• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2011

Comprehensive data collection was carried out between 2001-2006 to investigate the concentration levels of chlorophyll-a, nutrients (DIN and DIP), and COD for surface waters of Korean coastal areas. A statistical analysis of these parameters was carried out on the basis of the frequency distribution of their concentration. Furthermore, the numeric grading for chlorophyll-a, DIN, DIP, and COD concentrations were derived statistically from the normalized frequency distribution of log-transformed data. The statistical grading clearly reflects the water quality characteristics of three Korean coastal water bodies (Western, Southern and Eastern coastal zones), which indicate common environmental and ecological characteristics. So, this study could provide useful information to set up the guideline for water quality assessment of Korean coasts.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.147-160
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• 2007

Background and Objective : The facial nerve grading system proposed by House and Brackmann is most widely accepted for the clinical assessment of facial nerve injury. Because of the limitations and subjectivity of the House-Brackmann scale, several new scales of varying degrees of objectivity and ease of use have been introduced. To assess methods of evaluating the function of the facial nerve that have been introduced over the past 20 years, We compared with the House-Brackmann scale. Method : We referred to the information through Entrez Pubmed and Korean studies information(KSI) from 1985 to 2006 about methods of evaluating facial nerve function. We choose 7 scales that focused on objective and easy of use. Result and conclusion : Sunnybrook scale is a weighted, subjective scale with incorporation of secondary defects into a single composite score. Sunnybrook scale can be recommended over House-Brackmann scale.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.6-15
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study is to investigate the degree of coincidence between the peer assessment rating (PAR) index and American Board of Orthodontics objective grading system (ABO-OGS) in the assessment of orthodontic treatment outcomes of Class I malocclusion cases. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 26 Class I patients. The PAR index was used for evaluation of pre-(T0) and posttreatment (T1) casts, and the ABO-OGS for assessment of T1 casts. If there was a reduction in PAR scores from T0 to T1 of more than 30%, the label 'PAR+' was given to the case, and if not, it was labeled 'PAR-'. If the ABO-OGS was less than 27, the label 'OGS+' was given to the case and if not, it was labeled 'OGS-'. 'A PAR-only qualified group' (PAR+), 'ABO-OGS-only qualified group' (OGS+), 'both indices qualified group' (PAR+/OGS+), and 'both indices disqualified group' (PAR-/OGS-) were compared with a Wilcoxon rank-sum test, sensitivity/specifi city test and Spearman's correlation test. Result: PAR scores for T0, T1, and percentage reduction were 21.1, 6.4, and 65.9%, respectively, and 35.4 for ABOOGS. The distribution of the 'PAR+/OGS+', 'PAR+', and 'PAR-/OGS-' group was 19.3%, 76.9%, and 3.8%, respectively. The T0-PAR, T1-PAR and PAR point reductions for the 'PAR+' group were significantly higher than those of 'PAR+/OGS+' groups (23.1 vs. 15.6; 6.7 vs. 4.6; and 16.5 vs. 11.0; all P<0.05). However, the PAR-percentage reduction and treatment duration between the two groups were not statistically different (70.0% vs. 67.0%, P=0.4325; 24.1 months vs. 25.0 months, P=0.4057). The T1-ABO-OGS score for 'PAR+' group was significantly higher than that of the 'PAR+/OGS+' groups (38.2 vs. 24.0, P<0.001). Conclusion: Since the fraction of the 'PAR+/OGS+' group was less than 20% and there was no significant correlation between PAR-percentage reduction and T1-ABO-OGS, development of a new index system for the accurate evaluation of treatment outcome is needed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.262-267
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• 2012

Objective : We aimed to investigate the correlation between the success of recanalization and a modified version of the Qureshi grading system in acute ischemic stroke patients. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the intra-arterial thrombolysis (IAT) records of 37 patients who were evaluated by Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) and a modified version of the Qureshi grading systems as follows : 1) post-IAT Qureshi grade, 2) modified ${\Delta}$ Qureshi grade : pre-IAT group grade - post-IAT group grade (grade 1 : Qureshi grades 0-2 and grade 2 : Qureshi grade 3-5) and 3) ${\Delta}$ Qureshi grade (post-IAT Qureshi grade - pre-IAT Qureshi grade). Successful recanalization was defined as follows : 1) post-IAT TIMI grades 2 and 3, 2) post-IAT Qureshi grade 0-2, 3) modified ${\Delta}$ Qureshi grade=1, and 4) ${\Delta}$ Qureshi grade of ${\geq}2$ and/or post-IAT Qureshi grade=0. We investigated the correlation between the post-IAT TIMI grade and the modified Qureshi grade and also compared the various grading systems with modified Rankin Scale scores for evaluating the clinical outcome at 3 months. Results : The post-IAT Qureshi grade and ${\Delta}$ Qureshi grade and/or post-IAT Qureshi grade were significantly correlated with the TIMI grade (${\gamma}$=0.976 and, 0.942, respectively). Further, post-IAT Qureshi grade and ${\Delta}$ Qureshi grade and/or post-IAT Qureshi grade showed a significantly stronger association with clinical outcome than did the post-IAT TIMI grade (p=0.001 and, 0.000 vs. 0.083, respectively). Conclusion : Our preliminary results suggest that the modified Qureshi grading system is a useful tool for assessing the success of recanalization after IAT.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.98-102
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• 2004

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition characterized by entrapment neuropathy of the median nerves. Clinical manifestations are the most important findings for diagnosis and assessment of therapeutic effects. But, objective indicators, such as electrophysiological findings, are also valuable supplementary tools. This study investigated the relationship between clinical grading and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) of median proper palmar digital nerve (MPPDN) in CTS patients. Method: This study was done on 90 upper limbs of 53 patients with CTS (men: 6, women: 47, age: 26~69 years, mean age; 52 years). Each SNCV of MPPDN was recorded with bar electrode using antidromic method. Each SNCV was compared with clinical grading of CTS. The clinical grades of CTS were designated as follows; group 1 is mild symptoms, 2 is moderate symptoms, and 3 is severe and longstanding symptoms. Result: In thumb, the SNCV of MPPDN was not different significantly between 3 groups (p=0.817). In the index finger, the SNCV was the fastest in the group 1, but faster in group 3 than in group 2 (p=0.001). In the middle and ring fingers, SNCV was decreased in higher clinical grading groups (middle finger: p=0.015, ring finger: p=0.044). Conclusion: SNCV of MPPDN of middle and ring finger correlated with the clinical grading of CTS. SNCV of index finger was the fastest in group 1. But SNCV of thumb did not correlate with the clinical grading of CTS.

• Spatial Information Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.201-212
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• 2009

As GIS analysis method began to be introduced in late 1980's, studies of land development applying the GIS also started to be proceeded in various fields. Since 2003, Land Suitability Assesment has been adopted in order to prevent national land from development thoughtless for the environment and to plan appropriate national land management in terms of green development. Land Suitability Assessment System II based on diverse GIS analysis method such as Contour Analysis, Overlay Analysis, Network Analysis was particularly adopted to draft plans of specifying and altering of exclusionary zoning as well as installing and maintaining of urban planning facilities. But there has been a lot of problem, like an inaccurate basic data and assessment indicators, unmatched threshold, and contradicted evaluation result between each evaluating systems. Even though it is suited to an evaluation criteria, grade distribution is applied to start at 20, and development-centered evaluation result is offered. Now, we observed how suitability values and grading were changed, ordering to change grade distribution system from $20{\sim}100$ to $0{\sim}100$. In result, it showed changes of grades in some parcels. And in case of suitability values, 87% of parcels decreased to minimum 1 point, maximum 70 points. It means that changing grade distribution system of assessment system II doesn't have only influence on suitability values and grading but it is also an empirical analysis because of considering both development and maintenance.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.535-543
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• 2019

Background A high incidence of breast animation deformity (BAD) has been reported following immediate breast reconstruction with subpectorally placed implants. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the incidence of BAD in women who underwent either subpectoral or prepectoral immediate breast reconstruction. Therefore, we developed a grading tool and tested its reproducibility in a clinical setting. Methods Video recordings of 37 women who had undergone unilateral or bilateral immediate breast reconstruction were evaluated by two consultant plastic surgeons. The degree of BAD was assessed by our grading tool, named the Nipple, Surrounding Skin, Entire Breast (NSE) grading scale, which evaluates the degree of tissue distortion in three areas of the breast. Blinded assessments were performed twice by each observer. Results Eighteen patients were reconstructed with subpectoral implant placement and 19 with prepectoral implant placement. Using the NSE grading scale, we found a significant difference in the degree of BAD between the groups, in favor of patients who underwent prepectoral immediate breast reconstruction (0.2 vs. 4, P=0.000). Inter- and intraobserver agreement was moderate (74%) to strong (88%). Conclusions The incidence and severity of BAD was significantly lower in women reconstructed with a prepectorally placed implant than in those who underwent subpectoral immediate breast reconstruction. All patients reconstructed using the subpectoral technique had some degree of BAD. The inter- and intraobserver agreements were high when using the NSE grading scale, suggesting it is an easy-to-use, reproducible scale for assessing BAD in women who undergo immediate breast reconstruction.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.11-18
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• 2014

Although assessing outdoor environment and green space in terms of sustainability and environmental performance is perceived as an important issue, most existing green building certification systems are more focused on buildings and indoor environment. Recently, the Sustainable Site Initiatives (SITES) has been developed by American Society of Landscape Architecture in order to evaluate sustainability of site development and outdoor environment. Separate from LEED, the SITES are increasingly receiving attentions as a reliable certification system in the United States. As a preliminary study to develop the items of outdoor environmental assessment, the present study is purposed to analyze the assessment items, grading system and applicability of SITES for better understanding on the system. Also it was compared to existing green building certification criteria, including G-SEED, LEED-NC, and LEED-ND in order to investigate similarities and discrepancies. The results would provide insights and basic data to improve assessment items for outdoor environment of G-SEED.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.82.1-82.10
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• 2020

Background: The clinical presentation of horses with back pain (BP) vary considerably with most horse's willingness to take part in athletic or riding purpose becoming impossible. However, there are some clinical features that are directly responsible for the loss or failure of performance. Objectives: To investigate the clinical features of the thoracolumbar region associated with BP in horses and to use some of the clinical features to classify equine BP. Methods: Twenty-four horses comprised of 14 with BP and 10 apparently healthy horses were assessed for clinical abnormality that best differentiate BP from normal horses. The horses were then graded (0-5) using the degree of pain response, muscular hypertonicity, thoracolumbar joint stiffness and overall physical dysfunction of the horse. Results: The common clinical features that significantly differentiate horses with BP from non-BP were longissimus dorsi spasm at palpation (78.6%), paravertebral muscle stiffness (64.3%), resist lateral bending (64.3%), and poor hindlimb impulsion (85.7%). There were significantly (p < 0.05) higher scores for pain response to palpation, muscular hypertonicity, thoracolumbar joint stiffness and physical dysfunction among horses with BP in relation to non-BP. A significant relationship exists between all the graded abnormalities. Based on the cumulative score, horses with BP were categorized into mild, mild-moderate, moderate and severe cases. Conclusions: BP in horse can be differentiated by severity of pain response to back palpation, back muscle hypertonicity, thoracolumbar joint stiffness, physical dysfunctions and their cumulative grading score is useful in the assessment and categorization of BP in horses.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.75-87
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• 2015

Background: Lumbar discogenic pain without pain mediated by a disc herniation, facet joints, or the sacroiliac joints, is common and often results in chronic, persistent pain and disability. After conservative treatment failure, injection therapy, such as an epidural injection, is frequently the next step considered in managing discogenic pain. The objective of this systematic review is to determine the efficacy of lumbar epidural injections in managing discogenic pain without radiculopathy, and compare this approach to lumbar fusion or disc arthroplasty surgery. Methods: A systematic review of randomized trials published from 1966 through October 2014 of all types of epidural injections and lumbar fusion or disc arthroplasty in managing lumbar discogenic pain was performed with methodological quality assessment and grading of evidence. The level of evidence was based on the grading of evidence criteria which, was conducted using 5 levels of evidence ranging from levels I to V. Results: Based on a qualitative assessment of the evidence for both approaches, there is Level II evidence for epidural injections, either caudal or lumbar interlaminar. Conclusions: The available evidence suggests fluoroscopically directed epidural injections provide long-term improvement in back and lower extremity pain for patients with lumbar discogenic pain. There is also limited evidence showing the potential effectiveness of surgical interventions compared to nonsurgical treatments.