• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.187-199
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• 2015

Background: Singapore has the stable healthcare system with utilizing pharmacist manpower in proper positions by demand of populations' health among Asian countries. Objective: This study aims to systematically review (1) the pharmacists' role and (2) the pharmacy education system of Singapore in comparison with Korea. Method: We searched for information about academic, medical and governmental institutions related to professional pharmacists' practice in Singapore by primarily using database such as DBpia, KISS, Google Scholar and ProQuest and the official website of the Singapore Ministry of Health. We contacted and arranged the visit schedules with National University of Singapore, National Health Group's polyclinics, Agency for Integrated Care, National University Hospital, and community chain pharmacies. During onsite visits, we interviewed pharmacists working in each institution and obtained additional documents and materials relevant to this manuscript work. Results: To become a registered pharmacist in Singapore, the pharmacy curriculum requires four full-time academic years and six additional months allotted for pre-registration training. Pharm.D. course is offered for pharmacy graduate students with additional two full-time years of study. Team teaching and inter professional education program seem the most significant method in pharmacy education. Pharmacists working at hospitals, polyclinics, and community pharmacies in Singapore take broader roles and offer more cognitive services such as smoking cessation program and medication reconciliation. Especially, pharmacists in Agency for Integrated Care fill the role of primary care providers for the continuing care of the community through the governmental support toward the patients-centered integrated care. Conclusion: Singaporean pharmacists take significant and active roles in collaboration with other healthcare providers. Efforts such as interprofessional pharmacy education and governmental endorsement of the systematic and interactive care between pharmacists and other medical providers in Singapore are needed to be urgently applied to Korea healthcare system for the promotion of population health.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.24
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• pp.10797-10801
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• 2015

Background: To explore the molecular mechanisms of metastatic osteosarcoma (OS) by using the microarray expression profiles of metastatic and non-metastatic OS samples. Materials and Methods: The gene expression profile GSE37552 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database, including 2 human metastatic OS cell line models and 2 two non-metastatic OS cell line models. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by Multtest package in R language. In addition, functional enrichment analysis of the DEGs was performed by WebGestalt, and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed by Hitpredict, then the signal pathways of the genes involved in the networks were performed by Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) automatic annotation server (KAAS). Results: A total of 237 genes were classified as DEGs in metastatic OS. The most significant up- and down-regulated genes were A2M (alpha-2-macroglobulin) and BCAN (brevican). The DEGs were significantly related to the response to hormone stimulus, and the PPI network of A2M contained IL1B (interleukin), LRP1 (low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1) and PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor). Furthermore, the MAPK signaling pathway and focal adhesion were significantly enriched. Conclusions: A2M and its interactive proteins, such as IL1B, LRP1 and PDGF may be candidate target molecules to monitor, diagnose and treat metastatic OS. The response to hormone stimulus, MAPK signaling pathway and focal adhesion may play important roles in metastatic OS.

• Journal of Digital Contents Society
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.599-606
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• 2017

'Video Commerce' has grown significantly, and is in the era of so-called V-commerce 2.0. Based on this background, this study focused on the link and the possibility of creating synergy between V-commerce 2.0 content and MCN, and examined the linkage strategy considering its characteristics. In conclusion, first, V-Commerce has evolved into the age of 2.0, centered on the characteristics of content that are oriented towards fun and sympathy, beyond the 1.0 era. Second, V-commerce 2.0 content has the characteristic of replacing the sharing and recommendation based on the nature of SNS networks as promotion and purchase enhancement. Therefore, competitiveness as 'content' is relatively important before 'commerce'. Third, V-commerce 2.0 and MCN industry have a strong connection with each other in terms of securing core competitiveness and creating a new profit model. In order to create the synergy between V-Commerce 2.0 and MCN, we proposed the use of big data to reinforce V-Commerce 2.0 customized content competitiveness, building of storytelling marketing and branding, and enhancement of live performance and interactive communication.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.108-117
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• 2022

Background: The efficacy of telemedicine among cancer survivors is uncertain. The Smart After-Care Program (SAP), which is an interactive, smartphone-based remote health monitoring system, was developed to help patients manage their health after leaving the hospital. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of our remote health care program for lung cancer patients. Methods: We enrolled 50 patients with lung cancer. Self-monitoring devices were supplied to all patients, who were instructed to enter their daily vital signs and subjective symptoms to the Smart After-Care app. The app also provided information about rehabilitation exercises and a healthy diet for lung cancer patients. All patients received health counseling via telephone once a week and visited an outpatient clinic during weeks 6 and 12 to assess satisfaction with the SAP and changes in quality of life and physical performance. Results: Overall satisfaction with the SAP was very high (very good, 61.9%; good, 26.2%). In the multivariate analysis to identify factors affecting satisfaction, the distance between the patient's residence and the hospital was the only significant independent factor (p=0.013). Quality of life improved along all functional scales (p<0.05). Muscle strength significantly improved in the lower limbs (p=0.012). Two-minute walk distance also significantly improved (p=0.028). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the SAP was acceptable for and supportive of patients with reduced pulmonary function after lung cancer treatment. The SAP was found to be particularly useful for patients living far from the hospital.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• no.40
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• pp.165-171
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• 2003

The findings of this study indicate that intangible cultural properties are worth preservation and transmission and should be considered as very important as tangible cultural properties. If the studies of intangible cultural properties are continued focusing on their characteristics and formational system, they can be expressed more properly by adding new interactive elements to database and expressive requisites. New techniques introduced in this study are believed to provide people with most reasonable and developmental motives for expression of the existing intangible cultural properties. Concerning Korea's cultural properties centered on intangible cultural properties, information construction should be made with a new idea of information based on database from the previous studies. The result will be able to set an important factor to give wide publicity to our cultural identity, which is currently shown in the process of background communication, and serve as a foothold to deliver exact information to our descendants. The intangible cultural properties are our people's mental cultural heritage resources. If museums or initiator groups, which are organized to spread cultural heritages, can use them as the subjects of exhibition through information construction and visualization, it will function to maximize the educational effect of transmitting our national mental world. The development of digital environment will provide the optimum conditions and tools making it possible to visualize intangible forms and ideas in a virtual cyber space. Given these viewpoints, steady studies and efforts for the improvement of Korea's cultural image should be made in the way of intangible cultural properties as well as tangible ones. They start from the country's accurate appreciation of cultural properties and are embodied in systematic adjustment and relationship between interdependent elements.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.64-69
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• 1999

Background: The new drug HP228 is a cytokine restraining agent with a broad spectrum of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activity. Six healthy, adult, male volunteers were studied to determine the independent and interactive effects of HP228 and morphine on pain perception. Methods: Two groups of stimuli were applied to each volunteers before drug administration as control, 20 min after morphine and HP228 administration, and 20 min after combined administration of these two drugs. Two adhesive electrically-conducting pads were applied on opposite sides of the arm approximately 8 cm apart. The electrode were connected to an electrical impulse generator and 50 Hz 1 msec pulses of incrementally increasing intensity were delivered at 1 sec intervals. The analgesic endpoints were the current intensity (mA) at which the subject first detected the stimulus (THRESH), the intensity at which the stimulus was first idenfied as being painful (PAIN), and the intensity at which the subject requested that the stimulus be terminated due to discomfort (LIMIT). A second series of stimuli were applied immediately thereafter using 1-sec duration 50 Hz tetanus pulses with increasing intensities at 2~5 sec intervals. Results: There were significant differences between drug treatments (Morphine, HP228, HP228/Morphine) and control (No drugs) in any of the measurements (PAIN, LIMIT) except THRESH with the twitch and tetanus test. Conclusions: The data suggests that HP228 is an analgesic, but it does not appear to interact with morphine in an additive manner.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.161-168
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: Biochar has ability to reduce N loss, increase crop yield, and sequestrate carbon in the soil However, there is still limited study concerning the interactive effects of various biochars on NH₃ loss and plant growth. This study, therefore, was conducted to investigate the NH₄⁺ adsorption characteristics of biochar derived from rice and maize residues. METHODS AND RESULTS: By-products were pyrolyzed under oxygen-limited conditions at 300-700℃ for 1 hour and used for experiment of NH₄⁺ adsorption in aqueous solution. The adsorption characteristics of biochar were studied using Langmuir isotherm. Biochar yield and hydrogen content decreased with increasing pyrolysis temperatures, whereas pH, EC, and total carbon content increased. The biochar pyrolyzed at lower temperatures was more efficient at NH₄⁺ adsorption than those produced at higher temperatures. In addition, the R_L values, indicating equilibrium coefficient were between 0 and 1, confirming that the result was suitable for Langmuir isotherm. CONCLUSION: The maize stalk biochar pyrolyzed at 300℃ was the most efficient to adsorb NH₄⁺ from the aqueous solution. Furthermore, the adsorption results of this experiment were lower than those of other prior studies, which were ascribed to different experimental conditions such as ingredients, and pyrolysis conditions.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.44-56
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• 2016

Background: The Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach is recognized in the field of health promotion as a way to optimize intervention for promoting health by taking into account specific social, economical, and institutional situations of the community. However, the CBPR approach has not been applied in the field of community-based rehabilitation. Objects: This study was conducted to explore the self-perceived satisfaction of therapists and disabilities on the Short-term Intensive Home-based Rehabilitation (SIHR) program developed using the CBPR approach as well as determine the points that need improvement. Methods: This research was conducted through in-depth interviews. The SIHR program was developed, applied, and evaluated by both the researchers and four therapists on the basis of the CBPR approach. The SIHR program was administered to four disability for 1 hour a day, 2 or 3 times a week, for 8 weeks, and their self-rehabilitation was monitored once a week for 4 weeks. After all intervention periods, in-depth interviews were conducted by using a semi-structured questionnaire for the therapists and disability. Results: The therapists were satisfied with the contents of the SIHR program, such as behavioral change technique and goal-directed training. They were also satisfied with the process of developing the program through a community network. Disabilities were satisfied with the therapists' persuasive and emotionally interactive way of delivering the SIHR program as well as the individually customized rehabilitation training and physical improvement. The short period (8 weeks) of the SIHR program was noted by both therapists and disabilities as the part that needs improvement. Conclusion: The SIHR program developed using the CBPR approach was feasible and satisfying to therapists and disabilities. However, a longer SIHR program should be developed. Community networks could help therapists effectively utilize community resources and thereby provide more rehabilitation program for persons with disability.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.771-779
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• 2022

Background: As a kind of common complication of the surgery of perianal diseases, perianal ulcer is known as a nuisance. This study aims to develop a kind of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3)-loaded hydrogel to treat perianal ulcers in a rat model. Methods: The copolymers PLGA₁₆₀₀-PEG₁₀₀₀-PLGA₁₆₀₀ were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization process and Rg3-loaded hydrogel was then developed. The perianal ulcer rat model was established to analyze the treatment efficacy of Rg3-loaded hydrogel for ulceration healing for 15 days. The animals were divided into control group, hydrogel group, free Rg3 group, Rg3-loaded hydrogel group, and Lidocaine Gel® group. The residual wound area rate was calculated and the blood concentrations of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were recorded. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, Masson's Trichrome (MT) staining, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), Ki-67, CD31, ERK1/2, and NF-κB immunohistochemical staining were performed. Results: The biodegradable and biocompatible hydrogel carries a homogenous interactive porous structure with 10 ㎛ pore size and five weeks in vivo degradation time. The loaded Rg3 can be released sustainably. The in vitro cytotoxicity study showed that the hydrogel had no effect on survival rate of murine skin fibroblasts L929. The Rg3-loaded hydrogel can facilitate perianal ulcer healing by inhibiting local and systematic inflammatory responses, swelling the proliferation of nuclear cells, collagen deposition, and vascularization, and activating ERK signal pathway. Conclusion: The Rg3-loaded hydrogel shows the best treatment efficacy of perianal ulcer and may be a candidate for perianal ulcer treatment.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.179-186
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• 2004

The findings of this study indicate that intangible cultural properties are worth preservation and transmission and should be considered as very important as tangible cultural properties. If the studies of intangible cultural properties are continued focusing on their characteristics and formational system, they can be expressed more properly by adding new interactive elements to database and expressive requisites. New techniques introduced in this study are believed to provide people with most reasonable and developmental motives for expression of the existing intangible cultural properties. Concerning Korea's cultural properties centered on intangible cultural properties, information construction should be made with a new idea of information based on database from the previous studies. The result will be able to set an important factor to give wide publicity to our cultural identity, which is currently shown in the process of background communication, and serve as a foothold to deliver exact information to our descendants. The intangible cultural properties are our people's mental cultural heritage resources. If museums or initiator groups, which are organized to spread cultural heritages, can use them as the subjects of exhibition through information construction and visualization, it will function to maximize the educational effect of transmitting our national mental world. The development of digital environment will provide the optimum conditions and tools making it possible to visualize intangible forms and ideas in a virtual cyber space. Given these viewpoints, steady studies and efforts for the improvement of Korea's cultural image should be made in the way of intangible cultural properties as well as tangible ones. They start from the country's accurate appreciation of cultural properties and are embodied in systematic adjustment and relationship between interdependent elements.