• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2012

Objectives: To survey the awareness of patient to scrub typhus to provide data for education and communication concerning scrub typhus. Methods: Patients with scrub typhus (case group, n=299) and people without scrub typhus within the previous 2 years (control group, n=598) were matched for age (within 5 years), gender, and occupation (farmer or non-farmer). The participants were recruited from 15 study areas between October and December 2006. Results: The awareness rate of scrub typhus was 75.1%, and was significantly higher than in the case group (79.4% vs. 66.6%, respectively; p<0.01). The major routes of awareness were from 'past history of scrub typhus in family members or neighbors' (54.9%), 'television' (28.3%), and their past history of scrub typhus (5.5%). The average correct rate of scrub typhus was 48.4%, and the correct response rate of cases was significantly higher than controls (p<0.01). Especially, the correct rate of etiology, incubation period, route of transmission, and acquired immunity was <40%. Through conditional logistic regression test, the factor significantly associated with awareness in case group was age (odds ratio [OR], 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-0.98). And the factors associated with awareness in control group were female (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.03-2.36) age (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.96-0.99), family history of scrub typhus (OR, 10.18; 95% CI, 1.37-75.99), history of receiving prevention education (OR, 8.47; 95% CI, 1.14-63.00). Conclusions: The rate of awareness was relatively low in study population. Thus, effective working guidelines and educational program to prevent scrub typhus must be developed, and publicity activities about the prevention of scrub typhus are needed for high-risk groups.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.655-662
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• 2010

Background: Despite the rapid expansion of percutaneous endovascular repair, open surgical repair is still recognized as an option to achieve a cure. We retrospectively analyzed over a 6 year period the surgical outcomes, the complications and the mortality-related factors for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. Material and Method: We analyzed 36 patients who underwent surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysms between May 2001 and June 2005, and between April 2007 and November 2009. The indications for surgery were rupture, a maximal aortic diameter > 50 mm, and medically intractable hypertension or pain. Result: The mean patient age was $69.67{\pm}6.97$ years (range: 57 to 84 years). Thirty two patients (88.9%) were males and 4 patients (11.1%) were females. Extension to the iliac artery existed in 28 patients (77.8%). Thirteen patients (36.1%) had ruptured aortic aneurysms. The mean maximal diameter of the aorta was $73.7{\pm}13.3$ mm (60 to 100 mm). Surgery was performed by a midline laparotomy and 10 patients (27.8%) underwent emergency surgery. The mortality rate was 8.3%; the mortality rate for the patients with ruptured aneurysms was 23.1 % and the mortality rate for patients with unruptured aneurysms was 0%. The postoperative complications included wound infection (3 cases), sepsis (2 cases), renal failure (2 cases) and pneumonia (1 case). Unstable vital signs, pre-operative transfusion, ruptured aneurysm, emergency surgery, comorbidity (DM and syncope) and complications (sepsis and renal failure) were the statistically significant mortality-related factors (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Emergency surgery for ruptured aortic aneurysms continues to have high mortality, but the unruptured cases are repaired with relative safety. Even though endovascular aortic repair is the trend for abdominal aortic aneurysms, an elective operation of the unruptured aneurysms could decrease the procedure's morbidity and the inconvenient for repeat evaluation with good surgical results.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.339-349
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• 2010

Objective: We surveyed awareness levels of brucellosis, Q fever and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) among dairy farmers in Gyeonggi Province to suggest directions for public education and public relations. Methods: We designed questionnaires to evaluate awareness of 3 major zooneses. We conducted a questionnaire survey to assess knowledge of the general characteristics of them, information sources for the awareness of zooneses, and the mode of transmission. Subjects were 716 workers from 482 dairy farms in Gyeonggi province. Results: The awareness levels for brucellosis, Q fever, and EHEC were 90.2%, 2.5% and 56.6%, respectively. Awareness of brucellosis and EHEC were tended to increase with higher number of school years. Television was the most common route of information for these zoonoses. Most common responses for questions concerning the method of transmission for each zoonoses, 'Contact with parturient fluid or placenta of animal' was 63.2% for brucellosis, 'Ingestion of raw meat or residual product' was 66.7% and 64.2% for Q fever and EHEC, respectively. The most common reason why dairy farmers think that it is difficult to prevent zoonoses was the inconvenience of wearing protection. Conclusions: Education programs for zoonoses, especially Q fever, are needed for dairy farmers. In addition, publicity information activities about prevention of zoonoses are needed for high risk groups, such as the dairy farmers surveyed.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.621-629
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• 2016

Recently, the researches on quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) for describing toxicities or activities of chemicals based on chemical structural characteristics have been widely carried out in order to estimate the toxicity of chemicals in multiuse facilities. Because the toxicity of chemicals are explained by various kinds of molecular descriptors, an important step for QSAR model development is how to select significant molecular descriptors. This research proposes a statistical selection of significant molecular descriptors and a new QSAR model based on partial least square (PLS). The proposed QSAR model is applied to estimate the logarithm of partition coefficients (log P) of 130 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and lethal concentration ($LC_{50}$) of 14 PCBs, where the prediction accuracies of the proposed QSAR model are compared to a conventional QSAR model provided by OECD QSAR toolbox. For the selection of significant molecular descriptors that have high correlation with molecular descriptors and activity information of the chemicals of interest, correlation coefficient (r) and variable importance of projection (VIP) are applied and then PLS model of the selected molecular descriptors and activity information is used to predict toxicities and activity information of chemicals. In the prediction results of coefficient of regression ($R^2$) and prediction residual error sum of square (PRESS), the proposed QSAR model showed improved prediction performances of log P and $LC_{50}$ by 26% and 91% than the conventional QSAR model, respectively. The proposed QSAR method based on computational toxicology can improve the prediction performance of the toxicities and the activity information of chemicals, which can contribute to the health and environmental risk assessment of toxic chemicals.

• The Journal of Small Business Innovation
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.53-68
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• 2016

Motivation and activities for technological learning, entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity are driving forces of economic development in Asian countries. In the early stages of technological development, technological learning and entrepreneurship are efficient ways in which to catch up with advanced countries because firms can accumulate skills and knowledge quickly at relatively low risk. In the later stages of technological development, however, innovation and creativity become more important. This study aims to identify a) the factors (learning capabilities) that influence technological learning performance and b) barriers to enhancing innovation capabilities for the creative economy and organizations. The major part of this study is related to learning capabilities in the post-catch-up era. Based on a literature review and observations from Korean experiences, this study proposes a technological learning model composed of various influencing factors on technological learning. Three hypotheses are derived, and data are collected from Korean machine tool manufacturers. Intense interviews with CEOs and R&D directors are conducted using structured questionnaires. Statistical analysis, such as correlation and ANOVA are then carried out. Furthermore, this study addresses how to enhance innovation capabilities to move forward. Innovation enablers and barriers are identified by case studies and policy analysis. The results of the empirical study identify several levels of firms' learning capabilities and activities such as a) stock of technology, b) potential of technical labor, c) explicit technological efforts, d) readiness to learn, e) top management support, f) a formal technological learning system, g) high learning motivation, h) appropriate technology choice, and i) specific goal setting. These learning capabilities determine firms' learning performance, especially in the early stages of development. Furthermore, it is found that the critical factors for successful technological learning vary along the stages of technology development. Throughout the statistical and policy analyses, this study confirms that technological learning can be understood as an intrinsic principle of the technology development process. Firms perform proactive and creative learning in the late stages, while reactive and imitative learning prevails in the early stages. In addition, this study identifies the driving forces or facilitating factors enhancing innovation performance in the post catch-up era. The results of the preliminary case studies and policy analysis show some facilitating factors such as a) the strategic intent of the CEO and corporate culture, b) leadership and change agents, c) design principles and routines, d) ecosystem and collaboration with partners, and e) intensive R&D investment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.178-182
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• 2003

Purpose : Brain tumors are the second most common tumor in childhood, and medulloblastomas comprise 15-25% of brain tumors. The well known prognostic factors are age at diagnosis, stage of disease, and extent of surgical excision. In this study, we analysed the prognostic factors in patients who received chemotherapy after excision. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of 61 patients who received chemotherapy among the 94 patients who were diagnosed and treated between Jan 1985 and Sep 2001 in the Department of Pediatrics and Neurosurgery at Severance Hospital. Results : Among the total survival rate of patients who underwent chemotherapy, the 3-yr progression-free survival rate was $66.5{\pm}6.3%$ and the 15-yr progression-free survival rate was $60.3{\pm}6.7%$. The progression-free survival rate for patients with age at diagnosis over 3 yrs old and under 3 yrs old, was $64.5{\pm}7.7%$ and $48.2{\pm}12.9%$ respectively and there was no statistically significant difference. The survival rate of the high vs low risk group by staging was $72.7{\pm}10.5%$ and $54.6{\pm}8.3%$ respectively, and there was no significant difference. The survival rate of patients with total removal vs subtotal removal was $65.8{\pm}11.8%$ and $56.8{\pm}8.2%$ respectively, showing no statistical difference. Conclusion : The reason there is no difference in survival rate according to the traditional prognostic factors is that chemotherapy has improved not only the total survival rate but also the survival rate in patients with poor traditional prognostic factors. So, sufficient removal of tumor followed by proper chemotherapy and radiotherapy is an important factor which influences the survival rate of medulloblastoma patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.151-156
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• 2005

Background : Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important pathogen in hospital-acquired infection, and is prevalent in intensive care units (ICU). The MRSA colonization rates of the nares and throat were examined in both the ICU and general ward. This study was performed to investigate the MRSA rate and necessity for MRSA screening cultures in patients admitted to ICU. Methods : Between June and September 2004, those patients admitted to both the medical ICU and general ward participated in this study. Bacterial cultures were performed on swabs of the nares and throat taken within 24 hours of admission. Clinical data were also collected. Results : One hundred and twenty one patients and 84 patients, admitted to the medical ICU and medical general ward, respectively, were investigated. The numbers of nasal MRSA colonization in the ICU and general ward were 3 (2.5%) and 3 (3.6%), respectively. There were 2 (1.7%) cases of throat MRSA colonization in the ICU, but none in the general ward. The MRSA colonization rates of the nares and throat were no different between the ICU and general ward. There were no significant differences in the previous admission, operation history and admission route between the ICU and general ward groups. Conclusion : The MRSA colonization rates of the nares and throat were 3.3 and 3.6% in the ICU and the general ward, respectively. The MRSA screening test does not appear to be required in all patients admitted to the ICU, but further studies, including high-risk patients, are recommended.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.199-206
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• 2003

Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy, and to investigate the prognostic factors for FIGO stages IB-IIB cervical cancer patients who were treated with simple hysterectomy, or who had high-risk factors following radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection. Materials and Methods: Between March 1986 and December 1998, 58 patients, with FIGO stages IB-IIB cervical cancer were included in this study. The indications for postoperative radiation therapy were based on the pathological findings, including lymph node metastasis, positive surgical margin, parametrial extension, lymphovascular invasion, invasion of more than half the cervical stroma, uterine extension and the incidental finding of cervix cancer fellowing simple hysterectomy. All patients received external pelvic radiotherapy, and 5 patients, received an additional intracavitary radiation therapy. The radiation dose from the external beam to the whole pelvis was $40\~50$ Gy. Vagina cuff Irradiation was peformed, after completion of the external beam irradiation, at a low-dose rate of Cs-137, with the total dose of $4488\~4932$ chy (median: 4500 chy) at 5 mm depth from the vagina surface. The median follow-up period was 44 months ($15\~108$ months). Results: The 5-yr actuarial local control rate, distant free survival and disease-free survival rate were $98\%,\;95\%\;and\;94\%$, respectively. A univariate analysis of the clinical and pathological parameters revealed that the clinical stage (p=0.0145), status of vaginal resection margin (p=0.0002) and parametrial extension (p=0.0001) affected the disease-free survival. From a multivariate analysis, only a parametrial extension independently influenced the disease-free survival. Five patients ($9\%$) experienced Grade 2 late treatment-related complications, such as radiation proctitis (1 patient), cystitis (3 patients) and lymphedema of the leg (1 patient). No patient had grade 3 or 4 complications. Conclusion: Our results indicate that postoperative radiation therapy can achieve good local control and survival rates for patients with stages IB-IIB cervical cancer, treated with a simple hysterectomy, as well as for those treated with a radical hysterectomy, and with unfavorable pathological findings. The prognostic factor for disease-free survival was invasion of the parametrium. The prognosic factor identified in this study for treatment failure can be used as a selection criterion for the combined treatment of radiation and che motherapy.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.429-433
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• 2003

trans-Resveratrol(3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) is phenolic compound present in grapes, wines, and peanuts, has been reported to have health benefits including anticarcinogenic effects, protection against cardiovascular diseases and reduced cancer risk. A simple method for the quantitative extraction of trans-resveratrol from peanut has been developed. Optimal conditions for extraction were investigated. Type of solvent, time, and temperature assayed influenced trans-resveratrol yield. Adequate extraction condition was decided to ethanol/water (80:20v/v) maintained at $25^{\circ}C$ for 45 min. After extraction, the protocol consists of sample preparation using a $\textrm{C}_{18}$ solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge after concentrate with rotary evaporator and quantified by reversed phase HPLC using a $\textrm{C}_{18}$ column at 308 nm. Analytical methods for measuring trans-resveratrol in peanut were adapted to isolate, identify, and quantify trans-resveratrol in 11 peanut varieties by HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) with UV detector, The 11 peanut varieties content ranged from 0.018 to 1.125 $\mu\textrm{g}/\textrm{g}$ with an average of 0.289 $\mu\textrm{g}/\textrm{g}$. The contents were higher in the seeds with than without testa, regardless of varieties. The trans-resveratrol content was Higher in 110, 130 days after sowing than that of other period.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.361-373
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• 1999

Objectives: Receive Operating Characteristic(ROC) curve with the area under the ROC curve(AUC) is one of the most popular indicator to evaluate the criterion validity of the measurement tool. This study was conducted to develop a standardized questionnaire to discriminate workers at high-risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders using ROC analysis. Methods: The diagnostic results determined by rehabilitation medicine specialists in 370 persons(89 shipyard CAD workers, 113 telephone directory assistant operators, 79 women with occupation, and 89 housewives) were compared with participant's own replies to 'the questionnair on the worker's subjective physical symptoms'(Kwon, 1996). The AUC's from four models with different methods in item selection and weighting were compared with each other. These 4 models were applied to 225 persons, working in an assembly line of motor vehicle, for the purpose of AUC reliability test. Results: In a weighted model with 11 items, the AUC was 0.8155 in the primary study population, and 0.8026 in the secondary study population(p=0.3780). It was superior in the aspects of discriminability, reliability and convenience. A new questionnaire of musculoskeletal disorder could be constructed by this model. Conclusion: A more valid questionnaire with a small number of items and the quantitative weight scores useful for the relative comparisons are the main results of this study. While the absolute reference value applicable to the wide range of populations was not estimated, the basic intent of this study, developing a surveillance fool through quantitative validation of the measures, would serve for the systematic disease prevention activities.