• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.112-126
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the effectiveness of Korean medical treatments on chronic glossitis using Yanggyeok-sangagam based on tutakbeop(透托法), and Ikgibohyeol-tanggagam based on botakbeop(補托法) and bobeop(補法). Methods : We treated a 83-year-old female patient who had glossitis by Korean medicine and acupuncture treatment. These treatments were performed from 2020.8.4. to 2021.3.4. We have confirmed the improvement of white plaque like a pseudomembranous pattern lesion and pain. We recorded images that include change of symptoms. Results : After the treatments were done, the scores of numeric rating scale(NRS), oral assessment guide(OAG) and oral health impact profile-14(OHIP-14) were decreased. The NRS score was decreased from 7 to 1. The OAG score was decreased from 20 to 9. The OHIP-14 score was decreased from 34 to 5. Conclusions : According to the result, Korean medical treatments such as Korean medicine and acupuncture treatment, followed by the cure rules- tutakbeop(透托法), botakbeop(補托法) and bobeop(補法) can be effective for the treatment of chronic glossitis.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.235-247
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Increasing the consumption of vegetables and fruits in Mexico remains a challenge. Promoting sustainable food production systems through schools may be an effective way to educate young people about food and nutrition issues. A study of nutritional education in adolescents, based on the school garden, is necessary in order to evaluate its effects on the consumption of fruits and vegetables among middle- and upper-income segments of the population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention, accompanied by a school garden as an educational teaching tool, to improve vegetable and fruit consumption by Mexican teenagers attending a private middle/high school. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Teenagers between 12 and 18 years of age (n = 126) attending a private middle/high school in Queretaro, Mexico participated in a 3-arm, controlled, comparative impact study using a vegetable and fruit consumption frequency questionnaire, food consumption diaries, a psychosocial factor assessment questionnaire of vegetable and fruit consumption, and structured interviews. The participants were randomized into 3 experimental groups: 1) food education + school garden (FE + SG), 2) FE only, and 3) control group (CG). RESULTS: The FE + SG and FE groups significantly increased the frequency and daily intake of vegetables and fruits compared to the CG. The FE + SG group showed greater understanding of, reflection upon, and analysis of the information they received about vegetable and fruit consumption, as well as a greater willingness to include these in their daily diet. CONCLUSIONS: FE accompanied by a SG as a teaching tool is more effective at promoting vegetable and fruit consumption than either education alone or control in teenagers in middle-upper income segments of the population.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.76-84
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• 2022

Purpose: We compared cost-effectiveness parameters between inpatient and home-based hospice-palliative care services for terminal cancer patients in Korea. Methods: A decision-analytic Markov model was used to compare the cost-effectiveness of hospice-palliative care in an inpatient unit (inpatient-start group) and at home (home-start group). The model adopted a healthcare system perspective, with a 9-week horizon and a 1-week cycle length. The transition probabilities were calculated based on the reports from the Korean National Cancer Center in 2017 and Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service in 2020. Quality of life (QOL) was converted to the quality-adjusted life week (QALW). Modeling and cost-effectiveness analysis were performed with TreeAge software. The weekly medical cost was estimated to be 2,481,479 Korean won (KRW) for inpatient hospice-palliative care and 225,688 KRW for home-based hospice-palliative care. One-way sensitivity analysis was used to assess the impact of different scenarios and assumptions on the model results. Results: Compared with the inpatient-start group, the incremental cost of the home-start group was 697,657 KRW, and the incremental effectiveness based on QOL was 0.88 QALW. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of the home-start group was 796,476 KRW/QALW. Based on one-way sensitivity analyses, the ICER was predicted to increase to 1,626,988 KRW/QALW if the weekly cost of home-based hospice doubled, but it was estimated to decrease to -2,898,361 KRW/QALW if death rates at home doubled. Conclusion: Home-based hospice-palliative care may be more cost-effective than inpatient hospice-palliative care. Home-based hospice appears to be affordable even if the associated medical expenditures double.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.sup1
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• pp.147-159
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Complementary and alternative medicines can be used to alleviate climacteric symptoms that significantly affect the quality of life of postmenopausal women. Isoflavones are the most common plant-based therapies for postmenopausal changes, but the results of previous studies have been controversial. MATERIALS/METHODS: To investigate whether isoflavones would affect menopausal symptoms as well as ovarian hormones, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. The PubMed and EMBASE databases were used to perform the systematic search. Included studies were limited to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the impact of isoflavone supplementation on menopausal symptoms. RESULTS: Eleven studies were included for the final quantitative assessment. Isoflavone intervention was varied between 49.3 and 135 mg of isoflavones per day for 12 wk-2 yrs. The meta-analysis showed that supplementation of isoflavones significantly increased the estradiol levels (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.615, P = 0.035) and Kupperman index (SMD = 3.121, P = 0.003) but had no significant effect on hot flashes, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. However, both estradiol and the Kupperman index showed significant heterogeneity among studies (I² = 94.7%, P < 0.001 and I² = 98.1%, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although the results showed a significant SMD in estradiol and the Kupperman index, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the high heterogeneity. Further validation with a larger RCT will be necessary. Overall, isoflavone supplementation has distinct effects on the climacteric symptoms and hormonal changes in postmenopausal women.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.745-756
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• 2023

Growing stringent global regulations in Korea poses a threat to corporate sustainability. Companies must respond strategically to navigate these regulations and avoid greenwashing. Objective of this research was to analyze how Korean companies are responding to the global trend of reducing plastic use and propose improved management strategies. Seven indicators were developed to assess companies' post-plastic strategies and applied to analyze the sustainability reports of Amore Pacific and LG Household & HealthCare. These indicators included, 1) disclosure of plastic raw materials used by weight or volume, 2) disclosure of recycled plastic raw materials used by weight or volume, 3) disclosure of waste recycling, reuse amounts, and disposal using waste treatment method 4) strategies to reduce environmental impact of plastics, 5) plastic packaging, reduce, recycle, reuse, and composting (in the real environment), 6) plastic management roadmap for the circular economy, and 7) education for sustainable plastic management. Based on the review of considered companies, we propose in-listed sustainable plastics management strategies: disclosing the ratio of plastic raw materials and recycled raw materials for all products, considering recycling rate throughout the product value chain, and not only for the production phase, reviewing carbon dioxide emissions based on life cycle assessment rather than reducing plastic consumption, studying the biodegradability of biodegradable plastics in natural environment such as soil, considering the consumer's perspective.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.261-269
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• 2023

Background: Acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) is a common condition encountered in ambulatory practice and is one of the most common reasons for antibiotic prescriptions. This study aimed to evaluate the potentially inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for ARS in South Korea and identify influencing factors. Methods: We analyzed Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service-National Patient Samples data. We selected outpatients aged 20 to 64 with ARS, prescribed antibiotics between February and November 2020. Potentially inappropriate antibiotic prescribing was categorized as: 1) inappropriate antibiotic selection and 2) inappropriate antibiotic dosage or duration. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to estimate the impact of various factors on inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. Results: Of 1,210 patients, 80.83% received potentially inappropriate ARS antibiotic prescriptions. Inappropriate antibiotic selection accounted for 43.55%, and inappropriate antibiotic dosage and duration contributed to 37.28%. Otolaryngologists had higher odds ratio (OR) of potentially inappropriate antibiotic prescribing compared to internal medicine practitioners, while dentists had lower OR. Patients aged 20 to 29 years had a higher OR than other age groups, and those who visited primary care clinics had a higher OR than those who visited hospitals. Conclusion: Potentially inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for ARS is prevalent in South Korea. This study identified physician specialty, patient age group, and the level of healthcare facility as factors influencing potentially inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions. Addressing this issue through targeted interventions, such as improved guidelines adherence and patient education, is imperative to mitigate the risks associated with antibiotic misuse and antibiotic resistance.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.159-168
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• 2023

BACKGROUND: The gold standard for diagnosis of cardiac tumours is histopathological examination. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is a valuable non-invasive, radiation-free tool for identifying and characterizing cardiac tumours. Our aim is to understand CMR diagnosis of cardiac tumours by distinguishing benign vs. malignant tumours compared to the gold standard. METHODS: A systematic search was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases up to December 2022, and the results were reviewed by 2 independent investigators. Studies reporting CMR diagnosis were included in a meta-analysis, and pooled measures were obtained. The risk of bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tools from the National Institutes of Health. RESULTS: A total of 2,321 results was obtained; 10 studies were eligible, including one identified by citation search. Eight studies were included in the meta-analysis, which presented a pooled sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 94%, a diagnostic odds ratio of 185, and an area under the curve of 0.98 for CMR diagnosis of benign vs. malignant tumours. Additionally, 4 studies evaluated whether CMR diagnosis of cardiac tumours matched specific histopathological subtypes, with 73.6% achieving the correct diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first published systematic review on CMR diagnosis of cardiac tumours. Compared to histopathological results, the ability to discriminate benign from malignant tumours was good but not outstanding. However, significant heterogeneity may have had an impact on our findings.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.470-478
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• 2017

This study was classified into two groups, normal season group and drought season group, by the cluster analysis using the weather and water quality data from 2012 to 2015, using SPSS 18 version. Also each cluster was classified into three spaces, Gangcheon, Yeoju and Ipoh weir. We performed the multiple regression analysis with each monthly data that concentration of Chl-a was more than algae warming level. 6 groups classified in time and space were analyzed by the correlation analysis between concentration of Chl-a and 3 weather, 11 water quality and discharge factors. We developed Chl-a prediction equations of each group with independent variables of the multiple regression analysis applying to the correlation result. The result of cluster analysis was that the period was divided into two groups, normal group(2012-2013) that total annual precipitation rate was normal and drought group(2014-2015) that total annual precipitation rate was less than 1,000 mm/hr, in time. The months that concentration of Chl-a was more than algae warming level in each group classified by cluster analysis were that the normal group was 3~8 and drought group was 3 and 6~10. The correlation result between Chl-a and weather, water quality and discharge factors for each 6 group was that relationships between Chl-a and water, discharge factors were high in the drought group more than in normal group at all weirs. This was influenced by velocity reduction and increasing HRT according to the intense drought. Weather, water quality and discharge factors that were high correlation with Chl-a were applied to independent variables of Chl-a prediction equations and each equations were developed. Among them, Each adjusted R square of Prediction equations for Chl-a in each group at Ipoh weir where is located in Namhan river downstream and is directly connected to Paldang dam were normal group = 0.920 and drought group = 0.818. It's showed the high linear.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.334-345
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• 2006

The objectives of this study were to analyze and compare 24 hrs personal exposure levels of MF at microenvironments such as home, school, educational institute, internet pc game room, transportation, and other places according to time activity patterns using various metrics for children attending the primary schools located near and away from the power lines, and to characterize the major microenvironments and impact factors attributed personal exposure level. The study was carried out for 44 children attending a primary school away from the lines(school A) and 125 children attending a school away from 154 kV power lines(school B), all who aged 12 years and were 6 grade, from July 2003 to December 2003. All participants filled in a questionnaire about characteristics, residence, use of electrical appliances and others. Children wore a small satchel in which EMDEX II and Lite (Enertech, Co. Ltd) and a diary of activity list for period of registration in 20 minutes blocks. All statistical calculations were made with the SAS System, Releas 6.12. The summary of results was presented below. First, about the characteristics of subjects, there no differences between two groups. The subject almost spent about 56 % of their time at home and about 20~25 % of their time at school. Fifty percent of children spent 2 hours at private educational institutes. Second, the personal exposure measurements of children in school B was statistically higher than those of children in school A by various metrics such as arithmetic mean, geometric mean, percentile(5, 25, 50, 75, 95), maximum, rate of change metric, constant field metric. The arithmetic and geometric mean magnetic fields during the time the children were at school B were 0.98 and $0.86{\mu}T$ and were about 23 times higher than those of children were at school A. In conclusion, the significant major determinants of personal exposure level is the distance from the power line to microenvironments.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.23-33
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• 2016

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between cognitive function and upper extremity function in the elderly. The articles were analyzed based on patient, intervention, comparison, and outcome using the P.I.C.O. principle. Methods: We systematically examined papers from January, 2000 to November, 2015 published papers through the foreign journals which were Medline & Pubmed for three months. mainly used key words were elderly, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Mild cognitive impairment, age-related, aging, cognitive, upper extremity function, hand function, hand-grip strength, grip force, complex motor function, bimanual, dexterity, UE performance, and coordination. Results: The number of discovered outcomes for association between cognitive function and upper extremity function in the elderly was 7; grip strength & sex are impact on manipulation object, 1. The results show that cognitive function is associated with upper extremity function in the elderly. Conclusion: This study is expected to help selecting intervention, assessment tools according to the individual's degree of cognitive level and upper extremity function. In future domestic research, variety assessment tools need to be used and more qualitative level experiment will be carried out.