• 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 the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.221-237
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• 2011

This study aims to investigate the environmental equity of the accessibility to urban neighborhood parks in the city of Daegu. The spatial distribution of urban neighborhood parks was explored by spatial statistics and the spatial accessibility to them was then evaluated by both minimum distance and coverage approaches. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as proximity ratio, Mann Whitney U test, and logistic regression were used for comparing the socioeconomic characteristics over different accessibilities to the neighborhood parks and then testing the distributional inequity hypothesis. The results from the minimum distance method indicated that Dalseo-gu had the best accessibility to the neighborhood parks while Dong-gu had the worst accessibility. It was apparent with the coverage method that Dalseo-gu had the best accessibility whereas Dong-gu and Nam-gu had the worst accessibility to the neighborhood parks at 500m and 1,000m buffer distances. There existed the spatial pattern of environmental inequity in old towns with respect to population density and the percentage of people under the age of 18. The spatial pattern of environmental inequity in new towns was explored on the basis of the percentage of people over the age of 65, the percentage of people below the poverty level, and the percentage of free of charge rental housing. These results were closely related to the development process of urban parks in Daegu stimulated by the quantitative urban park policy, urban development process, and residential location pattern such as permanent rental housing and free of charge rental housing. This study further extends the existing research topics of environmental justice related to the distributional inequity of environmental disamenities and hazards by focusing on environmental amenities such as urban neighborhood parks. The results from this study can be used in making the decisions for urban park management and setting up urban park policy with considering the social geography of Daegu.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.1-23
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• 2018

This study aims to propose a way for evaluating thermal environment vulnerability associated with policy to improve thermal environment. For this purpose, a variety of indices concerning thermal vulnerability assessment and adaptation policies for climate change applied to 17 Korean cities were reviewed and examined. Finally, 15 indices associated with policies for improving thermal environment were selected. The selected indices for thermal vulnerability assessment were applied to Daegu Metropolitan City of South Korea as a case study. As results, 15 vulnerability maps based on the standardized indices were established, and a comprehensive map with four grades of thermal vulnerability were established for Daegu Metropolitan City. As results, the area with the highest rated area in the first-grade(most vulnerable to heat) was Dong-gu, followed by Dalseo-gu and Buk-gu, and the highest area ratio of the first-grade regions was Ansim-1-dong in Dong-gu. Based on the standardized indices, the causes of the thermal environment vulnerability of Ansim-1-dong were accounted for the number of basic livelihood security recipients, the number of cardiovascular disease deaths, heat index, and Earth's surface temperature. To improve the thermal environment vulnerability of Ansim-1-dong, active policy implementation is required in expansion and maintenance of heat wave shelters, establishment of database for the population with diseases susceptible to high temperature environments, expansion of shade areas and so on. This study shows the applicability of the vulnerability assessment method linked with the policies and is expected to contribute to the strategic and effective establishment of thermal environment policies in urban master district plans.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.270-278
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• 2005

Objectives : This study is to understand the clinical characteristics and course of inpatient severe ADHD. Methods : This study retrospectively investigated the chief complaints, history, demographics, neuropsychologic test, psychosocial status of 63 (male 58, female 5) inpatients from a single center with severe attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) during January 1, 1996 to October 31, 2002. Results : The patients with inpatient severe ADHD revealed a male to female ratio of 11.6 : 1 and the average age of onset was 5.3 years(63.6 months, SD 24.3 months) . Comorbidities were noted in 56/63 $(88.9\%)$ patients with the following frequencies : comorbid conduct disorder, 35$(55.6\%)$, mental retardation (MR), 24$(38.1\%)$, mood disorder, 5$(7.9\%)$, tic and Tourette's disorder, 4$(6.4\%)$, oppositional defiant disorder, 4$(5.0\%)$. Chief complaints for admission related to ADHD in 23$(36.5\%)$ patients while 37$(58.7\%)$ patients admitted due to symptoms associated to conduct disorder (CD). The mean onset age of comorbid delinquency was 9.0 years (108.2 months, SD28.8 months), and the average interval between onsets of ADHD and delinquency was 3.6 years (42.9 months, SD32.0 months). Patients who showed early delinquency tended to have an earlier onset of ADHD (p<0.05). Conclusion : The demographics, natural course, and psychosocial factors of hospitalized ADHD patients were similar to prior studies of ADHD in the general population. The onset of age was 5.3 years, and the onset of comorbid delinquency was 9.0 years. The earlier symptoms of ADHD manifested, the earlier delinquency appeared. Most patients were admitted due to chief complaints related to CD. Comorbidities, most of which were CD, were seen in $88.9\%$ of the patients.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.314-319
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• 2018

We analyzed QTLs for alkali-related digestion by using 120 population crossed Cheongcheong and Nagdong derived from anther culture (CNDH). The DNA markers located in the QTLs gene were selected and applied to existing cultivars. As a result of the investigation of the alkali decay degree, brown rice of Cheongcheong and Nagdong was 1.9 and 1.6, respectively, and the CNDH was $3.79{\pm}2.01$, and the distribution of variance was distributed to 7.0-1.0. The milled rice of Cheongcheong and Nagdong was 5.6 and 4.1, respectively. The mean of the CNDH was $4.86{\pm}1.55$, and the distribution of variance was distributed to 7.0-2.0. Variation distribution curves showed continuous variation that was close to non-normal distribution. In the QTLs analysis, qBRA2, qBRA6, and qBRA11 were mapped in 1-2 replications of brown rice. QHRA2-1, qHRA2-2, qHRA2-3, qHRA3, and qHRA8 were mapped in the first replication. QHRA2-1, qHRA2-2, qHRA2-3 and qHRA3 were mapped in the second replicates. And mapped to qHRA5 in 4 replicates. These were found on chromosome 2, 3, 6, 8 and 11, respectively. The phenotypic variations of qBRA2, qBRA6, and qBRA11 on the chromosomes of brown and milled rice were 1-9%. The polymorphism was analyzed for 12 types of the japonica type and six types of the indica type, based on the nine markers found in the QTLs analysis of alkali digestion. Chromosome 11, RM27258, was selected to determine the segregation ratio, which shows the difference in size by the band pattern. The results of this study will be used as basic data for the development of high-quality rice cultivars.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.38-46
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the minor stress in daily life related to undergoing hemodialysis and the relationship between minor stresses, coping skills, and subjective quality of life among the patients with end stage renal disease. Methods : Seventy seven patients on hemodialysis were enrolled in this study. Minor stress was assessed with daily stress inventory-Korean version(K-DSI), ways of coping checklist identified the use of the following coping strategies:problem-focused, seek social support, emotion-focused coping and wishful thinking. Socio-demographic data were obtained and World Health Organization-Quality of Life Scale(brief form) was also administered to subjects. Results : Participants mean age was $55.92{\pm}13.71$ years. The mean of the event, impact and impact/event (I/E) ratio scores of K-DSI were $29.06{\pm}21.57$, $88.69{\pm}75.88$ and $2.92{\pm}1.11$, respectively. These scores were much higher than normative data of K-DSI. Among the 5 categories of this inventory, the scores of cognitive stressors were highest. 5 categories of the inventory showed positive relationship with way of coping subscales, which showed coefficient of correlation between 0.259(p<.01) and 0.495(p<.001). However, no significant correlation was found between minor stress subscales and quality of life. Hemodialysis patients in our study used more emotional-focused coping methods, which was considered as passive way of cope than problem-orientated coping methods. Conclusion : The main findings of this study indicated that patients on hemodialysis showed higher level of perceived minor stress than normal population. The patients treated with hemodialysis tend to use passive way of coping primarily. For assessing the stress in patients on hemodialysis, clinician has to consider both level of perceived minor stress and the ways of coping the patients primarily use.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.285-290
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• 2005

Background : Some malignancies including lymphoma, head and neck cancer, and lung cancer are believed to be associated with the reactivation of tuberculosis (TB) because cyclic anti-cancer chemotherapy can induce the leukopenia or immunological deterioration. This report describes the clinical characteristics and treatment response of TB that developed during cyclic anti-cancer chemotherapy in patients with a solid tumor. Materials and Methods : From January 1 2000 to July 31 2004, patients with TB diagnosed microbiologically, pathologically, or clinically during anti-cancer chemotherapy in a tertiary hospital were enrolled, and their medical records were reviewed. Patients with the known risk factors for the reactivation of TB were excluded. Results : Twenty-two patients were enrolled and their mean age was 56.5 years (range 21-78). The male to female ratio was 3.4:1 and pulmonary TB was the main variant (20 patients, 90.9%). Gastric cancer (10 patients, 45.4%) and lymphoma (4 patients, 18.2%) were the leading underlying malignancies. The other malignancies included lung cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer, cervix cancer, and ovary cancer. Fifteen patients (68.2%) had a healed scar on a simple chest radiograph suggesting a previous TB infection. Among these patients, new TB lesions involved the same lobe or the ipsilateral pleura in 13 patients (87.6%). An isoniazid and rifampicin based regimen were started in all the subjects except for one patient with a hepatic dysfunction. The mean duration of medication was $9.9{\pm}2.4$ months and no adverse events resulting in a regimen change were observed. With the exception of 5 patients who died of the progression of the underlying malignancy, 70.6% (12/17) completed the anti-TB treatment. Conclusion : The clinical characteristics and response to anti-TB treatment for TB that developed during anticancer chemotherapy for a solid tumor were not different from those of patients who developed TB in the general population.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.6
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• pp.506-511
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• 2009

Background: The smoking prevalence in asthma patients are similar to those in the general population. Asthma and active cigarette smoking can interact to create more severe symptoms, an accelerated decline in lung function and impaired therapeutic responses. Accordingly, asthmatics with a history of smoking were examined to define the clinical characteristics and lung function of smoking asthmatics. Methods: The medical records of 142 asthmatics with a known smoking history were reviewed. The patients were divided into three groups according to their smoking history - current smokers, former smokers and non-smokers. The clinical characteristics, lung function, and annual declines of the forced expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$) were compared. Results: Fifty-three of the 142 patients (37%) were current smokers, 24 were former smokers (17%) and 65 were non-smokers (45%). The patients with a hospital admission history during the previous year included 16 current smokers (30%), 4 former smokers (17%) and 7 non-smokers (11%) (p=0.02). The mean $FEV_1$ (% predicted) was 76.8${\pm}$19.8%, 71.6${\pm}$21.1% and 87.9${\pm}$18.7% for current smokers, former smokers and non-smokers, respectively (p< 0.001). The $FEV_1$/forced vital capacity (FVC) (ratio, %) values were 63.6${\pm}$12.6%, 59.3${\pm}$14.9% and 72.1${\pm}$11.8% in current smokers, former smokers and non-smokers, respectively (p<0.001). The corresponding mean values for the individual $FEV_1$ slopes were not significant (p=0.33). Conclusion: Asthmatic smokers demonstrated higher hospital admission rates and lower lung function. These findings suggest that the smoking history is an important predictor of a poor clinical outcome in asthma patients.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.97-105
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• 1997

Purpose : Aseptic meningitis mainly caused by enterovirus is common in pediatric population especially during summer & fall. Most of pediatric patients restore their health without any complications with proper management. Between May to August of 1996, Masan and surrounding areas of the Kyoungsangnamdo were epidemic areas for the aseptic meningitis. The purpose of this study was to determine causative virus and describe correlation between disease and clinical symptoms in aseptic meningitis patients and those with fever and characteristic rashes without apparent meningitis symptoms. Methods : Between May to August, 1996, 57 patients with high fever and characteristic feature of rashes were reviewed. From 22 cerebrospinal fluid & 57 stool obtained specimens, viral culture and detection of enterovirus RNA were conducted. Collected specimens were kept in $-30^{\circ}C$ environment until sending of specimens to labortory. The virus identified through indirect immunofluorescence. RT-PCR method was used to identify enterovirus RNA in cerebralspinal fluid. Results : 1) One hundred fifty five pediatric patients with viral infection required hospitalization. Disease occurred higher rate in male than female with ratio of 1.94:1. Examined patients' age ranged from 15days old to 15years old. But most of patients(74.8%) were under age of 5years old. The time of occurrence was between May to August of 1996. 2) All patients had high fever and physical symptoms in those patients include headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rashes. The rashes observed mainly in patients under age of 4 years and were predominantly commom patients under age of 18 months olds)<0.001). 3) Between sampled patients and non-sampled patients, clinical course was similar. Echovirus type 9 was cultivated in 41 out of 57 cases of collected stool specimens. RT-PCR that used on CSF showed positive results in 10 out of 22 cases. Three cases of positive cultivated of positive results in RT-PCR were echovirus type 9. Conclusions : Echovirus type 9 was thought to be the causative agent of aseptic meningitis that was prevalent throughout mid areas of Kyoungsangnamdo from May to August, 1996. Additionally causative agent that responsible for high fever with rashes without meningitis symptoms also thought to be the same echovirus type 9.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.299-305
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• 2000

Objectives : To investigate the difference in the occurrence of lung cancer between foundry workers and non-foundry workers by comparing the number of workers diagnosed with lung cancer through health insurance data. Methods : The study population was comprised of 28,884 workers who had undergone at least one general or special medical examination between January 1995 and December 1997 at the occupational health center. All of the subjects had health insurance during this period. We combined the medical examination data with the health insurance data to compare the number of foundry workers diagnosed with lung cancer and the number of non-foundry workers diagnosed with lung cancer. Results : Seven workers were diagnosed with lung cancer among the 1,591 foundry workers, compared to twelve workers among the 27,293 non-foundry workers (odds ratio: 10.04, 95% confidence interval: 3.95-25.55). The seven foundry workers diagnosed with lung cancer were all exposed to dust, and six out these seven workers were engaged in finishing or shake-out processes. Conclusions : Although the information for this study was obtained from health insurance data, which has limitations such as accuracy and completeness, the number of foundry workers diagnosed with lung cancer was significantly higher than that of non-foundry workers. Therefore, a well-designed cohort study should be followed to confirm the higher lung cancer rates in foundry workers.