• Asia pacific journal of information systems
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.63-104
• /
• 2011

The study examines the relationships among employee's goal orientation, IT personnel competency, personal effectiveness. The goal orientation includes learning goal orientation, performance approach goal orientation, and performance avoid goal orientation. Personal effectiveness consists of personal work satisfaction and personal work performance. In general, IT personnel competency refers to IT expert's skills, expertise, and knowledge required to perform IT activities in organizations. However, due to the advent of the internet and the generalization of IT, IT personnel competency turns out to be an important competency of technological experts as well as employees in organizations. While the competency of IT itself is important, the appropriate harmony between IT personnel's business capability and technological capability enhances the value of human resources and thus provides organizations with sustainable competitive advantages. The rapid pace of organization change places increased pressure on employees to continually update their skills and adapt their behavior to new organizational realities. This challenge raises a number of important questions concerning organizational behavior? Why do some employees display remarkable flexibility in their behavioral responses to changes in the organization, whereas others firmly resist change or experience great stress when faced with the need to alter behavior? Why do some employees continually strive to improve themselves over their life span, whereas others are content to forge through life using the same basic knowledge and skills? Why do some employees throw themselves enthusiastically into challenging tasks, whereas others avoid challenging tasks? The goal orientation proposed by organizational psychology provides at least a partial answer to these questions. Goal orientations refer to stable personally characteristics fostered by "self-theories" about the nature and development of attributes (such as intelligence, personality, abilities, and skills) people have. Self-theories are one's beliefs and goal orientations are achievement motivation revealed in seeking goals in accordance with one's beliefs. The goal orientations include learning goal orientation, performance approach goal orientation, and performance avoid goal orientation. Specifically, a learning goal orientation refers to a preference to develop the self by acquiring new skills, mastering new situations, and improving one's competence. A performance approach goal orientation refers to a preference to demonstrate and validate the adequacy of one's competence by seeking favorable judgments and avoiding negative judgments. A performance avoid goal orientation refers to a preference to avoid the disproving of one's competence and to avoid negative judgements about it, while focusing on performance. And the study also examines the moderating role of work career of employees to investigate the difference in the relationship between IT personnel competency and personal effectiveness. The study analyzes the collected data using PASW 18.0 and and PLS(Partial Least Square). The study also uses PLS bootstrapping algorithm (sample size: 500) to test research hypotheses. The result shows that the influences of both a learning goal orientation (${\beta}$ = 0.301, t = 3.822, P < 0.000) and a performance approach goal orientation (${\beta}$ = 0.224, t = 2.710, P < 0.01) on IT personnel competency are positively significant, while the influence of a performance avoid goal orientation(${\beta}$ = -0.142, t = 2.398, p < 0.05) on IT personnel competency is negatively significant. The result indicates that employees differ in their psychological and behavioral responses according to the goal orientation of employees. The result also shows that the impact of a IT personnel competency on both personal work satisfaction(${\beta}$ = 0.395, t = 4.897, P < 0.000) and personal work performance(${\beta}$ = 0.575, t = 12.800, P < 0.000) is positively significant. And the impact of personal work satisfaction(${\beta}$ = 0.148, t = 2.432, p < 0.05) on personal work performance is positively significant. Finally, the impacts of control variables (gender, age, type of industry, position, work career) on the relationships between IT personnel competency and personal effectiveness(personal work satisfaction work performance) are partly significant. In addition, the study uses PLS algorithm to find out a GoF(global criterion of goodness of fit) of the exploratory research model which includes a mediating variable, IT personnel competency. The result of analysis shows that the value of GoF is 0.45 above GoFlarge(0.36). Therefore, the research model turns out be good. In addition, the study performs a Sobel Test to find out the statistical significance of the mediating variable, IT personnel competency, which is already turned out to have the mediating effect in the research model using PLS. The result of a Sobel Test shows that the values of Z are all significant statistically (above 1.96 and below -1.96) and indicates that IT personnel competency plays a mediating role in the research model. At the present day, most employees are universally afraid of organizational changes and resistant to them in organizations in which the acceptance and learning of a new information technology or information system is particularly required. The problem is due' to increasing a feeling of uneasiness and uncertainty in improving past practices in accordance with new organizational changes. It is not always possible for employees with positive attitudes to perform their works suitable to organizational goals. Therefore, organizations need to identify what kinds of goal-oriented minds employees have, motivate them to do self-directed learning, and provide them with organizational environment to enhance positive aspects in their works. Thus, the study provides researchers and practitioners with a matter of primary interest in goal orientation and IT personnel competency, of which they have been unaware until very recently. Some academic and practical implications and limitations arisen in the course of the research, and suggestions for future research directions are also discussed.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.300-305
• /
• 2004

Purpose: We underwent this study to evaluate the factors which influence labeling efficiency when modified in vivo erythrocyte labeling technique was used. Materials and methods: Thirty healthy volunteers (M:F=19:11, age:$25{\pm}2$ yrs) were enrolled in this study. Totally, two hundred ten samples were obtained from them. The 1 mg of stannous pyrophosphate was injected intravenously at the beginning of labeling. After suitable tinning time (5 min, 20 min, 35 min) passed by, blood (5 mL, 3 mL or 1 mL) was withdrawn into 10 mL syringe previously containing Tc-99m (740 MBq) and anticoagulant (heparin, ACD or CPDA) through 19-gauged scalp needle. The generator ingrowth time of Tc-99m was within 24 hrs in each case. The blood samples were placed on rotating invertor during incubation (10 min, 25 min, 40 min) but some of them were not. Immediately after the conclusion of incubation, the labeled blood specimens to analyze were centrifuged. and then %Unbound Tc-99m was calculated. Statical analysis was used paired T-test and one way ANOVA with SPSS 10.0. Results: The binding efficiency at 1 mL of blood volume was $73{\pm}32%,\;91{\pm}10%$ at 3 mL and $96{\pm}7%$ at 5 mL (p<0.01). The binding efficiency at 5 min of tinning time was $45{\pm}23%,\;98{\pm}6%$, at 20 min and $97{\pm}8%$ at 35 min (p<0.001). The binding efficiency at 10 min of incubation time was $96{\pm}7%,\;95{\pm}12%$ at 25 min and $98{\pm}3%$ at 40 min (p>0.05). The binding efficiency in case of using rotating invertor was $96{\pm}7%$ and the binding efficiency in case of not using it was $87{\pm}18%$ (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between them. In binding efficiency according to kinds of anticoagulants, ACD was $98{\pm}4%$, CPDA was $97{\pm}6%$ and heparin was $89{\pm}20%$ (p<0.001). Conclusion: When modified in vivo erythrocyte labeling technique is used with Tc-99m, the methods to obtain the highest labeling efficiency are as follow. The withdrawing blood volume should be over 3 mL, tinning time should be kept between 20 min and 35 min, and incubation time should be kept between 10 min and 40 min. ACD or CPDA have to be used as a anticoagulant except heparin and the blood samples should be placed on rotating invertor during incubation.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.158-169
• /
• 2004

Purpose : Although influenza is one of the most important cause of acute respiratory tract infections in children, virus isolation is not popular and there are only a few clinical studies on influenza and diagnostic methods. We evaluated the epidemiological and clinical features of influenza in children and rapid antigen detection test(QuickVue influenza test) on fist half of the year 2004 in Busan. Methods : From January 2004 to June 2004, throat swab and nasal secretion were obtained and cultured for the isolation of influenza virus and tested by rapid antigen detection test(QuickVue influenza test) in children with suspected influenza infections. The medical records of patients with influenza virus infection were reviewed retrospectively. Results : Influenza viruses were isolated in 79(17.2%) out of 621 patients examined. Influenza virus was isolated mainly from March to April 2004. The ratio of male and female with influenza virus infection was 1.2 : 1 with median age of 4 years 6month. The most common clinical diagnosis of influenza virus infection was bronchitis. There was no difference between influenza A and B infection in clinical diagnosis and symptoms. All patients recovered without severe complication. The sensitivity obtained for rapid antigen detection test (QuickVue influenza test) was 93.6% and the specificity was 80.2%, the positive predictive value 40.8%, the negative predictive value 98.8%. Conclusion : With rapid antigen detection test, it is possible early detection of influenza in children. reduction in use of antimicrobial agent and early use of antiviral agent.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.37-44
• /
• 2010

We sought to confirm an independent factor about in-stent restenosis (ISR) in the patients who underwent drug-eluting stent (DES) and know a possibility as a predictor of measured coronary artery calcium score by MDCT. A total of 178 patients (159 men, $61.7{\pm}10.0$ years of age) with 190 coronary artery lesions were included in this study out of 1,131 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with DES implantation for significant stenosis on MDCT at Chonnam National University Hospital between May 2006 and May 2009. All lesions were divided into two groups with the presence of ISR : group I (re ISR, N = 57) and group II (no ISR, N = 133). Compared to group II, group I was more likely to be older ($65.8{\pm}9.0$ vs. $60.2{\pm}9.9$ years, p = 0.0001), diabetic (21.8% vs. 52.6%, p = 0.0001), have old myocardial infarction (8.8% vs. 2.3%, p = 0.040), left main stem disease (5.3% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.047), and smaller stent size ($3.1{\pm}0.3\;mm$ vs. $3.3{\pm}0.4\;mm$, p = 0.004). Group II was more likely to be smokers (19.3% vs. 42.1%, p = 0.003), have dyslipidemia (8.8% vs. 23.3%, p = 0.019). Left ventricular ejection fraction, lesion complexity, and stent length were not different between the two groups. Total CAC score was $389.3{\pm}458.3$ in group I and $371.2{\pm}500.8$ in group II (p = 0.185). No statistical difference was observed between the groups in CAC score in the culprit vessel, left main stem, left anterior descending artery, left circumflex artery, and right coronary artery. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, left main stem disease (OR = 168.0, 95% CI = 7.83-3,604.3, p = 0.001), male sex (OR = 36.5, 95% CI = 5.89-2,226.9, p = 0.0001), and the presence of diabetes (OR = 2.62, 95% CI = 1.071-6.450, p = 0.035) were independent predictors of ISR after DES implantation. In patients who underwent DES implantation for significant coronary stenosis on MDCT, ISR was associated with left main stem disease, male sex, and the presence of diabetes. However, CAC score by MDCT was not a predictor of ISR in this study population.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.195-202
• /
• 1999

Purpose : We peformed this study to evaluate the prognostic factors and the effect of induction chemotherapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods : A retrospective analysis was done for 130 patients with locally advanced NSCLC treated with curative radiotherapy alone or induction chemo-radiotherapy from January 1986 to October 1996. Eighty-five patients were treated with radiotherapy alone, forty-five with induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Age, sex, performance status, histopathologic type, and stage were evenly distributed in both groups. The patients were treated with 6 MV or 10 MV X-ray. Conventional fractionation with daily fraction size 1$.8\~2.0$ Gy was done. Of the patients, 129 patients received total dose above 59.6 Gy ($56\~66$ Gy, median 60 Gy). Induction chemotherapy regimen were CAP (Cyclo-phosphamide, Adriamycin, Cisplatin) in 6 patients, MVP (Mitomycin, Vinblastine, Cisplatin) in 9 patients, MIC (Mitomycin, Ifosfamide Cisplatin) in 13 patients, and EP (Etoposide, Cisplatin) in 17 patients. Chemotherapy was done in $2\~5$ cycles (median 2). Results : Overall 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rate (YSR) for all patients were $41.5\%,{\;}13.7\%,{\;}and{\;}7\%$, respectively (median survival time 11 months). According to treatment modality, median survival time, overall 1-, 2-, and 3-YSR were 9 months, $32.9\%,{\;}10.\5%,{\;}6\%$ for radiotherapy alone group, and 14 months, $57.8\%,{\;}20\%,{\;}7.6\%$ for induction chemotherapy group, respectively (f=0.0005). Complete response (CR) to overall treatments was $25\%$ (21/84) in radiotherapy alone and $40.5\%$ (17/42) in induction chemotherapy group (p=0.09). The Prognostic factors affecting overall survival were hemoglobin level (p=0.04), NSE (neuron-specific enolase) level (p=0.004), and respense to overall treatment(p=0.004). According to treatment modalities, NSE (neuron-specific enolase) (p=0.006) and response to overall treatment (p=0.003) were associated with overall survival in radiotherapy alone group, and response to overall treatment (p=0.007) in induction chemotherapy group. The failure Pattern analysis revealed no significant difference between treatment modalities. But, in patients with CR to overall treatment, distant metastasis were found in 11/19 patients with radiotherapy alone, and 3/13 patients with induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy (p=0.07). Locoregional failure patterns were not different between two groups (10/19 vs 6/13). Conclusion : Induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy achieved increased 2YSR compared to radiotherapy alone, At least in CR patients, there was decreased tendency in distant metastasis with induction chemotherapy. But, locoregional failures and long-term survival were not improved. Thus, there is need of more effort to increasing local control and further decreasing distant metastasis.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.349-357
• /
• 1995

Purpose : To analyze survival rate and late rectal and bladder complication for patients with stage I and II carcinoma of uterine cervix treated by radiation alone or combined with chemotherapy Materials and Methods : Between November 1984 and December 1993, 127 patients with stage I and II carcinoma of uterine cervix treated by radiation alone or combined therapy of radiation and chemotherapy. Retrospective analysis for survival rate was carried out on eligible 107 patients and review for complication was possible in 91 patients. The median follow-up was 47 months (range 3-118) and the median age of patiens was 56 years (range 31-76). 26 patients were stage IB by FIGO classification, 40 were stage IIA and 41 were stage IIB. 86 cases were treated by radiation alone and 21 were treated by radiation and chemotherapy. 101 patients were treated with intracavitary radiation therapy (ICRT), of these, 80 were received low dose rate (LDR) ICRT and 21 were received high dose rate (HDR) ICRT. Of the patients who received LDR ICRT, 63 were treated by 1 intracavitary insertion and 17 were underwent 2 insertions And we evaluated the external radiation dose and midline shield. Results : Actuarial survival rate at 5 years was $92{\%}$ for stage IB, $75{\%}$ for stage IIA, $53{\%}$ for stage IIB and $69{\%}$ in all patients Grade 1 rectal complications were developed in 20 cases ($22{\%}$), grade 2 were in 22 cases ($24{\%}$). 22 cases ($24{\%}$) of grade 1 urinary complications and 17 cases ($19{\%}$) of grade 2 urinary complications were observed But no patient had severe complications that needed surgical management or admission care. Maximum bladder dose for the group of patients with urinary complications was higher than that for the patients without urinary complications (7608 cGy v 6960cGy. p<0.01) Maximum rectal dose for the group of patients with rectal complications was higher than that for the patients without rectal complications (7041cGy v 6269cGy, p<0.01). While there was no significant difference for survival rate or bladder complication incidence as a function of dose to whole pelvis, Grade 2 rectal complication incidence was significantly lower for the patients receiving less than 4500cGy ($6.3{\%}$ v $25.5{\%}$, p<0.05). There was no significant differance between HDR ICRT group and LDR ICRT group for survival rate according to stage, on the other hand complication incidence was higher in the HDR group than LDR group, This was maybe due to different prescription doses between HDR group and LDR group. Midline shield neither improved survival rate nor decreased complication rate. The number of insertion in LDR ICRT group did not affect on survival and compication rate. Conclusion : In stage I and II carcinoma of uterine cervix there was no significant differance for 5 year survival rate by radiation therapy technique. Rectal complication incidence was as a function of dose to whole pelvis and there were positive correlations of maximum dose of rectum and bladder and each complication incidence. So we recommand whole pelvis dose less than 4500cGy and maximum dose of rectum and bladder as low as possible.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.202-209
• /
• 2008

Background: The introduction of Drug Eluting Stents (DES) decreased the number of patients referred for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The impact of DES on CABG (Step 1) was studied and compared with the 1-year outcome after CABG with DES (Step 2). Material and Method: Surgical results for patients who underwent off-pump CABG (OPCAB) before the introduction of DES(n=298) were compared with those who underwent OPCAB after the introduction of DES (n=288) (Step 1). Postoperative 30-day and 1-year results were also compared between the patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using DES (n=220) and those who underwent OPCAB (n=255) (Step 2). Result: Since the introduction of DES, the ratio of CABG versus PCI decreased. In the CABG group, the number of high risk patients such as elderly patients (age 62 vs. 64, p=0.023), those with chronic renal failure (4% vs. 9%, p=0.021), calcification of the ascending aorta (9% vs. 15%, p=0.043), or frequency of urgent or emergent operations (12% vs. 22%, p=0.002) increased. However, there were no differences in the cardiac death and graft patency rates between the two groups (step 1). During the one-year follow up period, the rate of target vessel revascularization (12.3% vs. 2.4%, p<0.001) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE: death, myocardial infarct, TVR) were higher in the DES than the CABG group (13.6% vs 4.3%) (stage 2). Conclusion: Introduction of DES decreased the number of patients referred for surgery, and increased the comorbidity in patients who underwent CABG. DES increased the rate of target vessel revascularization, and the occurrence of MACE during the 1-year follow-up. However, there was no difference in the incidence of myocardial infarction and cardiac death between the two groups.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.115-129
• /
• 2000

The cause that the increase of animality fat intakes, under exercise, fatness, adding the stress, advanced age etc., the occurrence rate of the circulation system disease has been increased. And the thrombosis importantly came to the front as the risk factor of these circulation system's disease. Nowadays, the ischemic disease has especially discussed, for example the angina or myocardial infarction, originated in thrombosis that came from the platelet aggregation. In the western medicine, as the cure and prevention, using the aspirin or ticlopidine for platelet aggregation suppressant. But in the , the curing method must be used properly according to the pectoralgia or heartache's kind, state, grade. The platelet do not attache to the normal hemangioendothelial cell. But when it stimulated by endothelium peronia and so on, it attache to the injury endothelium or rise aggregation between the platelet. On this time, it secrete the platelet aggregation inducer as like ADP, thromboxane A2 from the inside of platelet. So it has first defensive function through the aggregation augment that prevent the celerity consumption of blood. But the activation of abnormal platelet occur the platelet grume and thrombogenesis. So it bring up the occlusive angiosis, so to speak, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, arterial sclerosis. In oriental medicine, the thrombosis in the category of blood stasis and this blood stasis present the generalise or local blood circulation disturbance that generated by all kinds of pathological fact or blood stream retention accompanying with a series of syndrome. As the syndrome, stabbing pain fixed at certain region, squamous and dry skin, fullness and pain of the chest and hypochondrium, firmness and fullness of the lower abdomen, black stool, dark purple tongue or with ecchymoses and petechiae etc.. has been created. And it becomes the pathopoiesis cause that the convulsion and palpitation, severe palpitatiion, tympanites, the symtom complex with a mass or swelling in the abdomen, insanity, stricken by wind etc.. Moreover, it used the drugs for invigorating blood circulation and eliminating blood stasis or drugs for removing blood stasis for all kinds of syndrome through the blood stasis. And the drugs for activating the blood circulation, such as Salviae Radix, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Persicae Semen, Achyranthis Radix, Cnidii Rhizoma, Carthami Flos are used for that. And it is used to the herbs of insects that has strong effect about the disintergrating blood stasis such as Hirudo, Scolopendrae Corpus, Buthus, Lumbricus etc.. On this study, It used Geijibokryunghwan(GBH) and the consisting herbs to investigate the influence of platelet aggregation about drugs that used to improvement various symptoms created by the thrombosis in oriental medicine. GBH formula has as formula recorded in the , action of 'eleminating the evil and not impairment of healthy energy' and 'promoting the flow of QI and cold and heat, so used for the expel blood stasis herbs from the ancient. Therefore we investigated the restraint effect of GBH and the consisting herbs about the platelet agregation induced to the ADP, AA or collagen. The conclusion is following. 1. When it added the aggregation inducer after that it added GBH and individual consisting herbs in the PRP, GBH showed the (+) inhibition effect on the platelet aggregation and it showed the (+) inhibition effect in the individual consisting herbs as like Paeoniae Radix and Moutan Cortex Radicis. 2. It showed the (+), (+,++) inhibition effect on the platelet aggregation in Paeoniae Radix Hoelen, Paeoniae Radix Moutan Cortex Radicis, Hoelen Moutan Cortex Radicis etc. 3. In the aggregation inhibition activating on the difference of density, GBH showed strong inhibition effect to the aggregation state induced to collagen, and it showed the inhibition effect in the individual consisting herbs as like Paeoniae Radix and Moutan Cortex Radicis about the aggregation induced by the collagen. 4. It showed the strong inhibition effect about the aggregation induced by the collagen in Paeoniae Radix Hoelen, Paeoniae Radix Moutan Cortex Radicis, Hoelen Moutan Cortex Radicis etc Like this, as confirm GBH and the individual consisting herb's inhibition effect of platelet aggregation, We considerated that GBH and the individual consisting herbs have practical applicational value of clinical trial in the thrombosis caused by platelet aggregation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.49 no.5
• /
• pp.601-613
• /
• 2000

Background : Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal progressive fibrous disease of the lung of unknown etiology. Recently it has been classified into several distinct entities on the basis of pathologic and clinical characteristics, ie : usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP), acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP), bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP), and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). IPF is now applied only for UIP, which has the worst prognosis. The previous reports of 3-5 year median survival appears to be overoptimistic because other types with better prognosis like NSIP or BOOP might have been included. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the clinical course and the prognostic factors of UIP as diagnosed by surgical lung biopsy. Methods : The subjects were 72 UIP patients (age $58.2{\pm}11.6$ years, M : F=45 : 27, median follow up period : 18.1 months (0.7-103.6) diagnosed by surgical lung biopsy at the Asan Medical Center (68 patients) and the Paik Hospital in Seoul (4 patients). Clinical scores (level of dyspnea : 1-20 points), radiologic score (honeycombing : HC score 0-5 points, ground glass : GG score 0-5 points), and physiologic scores (FVC : 1-12 points, $FEV_1$ : 0-3 points, TLC : 0-10 points, $D_{LCO)$ : 0-5 points, $AaDO_2$ : 0-10 points) were summed into a total CRP score. Results : 1) The one year survival rate was 78.3%, while the rate for three year survival was 58.1%, and the median survival period was 42.5months. 2) Short term (1 year) prognosis : The patients who died within one year of diagnosis (14 patients) had the higher initial total CRP score ($28.6{\pm}8.3$ vs. $16.6{\pm}9.7$) than those who lived longer than one year (46 patients). The difference in the total CRP score was attributed to the symptom score ($8.4{\pm}2.1$ vs. $5.7{\pm}3.9$) and the physiologic score ($15.7{\pm}7.1$ vs. $6.7{\pm}5.7$) including FVC, $D_{LCO)$ and $AaDO_2$. 3) Long-term (3year) prognosis : The total CRP score ($12.2{\pm}6.7$ vs. $28.7{\pm}7.9$ : including symptom score, FVC, $D_{LCO)$ and $AaDO_2$) at the time of diagnosis were also different for the long-term survivors and those who lived less than 3 years. 4) Cox regression analysis showed $D_{LCO)$ (${\geq}$60%) (Hazard ratio : 4.56, 95% CI : 2.30-16.04) was the independent prognostic factors of UIP (P<0.05). Conclusion : These results suggest that $D_{LCO)$ at the time of diagnosis seem to be a prognostic markers of biopsy-proven UIP.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.350-362
• /
• 1999

Background: Acute Respiratory failure which is developed after extubation in the weaning process from mechanical ventilation is an important cause of weaning failure. Once it was developed, endotracheal reintubation has been done for respiratory support. Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) has been used in the management of acute or chronic respiratory failure, as an alternative to endotracheal intubation, using via nasal or facial mask. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of NIPPV as an alternative method of reintubation in patients who developed acute respiratory failure after extubation. Method: We retrospectively analyzed thirty one patients(eighteen males and thirteen females, mean ages $63\pm13.2$ years) who were developed acute respiratory failure within forty eight hours after extubation, or were extubated unintentionally at medical intensive care unit(MICU) of Asan Medical Center. NIPPV was applied to the patients. Ventilatory mode of NIPPV, level of ventilatory support and inspiratory oxygen concentration were adjusted according to the patient condition and results of blood gas analysis by the attending doctors at MICU. NIPPV was completely weaned when the patients maintained stable clinical condition under 8 $cmH_2O$ of pressure support level. Weaning success was defined as maintenance of stable spontaneous breathing more than forty eight hours after discontinuation of NIPPV. Respiratory rate, heart rate, arterial blood gas analysis, level of pressure support, and level of PEEP were monitored just before extubation, at thirty minutes, six hours, twenty four hours after initiation of NIPPV. They were also measured at just before weaning from NIPPV in success group, and just before reintubation in failure group. Results: NIPPV was successfully applied to thirty-one patients of thirty-two trials and one patient could not tolerated NIPPV longer than thirty minutes. Endotracheal reintubation was successfully obviated in fourteen patients (45%) among them. There was no difference in age, sex, APACHE III score on admission at MICU, duration of intubation, interval from extubation to initiation of NIPPV, baseline heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood gas, and $PaO_2/FiO_2$ between the success and the failure group. Heart rate and respiration rate were significantly decreased with increase $SaO_2$ after thirty minutes of NIPPV in both groups(p<0.05). However, in the patients of failure group, heart rate and respiratory rate were increased again with decrease in $SaO_2$ leading to endotracheal reintubation. The success rate of NIPPV treatment was significantly higher in the patients with COPD compared to other diseases(62% vs 39%) (p=0.007). The causes of failure were deterioration of arterial blood gas without aggravation of underlying disease(n=9), aggravation of undelying disease(n=5), mask intolerance(n=2), and retained airway secretion(n=l). Conclusion: NIPPV would be a useful therapeutic alternative which can avoid reintubation in patient who developed acute respiratory failure after extubation.