• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.269-282
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• 2023

Purpose: Dental fear hinders patients from receiving appropriate dental treatment. In particular, the noise generated by high-speed air turbines and ultrasonic scalers can adversely affect patients. Many efforts have been made to reduce the discomfort caused by noise, but no methods are definitively recommended. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of active noise-canceling (ANC) headphones in reducing the pain and discomfort associated with dental scaling. Methods: Fifty-five patients requiring scaling and root planing, aged ≥19 years and showing no auditory problems, were included. Scaling was performed for the bilateral maxillary molars and premolars while patients wore headphones, with ANC turned either on or off. The degree of noise and pain reduction in the on and off conditions were surveyed using a visual analog scale (VAS). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed to compare noise-and pain-related discomfort with ANC turned on and off. Results: The sample included 28 men and 27 women with a mean age of 45.45±13.12 years. The average noise-related discomfort score was 3.84±2.12 and 2.95±1.99 when noise-canceling was turned off and on, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Similarly, the average pain-related discomfort score was 3.78h±2.00 and 3.09±1.96 when noise-canceling was turned off and on, respectively, which was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusions: The use of ANC headphones seems to reduce the discomfort caused by noise and pain in patients undergoing scaling.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.32-42
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• 2022

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical benefit of 2D contrast-enhanced T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (CE-T2 FLAIR) image for detecting leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) in the brain metastasis work-up for lung cancer. Materials and Methods: From June 2017 to July 2019, we collected all consecutive patients with lung cancer who underwent brain magnetic resonance image (MRI), including contrast-enhanced 3D fast spin echo T1 black-blood image (CE-T1WI) and CE-T2 FLAIR; we recruited clinico-radiologically suspected LM cases. Two independent readers analyzed the images for LM in three sessions: CE-T1WI, CE-T2 FLAIR, and their combination. Results: We recruited 526 patients with suspected lung cancer who underwent brain MRI; of these, we excluded 77 (insufficient image protocol, unclear pathology, different contrast media, poor image quality). Of the 449 patients, 34 were clinico-radiologically suspected to have LM; among them, 23 were diagnosed with true LM. The calculated detection performance of CE-T1WI, CE-T2 FLAIR, and combined analysis obtained from the 34 suspected LM were highest in the combined analysis (AUC: 0.80, 0.82, and 0.89, respectively). The inter-observer agreement was also the highest in the combined analysis (0.68, 0.72, and 0.86, respectively). In quantitative analyses, CNR of CE-T2 FLAIR was significantly higher than that of CE-T1WI (Wilcoxon signed rank test, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Adding CE-T2 FLAIR might provide better detection for LM in the brain-metastasis screening for lung cancer.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2019

Background and Objectives Skin and soft tissue defects can be treated according to a range of strategies, such as local flap, skin graft, biological dressing, or free flap. On the other hand, free tissue transfer usually leaves a distinct scar with an inconsistency of color or hypertrophy. This problem is highlighted if the defect is located on the face, which could have devastating effects on a patient's psychosocial health. Materials and Methods The authors used an erbium : yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser to resurface the free flap skin and match the color with the surrounding facial skin. This study evaluated the effectiveness of laser skin resurfacing on the harmonious color matching of transferred flap. Patients who had undergone laser resurfacing on facial flap skin between January 2014 and December 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. An ablative 2,940-nm fractional Er:YAG laser treatment was delivered to the entire flap skin at 21 J/cm² with the treatment end-point of pinpoint bleeding. Several months later, the clinical photographs were analyzed. The L^*a^*b^* color co-ordinates of both the flap and surrounding normal skin were measured using Adobe Photoshop. The L^*a^*b^* color difference (ΔE) for the scar and normal surrounding skin were calculated using the following equation: ${\Delta}E=\sqrt{({\Delta}L)^2+({\Delta}a)^2+({\Delta}b)^2}$ Results All five patients were satisfied with the more natural appearance of the flaps. The ΔE values decreased significantly from the pre-treatment mean value of 19.64 to the post-treatment mean value of 11.39 (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p = 0.043). Conclusion Ablative laser resurfacing can improve the aesthetic outcome of free tissue transfer on the face.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2023

Purpose: This study was to evaluate the effects of a social prescribing program on cognitive function and depression of the elderly in the rural community. Methods: A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used for this study. The experimental group (n=76) completed a 8-week intervention of social prescribing, while the control group (n=39) only participated in pre- and post- need assessment from April 2021 to October 2022. A Wilcoxon signed rank test was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a social prescribing program on the level of cognitive function and depression of the participants. Results: The level of cognitive function was improved significantly in the experimental group (p<.05) while there was no significant change in the control group. Depression has been significantly decreased in the experimental group (p<.01), but there was no statistically significant change in the control group. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the social prescribing program is effective for improving cognitive function and reducing depression of the elderly living in the rural area. Therefore, a social prescribing program can be utilized as a preventive program for dementia and depression of the elderly.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.177-190
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• 2006

Numerous aims of laboratory activities have been suggested by a number of researchers in science education; however the lists of aims very according to researcher. As such, there is still no agreement educational goals on the in science laboratory activities by experts in science education. The purpose of this study was to obtain a consensus using the Delphi technique on the aims of laboratory activities from expert community. This expert community consisted of four scientists, four science educators, six elementary school teachers, and seven secondary school teachers. The list of aims obtained from the expert community were tested with the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test to determine whether IQR between 2nd and 3rd was convergent. Results of this study produced, lists of aims of laboratory activities according to school science level. There were seven aims for elementary school science, nine aims for secondary school science, and thirteen aims for university science.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.561-571
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• 2020

Objective: To evaluate the clinical utility of ultrafast dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI compared to conventional DCE-MRI by studying lesion conspicuity and size according to the level of background parenchymal enhancement (BPE). Materials and Methods: This study included 360 women (median age, 54 years; range, 26-82 years) with 361 who had undergone breast MRI, including both ultrafast and conventional DCE-MRI before surgery, between January and December 2017. Conspicuity was evaluated using a five-point score. Size was measured as the single maximal diameter. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare median conspicuity score. To identify factors associated with conspicuity, multivariable logistic regression was performed. Absolute agreement between size at MRI and histopathologic examination was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: The median conspicuity scores were 5 at both scans, but the interquartile ranges were significantly different (5-5 at ultrafast vs. 4-5 at conventional, p < 0.001). Premenopausal status (odds ratio [OR] = 2.2, p = 0.048), non-mass enhancement (OR = 4.1, p = 0.001), moderate to marked BPE (OR = 7.5, p < 0.001), and shorter time to enhancement (OR = 0.9, p = 0.043) were independently associated with better conspicuity at ultrafast scans. Tumor size agreement between MRI and histopathologic examination was similar for both scans (ICC = 0.66 for ultrafast vs. 0.63 for conventional). Conclusion: Ultrafast DCE-MRI could improve lesion conspicuity compared to conventional DCE-MRI, especially in women with premenopausal status, non-mass enhancement, moderate to marked BPE or short time to enhancement.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.75-87
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• 2024

Purpose: Dietary habits are strongly related to the symptoms of people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Therefore, personalized nutrition management can help reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life of people with IBS. This study assessed the effectiveness of a personalized web-based nutrition management based on the types of food that trigger IBS symptoms. Methods: Sixty Korean adults with IBS according to Rome IV criteria in their 20s and 30s were enrolled in this study. The data from the final 49 patients who completed a three-month personalized nutrition intervention were analyzed. The general information, anthropometry, dietary intake survey, and gut microbiota were examined pre and post-intervention. The gut microbiota analysis included the relative abundance and the Shannon index. The food intake was recorded for two days for personalized nutrition education, followed by three months of personalized nutrition intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test in SPSS 26.0, with the significance set to p < 0.05. Results: The relative abundance of the gut microbiota changed after personalized nutrition management, with a significant decrease in the presence of Veillonella (p = 0.048). Furthermore, when the gut microbiota was analyzed according to the type of food that triggers symptoms, the diversity was increased significantly in the high fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) type (p = 0.031) and FODMAPs-containing gluten-type personalized nutrition intervention types (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Gut microbial diversity and gut microbiota distribution changed after using web-based personalized nutrition management. Hence, personalized nutrition management that considers trigger foods may improve IBS symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2024

Purpose: Achilles tendon rupture is a frequently encountered ankle pathology associated with a substantial burden of intense pain and functional deficits. Chronic Achilles tendon ruptures with considerable defects pose intricate repair challenges that are often marred by complications such as re-rupture and persistent pain. Various treatment methods, including allograft transplantation, have been proposed, but the literature on this technique is limited. In this study, we propose a surgical approach utilizing allotendon transplantation and a calcaneal tunneling technique and provide clinical evaluation details. Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients with chronic Achilles tendon ruptures treated with allotendon between 2020 and 2022 were included in the study. Patients were evaluated at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores and Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Scores (ATRSs). Complications were assessed postoperatively. Results: The average VAS score was 7 before surgery, 7.3 immediately after surgery, and 4.3 at 1 month, 2.5 at 3 months, and 1.3 at 6 months after surgery. Because the sample was limited to 15 individuals and distributions were non-normal, the analysis was conducted using the non-parametric Wilcoxon's signed-rank test, and statistical significance was accepted for p-values<0.05. Results showed a significant improvement in ATRS and VAS scores versus preoperative and immediate postoperative values. VAS scores showed a decreasing trend after surgery, whereas average ATRS scores increased from 14 before surgery, 33.8 at 1 month, 82.7 at 3 months, and 93.9 at 6 months. Conclusion: This study suggests that allograft transplantation using the described calcaneal tunnel technique provides an effective treatment for chronic Achilles tendon ruptures. However, extensive research and long-term clinical trials are required to validate and better understand the technique's efficacy.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.30-43
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• 2001

This was a pre-experimental study to confirm the breast-feeding ability and effect of follow up care on the breast-feeding rate and the breast-feeding method by the mother-infant breast-feeding assessment tool for the mothers who got the breast-feeding education. The subjects were 46 mothers who experienced normal delivery of infants at a college hospital in K-city, Kyungsangbuk-do, from July 1 to October 21, 2000. The instrument for data obtainment were The Mother-Infant Breast-Feeding Assessment Tool of Johnson et al. (1999), and The Breast- Feeding Method Measurement Tool of Jeong, Geum-hee(1997). This instrument was reliable, showing Cronbach $\alpha$.751. This study classified them into 3 groups: at high risk for breast-feeding failure, at risk for breast-feeding problems, and at low risk for breast-feeding failure by the mother-infant breast-feeding assessment tool on the day of discharge from the hospital after delivering individual breast-feeding education to the subjects. This study investigated the breast-feeding rate and the breast-feeding method through mail questionnaire at the four week after childbirth, and through the phone counselling and the home visit for follow up care at the first week and the second week after childbirth. The sixth week after childbirth, this study investigated the breast-feeding rate by phone. The data analyzed the hypothesizes by $x^2$-test, paired t-test, ANOVA, Wilcoxon signed rank test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and trend analysis using SPSS/PC+ WIN 10.0 program. The results were as follows : 1) Hypothesis 1-1, "there won't be any difference the breast-feeding rate of a group at risk for breast-feeding failure by the time elapsed" was supported through constant the breast-feeding rate, because changes in the breast-feeding rate by the time elapsed after childbirth wasn't statistically significant(t= -1.501, p=.270). Hypothesis 1-2, "there won't be any difference the breast-feeding rate of group at low risk for breast-feeding failure by the time elapsed" was supported through constant the breast-feeding rate, because changes in the breast-feeding rate by the time elapsed after childbirth wasn't statistically significant(t=-1.732, p=.225). 2) Hypothesis 2-1, "there won't be any difference between the breast-feeding method of group at risk for breast-feeding failure for four weeks after childbirth and just after childbirth” was rejected, because the mean point of post test appeared to be higher than that of pre test(t=-7.267, p=.000). Hypothesis 2-2, "there won't be any difference between the breast-feeding method of the group at low risk for breast-feeding failure for four weeks after childbirth and just after childbirth" was rejected, because the mean point of post test appeared to be higher than that of pre test(t=-2.501, p=.012). 3)The 3rd hypothesis, "there won't be any difference between breast-feeding method of groups at risk for breast-feeding problems and at low risk for breast-feeding failure at the 4th week after childbirth and just after childbirth" didn't show any difference between the breast-feeding method of groups at risk for breast-feeding problems and at low risk for breast-feeding failure in the advance test(t=-1.521, p=.130) but there was difference between them in post test (t=-2.012, p=.044). As a result, the 3rd hypothesis was supported by pre test, but it was rejected by post test. In conclusion, this study confirmed breast- feeding education and follow up care just after childbirth were effective for the breast-feeding rate and method. Accordingly, it is proposed that successful nursing intervention of breast-feeding to be necessary by continuously providing follow up care through the mother-infant breast-feeding assessment tool as well as to execute individual breast-feeding education to mothers just after childbirth.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2008

Purpose: This study prospectively evaluated the outcome of arthroscopic transtendinous repair as a treatment for partial articular side tears of the rotator cuff. Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients with symptomatic, partial articular side tears of the rotator cuff underwent modified transtendinous repair. The patient's mean age was 52.5 years and the mean duration of symptoms was 33.7 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS), the ASES score, the active ROM of the shoulder and the patient's satisfaction were evaluated both preoperatively and postoperatively. The clinical results were analyzed using the Wilcoxon's signed rank test. Results: The mean VAS was $6.6\pm1.1$ before treatment and $0.4\pm0.6$ at 6 month, and the ASES scores for all the patients were significantly better over the six-month period of follow-up (p<0.05). The mean active ROM in abduction was $94.3\pm22.3$ before treatment, $108.7\pm16.3$ at 1 month (p=0.0041) and $164.3\pm5.3$ at six months (p=0.0006). In flexion, it was $105.0\pm23.8$ before treatment, $119.0\pm17.4$ at 1 month(p=0.0075) and $174.3\pm5.3$ at six months (p=0.0006). At the final follow-up, 94% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied after operation. Conclusion: We experienced satisfactory clinical results after a short-term follow-up of arthroscopic transtendinous repair, and we believed this to be an effective procedure for patients with partial articular side tears of the rotator cuff.