• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1920-1927
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• 2015

This study examined health insurance costs of occupational therapy in stroke patients. The subjects were stroke patients, who underwent occupational therapy by hospitalization or out-patient centers in 2010. The cost of occupational therapy was analyzed from the insurance claims data of Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service in 2010. The kinds of occupational therapy were divided according to the insurance fee of occupational therapy in 2010. In-patients who received occupational therapy paid the highest rehabilitation treatment fee, whereas outpatients paid the highest nervous system function test fee. The cost of occupational therapy in the special rehabilitation treatment fee was highest by 25.3 billion won. The number of uses of general hospitals was the highest by 180 thousand but the total cost of long-term care hospital was highest by 10.4 billion won. The number of uses and cost by regional groups was highest in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do province. This study is meaningful in that a cost analysis of occupational therapy in stroke patients was performed for the first time using the stroke data from the whole country. The result can be used to provide basic data to improve the insurance fee in the future.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.490-498
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate how many kindergarten parents use after-school programs and specialization activities and to suggest effective policy improvement plans based on the results. After 693 parents were interviewed by the investigators, the collected data were presented by calculating the percentages, averages, and standard deviations. First of all, the results of after-school are presented. First, about 38.2% of the surveyed parents spent additional expenses to use after - school program, and the average of additional costs was about 62,850 won. When the cost burden and satisfaction were evaluated as 5 points, it was rated as normal. Second, the main reason for participating in the after-school program was both parents were working, followed by the parents' wishes for their children to spend time with their friends. Next, the results for specialization activities at kindergartens are presented. First, the proportion of children using after-school specialization activities was 68.2%, of which 79% were expenditures, the number of activities was 2.69, and the average cost was 83,540 won. Second, the most preferred after-school specialization activity by age group was English, and the most common reason for this was that the children liked to participate. Improvement of the educational contents suggested as the most important thing to improve after-school specialization activities. Lastly, the results showed that after-school specialization activities reduced parents' spending on private education. On the basis of the results, some discussions are presented included the development after-school programs focusing on the different needs of children and parents accordingly.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.546-554
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• 2021

Background: Diabetes mellitus and hypertension often occur together, amplifying cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and emphasizing the need for a multitargeted treatment approach. American ginseng (AG) and Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) species could improve glycemic control via complementary mechanisms. Additionally, a KRG-inherent component, ginsenoside Rg3, may moderate blood pressure (BP). Our objective was to investigate the therapeutic potential of coadministration of Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng (Rg3-KRG) and AG, added to standard of care therapy, in the management of hypertension and cardiometabolic risk factors in type-2 diabetes. Methods: Within a randomized controlled, parallel design of 80 participants with type-2 diabetes (HbA1c: 6.5-8%) and hypertension (systolic BP: 140-160 mmHg or treated), supplementation with either 2.25 g/day of combined Rg3-KRG + AG or wheat-bran control was assessed over a 12-wk intervention period. The primary endpoint was ambulatory 24-h systolic BP. Additional endpoints included further hemodynamic assessment, glycemic control, plasma lipids and safety monitoring. Results: Combined ginseng intervention generated a mean ± SE decrease in primary endpoint of 24-h systolic BP (-3.98 ± 2.0 mmHg, p = 0.04). Additionally, there was a greater reduction in HbA1c (-0.35 ± 0.1% [-3.8 ± 1.1 mmol/mol], p = 0.02), and change in blood lipids: total cholesterol (-0.50 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.01), non-HDL-C (-0.54 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.01), triglycerides (-0.40 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.02) and LDL-C (-0.35 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.06) at 12 wks, relative to control. No adverse safety outcomes were observed. Conclusion: Coadministration of Rg3-KRG + AG is an effective addon for improving BP along with attaining favorable cardiometabolic outcomes in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Ginseng derivatives may offer clinical utility when included in the polypharmacy and lifestyle treatment of diabetes. Clinical trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier, NCT01578837;

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.574-585
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• 2023

Sarcopenia is a leading cause of increased medical and nursing care costs among the elderly. In Korea, preventive measures for sarcopenia are mostly targeted toward the general elderly population without specific diseases. However, it is also necessary to implement measures for elderly individuals living in nursing homes and hospitals, where the prevalence of sarcopenia is high. Currently, computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging are considered standard diagnostic tools. However, their complexity and time-consuming nature make them unsuitable for clinical use. The exact pathophysiological mechanisms of sarcopenia are unclear, as they involve various molecular biological pathways, including decreased exercise, protein and nutrient intake, changes in testosterone and growth hormone, and inflammation. Sarcopenia symptoms can lead to several diseases, such as osteoporosis, fractures, dementia, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Vitamin B deficiency is a significant factor in sarcopenia induction, with B vitamins being directly involved in energy and protein metabolism and nerve function. Vitamin B deficiency can lead to neuromuscular and neurogenic disorders, which often overlap with sarcopenia. Suboptimal intake of B vitamins, malabsorption, and anorexia are common among the elderly. This study aims to provide information on the role of water-soluble B vitamins in preventing and controlling muscle mass loss and deterioration among the elderly with sarcopenia. In addition, we discuss the potential of myokines from the B vitamin family in modulating sarcopenia.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.163-207
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• 2020

Korea has been positioned as the leading country in the industry of clinical trials as the clinical trail of Korea has developed for the recent 10 years. Clinical trial has plays a significant role in the development of medicine and the increase of curability. However, it has inevitable risk as the purpose of the clinical trial is to prove the safety and effectiveness of new drugs. Therefore, the clinical trial should be controlled properly to protect the health of the subjects of clinical trial and to ensure that they exercise a right of self-determination. In this context, the fiduciary duties of doctors who conduct clinical trials is especially important. The Pharmaceutical Affairs Act and the relevant regulations define several duties of doctors who conduct clinical trials. In particular, the duty to protection of subjects and the duty to provide information constitute the main fiduciary duties to the subjects. Those are essentially similar to the fiduciary duties of doctors in usual treatment from the perspective of the values promoted by the law and the content of the law. Nonetheless, clinical trials put more emphasis on the duties to provide explanation than in usual treatment. Further research and study are required to establish the concrete standard for the duty of care. However, if the blind pursuit of higher standards for the duty of care or to pass the burden of proof to doctors may result in disrupting the development of clinical trials, limiting the accessibility of patients to new treatment and even violating the principle of sharing damage equally and properly. In addition to these duties, the laws of clinical trials define several duties of doctors. Any decision on whether the violation of the law constitutes the violation of the fiduciary duty and justifies the demand for compensation of damages should be based on whether relevant law aims to protect the safety and benefit of subjects, even if in an incidental way, the degree to which such violation breaches the values promoted by the law and the concrete of violation of benefit of law, the detailed acts of such violation. The legal interests of the subjects can be protected effectively by guaranteeing compliance with those duties and establishing judicial and administrative controls to ensure that the benefit of subjects are protected properly in individual cases.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.99-104
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• 1983

Aiming at the total 200 pregnant women including 150 ones registered with the Health Center of Chung Ku District and 50 ones registered with the Health Center of Mapo District, we have conducted a research study of the socio-medical characteristics, maternal child health, and the status of nutritional intake which has utilized the application of convenient method for the study of nutritional status, during the period of April 20 to May 25, 1983. And we have obtained the following conclusions: 1. Regarding age distribution, the pregnant women aged from 26 to 30 were most numerous, which was 54.0%. The percentage of women who experienced the first pregnancy was 12.0% and the percentage of those who experienced the second pregnancy was 37.0%, which was the highest. Regarding the weeks of pregnancy of the pregnant women, the first trimesterr was 11.5%, the second trimester 30.0%, and the third trimester 58.6%. 2. Regarding academic achievements, the pregnant women who graduated from middle schools reached 43.5%, which was the highest percentage. Regarding economic status, the pregnant women who owned their own houses were only 21.0%. And the pregnant women whose monthly income was from 300,000 won to 400,000 won were 40%, which was the most numerous. 5. The women above 15 years old who experienced the first menstruation were 84.0%. And those who experienced abortion were totally 54.4%. and 35.5% among those women experienced artificial abortion. 4. 70.5% of the pregnant women said that their health condition was excellent, 24.5% felt subjective complaints, and 5.0% specially received medical consultation for their diseases. 5. 82.0% received prenatal care, but 60.5% regularly received prenatal care. 68.0% received the education for nutrition and only 19.5% regularly received the education for nutrition. 6. Regarding the family composition, the families consisting of two generations were 47.0%, which was the most numerous. 97.5% of the preparation for meals was conducted by housewives. They said that they did not lack time for meal preparation. 7. 94.9% of the pregnant women said that they had eaten as in ordinary times during their pregnancy. 25.5% said that there were tabooed foods. Tabooed foods are chiefly pork, chicken, milk, and eggs. 68.0% don't drink milk during pregnancy, 32.5% take the intake of vitamins, and 20.5% take iron supplement. 8. The average amounts of the intake of protein, fat, and carbohydrate of a pregnant women are 49.3gm, 29.4gm, and 205.1gm respectively, which showed the phenomenon in which the amount of the intake of nutrition increased as the weeks of pregnancy increased. The average amount of the intake of salt was 14.2gm. 9. Regarding the hemoglobin value of all pregnant women, those whose hemoglobin value was less than 11.0gm were 66.5%, those whose hemoglobin value was 11 to 12 gm were 16.5%. and those whose hemoglobin value was above 12gm were 17.0%. The pregnant women whose hemoglobin value was less than 11.0gm in the first trimester of pregnancy, in the second trimester, and in the trimester were 81.8%, 62.8%, and 64.9% respectively. This shows that the phenomenon of anemia increased as the weeks of pregnancy increased 10. Regarding physical development of a pregnant woman during prenatal period, the height and weight were $156.7cm{\pm}14.1$ and $51.1kg{\pm}58$ respectively. When the standard increase of a prenatal weigt gain is set as 100%, the women over the range of 100% were 28.0% and the women under the range of 80% were 37.0%.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.39
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• pp.269-294
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• 2014

Korea is concerned with information security industry due to recent leak-out private information of 3 card companies. Executives are aware of damage from breach of security such as personal data spill, is more dangerous than any other financial risks. The information security industry, which was limited in physical security and network security formerly, is evolving into convergence security of public and facility security industry. The field of interest has also been changed into security of smart phone and intelligence image recently, from firewall or Anti-virus. The convergence security is originally about access control of facility, but recently its demand has been increased mostly by public institutions and major companies. The scope of the industry also varies from finance, education, distribution, national defense, medical care to automobile industry. The market of convergence security has been expanded and new various products and services of security of intelligent vehicle, 'U' healthcare, finance, smart grid and key industries are also developed. It is required to create and enhance of new curriculum and cultivate human resources for the development of knowledge information security industry. Raising standard of education and security consciousness of the nation is also necessary to strengthen the global competitiveness.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.109-118
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• 1999

The need for and components of a contemporary community pharmacy externship for pharmacy students have not been clearly identified in Korea. Mail survey was performed among 20 college of pharmacy deans and 800 community pharmacists to analyze the current status and develop a consensus regarding major focus area and criteria of community pharmacy externship to be implemented under the separation of dispensary from medical practice in year 2000. Mail survey yielded $80\%\;and\;23.5\%$ response rate for pharmacy school deans and community pharmacists, respectively. Of the 16 pharmacy schools that responded 14 said they have externship program in hospital pharmacy, and only 8 pharmacy schools responded of having externship program for community pharmacy. However, these community pharmacy programs lacked criteria and standard guideline for the externship. The results of survey revealed that community pharmacy externship program for students should be organized and directed toward developing expert knowledge and skills in pharmacy practice activities, clinical services, communications, pharmacy management, and professionalism. Pharmacy practice components should include competencies and skills in computer application, prescription processing, dispensing, pharmaceutical compounding, Narcotics Control Law application, maintenance and provision of drug information, and laws and regulations. Clinical service components should include the ability to identify patient's drug-related problems, provide long-term patient care and appreciate drug therapy services. Communication skills should be taught to effectively express his/her professional opinion, deduce the needs of others, utilize appropriate techniques and media to communicate ideas and conduct a patient interview and to obtain patient drug history. Pharmacy management skills should be taught to be efficient in medical insurance and drug control process. It was found that professionalism, morality, pharmacy practice experience, ability to provide clinical services, collect and provide drug information and regality are important criteria of preceptors. Externship sites should possess the ability to stock various drugs, access and provide diverse pharmacy services and should have private patient counseling area. Most pharmacists agreed that top 200 drugs' generic and brand name, indications, dosage, side effects, and contraindication should be instructed during the externship. It was also found that student and preceptor should be evaluated for their performances during the externship. This information will be incorporated into teaming objectives for students and to develop Academic Extemship Program Guidelines.

• 한국노년학
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.1197-1211
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• 2010

This research was concucted to present a model of advance directives(AD) when a patient, who is in consciousness, shows a preference for an end of life care as an act of preparing for an uncertain situation that may arise in the forseeable future. The subjects of the research are 383 doctors/nurese and adults, who live in six cities and provinces, to investigate the status of AD, attitude regarding a meaningless life-prolonging treatment, and moreover, an understanding of and a preference for AD. The research was done by the well-structured questionnaire. Also, SPSS 14.0 is used to analyse the collected data, focused on frequency analysis, avearage and standard deviation, X2 test. As the results of the study, the most of the surveyed doctors/nurese knew DNR orders and AD and a few of them used DNR orders and AD practically. Also, the result shows that there is a negative conception of meaningless life-prolonging treatment among the responents, in addition, most of them agreed upon the idea of introducing AD to Korea, filling it out and making it legally effective. As a method of making AD out, the respondents wanted to use a form that mixed living will with an Power of Attorney in a document. Also, considering the appropriate time, respondents prefered when they are diagnosed with terminal illness. At the moment, the introductory model for AD, which is suitable for the Korean culture and current situation is presented based on the result of this research. In the future, other researches should deal with specific measures that can lead to a social consensus to adopt AD in Korea.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.26-40
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• 2001

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to develop task guidelines for hospice team members. The task range of all personnel who work for hospice institutions was identified, and a tool describing roles and tasks of the hospice team members was developed based on review of related literature, both domestic and international. Methods : The content validity of the tool was assured by an expert panel through two phases of discussion. The first phase of the study included a survey conducted from December 1999 to January 2000 for a total of 126 hospice experts and practitioners affiliated with domestic hospice institutions. The second phase of the study included 35 subjects. The data were collected using a survey when the investigators visited each hospice institution. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results : 1) In the first phase of the study, all items scored over 80 points in CVI were selected as the roles and tasks of hospice coordinator, nurse, pastor, social worker, pharmacist, nutritionist, therapist, volunteer, and nurse aide. However, two items were excluded because they scored below 80 points: an item describing eligibility of a physician, a person who has a license for managing anesthetic agents was scored as 78.6 points, and an item describing the eligibility of the team leader of volunteers, a person educated at the graduate level was scored as 74.7 points. 2) In the second phase of the study, all items scored over 80 points in CVI were selected as the roles and tasks of hospice nurse, pastor, social worker, pharmacist, nutritionist, therapist, volunteer, and nurse aide. Of the roles of the hospice coordinator, however, the item scored as 77.9 points, assess and plan a patients physical, social, emotional, and spiritual status, and, of the roles of the team leaders of volunteers, the item scored as 78.6, attend a team meeting once a week and participate in building an standard nursing plan for patients were included in the tool since they scored over 80 points in the first phase of the study. Conclusion : The developed task guideline should be further modified and revised based on the findings of a preliminary application in the actual field. There is also a need of continuous research for developing more culturally-appropriate task guidelines for hospice team members.