• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1-13
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• 2018

The number of deaths in Korea is higher than the OECD average. Therefore, an e-Call system is being developed as a vehicle ICT-based emergency rescue system that automatically detects an accident in the event of a vehicle accident and transmits related information to the center. In order to overcome the limitations of social acceptability and function of e-Call system, we propose a model that allows users to be aware of the necessity of service voluntarily. We predicted the market share of e-call services according to the proposed business model and analyzed it through B/C analysis. Benefits are calculated on a penetration basis, and device purchase and communications costs are calculated for each period. B/C analysis shows that pessimistic scenarios are 0.98 in 2025 and 1.01 in 2030. In an optimistic scenario, it is 1.05 in 2025 and 1.20 in 2030, which is more economical.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.85-93
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• 2019

Objectives: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the benefit of Traditional Korean Medicine as an adjuvant therapy in management of mid-trimester oligohydramnios. Methods: It is a case report of a 31 year-old woman hospitalized for oligohydramnios at $24^{+4/7}$weeks of gestation. This patient diagnosed with special oligohydramnios had no abnormal findings such as fetal urinary abnormalities or other anomalies. Also, symptom of PPROM (preterm premature rupture of membrane) was not confirmed. The decoction, Gami-danggui-san (DG) was prescribed for the purpose of reducing unnecessary contraction of uterine muscle during pregnancy and promoting blood circulation and metabolism, thereby improving placental function and contributing to the increase of the fluid. DG decoction was administered twice a day until 19th of June, which was 10 days in total. During the treatment, level of amniotic fluid had been monitored by measuring AFI (amnioti fluid index). Results: After these conventional therapies, the amount of amniotic fluid increased steadily, and eventually reached the optimal level. AFI was found to be 3.2 on the $24^{+4/7}$ weeks, 8 on the $26^{+1/7}$ weeks, 11.5 on the $27^{+0/7}$ weeks of gestation. In the same periods, EFW (expected fetal weight) was also found to be increasing gradually: 545 g, 630, and 760 g. Conclusions: Our report implies the potential of herbal medicine as a effective therapy for oligohydramnios tratment. Further studies are needed to assess the efficacy of TKM herbal medicine and reveal the mechanisms of the decoction.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.237-247
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effectiveness and efficiency of social security benefits to poverty alleviation. To this end, this study analyzed the poverty alleviation effect of public pension, basic pension, child-rearing allowance, disability allowance, basic living security subsidy, EITC, and other government subsidies using 2019 Household Financial Welfare Survey. The analysis results are as follows. First, social security benefits lowered the poverty rate by 6.8%p. Second, in terms of the poverty gap reduction effect, the public pension for the elderly male households, the basic pension for the elderly female householder, and the basic guarantee for the working female householder contributed the most. Finally, in terms of poverty alleviation efficiency, about 33% of social security benefits contribute to narrowing the poverty gap. Social security benefits for female heads of households were found to serve as a function of alleviating poverty gap and for male heads of households to supplement household income. Based on these results, this study suggested the discovery of various poverty states, expansion of basic security for the female elderly, and the connection between the purpose of social security benefits and key targets.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.1
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• pp.72-81
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• 2023

Objective : Ischemia and hemorrhage of pituitary adenomas (PA) caused important clinical syndrome. However, the differences on clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes between these two kinds apoplexy were less reported. Methods : A retrospective analysis was made of patients with pituitary apoplexy between January 2013 and June 2018. Baseline and clinical characteristics before surgery were reviewed. All patients underwent transsphenoidal surgery and were followed up at least 1 year. Results : Total 67 cases (5.8%) among 1147 pituitary tumor patients were enrolled, which consisted of 28 (~2.4%) ischemic PA and 39 (~3.4%) hemorrhagic PA. There were more male patients in the ischemic group compared with hemorrhagic group (78.6% vs 53.8%, p=0.043). However, the mean age, tumor size and functional tumor ratio were significant higher in the hemorrhagic group. Headache was more common in ischemic PA (82.1%) than that of hemorrhagic PA (51.3%, p=0.011). Magnetic resonance imaging findings found that mucosal thickening and enhancement of the sphenoid sinus was observed in 15 ischemic PA patients (n=27, 55.6%), but none in patients with hemorrhagic PA (n=38, p<0.0001). It was worth noting that the rate of pre-surgical hypopituitarism in ischemic PA patients were seemed higher than that in hemorrhagic PA patients, but not significant. The two groups got a total tumor resection rate at 94.1% and 92.9%, independently. No significant difference on the operative time, blood loss in operation and complications in perioperative period was observed in two groups. After operation, cranial nerve symptoms recovered to normal at 81.8% of ischemic PA patients and 82.6% of hemorrhagic PA patients. Importantly, the incidence of postoperative hypopituitarism partially decreased in both groups, among which the rate of hypothyroidism in ischemic PA patients significantly decreased from 46.4% to 18.5% (p=0.044). Conclusion : Patients with ischemic PA presented different clinical characteristics to the hemorrhagic ones. Transsphenoidal surgery should be considered for the patients with neuro-ophthalmic deficits and might benefit for pituitary function recovery of the apoplectic adenoma patients, especially pituitary thyroid axis in ischemic PA patients.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.41-48
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to present the implications of the rural living area setting and rural spatial structure analysis of the rural spatial strategy plan through case analysis. Following the decentralization of autonomy and the promotion of the transfer of state affairs to local areas, some of the general agricultural and fishing village development projects of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs were transferred to local areas. In addition, in 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs introduced a rural agreement system for 113 cities and counties. However, since the understanding of the field is still low, this study attempted to present implications through a case analysis of the structure of rural space and the establishment of rural living areas in three local governments in Chungcheong. As a result of the study, in the stage of establishing the living zone, it is necessary to comprehensively review the contents reviewed in the analysis of the current status and conditions. However, the two local governments had insufficient interpretation of the axis by function and the establishment of the base area, or were using the upper plan as it was. Second, the source of the data used in the survey on the distribution status of living SOC facilities is unclear. Since the distribution status of living SOC facilities overlaps with accessibility analysis, OD data analysis, and resident survey results and is used as the basis for setting living areas, the data source should be clearly marked, and verification should be possible. Third, amenity (facility) resources were classified and analyzed according to the conditions and characteristics of local governments. The local government that applied the guidelines as they were was A local government, and the remaining local governments conducted surveys and analysis according to the current status. Forth, since the establishment of the rural living area is the minimum unit supported by government policies through future rural agreements, it is necessary to distinguish them based on quantitative standards in the process of establishing them. Only one case area presented clear grounds and standards, and the rest of the case areas presented standards but are based on non-quantitative standards. In order for rural agreements to be sustainable in the future and benefit local residents, it is necessary to use or establish a government-level institution that can collect and produce objective data. In addition, it is necessary to find ways to specify and standardize the standards for setting the living area and specify them in the guidelines.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.141-156
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• 2023

Background: As the population rapidly ages, older adults are increasingly likely to experience mobility problems. This study aims to explore the characteristics related to an elderly person's willingness to live in a nursing home if they have mobility problems Methods: This study analyzed data from 9,917 older adults (5,976 young-old and 3,941 old-old) obtained from the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans. The dependent variable was the intended place of residence for older adults with mobility problems. Independent variables included various characteristics: (1) sociodemographic and social support, (2) health and functional status, and (3) residential environment. Rao-Scott chi-square tests and survey logistic regression analyses were performed for the young-old and old-old, respectively. Results: The intention to live in a nursing home was significantly different between the young-old (30.4%) and the old-old (34.7%) (p=0.009). According to fully adjusted multivariable analyses, for the young-old, the odds ratio of intending to live in a nursing home was significantly higher in social security benefit recipients (1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.97) compared to other individuals. The odds ratio was higher in unmarried (divorced, separated, widowed, or never-married) individuals for both young-old (1.41; 95% CI, 1.22-1.63) and old-old (1.34; 95% CI, 1.09-1.65) age groups, compared to their respective married counterparts. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that in an aging society, health and social policies should be designed considering the different characteristics of the elderly to improve their health, function, and quality of life.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.267-290
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• 2011

This research attempts to analyze the effects of demographic factors, socioeconomic factors, health behaviors and social/familial supports on health inequalities among Korean elderly. For this end, this study adopts the multiple linear regression analysis to process data on population aged over 65 contained in 'The Third Korea Welfare Panel Study' published in 2008. The following are the results. First, the less educated they are, the smaller income they earn, the less they drink, the less satisfied with relationships with their family members, the more they turn out to feel depressed. Second, the less educated they are, the smaller income they earn, the less they drink, the less they are satisfied with relationship with family members, the more they benefit from social welfare services, the worse they turn out to rate their health. Based on these findings, three following suggestions could be forwarded. First, vulnerable aged groups including female elderly, low-income elderly, less-educated elderly need customized social supports. Second, new social policy for households is required to enhance elderly people's satisfaction with their family relationships with the rapid trend of a growing number of nuclear families and aging. Third, social welfare service programs need to be reevaluated to enhance their function for the aged.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.34.1-34.19
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• 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis associated with ageing. Vitamin D has diverse biological effect on bone and cartilage, and observational studies have suggested it potential benefit in OA progression and inflammation process. However, the effect of vitamin D on OA is still contradictory. Here, we investigated the therapeutic potential of vitamin D in OA. Six-week-old male Wistar rats were injected with monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) to induce OA. Pain severity, cartilage destruction, and inflammation were measured in MIA-induced OA rats. Autophagy activity and mitochondrial function were also measured. Vitamin-D (1,25(OH)₂D3) and celecoxib were used to treat MIA-induced OA rats and OA chondrocytes. Oral supplementation of vitamin D resulted in significant attenuations in OA pain, inflammation, and cartilage destruction. Interestingly, the expressions of MMP-13, IL-1β, and MCP-1 in synovial tissues were remarkably attenuated by vitamin D treatment, suggesting its potential to attenuate synovitis in OA. Vitamin D treatment in OA chondrocytes resulted in autophagy induction in human OA chondrocytes and increased expression of TFEB, but not LC3B, caspase-1 and -3, in inflamed synovium. Vitamin D and celecoxib showed a synergistic effect on antinociceptive and chondroprotective properties in vivo. Vitamin D showed the chondroprotective and antinociceptive property in OA rats. Autophagy induction by vitamin D treatment may be a promising treatment strategy in OA patients especially presenting vitamin D deficiency. Autophagy promoting strategy may attenuate OA progression through protecting cells from damage and inflammatory cell death.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.619-627
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• 2004

Background : Corticosteroids in combination with cytotoxic drugs are the mainstays of therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, there has been no regimen showing any survival benefit. The aim of this study was to describe a short-term clinical experience on interferon gamma-1b (IFN-${\gamma}1b$) therapy for IPF, as an antifibrotic agent. Methods : Medical records of 27 patients who were treated with IFN-${\gamma}1b$ (2 million IU, 3 times a week, subcutaneous injection) were retrospectively reviewed. Treatment response was assessed using ATS/ERS criteria in 17 patients who received IFN-${\gamma}1b$ for more than 6 months. In addition, we compared the efficacy of IFN-${\gamma}1b$ therapy with that of cyclophosphamide${\pm}$prednisolone therapy (n=26). Results : The median age of IFN-${\gamma}$ treated group (M:F=19:8) was 59 years (44-74 years). Compared to the patients who showed a stable response at 6 months (n=12), the deteriorated group (n=5) had worse baseline lung function (FVC, $55.4{\pm}11.3%$ vs. $70.7{\pm}10.9%$, p=0.019; DLco, $50.3{\pm}7.3%$ vs. $76.9{\pm}19.6%$, p=0.014). Lower baseline $PaO_2$ on room air breathing was observed in the deteriorated group ($68.6{\pm}7.8mmHg$ vs. $91.4{\pm}6.6mmHg$ p=0.001). Subcutaneous IFN-${\gamma}1b$ did not show better efficacy than prednisolone. Five patients discontinued IFN-${\gamma}$ because of severe side effects. ARDS developed in one patient, who eventually died. Conclusion : The administration of IFN-${\gamma}1b$ is not desirable for patients diagnosed with IPF with poor lung function. Long-term and large-scaled clinical studies are needed for its efficacy in IPF.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.684-691
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• 2010

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of resistant starch (RS) on the large bowel function and plasma lipids in rats with constipation induced by Loperamide. Animals were divided into six groups: normal control-5% cellulose, constipation-5% cellulose, constipation-5% pectin, constipation-5% RS-type 2 (RS2), constipation-8% RS2 and constipation-5% RS type 3 (RS3) groups, and fed experimental diets for five weeks. The results from RS groups were compared with those from other dietary fiber groups. The groups supplemented with RS3 or high level of RS2 showed significantly increased counts of bifidobacteria in the cecum than the other groups. The production of total short chain fatty acids in the cecal contents was significantly high in pectin, RS3 and high RS2 groups. The pH in the cecal contents of the RS supplemented groups was significantly decreased compared with the cellulose supplemented groups. The production of prostaglandin E2 in the colon mucus of the RS groups was higher than the normal group; however, it was significantly decreased compared to the cellulose or pectin supplemented constipated groups. The thickness of the mucus layer and the production of mucus from epithelial cells were significantly increased in RS3 group compared to the constipated cellulose group. Supplementation of resistant starch significantly elevated the ratio of HDL-cholesterol to total cholesterol and significantly lowered plasma atherogenic index compared with cellulose or pectin supplementation in constipated rats. The results of the present study demonstrated that resistant starch supplementation may help in improving the large bowel environment by stimulation of bifidobacterial proliferation, reduction of pH and inflammation factor and by increased production of mucus. It has also been found that an additional health benefit is improvement in lipid levels of serum.