• Title/Summary/Keyword: Quality of life

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The Therapeutic Effect of Postganglionic Nerve Block for Symptomatic Schmorl Nodule: A Retrospective Case Series (증후성 쉬모를 결절에 대한 신경절 이후 신경차단술의 치료 효과: 후향적 증례 분석)

  • Son, In Seok;Hwang, Suk Hyun;Lee, Suk Ha;Kang, Min Seok
    • Journal of Korean Society of Spine Surgery
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    • v.25 no.4
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    • pp.147-153
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    • 2018
  • Study Design: Retrospective case series. Objectives: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical efficacy of postganglionic nerve block in symptomatic Schmorl nodules (SNs). Summary of Literature Review: SNs are common lesions that are often asymptomatic. In certain cases, SNs have been reported to cause severe axial back pain, thereby considerably impacting patients' quality of life. No consensus currently exists on the treatment of symptomatic SNs. Materials and Methods: From October 2015 to October 2017, a total of 21 patients with symptomatic SNs diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that did not respond to conservative treatment after 4 weeks were included in the study. All patients received postganglionic nerve block. We evaluated effective pain relief (improvement of back pain of more than 50% compared with before the intervention) and functional improvements, assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index scores obtained at 4 hours, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after the procedure. Results: Symptomatic SNs were more common at the L2-3 level, and the lower end plate was more commonly involved than the upper end plate. Eighteen of the 21 patients (85.7%) showed effective pain relief, and no deterioration was observed within the followup period. Throughout the follow-up period, the VAS remained significantly improved compared to before the procedure (p<0.05). Complications were not reported in any cases. Conclusions: Postganglionic nerve block for symptomatic SNs that do not respond to conservative treatment is a non-invasive modality for pain relief.

The Effects of Family Friendship on the Elderly's Consciousness: A Study on the Effects of Mediation on the Recognition of the Elderly and the Attitude to Dementia (청소년이 지각한 가족친밀감이 노인부양의식에 미치는 영향: 노인인식과 치매에 대한 태도의 매개효과 검증)

  • Choi, Yun Ji;Oh, Kwang Soo
    • 한국노년학
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    • v.39 no.4
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    • pp.723-739
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    • 2019
  • This study is to verify the mediated effects of attitudes toward old people and dementia in the influence of elderly couples in the aging society amid the rapidly changing family structure and functions due to the combination of individualization, marital status and divorce rate. In order to carry out such research purposes, data were collected from students of elementary, middle and high schools in Gwangju, through self-subscribed questionnaire. For statistical analysis, the SPSS 20.0 and AMOS 18.0 programs were used and frequency, percentages, technical statistics, correlation, factor analysis, structural model validation, and the Sobel-Test were performed. The results of this study are as follows. First, family intimacy, elderly awareness, and elderly care were the highest among elementary school students, followed by middle school and high school students (P.<.001). Also, in religion, the family intimacy of teenagers with religion was higher than those without religion (p.001). Second, family intimacy directly affected elderly people's attitudes toward dementia and elderly care, old people's attitudes toward dementia and attitudes toward dementia directly affected elderly care. Third, family intimacy (parent-child) was found to be 7.8% for older adults, 20.2% for family intimacy and attitudes toward dementia, and 34.1% for elderly care (p.<.001). Fourth, it has been verified that the absolute value of attitudes toward dementia and elderly people's awareness of elderly people and attitudes between family intimacy and elderly care has been higher than 1.96 and thus acts as a mediating role. These findings are intended to contribute to the welfare of senior citizens' education to improve the quality of life for senior citizens through the resolution of conflicts between generations, as well as the resolution of positive stimulus, by developing various programs such as family friendship, elderly awareness, culture with parents, and various experiences to improve attitudes toward dementia in early adolescence.

A comparative study on denture cleansers for food stain removal on the denture of elders in domiciliary care (재가복지 노인의치 세정제의 음식물 세정효과 비교연구)

  • Lee, Nam-Soon
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.19 no.1
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    • pp.331-336
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    • 2018
  • Oral health is an essential requirement for maintaining and promoting health and quality of life while aging. It is known that there is a deep connection with hygienic management of dentures. However, despite the emphasis on the importance of clean management of dentures, there is a lack of quantitative research on denture-related detergents. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate food stain removal performance of three denture cleansers containing proteolytic enzymes. In addition, this study provides basic data on self-cleaning methods using detergents and suggests ways to improve effective treatment for oral health of elders in domiciliary care. In order to obtain quantitative data concerning food stain removal performance of each proteinase denture cleaner, the test evaluation method proposed by the Korean Consumer Agency, ISO 20795, was used. A total of 18 specimens were discolored for 48 hours in water dissolved with turmeric, and then washed with each denture cleaner for 24 hours. The cleaned denture specimens were measured quantitatively using a spectrophotometer to measure the color values of the denture specimens before the discoloration as well as the color values of the discolored specimens after cleaning with the denture cleanser. The experimental values were analyzed through one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey's test, and statistically significant differences were found among the experimental groups. It was found that C had statistically significant stain removal performance compared with A and B(p<.05). All experiments were conducted for a total of 21 days, from July 3- 23, 2017. This study confirms that denture cleansers is a beneficial self-denture management method for domiciliary seniors. Therefore, it is necessary to extend accessibility for denture cleansers in order to to optimize domiciliary care for elderly oral hygiene and health.

Pork Quality Characteristics by Different Backfat Thickness (등지방 두께에 따른 돈육의 품질 특성)

  • Hah Kyoung-Hee;Jin Sang-Keun;Kim Il-Suk;Song Young-Min;Lee Jae-Ryong;Chung Ku-Young
    • Food Science of Animal Resources
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    • v.25 no.4
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    • pp.391-396
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    • 2005
  • The objective of this study was carried out investigate the changes of carcass characteristics, physico-chemical characteristics and fatty acid composition in crossbred pigs (Korean native breed ${\times}$ Landrace breed) by backfat thickness. A total 182 Pigs were divided into 3 groups by there backfat thickness, i.e., <11.80mm, $11.80\~25.01mm\;and\;25.01mm<.$ The live weight carcass weight and dressing percent of backfat thickness 25.01mm< group were higher compared to those for backfat thickness <11,80mm and $11.80\~25.01mm group, but the final grade were lower. The pH of backfat thickness 25.01mm< group were higher compared to those for backfat thickness <11.80mm and $11.80\~25.01mm$ group. Shear lone of 25.01 mm< group were lower than that of other groups. Water, crude fat content and cooking loss have no difference between the 3 groups. The hardness of backfat thickness 25.01mm< group were higher compared to those for backfat thickness <11.80mm and $11.80\~25.01mm$ group. The yellowness $(b^*)$ of meat and fat color in backfat thickness 25.01mm< group were lower compared to those for backfat thickness <11.80mm and $11.80\~25.01mm$ group. The stearic acid and saturated fatty acid content were higher compared to those for backfat thickness <11.80mm and $11.80\~25.01mm$ group but the linoleic acid and unsaturated fatty acid content were lower.

A Study on Network Hospital and the Ban on Opening and Operating the Muliple Medical Institution (네트워크병원과 의료기관 복수 개설·운영 금지 제도에 관한 고찰)

  • KIM, JOON RAE
    • The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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    • v.17 no.2
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    • pp.281-313
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    • 2016
  • Our Constitution obliges the state to protect the health of the people, and the Medical Law, which embodied Constitution, sets out in detail the matters related to open the medical institution and one of them is to prohibit the operation of multiple medical institutions In the past, there was a provision stipulating the same purpose. But because the Supreme Court interpreted that several medical institutions could be opened if the medical treatment was not made at the additional medical instition which was opened in the another doctor,s license, multiple medical institutions could be opened and operated. However, some health care providers opened the several medical institutions to another doctor's license just by the excuse of the business management and then did illegal medical cares like the unfair luring of patients, overtreatment, and commition treatment for more profits. So, the health rights of the people came to be infringed on. Accordingly, lawmakers amended the Medical Law for medical personnel not to open and to operate more than one medical institution. As the amended medical law prohibited a medical personnel to open multiple medical institution, some medical personnels insisted that the amended medical law is unconstitutional under which they could not be able to open and operate medical institutions on based on free investment and bring out the benefits of network hospitals. But the regulation to prohibit multiple institutions does not apply only to a medical personnel. Many other experts like lawyer and pharmacist can open only one office under such a restriction. If the regulation goes out of force, the procedure that multiple medical institutions should be opened and operated in the capacity as a medical corporation or a non-profit corporation does not have to be followed. And we should keep in mind that the permission for medical personels to open multiple medical institutions could lead virtually to commercial hospital. If in the nation with a very low rate of public medical service, If only a few medical personnels with capital own many medical institutions and operate commercially them, this could cause a falling-off in quality of medical service, ultimately infringe on the health rights and the life right of the people.

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Malignant Bowel Obstruction in Terminal Cancer Patients (말기암 환자의 악성 장 폐색)

  • Moon, Do-Ho;Choe, Wha-Sook
    • Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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    • v.7 no.2
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    • pp.214-220
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    • 2004
  • Purpose: As for the malignant bowel obstruction of terminal cancer patient, a prognosis is relatively bad. Physicians consider palliative procedures or surgery for the quality of life, but sometimes it is hard to decide. After diagnosis of a malignant bowel obstruction in terminal cancer patients, we investigated the clinical characteristics, the prognostic factors and the survival of patients with palliative procedures or surgery. Methods: we retrospectively reviewed the medical records in 40 malignant bowel obstruction patients who had been diagnosed as terminal cancer from May in 2002 to May in 2004. Results: There were 21 males (53%) and 19 females (47%), and median age of patients was $64.1{\pm}1.58$ years. The most common cause of malignant bowel obstruction was colorectal cancer (18 patients, 45%), followed by stomach cancer (11, 28%), pancreatic cancer (4, 10%), others (7, 19%). Metastases were carcinomatosis peritonei (14 patients, 35%), liver (13, 33%). During a bowel obstruction, symptoms were vomiting (15 patients, 38%), abdominal pain (10, 25%), constipation (6, 15%), abdominal distension (5, 13%). Performance status (ECOG) was 2 score (16 patients, 40%), 3 score (20, 50%), 4 score (4, 10%). Palliative procedure group were 30 patients, the others 10. Median survival in palliative procedure group was 142 days, that of no palliation group 30. Median survival time of palliative procedure group from palliative procedures or surgery were significantly higher than that of no palliation group from diagnosis of malignant bowel obstruction. Prognostic factors of palliative procedure group were PS, site of obstruction and primary cancer. Median survival in PS 2, lower GI obstruction and colorectal cancer was higher than PS 3, upper GI obstruction and others, respectively. Conclusion: we recommend aggressively palliative procedures or surgery in malignant bowel obstruction patients diagnosed with terminal cancer if palliative procedures or surgery could be performed effectively.

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Ecological Network on Benthic Diatom in Estuary Environment by Bayesian Belief Network Modelling (베이지안 모델을 이용한 하구수생태계 부착돌말류의 생태 네트워크)

  • Kim, Keonhee;Park, Chaehong;Kim, Seung-hee;Won, Doo-Hee;Lee, Kyung-Lak;Jeon, Jiyoung
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.55 no.1
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    • pp.60-75
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    • 2022
  • The Bayesian algorithm model is a model algorithm that calculates probabilities based on input data and is mainly used for complex disasters, water quality management, the ecological structure between living things or living-non-living factors. In this study, we analyzed the main factors affected Korean Estuary Trophic Diatom Index (KETDI) change based on the Bayesian network analysis using the diatom community and physicochemical factors in the domestic estuarine aquatic ecosystem. For Bayesian analysis, estuarine diatom habitat data and estuarine aquatic diatom health (2008~2019) data were used. Data were classified into habitat, physical, chemical, and biological factors. Each data was input to the Bayesian network model (GeNIE model) and performed estuary aquatic network analysis along with the nationwide and each coast. From 2008 to 2019, a total of 625 taxa of diatoms were identified, consisting of 2 orders, 5 suborders, 18 families, 141 genera, 595 species, 29 varieties, and 1 species. Nitzschia inconspicua had the highest cumulative cell density, followed by Nitzschia palea, Pseudostaurosira elliptica and Achnanthidium minutissimum. As a result of analyzing the ecological network of diatom health assessment in the estuary ecosystem using the Bayesian network model, the biological factor was the most sensitive factor influencing the health assessment score was. In contrast, the habitat and physicochemical factors had relatively low sensitivity. The most sensitive taxa of diatoms to the assessment of estuarine aquatic health were Nitzschia inconspicua, N. fonticola, Achnanthes convergens, and Pseudostaurosira elliptica. In addition, the ratio of industrial area and cattle shed near the habitat was sensitively linked to the health assessment. The major taxa sensitive to diatom health evaluation differed according to coast. Bayesian network analysis was useful to identify major variables including diatom taxa affecting aquatic health even in complex ecological structures such as estuary ecosystems. In addition, it is possible to identify the restoration target accurately when restoring the consequently damaged estuary aquatic ecosystem.

Linkage Map and Quantitative Trait Loci(QTL) on Pig Chromosome 6 (돼지 염색체 6번의 연관지도 및 양적형질 유전자좌위 탐색)

  • Lee, H.Y.;Choi, B.H.;Kim, T.H.;Park, E.W.;Yoon, D.H.;Lee, H.K.;Jeon, G.J.;Cheong, I.C.;Hong, K.C.
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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    • v.45 no.6
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    • pp.939-948
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    • 2003
  • The objective of this study was to identify the quantitative traits loci(QTL) for economically important traits such as growth, carcass and meat quality on pig chromosome 6. A three generation resource population was constructed from cross between Korean native boars and Landrace sows. A total of 240 F$_2$ animals were produced using intercross between 10 boars and 31 sows of F$_1$ animals. Phenotypic data including body weight at 3 weeks, backfat thickness, muscle pH, shear force and crude protein level were collected from F$_2$ animals. Animals including grandparents(F$_0$), parents(F$_1$) and offspring(F$_2$) were genotyped for 29 microsatellite markers and PCR-RFLP marker on chromosome 6. The linkage analysis was performed using CRI-MAP software version 2.4(Green et al., 1990) with FIXED option to obtain the map distances. The total length of SSC6 linkage map estimated in this study was 169.3cM. The average distance between adjacent markers was 6.05cM. For mapping of QTL, we used F$_2$ QTL Analysis Servlet of QTL express, a web-based QTL mapping tool(http://qtl.cap.ed.ac.uk). Five QTLs were detected at 5% chromosome-wide level for body weight of 3 weeks of age, shear force, meat pH at 24 hours after slaughtering, backfat thickness and crude protein level on SSC6.

Shelf-Life Extension of Sing Sing Hoe (Fresh Sliced Raw Fish) by Frozen Storage (냉동저장을 통한 싱싱회 저장기간 연장에 관한 연구)

  • Park, Jin-Il;Yoon, So-Mi;Yoon, Ho-Dong;Park, Hee-Yeon;Byun, Han-Seok;Jang, Mi-Soon
    • Food Science and Preservation
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    • v.16 no.6
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    • pp.824-829
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    • 2009
  • Changes in pH, viable microbial count, chemical freshness, texture, and sensory qualities of Sing Sing Hoe (SSH, fresh-sliced raw fish) were measured over 15 days at $4^{\circ}C$, $-20^{\circ}C$, and $-80^{\circ}C$. The initial pH of SSH was 6.25 at all three storage temperatures, and pH increased slightly after 12 days to pH 6.48 and pH 6.55 at $-20^{\circ}C$ and $-80^{\circ}C$, respectively. The range in viable cell count was 104-106 CFU/g, regardless of storage temperature. The initial content of volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) was 5.8 mg/100 g and became 8.2 mg/100 g or less, and 7.9 mg/100 g or less after 15 days at $-20^{\circ}C$ and $-80^{\circ}C$, respectively. However, pH and VBN values increased significantly after 3 days of storage at $4^{\circ}C$. At this temperature, the K-value was 22.3% after 6 days and 40% or more after 15 days. At $-20^{\circ}C$, the K-value was 9.6% or less after 6 days and 21% or less after 15 days of storage. At $-80^{\circ}C$, the K-value was 8.5% or less after 9 days and 20% or less after 15 days of storage. Compared with the K-value of live fish muscle (10%), freshness similar to that of live fish was maintained for 6 days under both $-20^{\circ}C$ and $-80^{\circ}C$ storage conditions. There was no significant change in texture during storage of SSH at $-20^{\circ}C$ or $-80^{\circ}C$, but SSH stored at $4^{\circ}C$ showed a decrease in texture quality during storage. Sensory scores were high for material stored for up to 3 days at $4^{\circ}C$ and 6 days at $-20^{\circ}C$ or $-80^{\circ}C$. The overall freshness of SSH was maintained for up to 6 days, in comparison with fresh-sliced raw fish, under both frozen storage conditions.

Clinical Manifestations and Gene Analysis of Patients with Benign Hyperphenylalaninemia (양성 고페닐알라닌혈증 환자에 대한 임상적 고찰과 유전자 분석)

  • Lee, Jeongeun;Lee, Jeongho;Lee, Dong Hwan
    • Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.79-85
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    • 2016
  • Purpose: This study aimed to analyze genetic mutations, clinical manifestations, and treatment of patients with benign HPA in Korea. Methods: This case series study involved ten HPA patients who were referred to our hospital because of high phenylalanine concentration. We investigated their demographic features, clinical manifestations, and mutations of the PAH gene through direct DNA sequencing. Results: Among ten patients with benign HPA, two pairs of patients were related (father-daughter, mother-daughter relationship) cases, and all of them showed no specific clinical manifestations or notable past history. Their plasma phenylalanine levels ranged between 1.2 and 4.2 mg/dL. In the tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) loading test, all patients were nonresponsive to BH4. In the confirmation test of PAH mutation analysis, we identified eleven different alleles out of twelve. The most common allele was R53H (c.158G> A). In addition, two novel PAH gene mutations, V423A (c.1268T>C) and V51A (c.152T>C), were identified. Although the patients did not receive any pharmacologic treatment or continuous phenylalanine restriction dietary therapy, their neurocognitive development was normal. Moreover, on serial outpatient follow-up tests, all patients maintained phenylalanine levels below 6 mg/dL. Conclusion: This study is the first in Korea to analyze benign HPA patients. All patients with benign HPA could maintain phenylalanine levels below 6 mg/dL with normal neurocognitive development, without continuous therapy. Therefore, performing mutation analysis and distinguishing benign HPA from phenylketonuria (PKU) are important to help improve life quality in patients with benign HPA by avoiding unnecessary lifelong therapy.

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