• Health Policy and Management
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2024

Background: This study aimed to assess the appropriate allocation of emergency medical beds across 17 provinces and presume the economic benefits associated with such allocation. Methods: To estimate the optimal allocation of emergency medical beds by province, data from the Statistics Korea's "cause of death statistics (2014-2021)," regional statistics on "area, population, gender, age," and "population projections" were utilized. The "number of emergency beds by city and district" provided by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service was also used. In estimating the economic benefits of preventing avoidable emergency deaths due to the expansion of emergency medical facilities, guidelines from the Korea Development Institute and the Korea Transport Institute were referenced to calculate the wage loss costs associated with emergency deaths and estimate the economic benefits. Results: The optimal ratio of emergency medical beds allocation by region was highest in Gyeonggi, Seoul, Gyeongnam, Gyeongbuk, and Busan, while Daejeon, Jeju, and Sejong showed lower ratios. Additionally, the prevention of avoidable deaths and economic benefits resulting from the increase in emergency medical facilities were highest in Gyeonggi, Seoul, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, and Busan. However, when standardized by population, the prevention of avoidable deaths and economic benefits were analyzed to be highest in Gyeongbuk, Chungnam, Jeonnam, Gyeongnam, and Busan. Conclusion: The results of this study can serve as foundational data for future policy measures aimed at addressing the imbalance in the supply of emergency medical facilities across regions. Considering regional characteristics in the distribution of emergency medical facilities is expected to ultimately increase the efficiency of national finances and yield economic benefits.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2011

Cisplatin is widely used for various types of cancers. However, its side effects, most notably, renal toxicity often limit its clinical utility. Although previous metabolomic studies reported possible toxicity markers, they used small number of animals and statistical approaches that may not perform best in the presence of intra-group variation. Here, we identified urinary biomarkers associated with renal toxicity induced by cisplatin using NMR-based metabolomics combined with Orthogonal Projections to Latent Structures-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA). Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=22) were treated with cisplatin (10 mg/kg single dose), and the urines obtained before and after treatment were analyzed by NMR. Multivariable analysis of NMR data presented clear separation between non-treated and treated groups. The OPLS-DA statistical results revealed that 1,3-dimethylurate, taurine, glucose, glycine and branched-chain amino acid (isoleucine, leucine and valine) were significantly elevated in the treated group and that phenylacetylglycine and sarcosine levels were decreased in the treated group. To test the robustness of the approach, we built a prediction model for the toxicity and were able to predict all the unknown samples (n=14) correctly. We believe the proposed NMR-based metabolomics with OPLS-DA approach and the resulting urine markers can be used to augment the currently available blood markers.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.3117-3122
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• 2011

Skull A-P projections are the bi-product where the ESD (Entrance Surface Dose) for digital radiography is much higher than that conventional screen-film radiography. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reduce radiation doses to patients by using an added filter. This research focuses on the identification of the reduction of exposure to radiation based on the thickness of an added filter when applying the 'Skull A-P Projection' by using the 'Skull Phantom'. Also, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the qualitative decline of images through filtration. The measurement of one's exposed dose to radiation was executed by locating the 'Skull Phantom' on the position of the 'Skull AP,' while changing 16 kinds of added filters from 0.1 mmAl to 0.5 mmCu + 2.0 mmAl in terms of incident and penetrating doses. For the qualitative evaluation of images, a total number of 17 images have been acquired in the 'Skull Phantom' under the same conditions as those for the measurement of one's exposed dose. The acquired images have been evaluated by a radiological specialist. As a result, the images with a diagnostic value have been obtained by using such added filters as the compound filter of 0.2 mmCu +1.0 mmAl. The exposed dose absorbed on the 'Skull Phantom' is about 0.6 mGy. The value is only 12% of 5 mGy, the ESD value acquired on the 'Skull P-A Projection', which is recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). As a result, depending on the parts of inspection, it is possible to reduce the patient's exposed dosage of radiation considerably by using an appropriate added filter.

• 한국사회정책
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.203-225
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• 2016

The permanent disability benefit(PDB) system whose purpose lies in helping affected workers with their self-realization through compensating them for their work-related injury or disease and facilitating their timely return to work is very important in terms of social welfare. Actually, the portions of PDB's in all WCI expenditures have been on the sharp increase. In spite of its positive aspects like this, however, an excessive amount of PDB's may have negative impacts on the affected workers' will to work or return to work, and increasing trends in the amount of PDB's payable in annuity will remain in an aging or aged society a potentially risky factor posing a threat to the soundness of WCI budgets. In this respect, the author attempted herein to identify the long-term reality of trends in the number of claimants entitled to PDB's and the amount of PDB's payable to them through making the long-term budget projections of PDB's; address problems with PDB's payable in annuity, which are or will potentially be one of the gravest burdens in securing the soundness of WCI budgets; and discuss how to optimize the amount of PDB's through studying & analyzing overseas cases and income replacement rates and what kinds of improvements are thinkable. It's recommended to reduce the absolute amount of benefits payable in annuity in a phased way considering claimants' life-cycle instead of sticking to the current system, which takes the form of lifelong pension plan.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.284-301
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• 2023

The changes in rice climatic yield potential (CYP) across the Korean Peninsula are evaluated based on the new climate change scenario produced by the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences with 18 ensemble members at 1 km resolution under a Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) and Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) emission scenarios. To overcome the data availability, we utilize solar radiation f or CYP instead of sunshine duration which is relatively uncommon in the climate prediction f ield. The result show that maximum CYP(CYPmax) decreased, and the optimal heading date is progressively delayed under warmer temperature conditions compared to the current climate. This trend is particularly pronounced in the SSP5-85 scenario, indicating faster warming, except for the northeastern mountainous regions of North Korea. This shows the benef its of lower emission scenarios and pursuing more efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, the CYPmax shows a wide range of feasible futures, which shows inherent uncertainties in f uture climate projections and the risks when analyzing a single model or a small number of model results, highlighting the importance of the ensemble approach. The f indings of this study on changes in rice productivity and uncertainties in temperature and solar radiation during the 21st century, based on climate change scenarios, hold value as f undamental information for climate change adaptation efforts.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.182-189
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• 2015

Climate departure from the past variability was projected to start in 2042 for Seoul. In order to understand the implication of climate departure in Seoul for urban agriculture, we evaluated the daily temperature for the June-September period from 2041 to 2070, which were projected by the RCP8.5 climate scenario. These data were analyzed with respect to climate extremes and their effects on growth of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum), one of the major crops in urban farming. The mean daily maximum and minimum temperatures in 2041-2070 approached to the $90^{th}$ percentile in the past 30 years (1951-1980). However, the frequency of extreme events such as heat waves and tropical nights appeared to exceed the past variability. While the departure of mean temperature might begin in or after 2040, the climate departure in the sense of extreme weather events seems already in progress. When the climate scenario data were applied to the growth and development of hot pepper, the departures of both planting date and harvest date are expected to follow those of temperature. However, the maximum duration for hot pepper cultivation, which is the number of days between the first planting and the last harvest, seems to have already deviated from the past variability.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.147-156
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• 2007

The dorsal lingual papillae of Myotis macrodactylus were investigated morphologically using scanning electron microscopy. Three types of lingual papillae from Myotis macrodactylus were recognized. The filiform(Fi) papillae were distributed over the entire dorsal surface of the tongue, and they could be classified into 5 types of papillae by the shape, size and number of the protrusion. Type I was distributed on dorsal surface of the apex in the anterior region of the tongue, has a crow-like shape with ten to fifteen formed projections. Type II was located in the medial portion of the anterior region of the tongue, has an eight to ten spin-like protrusion. Type III was distributed on the medial portion of the tongue, has a scale-like papille with five to seven protrusion. Type IV was distributed on the both lateral portion of the posterior region of the tongue, has a small conical papillae, does not have needle projection. Type V have not needle projection, a large of conical papillae, on the both lateral portion of the posterior region of the tongue. Most Fu(Fungiform) papillae were distributed the both lateral region or medial portion of the posterior region of the tongue, has a round or oval shape with $40{\sim}45$ papillae. The small $(65{\mu}m)$, meddle $(75{\mu}m)$ and large $(120{\mu}m)$ fungiform papillae were distributed on dorsal surface of the apex in the anterior, the both lateral portions and medial portion of the posterior region of the tongue, respectively. Two large oval vallate (V) papillae are located in the medial portion of the posterior region of the tongue. In conclusion, the morphology of lingual papillae is useful to determine species relationship among Myotis species. It suggests that the difference of types and number of lingual papillae caused by the difference of food habit.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.67-80
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• 2002

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of deer antler extract on the regeneration of peripheral nerves. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing about 300 gm were fed deer antler extract for 1, 2, and 3 weeks per oral (1.5 ml/100 gm B.W.), respectively, once a day and transected both sides of sciatic nerve of each leg. After keeping for 6 hours, sciatic nerves taken from proximal part of transected region were treated with conventional transmission electron microscopical method and then observed with electron microscope. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. Sciatic nerves of normal control group were not showing any sprouts and electron dense axolemmal projections were frequently observed. 2. Sciatic nerves of saline treated groups were showing axonal sprouts at the nodes of Ranvier. The length of them was usually short, and numerous vesicles, vacuoles and organelles including neurofilament were contained. The number of nodes of Ranvier containing sprouts from 100 longitudinal sectioned nerve fibers was 29 (29%) in 1 week treated group, 32 (32%) in 2 weeks treated group, and 30 (30%) in 3 weeks treated group, respectively. 3. Sciatic nerves of deer antler treated groups were showing axonal sprouts at the node of Ranvier as well. Although most of the sprouts were short, some sprouts of 2 weeks and 3 weeks treated groups were quite long. Sprouts usually contained numerous vesicles, vacuoles and cell organelles such as neurofilaments and mitochondria. The number of nodes of Ranvier containing sprouts from 100 longitudinal sectioned nerve fibers was 38 (38%) in 1 week treated group, 46 (46%) in 2 weeks treated group, and 48 (48%) in 3 weeks treated group respectively. The results described above explain pretreatment of deer antler extract improves the sprout formation of transected sciatic nerves, and then it suggests deer antler may be effective for the regeneration of peripheral nerves.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.316-328
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• 2021

In this study, the leaf Na content prediction model for spring potato was established using 400-1000 nm hyperspectral sensor to develop the multispectral sensor for the salinity monitoring in reclaimed land. The irrigation conditions were standard, drought, and salinity (2, 4, 8 dS/m), and the irrigation amount was calculated based on the amount of evaporation. The leaves' Na contents were measured 1st and 2nd weeks after starting irrigation in the vegetative, tuber formative, and tuber growing periods, respectively. The reflectance of the leaves was converted from 5 nm to 10 nm, 25 nm, and 50 nm of FWHM (full width at half maximum) based on the 10 nm wavelength intervals. Using the variance importance in projections of partial least square regression(PLSR-VIP), ten band ratios were selected as the variables to predict salinity damage levels with Na content of spring potato leaves. The MLR(Multiple linear regression) models were estimated by removing the band ratios one by one in the order of the lowest weight among the ten band ratios. The performance of models was compared by not only R2, MAPE but also the number of band ratios, optimal FWHM to develop the compact multispectral sensor. It was an advantage to use 25 nm of FWHM to predict the amount of Na in leaves for spring potatoes during the 1st and 2nd weeks vegetative and tuber formative periods and 2 weeks tuber growing periods. The selected bandpass filters were 15 bands and mainly in red and red-edge regions such as 430/440, 490/500, 500/510, 550/560, 570/580, 590/600, 640/650, 650/660, 670/680, 680/690, 690/700, 700/710, 710/720, 720/730, 730/740 nm.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.512-522
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• 1999

Background: Due to the paucity of suitable donor organs for lung allotransplantation, a number of techniques have been developed to improve the lung preservation. Ultrastructural studies of the morphologic changes of the flushing, preservation and reperfusion injury in donor lungs have rarely been reported. Methods: Adult dogs (n=46) were matched as donors and recipients for the single lung transplantation. The donor lungs were preserved after flushing with preservation solution and transplanted after 20-hours of preservation at $10^{\circ}C$. Ultrastructural features of the lung were examined after flushing, preservation and 2 hours after lung transplantation (reperfusion) respectively. Results: Electron microscopy after flushing showed focal alveolar collapse and mild swelling of type I epithelial cells. After preservation both type I epithelial cells and endothelial cells were swollen and destroyed focally. The endothelial cells showed protrusion of tactile-like structures into the lumina, blebs or vacuoles of the cytoplasm After reperfusion the lung tissue showed fibrin material in the alveoli, prominent type I epithelial cell swelling with fragmented cytoplasmic debris and marked endothelial cell swelling with vacuoles or tactile-like projections. The alveolar macrophages showed active phagocytosis. Scanning electron microscopic examination of the pulmonary parenchyma showed focally alveolar collapse and focal consolidation after the preservation and more prominent changes after the reperfusion procedure. The lungs preserved with low potassium dextran glucose solution, with additional prostaglandin $E_1(PGE_1)$ and verapamil(VP) showed relatively well preserved ultrastructures compared with those which were preserved with modified Euro-Collins or University of Wisconsin, and with additional $PGE_1$ and/or VP. Conclusion: The ultrastructural changes associated with flushing were mild in severity, the donor lungs were injured during the preservation, and further damage was occurred during the reperfusion. The reperfusion injury resulted in prominent pulmonary parenchymal alterations with a pattern of acute lung injury.