• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.624-632
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• 2000

Background : Home ventilation can decrease hospital-acquired infection, increase physical activity, improve nutritional status, enhance quality of life, and reduce medical costs. The number of patient using home ventilators has been increasing, particularly in Europe and United States. Although the number of patients with home ventilation has been increasing in Korea, the current status of these patients is not well known. This study was undertaken to obtain basic information upon these patients in addition to evaluating any problems related to patients' home care in our country. Methods : A register of 92 patients with home ventilators in Seoul and Kyunggi Province were obtained from commercial ventilator supply companies. The patients were contacted by phone and 29 of them accepted our visit. Information concerning education about home care before discharge, equipment cost, and problems related to home care were documented. The mode and preset variables of the home ventilator were checked; tidal volume (TV), peak airway pressure, and oxygen saturation were measured. Results : There were 26 males (90%) and their mean age was 48.0 (${\pm}20.1$) years. The underlying diseases were : 21 neuromuscular disorders, 2 spinal cord injuries, 6 chronic lung diseases. Among the caregivers, spouses (n=14) predominated. Education for home care before discharge was performed primarily by intensive care unit nurses and the education for ventilator management by commercial companies. Twenty-five of the 29 patients had tracheostomies. Volume targeted type (VTT ; n=20, 69%) was more frequently used than the pressure targeted type (PTT). Twenty-three of the 29 patients purchased a ventilator privately, which cost 7,450,000 (${\pm}$3,290,000) won for a PTT, and 14,280.000 (${\pm}$3,130,000) won for a VTT. Total cost for the equipment was 11,430,000 (${\pm}$634,000) won. The average cost required for home care per month was 1,120,000 (${\pm}$1,360, 000) won. Conclusion : The commonest underlying disease of the patients was neuromuscular disease. The VTT ventilator was primarily used with tracheostomy. Patients and their families considered the financial difficulties associated with purchasing and maintaining equipment for home care an urgent problem. Some patients were aided by a visiting nurse, however most patients were neglected and left without professional medical supervision.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.559-569
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• 2001

Background : Pleural effusion is one of the most common clinical manifestations associated with a variety of pulmonary diseases such as malignancy, tuberculosis, and pneumonia. However, there are no useful laboratory tests to determine the specific cause of pleural effusion. Therefore, an attempt was made to analyze the various types of pleural effusion and search for useful laboratory tests for pleural effusion in order to differentiate between the diseases, especially between a malignant pleural effusion and a non-malignant pleural effusion. Methods : 93 patients with a pleural effusion, who visited the Severance hospital from January 1998 to August 1999, were enrolled in this study. Ultrasound-guided thoracentesis was done and a confirmational diagnosis was made by a gram stain, bacterial culture, Ziehl-Neelsen stain, a mycobacterial culture, a pleural biopsy and cytology. Results : The male to female ratio was 56 : 37 and the average age was $47.1{\pm}21.8$ years. There were 16 cases with a malignant effusion, 12 cases with a para-malignant effusion, 36 cases with tuberculosis, 22 cases with a para-pneumonic effusion, and 7 cases with transudate. The LDH2 fraction was significantly higher in the para-malignant effusion group compared to the para-pneumonic effusion group [$30.6{\pm}6.4%$ and $20.2{\pm}7.5%$, respectively (p<0.05)] and both the LDH1 and LDH2 fraction was significantly in the para-malignant effusion group compared to those with tuberculosis [$16.4{\pm}7.2%$ vs. $7.6{\pm}4.7%$, and $30.6{\pm}6.4%$ vs.$17.6{\pm}6.3%$, respectively (p<0.05)]. The pleural effusion/serum LDH4 fraction ratio was significantly lower in the malignant effusion group compared to those with tuberculosis [$1.5{\pm}0.8$ vs. $2.1{\pm}0.6$, respectively (p<0.05)]. The LDH4 fraction and the pleural effusion/serum LDH4 fraction ratio was significantly lower in the para-malignant effusion group compared to those with tuberculosis [$17.0{\pm}5.8%$ vs. $23.5{\pm}4.6%$ and $1.3{\pm}0.4$ vs. $2.1{\pm}0.6$, respectively (p<0.05)]. Conclusion : These results suggest that the LDH isoenzyme was the only useful biochemical test for a differential diagnosis of the various diseases. In particular, the most useful test was the pleural effusion/serum LDH4 fraction ratio to distinguish between a para-malignant effusion and a tuberculous effusion.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.350-362
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• 1999

Background: Acute Respiratory failure which is developed after extubation in the weaning process from mechanical ventilation is an important cause of weaning failure. Once it was developed, endotracheal reintubation has been done for respiratory support. Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) has been used in the management of acute or chronic respiratory failure, as an alternative to endotracheal intubation, using via nasal or facial mask. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of NIPPV as an alternative method of reintubation in patients who developed acute respiratory failure after extubation. Method: We retrospectively analyzed thirty one patients(eighteen males and thirteen females, mean ages $63\pm13.2$ years) who were developed acute respiratory failure within forty eight hours after extubation, or were extubated unintentionally at medical intensive care unit(MICU) of Asan Medical Center. NIPPV was applied to the patients. Ventilatory mode of NIPPV, level of ventilatory support and inspiratory oxygen concentration were adjusted according to the patient condition and results of blood gas analysis by the attending doctors at MICU. NIPPV was completely weaned when the patients maintained stable clinical condition under 8 $cmH_2O$ of pressure support level. Weaning success was defined as maintenance of stable spontaneous breathing more than forty eight hours after discontinuation of NIPPV. Respiratory rate, heart rate, arterial blood gas analysis, level of pressure support, and level of PEEP were monitored just before extubation, at thirty minutes, six hours, twenty four hours after initiation of NIPPV. They were also measured at just before weaning from NIPPV in success group, and just before reintubation in failure group. Results: NIPPV was successfully applied to thirty-one patients of thirty-two trials and one patient could not tolerated NIPPV longer than thirty minutes. Endotracheal reintubation was successfully obviated in fourteen patients (45%) among them. There was no difference in age, sex, APACHE III score on admission at MICU, duration of intubation, interval from extubation to initiation of NIPPV, baseline heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood gas, and $PaO_2/FiO_2$ between the success and the failure group. Heart rate and respiration rate were significantly decreased with increase $SaO_2$ after thirty minutes of NIPPV in both groups(p<0.05). However, in the patients of failure group, heart rate and respiratory rate were increased again with decrease in $SaO_2$ leading to endotracheal reintubation. The success rate of NIPPV treatment was significantly higher in the patients with COPD compared to other diseases(62% vs 39%) (p=0.007). The causes of failure were deterioration of arterial blood gas without aggravation of underlying disease(n=9), aggravation of undelying disease(n=5), mask intolerance(n=2), and retained airway secretion(n=l). Conclusion: NIPPV would be a useful therapeutic alternative which can avoid reintubation in patient who developed acute respiratory failure after extubation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 1992

The lipid compositions of total lipid extracted from the flesh divided into albinic type and melanic type of culture shellfishes, i.e. Achatina fucica Bowdich, Ampullarius insularus were compared. Total lipid contents of shellfishes were $1.11{\sim}3.25%$, the levels were appeared higher in Ampullarius insularus than Achatina fucica Bowdich, and in albinic type than melanic type. It was found that the contents of neutral lipids $(31.79{\sim}40.60%)$ and phospholipids $(50.95{\sim}62.12%)$ were high, while that of glycolipids $(4.84{\sim}9.47%)$ were low. The major fatty acids in total lipid of each sample were $C_{18:2}(11.92{\sim}14.37%)$, $C_{18:1}(12.34{\sim}13.64%)$, $C_{20:4}(11.03{\sim}13.74%)$, $C_{16:0}(7.45{\sim}15.39%)$ and $C_{18:0}(7.34{\sim}11.80%)$ and additionally $C_{20:2}(9.62{\sim}10.19%)$ in Achatina fucica Bowdich, and the major fatty acid composition in total lipids of each sample showed no significant differences between albinic type and melanic type, respectively. Particularly the content of $C_{16:0}$ in total lipids was shown more abundant in Ampullarius insularus and that of $C_{18:0}$, C_{20:2}$ in Achatina fucica Bowdich. The content of polyene acids in total lipids occupied higher level in Achatina fucica Bowdich but $C_{22:6}$ was almost detected, and observed relatively higher amounts in Ampullarius insularus. The main fatty acids in neutral lipid of Achatina fucica Bowdich were $C_{18:2}(16.80{\sim}17.74%)$, $C_{20:2}(12.15{\sim}12.59%)$, $C_{18:1}(9.79{\sim}10.37%)$, $C_{18:0}(7.71{\sim}12.43%)$ and C_{16:0},\;C_{20:4}$ and additionally $C_{18:3} (20.90%)$ was shown predominant in melanic type and the level of polyene acid highest in neutral lipids. The neutral lipids in each type of Ampullarius insularus were mainly composed of $C_{16:0}(16.96{\sim}17.46%)$, $C_{18:1}(13.79{\sim}13.95%)$ and $C_{18:2} (12.90{\sim}15.70%)$ and additionally it chiefly consisted of $C_{18:1}$, $C_{20:4}$and$C_{22:6}$. The major fatty acids in each type of glycolipids were $C_{18:2}(19.01{\sim}19.72)$, $C_{16:0}(12.89{\sim}18.76%)$ and $C_{18:0}(12.68{\sim}17.52%)$ and additionally $C_{18:1}$ in Achatina fucica Bowdich, but $C_{22:1}$ was detected in relatively higher level by 6.95% in albinic type only. The major fatty acids in glycolipids were $C_{18:2}(12.46{\sim}18.21%)$, $C_{16:0}(10.43{\sim}18.48%)$, $C_{20:1}(10.51{\sim}14.59%)$, $C_{20:4}(8.24{\sim}12.34%)$ and additionally it chiefly consisted of $C_{18:0}\;and\;C_{18:1}$ in Ampullarius insularus. The fatty acid composition in phospholipids of each sample was very resembled to total lipids, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.33-45
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• 1978

The purpose of present study is to analyze the genetic variation of natural stand of Pinus densiflora. In 1975 following after the selection of 1974, twenty trees from each of three natural populations of the species were selected and their open-pollinated seeds were collected, and the locations and conditions of the populations ate presented in table 1, 2 and figure 1. Some morphological traits of the populations were already detailed in our second report of this series, in which Myong-Ju and Ul-Jin populations were regarded to be superior phenotypically to suweon population. The morphological traits of cone, seed and seed-wing, and also the growth performances and needle characters of the seedling were observed in the present study according to the previous methods. The results obtained are summarized as follows; 1. The meteorological data obtained by averaging the records of 30 year period (1931~1960) measured from the nearest meteorological stations to each population are shown in fig.2, 3, 4. The distributional patterns of investigated climate factors are generally considered to be similar among the locations. However, the precipitation density during growing season and the air temperature during dormant season on Suweon area, population 6, were quite different from those of the other areas. 2. The measurements of fresh cone weight, length, diameter and cone index, i.e., length to diameter ratio are presented in table 7. As shown in table 7, all these traits except for cone diameter seem to be highly significant in population differences and family differences within population. 3. The morphological traits of seed and seed-wing are detailed in table 8, 9, and highly significant differences are recognized among the populations and the families within population in seed-wing length, seed-wing index, seed weight, seed-length and seed index but not among the populations in the other observed traits. The values of correlation coefficient between the characters of cone and seed are given in table 10 and the positive significant correlations can be observed in the most parts of the compared traits. 4. Significant statistical differences among populations and families within population are observed in the growth performances of 1-0 and 1-1 seedling height of these progenies. But the differences in root collar diameter are shown only among families within population. As shown in table 13, the most parts of correlations are not significant statistically between the growth performances of seedling and the seed characters. 5. The number of stomata row on both sides of needle and the serration density were measured in the seedlings from each of the families of the three populations. As shown in table 15, statistical differences are considered to be significant among the populations and among the families within population in serration density but not among the populations in stomata row on both sides of the needle. The results differ from those of the third report of this series. Even if one of the reason seems to be the diversity of selected populations, it could not be confirmed definitely. The correlations between progenies and parents are not generally observed in the investigated traits of needle as shown in table 16.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.153-161
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• 2016

This study aims to determine the optimal maturity of strawberry fruits as affected by the application of lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) and its optimal concentration for postharvest stability and quality. Prior to application of treatments, fruits that were classified into levels of maturity (0%, 50%, 70% and 100%) were air-dried for 40 minutes and stored in the refrigerator at $4^{\circ}C$ for 12 days. Fruits at 70% maturity were dipped into 0, 10, 50 and $100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ LPE solutions for 1 minute. A lower range of concentration (0, 2.5, 5, 10 and $25mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$) was applied to fruits at different maturity levels. Data on fresh weight, hardness at vertical and horizontal loading positions, color index and sugar content during storage were collected. Based on fruits with 70% maturity dipped in LPE concentrations, there were no significant differences found on fresh weight, color index and sugar content. However, the application of $10mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ LPE gave the highest hardness at vertical loading position while $100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ had the lowest average. At lower range of LPE concentrations, fresh weight was not significantly affected by LPE application and maturity levels. Hardness of fruits was mainly based on the maturity of the fruits. Increased hardness was observed in the fruits with 70% maturity dipped into the $5mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ of LPE solution. The hardness and Hunter's $L^*$ and $b^*$ value of 100% matured fruits gave lowest values despite the application of $25mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ LPE 12 days after storage.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.34-58
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• 2005

This study was executed to find out how to improve the planting and use of landscaping plants in Weonju and Hoengseong. 1. The number of street trees were 22,068 and the species number were 10 species in Weonju in 2004. The major species of street trees were Ginkgo biloba(58%), Prunus sargentii(15%), Zelkova serrata(9%), Prunus armeniaca var. ansu(8%), and Acer palmatum(6%). The ratio of native species versus exotic were 50:50. In Hoengseong, the number of street trees was 13,500 and the species number were 15 species. The major species of street trees were Prunus sargentii(42%), Ginkgo biloba(23%), Acer triflorum(12%), Prunus armeniaca var. ansu(6%), and Prunus mume(4%). The ratio of native species versus exotic were 67:33. The species of which planting frequency within two areas was very high were Ginkgo biloba and Prunus sargentii. 2. It is necessary to select tree species suitable for the characteristics of the locality and to raise distinctive street trees that contribute to the tourist industry. For the purpose, the appropriate street trees in two areas are Cornus controversa, Quercus aliena, Zelkova serrata, Prunus padus, Sorbus alnifolia, Sorbus comixta, Albizzia julibrissin, Acer triflorum, Styrax japonica, Chionanthus retusus, Celtis sinensis, Prunus yedoensis, Malus sieboldii, Crataegus Pinnatifida, Prunus armeniaca var. ansu and Pyrus pyrifolia etc.. 3. Appropriate pruning adds to the aesthetic and prolongs the useful life, it also requires less managing of insects and diseases to maintain good healthy of street trees. Street trees were not properly pruned due to electric lines and shortage of pruning information. The pruning was controlled by Korea Electric Power Co, which has no pruning information. Pruning must be maintained by a professional landscape company to maintain good shape such as with Bonsai. The shrubs planting zone between street trees and other trees, and preservation plates were established for healthy of street trees. They have to be repaired and maintained well to keep better environmental conditions. The proper fertilization, the control of pests and diseases, the installation of drainpipe and the use of soil brought from another place were needed to improve the planting, use and maintenance of landscape plants. 4. The species number of school trees and flowers of 102 schools in Weonju and Hoengseong were 17species, 16species respectively. The major species of school trees in Weonju were Juniperus chinensis(24%), Ginkgo biloba(17%), Pinus densiflora(14%), Zelkova serrata(14%), and Pinus koraiensis(9%), and those of school trees in Hoengseong were Pinus koraiensis(44%), Abies holophylla(25%), Juniperus chinensis(8%), and Ginkgo biloba(8%). The major species of school flowers in Weonju were Rosa centifolia(47%), Forsythia koreana(24%), Magnolia kobus(12%), and Rhododendron schlippenbachii(6%), and those of school flowers in Hoengseong were Forsythia koreana(36%), Rhododendron schlippenbachii(33%), Magnolia kobus(6%) and Dicentra spectabilis(6%). 5. The species number of the protection trees designated by Woenju and Hoengseong were 15 species. The major species of protection trees were Zelkova serrata(100 trees), Ginkgo biloba(18) Pinus densiflora(7), Quercus spp. (5), Juniperus chinensis(4) and Alnus japonica(4). 6. The landscape plants planted around 2004 in weonju were Prunus yedoensis(2,563 trees), Betula platyphylla var. japonica(2,000), Abies holophylla(1,785), Diospyros kaki(1,100), Prunus sargentii(880) and Prunus armeniaca var. ansu(708) etc.. The shrubs planted were Rhododendron obutusum(21,559 plants), Rosa centifolia (7,150), Rhododendron yedoense var. poukhanense(5,950), Forsythia koreana(3,000) and Ligustrum obtusi[olium(2,500) etc.. The landscape plants planted in Hoengseong Acer triflorum(928trees), Prunus yedoensis(455), Zelkova serrata(327), Thuja orientalis(261), Prunus sargentii(257), Pinus koraiensis(200), Prunus persica for. rubro-plena(200) and Pyrus pyrifolia (200) etc.. The shrubs planted were Rhododendron yedoense var. poukhanense(15,936), Syringa dilatata(10,090), Forsythia koreana(9,660), Cercis chinensis(3,200), Buxus microphylla var. koreana(2,600) and Rosa centifolia(1,868) etc.. 7. The species numbers of the herbaceous plants planted in 2004 in Weonju were 24 species and the ratio of native species versus exotic were 7:17. The major species of perennial plants were Aster koraiensis(30,656 plants), Coreopsis drummondii(7,656), Rudbeckia bicolor(6,000), Chrysanthemum morifolium(4,850) and Chrysanthemum zawadskii var. latilobum(4,312). The major species of annuals and biennials were Cosmos bipinnatus(672,000 plants), Zinnia elegans(35,600), Petunia hybrida(26,920), Viola tricolor(23,000), Helianthus annuus(17,000), and Geranium cinereum var. pubcaulescens(5,200). In Hoengseong, the numbers of herbaceous plants were 906,310 plants and the species numbers were 15 species. The major species of perennials plants were Aster koraiensis(70,480 plants), Hemerocallis fulva(20,070), and Phlox drummondii(18,000). The major species of annuals and biennials were Phlox hybrida(174,000 plants), Cosmos bipinnatus(125,000), Zinnia elegans(109,000), Tagetes patula(96,700), Vinca rosea(89,000) and Calendula officinalis(70,000). 8. Through these result, it was thought that the diversification of planting species, the selection of plants suitable to each space and the generalization of use of native species were needed.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.65-83
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• 2000

To know the relationship of general characteristics with activities of daily living(ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living(IADL), we carried out the study on the elderies living in Chollabuk-Do area during 6 months, from June to December in 1999. Study subjects were 281, women and men were 195(69.6%) and 85(30.4%) respectively. Mean ages of women and men were 71.9 and 70.8 respectively. 81.1% elderies has disease and 18.9% were disease free. Disease prevalences of movement joint disease, others, circulatory disease, digestive disease, dental disease, respiratory disease were 50.1%, 25.0%, 10.5%, 9.4%, 8.5%, and 6.3% respectively. The percentages to the use of medical institution in recent were 40.0% for hospital, 16.8% for oriental hospital, 14.5% for public health center, 10.9% for drug store, 10.0% for others, and 7.8% for dental service. The percentages to the improvement of symptom after the use of medical institution were 62.3% for normal, 19.4% for improvement, and 18.2% for non-improvement. The percentages to the health situation were 37.1% for bad, 35.7% for good, and 27.1% for normal. Activities of daily living were 67.1% for 6 scores, 27.9% for 5 scores, 2.1% for 4 scores and ADL of women was lower than the men's. Instrumental activities of daily living were 50.4% for 5 scores, 19.3% for 3 scores, 12.1% for 4 scores and IADL of women was lower than the men's. Frequencies of disability in ADL were 28.9% for incontinence, 6.1% for bathing, 2.9% for meal, 2.5% for walking around house, 1.8% for toilet use, 1.4% for dressing and disability frequencies of women in 6 items of ADL were higher than the men's. The percentages of high, intermediate, low ADL in activities of daily living were 67.1%, 32.5%, 0.4% respectively and decrease of high ADL, increase of intermediate ADL were found with the increasing of age. Frequencies of disability in IADL were 42.9% for payment in and out, 31.8% for payment of written claim, 21.1% for shopping, 16.4% for preparation of meal, and 11.8% for use of bus. All items of women in IADL was higher than the men's but preparation of meal. The percentages of high, intermediate, low IADL in instrumental activities of daily living were 50.4%, 42.5%, 7.1% and decrease of high IADL, increase of intermediate IADL were found with the increasing of age. Mean of ADL with the general characteristics was 5.56 and 2 variables of level of education, health situation were statistically significant. Mean of IADL with the general characteristics was 3.76 and 8 variables of age, sex, level of education, occupation, presence of spouse, duty of living cost, health situation, category of ADL were statistically significant. With the result of stepwise regression, ADL was statistically related with religion, health situation and ADL was statistically related with level of education, living together with family, duty of living cost, health situation.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.93-106
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• 2003

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the treatment status and its related factors of the rural hypertensives. Methods: A questionnaire survey was performed to 618 rural hypertensives during September, 2002. Results: The proportion of those who were compliant to the antihypertensive medication was 68.9%. The compliance rate to the antihypertensive medication was significantly related with sex and economic status(p<0.05). That is, if they were female, higher economic level, the regular antihypertensive medication rate was higher. The regular antihypertensive medication rate was higher when they had higher knowledge for hypertension, higher severity for hypertension of him or her(p<0.01). And the compliance rate to the antihypertensive medication was significantly related with hypertensives' own explanatory model for hypertension(p<0.01). The rate of drug use except antihypertensives was 12.5%. The rate of drug use except antihypertensives was higher when they experienced side effects of antihypertensive drug and when they had irregular medication for antihypertensive drug(p<0.01). The rate of medical equipment use was 18.9%. The utilization rate of medical equipment such as jade mat, germanium material was significantly related with age, experience of side effects of antihypertensive drug, medication status for antihypertensive drug(p<0.05). The rate of folk therapy use was 16.2%. The rate of folk therapy use was higher when they had no family, when they had knowledge about hypertension on the average, when they had hypertension over 10 years(p<0.05), and when they experienced side effects of antihypertensive drug and when they had irregular medication for antihypertensive drug(p<0.01). The rates of drug use except antihypertensives, medical equipment use, and folk therapy were significantly related with hypertensives' own explanatory model for hypertension(p<0.05). Conclusions: On consideration of above findings, it would be essential to provide knowledge about hypertension and its treatment, and severity of hypertension complications through health education.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.190-200
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• 1996

Background : Mechanical ventilation constitutes the last therapeutic method for acute respiratory failure when oxygen therapy and medical treatment fail to improve the respiratory status of the patient. This invasive ventilation, classically administered by endotracheal intubation or by tracheostomy, is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Consequently, any less invasive method able to avoid the use of endotracheal ventilation would appear to be useful in high risk patient. Over recent years, the efficacy of nasal mask ventilation has been demonstrated in the treatment of chronic restrictive respiratory failure, particularly in patients with neuromuscular diseases. More recently, this method has been successfully used in the treatment of acute respiratory failure due to parenchymal disease. Method : We assessed the efficacy of Bilevel positive airway pressure(BiPAP) in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). This study prospectively evaluated the clinical effectiveness of a treatment schedule with positive pressure ventilation via nasal mask(Respironics BiPAP device) in 22 patients with acute exacerbations of COPD. Eleven patients with acute exacerbations of COPD were treated with nasal pressure support ventilation delivered via a nasal ventilatory support system plus standard treatment for 3 consecutive days. An additional 11 control patients were treated only with standard treatment. The standard treatment consisted of medical and oxygen therapy. The nasal BiPAP was delivered by a pressure support ventilator in spontaneous timed mode and at an inspiratory positive airway pressure $6-8cmH_2O$ and an expiratory positive airway pressure $3-4cmH_2O$. Patients were evaluated with physical examination(respiratory rate), modified Borg scale and arterial blood gas before and after the acute therapeutic intervention. Results : Pretreatment and after 3 days of treatment, mean $PaO_2$ was 56.3mmHg and 79.1mmHg (p<0.05) in BiPAP group and 56.9mmHg and 70.2mmHg (p<0.05) in conventional treatment (CT) group and $PaCO_2$ was 63.9mmHg and 56.9mmHg (p<0.05) in BiPAP group and 53mmHg and 52.8mmHg in CT group respectively. pH was 7.36 and 7.41 (p<0.05) in BiPAP group and 7.37 and 7.38 in cr group respectively. Pretreatment and after treatment, mean respiratory rate was 28 and 23 beats/min in BiPAP group and 25 and 20 beats/min in CT group respectively. Borg scale was 7.6 and 4.7 in BiPAP group and 6.4 and 3.8 in CT group respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups in changes of mean $PaO_2$, $PaCO_2$ and pH respectively. Conclusion: We conclude that short-term nasal pressure-support ventilation delivered via nasal BiPAP in the treatment of acute exacerbation of COPD, is an efficient mode of assisted ventilation for improving blood gas values and dyspnea sensation and may reduce the need for endotracheal intubation with mechanical ventilation.