• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2008

Steam and advection fogs are frequently observed in the Yellow Sea from March to July except for May. This study uses remote sensing (RS) data for the monitoring of sea fog. Meteorological data obtained from the Ieodo Ocean Research Station provided a valuable information for the occurrence of steam and advection fogs as a ground truth. The RS data used in this study were GOES-9, MTSAT-1R images and QuikSCAT wind data. A dual channel difference (DCD) approach using IR and shortwave IR channel of GOES-9 and MTSAT-1R satellites was applied to detect sea fog. The results showed that DCD, texture-related measurement and the weak wind condition are required to separate the sea fog from the low cloud. The QuikSCAT wind data was used to provide the wind speed criteria for a fog event. The laplacian computation was designed for a measurement of the homogeneity. A new combined method, which includes DCD, QuikSCAT wind speed and laplacian computation, was applied to the twelve cases with GOES-9 and MTSAT-1R. The threshold values for DCD, QuikSCAT wind speed and laplacian are -2.0 K, $8m\;s^{-1}$ and 0.1, respectively. The validation results showed that the new combined method slightly improves the detection of sea fog compared to DCD method: improvements of the new combined method are $5{\sim}6%$ increases in the Heidke skill score, 10% decreases in the probability of false detection, and $30{\sim}40%$ increases in the odd ratio.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.215-222
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• 2019

Background: Several nerve blocks can reduce the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) as well as relieve acute zoster-related pain, but the long-term outcome of PHN has not been clearly determined. This study investigated the efficacy of selective nerve root block (SNRB) for herpes zoster (HZ) on the long-term outcome of PHN. Methods: We prospectively conducted an interview of patients who had undergone an SNRB for HZ from January 2006 to December 2016 to evaluate their long-term PHN status. The relationship between the time from HZ onset to the first SNRB and the long-term outcome of PHN was investigated. Results: The data of 67 patients were collected. The patients were allocated to acute ($SNRB{\leq}14days$, n = 16) or subacute (SNRB > 14 days, n = 51) groups. The proportions of cured patients were 62.5% and 25.5% in the acute and subacute groups (P = 0.007), respectively. In logistic regression, an SNRB >14 days was the significant predictor of PHN (adjusted odd ratio, 3.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-14.93; P = 0.047). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that time from the SNRB to the cure of PHN was significantly shorter in the acute group ($2.4{\pm}0.7yr$) than in the subacute group ($5.0{\pm}0.4yr$; P = 0.003). Conclusions: An early SNRB during the acute stage of HZ (within 14 days) appears to decrease the incidence and shorten the duration of PHN, with a median of 5.0 years of follow-up.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.205-213
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to confirm the compliance of the application of a ventilator-associated pneumonia bundle and understand its effects on the decrease in the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study with history control group design. Subjects were selected from January to June 2014, prior to the intervention using the ventilator-associated pneumonia bundle. Subjects were also selected from October 2014 to March 2015, 3 months after the intervention. The number of subjects was 112 before the intervention, and 107 after the intervention. Results: The number of nurses who followed the bundles increased from 8 out of 29 (27.6%) before the intervention to 19 out of 29 (65.5%) after the intervention (odd ratio= 4.99, confidence interval= 1.63-15.25, p= .004). There were 3 cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia before the intervention and 1 case after the intervention. The ventilator days were 2,143 days before the intervention and 2,232 days after the intervention. The ventilator-associated pneumonia rate of the 1,000 ventilator days was 1.40 before the intervention and decreased to 0.45 after the intervention. Conclusion: This study is meaningful, as there has been little research conducted regarding the application of the ventilator-associated pneumonia bundle in South Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.72-81
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• 2021

Background: In the literature, there have been debates as to whether smartphone use has negative effects on physical and mental health. The present study investigated the extent to which smartphone addiction impacts on musculoskeletal pain prevalence among university students. Methods: The questionnaire consisted of three sections: demographic information, the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), and the modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Results: A total of 249 participants were included in this cross-sectional study. The body parts that were reported with highest prevalence of musculoskeletal pain were the upper back (70.3%), neck (65.9%), and wrists/hands (68.7%). The SAS scores were correlated with duration of smartphone use on a typical day (P = 0.001), duration of owning a smartphone (P = 0.027), and musculoskeletal pain prevalence in the neck (P = 0.001), wrists/hands (P = 0.001), shoulders (P = 0.025), and upper back (P = 0.023). The SAS score was significantly associated with prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the neck (odd ratio [OR], 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98-1.10; P = 0.002), wrists/hands (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.97-1.09; P = 0.001), and upper back (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.98-1.11; P = 0.033). Conclusions: The findings indicated that the upper back, neck, and wrists/hands have a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among smartphone users, particularly those with a smartphone addiction. Smartphone addiction scores were correlated with duration of smartphone use on a typical day, duration of owning smartphone, and musculoskeletal pain prevalence in the neck, wrists/hands, shoulders, and upper back.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.66-70
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• 2022

Purpose: A group of patients who were hospitalized for diabetic foot ulcers was classified according to the University of Texas Staging System for Diabetic Foot Ulcers, and we attempted to evaluate whether this staging system could be a criterion for treatment success using vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) technique. Materials and Methods: A total of 32 patients were diagnosed with diabetic foot ulcers according to the University of Texas Staging System for Diabetic Foot Ulcers. Of these, 24 patients who were evaluated as stage B according to the staging system were classified as Group 1, and 8 patients in stage D were classified as Group 2. After applying VAC, the treatment success rate was compared by evaluating the size and severity of ulcers between the two groups. Results: The grade of granulation after VAC was on average 3.75±0.53 in Group 1 and 2.25±0.71 in Group 2. There was better granulation after VAC application in Group 1 (p<0.01). The success rate of the treatment was 22 cases (91.67%) in Group 1 and one case (12.5%) in Group 2. Thus there were statistically significant differences in the success rate of treatment between groups 1 and 2 (Pearson's chisquare test, p=0.01; odd ratio 77.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26~14.66; relative risk 4.30, 95% CI 1.26~14.66). Conclusion: These results suggest that there was a higher success rate of treatment with VAC in stage B patients. The University of Texas Staging System for Diabetic Foot Ulcers can thus be an index for applying VAC to patients with infective diabetic foot ulcers.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2022

Purpose: This study sought to compare the characteristics of patients with pathogen-positive and negative cultures, and to investigate factors predicting pathogen-positive culture results in patients of acute poisoning with suspected aspiration. Methods: Consecutive patients with acute poisoning admitted to an intensive care unit between January 2016 and December 2018 were retrospectively studied. Respiratory specimens were collected from the enrolled patients at the time of the suspected aspiration. We compared the characteristics of patients with pathogen-positive and negative culture results and analyzed the causative pathogens. Results: Among the 526 patients, 325 showed no clinical features that could be attributed to aspiration, and 201 patients had clinical features suggestive of aspiration. Of these, 113 patients had pathogen-positive culture, 61 were negative, and the specimens of 27 patients contained poor-quality sputum. In univariate analysis, patients with a positive culture showed a longer time to culture from ingestion (p=0.01), faster heart rate (p=0.01), and higher partial pressure of arterial oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO₂/FiO₂) (p=0.02) than patients with negative culture. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that PaO₂/FiO₂ (adjusted odd ratio, 1.005; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.002-1.008; p=0.005) was a significant risk factor for pathogen-positive culture. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of PaO₂/FiO₂ was 0.591 (95% CI, 0.510-0.669, p=0.05). Gram-negative pathogens (GNPs) were predominant and at least one GNP was observed in 84 (73.3%) patients among those with pathogen positive culture. Conclusion: We failed to find any clinical factors associated with positive culture results. Antibiotics that cover GNPs could be considered when deciding the initial antibiotic regimen at the time of suspected aspiration.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.164-180
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of shenfu injection on myocardial protective effects after mitral valve replacement surgery. Methods: We searched four international databases (PUBMED, Embase, Web of Science and CNKI) and three domestic electronic databases (OASIS, RISS and NDSL) for relevant studies. We used following keywords 'shenfu', 'valve replacement', 'mitral valve' at PUBMED, Embase and Web of Science; '二尖瓣', '参附注射液', '瓣膜' at CNKI and '이첨판', '판막', '삼부' at domestic databases. The search range included randomized controlled trials. When appropriate, meta-analyses were performed. Results: Seven randomized controlled trials were selected. All studies used Shenfu injection after mitral valve replacement surgery. We analyzed myocardial damage, cardiac function, patients' recovery rate, with various evaluation indicators. We also used meta-analysis for CK-MB, cTnI, MDA and voluntary recovery of heartbeat. CK-MB was analyzed in two subgroups: 8 hours and 24 hours after surgery. Std was -2.34(95% CI -4.10, -0.58) for 8 hours and -1.95(95% CI -4.79 to 0.88) for 24 hours. 8 hours showed statistically significant difference. cTnI appeared significant decrease with Std of -2.13(95% CI -2.60, -1.66). MDA showed significant decrease with Std of -0.95(95% CI -1.43 to -0.47). Voluntary recovery of heartbeat significantly increased with the odd ratio of 4.34(95% CI 1.76, 10.70). Conclusions: We suggest that Shenfu injection after Mitral valve replacement surgery may have significant myocardial protective effects in terms of reducing myocardial damages, reactive oxygen species, increasing cardiac function and patients' recovery after surgery. However, the evidence is limited, further research is required.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.463-470
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• 2023

This study aimed to identify the recent risk factors for Opisthorchis viverrini infection and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) to improve disease prevention. The participants were divided into the following 3 groups based on their health status: healthy control (nonOV and nonCCA), those with O. viverrini infection (OV), and those with CCA. A questionnaire was used to explore their lifestyle and behaviors. Multivariate logistic regression and backward elimination were used to identify the significant risk factors. The results showed that the significant risk factors for both O. viverrini infection and CCA were age>50 years (odd ratio (OR)=8.44, P<0.001, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 2.98-23.90 and OR=43.47, P=0.001, 95% CI 14.71-128.45, respectively) and raw fish consumption (OR=8.48, P<0.001, 95% CI 3.18-22.63 and OR=3.15, P=0.048, 95% CI 1.01-9.86, respectively). A history of O. viverrini infection was identified as an additional risk factor for CCA (OR=20.93, P=0.011, 95% CI 2.04-215.10). This study provided an update on the risk factors for O. viverrini infection and CCA. Asymptomatic patients with O. viverrini infection, particularly those>50 years old, should be carefully monitored to prevent CCA.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1248-1255
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• 2020

Objective: To analyze long-term follow-up sonographic findings of intrathyroidal thymus in children. Materials and Methods: Among 1259 patients with congenital hypothyroidism under 15 years of age who underwent thyroid ultrasonography (US), 41 patients were diagnosed with an intrathyroidal thymus based on US criteria, i.e., hypoechoic solid lesion with punctate and linear echogenicity. In 26 patients aged one to 14 years old, the last follow-up US was performed after 6 to 132 months and compared with the initial US. The lesion was considered to decrease in size if there was a change of more than 2 mm in any dimension. The margin change was divided into well-defined and indistinct, blurred. When the echogenicity changed to a hyperechoic from a characteristic thymic echogenicity pattern, the pattern was considered a hyperechogenic. The changes in size were compared with the changes in shape, margin, and echogenicity pattern. The changes in size, shape, margin, and echogenicity were analyzed the association with the age of last follow-up. Statistical analysis was conducted using the chi-squared test and logistic regression. Results: Fifteen (57.7%) cases were stable in size, and 11 (42.3%) decreased in size, including one that disappeared. Ten (38.5%) cases changed to indistinct margins from initially well-defined margins including one case of initially indistinct margin. Six (23.1%) changed to hyperechogenic, from initially characteristic thymic echogenicity patterns. When follow-up change was compared, decreases in size were significantly associated with lesion changes to indistinct margins (p = 0.004). The age at last follow-up was significantly associated with change to hyperechogenicity (odd ratio, 2.141; 95% confidence interval, 1.144-4.010, p = 0.017). Conclusion: On follow-up US, an intrathyroidal thymus may be decreased in size, with indistinct margins, or show changes to a hyperechoic mass. Decreases in size may be associated with changing to indistinct margins, and changes to hyperechogenicity may be associated with increasing age.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.62-71
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence by gender and to evaluate associations of depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances in a large sample of adolescents from the general population. Methods : 1422 subjects, aged 14 years students were recruited in the seven middle-school of the local community. The self-report questionnaire(Children's Depression Inventory : CDI, Beck Anxiety Inventory : BAI and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index : PSQI) was used for screening depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances in adolescent. CDI, BAI, and PSQI score was categorized into the following quartiles : $\leq$21, 22-25, 26-28, and $\geq$29 ; $\leq$21, 22-26, 27-31, and $\geq$32 ; $\geq$5, <5. The cut-off score is that CDI is 22, BAI is 22 and PSQI is 5. The result was analyzed using the independent t-test, the chi-square test and logistic regression analyses. Results : The mean CDI score($12.52{\pm}8.32$ vs. $10.39{\pm}7.52$ ; p=0.003), BAI($7.77{\pm}7.93$ vs. $9.84{\pm}9.04$ ; p<0.001) and PSQI($4.57{\pm}2.67$ vs. $3.64{\pm}2.30$ ; p=0.013) of girls were significantly higher than for boys. But, boys in the fourth quartile of CDI(CDI$\geq$29) and BAI(BAI$\geq$32) were at significantly elevated risk for sleep disturbances more than for girls after adjustment for sex, history of psychiatric treatment(CDI odd ratio, 14.66 ; 95% CI, 4.17-51.53, BAI odd ratio, 32.99 ; 95% CI, 4.26-255.39). Conclusion : The results suggest that high CDI, BAI score appears to increase the risk for developing sleep disturbances in boys more than girls.