• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5921-5926
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• 2014

A large proportion of patients with thyroid nodules in China undergo thyroidectomy in order to get confirmatory histology diagnosis. The financial impact of this modality remains to be investigated. To evaluate rationality of performing thyroidectomy without a routine FNA preoperatively from the economic perspective, we conducted a retrospective, observational study of all archival thyroidectomies with records of cost per stay (CPS), cost per day (CPD) and length of stay (LOS) from 2008 to 2013 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. We compared all the parameters between cancer and non-cancer thyroidectomies. We recruited 6, 140 thyroidectomies with valid records of CPS, CPD and LOS in this period. The CPS of cancer thyroidectomy was significantly higher than non-cancer thyroidectomy. The percentage of cancer thyroidectomy increased from 26.5% to 41.6%. The percentage of annual cost of cancer thyroidectomies rose from 30.2% to 45.2%. The LOS for cancer and non-cancer thyroidectomy decreased while the CPD increased in the past six years. The estimated national cost in 2012 for all thyroidectomies would be USD 1.86 billion with USD 1.09 billion for non-cancer thyroidectomies. We have witnessed great improvement in the healthcare for patients with thyroid nodules in China. However, given limited healthcare resources, currently thyroid FNA for more precise preoperative diagnosis may help to curb the rapidly increasing demand in healthcare costs in the future for nodular thyroid disease in China.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.136-142
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• 2015

The Korean Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (KSPID) has participated in the task force team consisting of government authorities as well as civil medical experts and facilities to block the spread of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in 2015. KSPID posted the "Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) Pop-up" in the homepage of The Korean Pediatric Society and The Korean Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. KSPID also released the "Guidelines for testing for MERS in children and adolescents" and the "Instructions for the Operation of National Safe Hospital" for children and adolescents in a timely manner. Such actions were aimed to prevent unnecessary anxieties, studies and isolation of pediatric patients with respiratory symptoms and signs caused by other common microbial etiologies as being suspected for MERS patients. This strategy relieved the doctors and parents from unnecessary fear and prevented the loss of unnecessary health care costs, and has proven to be a well-judged guideline and management protocol as evaluated after the final end of MERS outbreak. KSPID and its members should support the presence of pediatric infectious disease (PID) specialists in every medium size hospitals in Korea by developing the need for consultation fees for PID consultation in the hospital based practice and promoting the potential for cost savings related to prevention of health care associated infections and optimal prescription of antimicrobial agents. KSPID and its members need to approach and develop a communication plan to political decision makers to demonstrate and convince them of the importance of a PID specialist service.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.370-379
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• 2018

This study was conducted 1) to investigate the effects of treatment and other factors on the quality of life of thyroid cancer surgical patients and 2) to provide fundamental data for development of an intervention and symptom management program to improve the quality of life of those patients. A total of 76 patients who were diagnosed with thyroid cancer and underwent thyroidectomy from July 2013 to December 2014 participated in this study. To investigate the factors affecting quality of life, a t-test and ANOVA analyses were conducted, after which multiple regression analysis was performed. The results were statistically significant between preoperative and one month after surgery of sex, cancer history, fatigue, and quality of life until 3 months after surgery of stage, cancer history, anxiety, and pain. Multiple regression analysis showed that the most influential factors affecting the quality of life were depression and fatigue at one month prior to and after surgery and anxiety at three months after surgery, while no factors were found to be influential at six months after surgery. Overall, the results of this study suggested that it is imperative to manage depression and fatigue one month prior to and after surgery to reduce the physical and psychological pain experienced by thyroid cancer patients. Moreover, three months after the surgery, anxiety should be closely monitored and controlled to improve the quality of life of the patients. This approach is expected to reduce the burden on the health care system and social costs, which will positively affect public health.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.21
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• pp.75-94
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• 2009

Since mechanical security systems are mostly composed of electronic, information and communication devices, they have effects in the aspects of overall social environment and crime-oriented environment. Also, the importance is increasing for wireless recognition of RFID and tracing function, which will be usefully utilized in controlling the incomings and outgoings of people/vehicles or allowance, surveillance and control. This is resulting from the increase in the care for the elderly according to the overall social environment, namely, the aging society, and the number of women entering, as well as the increase in the number of heinous crimes. The purpose of this study is to examine the theoretical considerations on ubiquitous sensor network and present a direction for securities companies for their development by focusing on the technological and application areas. To present strategies of response to a new environment for security companies, First, a diversification strategy is needed for security companies. The survival of only high level of security companies in accordance with the principle of liberal market competition will bring forth qualitative growth and competitiveness of security market. Second, active promotion by security companies is needed. It is no exaggeration to say that we are living in the modern society in the sea of advertisements and propaganda. The promotional activities that emphasize the areas of activity or importance of security need to be actively carried out using the mass media to change the aware of people regarding security companies, and they need to come up with a plan to simultaneously carry out the promotional activities that emphasize the public aspect of security by well utilizing the recent trend that the activities of security agents are being used as a topic in movies or TV dramas. Third, technically complementary establishment of ubiquitous sensor network and electronic tag is needed. Since they are used in mobile electronic tag services such as U-Home and U-Health Care, they are used throughout our lives by forming electronic tag environment within safe ubiquitous sensor network based on the existing privacy guideline for the support of mobile electronic tag terminal commercialization, reduction in communication and information usage costs, continuous technical development and strengthening of privacy protection, and the system of cooperation of academic-industrial-research needs to be established among the academic world and private research institutes for these parts.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1 s.69
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• pp.72-86
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the cost-effectiveness of Eastern, Western, and collaborative treatments and suggest a cost-effective approach for patients with frozen shoulder pain. Methods : Using the data of fifty-two patients, treatment effectiveness was measured by CSA, SPABI, and ROM scales and changes from the baseline score were evaluated. Data source for cost estimation was based on the national health insurance (NHI) payment system. Because the price in NHI was differentiated by health care institutions, five collaborative types were considered in assessing costs. Cost-effective ratios were computed for economic evaluation. Results : Compared with Eastern treatment, collaborative and Western treatments showed better effects on CSA scale after 4 weeks' treatment. The collaborative approach was also the most effective treatment on SPADI and ROM scales. The direct cost per patient receiving Eastern treatment was less than other treatments. In general, collaborative treatment dominated Eastern and Western treatments in cost-effectiveness an analysis. However, the cost-effectiveness ratio of Eastern treatment resulted in \9,000 compared to \29,000 of collaborative treatment on SPADI. Four different indicators of ROM scales resulted in different approaches as the cost-effective treatment. Conclusions : Considering cost-effectiveness ratios, collaborative treatment was the best treatment on CSh and SPADI scales after 4 weeks' treatment. As for ROM scales, the recommended alternatives were Eastern treatment for patients with abduction and adduction disabilities, Western treatment for those with flexion disability, and collaborative approach fir those with extension disabiliry.

• Journal of Appropriate Technology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.163-173
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• 2020

For the successful execution of an ODA project, it is necessary to know what areas are weak and necessary to the country of demand exactly. The health sector is also a top priority in most of developing countries. This study was carried out to introduce non-communicable disease (NCD) in Fiji for ODA projects planning. The major causes of death in Fiji in 2016 are diabetes, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, lower respiratory infect, asthma in ranking. The major causes of death in Korea in same year are cancer, ischemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, pneumonia, suicide, diabetes in the order of ranking. The chronic disease as non-communicable disease (NCD) has been increasing continuously due to changes in lifestyle and consumption patterns and population aging in prevalence rate. This global trend is also apparent in Fiji and Korea, reflected in increasing mortality and personal costs for the treatment and management of NCD. The need for a sustained comprehensive treatment tailored for individual patients has suggested from many studies and the development of a systematic program to manage NCD patients to provide such care have been recommended. The Fiji government developed Non-communicable Diseases Strategic Plan 2015-2019 and has tried to reduce the prevalence rate of non-communicable diseases by factors. The WHO global action plan guiding national-level NCD policies requires an NCD prevention and control model at the community level, presenting strategic goals and detailed options for the introduction and application of the approach to communities. It is necessary to develop an NCD prevention and control model, consisting of a strategy of community intervention, education for students and NCD patients, and the legal enactment of NCD that adequately meets the needs of community members.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.262-267
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• 2014

Unused medication disposal is a burden due to the cost of disposing as well as the cost of the drugs. Investigating medication returns is expected to suggest areas of intervention to reduce unused medications. Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine types, quantity, costs, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and therapeutic category of the medications returned to community pharmacies. Method: From January 15, 2014 to February 28, 2014, the medications returned to the 17 community pharmacies in Gimhae, Jinju, and Incheon, Korea were examined. The pharmacists and student volunteers worked cooperatively to identify the medications and analyze drug cost of prescription pill medications returned to the pharmacies. Results: A total of 2,720 pills of prescription medication were analyzed and 91 active pharmaceutical ingredients were identified. According to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification, the most predominant group was A (alimentary tract and metabolism) with 33.3%, followed by N (nervous system) with 15.0%. With regard to the drug cost of groups, group A was the highest with 26.6%, followed by J01 (antibacterials for systemic use) with 20.2% and N (nervous system) with 18.3%. The total cost of the oral pill prescription medications was 468,477 won. Conclusion: The result from this study implies that unused drugs impose a significant cost to the health care system in Korea. In this study, medicines used to treat gastrointestinal conditions were returned most frequently with the highest drug cost. Further research in nationwide level is necessary to establish strategies to reduce the wastage of unused medicines.

• Management & Information Systems Review
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• v.16
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• pp.139-159
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• 2005

In many countries the demographics clearly informs us that an aging population represent a serious problem. To this extent senior citizens welfare does matter it has developed into a public debate and genuine concern. it seems that the social issues are focused on how the socity views the social welfare policies. In a modern welfare state where the emphasis lies in pursing a high standard of living and thereby high quality of life. This does not cover the very well the old people in society, but the government clearly carries an obligation to look after and care for the retired & old people in the society. This obligation the social and economic impact that an old person faces as he/she grows old. it is important ensure that their lives carries a meaning and that they as a group will not be estranged from the mainstream of society just because they are considered to be part of the aging population. The key issues that must be addressed are 1) The impact of reduced spending power from less income. a lower income stream; 2) increasing health problems and costs; 3) the natural degradation of ones physical & mental powers; 4) and thereby an isolation from the public in general. So clearly the social policy related to the old people in society should be developed with the consent of what they believe is important to them. To ensure their minimum income level that a beneficiary of an old person's pension will receive, the monthly pension should be reflected by the official price index and be adjusted accordingly. by making the job market open for the senior citizens, expending the mandatory retirement age, give companiesincentives to hire senior citizens, there maybe an opportunity to extend to the aging population the possibility to continue to participate in the society at large.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2018

An antioxidant peptide derived from Pinctada fucata meat using an Alcalase2.4L enzymatic hydrolysis method (named AOP) and identified by LC-TOF-MS has promising clinical potential for generating cosmetic products that protect skin from sunshine. To date, there have been few published studies investigating the structure-activity relationship in these peptides. To prepare antioxidant peptides better and improve their stability, the design and expression of an antioxidant peptide from Pinctada fucata (named DSAOP) was studied. The peptide contains a common precursor of an expression vector containing an ${\alpha}$-helix tandemly linked according to the BamHI restriction sites. The DNA fragments encoding DSAOP were synthesized and subcloned into the expression vector pET-30a (+), and the peptide was expressed mostly as soluble protein in recombinant Escherichia coli. Meanwhile, the DPPH radical scavenging activity, superoxide radical scavenging activity, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of DSAOP $IC_{50}$ values were $0.136{\pm}0.006$, $0.625{\pm}0.025$, and $0.306{\pm}0.015mg/ml$, respectively, with 2-fold higher DPPH radical scavenging activity compared with chemosynthesized AOP (p < 0.05), as well as higher superoxide radical scavenging activity compared with natural AOP (p < 0.05). This preparation method was at the international advanced level. Furthermore, pilot-scale production results showed that DSAOP was expressed successfully in fermenter cultures, which indicated that the design strategy and expression methods would be useful for obtaining substantial amounts of stable peptides at low costs. These results showed that DSAOP produced with recombinant Escherichia coli could be useful in cosmetic skin care products, health foods, and pharmaceuticals.

• Korean Journal of Rural Living Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.109-119
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• 1995

The objectives of this study were 1) to identity the living conditions of old women at rural area, 2) to inquire of the activities for extra income 3) to Provide information on the social service program development for old rural women. Data were collected by interview with the questionaire from 396 old rural women in Korea. In analyzing data, $x^2$-test has been produced by S A S program package at Rural Development Administration. The major results were as follows ; 1. The average age was 69.7years old of the subjects, illiteracy was 54.1%, widows was 58.6%, and the 18.4% of elderly have led a solitary life. Also, the degree of health care was very low. 2. The source of living costs in most old rural women lay on agricultural income. Also, because of the educational expenditure for their children, etc., they led to poverty, and then could not provide for their old age. 3. In spite of the 60.4% of the old women did farming, a lot of them wishes to have a side job. The reasons why they wish to do a side job were making money, spending their time in working, being proud before their children, etc.. 4. According as they rely on their husband, the eldest son and his wife, for the psychological, physical, economical support, their position among family was low. Therefore, only the 43.3% of old women were satisfied with their life. 5. Finally, in the result of this case study, the old women, who particpate in the extra income promoting program, were satisfied with their rural life, and their social position were high rather than elswhere.