• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제35권6호
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• pp.478-485
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• 2009

This study was performed to assess airborne fungi concentrations during fall in eight subway stations in Seoul, Korea. The purpose of this study was to investigate appropriate culture media and evaluate factors affecting airborne fungi concentrations. Results indicated that airborne fungi concentrations showed log-normal distribution. Thus, geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD) were calculated. The GM of airborne fungi concentrations cultured on malt extract agar (MEA) media was 466 $cfu/m^3$ (GSD 3.12; Range 113~4,172 $cfu/m^3$) and the GM of concentrations cultured on DG18 media was 242 $cfu/m^3$ (GSD 4.75; Range 49~6,093 $cfu/m^3$). Both of GM values exceeded 150 $cfu/m^3$, the guideline of World Health Organization (WHO). There was no significant difference between two fungi concentrations cultured on MEA and DG18 media, respectively. Two factors, such as relative humidity and depths of subway stations were significantly related to airborne fungi concentrations. It is recommended that special consideration should be given to deeper subway stations for improvement of indoor air quality.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.1111-1116
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• 2006

Medical science is an area of study that focuses on maintaining health and treating disease. However, modern medicine focuses on treating disease and neglects methodology of maintaining health. Although the definition of heal this defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and as the concept of harmonizing Yin and Yang in Korean medicine, there is no specific details regarding the definition. Thus, the following conclusion was obtained after the concept of health is viewed through Yin-Yang(陰陽), Vital Essence(精), Qi(氣), and Healthy Person(平人). Although Yin and Yang have opposite properties, they work very closely, maintaining the overall balance and harmony. Secondly, Vin and Yang would each function by the effects of one another, and the body could maintain normal physiological activities through this function. Thirdly, it maintains normal physiological state through the ascending Kidney-Water and descending Heart-Yang(水升火降). Fourthly, Vital Essence is divided into the congenital Essence(先天之精) and the acquired Essence(後天之精) in which the former is related with reproduction and the latter, nourishing. Fifthly, Qi is resistant to pathogens and related with the physique so that Qi and physique should be balanced. Sixthly, Healthy Person is the state where the exchange of Qi-Blood is active.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.182-190
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• 2010

We examined the association of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter < $10\;{\mu}m$ ($PM_{10}$) with asthma-related hospitalization, stratified by socioeconomic status (SES), among children less than 15 years of age in Seoul, Korea, between 2003 and 2005. In addition, we estimated the reduction in the number of asthma-related hospitalizations that would result from implementing the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline. SES was defined based on data concerning health insurance premium grades, and grouped into two levels: lower-income group and control group. The lower-income group was classified as having an accumulated income which did not exceed the 50th percentile of the median income. Time-series analysis was performed to evaluate the association between $PM_{10}$ and asthma-related hospitalization. The Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program was used to analyze the impact on children's health. Based upon an increase of $10\;{\mu}g/m^3$ of $PM_{10}$, the asthma-related hospitalization risk for the lower-income group was increased by 1.78% (95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.79-2.78%), while the risk for the control group was increased by 0.83% (95% CI = 0.34-1.32%). Attaining the WHO guideline, relative to the concentration in 2007, would result in a reduction in asthma-related hospitalizations of 18 cases per 100,000 of the children population in the lower-income group, and 7 cases in the control group. The health benefits of improved air quality for children in the lower-income group were thus 2.5 times greater than for children in the control group. Our results show that the lower-income group is disproportionately burdened with asthma-related hospitalization arising from air pollution. Therefore, biologically- and socioeconomically-disadvantaged populations should be considered in public health interventions in order to protect the children's health.

• 대한청각학회지
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.138-145
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the audiologic results after cochlear implantation (CI) in older patients and the degree of improvement in their quality of life (QoL). Subjects and Methods: Patients over 65 years old who underwent CI at implant center in Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital were included in this study (n=54; 34 males and 20 females). The control group was patient over 65 years old with normal hearing (n=54; 34 males and 20 females). We administered three questionnaires [World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), World Health Organization Quality of Life-OLD (WHOQOL-OLD)], and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) to evaluate the QoL, CIrelated effects on activities of daily life, and social activities in all the subjects. Moreover, correlations between speech recognition and the QoL scores were evaluated. The duration of implant use and comorbidities were also examined as potential factors affecting QoL. Results: The patients had remarkable improvements (the mean score of postoperative speech perception 75.7%) in speech perception after CI. The scores for the WHOQOL-OLD and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire responses were similar in both the study and control groups, except those for a two subdomains (social relations and social participation). The patients with longer-term CI had higher scores than those with short-term CI use. In general, the changes in GDS scores were not significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: The treatment of hearing loss with CI conferred significant improvement in patient's QoL (p<0.01). The evaluation of QoL can provide multidimensional insights into a geriatric patient's progress and, therefore, should be considered by audiologists.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.138-145
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the audiologic results after cochlear implantation (CI) in older patients and the degree of improvement in their quality of life (QoL). Subjects and Methods: Patients over 65 years old who underwent CI at implant center in Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital were included in this study (n=54; 34 males and 20 females). The control group was patient over 65 years old with normal hearing (n=54; 34 males and 20 females). We administered three questionnaires [World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), World Health Organization Quality of Life-OLD (WHOQOL-OLD)], and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) to evaluate the QoL, CIrelated effects on activities of daily life, and social activities in all the subjects. Moreover, correlations between speech recognition and the QoL scores were evaluated. The duration of implant use and comorbidities were also examined as potential factors affecting QoL. Results: The patients had remarkable improvements (the mean score of postoperative speech perception 75.7%) in speech perception after CI. The scores for the WHOQOL-OLD and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire responses were similar in both the study and control groups, except those for a two subdomains (social relations and social participation). The patients with longer-term CI had higher scores than those with short-term CI use. In general, the changes in GDS scores were not significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: The treatment of hearing loss with CI conferred significant improvement in patient's QoL (p<0.01). The evaluation of QoL can provide multidimensional insights into a geriatric patient's progress and, therefore, should be considered by audiologists.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권7호
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• pp.3213-3218
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• 2012

When patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC) are treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), efficacy is monitored by the extent of tumor shrinkage. Since their publication in 1981, World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines have been widely practiced in clinical trials and oncologic practice, for standardized tumor response evaluation. With advances in cancer treatment and tumor imaging, a simpler criterion based on one-dimensional rather than bi-dimensional (WHO) tumor measurement, named Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) was introduced in 2000. Both approaches have four response categories: complete response, partial response, stable disease and progressive disease (PD). Bi-dimensional measurement data of 151 patients with ABC were analysed with WHO and RECIST criteria to compare their response categories and inter criteria reproducibility by Kappa statistics. There was 94% concordance and 9/151 patients were recategorized with RECIST including 6/12 PD cases. RECIST therefore under-estimates and delays diagnosis of PD. This is undesirable because it may delay or negate switch over to alternate therapy. Analysis was repeated with a new criteria named RECIST-Breast (RECIST-B), with a lower threshold for PD (${\geq}10%$ rather than ${\geq}20%$ increase of RECIST). This showed higher concordance of 97% with WHO criteria and re-categorization of only 4/151 patients (1/12 PD cases). RECIST-B criteria therefore have advantages of both ease of measurement and calculations combined with excellent concordance with WHO criteria, providing a practical clinical tool for response evaluation and offering good comparison with past and current clinical trials of NACT using WHO guidelines.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.449-456
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• 2005

Objectives : The biosafety level (BSL) practiced in microbiology laboratories in Korea according to the laboratory biosafety manual published by the World Health Organization (WHO) was evaluated using the data obtained by a survey. Methods : Under the advise of Clinical Laboratory Physicians, 144 types of microorganisms were screened based on the guidelines of biosafety in microbiological and biomedical laboratories published by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention and classified into 1-4 risk groups. A questionnaire containing 21 questions in 5 areas was developed using the biosafety manual by published WHO. Of the 1,876 different organizations sent the survey, 563 responded to the survey (response rate: 30.0%). The species of microoganisms handled by as well as the biosafety level in microbiology laboratories were analyzed. Results : There were 123 species of microorganisms handled in microbiology labs in Korea. The BSL required in 512 microbiology labs was answered by the survey responders as the first grade in 33 labs (6.4%), 2nd in 437 (85.4%), 3rd in 42 (8.2%), and 4th in none. The average number of items satisfied was 12.2, showing only a 57.9% satisfactory rate and normal distribution. Conclusions : The state of overall observance of BSL in most microbiology labs of Korea was evaluated as lagging compared with the standard set up by WHO. Therefore, the Korean government need to produce and distribute a biosafety manual in microbiology laboratories and make efforts to prevent this threat through measures such as training in biosafety in microbiology labs.

• 융합정보논문지
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• 제10권8호
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• pp.77-86
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• 2020

이 연구는 코로나 19 확산에 따른 WHO의 마스크 사용 지침에 대한 한국 보건당국의 이행 및 불이행 내용을 분석하고 그것의 원인과 대안 선택의 결과를 도출하여 전염병 예방에서 지침의 한계와 연구의 함의를 제시하는데 목표가 있다. 이를 위해 국내·외 마스크 관련 문헌들을 고찰하고 WHO의 마스크 지침과 한국 보건당국의 마스크 권고사항을 분석대상으로 한다. 분석 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 한국의 보건당국은 두 차례의 권고 사항에서 WHO의 "제한된 마스크 사용자 관점"을 기본적으로 수용하고 적용해왔다. 둘째, 한국의 보건당국은 마스크 수급이 부족해지면서 WHO 마스크 지침과는 상이한 이행을 하였다. 셋째, 한국의 보건당국은 보편적 마스크의 필요성에 따른 마스크 공급 안정화를 기반으로 코로나 19 초기 방역에 성공할 수 있었다. 넷째, WHO 마스크 지침에서 마스크 사용자 제한은 결과론적으로 지침으로서의 부분적 오류를 드러냈다. 분석에서 도출된 함의는 의학적 근거에 따른 국제 지침일지라도 일단 감염병 팬데믹 상황에선 국제 규칙의 엄격한 준수보다 각국의 방역상황 및 역량에 따라 자율적인 지침을 따르도록 허용할 필요가 있다는 점이다.

• 한국소음진동공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국소음진동공학회 2006년도 춘계학술대회논문집
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• pp.759-763
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• 2006

The World Health Organization(WHO) has recommended population of sleep disturbance as one of the environmental health indicators. But the percentage of respondents who felt highly sleep disturbed, that is, %HSD can???thave application to sleep disturbance from instantaneous noise. Therefore, this study has been carried out to present the technique for assessing sleep disturbance on instantaneous noise quantitatively. The study of sleep disturbance on night time instantaneous railway noise has been undertaken. Noise monitor has been in operation from 22 hours to 7 hours during 6 nights at 12 locations. To assess instantaneous noise induced sleep disturbance, it was decided to measure body movement by actiwatch. %motility was used as indicators of sleep disturbance. %motility is the expected value of probability of motility value during 7 epochs (105s) of any noise event. The measures of instantaneous motility have been related to measures of instantaneous railway noise events. The relationship shows that %motility is a good predictor for assessing sleep disturbance and Korean is more sensitive to noise than European although the railway noise have been considered in this study. This study can be extended to assessing long-term sleep disturbance and give a guideline far policy decision.

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제30권5호
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• pp.1099-1110
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• 2000

This paper aims to examine what nursing discipline has accomplishd to date and projects what could be its preferred future from global perspective. Major contextual factors that influence nursing are examined in light of their significance on the progress of nursing discipline. These include evolution of society, and trends in higher education and health care market. The perspective of world health is gained from WHO, an organization recognized for its mission for the health of people worldwide. As the future builds on the present that, in turn, builds on the past, major milestones of nursing discipline, particularly that of education system from the inception of nursing to present is highlighted. The importance of research to advance science and improve peoples health are presented along with a call for nursing research to be responsive to societal needs. The preferred future for nursing discipline is presented integrating the trends of society, higher education, and health care environment. Doctoral education that is the hallmark of nursing scholarship is further elaborated in terms of its mission, needs, and quality attainment. Data from the International Network of Doctoral Education in Nursing are presented along with information about current attempts in developing quality criteria and indicators for doctoral education in nursing worldwide. Majority of information in this paper comes from the United States, unless specified otherwise.