• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.98-98
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• 2002

Recruitment of primordial follicles(PMF) is crucial for female fertility. however, factors and mechanisms that regulate this process is poorly understood. The present study was conducted to obtain an inclusive view of the gene expression and to identify novel factors and their pathways of regulating PMF arrest and/or growth initiation. Ovaries from one-day neonatal(consists of oocyte and PMF) and five-day old(consists of PMF and primary follicles, PRIF) mice were collected, either total RNA or mRNA was isolated, and suppression subtractive hybridization(SSH) was used to isolate and clone genes that differentially expressed in day 1 and day 5 ovaries. Confirmation that some of these genes are differentially expressed in PMF and/or in PRIF was accomplished by using laser captured microdissection(LCM), RT-PCR. in situ hybridization(ISH) and/or immunohistochemistry(IHC). In toto, 357 clones were sequenced and analyzed by BLAST and RIKEN program. Sequences of 330 clones significantly matched database entries while 27 clones were novel. Forty-two and 47 different genes were identified as differentially expressed in day 1 and day 5 ovaries, respectively, while 7 genes were expressed in both stages of ovaries. Day 5-subtracted library included several genes known as markers far growing follicles, such as ZP2, MATER, and fetuin. Among the genes with assigned functions, 23.8% was associated with cell cycle/apoptosis regulation, 7.1% with cellular structure, 11.9% with metabolism, 26.2% with signal transduction, and 31.0% with gene/protein expression in day 1; while 10.6%, 17.0%, 23.5%, 25.5%, and 23.4% in day 5, respectively. Genes such as GDF-8, Lats2, Septin2, and Weel were the highly expressed genes in PMF, while HSP84, Laminin2, MATER, MTi7, PTP, and Wrn were highly expressed genes in PRIF. We have successfully discovered list of genes expressed in day 1 and day 5 ovaries and confirmed that some of them are differentially expressed in PMF and/or PRIF. Gene expression profile from the present study would provide insight for the future study on the mechanism(s) involved in primordial-primary follicular transition. This work was Supported by Korean Health 21 RND Project, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea (01-PJ10-PG6-01GN13-0002).

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.167-181
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• 2008

The prevention of life-style related diseases is an increasingly important issue in Japan, because not only have the number of patients with life-style related diseases increased but also medical care costs. This paper gives recent strategies for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases through life-style modification. Health objectives for the year 2010, called "Healthy Japan 21", were established in 2000 by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Health Promotion Act was enacted in 2002 to promote this health policy. However, the prevention efforts for life-style related diseases have not been effective in regard to the evaluation of the strategy objectives. The reform of the medical care system which included a new nationwide prevention strategy for life-style related diseases was presented in 2006. The new strategy starting from April 2008 included a "specific health checkup" and "specific health education" for those with metabolic syndrome. The specific health checkup is used to screen people according to criteria of the metabolic syndrome and divide them into 3 groups. These groups will receive specific health education. The purpose of this strategy is the early detection of those who have cardiovascular risk factors, and the early management of the clustering of cardiovascular risk factors of obese people aged 40-74 years old. It is mandatory for every insurer to conduct a specific health checkup and specific health education under the new Act. The implementation rate of the specific health checkup and the specific health education, and a reduction rate of individuals with metabolic syndrome among insured people will be evaluated every year. The national objective is to increase the rate of those undergoing the specific health checkup to 80% and the rate of those receiving the specific health education to 60% by the year 2015. The national objective also targeted a reduction rate of 25% for those with metabolic syndrome. This new strategy will be the biggest intervention trial in the world, and it will produce a big health care market in Japan. Not only public administrative institutions but also private institutions are now preparing to take part in this new strategy. However, various tasks remain, such as training more professionals in health education, developing more evidence based practices, and encouraging cooperation with various sectors, to enforce this new strategy.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.80-95
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to research the work condition and the degree of job satisfaction of the physical therapist in Jeonnam East area. This study consisted of 120 physical therapists who were working in hospital located in Jeonnam East area from May, 19 to June 16, 2004. The data for analysis were collected by questionnaire survey. The major statistical methods used for the analysis were factor analysis, $x^2-test$, multiple regression analysis. The summarized result are as follows; 1. As for the general characteristics of the surveyed physical therapists was male 61($50.83\%$) and female 59($49.16\%$), majority was 26-30 in age. Most of the respondent worked in local clinics($62.5\%$). Also most of the respondent educated college graduation($68\%$). While the service period less than 12 months accounted for $41.7\%$. 2. The average marks by their job satisfaction factors indicated $56.7\%$ for duty importance, the relation with the patient accounted for $53.3\%$, the mending education for $18.3\%$, the equipment & institution for $20.9\%$. The average job satisfaction score was 3.04. 3. The comparative analysis of job satisfaction and general characteristics among different characteristics of the respondents revealed that there was significant difference between male and female, between 31-40years and 41years or more in ability knowledge & technique satisfaction. 4. The comparative analysis of job satisfaction and work conditions among different characteristics of the respondents revealed that there was significant difference between local clinics and hospital, between yosu&goheung and beolgyo in the mending education satisfaction. 5. Contributing factors for the job satisfaction in Physical therapist were welfare system, the relation with the patient, the service time per patient, mending education, the number of the patient.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.539-555
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• 2008

It is well understood that developing new drugs is one of the highest value-added businesses in a country; however, the current governments' spending in pharmaceutical research and development(R&D) is minimal in Korea. This paper suggests that different governmental bodies should take in charge of different stages of the R&D process in order to maximize the use of limited government research funding. First, during the initial phase of the drug development, including clinical trials, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology is the most appropriate governmental organization to support the research. For later procedures such as supporting the industries for exporting developed drugs, legislative approvals, and building infrastructure for future clinical trials should be supported by the Ministry of Knowledge and Economy and the Ministry of Health and Welfare along with the Korea Food and Drug Administration(KFDA). The KFDA, which is the main governmental agency approving newly developed drugs in the market, will need to take a crucial responsibility in the initial phase of the pharmaceutical R&D by guiding the industries with timely and proper information. As a first step, it is recommended to set up and operate a center for supporting new drugs, so that the industries can facilitate the development of marketable drugs which meet customers' needs. Later, in order to expedite the process of exporting and getting approvals of the newly developed drugs from foreign countries, it is necessary to develop new approval system, which includes introduction of the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), mandatory validation system, and education program for supporting expertise. Lastly, the KFDA needs to take an active role in developing Korean pharmaceutical industries by communicating with other foreign governments with regards to the globalization of the Korean pharmaceutical industries. For example, as a follow up after the Free Trade Agreement(FTA), active discussion on GLP of Mutual Recognition Agreement(MRA) with the United States of America, should be seriously considered.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.240-256
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• 1997

Purpose: To evaluate the hepatitis B vaccination program which has been conducted since 1980, Korea. Methods: This study was carry out self reported questionnaire and serologic test covering 2,072 elementary school students who were born between 1980 and 1987, selected by cluster sampling. The HBV serologic markers (HBsAg, Anti-HBs and Anti-HBc) were tested by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The contents of questionnaire include demographic data of students and parents, vaccination status, vaccination frequency, vaccination age, past history of mother's HBV test. Results: 1) The HBsAg positive rates by sex showed 3.7% for male and 2.7% for female, representing an average rate of 3.4%. The HBsAg positive rates by age group showed 5.6% for 13 years and l.5% for 6 years, representing a tendency of lowering rate as ages being younger. 2) The pre-natal HBV test rate was 10.2%, while post-natal HBV test rate was 42.5%. The test showed that the parents' educational level being higher than others, the pre- and post-natal HBV test showed higher rates. In case the fathers occupation being office worker, the post-natal HBV test showed a higher rate compared with other occupation. 3) Overall vaccination rate was 82.6%, complete vaccination rate 69.8%, booster injection rate 42.8%. The vaccination rate, complete vaccination rate and booster injection rate increased as the age being younger. If the educational level of parents were higher, the vaccination rate, complete vaccination rate and booster injection rate showed higher rates. Younger students showed younger vaccination age, and higher educational background of family showed younger vaccination ages. 4. With regard to positive rate of HBV markers by vaccination age, HBsAg and Anti-HBc positive rate showed higher degrees in the following order; preschool age (1-6 years), school age (6-13 years) and infancy (0-1 year). Anti-HBs positive rate was increased as the frequency of vaccination increased. Five years after initial complete vaccination, minimum protective rate was lowest, 69.6%.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.61-68
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• 2017

This study investigates the differences in medical practices and medical cost according to auto insurance companies based on 8,589,602 cases that were treated by auto insurance corporation for the year of 2015, from the beginning of January to the end of December. The results of this study can be summarized following. First, in terms of the general characteristic in medical treatment, especially the age, the highest figure in both non-life insurance and mutual aid cooperative was shown in the age of 50 to 59 at 22.8 per cent(p<0.001). Second, in terms of a medical cost per a hospital care, classified by clinic, the costs in the department of internal medicine were much higher than those in the surgical department, and the thoracic surgery among parts of the surgical department showed the highest figures in both non-life insurance and mutual aid cooperative. According to the above summarized results of this study, it can be concluded that Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service has to address the problem on the increase of unnecessary costs and the occurrence of social expenses caused by the delay of patients' rehabilitation and return to their daily lives, by carrying out the evaluation for the appropriateness to organizations that ask for payments of auto insurance.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2014

Objectives The aim of the present study was to investigate gender difference in empathic ability and recognition of facial emotion expression in schizophrenic patients. Methods Twenty-two schizophrenic outpatients (11 men and 11 women) and controls (10 men and 12 women) performed both the scale of Empathic Quotient (EQ) and facial emotion recognition test. We compared the scores of EQ and the facial emotion recognition test among each group according to diagnosis and gender. Results We found a significant sex difference in the scores of EQ and the facial emotion recognition test in the schizophrenic patients. And there were significantly negative correlation between the score of the facial emotion recognition test and the scores of Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) in female schizophrenic patients. However, in male schizophrenic patients, there were no significant correlations between the score of each test and the scores of PANSS. Conclusions This study suggests that the sex difference in empathic ability and facial emotion recognition would be very important in chronic schizophrenic patients. Investigation of sex effects in empathic ability and facial emotion recognition in chronic schizophrenic patients would present an important solution for constructing optimal rehabilitation program.

• 한국노년학
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.779-791
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• 2010

This study was to examine the differential impacts of social experiences and conditions on health among men and women aged 65 years or older, using data of the "2004 Survey on living Status of the Korean Elderly". The outcome variables were any disability, self-rated health, multiple morbidity, and self-rated quality of life. Multiple Classification Analysis was used to test the differential exposure to social factors contributes to gender difference in health. Gender differences in vulnerability of each individual socioeconomic, psycho-social, and behavioral factors for health were assessed by comparing logit coefficients in men and women. I found that gender difference in exposure to social factors contribute to inequalities in health between older men and women, however, gender inequalities remained after controlling for differential exposure except in case of quality of life. In addition, gender differences in health were further explained by differential vulnerabilities to social factors between men and women. Findings of this study may affirm the importance of further and deeper investigation of gender differences in health in later life. Gender sensitive approach in health planning and polices for the elderly is also suggested.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.195-196
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• 2018

The Korean Academy of Health Policy and Management (KAHPM) has shown remarkable achievements in the field of health policy and management in Korea for the last 30 years. The KAHPM consists of experts in various fields of health policy and management, and has been the leading academic discussion forum for health policy agendas of interest to the public. Health Policy and Management (HPM), the official journal of the KAHPM, published the first issue of volume 1 in October, 1991 and is publishing the second issue of volume 28 as of 2018. Currently, it is one of Korea' main journals in the field of health policy and management. HPM has published a special issue in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the KAHPM. The HPM invited authors, including former presidents of the KAHPM and current board members, to write about main issues in health policy and management. Although the HPM tried to set up an invited author on all subjects in the health policy and management field, 19 papers are published, that completed the peer review process by August, 2018. The authors of the special issue of the 30th anniversary of the KAHPM include six former presidents, a senior professor, and 12 board members. The subjects of this issue are reform of the healthcare delivery system, health insurance and medical policy, reform of health system governance, the role of National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA) and the National Evidence-based healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA), ethical aspects of health policy change, regional disparities of healthcare, healthcare accreditation, new healthcare technology evaluation system, globalization of the healthcare industry, the epidemiological investigator system, the quarantine system, safety and disaster, and official development assistance. There are some remaining topics to deal with for the KAHPM: aged society, anti-smoking, non-infectious disease, suicide, healthcare resources, emergency medical care, out-of-pocket money, medical fee payment system, medical aid system, long-term care insurance, industrial accident compensation insurance, community-centered health welfare system, and central government and local government of health. The HPM will continue to publish review articles on the main topics in health policy and management. This is because the KAHPM, which has been the leading academic society of Korea's health policy and management for the last 30 years, feels responsible for continuing its mission for the next 30 years.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.2163-2171
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• 2011

This study evaluated the complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms and investigated the related factors of musculoskeletal symptoms among nurses in a university hospital. For 249 nurses working at the ward, we used the self-administered questionnaires to examine sociodemographic, health related factors, job-related, subjective musculoskeletal symptoms designed by NIOSH. during the period from Aug. 1st to Aug. 31st, 2010. As a results, one and more of musculoskeletal symptoms was 66.3%, and two and more of that was 45.8%. The complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms were 44.2% in the shoulders, 33.7% in the low back, 33.3% in the legs/feet, 29.7% in the neck, 14.9% in the hands/wrists/fingers, 4.8% in the arms/elbows. For the age adjusted odds ratio for the musculoskeletal symptoms of neck, shoulders, low back and legs/feet, the groups who are shift work, staff nurse, who reported that their subjective health status are not good, and whose physical burden of works are hard were increased than their respective counterparts. In conclusion, the complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms was differently revealed by variable factors such as sociodemographic, health related factors and job-related factors.