• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2014

By using a Chest Phantom(DUKE Phantom) focusing on dose reduction of diagnostic radiation field with the most use of artificial radiation, and attempt to reduce radiation dose studies technical radiation. Publisher of the main user of the X-ray Radiological technologists, Examine the effect of reducing the radiation dose to apply additional filtering of the X-ray generator. In order to understand the organ dose and effective dose by using the PC-Based Monte Carlo Program(PCXMC) Program, the patient receives, was carried out this research. In this experiment, by applying a complex filter using a copper and Al(aluminum,13) and filtered single of using only aluminum with the condition set, and measures the number of the disk of copper indicated by DUKE Phantom. The combination of the composite filtration and filtration of a single number of the disk of the copper is the same, with the PCXMC 2.0. Program looking combination of additional filtration fewest absorbed dose was calculated effective dose and organ dose. Although depends on the use mAs, The 80 kVp AP projection conditions, it is possible to reduce the effective amount of about 84 % from about 30 % to a maximum at least. The 120 kVp PA projection conditions, it is possible to reduce the effective amount of about 71 % from about 41 % to a maximum of at least. The organ dose, dose reduction rate was different in each organ, but it showed a decrease of dose rate of 30 % to up 100 % at least. Additional filtration was used on the imaging conditions throughout the study. There was no change in terms of video quality at low doses. It was found that using the DUKE Phantom and PCXMC 2.0 Program were suitable to calculate the effect of reducing the effective dose and organ dose.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.10
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• pp.728-733
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• 2003

Background: The aim of the current study was to assess the effects of total arterial myocardial revascularization (TAMR) with bilateral internal mammary arteries. Material and Method: 139 consecutive patients who underwent off pump coronary artery bypass surgery from January 2000 to December 2001 were included in the current retrospective study. Patients were divided into those receiving bilateral internal mammary artery, BITA (n=85) and those receiving single internal mammary artery, SITA (n=54). Result: There was only one death in each group. No significant differences were noted in the total ICU and hospital stay; 2.4$\pm$1.7 and 11.2$\pm$17.7 days, in the BITA group, respectively and 2.8$\pm$2.7 and 9.7$\pm$7.1 days in the SITA group, respectively (P>0.05). The mean number of distal anastomosis of 3.9$\pm$0.7 was slightly higher in the SITA group compared to the SITA group, which was 3.1$\pm$0.8. Myocardial infarction occurred in 7 patients (BITA group: 2, SITA group: 5) and deep sternal infection necessitating reoperation occurred in 4 patients (BITA group: 3, SITA group: 1). Coronary angiogram was performed in the immediate postoperative period in 104 patients (BITA group: 64/85, SITA group: 40/54). Of these patients, stenosis in the LAD anastomosis site occurred in 4 patients (BITA group: 2, SITA group: 2). A total of 8 anastomotic sites were stenotic in the entire series of which percutaneous intervention was performed in 3 patients and none required reoperative coronary artery bypass. Conclusion: The results of the current data did not show a significant difference in patiency rate with bilateral internal mammary artery use for CABG supporting the feasibility of its use as a viable alternative method for TAMR.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.147-159
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• 2016

In South Korea, many cases of humidifier disinfectant-associated lung injury (HDLI) have been reported among people who used humidifier products containing humidifier disinfectant (HD). The objective of this study is to characterize exposure to HD among a total of 221 HDLI patients who used HD. Information and data on the HDs used were collected through a structured questionnaire and home environmental investigations. The conditions of these 221 HDLI patients were clinically confirmed to be caused by the use of HD. Children aged under 5 years old made up the highest proportion of HDLI cases (n=125, 56.6 %), followed by pregnant women (n=35, 15.8%). Forty-three percent (n=95) of the victims died. There were three cases of fetuses and 35 pregnant women among the victims. The number of HDLI patients who used only the Oxy Saksak brand of HD was found to be 85 (38.5%), followed by the HD brands Cefu (n=24, 10.9%), Lottemart Wiselect (n=9, 4.1%) and Aekyung (n=3). Patients who exclusively used HD brands containing polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG) (n=13, 55.7%) as an active ingredient made up the largest share, followed by those who exclusively used HD containing only oligo(2-(2-ethoxy) ethoxyethyl guanidinium (PGH) (n=24, 10.9%) and by those who only used a mixture of chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT) and methylisothiazolinone (MIT) (n=3, 1.4%). HD products containing PHMG were found to be the most commonly used among the confirmed HDLI patients. Three exposed fetuses who never used HD after birth developed lung injuries, indicating a probability of exposure to HD during gestation. All HDLI patients responded that they used HD while sleeping and for longer than 10 hours per day. In conclusion, the development of HDLI was clinically found to be associated with the use of several HD products containing PHMG, PGH and CMIT/MIT.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.68-74
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• 2005

Purpose : There is growing use of continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT) for pediatric patients, but reports about the use and outcome of CRRT in children is rare in Korea. We report our experiences of CRRT in critically ill pediatric patients. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of 23 pediatric patients who underwent CRRT at Asan Medical Center between May 2001 and May 2004. We evaluated underlying diseases, clinical features, treatment courses, CRRT modalities and outcomes. Results : Ages ranged from three days to 16 years with a median of five years. Patients weighed 2.4 to 63.9 kg(median 23.0 kg; 10 patients ${\leq}20kg$). The underlying diseases were malignancy(nine cases), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(five cases), hyperammonemia(four cases), acute renal failure associated with liver failure(three cases), dilated cardiomyopathy(one case) and congenital nephrotic syndrome(one case). Pediatric Risk of Mortality(PRISM) III score was $17.6{\pm}7.6$ and the mean number of failing organs was $3.0{\pm}1.7$. Duration of CRRT was one to 27 days(median : nine days). Eleven patients(47.8%) survived. Chronic renal failure developed in two cases, intracranial hemorrhage in one case, and chylothorax in one case among the survivors. PRISM III score and the number of vasopressor before the start of CRRT was significantly lower in the survivors($12.7{\pm}4.2$ and $0.9{\pm}1.1$) compared with nonsurvivors($22.1{\pm}7.8$ and $2.4{\pm}1.4$)(P<0.05). Conclusion : CRRT driven in venovenous mode is an effective and safe method of renal support for critically-ill infants and children to control fluid balance and metabolic derangement. Survival is affected by PRISM III score and the number of vasopressors at the initiation of CRRT.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.86-92
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to measure curvature contour skin dose using radiochromic film and TLD for a conventional open field. We also attempted to quantify the degradation of skin sparing associated with use of immobilization devices for high energy photon beams and to calculate the skin dose with a help of Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. To simulate head-and-neck and shoulder treatment, a cylindrical solid water phantom 11 cm in diameter was irradiated with 6 MV x-rays using $40{\times}40\;cm^2$ field at 100 cm source axis distance (SAD) to the center of the phantom. Aquaplastic mesh mask was placed on the surface of the cylindrical phantom that mimicked relevant clinical situations. The skin dose profile was obtained by taking measurements from $0^{\circ}$ to $360^{\circ}$ around the circumference of the cylindrical phantom. The skin doses obtained from radiochromic film were found to be 47% of the maximum dose of $D_{max}$ at the $0^{\circ}$ beam entry position and 61% at the $90^{\circ}$ oblique beam position without the mask. Using the mask (1.5 mm), the skin dose received was 59% at $0^{\circ}$ incidence and 78% at $80^{\circ}$ incidence. Skin dose results were also gathered using thin thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD). With the mask, the skin dose was 66% at $0^{\circ}$ incidence and 80% at $80^{\circ}$ incidence. This method with the mask revealed the similar pattern as film measurement. For the treatments of the head-and-neck and shoulder regions in which immobilization mask was used, skin doses at around tangential angle were nearly the same as the prescription dose. When a sloping skin contour is encountered, skin doses may be abated using thinner and more perforated immoblization devices which should still maintain immoblization.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.97-117
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• 2005

This study was designed to compare the differences m results of supervisor and subordinate rating. Data was collected from personnel evaluation and subordinate rating results for middle managers(n=68) in hospital from 3rd January to 20th March in 2004. Supervisor rating consisted of performance, ability and attitude evaluation. Subordinate rating consisted of leadership, ability and attitude evaluation. Collected data included sociodemographic characteristics, work department, work level, years of work, years at present level and whether working in a patient serving department. The difference of standardized supervisor and subordinate rating score was used to define groups as 'higher in supervisor rating group'. Groups were defined in total score, ability score and attitude score. Main results were as follows: 1. In total score, sectional chiefs were apt to be 'higher in subordinate rating group' while chief clerks were apt to be 'similar group' or 'higher in supervisor rating group'. Staffs in patient serving department were likely to be 'higher in supervisor rating group' and staffs in non-patient serving department were likely to be 'higher in subordinate rating group'. All these results were statistically significant. 2. In ability score, there were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, years of education, work department, work level, years of work and whether working in a patient serving department among 'higher in supervisor rating group', 'similar group' and 'higher in subordinate rating group'. 3. In attitude score, staffs in the department of medical affairs and the department of administration were apt to be 'higher in subordinate rating group'. Staffs in the department of nursing were apt to be 'higher in supervisor rating group'. Staffs in a patient serving department were likely to be 'higher in supervisor rating group' and staffs in a non-patient serving department were likely to be 'higher in subordinate rating group'. All these results were statistically significant. 4. Logistic analysis about total score showed that sectional chiefs had higher Odds Ratio(OR) to be in 'higher in subordinate rating group'. Staffs in a non-patient serving department had higher OR to be in 'higher in subordinate rating group'. Both these results were statistically significant. 5. Logistic analysis about ability score showed that sectional chiefs had higher OR to be in 'higher in subordinate rating group'. Staffs in a non-patient serving department had higher OR to be in 'higher in subordinate rating group'. These results were not statistically significant. 6. Logistic analysis about total score showed that sectional chiefs had higher OR to be in 'higher in subordinate rating group', but the difference was not statistically significant. Staffs in a non-patient serving department had significantly higher OR to be in 'higher in subordinate rating group'. In conclusion, there is no clear superiority between supervisor and subordinate rating in personnel evaluation. It would be better to use a mixed model. It's also suggested to use an intervening rate of application or scores considering work levels and work department in personnel evaluation. These results would be helpful for hospitals planning a supervisor and subordinate rating system for personnel evaluation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.865-870
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• 2005

Purpose : The use of growth hormone(GH) to promote growth in normal short children without classical GH deficiency is controversial. Numerous foreign studies have shown the effects of GH therapy in children with idiopathic short stature(ISS) whereas few has been interested in Korea. Therefore, this study is designed to investigate the effects of GH therapy on ISS by observing correlations and changes among various growth parameters such as, insulin-like growth factor-I(IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3(IGFBP-3). Methods : This study was conducted retrospectively with 15 children with ISS in Chungbuk National University Hospital in Korea. Mean age was $11.44{\pm}2.81$ and the children were treated with 0.66 IU/kg/wk dosage of GH for 1 or 2 years. Also, the growth parameters before and after the GH therapy were observed. Results : Height standard deviation score(HT-SDS) was increased from $-1.85{\pm}0.70$ to $-1.58{\pm}0.56$ at 1 year and to $-1.21{\pm}0.37$ at 2 years after GH therapy. Predicted adult height standard deviation score(PAH-SDS) was also increased from $-2.10{\pm}0.52$ to $-1.67{\pm}0.59$ at 1 year, and to $-0.96{\pm}0.60$ at 2 years. Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were significantly increased after 1 year and marginally increased after 2 years of GH therapy. Conclusion : It is concluded that GH therapy has growth promoting effect. The significant increase in IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels during the GH therapy suggests that IGF-I and IGFBP-3 are useful predictors of response to the use of GH therapy. It is expected that larger patient samples would provide more reliable information about the effect of GH therapy.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.250-260
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• 2013

The purposes of this study were 1) to investigate eating behaviors and patterns in breast cancer patients using a newly developed food frequency questionnaire and 2) to examine perception and use of nutritional information about breast cancer treatment among cancer patients treated with radiation therapy. Sixty breast cancer patients (case group) undergoing radiation therapy in Ajou University Hospital, Suwon, South Korea and 79 healthy women (control group) participated in this study. Mean age of subjects in the control group was $46.00{\pm}7.88$ years and BMI was $23.12{\pm}2.85kg/m^2$, and that of the case group was $50.06{\pm}11.64$ years and $22.32{\pm}3.24kg/m^2$. The results of eating behaviors showed several significant differences between control and case groups. Breast cancer patients ate meals on a more regular basis, on time, and more frequently compared to control subjects. In addition, they preferred more salty or spicy and bland food compared to healthy women. According to answers from the food frequency questionnaire, breast cancer patients consumed significantly lower amounts of boiled white rice, meats and processed food, fish and shellfish, coffee, milk, and cheese, whereas they consumed a significantly large amount of boiled multigrain rice, vegetable, seaweeds, soybean and processed food, and yoghurt compared to healthy women. This study also observed the way in which cancer patients and healthy control subjects obtain information about breast cancer treatment and its reliabilities. Results showed that healthy women did not hesitate to obtain information from mass media, while breast cancer patients would obtain nutritional information from specialists rather than mass media. Results of this survey confirmed that breast cancer patients avoided intake of red meat protein, even though they already recognized the importance of dietary protein intake for recuperation and treatment of the disease. These results could be used for future diet and nutrition guidelines for breast cancer patients.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.93-122
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• 1996

This is a study of the determinants of sexual, contraceptive, and abortion behavior among unmarried female adolescents and young adults, which has emerged as a growing and serious health problem in Korea. As part of a larger project, data were gathered in three export zones: Kuro (Seoul), Kumi (Kyngbuk) Masan Changwon (Kyongnam) ; and the study samples are regrouped into three categories: 1) factory workers, i.e. , the reference group serving as program participants, 2) entertainment workers, and 3) ob-gyn patients. This study indicates that entertainment workers are at highest risk of experiencing premarital sex, STDs, contraceptive failure, unwanted pregnancies, and induced abortion. Of them, 20 percent had STDs as a result of first sexual experience: and about seven tenths had two or more pregnancies due to the adoption of low-efficacy methods. The proportion of those who had ever been pregnant was 60 percent for the group as a whole: 36 percent for the program participants: 64 percent for the entertainment workers ; and 91 percent four the ob-gyn patients. These proportions are exactly the same for abortion in each group, which means that all pregnancies ended in induced abortion. Of the respondents who said that they were sexually active at the time of survey, abortions were very high: 1.6 for the program participants, 2.3 for the entertainment workers, and 1.9 for the ob-gyn patients. About 80 percent of the women had abortions during the first trimester, and two thirds of the first abortions took place between the ages of 20 and 23. About one fourth experienced post-abortion complication, which was highest among the program participants (39 percent). Sixty percent of those with complications visited a hospital or took medicine to treat the problem. Even after the experience of induced abortion, the use of contraception was very low, except among the entertainment workers, whose level of use reached 53 percent. The most obvious recommendation, arising from this research, is that 'good-quality' counselling and family planning services be established under the auspices of both national and local government, particularly targeted for the entertainment workers as well as the factory workers in various textile, electronic, manufacturing, and other industrial sectors. We believe that entertainment sectors should be restructured radically so that young women who work for amusement bars and other entertainment sectors obtain protection from the risk of having unwanted pregnancies, STDs, and induced abortion.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.132-137
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• 2004

Background : The measurement of adenosine deaminase(ADA) level in pleural fluid is useful in the diagnosis of tuberculous(TB) pleural effusion. However, ADA is also elevated in other diseases such as malignancy, bacterial infections, empyema, and collagen vascular disease, ADA alone has limited value. The object of this study is to determine diagnostic usefulness of the combined use of ADA value with lymphocyte/neutrophil ratio(L/N ratio) rather than the use of ADA alone. Method : We evaluated 198 patients(age=$55.9{\pm}12.9$, M/F=2.7:1) with pleural effusion who had admitted in Gyeong-sang National University Hospital from Jan. 1999 to Dec. 2001. retrospectively. Patients were divided into four diagnostic groups: TB pleural effusion(n=91), parapneumonic effusion(n=65), malignant effusion(n=21), and transudative effusion(n=13). The ADA level, differential cell count, biochemistry, cytology, and microbiology of each diagnostic groups were evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value(npv), positive predictive value(ppv) and efficiency were calculated at each ADA values and combined ADA value with various L/N ratios. Results : The ADA level in TB pleural effusion was significantly higher than that of parapneumonic effusion, malignant pleural effusion, and transudative effusion(p<0.05). Sensitivity, specificity, ppv, npv and efficiency at $ADA{\geqq}50$ IU/L in the diagnosis of TB pleural effusion were 89.0%, 82.2%, 81.0%, 89.8% and 85.5% respectively. When $ADA{\geqq}50$ IU/L was combined with lymphocyte/neutrophil $ratio{\geqq}0.75$, sensitivity, specificity, ppv, npv, and efficiency were 83.5%, 96.3%, 95.0%, 87.9% and 90.5% respectively. Specificity, ppv and efficiency were increased with combination of ADA value and L/N ratio. Conclusion : Combination of ADA value and L/N ratio in pleural effusion is more useful than ADA value alone in the diagnosis of TB pleural effusion.