (VAS-CPM) on the first and second postoperative day was also measured. In addition, the total amount of medications used (Butopahn, Tridol, and Ketorac) for the intravenous patient controlled analgesia (PCA) was counted for 48 hours after surgery. As the indicator of the functional recovery outcome, the incidence of nausea and vomiting was observed for 48 hours after surgery. The maximum knee joint flexion range and maximum walking distance on the first and second postoperative day, and the total length of stay at the hospital were compared. Results: The VAS-Rest was similar in the three groups at 12 hours after surgery, but at 24 hours and 48 hours after surgery, group II and III a lower VAS-CPM and total amount of medications used for PCA than group I (p<0.05). The three groups showed a low incidence of nausea and vomiting, maximum knee joint flexion range, and similar walking distance and total length of stay at the hospital. Conclusion: The combination of SACB and transdermal buprenorphine has great pain control effect initially. On the other hand, it is not associated with catheter complications and it is convenient to use and safety toward the renal function. Therefore, the concomitant use of SACB and transdermal buprenorphine can be an effective pain control method after TKA.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.141-149
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• 2019

Purpose: To compare the results of two different instruments made of stainless steel and titanium alloy for correction of single thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) using pedicle screw instrumentation. Materials and Methods: A total of 141 patients with single thoracic AIS treated with pedicle screw instrumentation and selective thoracic fusion were retrospectively reviewed after a follow-up of 2 years. The patients had a main thoracic curve of 40° to 75° and were divided into two groups based on instrument materials; S group (stainless steel, n=90) and T group (titanium alloy, n=51). The diameter of the stainless steel rod used was 7.0 mm while that of the titanium alloy rod was 6.35 mm or 6.0 mm. Standing long-cassette radiographic measurements including various coronal and sagittal parameters for the preoperative, early postoperative and 2-year postoperative followup were analyzed. There were no significant differences in the preoperative curve characteristics between the two groups. Results: In the S group, the preoperative main thoracic curve of 51.3°±8.4° was improved to 19.0°±7.6° (63.1% correction) and the lumbar curve of 32.3°±8.4° spontaneously decreased to 12.7°±8.2° (62.9% correction) at 2 years postoperatively. In the T group, the preoperative main thoracic curve of 49.5°±8.4° and the lumbar curve of 30.3°±8.9° was improved to 18.8°±7.4° (62.2% correction) and 11.3°±5.4° (63.3% correction), respectively. The corrections of coronal curves were not statistically different between the two groups (p>0.05). The thoracic kyphosis was changed from 16.8°±8.5° to 24.3°±6.1° in the S group and from 19.6°±11.2° to 26.6°±8.5° in the T group. There were no significant differences in the changes of sagittal curves, coronal and sagittal balances at the 2-year follow-up and the number of fused segments and used screws between the two groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: When conducting surgery for single thoracic AIS using pedicles screw instrumentation, two different instruments made of stainless steel and titanium alloy showed similar corrections for coronal and sagittal curves.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of gender, age, underlying disease, duration after onset of symptoms, preoperative invasive procedures, bacterial culture of joint fluid, and stage of infection by the Gachter classification on the prognosis of patients with infectious knee arthritis who underwent arthroscopic surgery. Materials and Methods: From June 2014 to December 2016, 51 patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery for infective knee arthritis were enrolled in this study. The average follow-up period was 14.2±2.1 months (range, 12-20 months). The subjects were 27 men (52.9%) and 24 women (47.1%), with an average age of 55.1±17.6 years (range, 13-84 years). A preoperative evaluation of the joint aspiration with a count of more than 50,000 leukocytes and a polymorphonuclear leukocyte count of 95% or more was performed. All patients underwent arthroscopic surgery and postoperative continuous joint irrigation. Results: The initial mean value of the C-reactive protein decreased from 9.55±6.76 mg/dl (range, 1.51-31.06 mg/dl) to a final mean of 0.74±1.26 mg/dl (range, 0.08-6.77 mg/dl); the mean duration of C-reactive protein normalization was 27.6±18.9 days (range, 8-93 days). Among the 51 patients who received arthroscopic surgery and antibiotics, 44 patients (86.3%) with infectious knee arthritis completed treatment with improved clinical symptoms, such as fever, pain, and edema, and the C-reactive protein decreased to less than 0.5 mg/dl. Finally, 5 cases were treated with two or more arthroscopic operations, and 2 cases were converted to arthroplasty after prosthesis of antibiotic-loaded acrylic cement. Conclusion: The duration of surgery after the onset of symptoms and the stage according to the Gächter classification are important prognostic factors for predicting the successful treatment of infectious knee arthritis. On the other hand, the other factors were not statistically significant. Nevertheless, patients with bacteria cultured from the joint fluids appear to reflect the treatment period because the period of normalization of the C-reactive protein is shorter than that of the control group.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.185-193
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• 2023

Background: This study focuses on the establishment and operation of a stroke patient hotline program to help patients and their caregivers determine when acute neurological changes require emergency attention. Method: The stroke hotline was established at the Gyeonggi Regional Cerebrovascular Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, in June 2016. Patients diagnosed with stroke during admission or in outpatient clinics were registered and provided with stroke education. Consulting nurses managed hotline calls and made decisions about outpatient schedules or emergency room referrals, consulting physicians when necessary. The study analyzed consultation records from June 2016 to December 2020, assessing consultation volumes and types. Outcomes and hotline satisfaction were also evaluated. Results: Over this period, 6,851 patients were registered, with 1,173 patients (18%) undergoing 3,356 hotline consultations. The average monthly consultation volume increased from 29.2 cases in 2016 to 92.3 cases in 2020. Common consultation types included stroke symptoms (22.3%), blood pressure/glucose inquiries (12.8%), and surgery/procedure questions (12.6%). Unexpected outpatient visits decreased from 103 cases before the hotline to 81 cases after. Among the 2,244 consultations between January 2019 and December 2020, 9.6% were recommended hospital visits, with two cases requiring intra-arterial thrombectomy. Patient satisfaction ratings of 9-10 points increased from 64% in 2019 to 69% in 2020. Conclusion: The stroke hotline program effectively reduced unexpected outpatient visits and achieved high patient satisfaction. Expanding the program could enhance the management of stroke-related neurological symptoms and minimize unnecessary healthcare resource utilization.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.12-19
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• 2023

This study conducted an experiment with EC 1.0ms/cm ratio and excellent soil conditions for germination in ICT-based ginseng process cultivation. The first growth survey was conducted before transplantation of ginseng 1-year roots grown by seeding ginseng in the process cultivation, conventional cultivation and a second growth comparison survey was conducted after 3 months of growth. In the results, it was confirmed that ginseng grown in the process cultivation grew more than in the field. As a result of comparing the contents of 11 ginsenosides of 1-year and 2-year-old ginsenosides in the process cultivation and conventional cultivation ginseng, it was confirmed that the content of the process cultivation ginseng was higher than that of practice cultivation ginseng. In conclusion, conventional cultivation ginseng grows due to various factors under the natural cultivation environment, but process cultivation can secure the growth stability of ginseng by allowing stable soil and environmental control, so continuous research is needed in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.153-165
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to propose effective scenarios for green areas in apartment complexes that can improve the connection between green spaces considering wind flow, thermal comfort, and mitigation of the urban heat island effect. The study site was an apartment complex in Godeok-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, Korea. The site selection was based on comparing temperatures and discomfort index data collected from June to August 2020. Initially, the thermal and wind environment of the current site was analyzed. Based on the findings, three scenarios were proposed, taking into account both green patches and corridor elements: Scenario 1 (green patch), Scenario 2 (green corridor), and Scenario 3 (green patch & corridor). Subsequently, each scenario's wind speed, wind flow, and thermal comfort were analyzed using ENVI-met to compare their effectiveness in mitigating the urban heat island effect. The study results demonstrated that green patches contributed to increased wind speed and improved wind flow, leading to a reduction of 31..20% in the predicted mean vote (PMV) and 68.59% in the predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PET). On the other hand, green corridors facilitated the connection of wind paths and further increased wind speed compared to green patches. They proved to be more effective than green patches in mitigating the urban heat island, resulting in a reduction of 92.47% in PMV and 90.14% in PET. The combination of green patches and green corridors demonstrated the greatest increase in wind speed and strong connectivity within the apartment complex, resulting in a reduction of 95.75% in PMV and 95.35% in PET. However, patches in narrow areas were found to be more effective in improving thermal comfort than green corridors. Therefore, to effectively mitigate the urban heat island effect, enhancing green areas by incorporating green corridors in conjunction with green patches is recommended. This study can serve as fundamental data for planning green areas to mitigate future urban heat island effects in apartment complexes. Additionally, it can be considered a method to improve urban resilience in response to the challenges posed by the urban heat island effect.

• Exercise Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate regression models to estimate maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) from the 20 m Progressive Shuttle Run Test (20 m PSRT) in Korean middle-school girls aged 13-15 years. The 20 m PSRT and VO₂max were assessed in a sample of 194 participants. The sample was randomly split into validation (n=127) and test-retest reliability (n=99, 32 out of 127 participants also performed validity test) groups. 127 participants performed a graded exercise test (GXT, stationary gas analyser) and the 20 m PSRT (portable gas analyser) once to develop a VO₂max prediction model and to analyze the validity of the modified 20 m PSRT protocol (starting at 7.5 km/h and increasing by 0.5 km/h every 1 min). 99 participants performed the 20 m PSRT twice for test-retest reliability purpose. Mean measured VO₂max (39.2±5.1 ml/kg/min) from the potable gas analyzer was significantly increased from that measured during the GXT from stationary gas analyzer (37.7±5.7 ml/kg/min, p=.001) using the modified 20 m PSRT protocol. But it was a narrow range (1.5 ml/kg/min). The measured VO₂max from the potable and stationary gas analyzers correlated at r=.88(p<.001). Test-retest of the 20 m PSRT yielded comparable results (Laps r=.88 & final speed r=.85). New regression equations were developed from present data to predict VO₂max for middle-school girls: y=.231×Laps-.311×weight(in kg)+46.201 (r=.74, SEE=4.29 ml/kg/min). It is concluded that (a) the modified 20 m PSRT protocol is a valid and reliable test and (b) this equation developed in this study provides valid estimates of VO₂max of Korean middle-school girl aged 13-15 years.