• 한국병원경영학회지
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.41-59
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• 1999

Objectives: This study was done to compare patient satisfaction and hospital charges of surgery performed in an outpatient basis(ambulatory surgical procedures). Methods : This retrospective study was performed in 20(vitrectomy 11, tonsillectomy 9) randomly selected ambulatory surgical procedures patients and 50(vitrectomy 26, tonsillectomy 24) inpatients who. received the same procedure at a general hospital in Seoul since January 1, 1998 to October 31, 1998. The operative procedures were vitrectomy and tonsilletomy which could be performed on a ambulatory surgical procedures basis or on an inpatient basis. Results: The results of this study shows that the patients thought the expenses and the surgical operative time was an important factor in a ambulatory surgical procedures but there were no differences in the patient satisfaction by the method of surgery. The charges of vitrectomy and tonsilletomy were reduced up to 495,000 won and 380,000 won from l,589,000 won 842,000 won inpatient surgery respectively. Conclusions: This study focused only on the charges of the surgical procedures and did not include the cost of patient helper, the lost salary due to missing days of work to care for a member of the family, transportation costs, and other indirect costs. Therefore, if those fees were included, ambulatory surgical procedures would be more economical. Therefore, by giving incentives at the fee schedule, the government health policies it would reduce the total hospital charges.

• 감성과학
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.79-88
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• 2016

현대사회는 산업혁명 이후 물질적 풍요로움 속에 살고 있다. 한편 제품에 다양화에 따른 소비자들의 욕구도 다양화 되고 있다. 현대 소비자들은 과거와 달리 단순히 목적 지향적인 소비가 아니라 감성과 가치관을 충족시키는 개성적 소비로 트렌드가 바뀌고 있다. 그 대표적인 사례가 스타벅스다. 스타벅스는 매장 장식부터 시작해 전 세계 어느 매장이든 똑같은 자신들만의 매장 음악, 직원들의 서비스, 매력적인 커피 향 등으로 구성된 스타벅스만의 분위기를 파는 감성마케팅으로 오늘날 세계적인 커피 프랜차이즈로 성장했다. 이런 방법은 인간의 감성을 자극 하는 마케팅이기 때문에 눈에 보이지 않는 것을 인간의 감각이나 감성에 대입하여 호소하는 방식이다. 즉, 소비자들의 감성을 끌어 내어 제품에 대한 긍정적인 반응을 이끌어 내어 소비까지 이루어지게 하는 것이 감성마케팅의 매력이다. 제품이나 서비스에서 감성의 활용은 브랜드 이미지를 차별화하고 브랜드 로열티를 강화할 수 있는 핵심적인 방법이 되고 있다. 특히 소비자의 감동을 강하게 이끌어 내기 위해 고객서비스가 더욱 중요시 되고 있다. 무형의 서비스는 고객의 감동을 이끌어내는 최고의 수단이 되고 있다.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• 제33권50호
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• pp.318.1-318.10
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• 2018

Background: In this prospective cohort study, we investigated the association between fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) in meconium as biomarkers of prenatal ethanol exposure and growth deficits, as birth outcomes, that constitute several of the key cardinal features of fetal alcohol syndrome. Methods: A total of 157 meconium samples were collected from enrolled infants within 24 hours of birth, and nine FAEEs were quantified using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. The relationships between cumulative concentrations of nine species of FAEEs in meconium and birth parameters of growth (age-sex-specific centiles of head circumference [HC], weight, and length) and respective and combined birth outcomes of growth deficits (HC ${\leq}10th$ centile, weight ${\leq}10th$ centile, and length ${\leq}10th$ centile) were determined. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that higher cumulative concentrations of meconium FAEEs correlated with elevated risks for HC and length, both, 10th percentile or less (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-7.74; P = 0.029) and HC and weight and length, all of them, 10th percentile or less (aOR, 3.27; 95% CI, 1.12-9.59; P = 0.031). Conclusion: The elevated cumulative FAEEs in meconium were associated with combined growth deficits at birth, specifically HC and length, both, 10th percentile or less, which might be correlated with detrimental alcohol effects on fetal brain and bone development, suggesting a plausible alcohol-specific pattern of intrauterine growth restriction.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• 제33권6호
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• pp.1084-1092
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• 2018

Background/Aims: There has been no evidence for the necessity of endoscopy in asymptomatic young men with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). To determine whether endoscopy should be recommended in asymptomatic young men with IDA, we compared the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) lesions between young men (< 50 years) with IDA and those without IDA. Methods: We conducted a case-control study on asymptomatic young men aged < 50 years who underwent both esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy as part of a health checkup between 2010 and 2014. Results: Of 77,864 participants, 128 (0.16%) had IDA and 512 subjects without IDA were matched for several variables including age. Young men with IDA had a significantly higher proportion of colorectal cancer (CRC) (0.8% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.045), villous adenoma (0.8% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.045), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; 2.3% vs. 0.4%, p = 0.025) than those without IDA. Additionally, the prevalence of advanced colorectal neoplasia (ACRN) tended to be higher in subjects with IDA than in those without IDA (3.1% vs. 1.0%, p = 0.084). The prevalence of significant lower GI lesions including ACRN and IBD was higher in subjects with IDA than in those without IDA (5.5% vs. 1.4%, p = 0.011). Regarding upper GI lesions, a positive association with IDA was observed only for gastric ulcer (4.7% vs. 1.0%, p = 0.011). Conclusions: GI lesions including CRC, villous adenoma, IBD, and gastric ulcer were more common in asymptomatic young men with IDA. Our results suggest that EGD and particularly colonoscopy should be recommended even in asymptomatic young men with IDA.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.86-92
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• 2022

Background: The present study investigated the radiation dose distribution of balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) among surgeons and medical staff, and this is the first research to observe such exposure in Japan. Materials and Methods: The study subjects were an orthopedic surgeon (n = 1) and surgical staff (n = 9) who intervened in BKP surgery performed at the National Hospital Organization Disaster Medical Center (Tokyo, Japan) between March 2019 and October 2019. Only disposable protective gloves (0.022 mmPb equivalent thickness or less) and trunk protectors were used, and no protective glasses or thyroid drapes were used. Results and Discussion: The surgery time per vertebral body was 36.2 minutes, and the fluoroscopic time was 6.8 minutes. The average exposure dose per vertebral body was 1.46 mSv for the finger (70 ㎛ dose equivalent), 0.24 mSv for the lens of the eye (3 mm dose equivalent), 0.11 mSv for the neck (10 mm dose equivalent), and 0.03 mSv for the chest (10 mm dose equivalent) under the protective suit.The estimated cumulative radiation exposure dose of 23 cases of BKP was calculated to be 50.37 mSv for the fingers, 8.27 mSv for the lens, 3.91 mSv for the neck, and 1.15 mSv for the chest. Conclusion: It is important to know the exposure dose of orthopedic surgeons, implement measures for exposure reduction, and verify the safety of daily use of radiation during surgery and examination.

• 한국의류산업학회지
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.647-654
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• 2022

Wearable devices come in a variety of shapes and sizes in numerous fields in numerous fields and are available in various forms. They can be integrated into clothing, gloves, hats, glasses, and bags and used in healthcare, the medical field, and machine interfaces. These devices keep track individuals' biological and behavioral data to help with health communication and are often used for injury prevention. Those with hearing loss or impaired vision find it more difficult to recognize an approaching person or object; these sensing devices are particularly useful for such individuals, as they assist them with injury prevention by alerting them to the presence of people or objects in their immediate vicinity. Despite these obvious preventive benefits to developing Internet of Things based devices for the disabled, the development of these devices has been sluggish thus far. In particular, when compared with people without disabilities, people with hearing impairment have a much higher probability of averting danger when they are able to notice it in advance. However, research and development remain severely underfunded. In this study, we incorporated a wearable detection system, which uses an infrared proximity sensor, into a backpack. This system helps its users recognize when someone is approaching from behind through visual and tactile notification, even if they have difficulty hearing or seeing the objects in their surroundings. Furthermore, this backpack could help prevent accidents for all users, particularly those with visual or hearing impairments.

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.304-316
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• 2022

Background: As prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission in healthcare settings has become a critical component in its effective management, COVID-19 specific infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines were developed and implemented by numerous countries. Although largely based on the current evidence-base, guidelines show much heterogeneity, as they are influenced by respective health system capacities, epidemiological risk, and socioeconomic status. This study aims to analyze the variations and concurrences of these guidelines to draw policy implications for COVID-19 response and future guidelines development. Methods: The contents of the COVID-19 IPC guidelines were analyzed using the categories and codes developed based on "World Health Organization guidelines on core components." Data analysis involved reviewing, appraising and synthesizing data from guidelines, which were then arranged into categories and codes. Selection of countries was based on the country income level, availability of COVID-19 specific IPC guideline developed at a national or district level. Results: The guidelines particularly agreed on IPC measures regarding application of standard precautions and providing information to patients and visitors, monitoring and audit of IPC activities and staff illnesses, and management of built environment/equipments. The guidelines showed considerable differences in certain components, such as workplace safety measures and criteria for discontinuation of precautions. Several guidelines also contained unique features which enabled a more systematic response to COVID-19. Conclusion: The guidelines generally complied with the current evidence-based COVID-19 management but also revealed variances stemming from differences in local health system capacity. Several unique features should be considered for benchmark in future guidelines development.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• 제22권10호
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• pp.97-106
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• 2022

Objective. Nanotechnology is spreading among all areas of life, from everyday devices to medicine. The concept of nanotechnology argues that not only can new physical and chemical properties of materials be discovered, but also the new potential of nanostructures when reduced to the nanoscale. The growing interest in the application of nanomaterials in dentistry contributes to the proliferation of the range of nanomaterials used by specialists. The purpose of this review of information sources was to analyze the prospects for the use of nanomaterials in dentistry. Methods. We used the bibliographic semantic method of research, for which we analyzed electronic databases of primary literature sources Scopus, Web of Science, Research Gate, PubMed, MDPI, and MedLine. English-language scientific articles published after 2017 were taken into consideration. Results. According to the results of a search study among modern information primary sources, nanotechnology improves the preventive properties of oral care products, improves the structural-mechanical and aesthetic properties of composite mixtures for dentistry, overcomes the problems of the clinical application of dental implants. Despite the prospects of nanotechnology applications in medicine in general and dentistry in particular, the existing economic and technological problems require a thorough solution for further implementation of nanostructures. Scientific novelty. For the first time, the analysis of modern trends in the application of nanotechnology in dentistry is carried out and the peculiarities of materials are highlighted, the problems and prospects of nanostructures implementation in modern dental implantology are given, physical, chemical, mechanical, and antibacterial properties of nanomaterials are evaluated. The effect of nanomaterials on the microbial adhesion of the tooth or implant surface is described. Practical significance. The presented publication can become a scientific basis for the solution of urgent problems hindering the introduction of nanotechnology into dental practice. Conclusions. Thus, the use of nanostructures opens up great opportunities for the treatment of a wide range of diseases, not only of dental nature but also in medicine in general.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제86권3호
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• pp.234-244
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• 2023

Background: Effective treatment of fluoroquinolone-resistant multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (FQr-MDR-TB) is difficult because of the limited number of available core anti-TB drugs and high rates of resistance to anti-TB drugs other than FQs. However, few studies have examined anti-TB drugs that are effective in treating patients with FQr-MDR-TB in a real-world setting. Methods: The impact of anti-TB drug use on treatment outcomes in patients with pulmonary FQr-MDR-TB was retrospectively evaluated using a nationwide integrated TB database (Korean Tuberculosis and Post-Tuberculosis). Data from 2011 to 2017 were included. Results: The study population consisted of 1,082 patients with FQr-MDR-TB. The overall treatment outcomes were as follows: treatment success (69.7%), death (13.7%), lost to follow-up or not evaluated (12.8%), and treatment failure (3.9%). On a propensity-score-matched multivariate logistic regression analysis, the use of bedaquiline (BDQ), linezolid (LZD), levofloxacin (LFX), cycloserine (CS), ethambutol (EMB), pyrazinamide, kanamycin (KM), prothionamide (PTO), and para-aminosalicylic acid against susceptible strains increased the treatment success rate (vs. unfavorable outcomes). The use of LFX, CS, EMB, and PTO against susceptible strains decreased the mortality (vs. treatment success). Conclusion: A therapeutic regimen guided by drug-susceptibility testing can improve the treatment of patients with pulmonary FQr-MDR-TB. In addition to core anti-TB drugs, such as BDQ and LZD, treatment of susceptible strains with later-generation FQs and KM may be beneficial for FQr-MDR-TB patients with limited treatment options.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.34.1-34.10
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• 2023

Nosocomial infections, commonly referred to as healthcare-associated infections, are illnesses that patients get while hospitalized and are typically either not yet manifest or may develop. One of the most prevalent nosocomial diseases in hospitalized patients is pneumonia, among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. Viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens cause pneumonia. More severe introductions commonly included Staphylococcus aureus, which is at the top of bacterial infections, per World Health Organization reports. The staphylococci, S. aureus, strain RMI-014804, mesophile, on-sporulating, and non-motile bacterium, was isolated from the sputum of a pulmonary patient in Pakistan. Many characteristics of S. aureus strain RMI-014804 have been revealed in this paper, with complete genome sequence and annotation. Our findings indicate that the genome is a single circular 2.82 Mbp long genome with 1,962 protein-coding genes, 15 rRNA, 49 tRNA, 62 pseudogenes, and a GC content of 28.76%. As a result of this genome sequencing analysis, researchers will fully understand the genetic and molecular basis of the virulence of the S. aureus bacteria, which could help prevent the spread of nosocomial infections like pneumonia. Genome analysis of this strain was necessary to identify the specific genes and molecular mechanisms that contribute to its pathogenicity, antibiotic resistance, and genetic diversity, allowing for a more in-depth investigation of its pathogenesis to develop new treatments and preventive measures against infections caused by this bacterium.