• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2022

Background and Objectives The Voice Perceived Present Control scale (VPPC) has been developed to provide better insight into patients' perceived control over their thoughts or behaviors related to voice disorders. The objective of the present study was to validate the Korean VPPC (K-VPPC) by evaluating its internal consistency and reliability. Materials and Method All items of the English VPPC were translated into Korean. Content validity was analyzed through three Delphi survey rounds by an expert panel (n=44) with active clinical and research experience in treating dysphonic patients. Twenty-three patients with a heterogeneous diagnosis of dysphonia and twenty-three gender-matched vocally normal controls (total n=46) were asked to complete the K-VPPC and the Korean Voice Handicap Index-10 (KVHI-10). Psychometric properties including internal consistency and reliability were evaluated to examine the appropriateness of cross-cultural use of K-VPPC. Results Cronbach's alpha coefficient of K-VPPC was 0.89 for dysphonic patients, indicating good internal consistency in clinical samples. Furthermore, patients with dysphonia scored significantly lower on the total score of K-VPPC and higher on voice handicap than the vocally normal controls. Spearman's correlation coefficients indicated an inverse and moderate association between the K-VPPC and all domains of KVHI-10 (Spearman's r=-0.44- -0.68). Conclusion The findings of the current study indicated that the K-VPPC is a valid and reliable tool for the assessment of perceived control in Korean patients with dysphonia. Therefore, the K-VPPC could be a useful and complementary tool for the comprehensive evaluation of dysphonia, thereby improving care in Korean patients with voice disorders.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2021

Background: Pain and autonomic dysfunction are prominent symptoms in some patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Infrared thermography (IRT) has been used to evaluate CTS by measuring the cutaneous temperature and sympathetic vasomotor function. Methods: This study enrolled the 66 hands of 33 subjects, some of which had clinical CTS and the others were healthy. The enrolled patients completed the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) and Historical-Objective scale, and underwent nerve conduction studies (NCSs) and IRT. Skin temperature was measured at the fingertips and the thenar and hypothenar regions in each hand. We analyzed (1) the correlations between self-reported severity, physician-assessed severity, and test results, and (2) the sensitivity and specificity of IRT in diagnosing CTS. Results: No significant correlation was observed between the results of the BCTQ, NCS, and IRT. IRT had a low sensitivity and high specificity in diagnosing CTS. Conclusions: IRT cannot replace NCS in diagnosing CTS, nor did it provide an advantage in combination with NCS. However, lower temperatures at the median nerve in some hands with moderate-to-severe CTS suggested the involvement of sympathetic nerve fiber function. Follow-up studies with a larger-scale and complementary design are required to elucidate the relationships.

• Stress
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.145-154
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• 2017

Loving-kindness and compassion meditation (LKCM) is known to be effective in improving mental health and interpersonal relationships. An exploratory pilot study was conducted with the aim of examining the feasibility of LKCM which known to be effective in improving mental health and interpersonal relationships for pregnant women. Measures of stress, depression, maternal fetal attachment, mindfulness and self-compassion of subjects (n=8) were obtained at baseline, and after a 4-weeks LKCM program to identify effectiveness and supplements. Based on a focus group interview, phenomenological analysis was also conducted. The results showed that improvement potential of psychological comfort, positive relationship with fetus as well as complementary points for session contents and home training. We hope that this study will broaden understanding for the development of LKCM for pregnant women and promote further research.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.611-619
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• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate changes in the mental functions of the elderly in nursing facilities affected by a horticultural therapy program based on validation therapy. To meet the purpose, we conducted a horticultural therapy program based on validation therapy with 58 elderly participants (average age 79.12±6.84, men and women) once a week, 50 minutes per session, in a total of 10 sessions. Participants were divided into the control and experimental group with convenience sampling. The program was carried out from March 15 to November 22, 2018. Vibraimage 8 pro(ELSYS, 2014) is a recent, psychologically based, emotional-recognition visual imaging technology that measures pixels microvibration in terms of digital frequency and amplitude parameters. To examine the effects of the horticultural therapy program based on validation therapy, Vibraimage was used to assess aggression, stress, tension, suspect, balance, charm, energy, self-regulation, inhibition, neuroticism and positive, negative, physiological domains of mental functions before and after program. As a result, the mean score of the positive domain in the control group significantly decreased from 63.89±5.09 to 60.74±5.48, but it decreased without statistical significance in the experimental group from 63.98±5.45 to 61.39±6.02. The mean score of neuroticism in the experimental group significantly decreased from 31.64±10.94 to 22.87±13.79. Moreover, the mean score of the physiological domain in the experimental group also significantly decreased from 25.08±6.27 to 19.42±8.80. Accordingly, horticultural therapy program based on validation therapy can be utilized as a program to promote mental health, especially maintaining positive mental health function of the eldery, helping those who live in long-term care facilities enjoy a happier life more happier.

• Convergence Security Journal
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.151-156
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• 2023

Currently, ICT is widely used in caring for the elderly living alone and preventing the disappearance of the elderly with dementia. Therefore, in this study, based on the government policy direction for the 4th industrial revolution, the use of AI technology-based care services, which are gradually increasing in community care, was sought to explore the current status and prospects for utilization and activation.AI speakers and caring robots, services that can be used for community care, help solve various problems experienced by the elderly, and are also used to relieve lack of conversation or loneliness by adding emotional functions. In order to activate community care using AI technology in the future: First, there is a need for continuous education to familiarize the elderly with AI devices and 'user experience (UX) design' for the elderly. Second, it is necessary to use human-centered technology that has a complementary relationship and enables emotional mutual relationships rather than using function-oriented technology. Third, it is necessary to solve ethical problems such as guaranteeing the user's right to self-determination and protecting privacy.

• Journal of Korean Society of Archives and Records Management
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.137-161
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• 2024

Professional competencies serve to demonstrate and develop expertise. As such, the study summarized theories on the concept of competency and competency model development and utilization, proposing ways to utilize the competency system to strengthen domestic archivists' expertise through a case study of international archivist competency systems. Five competency frameworks for archivists developed by international archivist associations were analyzed. Results showed that the archival profession's competency frameworks were primarily utilized in two ways. First, they are used to verify professional definitions, which are used as verification standards for registering certified professionals at the archivist association level. Second, they are used to enhance expertise in conjunction with individual professional self-assessment and continuing professional development program design. These two applications can operate in a complementary relationship to utilize the competency framework in demonstrating and strengthening competencies.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.10.1-10.17
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• 2024

In this review, we will explore the intricate roles of cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factors in autoimmune diseases (ADs), with a particular focus on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple sclerosis (MS). AD is characterized by self-destructive immune responses due to auto-reactive T lymphocytes and Abs. Among various types of ADs, RA and MS possess inflammation as a central role but in different sites of the patients. Other common aspects among these two ADs are their chronicity and relapsing-remitting symptoms requiring continuous management. First factor inducing these ADs are cytokines, such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-17, which play significant roles in the pathogenesis by contributing to inflammation, immune cell activation, and tissue damage. Secondly, vascular endothelial growth factors, including VEGF and angiopoietins, are crucial in promoting angiogenesis and inflammation in these two ADs. Finally, placental growth factor (PlGF), an emerging factor with bi-directional roles in angiogenesis and T cell differentiation, as we introduce as an "angio-lymphokine" is another key factor in ADs. Thus, while angiogenesis recruits more inflammatory cells into the peripheral sites, cytokines secreted by effector cells play critical roles in the pathogenesis of ADs. Various therapeutic interventions targeting these soluble molecules have shown promise in managing autoimmune pathogenic conditions. However, delicate interplay between cytokines, angiogenic factors, and PlGF has more to be studied when considering their complementary role in actual pathogenic conditions. Understanding the complex interactions among these factors provides valuable insights for the development of innovative therapies for RA and MS, offering hope for improved patient outcomes.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.17-26
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• 2002

Reducing the level of stress and insomnia by aromatherapy is proposed as a method of self-care and health promotion in the future. Of the people who received aromatherapy from July, 1999 to February, 2000 at the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Center at the Gyeongu City Health Center, 48 people agreed to participate in a questionnaire survey, presented before and after their aromatherapy, and the data were analyzed. When the people received aromatherapy at the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Center, they inhaled the aroma from a vaporizer and when at home, they inhaled from a tissue, gauze or washbowl. Two sessions per week (2 hrs./session) were provided at the Center in the total 1-month duration of the therapy. The oil made from a blend of clarysage, geranium, rose at a ratio of 3:2:1 was used for relieving stress, and the oil made from a blend of clarysage, lavender, and lemon at 2:2:1 ratio was used for relieving insomnia. The scores of stress of 92.5 17.5 points before aromatherapy significantly reduced to $87.4{\pm}4.2$ points after therapy(p<0.01), and the scores of insomnia of $2.5{\pm}1.2$ points before aromatherapy significantly reduced to $1.0{\pm}1.1$ points after therapy(p<0.01). The reduction in stress and insomnia from aromatherapy was more significant in those who were experiencing high levels of stress and insomnia. Therefore, stress and its related insomnia can be effectively relieved with proper application of aromatherapy. With benefits such as little side-effects, convenient and simple education, low cost, and the do-it-yourself feature. aromatherapy can be expanded into a self-management program for promoting health of the community people.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.13
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• pp.5349-5357
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer mortality among women of all ethnic and age groups in Malaysia. Delay in seeking help for breast cancer symptoms is preventable and by identifying possible factors for delayed diagnosis, patient prognosis and survival rates could be improved. Objectives: This narrative review aimed to understand and evaluate the level of in-depth breast cancer knowledge in terms of clinical breast examination and breast self-examination, and other important aspects such as side-effects and risk factors in Malaysian females. Since Malaysia is multicultural, this review assessed social perceptions, cultural beliefs and help-seeking behaviour in respect to breast cancer among different ethnic groups, since these may impinge on efforts to 'avoid' the disease. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature search of seven databases was performed from December 2015 to January 2015. Screening of relevant published journals was also undertaken to identify available information related to the knowledge, perception and help-seeking behaviour of Malaysian women in relation to breast cancer. Results: A total of 42 articles were appraised and included in this review. Generally, women in Malaysia had good awareness of breast cancer and its screening tools, particularly breast self-examination, but only superficial in-depth knowledge about the disease. Women in rural areas had lower levels of knowledge than those in urban areas. It was also shown that books, magazines, brochures and television were among the most common sources of breast cancer information. Delay in presentation was attributed mainly to a negative social perception of the disease, poverty, cultural and religion practices, and a strong influence of complementary and alternative medicine, rather than a lack of knowledge. Conclusions: This review highlighted the need for an intensive and in-depth breast cancer education campaigns using media and community health programmes, even with the existing good awareness of breast cancer. This is essential in order to avoid misconceptions and to frame the correct mind-set about breast cancer among women in Malaysia. Socio-cultural differences and religious practices should be taken into account by health care professionals when advising on breast cancer. Women need to be aware of the risk factors and symptoms of breast cancer so that early diagnosis can take place and the chances of survival improved.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2004

We purified and characterized a crude polysaccharide from Spirodela polyrhiza with anti-complement activities. The crude polysaccharide fraction (SP-0) which had potential anti-complement activity was extracted in hot water for 4 hrs at 10$0^{\circ}C$. The ethanol-precipitate, the crude polysaccharide traction (SP-1), showed a potent anti-complement activity. Further purification of the crude polysaccharide (SP-1) was carried out by cetavlon, ion exchange chromatography and gel column chromatography. Among cetavlon fractions, SP-4 showed the most potent anti-complement activity. When 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL of SP-4 was incubated with an equal volume of normal human serum (NHS), the TCH$_{50}$ was reduced by about 78%. When the SP-4 fraction was further purified by DEAE-Sepharose (Cl$^{[-10]}$ ), the SP-4IIa, SP-4IIb and SP-4IIc, absorbed fractions, were almost the same as the anti-complement activities of SP-4. SP-4IIc, having the greatest potential activation and the highest yield by ion exchange chromatography, was further purified by gel column chromatography on a Sepharose CL-6B column. Four polysaccharide fractions of SP-4IIc-1, SP-4IIc-2, SP-4IIc-3 and SP-4IIc-4 were obtained, consisting mainly of arabinose, rhamnose, galactose and glucose, with approximate molecular weights of about 305,000, 132,000, 64,000 and 12,000, respectively. Among these subfractions, SP-4IIc-1 had the most potent anti-complement activity. When the SP-4IIc-1 aggregate was applied to a gel column chromatography in 10 mM and 50 mM NaCl solution, the position of the peak fractions shifted to a low molecular weight region, and the molecular weight of SP-4IIc-1 decreased with increased NaCl concentration in the gel column chromatography. It was found that the self-aggregation formed spontaneously in void volume by gel column chromatography using Sepharose CL-6B in water and the self-aggregation significantly affected the anti-complement function.