• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.706-714
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance and procedural characteristics of fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous transthoracic pleural forceps biopsy (PTPFB) in patients with exudative pleural effusion. Materials and Methods: Patients with exudative pleural effusion who underwent PTPFB between May 1, 2014, and February 28, 2023, were included in this retrospective study. The interval between percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) and PTPFB, number of biopsies, procedural time, and procedure-related complications were evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of diagnosing malignancy were computed for pleural cytology using PCD drainage, PTPFB, and combined PTPFB and pleural cytology. Results: Seventy-one patients, comprising 50 male and 21 female (mean age, 69.5 ± 15.3 years), were included in this study. The final diagnoses were benign lesions in 48 patients (67.6%) and malignant in 23 patients (32.4%). The overall interval between PCD and biopsy was 2.4 ± 3.7 days. The interval between PCD and biopsy in the group that underwent delayed PTPFB was 5.2 ± 3.9 days. The mean number of biopsies was 4.5 ± 1.3. The mean procedural time was 4.4 ± 2.1 minutes. Minor bleeding complications were reported in one patient (1.4%). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for pleural cytology, PTPFB, and combined PTPFB and pleural cytology were 47.8% (11/23), 100% (48/48), and 83.1% (59/71), respectively; 65.2% (15/23), 100% (48/48), and 88.7% (63/71), respectively; and 78.3% (18/23), 100% (48/48), and 93.0% (66/71), respectively. The sensitivity and accuracy of cytology combined with PTPFB were significantly higher than those of cytological testing alone (P = 0.008 and 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Fluoroscopy-guided PTPFB is an accurate and safe diagnostic technique for patients with exudative pleural effusion, with acceptable diagnostic performance, low complication rates, and reasonable procedural times.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.634-643
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy and safety of low-contrast-dose, dual-source dual-energy CT before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with compromised renal function. Materials and Methods: A total of 54 consecutive patients (female:male, 26:38; 81.9 ± 7.3 years) with reduced renal function underwent pre-TAVR dual-energy CT with a 30-mL contrast agent between June 2022 and March 2023. Monochromatic (40- and 50-keV) and conventional (120-kVp) images were reconstructed and analyzed. The subjective quality score, vascular attenuation, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were compared among the imaging techniques using the Friedman test and post-hoc analysis. Interobserver reliability for aortic annular measurement was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis. The procedural outcomes and incidence of post-contrast acute kidney injury (AKI) were assessed. Results: Monochromatic images achieved diagnostic quality in all patients. The 50-keV images achieved superior vascular attenuation and CNR (P < 0.001 in all) while maintaining a similar SNR compared to conventional CT. For aortic annular measurement, the 50-keV images showed higher interobserver reliability compared to conventional CT: ICC, 0.98 vs. 0.90 for area and 0.97 vs. 0.95 for perimeter; 95% limits of agreement width, 0.63 cm² vs. 0.92 cm² for area and 5.78 mm vs. 8.50 mm for perimeter. The size of the implanted device matched CT-measured values in all patients, achieving a procedural success rate of 92.6%. No patient experienced a serum creatinine increase of ≥ 1.5 times baseline in the 48-72 hours following CT. However, one patient had a procedural delay due to gradual renal function deterioration. Conclusion: Low-contrast-dose imaging with 50-keV reconstruction enables precise pre-TAVR evaluation with improved image quality and minimal risk of post-contrast AKI. This approach may be an effective and safe option for pre-TAVR evaluation in patients with compromised renal function.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.52 no.7
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• pp.544-555
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: The outcome benefits of β-blockers in chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) have not been fully assessed. We evaluated the prognostic impact of β-blockers on patients with chronic CAD after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 3,075 patients with chronic CAD were included from the Grand Drug-Eluting Stent registry. We analyzed β-blocker prescriptions, including doses and types, in each patient at 3-month intervals from discharge. After propensity score matching, 1,170 pairs of patients (β-blockers vs. no β-blockers) were derived. Primary outcome was defined as a composite endpoint of all-cause death and myocardial infarction (MI). We further analyzed the outcome benefits of different doses (low-, medium-, and high-dose) and types (conventional or vasodilating) of β-blockers. Results: During a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 3.1 (3.0-3.1) years, 134 (5.7%) patients experienced primary outcome. Overall, β-blockers demonstrated no significant benefit in primary outcome (hazard ratio [HR], 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63-1.24), all-cause death (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.60-1.25), and MI (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.49-3.15). In subgroup analysis, β-blockers were associated with a lower risk of all-cause death in patients with previous MI and/or revascularization (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.14-0.99) (p for interaction=0.045). No significant associations were found for the clinical outcomes with different doses and types of β-blockers. Conclusions: Overall, β-blocker therapy was not associated with better clinical outcomes in patients with chronic CAD undergoing PCI. Limited mortality benefit of β-blockers may exist for patients with previous MI and/or revascularization.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.75-81
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• 1999

A survey on the intestinal atresias was made among 34 members of Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons. The response rate was 82.4 %. Two hundred and fifteen patients from the January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1996 were analyzed. The lesions were 73 cases of duodenum(DA), 72 cases of jejunum(JA), 71 cases ileum(IA) and 2 cases cecum and sigmoid colon respectively. There were 2 cases of combined anomalies (DA + JA + IA and DA + JA). Male to female ratio was 1:1 in DA, and 1.8:1 in JA. Seventy four cases(34.3 %) were premature babies(DA 35.2 %, JA:48.6 %, IA:19.2 %), and 62 cases(28.7 %) had low birth weight (DA:39.4 %, JA 33.0 %, IA:13.7 %). Antenatal diagnosis was made in 92 cases(43.6 %). However 22 cases (23.9 %) of them were transferred to pediatric surgeon after delivery. Maternal polyhydramnios was observed in 63 cases(28.9 %). Seventy· five cases(34.4 %) were taken only simple abdominal film for diagnostic studies. The associated malformations were observed in 54 aresia and were observed more frequently in DA(35 cases, 47.9 %). Meconium peritonitis due to intrauterine bowel perforation was more frequently associated with IA compared to DA and JA. The overall mortality rate was 30 %. (Abbreuations: $P_{T}$;p-value in total, $P_{DJ,DI,JI}$;p value between two groups among duodenal, jejunal and ileal groups).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.659-666
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to compare the intake status of calcium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc of Korean adults residing in different regions. Subjects were recruited and divided into three groups according to the districts where they lived, which included rural (n=137), coastal (n=100), and urban district (n=117). Subjects were interviewed using a general questionnaire and 24-hour recall method for dietary intake. The average age of the subjects were 58.1 years for rural district, 57.7 years for coastal district, and 48.6 years for urban district. There was no significance in total food intake by regions. The food intakes from cereals, mushrooms, vegetables of rural district, that from fishes of coastal district, and those from sugars, milks, oils of urban area were the highest among three districts. The calcium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc intakes were $60.1\%,\;123.9\%,\;95.2\%,\;and\;73.1\%$ of RDAs, respectively. The calcium intakes as percentage of RDA in rural and coastal district were significantly (p<0.01) lower than that in urban district. A larger number of subjects from coastal or urban district ate under $75\%$ of zinc RDA compared to those from rural village. Major sources of dietary calcium in total subjects were anchovy, kimchi, milk, soybean curd, rice, ice cream, sea mustard, yogurt, loach, and welsh onion. Rice supplied $15.5\%$ for phosphorus, $22.1\%$ for iron, and $35.9\%$ for zinc of total intake. Except for rice, major sources of dietary zinc were pork, beef, small red bean, dog meat, chicken, jacopever, soybean curd, glutinous millet, and kimchi. In conclusion, the food and mineral intakes of adults differed according to the regions in which they resided. The food and nutrient intakes of coastal district were not satisfactory, and calcium and zinc intakes of three regions did not meet RDAs. Therefore, it is required unique and discriminatory nutritional education with each region for increasing intakes of calcium and zinc.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.5-18
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• 2004

This study aims to investigate the use state of the health service computerization system in the occupational nursing field and the occupational nursers' satisfaction level, and provide basic data to promote the development of the health service computerization system for the nursing field. For this study, a questionnaire was provided to 118 occupational nurses who belong to Busan and Gyeongnam branches of KAOHN(Korean Association of Occupational Health Nurses) for 2 months (from Dec. 1, 2002 to Jan. 31, 2003). A tool of Choi Yong-Heui(2000) was used to investigate the satisfaction level of using the health service computerization system. The collected materials were analyzed in real number and percentage, average and standard deviation, t-test and ANOVA by using the SPSS WIN 10.0 program. This study is summarized as follows: 1. The average age was $31.99{\pm}5.58$ old in this study. The married were 54.2%. Participants who graduated from a junior college was 76.9%. The average service period was $4.48{\pm}4.68$ years. In service types, 79.7% of participants served in a health care center. The average service period was $3.22{\pm}2.89$ years. The service place which had 1000 workers or more was 35.6%. 2. Only 20.3% of participants in this study had a computer use education. 3. The field who participants used mostly was communication/internet, $3.29{\pm}.85$ hours in average. 4. 97.1% of occupational fields had computers and peripheral devices: 71.4% in pentium computer, 42.8% in the hard disk capacity of 20-29GB, 60.0% in 15 inch monitors, 86.2% in printers, 18.1% in digital cameras, 12.4% in LAN, and 9.5% in scanners. 80.1% of the occupational fields which were objects of study could use communication. 5. The occupational fields which did not introduced the health service computerization system were 62.8%. The main cause was attributable to entrepreneurs' insufficient recognition 66.6%. 51.5% of the entrepreneurs did not have an introduction plan. 37.2% of participating companies had the health service computerization system. 56.4% of them introduced it since the year 2000. 81.6% of the introduction motivation aimed to the efficiency of health service. The most issue upon introduction was insufficient understanding of a person in charge - 25.6%. The in-house development of the system covered 56.4%. 61.5% of the participants accepted their demands from the first stage of development. The direct effect of computerization showed the increase of 25.9% in the quickness and continuity of service treatment, and 25.9% in the serviceability of statistical treatment. 6. 22.0% of the participants had a computerization system use education. 69.2% of them had a in-house education. An educational method by nurses who used the computerization system was 76.9%. 92.3% of the education was helpful for practical duties. 7. An analysis of the computer use by health service fields showed that the medicine management in a health management field was 15.9%. the work environment measuring management in a work environment filed was 32.9%. the employment. general and special examination management in a heal th management field was 61.1 %. the various reports management in an administrative field was 64%. the health education data preparation management in an educational field was 58.0%. and the medicine and expendables management in an equipment management field was 51.6%. An analysis of the computerization system use showed that the various statistical data manage in a health management field was 13.0%. the work environment measuring management in a health management field was 34.8%. the personal disease management in a health management field was 51.9%. the heal education data preparation management in an educational field was 54.5%. and the equipment management of health care centers in an equipment management field was 52.6%. 8. 31.6% of the participants wanted that health service computerization system would include the generals of health services. 42.4% of the participants thought that first of all. the aggressive interest and investment of employers were required to build the health service computerization system. 9. The participants' satisfaction level on the computerization system use was $3.51{\pm}.57$ points. An analysis by each factor showed $3.62{\pm}.68$ points in a service change factor. $3.15{\pm}.63$ points in a computer program use factor, and $3.45{\pm}.71$ points in a continuous computerization use factor. 10. An analysis of the computerization system use by general characteristics of participants showed that the married (p = .022) had the satisfaction level higher than the unmarried. 11. The satisfaction level of the computerization system use by participants' computer use ability tended to be higher in proportion to the increase of computer use abilities in spreadsheet (F=2.606. p=.048). presentation (F=3.62. p=.012) and communication/internet(F=2.885. p=.0321. Based on the study results mentioned above. I will suggest as follows : The nationwide enlargement and repetition study is required for occupational nurses who serve in occupational nursing fields. The computerization system in a health service field is inferior comparing with other fields. The computerization system standard by business types and characteristics should be prepared through employers's aggressive participation and national support. Therefore various statistical data which occurs in occupational fields will be managed systematically and efficiently. A regular and systematic computer education plan for occupational nurses in charge of health services in the filed is urgently required to efficiently manage and improve the health of on-site workers.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.11
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• pp.1273-1278
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• 2009

Purpose:Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT), a common musculoskeletal disorder in infants, is characterized by the rotation and flexion deformity of the neck caused by sternocleidomastoid muscle shortening. We investigated the clinical courses and perinatal risk factors of CMT. Methods:Less than 6-month-old patients (98; M:F = 60:38) diagnosed with CMT between February 2007 and August 2008 were classified into 2 clinical subgroups, namely, SMT (sternocleidomastoid tumor) and POST (postural torticollis). All the patients were physically and neurologically examined prospectively and their cervical X-rays and ultrasonographies were obtained. Their medical histories about perinatal problems were recorded. Of the 98 patients, 45 with normal range of motion were taught passive physical exercises and 43 were referred to the Department of Rehabilitation for undergoing manual stretching therapy. Results:The mean age at initial assessment was 2.2 months (SMT: $1.4{\pm}1.0$, POST: $2.7{\pm}1.6$). SMT presented earlier than POST. All ophthalmologic examinations and cervical X-rays were normal. SMT was associated with higher incidence of caput succedaneum and cephalhematoma. POST was highly associated with plagiocephaly. Mean duration of rehabilitative physical therapy was 3.7 months (SMT: $4.6{\pm}2.5$, POST: $2.6{\pm}1.9$). POST resolved earlier than SMT. Of the 88 patients with follow-up, 87 had total resolution and only 1 had residual torticollis. Conclusion:All the patients received early treatment with passive stretching exercises. CMT was associated with perinatal problems and had various risk factors such as obstetrical problems.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.50-63
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• 1997

Background : A pressure sore was defined as any skin lesion caused by unrelieved pressure and resulting in damage to underlying tissue. The health care institutions in the United States were reported the incident rate of pressure sores ranging from 6 to 14 %. Intensive Care Unit needed highest quality of care has been found over 40% incidence rate of pressure sore. Also, Annual expenditures for the care of pressure sores in patients in the United States have been estimated to be $7.5 billion; furthermore, 50 percent more nursing time is required to care for patients with pressure sore in comparison to the time needed to implement preventive measures against pressure sore formation. However, In Korea, there were little reliable reports, or researches, about incidence rates of pressure sore in health care institution including intensive care unit and about the integrated approach like CQI action team for risk assessment, prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers. Therefore, this study was to develop pressure sore risk assessment tool and the protocol for prevention of pressure sore formation through CQI action team activities, to monitor incident rate of pressure sore and the length of sore formation for patients at high risk, and to approximately estimate nursing time for sore dressing during research period as the effect of CQI action team. Method : CQI action team in intensive care unit, launched since early 1996, reviewed the literature for the standardized risk assessment tool, developed the pressure sore assessment tool based on the Braden Scale, tested its validity, compared on statistics including incidence rate of pressure sore for patients at high risk. Throughout these activities, CQI action team was developed the protocol, called as St. Marys hospital Intensive Care Unit Pressure Sore Protocol, shifted the emphasis from wound treatment to wound prevention. After applied the protocol to patients at high risk, the incident rate and the period of prevention against pressure development were tested with those for patients who received care before implementation of protocol by Chi-square and Kaplan-Meier Method of Survival Analysis. Result : The CQI action team found that these was significant difference of in incidence rate of pressure sores between patients at high risk (control group) who received care before implementation of protocol and those (experimental group) who received it after implementation of protocol (p<.05). 25% possibility of pressure sore formation was shown for the patients with 6th hospital day in ICU in control group. In experimental group, the patients with 10th hospital day had 10% possibility of pressure sore. Therefore, there was significant difference(p<.05) in survival rate between two groups. Also, nursing time for dressing on pressure sore in experimental group was decreased as much as 50% of it in control group. Conclusion : The collaborative team effort led to reduced incidence, increased the length of prevention against pressure sore, and declined nursing care times for sore dressing. However, there have had several suggestions for future study. The preventive care system for pressure sore should be applied to patients at moderate, or low risk throughout continuous CQI team activities based on Bed Sore Indicator Fact Sheet. Hospital-wide supports, such as incentives, would be offered to participants for keeping strong commitment to CQI team. Also, Quality Information System monitoring incidents and estimating cost of poor quality, like workload (full time equivalence) or financial loss, regularly in a hospital has to be developed first for supporting CQI team activities as well as empowering hospital-wide QI implementation. Being several limitations, this study would be one of the report cards for the CQI team activities in intensive care unit of an acute hospital and a trial of quality improvement of health care in Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.261-267
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• 2007

Background: The causes of the pleural effusion are remained unclear in a the substantial number of patients with exudative effusions determined by an examination of the fluid obtained via thoracentesis. Among the various tools for diagnosing exudative pleural effusions, thoracoscopy has a high diagnostic yield for cancer and tuberculosis. Medical thoracoscopy can also be carried out under local anesthesia with mild sedation. The aim of this study was to determine diagnostic accuracy and safety of medical thoracoscopy. Methods: Twenty-five patients with exudative pleural effusions of an unknown cause underwent medical thoracoscopy between October 2005 and September 2006 in Konyang University Hospital. The clinical data such as age, gender, preoperative pulmonary function, amounts of pleural effusion on lateral decubitus radiography were collected. The vital signs were recorded, and arterial blood gas analyses were performed five times during medical thoracoscopy in order to evaluate the cardiopulmonary status and acid-base changes. Results: The mean age of the patients was 56.8 years (range 22-79). The mean depth of the effusion on lateral decubitus radiography (LDR) was 27.49 mm. The medical thoracoscopic pleural biopsy was diagnostic in 24 patients (96.0%), with a diagnosis of tuberculosis pleurisy in 9 patients (36%), malignant effusions in 8 patients (32%), and parapneumonic effusions in 7 patients (28%). Medical thoracoscopy failed to confirm the cause of the pleural effusion in one patient, who was diagnosed with tuberculosis by a pericardial biopsy. There were no significant changes in blood pressure, heart rate, acid-base and no major complications in all cases during medical thoracoscopy (p>0.05). Conclusions: Medical thoracoscopy is a safe method for patients with unknown pleural effusions with a relatively high diagnostic accuracy.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.235-241
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• 2007

Background: Airway mucus hypersecretion plays an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma, and is associated with the induction of MUC5AC expression in airway secretion. The MUC5AC gene is highly polymorphic; however, there are few studies about the association between the polymorphisms of the MUC5AC gene and asthma susceptibility or asthma phenotypes. We have investigated the association of MUC5AC promoter polymorphisms with the risk of asthma and asthma phenotypes. Methods: We determined the genotypes of the MUC5AC promoter (-1274G>A) in 78 asthma patients and in 78 age, sex-matched control individuals in the Korean population. Genomic DNAs from blood were analyzed by PCR and RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) determination. We examined $FEV_1$, total eosinophil count, serum IgE level, $PC_{20}$ and the presence of atopy (by a skin test) in asthma patients. Results: The mean age of the patients was $47.7{\pm}16.1$ years and 38.5% were men, and the mean $FEV_1$ was $84.4{\pm}22.3%$ of predicted in the asthma patients. The -1274G>A polymorphism of the MUC5AC promoter in asthma patients was not significantly different as compared with normal individuals (GG 57.7%, AG 34.6% and AA 7.7% in asthma patients vs. GG 56.4%, AG 38.5% and AA 5.1% in control subject, p = 0.752, Cod). Several clinical parameters in asthma patients such as $FEV_1$, total eosinophil count, serum IgE level, $PC_{20}$ and the presence of atopy, were not associated with the -1274G>A polymorphism of the MUC5AC promoter. Conclusion: The -1274G>A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) frequency of the MUC5AC promoter was not associated with asthma in a Korean population.