• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.235-243
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• 2021

Photobiomodulation (PBM)-based therapy, which uses a phenomenon in which a light source of a specific wavelength band promotes ATP production in mitochondria, has attracted much attention in the fields of biology and medicine because of its effects on wound healing, inflammation reduction, and pain relief. Research on PBM-based therapy has mainly used lasers and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as light sources and, despite the advantages of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), there have been only a few cases where OLEDs were used in PBM-based therapy. In this research, the skin-care effect of PBM was analyzed using red (λ = 620 nm), green (λ = 525 nm), and blue (λ = 455 nm) OLED lighting modules, and was compared to the PBM effect of LEDs. We demonstrated the PBM-based skin-care effect of the red, green, blue OLED lighting modules by measuring the increase in the amount of collagen type-1 synthesis, the inhibition of melanin synthesis, and the suppression of nitric oxide generation, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.122-130
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• 2020

Objectives: This study is a practice based research conducted to investigate the effectiveness and safety of a 5-day short-term diet program ('Oil-rescue' program) designed to reduce the adverse events and initial dropout rate in obesity treatment. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 4 Korean medicine clinic patient data who completed 'Oil-rescue' program which is consisting of Gambi-hwan, Bium-hwan, Butgiban-hwan and Jayoon Kyungokgo. The weight change before and after participating 'Oil-rescue' program was primary outcome of our study. Changes in body mass index, body fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, body water content, lean body mass, protein, and minerals were also measured. Results: A total of 35 patients who satisfied the eligible criteria were finally included. The body weight decreased from 69.45±11.86 kg to 67.43±11.58 kg, a total of 2.02±1.03 kg (P<0.001). Body fat mass decreased from 25.77±7.45 kg to 24.98±7.26 kg, a total of 0.78±1.21 kg (P<0.001). Body mass index decreased from 26.39±3.64 kg/㎡ to 25.64±3.49 kg/㎡, a total of 0.75±0.41 kg/㎡. (P<0.001). A total of 15 patients had side effects such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and insomnia, but all were mild. 16 out of 35 people switched to long-term obesity treatment programs. Conclusions: Through this retrospective practice based research, it was found that the 'Oil-rescue' program effectively reduced body weight, body fat, and body mass index, and the other obesity related parameters. It was a relatively safe and effective short-term obesity treatment program.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.679-684
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• 2023

Venous puncture is widely used to obtain blood samples for pathological examination. Because the invasive venipuncture method using a needle is repeatedly performed, the pain suffered by the patient increases, so our research team pre-developed a miniaturized near-infrared (NIR) imaging system in advance. To improve the image quality of the acquired NIR images, this study aims to model the non-local means (NLM) algorithm, which is well known to be efficient in noise reduction, and analyze its applicability in the system. The developed NIR imaging system is based on the principle that infrared rays pass through dichroic and long-pass filters and are detected by a CMOS sensor module. The proposed NLM algorithm is modeled based on the principle of replacing the pixel from which noise is to be removed with a value that reflects the distances between surrounding pixels. After acquiring an NIR image with a central wavelength of 850 nm, the NLM algorithm was applied to segment the final vein area through histogram equalization. As a result, the coefficient of variation of the NIR image of the vein using the NLM algorithm was 0.247 on average, which was an excellent result compared to conventional filtering methods. In addition, the dice similarity coefficient value of the NLM algorithm was improved by 62.91 and 9.40%, respectively, compared to the median filter and total variation methods. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the NLM algorithm can acquire accurate segmentation of veins acquired with a NIR imaging system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.1
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• pp.162-172
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• 2021

Purpose We retrospectively evaluated the technical success rate and long-term efficacy of fluoroscopy-guided synovial cyst rupture followed by an intra-articular steroid injection at the post-laminectomy lumbar facet. Materials and Methods We selected subjects who had undergone a fluoroscopy-guided synovial cyst rupture with simultaneous intra-articular steroid injection within 6 months of MRI and demonstrated a symptomatic facet joint synovial cyst at the level of a previous lumbar laminectomy. Fourteen patients were enrolled, and we determined whether cyst rupture and symptom improvement were achieved after each procedure. The degrees of symptom improvement were categorized into 4: 1) symptoms improved (30% or more reduction, based on pre-procedural and post-procedural Numerical Pain Rating Scale scores), 2) symptoms not improved, 3) patient underwent surgery after injection, and 4) loss of follow-up. Results The success rate of percutaneous synovial cyst rupture decreased with repeated procedures (62.5% for the first procedure and 0% to 33.3% for additional procedures). However, 80% of the patients had symptom improvement with the procedures, overall. The surgery rate was 14.3% in 14 patients. Conclusion For patients with post-laminectomy symptomatic lumbar facet joint synovial cysts, fluoroscopy-guided synovial cyst rupture with intra-articular steroid injection may be an effective and less invasive treatment before considering a surgical approach.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.94-101
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• 2006

Objectives : A variety of symptoms are typically reported during anxiety period, several of which are clearly linked to the autonomic nervous system(ANS), such as palpitations, chest pain and shortness of breath. Using spectral analysis of heart rate, several studies have shown that patients with anxiety disorder are characterized by a reduced heart rate variability(HRV), indicative of abnormalities in ANS fuction. To further evaluate the effect of anxiety and medication on autonomic function, 30 patients and 30 matched control subjects were assessed. Methods : Using spectral analysis of heart rate, which consisted of standardised measurements of HRV, we compared ANS between 30 patients with DSM-IV diagnosed anxiety disorder and 30 healthy controls, and investigated the autonomic effects of SSRI treatment. Five-minute HRV recordings were obtained before and after SSRI treatment and were analysed. Results : Five-minute HRV recordings in anxiety disorder patients revealed that a significant reduction in HRV was shown compared to controls. There was no significant changes in HRV between before and after SSRI treatment. Conclusion: Anxiety disorder patients showed a significant reduction in HRV compared to controls. SSRIs do not affect HRV influenced by ANS function. Further study is needed to confirm these things. Patients with anxiety disorder may suffer from functional disturbances in the interaction between the sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic tree.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.160-168
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• 2000

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and abdominal ultrasonogra- phic(US) features of spontaneously reduced transient small bowel intussusception in chlidren. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and US findings of 98 children with intussusception who were admitted to the Pediatric Department of Ulsan Dong-Kang General Hospital from Mar. 1999 to Feb. 2000. Results: 1) Among 98 cases, there were 12 cases (12.3%) of transient small bowel intussusception(TSBI) and 86 cases (87.7%) of classic intussusception (CI). 2) The peak incidence of age in TSBI was over 3 years, which was older than that in CI. With regard to sex distribution, male predominated in both type. 3) Clinical symptoms and signs including cyclic irritability, vomiting, bloody stool, and abdominal mass in TSBI group were less common than those in CI group (41.7%, 33.4%, 0.0%, 0.0% vs 91.9%, 59.3%, 41.9%, 26.7%, respectively) but persistent abdominal pain was more common in TSBI group than in CI group (58.5% vs 11.2%). 4) The size of total target sign and surrounding peripheral hypoechoic rim of TSBI group on US were smaller than those of CI group ($11.95{\pm}2.61$ mm, $2.08{\pm}1.15$ mm vs $26.91{\pm}5.98$ mm, $7.86{\pm}2.77$ mm, respectively). 5) Concomittant illness was found more frequently in TSBI group than in CI group (66.7% vs 26.7%). 6) All case of TSBI group were reduced spontaneouly, which were confirmed by US, but none of CI group. Conclusion: Transient small bowel intussusception is probably more common than generally thought and its clinical and US findings is quite different from classical obstructing intussus-ception. Because all of our cases resulted in spontaneous reduction, we recommend careful observation and repeat examination rather than an immediate operation in transient small bowel intussusception.

• The Korean Nurse
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.51-72
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• 1990

The purpose of this study was to determine whether Severance Hospice Home Care Pro gram was able to meet its objectives. This was done in order to show in detail the effects of hospice home care on the quality of life of terminally ill patients and to provide rationale for setting up more hospice home care programs in korea. The results of the study were as follows: The subjects of the study were 100 terminally ill patients who hnd died 'while in the hospice program and 64 family members who were registered with Severance Hospice Home Care Program between march 1988 and Feb. 1990. The nursing needs of these terminally ill patients were assessed by the nursing records of these patients. The need for pain control(82%) was the highest nursing need so far as the physical aspects were concerned. This was followed by poor appetite(37%), 8 dyspnea(34%), nausea and vomiting(30%) in that order of frequency. In reqard to spiritual needs, the need for religious' support was also high at 72%. Their main psychological symptoms were anxiety and fear(34% ). Burn-out was a major problem for 44% of the family members. The psychological process experiencel by the terminal ill patients was compared to the dying process, described by Kiibler Ross. In comparison of the five stages outlined by kubler Ross with the dying process of the subjects it was found that the subjects not only experienced the five stages but also experienced denial and doubt-fulness or denial with acceptance or acceptance with the expectation of a miracle. But rather than acceptance of the dying process, giving up was a frequent end point of the psychological process, of the subjects. However, when the combination of states was observed, most of the patients reached the state of acceptance in the dying process. It was difficult to identify a definite pattern of change in the psychological process of the subjects. Also it was difficult to identify the factors that influenced the psychological process. The symptoms of the terminally j]] subjects just before dying, that is, 3-4 days before dying included apparent signs of dying. These were a reduction of intake(77%), reduction of the amount of urination(63%), increase in sleeping time (64%) and acceptance of dying by patients and their families who had been unaccepting be before that time(66%). The primary care givers(family member's) degree of satisfaction with the care given to the patient by the hospice was 88.7%. The results of this study show that Severance Hospice Home Care Program had a positie effeet on the quality of life of the terminally ill patients and their family members as they faced the death of the patient. It can be seen from this study that there is an urgent need to extend hospice programs - in order to provide quality of care for terminally ill patient and their families. Based upon the reesults of this study several suggestions are presente as follows: 1) A follow up study should be carried out to identify the dying process as it is unique to Korea. 2) A comparison should be made of other hospice care programs. 3) A comparison study should- be made with subjects who do not receive any hospice care as compared to those who do by use of an experimental and control group methodology. 4) There is a need to determine a scientific method to adequeto measure the interventions carried out to meet the hospice patients nursing care needs. 5) A study should be made using quality research methodology to evaluate effects of hospiec care from the patients, their family members and the nurrse's perspective.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.83-92
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• 1994

Paroxetine is a potent and selective serotoin re-uptake inhibitor. It is well known as an effective and safe antidepressant and increasingly used for neurotic or non-psychotic depression with anxiety symptoms. The present study assessed antidepressant and antianxiety efficacy and tolerability of paroxetine against placebo in child-adolescent and adult depressive neurosis patients. 232 subjects aged 8-55 years and meeting DSM-III-R criteria for depressive neurosis or dysthymia were divided into 8 subgroups according to their sex and age(8-11 yeard old, 12-17 years old, 18-35 years old and 36-55 years old subgroup in each male and female group). In each subgroup, the randomly assigned half of the patients were treated with paroxetine(10-30mg/day) and the others with placebo for the first 2 weeks in double blind fashion. After 1 week of drug-washout period, paroxetine and placebo groups were crossed over. The depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed with Hamilton Depression Scale(HDS) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAS) at baseline and every 1 week during the trial periods. The levels of reduction in HDS and HAS scores from baseline after 2-week trial were compared between paroxetine- and placebo- treated periods by paired t-test. In all the 8 subgroups, statistically significant differences between paroxetine and placebo were found on the antidepressant efficacy after 2-week treatment. The antidepressant efficacy of paroxetine compared to placebo was most prominent in child and adolescent female groups. On anxiety symptoms, paroxetine was also significantly more effective than placebo. The antianxiety efficacy of paroxetine compared to placebo was most prominent in male and female child groups and young adult female group aged 18-35 years. As for the adverse effects of paroxetine, 3 out of 232 subjects reported mild indigestion and abdominal pain. however, in all the 3 cases, the symptoms improved without reduction of dosage or discontinuation of the drug. In conclusion, paroxetine showed significantly higher antidepressant and antianxiety efficacy compared to placebo in child-adolescent and adult depressive neurosis patients after 2-week treatment. Further trials of paroxetine in depressive neurosis are warranted to elucidate the long-term antidepressant and antianxiety efficacy of paroxetine.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.15-28
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• 2005

Objectives: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was aimed to investigate the status of bowel health behaviors, prevalence of constipation and risk factors related to self-reported constipation in high school students. Methods: The study subjects were 1,882 students of six high schools located in a metropolitan city, who were selected by the accidental sampling from June to August, 2002. We analyzed the data by frequency analysis, chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression using SPSS ver. 10.0. Results: The result of this study were summarized as follows: 1. A prevalence rate of self-reported constipation was 25.2%. A rate in male students was 13.4% and in female students 36.5%. 2. In regard to therapeutic behavior, 52.1% of study student with change in bowel habit had not find particular counsellor, 38.9% of the student had counselling with parents. 16.3% of students in constipation group had taken laxative medicine for treating the constipation. 73.5% of the student in constipation group had suffered from anal pain during defecation, but 48.0% in normal group. 41.6% of the student in constipation group had a experience of rectal bleeding after defecation, but 23.7% in normal group. So constipation related symptoms distribution had showed statistically significant difference between two group. 3. From the multivariate analysis by self-reported method, the risk factors related to the constipation were sex(female), experience of diet for weight reduction, absence of the breakfast and intake of vegetable more than 3 times per weeks. Conclusions: we had reconfirmed that we should improve eating habits to prevent and treat the constipation in a result of this study. Intervention that is target to girl students, abstain from weight reduction diet, regularity of taking meals, intake more vegetables, stress management should be provided to prevent the constipation especially in Korean high school students. Further prospective designed study are needed to establish the causal-effect relationship between so many risk factors with constipation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1366-1381
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• 1997

Background : Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty(UPPP) has become the most common surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS). However, the results of this therapeutic modality have been quite variable with successful results by several authors and poor results by others. Until recently, in Korea, there is only a few reports about the clinical efficacy of UPPP. A prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness and complications of UPPP. Method : Twenty-six OSAS patients who had undergone UPPP with preoperative and postoperative polysomnographic studies were included in this study. Two definitions of surgical success were used. The responder was defined, using a conventional criteria, as a 50% or more reduction in apnea index(AI) or apneahypopnea index(AHI) after UPPP, or a postoperative AI of <10 or AHI of <20. The initial cure was defined, using our own criteria, as a postoperative AI of <5 or AHI of <10. Complications were categorized in two groups : early(disorders during the first 10 postoperative days) and late. Results : Eighteen patients(69.2%) were responders, and ten patients(38.5%) were considered as initial cure. On the other hand, in five patients (19.2%), postoperative polysomnographic data demonstrated deterioration compared with preoperative data. Reduction rate of AI or AHI following UPPP was not significantly related to the preoperative body mass index, AI or AHI. There was no significant change of sleep architecture before and after UPPP in responder and initial cure groups. Early complications such as pain, dyspnea, bleeding, nasal reflux, dysphagia or wound disruption were observed in all patients. Late complications such as nasal reflux, voice change, dysphagia, loss of taste, pharyngeal dryness or foreign body sensation were discovered in 22 patients (84.6%). However, all early and late complications were of minor importance. Conclusion : The response to UPPP was favorable in approximately 70% of OSAS patient. However, the initial Cure rate of UPPP was relatively low. We suggest that selection of more appropriate surgical candidates and adequate surgical protocol is necessary to obtain a more successful result with UPPP.