• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.736-741
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• 2008

Background: Pneumonia continues to be the most common major infection in trauma patients. Despite the advances in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for pneumonia, it remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this retrospective study is to identify the risk factors and clinical features of ventilator-associated pneumonia among chest trauma patients. Material and Method: The study population consisted of 78 mechanically ventilated patients admitted to the ICU of Chonnam National University Hospital between January, 2001, and December, 2006. The patients were divided into two groups: those with pneumonia (Group I) and without pneumonia (Group II). Clinical predictors of the occurrence and mortality for ventilator associated pneumonia were analyzed. Result: There were 57 men and 21 women, with a mean age of $48.3{\pm}19.9$ years. Almost half of the patients, 48.7% (38 of 78), had pneumonia. The mortality rate was 21.0% (8 of 38) in Group I and 2.5% (1 of 40) in Group II. The predictors of ventilator-associated pneumonia were the duration of mechanical ventilation (17.4 days vs 6.5 days, p<0.001), the mean stay in the ICU (21.7 days vs 9.7 days, p<0.001), the use of inotropics due to hemodynamic instability (63.1% vs 25.0%, p=0.001), and the serum level of CRP ($11.3{\pm}7.8$ vs $6.4{\pm}7.3$, p=0.006). Conclusion: Posttraumatic ventilator-associated pneumonia was significantly related with the duration of mechanical ventilation, the mean stay in ICU, and the use of inotropics due to hemodynamic instability. The serum level of CRP at admission was higher in the pneumonia group. Morbidity and mortality can be reduced by early identification of predictive factors for developing pneumonia in chest trauma patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.81-99
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• 2000

The shelterbelts are very important to conserve and protect the sandy land, vegetation coverage, farmland, livestock and human life in the desertified land. The shelterbelts are constructed by the several row-plantings of high-adaptable species in the desertified land. The shelterbelts have various kind of type, and there are shelterbelts for conservation of farmland in dry the region, the protective shelterbelts (windbreaks for blowing-sand, artificial sanddune fixation by revegetation, and construction of farmland shelterbelts to protect farmland and pasture from wind erosion, etc.) in the semi-dry steppe, shelterbelts around the villages and oasis for sanddune fixation, shelterbelts for protection of railroads, and so on. The shelterbelts consist of main she1terbelts and minor shelterbelts. The main shelterbelts were constructed by being perpendicular to main wind direction, and the minor shelterbelts were constructed by being perpendicular to the main shelterbelts. Generally, the width of shelterbelts is 8~20m, and the number of row-planting is 4~10. The grid sizes of shelterbelts networks are $400{\times}400m$, $300{\times}500m$, $100{\times}200m$, and so on, and there are ventilation type and closing type in the type of shelterbelt. The width, number of row-planting, grid size and type of shelterbelt are selected by the local characteristics. The effects of shelterbelts are mainly the climate improvement and mitigation, such as prevention of occurrence of strong wind, cold wind and blowing-sand. And, the other effects of shelterbelts are effect of reforestation, increase of agricultural productions, establishment of greenbelts and green forests, construction of landscape-eco shelterbelts, improvement of life environment of local villages, supply of fuel wood and agricultural wood, land amelioration, effect of revegetation and restoration of desertified land, and so on. The kinds of the tree species mainly used for the construction of shelterbelts have differences between regions, but main species are Populus euphratica, Populus simonii, Populus bolleana, Populus tomentosa, Salix flavida, Salix mongolica, Tamarix chinensis, Hedysarum scoparium, and so on.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.169-178
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• 2020

This study was attempted to know the awareness of Advance Directives of adults in Gandwon-do province. Data was surveyed from 60 adults in Gangwon-do province by 42 item questionnaire for the awareness of Advance Directives. Subcategories of Advanced Directives questionnaire were knowledge, preference, experience for life-sustaining treatment and Advance Directives. The data was analyzed with the frequency and percentage using SPSS 24.0. 45% of Participants replied they knew the 'life-sustaining treatment' exactly. They preferred CPR 78.3%, mechanical ventilation 63.3% and blood transfusion 51.7% for their future special life-sustaining treatments. They did not preferred hemodialysis 8.3%, artificial respiration 6.7%, intensive care unit 6.7%, 8.3 percent of participants said that they well aware of Advance Directives. 86.6% of them hoped to write their Advance Directives. Despite such low awareness of the Advance Directives, the intention to write Advance Directives was high. Based on these results, it was found that the level of awareness of Advance Directives was very important for the intention to prepare Advance Directives. Therefore, regional programs and education on Advance Directives and periodic survey study for awareness of Advance Directives should be continued.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.17-26
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• 2008

Purpose : This study aimed to make comparison before and after CPR training for health college students (departments of visual optics, occupational therapy, and health welfare administration). The questionnaire consisted of self-efficacy, knowledge, and attitudes toward CPR affect performance ability. Through this study, the researchers tried to provide basic data in developing of cardiopulmonary resuscitation training programs and training methods for health college students. Methods : This study was applied to 83 health college students (departments of visual optics, occupational therapy, and health welfare administration) in G Province. Data were collected from September 22 to October 9, 2008. Analysis was performed by using SPSS WIN 12.0 Version program. Frequency analysis, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation coefficients were used. Statistical significance was based on p < .05. Results : 1. There was an increase with(${\rightarrow}$ in) 1.69 point before education and 3.01 after education of artificial ventilation(p < .001). There was an increase in 1.46 point before education and 3.24 after education of airway(p < .001). There was an increase in 1.54 point before education and 2.84 after education of chest compression location(p < .001). There was an increase in 1.97 point before education and 3.13 after education of chest compression(p < .001). 2. The difference between self-efficacy, knowledge, and attitude before and after CPR education, the self-efficacy increased from 2.08 point before education(p < .001 to 3.18 point after education. Knowledge increased from 2.09 point before education(p < .001) to 3.28 point after education. Attitude increased from 1.75 point before education(p < .001 to 3.05 point after education. 3. The correlation between self-efficacy, knowledge, and attitude toward CPR), was not changed before education. After education, knowledge showed quantitative correlation(r = .219, p < .05) with attitude. 4. In regression analysis with the aim of examining influence of self-efficacy, knowledge, and attitude upon performance ability, the effect wasn't given to performance ability before education. After education, the self-efficacy was indicated to have significant effect on performance ability(p < .05).

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.179-187
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• 2015

For patients who are near the end of life, an inevitable step is discussion of a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order, which involves patients, their family members and physicians. To discuss DNR orders, patients and family members should know the meaning of the order and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) which includes chest compression, defibrillation, medication to restart the heart, artificial ventilation, and tube insertion in the respiratory tract. And the following issues should be considered as well: patients' and their families' autonomy, futility of treatment, and the right for death with dignity. Terminal cancer patients should be informed of what futility of treatment is, such as a low survival rate of CPR, unacceptable quality of life after CPR, and an irremediable disease status. In Korea, two different law suits related to life supporting treatments had been filed, which in turn raised public interest in death with dignity. Since the 1980s, knowledge of and attitude toward DNR among physicians and the public have been improved. However, most patients are still alienated from the decision making process, and the decision is often made less than a week before death. Thus, the DNR discussion process should be improved. Early palliative care should be adopted more widely.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.82 no.3
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• pp.251-260
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• 2019

Background: Beyond its current function as a rescue therapy in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may be applied in ARDS patients with less severe hypoxemia to facilitate lung protective ventilation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of extended ECMO use in ARDS patients. Methods: This study reviewed 223 adult patients who had been admitted to the intensive care units of 11 hospitals in Korea and subsequently treated using ECMO. Among them, the 62 who required ECMO for ARDS were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to pre-ECMO arterial blood gas: an extended group (n=14) and a conventional group (n=48). Results: Baseline characteristics were not different between the groups. The median arterial carbon dioxide tension/fraction of inspired oxygen ($FiO_2$) ratio was higher (97 vs. 61, p<0.001) while the median $FiO_2$ was lower (0.8 vs. 1.0, p<0.001) in the extended compared to the conventional group. The 60-day mortality was 21% in the extended group and 54% in the conventional group (p=0.03). Multivariate analysis indicated that the extended use of ECMO was independently associated with reduced 60-day mortality (odds ratio, 0.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.64; p=0.02). Lower median peak inspiratory pressure and median dynamic driving pressure were observed in the extended group 24 hours after ECMO support. Conclusion: Extended indications of ECMO implementation coupled with protective ventilator settings may improve the clinical outcome of patients with ARDS.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.517-522
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• 2002

Background: Congenital heart surgery may lead to myocardial swelling and hemodynamic instability. Delayed sternal closure may be beneficial in this setting. The purpose of this study was to assess mortality and mediastinal infection rate associated with delayed sternal closure after congenital heart surgery and to evaluate the risk factors which affect mortality and mediastinal infection rate. Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed 40 patients who underwent delayed sternal closure after repair of congenital heart disease at Yonsei Cardiovascular Hospital, from January 1994 to May 2001. In these patients, we assessed the mortality and mediastinal infection rate, and evaluated their risk factors including operation time, bypass time, aortic cross clamp time, duration to sternal closure and postoperative artificial ventilation time. Mediastinal infection was defined to have positive culture in mediastinum. Result: Hemodynamic instability was the most common indication for delayed sternal closure(n=36) and other indications included postoperative bleeding(n=2) and conduit compression(n=2). The median age at operation was $14.4{\pm}33.4$months old(range, 2days-12years). The patients with postoperative bleeding and conduit compression were much older than the others. The sternum was left open for $4.5{\pm}3.4$ days(range, 1-20days). Overall mortality was 25%(10/40) and mediastinal infection occured in 24.3%(9/37) (3 patients were excluded in mediastinal infection for early death). In risk factor analyses, only aortic cross clamp time had statistical significance for mortality in univariate analyses. However, multivariate analyses revealed that there were no significant predictors for risk of mortality and mediastinal infection. Conclusion: Delayed sternal closure after repair of congenital cardiac disease had relatively high mortality and mediastinal infection rate. But, in patients with hemodynamic instability, postoperative bleeding and conduit compression after repair of congenital cardiac disease, delayed sternal closure may be an effective life saving method.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.966-971
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• 2003

Purpose : It is now well established that infection and inflammation play an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic brain damage. The loss of neutrophils from systemic circulation is an associated finding in injury mediated by granulocyte. Periventricular leukomalacia(PVL) caused by ischemia is the principal form of brain injury in premature infants. This study was conducted to evaluate whether the low neutrophil count is associated with periventricular leukomalacia(PVL) in premature infants. Methods : Retrospective review of medical records was undertaken. Subjects were premature infants with a birth weight of less than 1,500 gm, admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Kyungpook University Hospital. A complete blood count of peripheral blood was done within the 1st hour of life. Neutropenia was defined as absolute neutrophil count < $1,500/mm^3$, PVL as increased periventricular echodensities followed by cyst formation on ultrasonography or corresponding signs on brain MRI. Results : Thirteen infants out of a total population of 37 revealed neutropenia. Respiratory distress syndrome and requirement for respiratory support were not different between infants with neutropenia( neutropenia group) and infants without neutropenia(control group). Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and grade 3 and 4 IVH were more frequent in neutropenia group(P<0.05). There was no statistically significant increase of PVL in neutropenia group. The neutrophil count was $18,760.0{\pm}10,266.1/mm^3$, $7,272.0{\pm}7,435.0/mm^3$ infants with PVL and $11,131.7{\pm}3,386.5/mm^3$, $2,407.5{\pm}1,933.1/mm^3$ in infants without PVL, respectively. The frequency of mechanical ventilation and artificial surfactant therapy was higher in infants with PVL compared with infants without PVL, but statistical analysis was not performed due to small number of subjects. Conclusion : A low number of neutrophils in the systemic circulation was not associated with an increased risk of PVL in premature infants.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.232-237
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• 2004

Purpose: DNR order is generally accepted for cancer patients near the end of life at Hospice Ward. It means not only no CPR when cardiopulmonary arrest develops but no aggressive meaningless medical interventions. Usually on admission, we discuss with the patients' family about DNR order at the Hospice Ward. Recently, we experienced a terminal lung cancer patient who had been on the ventilator for two months after pulmonary arrest. CPR and artificial ventilation were performed because patient's family refused DNR order. There is no consensus when, who, and how DNR order could be written for terminal cancer patients in Korea, yet. Methods: Hospice charts of 60 patients who admitted between Jan and Jun 2003 to Hospice Ward were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The median age was 66(range $31{\sim}93$) and there were 31 males and 29 females. Their underlying cancers were lung (12), stomach (12), biliary tract (7), colon (6), pancreas (4) and others (19). The persons who signed DNR order were son (22), spouse(19), daughter (16) and others (3). But, there was no patients who signed DNR order by oneself. Thirty families of 60 patients signed on day of admission and 30 signed during hospitalization when there were symptom aggravation (19), vital sign change (4), organ failure (3) and others (4). There were 13 patients who died within 5 days after DNR order. Most of patients died at our hospice ward, except in 1 patient. The level of care was mostly 1, except in 2 patients. (We set level of care as 3 categories. Level 1 is general medical care: 2 is general nursing care: 3 is terminal care.) Conclusion: We have to consider carefully discussing DNR order with terminal cancer patients in the future & values on withholding futile intervention.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.500-512
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• 2000

Background : To evaluate the efficacy of two methods of obtaining lung recruitment to reduce ventilator-induced lung injury(VILI). Methods : Fifteen New-Zealand white rabbits were ventilated in the pressure-controlled mode while maintaining constant tidal volume(10 ml/kg) and fixed respiration rate. Lung injury was induced by repeated saline lavage (PaO2<100 mmHg), and the pressure-volume curve was drawn to obtain Pflex. The animals were then randomly assigned to three groups and ventilated for 4 hours. In the control group(n=5), positive end-expiratory pressure(PEEP) less than that of Pflex by 3 mmHg was applied throughout the study. In the recruitment maneuver(RM) group(n=5), RM(CPAP of 22.5 mmHg, for 45 seconds) was performed every 15 minutes in addition to PEEP level less than Pflex by 3 mmHg This phrase is unclear. In the Pflex group, PEEP of Pflex was given without RM. Gas exchange, lung mechanics, and hemodynamics parameters as well as pathology were examined. Results : 1) Both the control and RM groups showed decreasing tendency in PaO2 with time. There was significantly decreased PaO2 at 4 hr compared to Ihr(p<0.05). But in the Pflex group, PaO2 did not decrease with time(p<0.05 vs other groups at 3, 4 hr). PaCO2 did not show significant difference among the three groups. 2) There was no significant difference in static compliance and plateau pressure. Mean blood pressure and heart rate also did not show any significant difference among the three groups. 3) The pathologic exam showed significantly less neutrophil infiltration in the Pflex group than in the control group(p<0.05). There was borderline significant difference in hyaline membrane score among the groups (p= 0.0532). Conclusion : Although recruitment maneuver of the injured lung may be important in decreasing VILI, it alone may not be sufficient to minimize VILI.