• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6227-6231
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• 2013

In the past, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was endemic in the general Korean population. The association of HBV infection with the occurrence of liver cancer has been well demonstrated in several epidemiologic studies. While the mortality rates of liver cancer in Korea have decreased steadily over the last decade, the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in mothers remains high at 3-4%, and 25.5% of these HBsAg positive mothers are positive for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). HBV infection caused almost a quarter of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases and one-third of deaths from HCC. These aspects of HBV infection prompted the Korean government to create a vaccination program against HBV in the early 1980s. In 1995, the Communicable Disease Prevention Act (CDPA) was reformed, and the government increased the number of HBV vaccines in the National Immunization Program (NIP), driving the vaccination rate up to 95%. In 2000, the National Health Insurance Act (NHIA) was enacted, which provided increased resources for the prevention of perinatal HBV infection. Then in 2002, the Korean government, in conjunction with the Korean Medical Association (KMA), launched an HBV perinatal transmission prevention program. The prevalence of HBsAg in children had been high (4-5%) in the early 1980s, but had dropped to below 1% in 1995, and finally reached 0.2% in 2006 after the NIP had been implemented. After the success of the NIP, Korea finally obtained its first certification of achievement from the Western Pacific Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WPRO-WHO) for reaching its goal for HBV control. An age-period-cohort analysis showed a significant reduction in the liver cancer mortality rate in children and adolescents after the NIP had been implemented. In addition to its vaccination efforts, Korea launched the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) for 5 leading sites of cancer, including the liver, in 1999. As a consequence of this program, the 5-year liver cancer survival rate increased from 13.2% (1996-2000) to 23.3% (2003-2008). The development of both the primary and secondary prevention for liver cancer including HBV immunization and cancer screening has been of critical importance.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.106-109
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• 2012

Purpose : The KOTRON-13 cyclotron was developed and installed in regional cyclotron centers to produce short-lifetime medical radioisotopes. However, this cyclotron has limited capacity to produce $^{11}C$ so far. In present study, we developed an effective $^{11}C$ target system combining with fluorine-18 target and applied to the production of various $^{11}C$ radiopharmaceuticals. Materials and Methods : To develop the optimal $^{11}C$ target system and effective its cooling system, we designed the $^{11}C$ target system by Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) simulation program and considered the cavity pressure during irradiation at target grid. In this investigation, we modified target materials, cavity shapes and the position of cooling system in $^{11}C$ target and then evaluated $[^{11}C]CO_2$ production at different beam currents, thickness of the target foil, oxygen content of nitrogen gas and target gas loading pressure. Also, we evaluate the production of several $^{11}C$ radiopharmaceuticals such as [$^{11}C$]PIB, [$^{11}C$]DASB, and [$^{11}C$]Clozapine. Results : $[^{11}C]CO_2$ was produced about 74 GBq for 30min irradiation at 60 ${\mu}A$ of beam current as following conditions: thickness of the target foil: 19 nm HAVAR, oxygen content of nitrogen: under 50 ppb, target gas loading pressure: 24 bar. Additionally, the cooling system was stable to produce $[^{11}C]CO_2$ at high beam current. The radiochemical yields of [$^{11}C$]PIB, [$^{11}C$]DASB, and [$^{11}C$]Clozapine showed about 26-38% with over 127 GBq/umol of specific activity. Conclusion : The carbon-11 target system in the KOTRON-13 cyclotron was successfully developed and showed stable production of $[^{11}C]CO_2$. These results showed that our $^{11}C$ target system will be compatible with other commercial system for the routine $^{11}C$ radiopharmaceuticals production in the KOTRON-13 cyclotron.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.86-89
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• 2011

Purpose: The KOTRON-13 cyclotron was developed in South Korea and was introduced to regional cyclotron centers to produce short-lifetime medical radioisotopes. However, this cyclotron has limited capacity to produce carbon-11 isotope so far. We herein study how to develop and optimize an effective carbon-11 target system in the KOTRON-13 cyclotron by changing cooling system, combing with fluorine-18 target and evaluating beam currents. Materials and Method: To develop the optimal carbon-11 target and an effective cooling system, we designed the carbon-11 target system by Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) simulation program and considered the cavity pressure during irradiation at target grid. In this investigation, we evaluated the yield of carbon-11 production at different beam currents and the stability of the operation of the KOTRON-13 cyclotron. Results: The production of carbon-11 was enhanced from about 1.700 mCi ($50{\mu}A$) to 2,000 mCi ($60{\mu}A$) on the carbon-11 target which developed by seoul national university bundang hospital (SNUBH) and Samyoung Unitech. Additionally, the cooling condition was showed stable to produce carbon-11 under high beam current. Conclude: The carbon-11 target system of the KOTRON-13 cyclotron was successfully developed and improved carbon-11 production. Consequently, the operation of carbon-11 target system was highly effective and stable compare with other commercial cyclotrons. Our results are believed that this optimal carbon-11 target system will be helpful for the routine carbon-11 production in the KOTRON-13 cyclotron.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.580-594
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• 2021

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact on self-reliance and satisfaction of participants participating in the self-sufficiency business program of the Ulsan Metropolitan Regional Self-Sufficiency Center. A self-filled questionnaire was surveyed on self-sufficiency participants in five Borough and Country in Ulsan for 4 weeks from September 1 to 30, 2020, and final 233 copies were used in the actual analysis. As a result of the study, first, the percentage of positive responses of the participants was found to be good at 71.7%, for questions on the degree of support to the government, local governments, and administrative welfare centers. Second, in response to a system or service that would like to be supported or needed in the future, support for living expenses and support for health and medical expenses appeared and as a result of gender difference analysis, it was confirmed that there was a significant difference between support for children's education expenses and support for housing funds. Among the factors of the participant's psychological self-reliance(self-control, confidence, and willingness to work), the factor of self-control was the most significant factor, followed by confidence and willingness to work. Overall satisfaction with work was the highest among 9 satisfaction items such as salary and working hours.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.390-405
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was conducted to effectively apply the nutrition and hygiene education program for improving the nutritional status of the elderly aged 65 years and above. Methods: The first study was conducted by enrolling 121 willing elderly subjects from welfare centers in four regions of Chungbuk. The second study included 347 people from 10 regions of Chungbuk. Data were analyzed using the SPSS (version 12.0) and SAS (version 9.2) programs. Results: Most participants in both studies were women, ranging from 70-79 years of age. In the first study, the performance rates of subjects, after imparting the education on hygiene, eating habits, and nutritional knowledge, were significantly increased for all factors. Goesan and Boeun areas were highly effective in hygiene practice and eating habits after education. In the second study, Chungju had the most educational effect on hygiene education, with a score of 6.41 points before education and 7.68 points after education. The greatest impact of education on eating habits was obtained at Goesan, with 9.23 points and 11.26 points before and after education, respectively. Large regional differences were determined for the effect of the education program. For nutritional knowledge, the combined average score of Boeun and Goesan showed a maximum increase after education. When considering satisfaction, the scores of Cheongju and Jeungpyeong increased the most after education, whereas Goesan showed that the average scores before and after education were close to perfect. Surprisingly, the Okcheon area, where there was no significant difference in the educational effect after the education program in the first study, showed significant improvement for all factors after the second education program. The current study indicates that continuous education programs are essential for improving the nutritional status of the elderly. Conclusion: Therefore, continuous nutrition and hygiene education programs are recommended to improve the nutritional status of the elderly.

• Journal of Rhinology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2018

Background and Objectives: The present study evaluated the results of skin prick test using 55 allergens at 20 centers in the Republic of Korea in 2006, 2010, and 2014-2015. The aim was to assess changes in the positive rate of allergens according to temporal, regional, and environmental factors. Materials and Method: In total, 20 hospitals were selected based on the population distribution in the Republic of Korea. A skin prick test panel comprising 55 aeroallergens was distributed to 18 hospitals for this prospective study. The 2006 and 2010 skin prick test results were collected and analyzed retrospectively from 20 hospitals, while the 2014/2015 skin prick test results (from June 2014 to May 2015) were collected prospectively from 18 hospitals. Results: A total of 14,897 SPT test results were analyzed: 4,319 in 2006, 7,431 in 2010, and 1,852 in 2014/2015. The overall rate of skin prick test positivity to more than two allergens was significantly higher in males than females. The positive rates of alder pollens and birch, oak and ragweed pollen positivity were increased in older patients. Several positive rates were increased according to the temperature in spring. The positive rates for beech pollen, birch pollen, hazel pollen, oak pollen, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, mugwort, cat, Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putrescentiae were significantly increased, while those of Cult rye pollen and dandelion were significantly decreased over the three test periods. The overall positive rate for allergens in Jeju province varied significantly from Seoul and other cities. Conclusion: Change in the positive rate of multiple aeroallergens was evaluated in the Republic of Korea over time. Our findings can be used to recommend aeroallergens suitable for inclusion in skin prick test panels in the Republic of Korea and will facilitate further investigation of changes in the patterns of allergic diseases.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.143-162
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• 1998

This is a study for the construction of nursing care based upon the Korean attitude toward medicine. Factors which were investigated include the source of nursing care, the reason for choosing care, the type of heath care chosen, the accessability of caregivers, and the desired location of death. The population examined in this study consisted of 517 adults distributed in six large cities and 191 adults from five rural communities. Data was analyzed using frequency, percent, Cronbach alpha, $X^2$ - test, t - test, F - test and scheffe post hoc contrast with an SAS program. The results of this study are summarized as follows: 1. Among sources of nursing care used, first rank rated-pharmacy(54.4), private hospital(18.2), general hospital(8.4), folk remedies in house (5.0), chinese hospital(2.8), prayer(2.8) and others(8.4), and the reasons for choosing nursing care rated 'the easiest method' (63.6), 'the best method'(15.7), 'reliable'(10.8) and 'lower cost burden'(4.6) in order of preference. 2. The type of nursing care chosen rated western medicine(6.80), chinese medicine(6.15), folk remedies(5.46), faith remedies(3.51) and divination remedies (1.41). There were significant differences in the effect recognition degree to various kinds of medicine. 3. The difference of the type of nursing care chosen according to general characteristics showed that urban residents were higher than rural community residents(t=2.15, p=0.0320) in western medicine, and urban residents, women, and singles were higher than rural community residents(t=2.04, p=0.0414), men (t= -2.89, p=0.0039), and married(t=2.50, p= 0.0126) on folk remedies. With repect to age and education those 21-30, under 20 and 31-40, graduated from college and graduate school were higher than above 51, above 61 (F = 7.76, p = 0.0001), graduated from elementary school(F=4.39, p=0.0006) on folk remedies. In other categories, rural community residents, women, younger people. Christians were higher than urban residents ( t = -2.73, p=0.0305), men(t= -4.15, p=0.0001), older people (F=2.48, p=0.0307), Catholic, Buddhist, or atheist (F= 70.18, p=0.0001) on faith remedies. Those graduated from high school and Buddhist were higher than unschooled, graduated from middle school(F=3.18, p= 0.0075), atheist, Catholic or Christian(F=18.32, p=0.0001) on divination redemies. There were significant differences concerning age and education level. 4. The accessibility of caregivers rated 'caregivers should be nearby if the patients need them' (50.0), 'caregivers must be there all day (24 hours)' (39.6), 'caregivers must be there at night only'(5.0), 'caregivers must be there during the day only'(2.6), 'caregivers always should visit during visiting hours' 0.4), 'caregivers don't need to be there at all' (1.2). The frist rank of suitable caregivers were rated as spouse(66.6), mother(24.2), daughter (3.6), daughter-in-law(1.9), and the reasons of thinking thus were rated as 'the most comfortable' (81.5), 'people should correctly with regards to family they'(7.1), 'the easiest' (5.4), 'take good care of the patient' (5.1) and 'lower cost burden' (0.4). 5. The desired location of death rated as the following: his/her house (91. 6) to the hospital(8. 4). A person going to encounter death in the hospital wanted his house(78.5) over the hospital(21.5), and a person dieing in the hospital prefered his house(52.9) over the hospital(47.1) as a funeral ceremony place. The following suggestions are made based on the above results. 1. A sampling method that enhances the re presentativeness should be used in regional and/or national related research and replicated to confirm the result of this study. 2. This study should be used to understand the Korean view of medical centers and to meet the expectations of patients in Korean nursing. 3. Research on the Korean traditional view of humans and expectations of the sick, health and illness, and health behavior, the perception of dying, the decision to heal, and the view of general medicine should continue to be conducted continuosly so that Korean nursing theory can be advanced on these concepts.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.174-183
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• 2010

Purpose : The organisms causing peritonitis and their antibiotic sensitivities vary in different regions and centers, and these data are necessary to establish regional treatment guidelines. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in incidence and characteristics of the organisms that cause peritonitis in children undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) during recent 10 years. Methods : We retrospectively collected and analyzed the data from medical records of 110 children on PD during the period from 2000 to 2010. Results : One hundred and forty episodes of peritonitis have occurred in 57 patients. The overall incidence of peritonitis was 0.43 episodes/patient year, and similar incidence have been maintained since 2003. Sixty percent of the patients experienced peritonitis within 1 year of PD, and all patients commencing PD in infancy experienced peritonitis. Gram positive (G (+)), gram negative (G (-)) organisms and fungi were cultured in 58%, 38%, and 4.1% respectively and cultures were negative in 13.6%. Staphylococcus was the most common G (+) organism, and Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter were 2 most frequent G (-) organisms isolated. Fifty-six percent of the G (+) organisms were sensitive to first generation cephalosporin and 91% of G (-) pathogens were sensitive to ceftazidime. Methicillin-resistance rate was not higher in children less than 2 years of age than in those more than 2 years. Conclusion : An additional breakthrough has to be made to further reduce the incidence of peritonitis. Treatment guideline customized for peritonitis in Korean children on PD need to be established through a nationwide co-work.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.37-49
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to explore whether there are differences in smoking status between two regions of Wonju-City and Chuncheon-City, Gangwon State, and to determine whether the experience of smoking cessation programs in the region affects quit attempts. Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional study in which adults aged 19 and older living in two cities were surveyed using a pre-developed mobile app to investigate social capital for smoking cessation, and a total of 600 citizens were participated, including 310 in Wonju-City and 290 in Chuncheon-City. The statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Wonju-City had a higher prevalence of current smoking than Chuncheon-City. Among smoking cessation programs operated by local public health centers, Wonju-City had a lower odds ratio for experience with smoking cessation education than Chuncheon-City (OR=0.52, 95% CI=0.33 to 0.81). When examining the effect of smoking cessation program experience on quit attempts, in Wonju-City, citizens who had completed smoking cessation education and used a smoking cessation clinic were more likely to attempt to quit than those who had not (OR=2.31 and OR=2.29, respectively). In Chuncheon-City, citizens who were aware of smoking cessation support services were 2.26 times more likely to attempt to quit smoking than those who were not, but statistical significance was not reached due to the small sample size. Conclusion: Therefore, healthcare organizations in both regions should develop more practical intervention strategies to increase smokers' quit attempts, reduce smoking rates in the community, and address regional disparities.