• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.223-232
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• 2012

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify the relationship between fish consumption and blood mercury levels in a sample of adult Koreans. Methods: The study subjects were 299 residents of Busan (male: 65, female: 234) and 185 residents of Namhae (male: 69, female: 116), South Korea. Demographic characteristics, current smoking, current drinking, fish consumption per week, past history of amalgam treatment, and residential district were recorded by trained interviewers in June and July, 2009. We considered a portion of fish to be equivalent to 70 gm weight, and calculated amounts of fish consumed per week. Using chi-square tests, t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis, we estimated the relationships between blood mercury levels and amount of fish consumed per week and other factors. Results: The mean blood mercury level of our subjects was 6.61 ${\mu}g/L$, higher than the criterion defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (5.8 ${\mu}g/L$). In multiple linear regression analysis, residential district and amount of fish consumed per week were associated with blood mercury levels. However, marital status, current drinking, and gender, and age were not associated with blood mercury levels. Conclusions: In conclusion, we suggest the implementation of systematic and periodic population-based studies to decrease the risks of mercury poisoning among South Koreans who consume fish as a regular part of the diet.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.215-222
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• 2012

Objective: A prediabetes hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level of 5.7%-6.4% is considered a risk factor for diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the USA. In this study, we assessed the HbA1c and visceral fat levels as CVD risk factors in health check-up examinees who were not yet diagnosed with diabetes. Methods: Totally, 507 study subject were categorized as per criteria of the American Diabetes Association, depending on whether the HbA1c level was ${\geq}5.7%$ or <5.7%. Lipid levels, blood pressure, BMI (kg/$m^2$), total abdominal, and visceral fat levels were measured by computed tomography. Results: The mean of HbA1c in the male group was larger than the mean in the female group and their values were, respectively, $6.03{\pm}0.82%$ and $5.88{\pm}0.72%$(p<0.05). Only the mean values of age and visceral fat area were different between $HbA1c{\geq}5.7%$ and <5.7% in both male and female group(p<0.05). Visceral fat levels were significantly associated with HbA1c in the group of HbA1c ${\geq}5.7%$ (odds ratio=1.005, 95% CI 1.002~1.008). Conclusions: Visceral fat levels were significantly higher and correlated with the group which HbA1c level is ${\geq}5.7%$. This finding suggests that subjects who have high levels of HbA1c should be carefully monitored during prediabetes and should have chance to have health education programs.

• The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.129-153
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• 2017

Fair Competition policy in aviation field has been discussed since open skies policy began in 1970s. This issue has been also the main topic in the ICAO's Worldwide Air Transport Conference, the Air Transport Symposium, etc. ICAO defines competition as the existent or potential rivalry between two or more operators, carriers or groups, striving for advantages in the same market based on different prices, qualities and services. In a broader sense, the definition includes more various meanings; reasonable, fair, effective, and unrestricted competitions. Nowadays, competition laws and regulations to air transportation have been applied more frequently and the issues varies from antitrust immunity, mergers and alliances, abuse of dominant positions, capacity dumping and predatory pricing, sales and marketing, to airport charges and fees, state aid and loan guarantees. Now, the competition among the airlines or nations in aviation industry is changing to cooperation level. A lot of airlines try to survive by various cooperation methods. Therefore the policy of Korean aviation industry should be developed, taking so-called "the viewpoint of national aviation industry ecosystem" into consideration and Korean government should prepare a policy of fair competition to cope with it. First, in the process of open skies policy with neighboring countries such as China, Japan and the Middle East, it is necessary to apply the fair competition act and prepare laws and regulations to implement it. Second, the standards of effective ownership and control of air transportation business should be reviewed. Third, in preparation for aviation agreements and liberalization, the Korean aviation industry needs to study and review competition and cooperation issues through the analysis of strict aviation market structure for airlines and airport operations. Fourth, it is necessary to create a fair air transportation environment for the development of air transportation and competitiveness through preemptive policies such as the approval of mergers, acquisitions, JV and the ripple effects analysis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.404-415
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• 1998

Background: Sleep apnea syndrome, which occurs in 1~4 % of the adult population, frequently has different cardiovascular complications such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, cardiac arrythmia as well as sleep-wake disorder such as excessive daytime hypersomnolence or insomnia. Mortality and vascular morbidity are reported to be significantly higher in sleep apnea syndrome patients than in normal population. According to the recent studies, autonomic dysfunction as well as hypoxemia, hypercapneic acidosis, and increased respiratory effort, may playa role in the high prevalence of cardiovascular complications in patients with sleep apnea syndrome. However the cause and mechanism of autonomic neuropathy in patients with sleep apnea syndrome are not well understood. We studied the existence of autonomic neuropathy in patients with sleep apnea syndrome and factors which influence the pathogenesis of autonomic neuropathy. Method: We used the cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy(CAN) test as a method for evaluation of autonomic neuropathy. The subjects of this study were 20 patients who diagnosed sleep apnea syndrome by polysomnography and 15 persons who were normal by polysomnography. Results: Body mass index and resting systolic blood pressure were higher in sleep apnea group than control group. Apnea index(Al), respiratory disturbance index(RDI) and snoring time percentage were significantly higher in sleep apnea group compared with control group. But there were no significant differences in saturation of oxygen and sleep efficiency in two groups. In the cardiac autonomic neuropathy test, the valsalva ratio was significantly low in sleep apnea group compared with control group but other tests had no differences between two groups. The CAN scores and corrected QT(QTc) interval were calculated significantly higher in sleep apnea group, but there were no significant correlations between CAN scores and QTc interval. There were no significant data of polysomnography to correlate to the CAN score. It meant that the autonomic neuropathy in patients with sleep apnea was affected by other multiple factors. Conclusion: The cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy test was a useful method for the evaluation of autonomic neuropathy in patients with sleep apnea syndrome and abnormalities of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy were observed in patients with sleep apnea syndrome. However, we failed to define the factors that influence the pathogenesis of autonomic neuropathy of sleep apnea syndrome. This study warrants futher investigations in order to define the pathogenesis of autonomic neuropathy in patients with sleep apnea syndrome.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.137-144
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• 2002

Background: Hemoptysis is an often alarming presenting symptom and VEGF is a major regulator of both normal and abnormal angiogenesis, including many inflarrunatory diseases. In this report the clinical significance of the serum VEGF level in patients with hemoptysis was investigated. Methods: Thirty-two patients with hemoptysis were evaluated. The estimated amount of hemoptysis, etiology and serum VEGF level was examined at admission and bronchial angiography was performed in 22 patients. In order to objectify the neovascularization status, one point for the presence of the A-V shunt, hypervascularity, vascular tortuosity was designated for a total of 0-3 points. Results: Mean quantity of hemoptysis was $172.4{\pm}270.4ml$. The mean angiographic neovascularization score was $1.23{\pm}0.75$. The serum VEGF level correlated with the quantity of hemoptysis(r=0.524, p=0.002) and with the angiographic neovascularization score(r=0.441, p=0.04). Using the standard diagnostic criterion for massive hemoptysis, the serum VEGF level of patients with massive hemoptysis($642.4{\pm}545.6$ pg/ml, n=13) was found to be higher than that of patients with non-massive hemoptysis($394.6{\pm}225.8$ pg/ml, n=19) (p=0.069). Conclusion: Regardless of the etiology, the serum VEGF may contribute to abnormal neovascularization in patients with hemoptysis. Therefore, it is suggested that serum VEGF measurements may help in predicting a massive hemoptysis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 2002

Background: DNA repair plays a crucial role in protecting the genome from cancer-causing agents. Therefore, a reduced DNA repair capacity can increase the susceptibility to cancer. The human OGG1 (hOGG1) gene encodes DNA glycosylase/apurinic lyase and excise 8-hydroxyguanine, one of the major premutagenic DNA lesions, which is produced by oxygen radical forming agents including smoking. Recently several polymorphisms in the hOGG1 gene were identified, and it is possible that these polymorphism') may affect the DNA repair capacity and thus modulate cancer susceptibility. The relationship between the codon 326 polymorphism (Ser to Cys) in the hOGG1 gene and lung cancer risk was investigated. Materials and Method: The Ser326Cys genotypes were determined using PCR-RFLP analysis in 299 primary lung cancer patients and 186 healthy controls who were frequency (case:control=3:2) matched according to age and sex. Result: The frequencies of the Ser326Cys genotypes (Ser/Ser, Ser/Cys and Cys/Cys) among cases (23.4%, 51.8%, and 24.7%, respectively) were not significantly different from those among the controls (22.6%,52.1% and 25.3%, respectively). When the analyses were stratified according to age, sex, smoking status and packyears of smoking, no significant association between this polymorphism and lung cancer risk was found. Moreover, the Ser326Cys genotype showed no apparent relationship with any of the histological types of lung cancer. Conclusion: These result suggest that the hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism is not a major contributor to individual lung cancer susceptibility in Koreans.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.159-167
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• 2015

RI-Biomics is a promising radiation convergence technology that combines radiation with bio science as new growth power technology. Many developed countries are focusing active support and constant exertion to dominate the RI-Biomics market in advance. In order to achieve global leadership in the RI-Biomics field, we need more highly advanced technologies and professional manpower. In fact, we have less manpower compared to technology we currently hold. In this study, we established a basic infrastructure to train professional manpower in the RI-Biomics field by developing/operating optimum training program through expert interviews and survey. The developed program has four organized sections to understand overall procedure of RI-Biomics. To evaluate our training program, we performed test operations with eight students who have a major related to RI-Biomics for three weeks in KARA (Seoul) and KAERI (Jung-eup). In detail, radioisotope usage and safety management were conducted for one week as basic course, RI-Biomics application technology was conducted for two weeks as professional course. To verify performance results of training program, we conducted to journal research, daily reports, and survey on participants. The results show a high level of satisfaction with training programs and continuous intention of involvement in our program. We also need to develop an intensive course to train high-quality human resources and to operate training program continuously. This training program will be used as basic materials for the development of RI-Biomics curriculum for university. Hence, we will expect that our training program contributes in training a professional manpower and develop RI-Biomics technology.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.292-304
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• 1999

The lengthened average span of human life by virtue of recent developments in medicine has caused the Population of elders to increase. The development of modern industrial society has transformed family structure from the large family system to that of a nuclear family. Due to the shift in family structure, the problem of support for the aged has surfaced as a nursing problem as well as a social problem. With regard to this problem, this study aims to investigate the adolescent's understanding of elders and aging. By identifying their understanding and classifying their attitude patterns, this study will help the nursing assessment of the support of elders in the family. This study employed Q-methodology and the research was conducted from December 1998 to May 1999. One method of the research included deep interviews with elders, those who are in their 50's. 40's or 30's. and the adolescent. 183 Q-Populations taken from literary works such as poems or novels were also formed as another method. Finally. 36 Q-cards were made after consultation with Professors of the nursing department. The subjects of the P- sample were 30 high sohoolboys/girls - who were in first, second, and third years. The result showed that 3 factors provided an explanation for 59.14% of the whole variables: the first factor, 41.37%; the second factor. 11.49%, and the third factor. 6.28%. These three factors were analyzed and categorized as three types. Twenty subjects out of the 30 were included in Type 1: Respecting Elders. The statements which showed the most positive consent were as follows: 'The declining age is a perfect time to prosper completing a worthy life' ; 'Getting old. one needs financial stability' and 'Elders wish the best for their children' The statements showing the most negative response were as follows: 'It is better to die than to live as an older person' ; 'Elders are insignificant' ; and 'Getting old is the worst unhappiness that tortures human.' Four subjects were included in Type 2. Resenting Elders. The statements which showed the most positive consent were as follows: 'Aging is a process of dying that nobody can escape from'. 'Elders should be concerned about his health and try to maintain their health' ; and 'When you set older. you regret about the life in the Past.' The statements showing the most negative response were as follows: 'When You get older. You should stand aloof greed and worldly things' 'When You got older, You become generous and gentle' ; and 'When You set he gets old. You change to become a comfortable and warm person.' Six out of 30 subject were included in Type 3 Caring Elders. The statements which showed the most positive consent were as follows: 'Elders should be concerned about his health and try to maintain their health' ; 'Elders wish the best for their children' ; and 'Elders deserve to be treated with filial respects.' The statements showing the most negative response were as follows 'Elders are insignificant' ; 'Elders have freedom and plenty of free time.' and 'Elders are alienated form and drove out of the society.' The above-mentioned results show that most adolescents in Korea recognize aging as the time of fruition and development: it is a time of benefiting and giving back to society. Aging can also be seen as a time of generosity and magnanimity and the time of respect and favorable treatment from society. despite the change of modern society and the ostensible transformation of a family system. Their recognition seems deeply rooted in the traditional confucian values and the dual family system which is Peculiar especially to the Korea - one which maintains both the superficial form of nuclear family and the substantial mode of the enlarged family system. In sum, many Korean adolescents attribute the meaning of the elderly and aging to the type of the respect with the elderly and the type of the elderly's caretaking.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.209-222
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• 2011

Missing anterior teeth can be replaced using any of a number of methods. Patients may choose to replace missing teeth with a prosthesis that is either removable, fixed, or retained with implants. For patients faced with financial, anatomical, and/or esthetic limitations, the edentulous region can be restored successfully and esthetically with a properly designed and fabricated rotational path RPD. The rotational path RPD is a partial removable dental prosthesis that incorporates a curved, arcuate, or variable path of placement allowing one or more of the rigid components of the framework to gain access to and engage an undercut area. The rigid retainer must gain access to the infrabulge portion of the tooth by rotating into place. Either a minor connector or proximal plate provides retention through its intimate contact with a proximal tooth surface. A specially designed dovetails or asymmetric rest seats provides support and embracing effects. Correctly designed and fabricated rotational path RPD can provide improved esthetics, cleanliness, and retention. But rotational path RPDs are technique sensitive since the rotational path RPD has little margin of laboratory error that rigid retainers cannot be adjusted like conventional clasps can, RPD framework must be remade once the retention is lost. The sufficient understanding of the concept for the rotational path RPD is required for clinically successful treatment. This clinical report describes in detail the theoretical, laboratory considerations and the treatment of a patient with an anterior maxillary edentulous area treated by an AP path rotational RPD that had a difficulty in long term maintenance and describes another clinical case in which more reasonable treatment procedures were approached after analyzing the former case.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.107-115
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• 2007

Objective: A quality management system of international standardization organization (ISO) 9001:2000 has been proposed to properly evaluate and improve the quality of productions and services. The purpose of this article was to describe on successful introduction and application of the ISO system to human assisted reproductive technology (ART) center. Methods: Center for reproductive medicine and infertility of Cheil General Hospital started the action for ISO 9001:2000 certification at January-2004. The ISO system of our center was monitored by measuring the customer satisfaction index and periodical internal and external audit. Reports of non-conformity described corrective and preventive actions for problems and occurrences that were not consistent with the standard process and operation of our center. Continuous management and improvement were performed on the project of customer dissatisfaction. Results: Our center has got the certification of ISO 9001:2000 for "Research and development of IVF-ET program for infertility treatment" from Korean Foundation for Quality at June-2004. The policy of ISO was "To establish the best center of reproductive medicine and infertility" and "To establish the best quality management system". We found 140 cases and 7 cases of non-conformity in internal and external audit for three years, respectively, and performed corrective action. Conclusion: Improvement of customer satisfaction, systemic documentation and transparency and efficacy of working procedure were achieved by application and operation of the ISO system to our center. This ISO system could be used as a basic institutional management system for the national guideline to the human ART center.