• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.41-51
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• 2024

Objective : This study aimed to assess the applicability of the Yonsei Lifestyle Profile (YLP), initially developed for adults, for adolescents and verify its reliability and validity. Methods : This study evaluated the reliability and validity of the YLP among 436 middle and high school students in South Korea. The internal consistency of this scale was analyzed using Cronbach's alpha and Spearman-Brown's coefficient. Concurrent validity was assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient with the Korean Youth Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Korean version of the Children and Adolescents Participation Scale, and the Nutrition Quotient for Adolescents. Results : The overall internal consistency of the YLP items demonstrated high reliability, with a Cronbach's α of .811 and Spearman-Brown's coefficient of .779. Significant positive correlations were observed for physical activity (r=.555, p<.01), activity participation (r=.177, p<.01), and dietary habits (r=.633, p<.05), indicating consistent correlations with the related scales. Conclusion : This study analyzed the YLP targeting adolescents and confirmed its high reliability and significant validity in the areas of physical activity, activity participation, and dietary habits. These findings suggest that the YLP can be utilized as a reliable tool for evaluating healthy lifestyles among adolescents.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.69-84
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• 2024

Objective : This study aimed to categorize the lifestyles of older adults into two types - healthy and unhealthy, and use machine learning to identify the personal values that influence these lifestyles. Methods : This cross-sectional study targeting middle-aged and older adults (55 years and above) living in local communities in South Korea. Data were collected from 300 participants through online surveys. Lifestyle types were dichotomized by the Yonsei Lifestyle Profile (YLP)-Active, Balanced, Connected, and Diverse (ABCD) responses using latent profile analysis. Personal value information was collected using YLP-Values (YLP-V) and analyzed using machine learning to identify the relative importance of personal values on lifestyle types. Results : The lifestyle of older adults was categorized into healthy (48.87%) and unhealthy (51.13%). These two types showed the most significant difference in social relationship characteristics. Among the machine learning models used in this study, the support vector machine showed the highest classification performance, achieving 96% accuracy and 95% area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The model indicated that individuals who prioritized a healthy diet, sought health information, and engaged in hobbies or cultural activities were more likely to have a healthy lifestyle. Conclusion : This study suggests the need to encourage the expansion of social networks among older adults. Furthermore, it highlights the necessity to comprehensively intervene in individuals' perceptions and values that primarily influence lifestyle adherence.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.41-47
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to dosimetrically compare the technique of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D CRT), which is a traditional prophylactic cranial irradiation method, and the intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) techniques used in the last few decades with the dynamic conformal arc therapy (DCAT) technique. Methods: The 3D CRT, VMAT, IMRT, and DCAT plans were prepared with 25 Gy in 10 fractions in a Monaco planning system. The target volume and the critical organ doses were compared. A comparison of the body V₂, V₅, and V₁₀ doses, monitor unit (MU), and beam on-time values was also performed. Results: In planned target volume of the brain (PTV_Brain), the highest D99 dose value (P<0.001) and the most homogeneous (P=0.049) dose distribution according to the heterogeneity index were obtained using the VMAT technique. In contrast, the lowest values were obtained using the 3D CRT technique in the body V₂, V₅, and V₁₀ doses. The MU values were the lowest when DCAT (P=0.001) was used. These values were 0.34% (P=0.256) lower with the 3D CRT technique, 66% (P=0.001) lower with IMRT, and 72% (P=0.001) lower with VMAT. The beam on-time values were the lowest with the 3D CRT planning (P<0.001), 3.8% (P=0.008) lower than DCAT, 65% (P=0.001) lower than VMAT planning, and 76% (P=0.001) lower than IMRT planning. Conclusions: Without sacrificing the homogeneous dose distribution and the critical organ doses in IMRTs, three to four times less treatment time, less low-dose volume, less leakage radiation, and less radiation scattering could be achieved when the DCAT technique is used similar to conventional methods. In short, DCAT, which is applicable in small target volumes, can also be successfully planned in large target volumes, such as the whole-brain.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.69-84
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• 2024

Objective : This study aimed to provide an overview of task-oriented approaches for children with developmental coordination disorder, including its definition, diagnosis, causes, and assessment, through a literature review. Subject : Eighteen international articles published between January 2000 and September 2023 were analyzed to explore the intervention strategies of Neuromotor Task Training (NTT) and Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP). The objectives of the interventions mentioned in the reviewed articles were categorized according to the criteria of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework-4 (OTPF-4). The results showed that NTT more frequently set goals in the area of client factors, while CO-OP set goals only in the area of occupation. This difference in goal setting can be explained by the strategy differences between the two interventions. Conclusion : A broader and deeper understanding of strategies for interventions with task-oriented approaches to developmental coordination disorder can increase awareness of the disorder and provide a more solid basis for evidence-based practice.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.275-288
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of breathing techniques on trunk muscle activity and balance during Pilates reformer footwork exercises, comparing results both within and between groups before and after the intervention. Methods: Thirty-one adult women over the age of 20 were selected as subjects for this study. They were divided into a Pilates breathing group (n = 15) and a general breathing group (n = 16) using a randomized control group study design. A surface electromyogram was used to measure muscle activity within and between the groups before and after the reformer footwork exercise. Static balance measurements were taken while standing on two legs, and dynamic balance measurements were taken while standing on one leg. All measurements were taken three times, and the average values were used for analysis. Results: The results of the study showed that muscle activity increased with significant differences in the external oblique and transverse abdominal muscles after exercise in the pre-post comparison within the Pilates breathing group (p < 0.05). In the between-group comparison, there was a significant difference in the increase in muscle activity of the external oblique and transverse abdominal muscles in the Pilates breathing group (p < 0.05). In the pre-post comparison of static and dynamic balance within the Pilates breathing group, there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) after exercise. The Pilates breathing group also showed a significant increase even in the between-group comparison (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study confirmed that reformer footwork exercise accompanied by Pilates breathing has positive effects on muscle activity and static balance ability of trunk muscles in adult women. Therefore, reformer footwork exercise accompanied by Pilates breathing can be presented as an effective exercise method to increase trunk stability and balance ability through the simultaneous activity of the trunk muscles.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.87 no.4
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• pp.465-472
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• 2024

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) expressing eosinophilia experience slightly fewer episodes of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), than those without eosinophilia. However, the severity and burden of hospitalized pneumonia patients with COPD involving eosinophilia have not been assessed. Methods: We evaluated the differences in clinical characteristics between patients with CAP and COPD with or without eosinophilia by a post hoc analysis of a prospective, multi-center, cohort study data. Results: Of 349 CAP patients with COPD, 45 (12.9%) had eosinophilia (blood eosinophil ≥300 cells/µL). Patients with eosinophilia had a lower sputum culture percentile (8.1% vs. 23.4%, p<0.05), a lower percentile of neutrophils (70.3% vs. 80.2%, p<0.05), reduced C-reactive protein levels (30.6 mg/L vs. 86.6 mg/L, p<0.05), and a lower pneumonia severity index score (82.5 vs. 90.0, p<0.05), than those without eosinophilia. The duration of antibiotic treatment (8.0 days vs. 10.0 days, p<0.05) and hospitalization (7.0 days vs. 9.0 days, p<0.05) were shorter in eosinophilic patients. The cost of medical care per day (256.4 US$ vs. 291.0 US$, p<0.05), cost for the medication (276.4 US$ vs. 349.9 US$, p<0.05), and cost for examination (685.5 US$ vs. 958.1 US$, p<0.05) were lower in patients with eosinophilia than those without eosinophilia. Conclusion: Eosinophilia serves as a favorable marker for the severity of pneumonia, health-care consumption, and cost of medical care in patients with CAP and COPD.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.31-49
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• 2024

The stress experienced by employees on international deployment has serious implications for their physical and mental health as well as their work performance. This study aimed to investigate the impact of resource-oriented music listening on work-related stress among employees on international deployment. The study recruited 10 participants of varying ages and occupations who had worked abroad for at least three years and conducted five personalized resource-oriented music listening sessions along with interviews. The Global Assessment of Recent Stress Scale (GARS) and Job Stress Scale (JSS) were used to measure stress levels before and after the intervention. Results showed that participants' work-related stress and perceived stress were significantly reduced following the music therapy intervention. The study also found that "awareness of own's life situation" and "self-acceptance of here and now emotional challenges" were factors that reduced regulatory stress among employees on international deployment. This study highlights the potential of resource-oriented music listening as a useful tool for managing workplace stress and promoting the well-being of expatriate employees.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.33-50
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• 2024

This study examined the trends in home economics education research across different curriculum periods and journals. A total of 374 papers related to the 2009, 2015, and 2022 revised curricula were selected and analyzed using network analysis from four journals. First, research trends were analyzed by curriculum period. Keyword frequency analysis revealed that articles on the 2009 and 2015 revised curricula primarily focused on analyzing the curriculum to develop textbooks or programs. In contrast, papers on the 2022 revised curriculum explored broader directions. Topic modeling results highlighted the prominent topics for each period: 'environmental education' in the 2009 revised curriculum, 'safety and health education' in the 2015 revised curriculum, and 'ecological transition' in the 2022 revised curriculum. Second, research trends were analyzed by journal. Keyword frequency analysis by journal exposed specific research tendencies. For example, in the Journal of Home Economics Research, 'perceptions of practical classes' and 'analysis of safety textbooks' were major topics for the 2009 revised curriculum, while 'teaching and learning plans for competence development' dominated research on the 2015 revised curriculum. This study demonstrates that the concepts and goals emphasized in curriculum revisions are reflected in the corresponding research.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.55-65
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• 2024

Background : Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health issue worldwide, particularly among healthcare workers (HCWs) at high risk of exposure. Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a state where individuals are infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis but do not show clinical symptoms. Early detection and treatment of LTBI are crucial to prevent progression to active TB. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of LTBI among Korean Medicine (KM) workers in Seoul, South Korea. Methods : This study analyzed 368 adults aged 19 and over working in Korean medicine institutions in Seoul by September 2023. Participants underwent a tuberculin skin test (TST) and completed a survey collecting demographic information, occupation, work duration, smoking status, BCG vaccination, TB history, and comorbidities. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results : The average age of participants was 43.1 years, with an LTBI prevalence rate of 3.5%. Significant risk factors included age and history of TB, Older age and a history of TB were associated with higher LTBI positivity. Conclusion : The study identified the prevalence and risk factors of LTBI among Korean medicine workers in Seoul. The findings highlight the need for targeted LTBI screening and preventive measures, especially for older workers and those with a history of TB. While the prevalence was lower than in other healthcare settings, the results emphasize the importance of regular LTBI testing and prevention education for KM workers. Future large-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings and further understand the relationship between various risk factors and LTBI in KM settings.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.446-458
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• 2024

The study aims to compare the action of Pleurotus cornucopiae and glibenclamide on alloxan-induced diabetes and ascertain how an aqueous extract of the edible mushroom regulates the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), oxidative stress biomarkers and renal toxicity in a diabetic male Wistar rat model. Twenty-five adult male Wistar rats were randomly grouped into five groups with five rats per. Group 1 and those in the treatment groups received normal feed and water ad libitum. Group 2 received intraperitoneal administration of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg body weight). Group 3 received alloxan monohydrate and glibenclamide (5 mg/kg body weight bwt), group 4 received alloxan monohydrate plus the extract (250 mg/kg bwt) and group 5 received alloxan monohydrate plus the extract (500 mg/kg bwt). The administration of glibenclamide plus the extract was oral for 14 days. Glibenclamide and the extract lowered blood glucose level, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities, increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in rats with alloxan induced diabetes. The extract at 500 mg/kg bwt reduced the plasma urea and sodium concentration in the treated rats. The extract and glibenclamide could detoxify alloxan and restore its induced renal degeneration and glomeruli atrophy, intra renal hemorrhage and inflammation and oxidative biomarkers through activation of Nrf2 expression. The drug glibenclamide and P. cornucopiae have appreciable hypoglycemic activity and potential to restore the normal renal architecture in the rats, hence they offer similar curative effects. Additionally, the extract at 500 mg/kg bwt activated SOD and Nrf2 expression more than glibenclamide in rats with alloxan-induced diabetes.