• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.9 no.12
• /
• pp.683-690
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of high-b-values diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging for the preoperative detection of focal rectum cancers. 60patients with diffusion weighted imaging were evaluated for the presence of rectal cancers. Forty were male and twenty were female, and their ages ranged from 38 to 71 (mean, 56) years. Used equipment was 1.5Tesla MRI((GE, General Electric Medical System, Excite HD). Examination protocols were used the fast spin echo T2, T1 weighted imaging. All examination protocols were performed by the same location with diffusion weighted imaging for accuracy detection. The b-values used in DWI were 250, 500, 750, 1000. 1500, 2000$(s/mm^2)$. The rectum, bladder to tumor contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of MR images were quantitativlely analyzed using GE software Functool tool, four experienced radiologists and three radiotechnologists qualitatively evaluated image quality in terms of image artifacts, lesion conspicuity and rectal wall. These data were analysed by using ANOVA and Freedman test with each b-value(p<0.05). Contrast to noise ratio of rectum, bladder and tumor in b-value 1000 were 27.21, 24.44, respectively(p<0.05) and aADC value was $0.73\times10^{-3}$. As a qualitative analysis, the conspicuity and discrimination from the rectal wall of lesions were high results as $4.0\pm0.14$, $4.4\pm0.16$ on b-value 1000(p<0.05), image artifacts were high results as $4.8\pm0.25$ on b-value 2000(p<0.05). In conclusion, DWI was provided useful information with depicting the pre-operative detection of rectal cancers, High-b-value 1000 image was the most excellent DWI value.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.18-23
• /
• 2003

Purpose: Delay in the diagnosis of the primary malignant bone tumors may critically influence the chance of the patients' survival and the limb sparing, but the primary malignant bone tumors are so rare that most doctors have little experience in these challenging diseases. The purpose of the current study is to examine the initial symptoms of osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma, and to shorten the delay of diagnosis. Materials and Methods: The data was based on the questionnaires and the medical records from 139 patients whose histological diagnoses were confirmed in the authors' institution. There were 108 patients of osteosarcoma and 31 patients of chondrosarcoma. Eighty-six were male and fifty-three were female. The mean age of the patients was 20.2 years in osteosarcoma, and 42.4 years in chondrosarcoma. Results: The most common symptom that the patient consult the doctor was pain (93.5% of osteosarcoma patients and 61.3% of chondrosarcoma patients). Among them, 76.2% of osteosarcoma and 57.8% of chondrosarcoma patients complained the night pain. The history of trauma was evident in 48.5% of osteosarcoma patients and one patient of chondrosarcoma. At the first medical visit, the malignant bone tumor was suspected in 61.1% of osteosarcoma and 64.5% of chondrosarcoma patients. Fracture was the most common misdiagnosis in osteosarcoma (16.7%), and the osteomyelitis in chondrosarcoma (19.4%). Initial radiographic examination and the adult age were shown to increase the rate of correct diagnosis of both diseases (p<0.05). Patient's delay and doctor's delay were significantly longer in chondrosarcoma patients than in osteosarcoma. Initial radiography led to shorten the doctor's delay, and the axial location of the tumor lengthened the doctor's delay. Trauma and the young age were believed to shorten the patient's delay. Conclusion: Careful history taking, including the night pain and trauma, would be mandatory for the early diagnosis of the primary malignant bone tumors, and the initial radiographic examination and periodic follow-up can increase the rate of correct diagnosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.467-475
• /
• 2020

The purpose of this study is to assess doses to ¹⁸F-FDG, a radioactive drug, during PET examinations, to alleviate anxiety about radiation in patients and carers, to minimize the indiscriminate examination progress caused by medical institution personnel and space clearance problems, and health examination. The dose assessment was measured using a thermo-fluorescent dosimeter (TLD) and an electronic personal dosimeter (EPD) at the location of the cervical (hypothyroid), thorax (heart), and lower abdomen (breeding line) which are the three highest tissue areas of the radiation tissue weighting. In addition, spatial dose rates and radioactivity in urine were measured using GM counters and ion boxes. The results are as follows: First, the personal dosimeter TLD was measured 0.0425±0.0277 mSv in the cervical region, 0.0440±0.0386 mSv in the thorax and 0.0485±0.0436 mSv in the lower abdomen, with little difference in the heart dose depending on radiation sensitivity. The EPD was measured at 0.942±0.141 mSv/h immediately after the cervical position, and 0.192±0.031 mSv/h after 120 minutes. Immediately after the thorax position, 0.516±0.085 mSv/h, 120 minutes later 0.128±0.040 mSv/h. Immediately after the lower abdomen position, 0.468±0.091 mSv/h, and after 120 minutes 0.105±0.021 mSv/h were measured. The spatial dose rate at the GM counter was measured immediately at 0.041±0.005 mSv/h, 120 minutes later at 0.014±0.002 mSv/h. The radioactivity in urine using ion chamber was measured at 0.113±0.24 MBq/cc after 60 minutes and 0.063±0.13 MBq/cc after 120 minutes. As a result, ¹⁸F-FDG should be administered, dose re-evaluated two hours after the PET test is completed, and caregivers should be avoided. In addition, it is deemed necessary to provide patients and carers with sufficient explanations and expected values of exposure dose to avoid reckless testing. It is hoped that the data tested in this study will help patients and families relieve anxiety about radiation, and that the radiation workers' exposure management system and institutional improvements will contribute to the development of medical radiation.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.562-571
• /
• 2008

The principal objective of this study was to assess dietitian's awareness and performance with regard to food suppliers' selection guidelines and purchase guidelines for the receipt of safe food materials. A questionnaire was administered to 203 dietitians working at an elementary school in Gyeonggi North province, and 190 responses were ultimately returned. Excluding responses with incomplete answers and significant missing data, 161 responses(79.3%) were ultimately utilized for data analysis. We determined that meat/poulty and seafood were purchased mainly by manufacturer's branch(59.8% and 78.3%), and processed food and kimchi were generally purchased by producer's cooperatives(47.7% and 44.9%). 78.3% of the contracts were made via informal purchasing and the frequency of contracts was less than 3 times per year(53.4%). Market studies were conducted individually(54.7%), and by group(47.2%). Dietitian and parents volunteered(50.3%) or dietitians, and school and foodservice staffs(45.3%) participated - together in receiving and inspection. School contracted with $4{\sim}5$(39.1%) and $6{\sim}8$ food suppliers(29.8%). Dietitians(42.3%) or school councils(40.2%) evaluated food suppliers once per semester(60.2%). The majority of dietitians(96.3%) conducted sanitary education for food suppliers once per semester (68.3%). All 13 guidelines which were usually used to evaluate food suppliers were thought to be important(more than 4) based on a 5 scale(1: never important, 5: very important). Among them, 'sanitary storage status of food products(4.85)', 'have a chill car(4.83)' and 'proper control of refrigerator, freezer and storage room(4.81)' were the most crucial guidelines. As dietitians evaluated food supplier's-observances of 13 guidelines, 'have a chill car(4.89)', 'hold medical examination of employees(4.89)' and 'hold liability insurance for handling product(4.80)' were fulfilled relatively well. The guidelines for conducting education for their employees(4.45) and keeping their establishment and equipment sanitary(4.79) were important, but were not observed well(3.39 and 3.37). Additionally, the difference between the importance and the observance score of the 'HACCP certificate' were fairly significant(4.44 and 3.54). Dietitians tended to report that purchasing management related to the removal of foodborne illness factors(4.71), return confirmation(4.50) and purchase specification(4.32) were important. The difference between importance and performance was highest in the process of changing food suppliers when the contracts were violated more than three times. Dietitian's age, education work experience and employment type had no observable effects on how important they considered purchase management to be, but their work experience significantly affected performance in terms of the removal of foodborne illness factors(p<0.05). As supplier management is the most critical factor, it is clearly desirable to educate suppliers at specialized training centers and to supervise suppliers in accordance with the established sanitary guidelines.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.21-26
• /
• 2010

Background: Although quantitative sensory test (QST) is being used with increasing frequency for measuring sensory thresholds in clinical practice and epidemiologic studies, there has been no age-matched normative data in Korean adults. The objective of this study is to evaluate the value of QST in diabetic polyneuropathy with normal range in Korean adults. Methods: The Computer Aided Sensory Examination IV 4,2 (WR Medical Electronics Co., Stillwater, Minnesota, U.S.A.), with 4,2,1 stepping algorithm was used to determine vibration and cold perception threshold in 70 normal controls and 19 patients with diabetic polyneuropathy aged from 21 to 79 years. The data were used to define age-matched upper and lower normal limits and normal range of side to side difference. We also evaluated the duration of diabetes, serum HbA1C level, and findings of nerve conduction study (NCS) and QST in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. Results: In normal adults, sensory thresholds slightly increased with age, and a slight side-to-side difference was observed. The diagnostic sensitivity of QST was not higher than NCS in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (36.8% vs. 42.1%, p=0.716), especially among elderly patients. Conclusions: QST might be used as a complementary test for NCS in the diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy. Although the QST is a simple method for the evaluation of peripheral nerve function, there are some limitations. Most of all, because the QST measuring is dependent on the subjective response of patients, the degree of concentration and cooperation of the patients can significantly affect the result. And thus, attention should be paid during the interpretation of QST results in patients with peripheral neuropathy.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.99-109
• /
• 1995

Post-operative wound infections have been the serious problems in nursing care in the operating room and appear to be strongly related to the infection occurring during the operation. The purpose of this study is to identify the level of contamination in saline used in the operation and also examine the correlation between the contaminated saline and the length of the operation, and unclean atmospheric factor. Subjects for this study include 13 cases of operation performed at the operative theatre of a hospital in Seoul area. Test samples and related data were collected from this medical facility between Oct. 6 through Dec. 10, 1994 by the author and anurse who worked in the operating room. For the study, multiple batches of saline sample were collected at the various time intervals duringthe operation and filtered through the membrane filters. Viable microorganisms retained on the filters were cultured on the appropriate culture media and the levels of existing cells in saline were enumerated according to Koch's method. In the analyses of the data, Pearson's correlation coefficient was obtained for the examination of relationship between the length of operation and numbers of microorganisms existing in saline and for the comparison of the differences in numbers if microrganisms in saline sample collected at the various operative stages, e. g. pre-incision, excision and skin suturing stages, ANOVA and Scheff Tests were performed. The results of this study are summarized as follows. 1) The lenth of the operation and numbers of microorganisms in the saline used in the operation appeared to be significantly correlated (r=0.5467, P<0,001). 2) In case of saline exposed to air, but not used in the operation, the length of exposure to the air and the numbers of microorganisms present in saline also showed an apparent correlation(r=0.5087, P<0. 001). 3) The frequencies of occurrence of microorganisms in saline used in the operation and in saline exposed only to the air in the given time showed significant differences(t=3.73, p=.0000). 4) In case of saline used in the operation, there is significant differences in its numbers of contained microorganisms between the operative stages ; pre-incision, excision, and skin suture (F=17.7500, p=.0000). 5) In case of saline exposed only to the air in the given time, there is significant differences in its numbers of contained microorganisms between the operative stages . pre-incision, excision, and skin suture(F=6.3807, p=.00031).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.11
• /
• pp.6807-6812
• /
• 2013

Background: Lung cancer is a major cause of Korean female mortality and is clearly associated with smoking. The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV-2,3), which included both self-reports of smoking and urinary cotinine data, revealed a significant discrepancy between the prevalence of self-reported and biochemically-verified female smokers. The factors associated with accurate self-reporting of current smoking status remain poorly understood, however. Materials and Methods: We assessed the prevalence of smoking in KNHANES using both self-report and urinary cotinine data. Subsequently, using univariate and multivariate tests, we assessed whether age, intensity of smoking, marital status, relationship with cohabitants, education, occupation, residential area, or annual household income were associated with inaccurate self-reporting in Korean females. We also investigated whether the prevalence of inaccurate self-reports changed over the survey period, 2008-2009. Results: The prevalence of self-reported smoking was 47.8% in males and 6.6% in females. By contrast, the prevalence of smoking as assessed by urinary cotinine levels was 52.2% in males and 14.5% in females. Of the 746 females with urinary cotinine levels >50ng/ml, 407 (56.0%) provided inaccurate self-reports. In a multivariate model, age group(40-49: OR 3.54, 95%CI 1.42-8.86, p=0.007; ref :20-29), cotinine intensity(OR 0.999, 95%CI 0.998-0.999, p<0.001), marital status (married but without spouse: OR 0.37, 95%CI 0.15-0.94, p=0.037; ref :never married), relationship with cohabitants (living with a spouse and unmarried child: OR 2.63, 95%CI 1.44-4.80, p=0.002; living with 2 generations except unmarried child: OR 2.53, 95%CI 1.09-5.87, p=0.030; living with ${\geq}3$ generations: OR 3.25, 95%CI 1.48-7.10, p=0.003; ref :spouse only) and education(college or higher: OR 2.73, 95%CI 1.04-7.18, p=0.042; ref :elementary or less) were independently associated with inaccurate self-reports. Conclusions: The trend of smoking prevalence of Korean females is likely to decrease. However, an elevated prevalence of inaccurate self-reports by females remains. Factors related to the intensity of smoking and family status appear to influence whether a Korean female provides an accurate self-report when asked about smoking behavior.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.89-95
• /
• 2020

This study is a descriptive research to investigate the effects of nurses' internal orientation, social support and job orientation on turnover intention. The subjects were two university hospital nurses in D metropolitan city who agreed to participate in the study. Data collection was conducted from October 2, 2018 to March 20, 2019. The data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 program, frequency and percentage, mean and standard deviation, correlation analysis, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression. The study results were 3.04 ± .62 points for internal orientation policy, 3.08 ± .55 points for social support, 3.81 ± .59 points for peers, 3.67 ± .60 points for family members, and 2.98 ± 0.43 points for job placement and intention to turnover. The degree of turnover decreased with higher internal orientation, social support and job orientation. An examination of the general characteristics of the factors affecting turnover intention showed significant results with clinical experience and working department. The higher the clinical experience, the higher the turnover intention, and the department of work showed the higher turnover intention in the order of surgical ward, medical ward, ICU, and OR. These results show the need to actively develop and educate programs to improve nurses' intention to turnover, as well as internal hospital-oriented policies, social support, and job placement.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.463-470
• /
• 2020

This study was conducted to aid in the development of an infection control educational program for nurses, by assessing the knowledge and educational demand of nurses for MDRO infection control. Totally, 115 nurses participated in the study. Data were collected from November 15-30, 2019, using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, t-test, and ANOVA were applied for analyzing the data. Experience of caring for MDRO patients was reported by 86.1% nurses, whereas 67.8% nurses had received training on MDROs. The average score for knowledge on MDROs was 25.51 out of 27 points, with minimal correct answers given for the query on level of disinfection for medical equipment used by patients, criteria for the preemptive precaution, patient management in the cohort, and timing for removing personal protective equipment. The educational demand was highest for assignment to the precaution, criteria for screening examination, and management of outbreak. Also, educational needs differed with respect to the general educational characteristics and position of the individual. We propose the need to differentiate the educational status according to the career when developing the MDROs program, and the necessity to execute education of MDROs for new nurses and career nurses.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.37-47
• /
• 2009

National surveys on the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections have been carried out every 5-7 years since 1971 in the Republic of Korea in order to establish control measures. The present nationwide survey was conducted from June to December 2004. The 10% population sampling data of Population and Housing Census by the Korean government in 2000 was used as the survey population. One sample was selected randomly from each of the 22,858 registered subjects, and a total of 20,541 people were ultimately included in this survey. Fecal examinations were performed by the cellophane thick smear and saturated brine flotation techniques. Pinworm infection was examined by cello-tape anal swab method. This survey also included a questionnaire study for a socioeconomic analysis. The total helminth egg positive rate was 3.7%, and the estimated total positive number among nationwide people was 1,780,000. The rates in urban and rural areas were 3.1% and 6.8%, respectively. As the total egg positive rate in the 6th survey in 1997 was 2.4%, the present survey showed that there was a considerable degree of increase in the prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infections over the 7-year period following the 6th survey. The largest increases occurred in the egg positive rates of Clonorchis sinensis and heterophyids including Metagonimus yokogawai.