• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.112-124
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• 2002

2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) has been reported to exert detrimental toxicities on various organ systems including reproductive, cardiovascular, nervous, or dermal system. Immunomodulatory effects of TCDD is thymic atrophy, downregulation of cytotoxic T or B lymphocyte differentiation and activation, which were demonstrated using experimental animals, whereas immunotoxicity in human has not been investigated well. This study was proceeded to evaluate general immunologic spectrum of the Korean Vietnam War veterans exposed to TCDD during their operation, and compare with that of the non-exposed control subjects with similar age. Regarding composition and quantity, immune cells in peripheral blood collected from the TCDD-exposed was not much different from those of the control except decreased red blood cell, hemoglobin and hematocrit level. Furthermore, plasma IgG2, G3, and G4 isotype distribution was similar between two groups, but IgG1 level was significantly lowered in the TCDD-exposed, indicating a TCDD-mediated functional alteration of B cells. Significantly enhanced level of IgE in plasma, a hallmark of dermal or respiratory allergic response, was also observed in the TCDD-exposed compared with that of the control. Elevated generation of IL-4 and IL-10 was resulted from in vitro stimulation of T cells with PMA plus ionomycin or PHA, respectively, from the TCDD-exposed in comparison to those of the control, suggesting a skewed type-2 response. In addition, the level of IFN${\gamma}$, a multifunctional cytokine for T cell-mediated immunity, was lowered in the TCDD-exposed with upregulation of tumor necrosis factor $\alpha$. The present study suggests that TCDD exposure disturbs immunohomeostasis in humans observed as an aberrant plasma IgE and IgG1 levels and dysregulation of T cell activities.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1151-1158
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• 2012

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes are the major cause of cervical cancer. Hence, HPV genotype detection is a helpful preventive measure to combat cervical cancer. Recently, several HPV detection methods have been developed, each with different sensitivities and specificities. The objective of this study was to compare HPV high risk genotype detection by an electrochemical DNA chip system, a line probe assay (INNO-LiPA) and sequencing of the L1, E1 regions. A total of 361 cervical smears with different cytological findings were subjected to polymerase chain reaction-sequencing and electrochemical DNA chip assessment. Multiple infections were found in 21.9% (79/361) of the specimens, most prevalently in 20-29-year olds while the highest prevalence of HPV infection was found in the 30-39-year age group. The most prevalent genotype was HPV 16 at 28.2% (138/489) followed by HPV 52 at 9.6% (47/489), with the other types occurring at less than 9.0%. The electrochemical DNA chip results were compared with INNO-LiPA and sequencing (E1 and L1 regions) based on random selection of 273 specimens. The results obtained by the three methods were in agreement except for three cases. Direct sequencing detected only one predominant genotype including low risk HPV genotypes. INNO-LiPA identified multiple infections with various specific genotypes including some unclassified-risk genotypes. The electrochemical DNA chip was highly accurate, suitable for detection of single and multiple infections, allowed rapid detection, was less time-consuming and was easier to perform when compared with the other methods. It is concluded that for clinical and epidemiological studies, all genotyping methods are perfectly suitable and provide comparable results.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.180-190
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the influencing factor of the quality of life of the elderly with mild dementia in rural community. Methods: A total of 123 elderly who were managed by public health center participated. They were diagnosed as mild dementia by MMSE-DS and CDR. Data were collected during the period from May to September in 2017 by a structured questionnaire that included general characteristics, depression, dependence, comorbidity, sleep scale. Data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The quality of life was correlated significantly with depression. Depression was the factor affecting the quality of life of the elderly with mild dementia in rural community. Depression accounted for 54.0% as a variable of quality of life. Conclusion: This study was meaningful in that it directly measured the quality of life of the elderly with mild dementia is known to be difficult to measure and found meaningful results. it is necessary to identify the cause of depression and establish a linkage system between public health centers and health related organizations in the community. We suggest the need for individualized preventive intervention program and integrated psychological health service considering depression.

• Journal of Korean Society of societal Security
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.43-48
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• 2009

During the past few years, Korea has experienced extraordinary floods, which have caused many damages of lives and properties. Flooding caused by typhoon is the most common disastrous phenomenon of nature among all catastrophes. As the average temperature of the earth has been increasing by global warming, the possibility of typhoon is also increased by abnormal climate changes. Along with the river improvement as a part of flood control, the time of concentration has been decreased, so the pick discharge has been increased. Moreover, with the land development activities, the area of storage has been diminishing, and the damages from inundation have been continuously increasing. There were a lot of damages to farmland in 1960's, industrial and public facilities in 1970's, and a lot of sufferings from the windstorm in 1980's. In 1990's, however, the amount of damages was increased substantially. So, there is need to decrease the number of the victims and loss of properties by applying preventive measures against natural calamities. This study has employed a simulation system to calculate the depth and amounts of inundation areas to forecast and prevent from flood damage by using rainfall-runoff model. In this study, a case study method is adopted to show inundation by using rainfall-runoff model, HEC-GeoRAS and Arcview. It is hoped that, this study would be conducive to professionals and organizations working in the field of disaster management.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.305-319
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• 1999

The objective of this study were to evaluate the relation between post-examination management states of dental caries in elementary school students and a mother's dental health beliefs. We systematically chose 10 elementary school in urban and rural areas of Chungnam Province and determined the first class students of 5 and 6 grade in each school as study subjects. Among 837 participants, 669 students were diagnosed with dental caries after a 1998 periodic dental health examination was answered completely and analysed. The contents of the questionnaire for students were general characteristics, dental health behaviors, notification factors, treatment factors. Their mothers were surveyed by another questionnaire. The contents of the questionnaire for mothers were also general characteristics, dental health behaviors, and dental health beliefs. The result of this study were as follows 1. The prevalence of dental caries was 65.0% and there was no significant difference between urban and rural areas. 2. Meanwhile, 63.8% of students in urban areas knew the examination result through a doctor's explanation, 52.4% of students in rural areas learned through a school notification letter, 82.9% of all the students let their parents know of their dental caries. 3. Among the dental caries group, 36.3% of the students were treated as for treatment, most students in urban areas visited a dental clinic, but those in rural areas visited the dental dept of a public health center as for the treatment time, 35.9% of the students were treated immediately after the examination. 4. 44.9% of those treated answered that they felt they needed treatment; 67.2% of those not treated answered that they considered the treatment as a bother and unnecessary due to no pain. 5. Overall, the scores in the dental health beliefs in mothers were low. Especially among the 5 items of susceptibility and seriousness, the scored were very low but the benefit was high. Logistic regression analysis showed that the treatment of a child's dental caries was significantly associated with low scores of benefit in those untreated and high scores among those treated. Considering these results, health education to stimalate a mother's susceptibility and seriousness in health beliefs and for students to learn the need for treatment, including a more detailed post exam management system at the school level should be considered for a higher treatment rate.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.639-644
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• 2009

Characterized by unique phenotypic features such as aortic aneurysm/dissection, hypertelorism, bifid uvula/cleft palate and generalized tortuosity in the arterial system, Loeys-Dietz syndrome is a newly described aggressive connective tissue disorder associated with mutation in the gene encoding transforming growth factor-$\beta$ receptor type I or type II. Some phenotypic manifestations of Loeys-Dietz syndrome overlap with those of Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. However, due to its more malignant pathophysiologic nature, physicians should be alert to Loeys-Dietz syndrome. High suspicion, early diagnosis, preventive surgery and serial imaging assessments are warranted for optimal management of Loeys-Dietz syndrome. We present here a case of a young patient with Loeys-Dietz syndrome who had aortic rupture, bifid uvula and hypertelorism. We also present a review of the medical literature.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.62-82
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• 1998

The purpose of this study is to assess the cause and level of conflict arising within and between departments among administration office workers who work in a recently established tertiary hospitals of a major cooperation or related non-profit cooperation: The study also aimed to find methods for resolution of such conflicts by comparing with other existing university hospitals. The subject population included 299 business administration office workers randomly selected from two cooperate related tertiary hospitals of less than 3 years in its existence and two university hospitals over 700 beds in Seoul and Kyong In area. Data were collected through a survey questionnaire. To define related factors for the level of conflict among departments in each hospitals multivariate regression analysis was conducted. Independent factors were characteristics of subjects, conflicting factors within and between the departments. The results are as follows: 1. Those in the 30-39 rears of age group demonstrated significantly higher level of conflict between departments. Those working in the new hospitals, who were older and had long-term tenure, and those with short-term job experience at current working hospital had higher level of conflict between the departments with statistical significance. 2. Concerning the involvement of conflicting factors and the level of conflict in the administration there was statistically significant positive correlation between reliability and job-related intra- and interdepartmental level of conflict in existing hospitals. There was a significant positive correlation between intradepartmental conflicting factors of mutual dependence, difference in goal/orientation and intra- and interdepartmental level of conflict. 3. In multivariate regression analysis, women more than men, and those who had worked for many years in hospitals had statistically significant influence on factors involved in interdepartmental level of conflict, explaining 51.0% of the model. 4. In existing hospitals, gender was a significant factor with women showing a higher level of interdepartmental conflict compared to men. Among the interdepartmental factors, mutual dependence had statistically significant influence and showed a positive relationship with interdepartmental level of conflict. In the new hospitals, job position was a significant factor which showed that those in high position such as section chief or above, compared to those in managerial or general position had higher level of conflict. Among the interdepartmental characteristics, factors of mutual dependence and goal/orientation had statistically significant influence and showed a positive relationship with interdepartmental level of conflict. In the new hospital setting efforts to reduce conflict in areas among workers with high position, old age, and long tenure and those in Purchasing, Material and Computer Department should be made and prudent management and planning for improved manpower and increased budget or efficient allocation and clear definition of job description are necessary to adequately assess and make improved efforts for rapid stabilization of the premature hospital system from its inception, In the existing hospitals a lack of conflict within and between departments may give rise to stagnation or inefficiency of the organization. Future study are needed with respect to the relationship between interdepartmental level of conflict and the effectiveness of the hospital organization for improved resolution of conflict in the organization and hospital management.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.1683-1690
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• 2020

Objective: The rapid and reliable detection of the African swine fever virus (ASFV) plays an important role in emergency control and preventive measures of ASF. Some methods have been recommended by FAO/OIE to detect ASFV in clinical samples, including realtime polymerase chain reaction (PCR). However, mismatches in primer and probe binding regions may cause a false-negative result. Here, a slight modification in probe sequence has been conducted to improve the qualification of real-time PCR based on World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) protocol for accurate detection of ASFV in field samples in Vietnam. Methods: Seven positive confirmed samples (four samples have no mismatch, and three samples contained one mutation in probe binding sites) were used to establish novel real-time PCR with slightly modified probe (Y = C or T) in comparison with original probe recommended by OIE. Results: Both real-time PCRs using the OIE-recommended probe and novel modified probe can detect ASFV in clinical samples without mismatch in probe binding site. A high correlation of cycle quantification (Cq) values was observed in which Cq values obtained from both probes arranged from 22 to 25, suggesting that modified probe sequence does not impede the qualification of real-time PCR to detect ASFV in clinical samples. However, the samples with one mutation in probe binding sites were ASFV negative with OIE recommended probe but positive with our modified probe (Cq value ranked between 33.12-35.78). Conclusion: We demonstrated for the first time that a mismatch in probe binding regions caused a false negative result by OIE recommended real-time PCR, and a slightly modified probe is required to enhance the sensitivity and obtain an ASF accurate diagnosis in field samples in Vietnam.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1295-1301
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• 2015

Background: Cancer imposes a significant economic burden on individuals, families and society. The purpose of this study was to estimate the economic burden of cancer using the healthcare claims and cancer registry data in Korea in 2009. Materials and Methods: The economic burden of cancer was estimated using the prevalence data where patients were identified in the Korean Central Cancer Registry. We estimated the medical, non-medical, morbidity and mortality cost due to lost productivity. Medical costs were calculated using the healthcare claims data obtained from the Korean National Health Insurance (KNHI) Corporation. Non-medical costs included the cost of transportation to visit health providers, costs associated with caregiving for cancer patients, and costs for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Data acquired from the Korean National Statistics Office and Ministry of Labor were used to calculate the life expectancy at the time of death, age- and gender-specific wages on average, adjusted for unemployment and labor force participation rate. Sensitivity analysis was performed to derive the current value of foregone future earnings due to premature death, discounted at 3% and 5%. Results: In 2009, estimated total economic cost of cancer amounted to $17.3 billion at a 3% discount rate. Medical care accounted for 28.3% of total costs, followed by non-medical (17.2%), morbidity (24.2%) and mortality (30.3%) costs. Conclusions: Given that the direct medical cost sharply increased over the last decade, we must strive to construct a sustainable health care system that provides better care while lowering the cost. In addition, a comprehensive cancer survivorship policy aimed at lower caregiving cost and higher rate of return to work has become more important than previously considered.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.153-162
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• 2017

Weapon systems have been developed with high technology electronic equipment due to technology growth. In addition, the capital, operational and maintenance costs of weapon systems have all increased. However, cost of operation and maintenance for weapon systems has been decreased relatively compared to the increased capital cost of weapon systems. Therefore, the defense industry needs to research the life cycle cost of weapon systems that have high operational and maintenance costs. This paper focuses on maintenance equipment for the operation and maintenance of weapon systems. Recently, it seems that the weapon systems that have periodic calibration with maintenance equipment are valid. The equipment requires periodic calibration by the manufacturer to check its own validation. Basically, customers demand high reliability devices from foreign companies that have qualified in the global market. Therefore, the tools need to be calibrated overseas. In other words, weapon systems are not available when the equipment has to be calibrated overseas because the systems require validation with valid maintenance equipment. A purpose of this paper is to compare the loss costs that arise from the calibration of the equipment overseas and the purchasing cost of the tools. Finally, the research shows the number of equipment that customers need to minimize the cost. This research will help to improve the efficiency of operation of weapon systems and solve the problems associated with the need for maintenance overseas.