• Journal of the Korean Society of Visualization
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2006

The left ventricular filling flow is now considered as an indicator which can be used for early diagnosing of cardiovascular diseases. Because the understanding of left ventricular flow physics is critical for this purpose, the downstream flow characteristics of the artificial heart valve are investigated using particle image velocimetry (PIV) method. In this study, we investigated the wake characteristics of flows passing through three different artificial valves (St.Jude medical bileaflet mechanical valve. Bjork-Shiley monostrut mechanical valve and St.Jude medical Biocor bio valve). The downstream flow field has remarkably altered according to the different valves. SJM MHV has the flow field similar to the pulsating circular jet and BS MHV has oblique pulsating jet. SJM BHV shows the similar flow field of clinical data of normal heart.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 2013

The flash point is an important indicator of the flammability of a chemical. In this study, the flash points for the n-propanol+n-butanol and n-propanol+acetic acid systems were measured by Tag open-cup apparatus. The experimental data were compared with the values calculated by the Raoult's law and optimization method based on van Laar and UNIQUAC equations. The calculated values by optimization method were found to be better than those based on the Raoult's law.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.19
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• pp.8197-8201
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• 2014

Background: Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and cleft lip and palate trans-membrane 1 like (CLPTM1L) genes located on chromosome 5p15.33 are known to influence the susceptibility to various cancers. Here, we examined the association of TERT and CLPTM1L single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: Genotyping of TERT SNP rs2736098 and CLPTM1L SNP rs401681 was performed using TaqMan allelic discrimination assays in a case-control study of 201 HCC cases and 210 controls in a Chinese male population. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using logistic regression analyses. Results: Both the rs2736098 T allele of TERT and the rs401681 T allele of CLPTM1L were associated with a significantly increased risk of HCC (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.605, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.164-2.213; adjusted OR=1.399, 95%CI=1.002-1.955, respectively). Individuals carrying both TERT and CLPTM1L risk genotypes had an even higher risk of HCC (adjusted OR=4.420, 95%CI= 2.319-8.425). The TERT rs2736098 T allele was also significantly associated with the level of the HCC clinical indicator alpha-fetoprotein (P=0.026). Conclusions: Our results show that genetic variants of TERT and CLPTM1L may contribute to HCC susceptibility in Chinese males.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.219-227
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• 2014

Background: Current trends in Korea population aging with advances in public health and clinical medicine foretell rises in the prevalence of not only chronic diseases but also patients with multimorbidity. One important aspect in analyzing multimorbidity is to define the list of chronic diseases included when calculating multimorbidity index. The objective of this study is to describing the effect of multimorbidity on healthcare cost in Korea using US Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health (OASH) list. Methods: We analyzed the Korea Health Panel Data representing non-institutionalized Korean adult populations aged 20 and more. We calculated multimorbidity index based on OASH list and estimated the prevalence and healthcare cost for each OASH chronic disease. Results: In 2011, 15.2 million (39.6%) Koreans aged 20 and more were living with chronic condition. The health care cost due to chronic diseases, accounted for 80.2% of the overall healthcare costs and the prevalence of chronic conditions, the prevalence of multimorbidity and healthcare cost increased with ages. In the analysis using OASH list, 40% of the adult population over the age of 20 and 66.7% of the population over the age of 65 was affected with multimorbidity. In most of diseases in OASH list, prevalence of mulitmorbidity was high and healthcare cost increased with multimorbidity. Conclusion: OASH chronic disease list that accounts for 72.4% of prevalence and 86.7% of healthcare cost of persons with chronic conditions in Korea. OASH chronic disease list would be a useful and representative indicator for studying multimorbidity.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.631-642
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• 2015

The purpose of the study was to examine health status and mini nutritional assessment (MNA) according to self-esteem status of elderly in care hospital. The survey was carried out from $13^{th}$ to $31^{st}$ of September, 2014 in five care hospitals. Analysis was performed for 226 subjects. Evaluation criteria included demographics, clinical status, MNA, health-related quality of life (EQ-5D) and self-esteem. The SE I, SE II and SE III groups were divided by self-esteem scores. Data were analyzed one-way ANOVA, Duncan' multiple range test and Pearson's correlation using SPSS 15.0. Education level, religion, dental condition and medical endurance type were significantly different in all groups. Many elderly people were normal BMI ($20.94{\sim}21.67kg/m^2$). Self-esteem significantly increased in order of SE I, SE II and SE III. Mobility, usual activity and anxiety or depression were significantly different in all groups, and EQ-5D of SE II and SE III groups were significantly higher than that of SE I group. Comparison of MNA screening score in elderly patients was as follows : Score for food intake, psychological stress or acute disease, neuropsychological problems, pressure scores or skin ulcer, protein intake, mode of feeding, nutritional status and health status in SE I group were significantly lower than those of SE II and SE III groups. Mobility and drug intake of SE I group were significantly lower than those of SE III groups. Fruit and vegetable intake SE I group were significantly higher than those of SE II and SE III groups. MIS (Malnutrition Indicator Score) was significantly different among the SE I, SE II and SE III groups. We conclude that self-esteem score is positively correlated with protein intake, nutrition status, health status and MIS in elderly care hospital. To improve nutritional status of elderly in care hospitals, systematic nutrition management and self-esteem education program should be implemented.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.233-239
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• 2012

Hematological analysis can provide crucial information for monitoring the health of fish. However, there is no current information available regarding hematological changes in olive flounder following infection by Vibrio scophthalmi. In this study, hematological and biochemical alterations were determined in olive flounder infected by the high virulence strain (HVS) and low virulence strain (LVS) of V. scophthalmi. Survival in serum, skin mucus, and macrophages of olive flounder was also compared between the HVS and LVS. The results demonstrated that the hematocrit value in infected fish declined from 23.4% at 0 h to 18.0% at 168 h post infection. The total protein concentration in fish infected with the HVS was significantly higher than in fish infected with the LVS and a non-infected control. Lysozyme activity was significantly different between infected and control fish. The HVS survived in serum and cell numbers increased substantially, while cell numbers of the LVS in serum decreased. These changes in hematological characteristics in fish infected by V. scophthalmi can be used as an effective and sensitive index to monitor the physiological and pathological conditions of fish. The survival and reproduction of V. scophthalmi in host serum, skin mucus, and macrophages play a major role in systemic infection and can serve as a virulence indicator for different strains.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.979-985
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• 2010

This study was performed to detect enterococci strain as an indicator of faecal contamination, to identify of 16S rDNA sequence and vancomycin resistance by MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) test from drinking spring-water samples in Seoul. The detection frequency of enterococci was 42 (19.8%) among 212 samples, and its concentration was ranged from 0 to 110 CFU/100 mL. These results were confirmed the possibility as an indicator microorganisms that similar to the frequency of E. coli detection (t test p-value 0.268, significant level 0.05). Isolated 56 enterococci samples were identified by 16S rDNA sequence data and their NCBI BLAST searching. They were identified to Enterococcus faecalis of 24 samples, E. faecium (10), E. casseliflavus (10), E. gallinarum (3), E. hirae (2), E. durans (2), E. sanguinicola (1). E. faecalis was dominant species that clinical case report of a domestic was similar. Vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) of 53 samples showed that vanB and vanC1/C2 type with 2 and 12 case, respectively. These results indicated that the drinking spring-water quarantined to fecal pollution for block out outbreak of gastrointestinal symptom with using such as disinfection process.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.15-25
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• 2016

Objectives: In this study, we examined the validity of Clostridium difficile culture results as a proxy measure of Clostridium difficile infection, and inferred the epidemiologic characteristics of Clostridium difficile infection by tracking the trends of Clostridium difficile culture results. Methods: We reviewed the medical records to figure out the actual possibilities of Clostridium difficile infection of those with positive or negative results of Clostridium difficile culture during the time span from January 2012 to March 2012. We calculated the positive and negative predictive value of Clostridium difficile culture results for Clostridium difficile infection. Furthermore, epidemiologic characteristics of Clostridium difficile infection in a tertiary general hospital in 2012 were analyzed. Result: The estimated positive predictive value of Clostridium difficile culture tests for Clostridium difficile infection was 100%, and the estimated negative predictive value was around 94.4~99.3% depending on the cutoff value of possibility of Clostridium difficile infection. A total of 622 cases were identified as Clostridium difficile infection in a tertiary general hospital in 2012 and there were 4.9 patients with Clostridium difficile infection per 1,000 inpatients. Conclusion: In conclusion, we identified that Clostridium difficile culture results can be used as a proxy measure of Clostridium difficile infection.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.sup1
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• pp.89-112
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• 2022

An accurate assessment of the recommended calcium (Ca) intake may contribute to reducing the risk of fractures and chronic diseases, ultimately improving quality of life. This review was performed to summarize key findings of Ca studies, investigate the effect of Ca intake on health outcomes, and determine the adequacy of evidence to revise the 2015 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs) for Ca in 2020. Databases were searched for intervention studies that assessed health outcomes by providing Ca in diets or as supplements. The framework of the systematic review comprised conducting literature searches, data extraction, quality assessment of the literature, and summarizing key findings relevant to set the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for Ca for the 2020 KDRI. The final search was performed in June 2019. A total of 13,309 studies were identified through databases and manual search. Sixtyfive studies were included in the final quality assessment and were summarized according to health indicators. As bone health was used as an indicator of the EAR for Ca, literature reports on bone health were further categorized by the life-cycle stage of the participants. This systematic review did not find new evidence that could be applied to the general Korean adult population, including postmenopausal women, for defining a new EAR for Ca in the 2020 KDRIs. Evidence in most of the reviewed literature was considered weak; however, some evidence was found that could improve the criteria on how the EAR for Ca was determined in children and adolescents. A review of the literature for the 2020 KDRIs for Ca did not find strong evidence in order to change the recommended values of the 2015 KDRIs. More clinical interventions are required among Koreans to strengthen the body of evidence to warrant the revision of the KDRIs.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 2019

This study compared the utility of the serum uric acid/creatinine ratio with that of uric acid as a risk predictor of metabolic syndrome. From November 2016 to October 2018, 14,190 adult men under the age of 20 years, who underwent a comprehensive health checkup at a general hospital in their metropolitan area, were included. Metabolic syndrome was assessed according to the American Heart Association/National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI) criteria. Abdominal obesity was based on the WHO criteria in the Western Pacific region. The serum uric acid/creatinine ratio was found to be higher in the fourth quartile than in the first quartile, with a high incidence of metabolic syndrome and metabolic syndrome components. On the other hand, ROC analysis revealed the serum uric acid/creatinine ratio to be a similar indicator of the metabolic syndrome risk to serum uric acid (AUC, 0.554 vs 0.566). The serum uric acid/creatinine ratio showed lower sensitivity and higher specificity than uric acid. In conclusion, the utility of the serum uric acid/creatinine ratio as an independent indicator to predict the risk of metabolic syndrome is limited, and should be used only as an auxiliary marker.