• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.101-111
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• 2022

The purpose of laboratory tests in the field of oral medicine can be divided into two categories: (1) medical evaluation of patients with systemic diseases that are planning to receive dental care and (2) diagnosis of patients with certain oral diseases. First, laboratory tests are commonly used to evaluate patients with systemic diseases who need dental management. A combination of multiple tests is usually prescribed as a test panel to diagnose and assess a specific disease. Test panels closely related to oral medicine include those for rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue disease/lupus, liver function, thyroid screening, anemia, and bleeding disorders. Second, laboratory tests are used as auxiliary diagnostic methods for certain oral diseases. They often provide crucial diagnostic information for infectious diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses that are associated with pathology in the oral and maxillofacial regions. Laboratory tests for infectious diseases are composed of growth-dependent methods, immunologic assays, and molecular biology. As the field develops, further application of laboratory tests, including synovial fluid analysis in temporomandibular joint disorders, salivary diagnostics, and hematologic biomarkers associated with temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain conditions, is currently under scrutiny for their reliability as diagnostic tools.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.161-174
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• 2022

Foreign body aspiration can produce a medical emergency. Obstruction of the airways can be life-threatening, and complications may develop in less-severe cases if it is left untreated. Although it is more prevalent in children by approximately three times, adults can still experience it, and it is more frequently related to healthcare in adults. Objects used in dental treatment are usually placed in the oral cavity and can be ingested or inhaled by accident. Dental treatment has been identified as an important cause of the misplacement of foreign bodies in the airway. However, few reports have been published on dentistry-related foreign body aspiration. This paper discusses the disease course, management, and clinical outcomes of foreign body aspiration, especially those associated with dentistry. The patient must be examined for respiratory distress. If the patient is unstable, urgent airway management and the maneuvers for removal should be performed. Radiographs and computed tomography can help identify and locate the object. The treatment of choice is often bronchoscopy, and both flexible and rigid endoscopes can be used depending on the situation. Preventive measures need to be implemented to avoid inhalation accidents given the potential consequences. Though the incidence is rare, healthcare levels need to be enhanced to avert morbidity and mortality. Radiological evaluation and bronchoscopy are vital for management.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2023

This paper aimed to summarize the current situation of prognostication for patients with an expected survival of weeks or months, and to clarify future research priorities. Prognostic information is essential for patients, their families, and medical professionals to make end-of-life decisions. The clinician's prediction of survival is often used, but this may be inaccurate and optimistic. Many prognostic tools, such as the Palliative Performance Scale, Palliative Prognostic Index, Palliative Prognostic Score, and Prognosis in Palliative Care Study, have been developed and validated to reduce the inaccuracy of the clinician's prediction of survival. To date, there is no consensus on the most appropriate method of comparing tools that use different formats to predict survival. Therefore, the feasibility of using prognostic scales in clinical practice and the information wanted by the end users can determine the appropriate prognostic tool to use. We propose four major themes for further prognostication research: (1) functional prognosis, (2) outcomes of prognostic communication, (3) artificial intelligence, and (4) education for clinicians.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.3
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• pp.488-500
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• 2020

Accumulating evidence suggests that Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not only caused by accumulation of abnormal proteins, including amyloid and tau, but is also closely associated with abnormalities in the microvascular environment including the blood-brain barrier (BBB), both of which lead to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Application of in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has recently increased to assess BBB permeability in AD and related diseases. Here, we provide a narrative review of BBB permeability-related pathology in Alzheimer dementia and recent MRI research on BBB permeability changes in AD and related diseases. Furthermore, we briefly introduce the measurement of BBB permeability using MRI and its methodological issues.

• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.77-86
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• 2023

This study conducted sentiment analysis on Hong Kong cinema from two distinct eras, pre-2000 and post-2000, examining audience preferences by comparing keywords from movie reviews. Before 2000, positive keywords like 'actors,' 'performance,' and 'atmosphere' revealed the importance of actors' popularity and their performances, while negative keywords such as 'forced' and 'violence' pointed out narrative issues. In contrast, post-2000 cinema emphasized keywords like 'scale,' 'drama,' and 'Yang Yang,' highlighting production scale and engaging narratives as key factors. Negative keywords included 'story,' 'cheesy,' 'acting,' and 'budget,' indicating challenges in storytelling and content quality. Word2Vec analysis further highlighted differences in acting quality and emotional engagement. Pre-2000 cinema focused on 'elegance' and 'excellence' in acting, while post-2000 cinema leaned towards 'tediousness' and 'awkwardness.' In summary, this research underscores the importance of actors, storytelling, and audience empathy in Hong Kong cinema's success. The industry has evolved, with a shift from actors to production quality. These findings have implications for the broader Chinese film industry, emphasizing the need for engaging narratives and quality acting to thrive in evolving cinematic landscapes.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2024

The aim of this paper was to review the biomechanics of knife injuries, including those that occur during stabbing rampages. In knife stab attacks, axial force and energy were found to be 1,885 N and 69 J, respectively. The mean velocity of a stabbing motion has been reported to range from 5 to 10 m/sec, with knife motions occurring between 0.62 and 1.07 seconds. This speed appears to surpass the defensive capabilities of unarmed, ordinarily trained law enforcement officers. Therefore, it is advisable to maintain a minimum distance of more than an arm's length from an individual visibly armed with a knife. In training for knife defense, particularly in preparation for close-quarter knife attacks, this timing should be kept in mind. Self-inflicted stab wounds exhibited a higher proportion of wounds to the neck and abdomen than assault wounds. Injuries from assault wounds presented a higher Injury Severity Score, but more procedures were performed on self-inflicted stab wounds. Wound characteristics are not different between nonsuicidal self-injury and suicidal self-wrist cutting injuries. Consequently, trauma surgeons cannot determine a patient's suicidal intent based solely on the characteristics of the wound. In Korea, percent of usage of lethal weapon is increasing. In violence as well as murders, the most frequently used weapon is knife. In the crimes using knife, 4.8% of victims are killed. Therefore, the provision of prehospital care by an emergency medical technician is crucial.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 2010

Background : Clinical practice guidelines are an increasingly familiar part of clinical practice. Moreover, rigorously developed evidence based guidelines has been widely used. However, in Korea, some of published documents as clinical practice guidelines have shown considerable disparity in structure, contents and quality. This is mainly because there is no consensus on the definition and quality standard of clinical practice guidelines. The purpose of this study was to draw consensus on the definition and the quality standard about clinical practice guidelines. Method : We developed a questionnaire about the definition of clinical practice guidelines with inclusion criteria(23 items) and the quality standard(30 items). We selected 9 experts who had prior experience in developing and implementing guidelines. Rating methods for appropriateness of items were adopted from the RAND method. Consensus was drawn in three rounds. Results : Of the 47 items agreed, 40 items were determined to be appropriate. Clinical practice guidelines were defined as "scientifically and systematically developed statements to assist practitioners and patients on making decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances." Narrative reviews, systematic reviews or health technology assessment without recommendations, translation of foreign guidelines, guidelines for patients only and training manuals were not considered as clinical practice guidelines. For the quality standard of clinical practice guidelines, 27 items were deemed necessary. Conclusions : The consensus on the definition with inclusion criteria and the quality standard of clinical practice guidelines carries an important meaning as the first attempt to draw a general agreement in our society. The unique achievement of the consensus reflects the current status of clinical practice guidelines that there has been a high tendency to adapt foreign guidelines. We hope efforts of this kind will continue to bring improvement in clinical practice guidelines.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.131-145
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness and availability of salt pharmacopuncture of Korean sun-dried salt and processing salt on the basis of bibliographical review. Methods : This study was done through a narrative review of related bibliography including medical books, journals, general bibliography, and web sites. Results : 1. Korean sun-dried salt is produced in the ground with soil, tiles, and pottery. Sun-dried, traditional, granulated, bamboo, and grilled salts are all appropriate for medical use. They are composed of a lower level of NaCl and unnecessary substances, and have a higher water and mineral content. 2. The 9~30 g of NaCl included in the physiological saline matches the ratio of a normal human body. However, if the saline is used for water supply, it should be improved because the recommended amount is much lower. 3. Medicine that includes NaCl is applied for lessening the congestion of the nasal cavity, alleviating cornea swelling, or for a lack of water. NaCl can also be used for washing contact lenses as well as cleaning the mucous membrane of the eyes and nose. 4. Salt relieves anger, detoxifies, induces vomiting, builds strong muscles and bones, gives energy, slows aging, and ultimately improves health. 5. Salt treats many diseases including: cardiovascular, hematosis, respirometer, obstetric, musculoskeletal, mineral supplement, eye, teeth and skin issues, etc.. However, salt is not used for treating asthma, cough, or other ailments mainly affecting the vascular system. 6. While NaCl in salt absorbs water and the vascular constriction results in higher blood pressure, the pressure induced from salt is actually a physiologically temporary rise. Rather, salt helps remove oil from the body and its potassium lowers blood pressure. Conclusions : It was suggested that salt pharmacopuncture of Korean sun-dried salt and processing salt should be made available for adjusting the physiological salt concentration and control of the Na side effects, therefore it would be useful in the treatment of diseases.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.119-132
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• 2020

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical studies between 2015 and 2020 on the traditional Chinese medicine treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) using the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database. Methods We searched clinical studies on the Chinese medicine treatment published in traditional Chinese medical journals on CTS through the CNKI search. Fifteen published studies between 2015 and 2020 were chosen and examined for the year of publication, sample size, study design type, diagnosis and evaluation of diverse criteria, treatment period, purpose of the study, and classification based on the treatment technique. Results Out of 73 studies, 15 had practiced various Chinese medical treatments, such as acupuncture, moxibustion, manipulation, herbal medicine application therapy, and external herbal treatment. Conclusions Various studies have investigated the Chinese medicine treatment for CTS in China. To envelope the treatment of CTS in Korean medicine, steady and valuable therapies for high-level clinical research are required. In the future, this study could be helpful in the development of the treatment of CTS with Korean medicine.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.65
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• pp.133-161
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• 2021

This study focuses on the vulnerability of our society and environment under the Covid-19 pandemic. The medical descriptions about severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease 2019 provide the serious manifestation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and a new resilient hope of its vaccination. Moreover, with the perspective of feminist practical theology, the author explores a resilient possibility to reconstitute an ecological relationship between our society and environment. In addition, many people's depression in the time of Covid-19 is understood in the meaningful narrative of the relationship between integrity and despair to be stressed by Erikson in the perspective of Loder. Especially, this study focuses on the main stream of designing the convergence curriculum of medicine and theology to move toward the life wellbeing of community members, overcoming their difficult circumstances such as Covid-19.