• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.65-74
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has influenced the lives of people worldwide. Little is known about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the behavior and fears of pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and their families. We conducted a survey to determine the COVID-19 exposure, related perceptions, and information sources; medication compliance; and patients' and parents' behaviors, fears, and physician contact. Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional survey of pediatric patients with IBD and their parents at one pediatric gastroenterology unit of a university medical center was performed. Results: A total of 46 pediatric patients with IBD and 44 parents completed the survey. Parents of pediatric patients with IBD had high fear of their children becoming infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. They perceived schools as the most hazardous environment, whereas the children did not. Half the pediatric patients with IBD feared infection. Patients and parents felt sufficiently informed about COVID-19. The primary source of guidance for pediatric patients was their parents (43%), followed by television and social media, whereas the parents mainly consulted internet news websites (52.2%), television, and public health institutes. Pediatric patients with IBD adhered to their prescribed medication. They also showed cautious behavior by enhancing hand hygiene (84%) and leaving the house less frequently than before. However, in-person medical visits remained favored over video consultations. Conclusion: Although parents expressed overprotective concerns, both parents and pediatric patients with IBD are coping well with the COVID-19 pandemic. IBD-relevant information should be actively conveyed.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.450-463
• /
• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Adolescents who skip breakfast have an increased prevalence of chronic diseases. Thus, we aimed to evaluate whether the intake of rice-based breakfast had positive effects on blood glucose indices and to determine the possibility of diabetes prevalence in Korean youths who habitually skip breakfast. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In this randomized parallel-group controlled trial, 81 subjects who were suitable for compliance among 105 middle-and high-school students aged 12-18 years who usually skipped breakfast were included in this study (rice-meal group [RMG], n = 26; wheat-meal group [WMG], n = 29; general-meal group [GMG], n = 26). The RMG and WMG received a rice-based breakfast and a wheat-based breakfast for 12 weeks, respectively. The anthropometric indices, blood glucose indices, and metabolites were measured at baseline and the endpoint, respectively. RESULTS: The mean body weights in the RMG, WMG, and GMG groups at the endpoint were 62.44 kg, 61.80 kg, and 60.28 kg, respectively, and the mean body weights of the WMG and GMG groups at the endpoint were significantly higher than that at baseline (P < 0.05). The levels of fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values were significantly decreased in the RMG group at the endpoint compared to baseline (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, respectively). The levels of tryptophan and tyrosine in the WMG group at the endpoint were significantly higher than that those at baseline (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Rice-based breakfast has positive effects on fasting insulin levels and HOMA-IR in Korean adolescents who skip breakfast. Additionally, it was found that a skipping breakfast could increase the prevalence of diabetes in adolescents who skip breakfast. Therefore, in addition to reducing breakfast skipping, it is vital to develop a rice-based menu that fits teenage preferences to prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
• /
• v.20 no.11
• /
• pp.197-203
• /
• 2022

The purpose of this study is to establish an S.I. (Space Identity) considering the spatial location and cultural specificity of Jecheon Jungang Market, the oldest and largest market in Jecheon with historical characteristics. To this end, we identify the flow of the cultural tourism market, investigate and analyze the current state of Jecheon Central Market, and present a direction based on storytelling for each space. The concept of space design was divided into space, time, people, and culture as coexistence, and merchants, products, and shopping malls share temporality and coexist in one space. Therefore, the facilities for each floor consisted of a gate, information board, lighting, rest area, design bench facility, information center, business compliance line, floor sign, and gate floor sign for each floor. Through this, it is necessary to establish a mid- to long-term development strategy by establishing a step-by-step promotion strategy to predict the economic effect of creating new demand and increasing sales in Jecheon Central Market.

• Korean Journal of Transplantation
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.193-199
• /
• 2017

Background: Although there more than 1,000 liver transplantations (LTs) are performed in Korea annually, their immense cost remains a great hurdle. Hence, in an attempt to reduce the medical costs of LT, a program was initiated at a public hospital affiliated with the Seoul National University Hospital. Methods: A total of 11 LTs have been successfully executed since the first LT performed at Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center in July 2011 through December 2014. Results: Nine patients (81.8%) were male and two (18.2%) were female. The mean age of patients was 53.4±11.4 years. Hepatitis B virus-related liver disease (n=6, 54.5%) was the most common causative disease, followed by alcoholic liver disease (ALD) (n=4, 36.4%). The actuarial 3-year survival rate was 90.9%. The median total medical cost of LTs was US $41,583 (calculated from operation to discharge), but only $11,860 was actually charged for patients with health insurance coverage. One female patient who had undergone deceased donor LT for alcoholic liver cirrhosis died during follow-up. This patient was non-compliant with the medical instructions after discharge, and finally expired due to septic shock at 10 months post-LT. Conclusions: In the public hospital, LT was successfully performed at a much lower cost. However, LT guidelines and peritransplant management protocols for patients with ALD must be established before escalating LT at public hospitals since ALD with poor compliance is one of the most common causes of complications at public hospitals.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.65-77
• /
• 2023

Background: This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes between surveillance and adjuvant therapy (AT) groups after R0 resection for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Methods: A total of 154 patients who underwent R0 resection for CCA at the Daegu Catholic University Medical Center between January 2010 and December 2019 were included. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed. Results: The median follow-up duration was 899 days. There were 109 patients in the AT group and 45 patients in the surveillance group. The patients in the AT group were younger (67 years vs. 74 years, p<0.001) and included more males (64.2% vs. 46.7%, p=0.044). The proportion of patients with stage III CCA was larger in the AT group than in the surveillance group (13.8% vs. 2.2%, p=0.005). In addition, AT did not improve OS (5-year OS rate, 69.3% in the AT group vs. 64.2% in the surveillance group, p=0.806) or PFS (5-year PFS rate, 42.6% in the AT group vs. 48.9% in the surveillance group, p=0.113). In multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model, stage III CCA (hazard ratio [HR], 10.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.92-40.00; p<0.001) was a significant predictor of OS. American Society of Anesthesiologists classification II (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.31-0.81; p=0.005), and American Joint Committee on Cancer stages II (HR, 3.14; 95% CI, 1.25-7.89; p=0.015) and III (HR, 8.08; 95% CI, 2.80-23.32; p<0.001) were independent predictors of PFS. Conclusion: AT after R0 resection for CCA did not improve OS or PFS.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.60-69
• /
• 2023

Objectives: Business operators handling hazardous chemicals regulated under the Chemical Substances Control Act (CSCA) must receive permits to operate their business from the Ministry of Environment. This study analyzed the status of recent legal violation in chemical handling workplaces in Ulsan where a large volume of chemicals is handled for industrial use. Methods: A total of 557 corporations have been granted legal status as business operators in Ulsan. For all business operators, legal violations in regard to the CSCA that were discovered by the environmental office in the last five years (2018~2022) were thoroughly analyzed. Results: A total of 225 violations of the CSCA have been discovered at 165 corporations, with the violation rate accounting for approximately 27% of all business operators. In particular, 22% of the 165 violators (36 corporations) were discovered to have violated twice or more, and some business operators (6%) even violated in consecutive years. Non-compliance of facility inspection was the most frequent violation (45 cases, 20.1%), followed by non-reporting of important changes in the permitted matters (23 cases, 10.3%), non-completion of legal safety education (19 cases, 8.5%), failure to secure permission for modification in the permitted matters (18 cases, 8.0%), and failure to submit chemical transport plans (16 cases, 7.1%). Conclusions: Most of the violations could have been prevented if the field personnel had paid sufficient attention. Thus, it is fundamentally necessary to create an environment for spontaneous safety management for themselves and to strengthen individual capabilities.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.27-36
• /
• 2022

Background: Medication-related problems (MRPs) frequently occur during the discharge period. Elderly patients, particularly, are at high risk for these problems due to polypharmacy and the use of potentially inappropriate medications. The purpose of this study was to build and implement collaboration between general hospital and community pharmacies to address MRPs among high-risk elderly patients before/after discharge. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between June and December of 2020. The inclusion criteria were patients with aged ≥65 years; residents of Jeonju; discharged from Jeonbuk National University hospital; either on medication of exceeding 10 medications (or high-risk medications) after hospitalization through the emergency room, or having severe illness. Patients received medication reconciliation and counselling by hospital pharmacists before discharge and home-visit pharmaceutical care as follow-up by community pharmacists after discharge. Results: Twenty-two patients agreed to home-visit pharmaceutical services. Fifteen and 11 patients completed the first and second home-visit pharmaceutical care service, respectively. Forty-two MRPs were identified in 15 patients. The types of high-frequency MRPs were incorrect administration of drug, adverse drug reactions, medication non-compliance, drug-drug interactions, lifestyle modifications, and expired medication disposal. After consultation with the pharmacist, 34 out of 42 MRPs were resolved. Conclusions: Transitional care for high-risk elderly patients before and after discharge was successfully built and implemented through a collaboration between general hospital and community pharmacies. This study suggests that home-visit pharmaceutical services may have positive effects on the safe use of drugs during the transition period; however, additional research is needed to expand on these findings.

• Journal of IKEEE
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.650-656
• /
• 2023

This paper implements a channel model for mmWave bands using an NS-3-based 5G system-level simulator and analyzes the reliability and validity of the implemented model through RF performance verification. The channel model for RF performance verification in the mmWave bands consider parameters such as characteristics defined in 3GPP TR 38.901, beam-forming, antenna configuration, scenarios, among others. Furthermore, the simulation results verify compliance within the ranges permitted by the 3GPP standards and verify reliability in indoor environmental scenarios by exploiting the Radio Environment Map (REM). Therefore, the channel model implemented in this study is applicable to the actual design and establishment of 5G networks, presenting a method to evaluate and validate RF performance by adjusting various parameters.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
• /
• v.59 no.4
• /
• pp.362-376
• /
• 2023

The IUU Fishing Index is composed of 40 indicators. These indicators were grouped by state responsibilities (flag, coastal, port, and general including market) defined in the FAO IPOA-IUU (2001) and then by type into vulnerability, prevalence, and response. A total of 152 coastal nations was surveyed. Korea's total combined IUU Fishing Index was 2.49 in 2019 and 2.91 in 2021, indicating a drop in the ranking to the third worst out of 152 countries followed by China and Russia in 2021. The indicators that increased the IUU fishing risk in 2021 compared to 2019 included seven indicators of prevalence and two indicators of response while those reducing the risk included one prevalence and one response indicator. The IUU Fishing Index revealed that many fisheries observers and monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) practitioners active in the waters of RFMOs jurisdiction where Korean distant water vessels operate have mentioned concerns about the compliance with RFMO conservation measures or fishing practices. It suggested that strengthening management intervention in the fishing sector is needed. The primary tool for management is the MCS system. Given the logistical difficulty of oversight from land, air and at-sea, there is a need to enhance MCS strategies through logbook data, at-sea observer and electronic monitoring program. It also suggested that MSC fisheries certification and fisheries improvement projects, which are widely used for improving fishing sector performance, could contribute to the eradication of IUU fishing and the promotion of sustainable distant water fisheries.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.62 no.2
• /
• pp.153-162
• /
• 2024

Securing safety in the maritime danger zone around the launch site before a launch is a fundamental requirement. If maritime safety is not ensured, the launch is halted or postponed. However, challenges have arisen in the process of securing public safety at sea due to factors such as the increasing population engaged in water leisure activities. These challenges include unauthorized entry of vessels into controlled areas, unauthorized access by water leisure activity participants, and non-compliance with regulations. In this paper, we employed the Delphi/Analytic Hierarchy Process to survey 22 experts, including professionals in launch vehicle development and launch site operation, to identify 10 factors posing threats to maritime public safety. Additionally, we identified five issues that need improvement for ensuring maritime safety. This study verified the consistency of expert opinions and conducted an analysis of importance and prioritization, objectively confirming the necessity for amendments to relevant laws or the enactment of new laws concerning the establishment and control of danger zones around launch sites.