• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.82-89
• /
• 2018

Purpose: Early detection of gastric cancer is important to improve prognosis. Early detection enables local treatment, such as endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Therefore, we investigated whether early detection of gastric cancer could reduce healthcare costs by comparison according to stage and treatment modalities. Materials and Methods: Medical care costs were investigated according to tumor stage and initial treatment modality in 1,188 patients newly diagnosed with gastric cancer at 7 medical institutions from December 2011 to June 2012. Total medical care costs during the first-year after diagnosis (total first-year costs) were examined, including the costs of initial treatment, post-initial treatment, and inpatient and outpatient visits. Results: Stage I (75.3%) was the most common cancer stage. ESD was the second most common treatment following surgery. Total first-year costs increased significantly from stages I to IV. The costs of initial treatment and post-initial treatment were lowest in patients with stage I cancer. Among patients with stage I cancer, total first-year costs were significantly lower when treated by ESD; in particular, initial ESD treatment costs were much lower than others. Conclusions: The cost of healthcare has increased significantly with increasing cancer stages. ESD can greatly reduce medical care costs of gastric cancer. Thus, early detection of gastric cancer is important to reduce healthcare costs.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.548-557
• /
• 2020

Purpose: To better understand the benefits and harms of engagement with online pediatric liver disease communities within social media. Methods: We conducted a survey of caregivers of children with liver disease participating in online pediatric liver disease communities within social media, as well as a survey of healthcare providers (e.g., physicians, surgeons, nurse coordinators) from this field to better understand the perceived benefits and harms of participation. Results: Among 138 caregivers of children with liver disease that completed the survey, 97.8% agreed social media was a good place to learn about patient experiences and 88% agreed it was a good source of general information. Among caregivers, 84.8% agreed social media helps them to better advocate for their child. While 18% agreed that the information over social media was equal to the information from their healthcare team and 19% neither agreed/disagreed, only 3% indicated they would use this information to change care without telling their provider; in contrast, among 217 healthcare providers, 55% believed social media may lead caregivers to change management without telling their team. Conclusion: Engagement with online disease-specific communities in social media yields several benefits for caregivers and, in contrast to healthcare providers' concerns, participation is unlikely to lead to problems including caregivers changing the treatment plan without first discussing these plans with their team. Openness between caregivers and medical teams about the role for social media can help to improve trust and maximize the potential benefits of engagement with these groups.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.25-31
• /
• 2013

Objectives : To develop a natural antioxidant and anti-hemolytic agents, we investigated the effects of ethanol extracts of Carpesii Fructus and Farfarae Flos. Methods : Aerial parts of Carpesii Fructus and Farfarae Flos were extracted with 80% ethanol. Antioxidant activity of Carpesii Fructus or Farfarae Flos extract was evaluated by employing three different assays, i.e., 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-suphonic acid) diammonium (ABTS) scavenging and reducing power activities. Also, anti-hemolytic activity of Carpesii Fructus or Farfarae Flos extract was determined using [2,2'-azobis (2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH)]-induced hemolysis, glutathione (GSH) depletion and malondialdehyde (MDA) formation in normal rat red blood cells (RBC) or plasma. Results : The extracts obtained from Carpesii Fructus and Farfarae Flos dose-dependently increased the scavenging activity on DPPH- or ABTS-induced radicals and the reducing power activities. Carpesii Fructus and Farfarae Flos were similar to the scavenging activity and the reducing power of butylated hydroxy anisole effect at high concentration ($1,000{\mu}g/mL$). RBC oxidative hemolysis and plasma MDA formation induced by AAPH were significantly suppressed by the extracts of Carpesii Fructus and Farfarae Flos in a dose-dependent manner. Also, Carpesii Fructus and Farfarae Flos extracts prevented the depletion of cystosolic antioxidant GSH in RBCs. Carpesii Fructus generally had better than the free radical scavenging activity, the reducing power and anti-hemolytic effects of Farfarae Flos. Conclusions : These results suggest that Carpesii Fructus and Farfarae Flos may have value as the potential antioxidant and anti-hemolytic medicinal plant.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.125-131
• /
• 2007

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare GnRH antagonist and agonist flare-up treatment in the management of poor responder patients. Methods: One hundred forty-four patients from Jan. 1, 2002 to Aug. 31, 2005 undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment who responded poorly to the previous cycle (No. of oocyte retrieved$\leq$5) and had high early follicular phase follicle stimulating hormone (FSH>12 mIU/ml were selected. Seventy-five patients received agonist flare-up protocol and 71 patients received antagonist protocol. We analyzed the number of oocytes retrieved, number of good embryos (GI, GI-1), total dose of hMG administered, implantation rate, cycle cancellation rate, pregnancy rate, live birth rate. Results: The cancellation rate was high in antagonist protocol (53.5% vs. 30.1%). The number of oocyte retrieved, the number of good embyos were high in agonist flare-up group. There was no statistical difference between GnRH agonist flare up protocol and GnRH antagonist protocol in implantation rate (14.5%, 10.1%), clinical pregnancy rate per transfer (29.4%, 21.2%) and live birth rate per transfer (21.6%, 18.2%). Although the result was not statistically significant, GnRH agonist flare up group showed a nearly doubled pregnancy rate and live birth rate per initial cycle than GnRH antagonist group. Conclusions: The agonist flare-up protocol appears to be slightly more effective than the GnRH antagonist protocol in implantation rate, pregnancy rate, live birth rate but shows statistically no significance. Agonist flare-up protocol improved the ovarian response in poor responders. However, based of the result of the study, we can expect improved ovarian response in poor responders by GnRH agonist flare up protocol.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.890-915
• /
• 2022

Although existing studies on e-health have usually focused on e-health services adoption intention, there is a dearth of studies on the barriers that affect e-health services retention intention especially in India. Additionally, although studies have mostly focused on utilizing expectation-confirmation model to understand innovation related barriers, innovation resistance theory (IRT) has been overlooked. As Indian e-health service providers face stiff challenges due to customer's unwillingness to continue using the service, there is a need to bridge the research gap that exists in this context. This mixed-method study, based on responses received from 289 participants and 1154 online negative reviews from e-Health providers in India, examines the barriers from the IRT stance. Results of this study reveal a notable negative association between tradition, value and financial barrier and intention to continue using e-health services. Additionally, continuance intention affects recommendation. The study concludes with various implications and scope for future research.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.15 no.7
• /
• pp.445-456
• /
• 2017

Mobile healthcare apps should be paid more attention not just as software, but also as significant health information providers. We examine the impact of psychological factors (e,g., instrumental efficacy, informational efficacy, health information orientation, playfulness, and responsiveness) on intention to continuous use of mobile healthcare apps. Based on an expanded technology acceptance model (TAM II), this study examined the effects of psychological factors influencing the usage of mobile healthcare apps. The results showed that informational efficacy and instrumental efficacy influenced intention to use through perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. Playfulness influenced intention to continuous use directly as well as indirectly through perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. Health information orientation and responsiveness influenced intention to continuous use through perceived usefulness. This study suggests the need for adopting instrumental, informative perspectives and playfulness in contemporary health research and production of mobile healthcare apps.

• Journal of the Korean Medical Association
• /
• v.61 no.12
• /
• pp.765-775
• /
• 2018

With growing interest in novel digital healthcare devices, such as artificial intelligence (AI) software for medical diagnosis and prediction, and their potential impacts on healthcare, discussions have taken place regarding the regulatory approval, coverage, and clinical implementation of these devices. Despite their potential, 'digital exceptionalism' (i.e., skipping the rigorous clinical validation of such digital tools) is creating significant concerns for patients and healthcare stakeholders. This white paper presents the positions of the Korean Society of Radiology, a leader in medical imaging and digital medicine, on the clinical validation, regulatory approval, coverage decisions, and clinical implementation of novel digital healthcare devices, especially AI software for medical diagnosis and prediction, and explains the scientific principles underlying those positions. Mere regulatory approval by the Food and Drug Administration of Korea, the United States, or other countries should be distinguished from coverage decisions and widespread clinical implementation, as regulatory approval only indicates that a digital tool is allowed for use in patients, not that the device is beneficial or recommended for patient care. Coverage or widespread clinical adoption of AI software tools should require a thorough clinical validation of safety, high accuracy proven by robust external validation, documented benefits for patient outcomes, and cost-effectiveness. The Korean Society of Radiology puts patients first when considering novel digital healthcare tools, and as an impartial professional organization that follows scientific principles and evidence, strives to provide correct information to the public, make reasonable policy suggestions, and build collaborative partnerships with industry and government for the good of our patients.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.145-158
• /
• 2024

Purpose: Although smoking and alcohol consumption are known risk factors for gastric cancer (GC), studies assessing their effects on early-onset GC are limited. In this nationwide, population-based, prospective cohort study, we assessed the effects of smoking and alcohol consumption on early-onset GC in patients aged <50 years. Materials and Methods: We analyzed data of patients aged 20-39 years who underwent cancer and general health screening in the Korean National Health Screening Program between 2009 and 2012. We calculated the adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for GC incidence until December 2020. Results: We enrolled 6,793,699 individuals (men:women=4,077,292:2,716,407) in this cohort. The mean duration of follow-up was 9.4 years. During follow-up, 9,893 cases of GC (men:women=6,304:3,589) were reported. Compared with the aHRs (95% CI) of never-smokers, those of former and current-smokers were 1.121 (1.044-1.205) and 1.282 (1.212-1.355), respectively. Compared with the aHRs (95% CI) of non-consumers, those of low-moderate- and high-risk alcohol consumers were 1.095 (1.046-1.146) and 1.212 (1.113-1.321), respectively. GC risk was the highest in current-smokers and high-risk alcohol consumers (1.447 [1.297-1.615]). Interestingly, alcohol consumption and smoking additively increased the GC risk in men but not in women (P_interaction=0.002). Conclusion: Smoking and alcohol consumption are significant risk factors for early-onset GC in young Koreans. Further studies are needed to investigate sex-based impact of alcohol consumption and smoking on GC incidence in young individuals.

• Journal of Species Research
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.480-488
• /
• 2020

The genus Eurycletodes Sars, 1909 is reported for the first time in Korea. A new species of the genus Eurycletodes was collected from Hansando Island, South Sea of Korea. So far, Eurycletodes comprises 27 species, with no previously recorded species reported in East Asia, including Korea. Eurycletodes (Oligocletodes) vadumus sp. nov. is morphologically most closely related to E. (O.) denticulatus Por, 1967, E. (O.) aculeatus Sars, 1920, and E. (O.) diva Menzel, 2011, but clearly distinguishable from the others based on the following morphological characteristics: absence of A2 exopodal seta, A1 last segment with two inner setae, P4 exp-3 proximal inner seta modified, the ratio of length and of caudal rami (1.6 times), and mandibular palp with three setae. Together with the new species, the number of valid species in this genus has risen to 28. A key to species of the genus Eurycletodes is provided.

• Proceedings of the Korea Information Processing Society Conference
• /
• 2017.11a
• /
• pp.1329-1330
• /
• 2017

최근 통신, 전자 기술의 발전으로 헬스 서비스를 언제 어디서나 사용자에게 제공할 수 있다. 다양한 e-헬스 디바이스들과의 연동을 위하여 본 논문에서는 OCF IoTivity 프레임워크을 e-헬스 디바이스에 적용하고 JSON 기반의 메시지를 생성하여 전송하는 기법을 제안한다. 이 기법은 e-헬스 시스템에서 인터넷을 통하여 원격 헬스 서비스를 제공하는데 사용할 수 있다.