• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.159-166
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• 2021

Purpose : This study systematically assessed programs self-esteem programs for schizophrenic individuals that have been implemented over the past 10 years in South Korea, with the objective of providing clinical grounds and data for further programs that can be implemented in the Korean environment. Methods : For this study, a data search was conducted from 2012 to 2021, using search terms 'schizophrenia' AND 'self-esteem' among the studies registered in the RISS, KISS, Google Scholar, and National Library of Korea databases. A total of 988 studies were searched, and among them, 40 studies meeting the selection criteria had been taken by reviewing the titles and abstracts. After, 33 studies were excluded according to the exclusion criteria, and finally, the 7 studies were selected. Results : As a result, research into self-esteem programs for schizophrenic individuals has progressed steady, and most studies tend to be non-randomized controlled studies. All studies used the Self-Esteem Scale to evaluate self-esteem. All studies used the Self-Esteem Scale to evaluate self-esteem. The interventions of the selected studies were classified as were social skill programs, cognitive behavioral therapy programs, art therapy programs, and emotional management programs. And among them, the cognitive behavioral therapy programs were the most frequently used (42.8 %). Typically, the majority of the intervention sessions consisted of 11~15 sessions, the frequency of intervention was twice a week, and each session lasted 40~80 minutes were the most (each 57.1 %). In the programs for self-esteem, significant effects were reported for cognitive behavioral and art therapy programs, and there is no significant effect on social skill programs and emotional management programs. Conclusion : Future studies should expand the research scope, both domestically and internationally, and suggest more comprehensive conditions for a literature search by widening the research subject coverage.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.3-14
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to identify the perceptions of orthodontic treatment among Korean adults and determine the factors that drive them to seek orthodontic treatment. Methods: A total of 2,321 adults aged 19-64 years were surveyed using an internet research system from a specialized research company. The participants were divided into the following groups based on their experience of and willingness to undergo orthodontic treatment: experience, acceptance, and non-acceptance groups. The characteristics of the participants were compared using analysis of variance with post-hoc analysis. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed in all three models with the non-acceptance group as a reference. Results: In terms of demographic characteristics, age, gender, marital status, and education had significant influences on orthodontic treatment decisions in adults in the experience and acceptance groups (p < 0.001). When all the factors were analyzed, age, marital status, past dental treatment experience, regular oral examinations, demand for orthodontic treatment, optimal treatment period, health insurance coverage, information on orthodontic treatments, perceptions regarding orthodontic treatment, and psychosocial impact of dental esthetics significantly influenced orthodontic treatment decisions in adults in the experience and acceptance groups (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings suggest that various factors influence orthodontic treatment decisions in adults. Individuals who seek orthodontic treatment were found to undergo more regular dental treatment and oral examination than those who did not. They also had a better perception of orthodontic treatment and more negative values for the psychosocial impact of dental esthetics.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.179-188
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• 2020

Purpose: We compared noncoplanar volumetric modulated arc therapy (ncVMAT) plans to coplanar VMAT (cVMAT) plans by evaluating the dosimetric quality of each for esophageal cancer. Methods: Twenty patients treated for esophageal cancer with the cVMAT technique were retrospectively selected. The cVMAT plans consisted of three coplanar full arc beams. The ncVMAT plans consisted of two coplanar full arc beams and one noncoplanar partial arc beam ranging from 45° to 315° with a couch rotation angle of 315°±5°. For dosimetric evaluation, the dose-volumetric (DV) parameters of the planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OARs) were calculated for all VMAT plans. Results: No clinically noticeable differences between the cVMAT and ncVMAT plans were observed in the DV parameters of the PTV. For the lungs, the V_{13 Gy} and mean dose for ncVMAT plans were smaller than those for cVMAT plans, showing statistically significant differences. For the heart, the values of the maximum dose for cVMAT and ncVMAT plans were 53.8±2.9 and 50.9±3.3 Gy, respectively (P=0.004). For the spinal cord, the values of the maximum dose for cVMAT and ncVMAT plans were 37.1±5.1 and 34.7±5.7 Gy, respectively (P<0.001). Conclusions: The use of ncVMAT plans provides better PTV coverage and sparing of OARs compared to that of cVMAT plans for long, tube-like esophageal cancer. For esophageal cancer, the ncVMAT plans showed a more favorable plan quality than the cVMAT plans.

• Infection and chemotherapy
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.328-339
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• 2018

Background: Pneumococcal disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in patients with comorbidities and advanced age. This study evaluated trends in epidemiology of adult pneumococcal disease in Crete, Greece, by identifying serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance of consecutive Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated from adults during an 8-year time period (2009-2016) and the indirect effect of the infant pneumococcal higher-valent conjugate vaccines 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). Materials and Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed by E-test and serotyping by Quellung reaction. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was defined as non-susceptibility to penicillin (PNSP) combined with resistance to ${\geq}2$ non-${\beta}$-lactam antimicrobials. Results: A total of 135 S. pneumoniae strains were isolated from adults during the study period. Twenty-one serotypes were identified with 17F, 15A, 3, 19A, and 11A, being the most common. The coverage rates of PCV10, and PCV13 were 17.8% and 37.8%, respectively. PCV13 serotypes decreased significantly from 68.4% in 2009 to 8.3% in 2016 (P = 0.002). The most important emerging non-PCV13 serotypes were 17F, 15A, and 11A, with 15A being strongly associated with antimicrobial resistance and MDR. Among all study isolates, penicillin-resistant and MDR strains represented 7.4% and 14.1%, respectively. Predominant PNSP serotypes were 19A (21.7%), 11A (17.4%), and 15A (17.4%). Erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and levofloxacin resistant rates were 30.4%, 15.6%, 16.3%, 16.3%, and 1.5%, respectively. Conclusion: Although pneumococcal disease continues to be a health burden in adults in Crete, our study reveals a herd protection effect of the infant pneumococcal higher-valent conjugate vaccination. Surveillance of changes in serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance among pneumococcal isolates are necessary to guide optimal prevention and treatment strategies.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.731-740
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• 2021

This study applied LDA topic modeling analysis to collect and analyze news media big data related to face masks in the three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea. The results empirically show that media reports focused on mask production and distribution policies in the first wave and the mandatory mask wearing in the second wave. In contrast, more reports on trivial, gossipy events consist of the media coverage in the second and third waves. The findings imply that Korea's governmental interventions to address the shortage of face masks and to regulate mask wearing were successful relatively in a short time. In contrast, the study also reports that there may be relative less number of science-based news reports like the ones on the effectiveness of face masks or different levels of filter types. This study exemplifies how a big data analysis can be applied to evaluate and enhance public health communication.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.54-69
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to reflect the patient's perspective in the process of developing Korean medicine clinical practice guideline (CPG) of puerperal wind disorder by survey. Methods: Five hundred fifty patients were surveyed from November 3rd, 2021 to November 8th, 2021 by internet. This study is an exploratory cross-sectional survey study, and descriptive statistics and frequency analysis were conducted on respondents' general characteristics, postpartum symptoms, the history of using treatment institution for puerperal wind disorder, satisfaction of medical institutions and perception of postpartum care. Results: Survey results showed that 92.0% of respondents experienced symptoms after childbirth, and 56.2% of the symptoms were arthralgia, followed by obesity with 41.8%. Among puerperal wind disorder patients, 34.2% had treatment history, and 54.3% received Korean medical treatment. Treatment satisfaction was confirmed to be higher in Korean medical treatment. The necessity of postpartum care was recognized at 95.7% of respondents, and the performance rate of traditional Korean postpartum care was also high. Conclusions: Based on a realistic patient-centered basis, it is a study that can lay the foundation for standardizing Korean medicine treatment and strengthening coverage in the future.

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

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.17-23
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• 2009

Objectives : This study aimed to provide basic data for future policies regarding the expansion of health insurance, through investigating the current status of Oriental herbal medicine insurance as perceived by the public. Methods : Questionnaire was developed through literature searches, in-depth interviews, item generation and item reduction. The questionnaires were further refined by a focus group. 221 surveys were retrieved from the general public. Results : The in-depth interviews, reveal that the public is aware of the various forms of Oriental herbal medicine formulas, except for the use of mixture of which are soluble granules covered by insurance. The public awareness of the soluble granules turned out to be so low that enhanced awareness of it is required. The public identified decoctions as the most preferred formula as well as the most effective formulas out of all Oriental herbal medical formulas. They also suggested that it should be the first to be included when the insurance policy expands in the future. The public had frequent experienced not choosing Oriental herbal prescription due to the high cost. Insurance coverage of Oriental herbal prescription is much needed. The public indicated that they will make frequent visits to the KMD if the insurance covers Oriental herbal prescriptions. Conclusions : The current status quo of Oriental herbal medicine insurance showed that the public identified decoctions as the most preferred, most effective and the top priority to be covered by insurance.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.149-165
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was done to identify the causes of turnover in nursing staff in small and medium‐size hospitals and prepare measures to decrease turnover. Nurses in these hospitals were surveyed focusing on their nursing activities, reasons for turnover, and content of their work. Method: A mail survey of hospitals with 300 beds or less was conducted using a questionnaire including items on the current state of nursing, performance of nursing tasks, turnover of nurses, working conditions, and supports and policies related to insufficient number of nurses. Results: The average number of nurses per 100 beds was 37.5, 3.3 less than the prescribed level of 40.8. The turnover rate was higher when the level of remuneration for nursing care was low, and the most frequent reason for nurses leaving was 'move to another hospital', showing that there is a continuous chain of moves for nurses. Other frequent reasons were situations related to working conditions such as childbirth, child care, irregular working hours, night work, and low wages. Conclusion: To guarantee adequate nursing coverage in these hospitals, working conditions for nurses should be improved, including higher wages, a more flexible work system, and installation and operation of 24-hour child care facilities.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.216-224
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• 2023

In several schistosomiasis-endemic countries, the prevalence has remained high in some areas owing to reinfection despite repeated mass drug administration (MDA) interventions; these areas are referred to as persistent hot spots. Identifying hotspots is critical for interrupting transmission. This study aimed to determine an effective means of identifying persistent hot spots. First, we investigated the differences between Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni prevalence among school-aged children (SAC) estimated by a community-based survey, for which local key informants purposively selected communities, and a randomly sampled school-based survey. A total of 6,225 individuals residing in 60 villages in 8 districts of North Kordofan, Blue Nile, or Sennar States, Sudan participated in a community-based survey in March 2018. Additionally, the data of 3,959 students attending 71 schools in the same 8 districts were extracted from a nationwide school-based survey conducted in January 2017. The community-based survey identified 3 districts wherein the prevalence of S. haematobium or S. mansoni infection among SAC was significantly higher than that determined by the randomly sampled school survey (e.g., S. haematobium in the Sennar district: 10.8% vs. 1.1%, P<0.001). At the state level, the prevalence of schistosomiasis among SAC, as determined by the community-based survey, was consistently significantly higher than that determined by the school-based survey. Purposeful selection of villages or schools based on a history of MDA, latrine coverage, open defecation, and the prevalence of bloody urine improved the ability for identifying persistent hot spots.