• Journal of Korean Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.409-417
• /
• 2018

Background : Febrile neutropenia (FN) is one of the side effects in the patients treated with chemotherapy, and the patients who have FN generally need immediate treatment with extended-spectrum antibiotics and hospitalization. Pegfilgrastim and pegteograstim, which are used for the prevention of FN as a granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), have been granted insurance coverage in the Republic of Korea for certain breast cancer patients using doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) from September 2016. Methods : The data of the patients with breast cancer using AC regimen and G-CSF were collected retrospectively. This study involves cost-utility analysis of pegfilgrastim and pegteograstim. In this study, we constructed a simple decision tree model for short-term observation and calculated quality-adjusted life year (QALY) and the direct medical costs from the medical provider's perspective. Results : From September 2016 to May 2017, 15 patients were treated with pegfilgrastim and 15 patients were treated with pegteograstim. As a result of dividing the average cost by QALY for each treatment group, it was observed that pegfilgrastim and pegteograstim were consumed 24,923,384 won and 22,808,336 won per 1QALY, respectively. Consequently, incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) showed 2,115,048 won more per pegfilgrastim than pegteograstim per 1QALY, and the cost per 1QALY of both the drugs was lower than 30,500,000 won; the Koreans were willing to pay this amount. Conclusions : This study suggests that pegfilgrastim and pegteograstim can be used to improve the quality of life of breast cancer patients undergoing AC therapy. Among the two drugs, pegteograstim seems to be more cost-effective. However, since this study was conducted as a retrospective observation method on a small scale, it is associated with many limitations. Therefore, a long-term prospective cohort study is needed to supplement the present findings.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.94-102
• /
• 2020

Purposes: The purpose of this study was to analyze the trends of hospitalization and emergency room visits of asthma patients over the three years in 25 districts of Seoul. And analyzed the relationship between preventable hospital service uses and number of clinics for asthma patients. Methods: Data was collected from a customized database of the NHI(National Health Insurance) for 2016 to 2018. The number of clinics means Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Ear-Nose-Throat, and Family Medicine clinics. The hospital service means the number of adults admission for asthma and the number of total asthma emergency visits. This study used kappa analysis to assess the agreements of indicators between years, and structural equation modeling analysis was applied to analyze the relationship. Findings: The kappa value of the number of adults admission for asthma was compared between 2016 and 2017(kappa score=0.68), and was lowered when compared between 2016 and 2018(kappa score=0.26). And the value of kappa in the number of total asthma emergency visits due to asthma between 2016 and 2017(kappa score=0.51) was lower than that of between 2016 and 2018(kappa score=0.60). And the results showed that the number of clinics significantly negatively related to the uses of hospital services in asthmatic patients(β=-0.5, p=0.005). Practical Implication: This research could provide policy implications for strengthening primary care services that can contribute to the reduction of preventable hospital services.

• Journal of Practical Engineering Education
• /
• v.16 no.3_spc
• /
• pp.309-325
• /
• 2024

The purpose of this study was to develop self-evaluation criteria for objective verification and performance analysis of LINC 3.0. To achieve this goal, evaluation indicators in the fields of human resources development and skill development and commercialization were developed and their validity was verified. We investigated previous evaluation-related studies and similar cases to construct an evaluation model and system and develop indicators. The validity of the developed evaluation indicators was secured through two round Delphi surveys. As a result of the research, LINC 3.0 evaluation indicators can be divided into the field of human resources development and skill development and commercialization. A total of 66 evaluation indicators were developed. CIPP in the field of human resources development was developed with 13 categories and 38 evaluation indicators, and CIPP in the field of skill development and commercialization was developed with 12 categories and 28 evaluation indicators. The significance of this study is that it suggests a way to increase the objective verification and validity of the university industry-academia cooperation model by developing self-evaluation indicators for the LINC 3.0 project. The evaluation indicators developed in the research need to be continuously upgraded based on field usability, and it is necessary to improve the quality and competitiveness of university education by sharing and spreading excellent affairs.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.527-536
• /
• 2011

This study was performed to analyze children's perceptions and practice levels according to gender and obesity status using a dietary life safety index. A national survey was conducted on fifth grade children (n = 2,400), who were selected using three-stage stratified cluster sampling from 16 provinces. The average height was 144.8 cm, and weight was 38.8 kg. The average body mass index was 18.4 kg/$m^2$ and underweight, overweight, and obese children were identified using the 2009 KHNANES cutoff values, which were 5.3%, 10%, and 5.9%, respectively. The perception and practice scores for hand-washing prior to eating were high and the score for willing to buy at a clean store was also high. However, students answered that the hygiene level of food stores near the school was poor. More students skipped breakfast than lunch or dinner. The frequency scores for fruit and vegetables were significantly higher for girls than those for boys. Students had a good understanding of nutrition labeling but did not frequently check the label. Seventy-five percent of the students tried to avoid high calorie foods with low nutritional value, but only 40% had the appropriate knowledge about high calorie foods with low nutritional value. Girls had better dietary life perception and practice levels than those of boys. No differences in perception or practice levels were observed based on obesity status. Nutrition education on the importance of eating breakfast and having accurate knowledge on nutrition labeling and high calorie foods with low nutritional value is needed. Behavior-centered education should be implemented to improve the perceptions and practice level of student's dietary life.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.91-112
• /
• 2020

In Ethiopia, dry land vegetation including the fairly intact lowland and western escarpment woodlands occupy the largest vegetation resource of the country. These forests play a central role in environmental regulation and socio-economic assets, yet they received less scientific attention than the moist forests. This study evaluated the woody plant species composition, population structure and carbon sequestration potential of the A. senegal woodland across three distance gradients from the settlements. A total of 45 sample quadrants were laid along a systematically established nine parallel transect lines to collect vegetation and soil data across distance gradients from settlement. Mature tree dry biomass with DBH>2.5 cm was estimated using allometric equations. A total of 41 woody plant species that belong to 20 families were recorded and A. senegal was the dominant species with 56.4 IVI value. Woody plant species diversity, density and richness were significantly higher in the distant plots compared to the nearest plots to settlement (p<0.05). The cumulative DBH class distribution of all individuals had showed an interrupted inverted J-shape population pattern. There were 19 species without seedlings, 15 species without saplings and 14 species without both seedlings and saplings. A significant above ground carbon (5.3 to 12.7 ton ha^-1), root carbon (1.6 to 3.6 ton ha^-1), soil organic carbon (35.6 to 44.5 ton ha^-1), total carbon stock (42.5 to 60.7 ton ha^-1) and total carbon dioxide equivalent (157.7 to 222.8 ton ha^-1) was observed consistently with an increasing of distance from settlement (p<0.05). Distance from settlement had significant and positive correlation with species diversity and carbon stock at 0.64^⁎⁎ and 0.78^⁎⁎. Disturbance intensity may directly influence the variation of species composition, richness and density along the A. senegal woodland. The sustainability of the A. senegal woodland needs urgent protection, conservation and restoration.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.372-389
• /
• 2012

The objective of this study is to select a simple and easy measurable food behavior checklist for the development of Nutrition Quotient (NQ) for children, which reflects children's diet quality, as well as to evaluate the validity of the items in the food behavior checklist. The first 36 items in the checklist were established by an expert review, modifying the preliminary 50 items in the checklist, which had been selected by a literature review and the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. 341 children in 5th and 6th grades at an elementary school participated in a one-day dietary record survey, and later responded to 36 food behavior questions of the checklist. Pearson's correlation coefficients between the responses to the food behavior checklist items along with the mean nutrient intakes of the children were calculated. From the result, in which responses of food frequency and food behavior items showed certain association with the dietary record data, a second checklist with 22 items was selected. A survey was conducted by using the second checklist. 1,393 children in the 5th and 6th grades at 12 elementary schools in metropolitan cities, such as Seoul, Busan, Gwangju, Daegu, Daejeon, and Incheon, participated in the survey. Further, an exploratory factor analysis was performed. After the analysis, 19 items (10 items from food frequency and 9 items from food behavior) were finalized as the food behavior checklist items for the NQ. The final 19 food behavior checklist items were composed of 5 factors: 'Balance', 'Diversity', 'Moderation', 'Regularity', and 'Practice'. This study is a significant first trial to establish a comprehensive system for evaluating children's food habit and diet quality. This checklist might need continuous modification and revision reflecting the change of children's dietary life and the social environment.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.277-288
• /
• 2017

Previous studies of health effects of $PM_{2.5}$ performed spatial monitoring campaigns to assess spatial variability of $PM_{2.5}$ across people's residences. Highly reliable portable and cost-effective samplers will be useful for such campaigns. This study aimed to investigate applicability of the Deployable Particulate Impact Sampler(DPIS), one of the compact impact samplers, to spatial monitoring campaigns of $PM_{2.5}$ in Seoul, Korea. The investigation focused on the consistency of $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations measured by DPISs compared to those by the Low-volume Cyclone sampler (LCS). LCS has operated at a fixed site in the Seoul National University Yeongeon campus, Seoul, Korea since 2003 and provided qualified $PM_{2.5}$ data. $PM_{2.5}$ sampling of DPISs was carried out at the same site from November 17, 2015 through February 3, 2016. $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were quantified by the gravimetric method. Using a duplicated DPIS, we confirmed the reliability of DPIS by computing relative precision and mean square error-based R squared value ($R^2$). Relative precision was one minus the difference of measurements between two samplers relative to the sum. For accuracy, we compared $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations from four DPISs (DPIS_Tg, DPIS_To, DPIS_Qg, and DPIS_Qo) to those of LCS. Four samplers included two types of collection filters(Teflon, T; quartz, Q) and impaction discs(glass fiber filter, g; pre-oiled porous plastic disc, o). We assessed accuracy using accuracy value which is one minus the difference between DPIS and LCS $PM_{2.5}$ relative to LCS $PM_{2.5}$ in addition to $R^2$. DPIS showed high reliability (average precision=97.28%, $R^2=0.98$). Accuracy was generally high for all DPISs (average accuracy=83.78~88.88%, $R^2=0.89{\sim}0.93$) except for DPIS_Qg (77.35~78.35%, 0.82~0.84). Our results of high accuracy of DPIS compared to LCS suggested that DPIS will help the assessment of people's individual exposure to $PM_{2.5}$ in extensive spatial monitoring campaigns.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.22 no.11
• /
• pp.2025-2036
• /
• 2000

A physicochemical process called ultra rapid coagulation(URC) was applied as a pilot scale to recover eutrophicated lake water at Inkyung Lake located on-campus in Inha university. The URC was uniquely designed to completely remove the presence of phosphorus up to 95%, which in turn leading to lessen the level of eutrophication of lake. For a pilot test of period, the lake was restored showing Carlson's Trophic State Index(TSI) of mesotrophic state which accounts for the reduction of total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a down to approximately 55 from 70 and 73, respectively. A residual presence of aluminum and additional coagulants in the effluent was tested for their potential effects on Photobacterium phosphoreum. The effect concentration ($EC_{50}$-15 min) observed in the effluent revealed that the bioactivity of Photobacterium phosphoreum was not influenced by the residual presence of coagulants. After the pilot test of period, the lake was consequently restored as a mesotrophic state in obtaining the second grade of lake water quality. The URC may be further applied for restoration of greater scale of lake in eutrophication.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.6 no.6
• /
• pp.542-550
• /
• 2012

This pilot study was performed to produce data of the Children's Dietary Life Safety (CDLS) Index which is required by the Special Act on Safety Management of Children's Dietary Life and to evaluate the CDLS Index for 7 metropolitan cities and 9 provinces in Korea. To calculate the CDLS Index score, data regarding the evaluation indicators in the children's food safety domain and children's nutrition safety domain were collected from the local governments in 2009. For data regarding the indicators in the children's perception & practice domain, a survey was conducted on 2,400 5th grade children selected by stratified sampling in 16 local areas. Relative scores of indicators in each domain were calculated using the data provided by local governments and the survey, the weights are applied on relative scores, and then the CDLS Index scores of local governments were produced by adding scores of the 3 domains. The national average scores of the food safety domain, the nutrition safety domain and the perception and practice domain were 23.74 (14.67-26.50 on a 40-point scale), 16.65 (12.25-19.60 on a 40-point scale), and 14.88 (14.16-15.30 on a 20-point scale), respectively. The national average score of the CDLS Index which was produced by adding the scores of the three domains was 55.27 ranging 46.44-58.94 among local governments. The CDLS Index scores produced in this study may provide the motivation for comparing relative accomplishment and for actively achieving the goals through establishment of the target value by local governments. Also, it can be used as useful data for the establishment and improvement of children's dietary life safety policy at the national level.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.144-164
• /
• 2010

This study aims to reveal path selection strategies and individual differences in a navigation task. Two experiments were presented that studied human route planning performance as well as the cognitive strategies and processes involved. For the outdoor task, university students were asked to select a route based on the instruction, i.e. to find the best route from the campus main gate to the Education Building for conference visitors by locating eight signposts. Results indicate (1) that locations of signposts were selected preferably at decision points where the traveler needs to make a choice and starting/ending points of the navigation task and (2) a variety of route planning strategies considering efficiency goal (e.g., the shortest path), environmental characteristics (e.g., fewest turns), and aesthetic purpose (e.g., most scenic) were used. It is notable that some participants took into account more than one path by locating one or two signposts on an alternative route while others preferred a linear route connecting signposts between the start point and the destination. Prior to the main experiment, the same participants were asked to complete the same task inside the classroom to investigate changes in strategies between two tasks. Participants often tend to place signposts at more regular intervals for the indoor navigation task than the same task conducted outside.