• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.79-90
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• 2023

The study is to estimate the social costs of premature deaths due to nuclear power plant(NPP) accidents, by resorting to the contingent valuation method(CVM) which is used to estimate the value of a statistical life(VSL). The VSL estimate is about 3.55 billion won, which is multiplied by some 1.8 million premature deaths due to the accidents in world history of NPP, to get a maximum social cost of 1,952 trillion won. This estimate is equivalent to the 2022 real GDP of Korea. The annual average number of premature deaths and the resulting average social cost is 26,000 and 28 trillion won, respectively. The social cost of premature deaths due not only to accidents, but also the air pollutants from fired power plants(FPP) during 1987~2021 is estimated to be 26,919 trillion won. This is equivalent to 2021 US GDP, and is about 3,000 times higher than that for NPP of 9 trillion won. In 2021, the estimated social costs of FPP and NPP are 1,075 trillion won and 292 billion won, respectively. For South Korea, the study suggests to adapt an energy mix of increased share of electricity production for NPP relative to FPP, given that the 2050 carbon neutrality strategy of Korea is expected to lead to an increased share of renewable energy in electricity production. The study emphasizes accumulating the number of CVM-based VSL studies to ensure efficient energy policies.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.244-244
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• 2001

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.47-62
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• 2003

The nonlinear dependence aspect of various conical tool indentation parameters leading to an optimum tool semi angle value for easiest perforation is plotted and discussed explicitly in this work with the conclusion that tool angle has an optimum response towards most of the indentation parameters. Around this optimum angle, the aluminium sheets showed minimum fracture toughness as well as minimum work input to overcome the offered resistance. At the end, the mechanism leading to this phenomenon is presented with the conclusion that plastic flow dominates as the dimple semi cone angle reaches 35 and both pre and post plastic flow perforations lead the tool semi cone angle value towards this dimple cone semi angle of plastic flow initiation for its optimum performance. It is also concluded that specimen material failure is solely under tensile hoop stress and hence results into radial cracks initiation and propagation.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.107-117
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• 2001

Falls are the most serious health problems in elderly population. They are a major cause of premature death, physical injury, immobility, psychosocial dysfunction, and nursing home placement. To reduce the alarming rate of falls and related excessive mortality and morbidity, efforts must be made to detect persons at risk of falling and to prevent or reduce the frequency of falls. To facilitate such approaches, it is essential to find the cause of falling (and under what conditions) of the elderly and the factors that are associated with risk of falling. This study was aimed at designing interventions that minimize risk of falling by ameliorating contributing factors while maintaining or improving patient's mobility.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2002

Disorders resulting from defects in peroxisomal biogenesis include Zellweger syndrome, neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy, and infantile Refsum disease. The three diseases are now considered as a continuum of clinical features. Neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy is intermediate between Zellweger syndrome and infantile Refsum disease in severity, and is characterized by profound hypotonia, intractable seizures and premature death. We report a cases of neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with neonatal seizure and hypotonia. At the age of 43 months, she had clinical evidence of adrenal insufficiency with skin hyperpigmentation and electrolyte imbalance. She was diagnosed having neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy based on abnormally high levels of plasma very long-chain fatty acids, pipecolic acid and phytanic acid.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2006

Objectives: This study estimated the burden of disease especially caused by psychiatric disorders in Korea by using DALY, a composite indicator that was recently developed by the Global Burden of Disease study group. Methods: First, 11 of the major psychiatric disorders in Korea were selected based on the ICD-10. Second, the burden of disease due to premature death was estimated by using YLLs (years of life lost due to premature death). Third, for the calculation of the YLD (years lived with disability), the following parameters were estimated in the formula: the incidence rate, the prevalence rate and the disability weight of each psychiatric disorder. Last, we estimated the DALY of the psychiatric disorders by adding the YLLs and YLDs. Results: The burden of psychiatric disorder per 100,000 people was attributed mainly to unipolar major depression (1,278 person-years), schizophrenia (638 person-years) and alcohol use disorder (287 person-years). For males, schizophrenia (596 person-years) and alcohol use disorder (491 person-years) caused the highest burden. For females, unipolar major depression (1,749 person-years) and schizophrenia (680 person-years) cause the highest burden. As analyzed by gender and age group, alcohol use disorder causes a higher burden than schizophrenia in men aged 40 years and older. For females, unipolar major depression causes the highest burden in all age groups. Conclusions: We found that each of the psychiatric disorders that cause the highest burden is different according to gender and age group. This study's results can provide a rational basis to plan a national health policy regarding the burden of disease caused by psychiatric disorders.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.837-842
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• 2007

Background: Closure of the ductus arteriosus is often delayed in premature infants, which creates a hemodynamically significant left to right shunt that exerts an adverse effect on the normal development and growth of these babies. We reviewed out experience on surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus via axillary minithoracotomy in premature infants. Material and Method: From April 2002 to October 2006, 20 premature infants whose gestation was under 37 weeks underwent surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus as a result of complications or contra-indications for the use of indomethacin. Their mean gestational age was 28.8+3.4 weeks, ranging from 25+3 to 34+6 weeks, and the average age at operation was $15.6{\pm}6.3$ days. The mean body weight at operation was $1,174{\pm}416\;g$, ranging from 680 to 2,100g; 16 infants were under 1,500 and 9 infants were under 1,000 g. The procedures were performed in the newborn intensive care unit via $2{\sim}3\;cm$ long axillary minithoracotomy with the infant in the lateral position with left arm abduction. The mean size of the patent ductus arteriosus was $3.8{\pm}0.3\;mm$. For the most part, the ductus was closed with clips; 2 infants in whom the ductus was ruptured while dissection was being performed underwent ductal division. Result: Ten of twelve infants who had been ventilator dependent preoperatively could be successfully weaned from the ventilator at a mean duration of 9.7 days after the operation. There was no procedure-related complication or death. Two infants eventually died of the conditions not related to the operation; one from sepsis at postoperative 131 days and the other from pneumonia at postoperative 41 days, respectively. Conclusion: Surgical closure of the patent ductus arteriosus improved the hemodynamic instability and so promoted the successful growth and normal development of premature infants. Considering the low surgical risk along with the reduced invasiveness, early and aggressive surgical intervention is highly recommended.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.549-565
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• 2000

Comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to determine 1) selected risk factors and its impact that affect pregnancy outcome such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and substance abuse 2) these factors can facilitate future strategies for health promotion and prevention for both pregnant women and fetus. Review of literature were extracted from searching MEDLINE(1966 - Oct. 2000). CINAHL (1982 - Oct. 2000) and the domestic literature. The following factors were identified: 1. The effects of risk behaviors on pregnancy. ${\cdot}$Maternal smoking was associated with the occurrence of premature or LBW delivery, fetal growth retardation, extremities defects, heart defects and sudden infant death syndrome. ${\cdot}$Maternal alcohol consumption was associated with spontaneous abortion, premature or LBW delivery, morphologic/neurologic problems, especially fetal alcohol syndrome. ${\cdot}$Heroin was associated with withdrawal after birth in which were born to heroine addicts for gestational age and lung maturation in animal studies. ${\cdot}$Cocaine was associated with spontaneous abortion, abruptio placenta and a poor response to environmental stimuli. ${\cdot}$So far, the effects of caffeine on pregnancy was controversial, but severe caffeine consumption was associated with premature or LBW delivery, spontaneous abortion, still birth and dystocia. 2. Intervention methods and its effects identified were as follows ${\cdot}$Conducted intervention for smoking, alcohol and drug consumption were single or combined. ${\cdot}$Intervention methods were counseling, phone contact, mailing, use of educational videotape, booklet, support person and alternatives such as nicotine patch. ${\cdot}$The interventions increased the rates of smoking cessation during pregnancy and awareness of the risk of drug consumption, and decreased amount of alcohol consumption. ${\cdot}$The intervention outcome found positive effect on birth weight and length. 3. Our recommendations were as follows ${\cdot}$The personal and social cognition should be enhanced through education and the mass media. ${\cdot}$It's necessary to educate and give information of preconceptional care, planned pregnancy and early prenatal care for optimal pregnancy outcome. ${\cdot}$It's necessary to develop comprehensive assessment tool which is reliable and valid on smoking, alcohol consumption and substance abuse to identify supportive or interventional program.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.149-159
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• 2021

Purpose: Antibiotic exposure during pregnancy may affect the fetus and newborn in many ways. This study investigated the impact of prenatal antibiotic exposure duration on neonatal outcomes in very preterm (VP) or very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Methods: From September 2015 to December 2020, preterm infants with gestational age less than 32 weeks or with a BW less than 1,500 g who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, and their mothers were enrolled. Prenatal antibiotic exposure was defined as antibiotics received by mothers before delivery, and the patients were categorized into the non-antibiotic group, short-duration (SD; ≤7 days) group, or long-duration (LD; >7 days) groups. Results: A total of 93 of 145 infants were exposed to prenatal antibiotics, among which 35 (37.6%) were in the SD group and 58 (62.4%) were in the LD group. Infants in the LD group had a significantly higher birth weight-for-gestational-age (BW/GA) Z-score than those in the non-antibiotic group, even after the adjustment for confounding factors (beta, 0.258; standard error, 0.149; P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that prolonged prenatal antibiotic exposure was independently associated with death (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 8.926; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.482-53.775) and composite outcomes of death, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and late-onset sepsis (LOS) (aOR, 2.375; 95% CI, 1.027-5.492). Conclusions: Prolonged prenatal antibiotic exposure could increase the BW/GA Z-score and the risk of death and composite outcomes of death, NEC, and LOS in VP or VLBW infants.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.183-190
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• 2001

Objective : To estimate the annual economic costs attributable to cigarette smoking in Korea. Methods : The costs were classified as being direct medical and non-medical costs, indirect costs and others. We focused on those costs related that are incurred in the treatment of selected diseases (cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and cancers), which have been proven to be caused by smoking. In addition to the basic costs of treatment, the additional amount of costs occurred due to smoking was obtained by computing the population attributable risk (PAR%) caused by smoking. To compute the PAR%, relative risks of smoking to the number of outpatient visits, hospitalizations, and the death were estimated using the Cox proportional hazard model, respectively. Our major data source was the 'Korea Medical Insurance Corporation (KMIC) cohort study,' which was composed of a total of 115,682 male and 67,932 female beneficiaries who had complete records of their smoking histories in the year of 1992. Results : The annual costs that could be attributable to smoking were estimated to be in the range of 2,847,500 million Won to 3,959,100 million Won. The maximum estimate of 3,959,100 million Won includes 233,100 million Won for medical costs, 5,100 million Won for transportation costs, 27,600 million Won for care giver's economic costs, 69,100 million Won in productivity loss, 3,435,000 million Won lost because of premature death, 172,100 million Won in costs resulting from passive smoke inhalation and 17,100 million Won for costs that resulted from fires that were caused by careless smoking. Conclusion : Our study confirms that the magnitude of the economic burden of smoking to Korean society is substantial. Therefore, this study provides strong evidence that there is a strong need for a national policy of tobacco control in Korea.