• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.271-284
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the process from occurrence of a hospital nurse's suicide to workers' compensation approval, responses of the parties involved, issues debated during approval deliberations, and significant policy changes resulting from the incident. Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with involved parties and collected various documents, including newspaper articles, forum proceedings, and the agency report on determination of workers' compensation. Content analysis was performed on the collected data. Results: A Joint Task Force continuously reported its progress and findings through mass media such as newspaper, radio, and TV. These activities exerted pressure on a government agency to conduct an occupational disease review and significantly impacted the workers' compensation approval. The agency recognized associations between the hospital's inadequate nurse training and the suicide but did not confirm the excessive overtime and workplace harassment experienced by the nurse as causes of the suicide. This case's media coverage and impact resulted in a law prohibiting workplace harassment and a hospital system dedicating at least one nurse to training activities. Conclusions: This incident had a significant social impact as the first case of workers' compensation approval for a hospital nurse's suicide. However, the case produced no structural changes in nurses' working conditions such as heavy workloads.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.287-294
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• 2021

Background: Ginsenoside Rb1 (G-Rb1), one of the major active compounds in Panax ginseng, has already been shown to reduce inflammation in various diseases. Osteoarthritis (OA) has traditionally been considered a degenerative disease with degradation of joint articular cartilage. However, recent studies have shown the association of inflammation with OA. In the present study, we investigated whether Rb1 had an antiinflammatory effect on monoiodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA in ovariectomized rats as a model of postmenopausal arthritis. Methods: G-Rb1 at a dosage of 3 and 10 ㎍/kg body weight was administered every 3 days intraarticularly for a period of 4 weeks to observe antiarthritic effects. Diclofenac (10 mg/kg) served as a positive control. Results: The administration of Rb1 significantly ameliorated OA inflammatory symptoms and reduced serum levels of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, G-Rb1 administration considerably enhanced the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and collagen 2A and reduced the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-13 genes, indicating a chondroprotective effect of G-Rb1. G-Rb1 also significantly reduced the expression of several inflammatory cytokines/chemokines (interferon gamma (IFN-γ), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)/CCL-2, interleukin [IL]-1β, and IL-6). Histological analysis demonstrated that G-Rb1 significantly attenuated the pathological changes in MIA-induced OA in ovariectomized rats. Safranin O and toluidine blue staining further demonstrated that G-Rb1 effectively prevented the degradation of cartilage and glycosaminoglycans, respectively. Conclusion: Overall, our results suggest that G-Rb1 exerts cartilage protective effect on MIA-induced ovariectomized OA rats, by inhibiting inflammatory mediators such as IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1/CCL-2, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE2). These results shed a light on possible therapeutic application of G-Rb1 in OA.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.327-338
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• 2022

This study determined the recent status and trend of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PcP) in the non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (non-HIV-PcP) and HIV (HIV-PcP) infected populations using data from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). SaTScan and Join-point were used for statistical analyses. Non-HIV-PcP cases showed an upward trend during the study period from 2010 to 2021, with the largest number in 2021 (551 cases). The upward trend was similar until 2020 after adjusting for the population. Seoul had the highest number of cases (1,597) in the non-HIV-PcP group, which was the same after adjusting for the population (162 cases/1,000,000). It was followed by Jeju-do (89 cases/1,000,000). The most likely cluster (MLC) for the non-HIV-PCP group was Seoul (Relative Risk (RR)=4.59, Log Likelihood Ratio (LLR)=825.531), followed by Jeju-do (RR=1.59, LLR=5.431). An upward trend was observed among the non-HIV-PcP group in the Jeju-do/Jeollanam-do/Jeollabuk-do/Gyeongsangnam-do/Busan/Daejeon/Daegu/Ulsan joint cluster (29.02%, LLR=11.638, P<0.001) located in the southern part of Korea. Both women and men in the non-HIV groups showed an overall upward trend of PcP during the study period. Men in the 60-69 age group had the highest annual percentage change (APC 41.8) during 2014-2019. In contrast, the HIV groups showed a falling trend of PcP recently. Men in the 60-69 age group had the most decrease (APC -17.6) during 2018-2021. This study provides an analytic basis for health measures and a nationwide epidemiological surveillance system for the management of PcP.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.261-265
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• 2020

A lumbar juxtafacet cyst is a rare disease that causes low back pain, radiculopathy and neurological claudication by compressing the nerve roots. A 34-year-old male complained of severe low back pain and radicular pain in the right lower extremity. Magnetic resonance images revealed a cyst at the lateral recess of the spinal canal between the L3-4 disc and posterior facet joint that extended to the L4 body level. Under the guidance of an image intensifier, needle aspiration of the cyst was performed, which extracted 1.5 ml of serous, yellowish colored fluid. After the aspiration, the symptoms subsided dramatically. The follow-up magnetic resonance images showed no recurrence of the cyst. To the best of the author's knowledge, there are no reports of lumbar juxtafacet cyst treated with needle aspiration in Korea. This case is reported with a review of the relevant literature.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.16-30
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• 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study was to establish a clear diagnostic definition of Sanhupung using the Delphi method. Methods: This study used the Delphi technique. A panel consisting of 21 experts of Korean medicine, particularly in of gynecologic medicine, participated in the Delphi examination that included answering the 4th round survey. The Delphi examination was carried out through evaluating and correcting the questionnaire by e-mail. Results: Through the Delphi survey, we have reached on an agreement regarding the basic concepts, time, cause, essential symptoms, and accessory symptoms of Sanhupung. They are as follows: 1) Sanhupung is a culture bound syndrome reflecting Korea's cultural specificity. 2) Sanhupung can be diagnosed even after the miscarriage. 3) For the diagnosis of Sanhupung, the main cause of symptoms should not be classified as other disease. 4) Sanhupung can be diagnosed based on essential symptoms and accessory symptoms. 5) Essential symptoms include local symptoms such as joint pain at specific areas, partial sensory impairment and general symptoms including pain of all the joints, whole body sensory impairment, increased sweating, feeling of wind coming into the body, worsened symptoms with the cold, intolerance to cold, and pain of all the muscles. Conclusions: The basic concepts and diagnostic definition of Sanhupung were suggested based on the Delphi survey among experts in the field. Further research is necessary to improve reliability and validity of diagnostic definition of Sanhupung in clinical trials.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2022

Background: In some patients with rotator cuff tear (RCT), the axial view of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows subtle posterior decentering (PD) of the humeral head from the glenoid fossa. This is considered to result from a loss of centralization that is typically produced by rotator cuff function. There are few reports on PD in RCT despite the common occurrence of posterior subluxation in degenerative joint disease. In this study, we investigated the effect of PD in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR). Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of consecutive patients who underwent ARCR at our institute and were followed-up for at least 1 year. PD was identified as a 2-mm posterior shift of the humeral head relative to the glenoid fossa in the axial MRI view preoperatively. The tear size and fatty degeneration (FD, Goutallier classification) were also evaluated using preoperative MRI. Retears were evaluated through MRI at 1 year postoperatively. Results: We included 135 shoulders in this study. Ten instances of PD (including seven retears) were observed preoperatively. Fifteen retears (three and 12 retears in the small/medium and large/massive tear groups, respectively) were observed postoperatively. PD was significantly correlated with tear size, FD, and retear occurrence (p<0.01 each). The odds ratio for PD in retears was 34.1, which was greater than that for tear size ≥3 cm and FD grade ≥3. Conclusions: We concluded that large tear size and FD contribute to the occurrence of PD. Furthermore, PD could be a predictor of retear after ARCR.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.139-145
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• 2023

When a doctor examines a patient in a hospital, the doctor directly checks the patient's condition and conducts a face-to-face diagnosis through dialogue with the patient. However, it is often difficult for doctors to directly treat patients. Recently, several types of telemedicine systems have been developed. However, the systems have lack of capabilities to observe heart disease, neck condition, skin condition, inside ear condition, etc. To solve this problem, in this paper, an interactive telemedicine robot system with autonomous driving in a room capable of visual examination and auscultation of patients is developed. The developed robot can be controlled remotely through the WebRTC platform to move toward the patient and check a patient's condition under the doctor's observation using the multi-joint robot arm. The video information, audio information, patient's heart sound, and other data obtained remotely from patients can be transmitted to a doctor through the web RTC platform. The developed system can be applied to the various places where doctors are not possible to attend.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.156-164
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• 2022

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a representative disease, and LBP is characterized by muscle dysfunction that provides stability to the lumbar spine. This causes physical functional problems such as decreased posture control ability by reducing the muscular endurance and balance of the lumbar spine. Pelvic compression using instruments, which has been used during recent stabilization exercises, focuses on the anterior superior iliac spine of the pelvis and puts pressure on the sacroiliac joint during exercise, making the pelvis more symmetrical and stable. Currently, research has been actively conducted on the use of pelvic compression belts and non-elastic pelvic belts; however, few studies have conducted research on the application effect of pelvic compression using instruments. Objects: This study aimed to investigate whether there is a difference in trunk muscular endurance and dynamic and static balance ability levels by applying pelvic stabilization through a pelvic compression device between the LBP group and the non-LBP group. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects currently enrolled in Daejeon University were divided into 20 subjects with LBP group and 19 subjects without LBP (NLBP group), and the groups were compared with and without pelvic compression. The trunk muscular endurance test was performed with 4 movements, the dynamic balance test was performed using a Y-balance test, and the static balance test was performed using a Wii balance board. Results: There was a significant difference the LBP group and the NLBP group after pelvic compression was applied to all tests (p < 0.05). In the static and dynamic balance ability test after pelvic compression was applied, there was a significant difference in the LBP group than in the NLBP group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results show that pelvic compression using instruments has a positive effect on both those with and without LBP and that it has a greater impact on balance ability when applied to those with LBP.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.278-283
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• 2023

The initial instance of isolated unilateral temporalis muscle hypertrophy (IUTMH) was reported in 1990. Since then, only few cases have been documented. The cause of this condition remains ambiguous; however, it is presumed to be linked to compensatory and stress-induced hypertrophy. We introduce a rare case of the diagnosis and treatment of IUTMH. A 39-year-old woman presented with a steadily enlarging pain-free swelling on the left side of her face, first noticed a month ago. Apart from a hyperthyroidism medication regimen her medical history was unremarkable. She had no history of temporomandibular joint disease, bruxism, surgery, or trauma. However, she complained of having been under substantial stress lately. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging revealed asymmetric temporalis muscle hypertrophy. The treatment plan consisted of administering type A botulinum toxin injections into left temporalis muscle, supplemented by lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques. At a follow-up visit 9 months after the injections, the muscle contour was normalized both in physical and in radiologic examinations. While further supportive evidence is needed, it can be anticipated that cosmetic treatment with botulinum toxin, rather than surgical interventions, will become the standard treatment of IUTMH.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.122-140
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• 2001

The aims of this study were to understand and to predict the determinent factors affecting the exercise behaviors and physical fitness by testing the Pender's revised health promotion model, and to help the patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis perform the continous exercise program, and to help them maximize the physical effect such as muscle strength, endurance, and functional status and mental effects including self efficacy and quality of life, and improve the physical and mental well being, and to provide a basis for the nursing intervention strategies. Of the selected variables in this study, the endogenous variables included the physical fitness, exercise score, exercise participation, perceived benefits of action, perceived barriers of action to exercise, activity-related affect(depression) and perceived self-efficacy, interpersonal influences(family support), situational factors(duration of arthritis, fatigue) and the exogenous variables included personal sociocultural factor(education level), personal biologic factor(body mass index), personal psychologic factor(perceived health status) and prior related behavior factors(previous participation in exercise, life-style). We analyzed the clinical records of 208 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative arthritis who visited the outpatient clinics at H university hospital in Seoul. Data were composed of self reported qustionnaire and good of fitness score which were obtained by padalling the ergometer of bicycle for 9 minutes. SPSS Win 8.0 and Window LISREL 8.12a were used for statistical analysis. Of 75 hypothetical paths that influence on physical fitness, exercise participation, exercise score, perceived benefits of action, perceived barriers of action to exercise, activity-related affect(depression) and perceived self-efficacy, interpersonal influences(family support), situational factors(duration of arthritis, fatigue), 40 were supported. The physical fitness was directly influenced by life-style, perceived health status, education level, family support, fatigue, which explained 12% of physical fitness. The exercise participation were directly influenced by life-style, education level, past exercise behavior, perceived benefits of action, perceived barriers of action, depression and duration of arthritis, which explained 47% of exercise participation. Exercise score were directly affected by perceived self efficacy. BMI, life-style, past exercise behavior, perceived benefits of action, family support, perceived health status. perceived barriers of action, and fatigue, which explained 70%. Perceived benefits of action was directly influenced by BMI, life-style, which explained 39%. Perceived barriers of action were directly influeced by past exercise behavior, perceived health status, which explained 7%. Perceived self efficacy were directly influeced by level of education, perceived health status, life-style, which explained 57%. Depression were directly influeced by past exercise behavior, BMI, life-style, which explained 27%. Family support were directly influeced by life-style, perceived health status, which explained 29%. Fatigue were directly influeced by BMI, life-style, perceived health status. which explained 41%. Duration of arthritis were directly influeced by life-style, past exercise behavior, BMI, which explained 6%. In conclusion, important variables for physical fitness were life-style, and variable affecting exercise participation were life-style. Perceived self-efficacy of exercise was a significant predictor of exercise score. BMI, Life-style, perceived benefits of action, family support, past exercise behavior showed direct effects on perceived self-efficacy. Therefore, disease related factor should be minimized for physical performance and well being in nursing intervention for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and plans to promote and continue exercise should be seeked to reduce disability. In addition, Exercise program should be planned and performed by the exact evaluation of exercise according to the ability of the patients and the contents to improve the importance of exercise and self efficacy in self control program, dedicated educational program should be involved. This study suggest that the methods to reduce the disease related factors, the importance of daily life-style, recognition of benefit of exercise, and educational program to promote self efficacy should be considered in the exercise behavior promotion and nursing intervention for continous performance. The significance of this study is also thought to provide patients with chronic arthritis the specific data for maximal physical and mental well being through exercise, chronic therapeutic procedure, daily adaptation and confrontation in nursing intervention.