• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.3
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• pp.249-253
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• 2009

On 7 December 2007, the Hebei Spirit ran aground near Taean and released approximately 10,900 tons of oil into the sea. Crude oil on the coastal areas and fumes in the air increased the number of health problems among the local population. We report a case of respiratory failure after the oil spill clean-up work. A 66-year-old female was admitted to hospital with cough, sputum, and dyspnea of 1-month duration after the oil spill clean-up. She was diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia and treated with empirical antibiotics. However, she had progressive respiratory failure without identification of the pathogen. Respiratory failure due to chronic inhalation of hydrocarbons from the crude oil spill clean-up was suspected. After mechanical ventilation care, she recovered from respiratory failure and was discharged. We report a case of severe respiratory toxic effects after an oil spill clean-up. We concluded that long-term hydrocarbon inhalation during the oil spill clean-up may have induced respiratory failure in this case.

• Proceedings of the KAIS Fall Conference
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• 2011.12a
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• pp.170-173
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• 2011

Therapeutic hypothermia(TH) improves neurological outcomes and reduces mortality among survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Animal and human studies have shown that TH results in improved salvage of the myocardium, reduced infarct size, reduced left ventricular remodeling and better long-term left ventricular function in settings of regional myocardial ischemia. This study is to investigate the effect of TH on post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction and survival time after cardiac arrest and resuscitation in a rat model of myocardial infarction (MI). Thoracotomies were performed in 10 Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 450-550 g. MI was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). Ninety min after LAD ligation, ventricular fibrillation induction and subsequent cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed before defibrillation attempts. Animals were randomized to two groups: a) Acute MI-Normothermia b) Acute MI-Hypothermia ($32^{\circ}C$ for 4 h). Myocardial functions, including cardiac output, left ventricular ejection fraction, and myocardial performance index were measured echocardiographically together with duration of survival. Ejection fraction, cardiac output and myocardial performance index were $54.74{\pm}9.16$, $89.00{\pm}8.89$, $1.30{\pm}0.09$ respectively and significantly better in the TH group than those of the normothermic group at the first 4 h after resuscitation($32.20{\pm}1.85$,$41.60{\pm}8.62$,$1.77{\pm}0.19$)(p=0.00). The survival time of the hypothermic group ($31.8{\pm}14.8$ h) was greater than that of the normothermic group($12.3{\pm}6.5$ h, p<0.05). This study suggested that TH attenuated post resuscitation myocardial dysfunction in acute MI and would be a potential strategy in post resuscitation care.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Medicine & Therapy Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.47-57
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of exercise program combined with spaced retrieval and exercise program to show the effects on elderly people with dementia by presenting them to clinics and welfare facilities such as long-term care facilities. Method: This study was conducted in 20 elderly patients with dementia and randomly assigned to exercise program combined with spaced retrieval and exercise program. After screening the subjects for compliance with the criteria, Before starting the experiment, activites of daily living, depression, and nitive evaluation were performed. After 8 weeks, 3 times per week, 40 minutes per intervention, and 4 and 8 weeks, respectively K-MBI, GDSSF-K and MMSE-K were used to evaluate the differences between the experimental and control groups. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the daily activities, depression, and cognitive scores between the groups of exercise program combined with spaced retrieval and exercise program group. However, there was a significant difference between the two groups after training (p<.05). Particularly, there was statistically significant difference in post-training cognitive evaluation (MMSE-K) only in the exercise program combined with spaced retrieval group (p<.05) Conclusion: This study suggests that exercise program combined with spaced retrieval is more effective in improving cognitive ability. This suggests that the exercise program combined with spaced retrieval is more effective.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.75-89
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study measured the impact of a 12-week fall-prevention exercise program on balance, ambulatory ability, lower limb strength, and psychosocial characteristics in older adults diagnosed with dementia. METHODS: The participants comprised 31 older adults (9 men, 22 women) diagnosed with Alzheimer's or vascular dementia at a long-term care hospital located in Gunsan City. A fall-prevention exercise program was provided to the experimental group, while the control group was only provided with instruction and materials related to the fall-prevention exercise program. The participants were evaluated before the intervention, 6 weeks after the intervention, and 12 weeks after the intervention on static and dynamic balance abilities (using Timed Up and Go test: TUG, Tinetti-balance scale, one-leg standing test: OLS), gait (Tinetti-balance scale, 6-minute walk test: 6MWT), lower limb strength (sit to stand test; STS), and psychosocial characteristics (Short Form 36 Health Survey-Korean version, Korean Mini-Mental State Exam). RESULTS: An independent samples t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance were used for the statistical analysis. There were statistically significant improvements after the intervention (p<.05) in dynamic balance abilities (TUG and OLS using the left foot), gait (6MWT), and lower limb strength (STS) for the experimental group, but not for the control group. No difference was seen in psychosocial characteristics. CONCLUSION: Older adults with dementia who participated in the fall-prevention exercise program showed significant improvements in their static and dynamic balance abilities, lower limb strength, and ambulatory ability after the intervention.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.82 no.1
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• pp.15-26
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• 2019

The pathogen Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is the most common cause of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease worldwide. The decision to initiate long-term antibiotic treatment is difficult for the physician due to inconsistent disease progression and adverse effects associated with the antibiotic treatment. The prognostic factors for the progression of MAC pulmonary disease are low body mass index, poor nutritional status, presence of cavitary lesion(s), extensive disease, and a positive acid-fast bacilli smear. A regimen consisting of macrolides (clarithromycin or azithromycin) with rifampin and ethambutol has been recommended; this regimen significantly improves the treatment of MAC pulmonary disease and should be maintained for at least 12 months after negative sputum culture conversion. However, the rates of default and disease recurrence after treatment completion are still high. Moreover, treatment failure or macrolide resistance can occur, although in some refractory cases, surgical lung resection can improve treatment outcomes. However, surgical resection should be carefully performed in a well-equipped center and be based on a rigorous risk-benefit analysis in a multidisciplinary setting. New therapies, including clofazimine, inhaled amikacin, and bedaquiline, have shown promising results for the treatment of MAC pulmonary disease, especially in patients with treatment failure or macrolide-resistant MAC pulmonary disease. However, further evidence of the efficacy and safety of these new treatment regimens is needed. Also, a new consensus is needed for treatment outcome definitions as widespread use of these definitions could increase the quality of evidence for the treatment of MAC pulmonary disease.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.388-399
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• 2023

Gastric cancer remains a significant global health concern, coercing the need for advancements in imaging techniques for ensuring accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a potent tool for gastric-cancer imaging, particularly for diagnostic imaging and body morphometry. This review article offers a comprehensive overview of the recent developments and applications of AI in gastric cancer imaging. We investigated the role of AI imaging in gastric cancer diagnosis and staging, showcasing its potential to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of these crucial aspects of patient management. Additionally, we explored the application of AI body morphometry specifically for assessing the clinical impact of gastrectomy. This aspect of AI utilization holds significant promise for understanding postoperative changes and optimizing patient outcomes. Furthermore, we examine the current state of AI techniques for the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer. These prognostic models leverage AI algorithms to predict long-term survival outcomes and assist clinicians in making informed treatment decisions. However, the implementation of AI techniques for gastric cancer imaging has several limitations. As AI continues to evolve, we hope to witness the translation of cutting-edge technologies into routine clinical practice, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes in the fight against gastric cancer.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.128-137
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• 2024

Objectives: This study was conducted to characterize the symptoms, mental health, quality of life (QoL), and associated factors following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 394 participants previously infected with COVID-19 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Mental health was assessed using the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Participants self-reported health-related QoL was measured with the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) scale. Results: Among the participants, 76.4% reported experiencing at least one symptom following COVID-19 infection. The most common symptoms were fatigue (42.1%), cognitive dysfunction (42.9%), and hair loss (27.9%). According to the DASS-21 results, the proportions of depression, anxiety, and stress were 28.7%, 26.4%, and 20.6%, respectively. The mean scores on the EQ-5D-5L and the EuroQol Visual Analog Scale were 0.94±0.11 and 84.20±13.11, respectively. Regarding QoL issues, the highest proportion of participants (32.7%) reported experiencing anxiety or depression, followed by pain or discomfort (25.4%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that factors associated with the presence of symptoms following COVID-19 infection included female (odds ratio [OR], 2.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65 to 4.91) and having QoL issues (OR, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.71 to 6.19). Conclusions: The study investigated the prevalence rates of various symptoms following COVID-19 infection. These findings underscore the need to prioritize comprehensive care for individuals recovering from COVID-19 and to implement strategies to mitigate the long-term impact of the disease on mental health and QoL.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.9
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• pp.939-945
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• 2005

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to report outcome of fetal infants with birth weight below 500 g known as lower limit of viability and to evaluate treatment characteristics and short-term morbidity of their survivors. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of all fetal infants with birth weight below 500 g who were delivered at Samsung Medical Center(SMC), or transferred to neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) of SMC within 24 hrs after birth between 1994 and 2004. Data for all interventions and morbidity outcome were analyzed for infants who were admitted to the NICU and were compared between NICU survivors and deaths. Results : Among 53 infants with birth weights of 400 to 499 g who were born in SMC during the study period, 8(15.1%) infants were admitted to the NICU and one was transferred to NICU from other hospital. Overall, 4(44%) of 9 survived and were discharged from the NICU. The smallest infant who survived weighed 439 grams. The least gestational age was $23^{+3}$ among the survivors. Compared with NICU deaths, NICU survivors had larger gestational age($24^{+2}{\pm}1^{+3}$ vs. $25^{+4}{\pm}2^{+3}$) and birth weight($424{\pm}17$ vs. $453{\pm}19$)(P<0.05). Median survival duration of NICU deaths was 15 days. None of NICU survivors had severe IVH, but 3(75%) had laser therapy for retinopathy of prematurity and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, respectively. Conclusion : Fetal infants with birth weight below 500 g known as lower limit of viability survived successfully. Study for their long-term follow-up will be needed to define our limit of viability and indication for their active resuscitation.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.79-88
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• 2018

Objective : Localized vibration has been shown to have a positive effect on recovery of upper-limb motor function in patients with hemiparetic stroke, but there has been little research on kinematic analysis for qualitative changes in movement. This study investigated kinematic changes in elbow motion during reaching after localized vibration in persons with hemiparetic stroke. Methods : This study used a one-group, cross-over trial design. Ten chronic stroke patients randomly received localized vibrations on the affected biceps brachii for 5, 10, or 20 min, at 70 Hz. Kinematic analysis of reaching was measured using a 3-D motion analysis system. Variables included peak angular velocity, time to peak angular velocity, and movement units during elbow motion. Result : Affected side elbow motion during reaching was faster, smoother, and more efficient after 20 min localized vibration. Peak angular velocity increased (p<0.05), and time to peak angular velocity (p<0.05) and the movement unit were significantly decreased (p<0.05) during elbow motion for reaching. Conclusion : Localized vibration can improve kinematic components during reaching motion in persons with hemiparetic stroke.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.805-810
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• 2007

Background: This paper reviews our experience retrospectively to examine the clinical results and effectiveness of lateral tunnel (LT) and extracardiac conduit (ECC) Fontan procedures at a single institution. Material and Method: One hundred and sixty five Fontan procedures were performed (67 LT and 98 ECC) between January 1996 and December 2006. Preoperative and postoperative hemodynamic values, arrhythmia, hospital and intensive care unit stay, chest tube drain, morbidity and mortality were reviewed. Result: The overall operative mortality in the LT and ECC groups was 4.5% (3) and 2.0% (2), respectively. There was a significant difference in the immediate postoperative transpulmonary gradient (LT $8.5{\pm}2.5$ vs ECC $6.6{\pm}2.4$, p-value<0.001) and central venous pressure (LT $18.3{\pm}3.8$ vs ECC $15.6{\pm}2.4$, p-value=0.001) between the two groups. The mean follow-up in the LT and ECC groups was $74.1{\pm}31.5$ and $38.1{\pm}29.1$ months, respectively. There was one late death. The actuarial survival at 10 years in the LT and ECC groups was 92% and 89%, respectively. In arrhythmia, the ECC patients showed a slightly low incidence but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Both the LT and ECC Fontan procedures showed comparable early and mid-term outcomes in terms of the surgical morbidity and mortality, postoperative hemodynamics, and mid-term survival. The ECC Fontan procedure reduces the risk of arrhythmia in the follow up period.