• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.52-59
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this review was to investigate whether motor imagery training has an effect on the recovery of upper extremity function in individuals with hemiparetic stroke or not. Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed and three other databases were searched up to December 18th, 2018 and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating motor imagery training on upper extremity function in persons with a diagnosis of hemiparetic stroke were included. This review selected the following information from each study: surname of the first author, published year, nation, population, intervention, therapeutic intensity of intervention, therapeutic comparison, outcome measures, additional therapy, summary of results, and descriptive statistics of outcome measures. Results: This review selected seventeen RCTs with 487 stroke survivors and the following intervention methods: six motor imagery training with additional therapeutic technology, two motor imagery training with additional modified constraint-induced therapy, four mirror therapy, and five motor imagery training. Ten RCTs were eligible for meta-analysis after systematic review. The motor imagery group were more effective than the control group based on the Fugl-Meyer assessment (3.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65 to 5.22; heterogeneity [$chi^2=8.03$, df=8, $I^2=0%$], test of overall effect Z=3.76; test for subgroup differences [$chi^2=2.56$, df=2, $I^2=21.8%$]) and the Action Research Arm Test (1.32; 95% CI, -8.12 to 10.76; heterogeneity [$Tau^2=70.74$, $chi^2=15.22$, df=3, $I^2=80%$], test of overall effect Z=3.76). Conclusions: The results of this review suggests that motor imagery shows positive effectiveness on improving upper extremity function in persons with hemiparetic stroke.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제52권2호
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• pp.78-84
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• 2019

Background: Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a life-threatening disease with high mortality. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of surgical embolectomy and to clarify the sustained long-term effects of surgery by comparing preoperative, postoperative, and long-term follow-up echocardiography outcomes. Of 22 survivors, 21 were followed up for a mean (median) period of $6.8{\pm}5.4years$ (4.2 years). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 27 surgical embolectomy cases for massive or submassive acute PTE from 2003 to 2016. Immediate and long-term follow-up outcomes of surgical embolectomy were assessed on the basis of 30-day mortality, long-term mortality, postoperative complications, right ventricular systolic pressure, and tricuspid regurgitation grade. Results: The 30-day and long-term mortality rates were 14.8% (4 of 27) and 4.3% (1 of 23), respectively. Three patients had major postoperative complications, including hypoxic brain damage, acute kidney injury, and endobronchial b leeding, respectively (3.7% each). Right ventricular systolic pressure (median [range], mm Hg) decreased from 62.0 (45.5-78.5) to 31.0 (25.7-37.0, p<0.001). The tricuspid valve regurgitation grade (median [range]) decreased from 1.5 (0.63-2.00) to 0.50 (0.50-1.00, p<0.05). The improvement lasted until the last echocardiographic follow-up. Conclusion: Surgical embolectomy revealed favorable mortality and morbidity rates in patients with acute massive or submassive PTE, with sustained long-term improvements in cardiac function.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제54권1호
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• pp.36-44
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• 2021

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has become increasingly accepted as a life-saving procedure for patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study investigated the relationship between cumulative fluid balance (CFB) and outcomes in adult ARDS patients treated with ECMO. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of adult ARDS patients who received ECMO between December 2009 and December 2019 at Korea University Anam Hospital. CFB was calculated during the first 7 days after ECMO initiation. The primary endpoint was 28-day mortality. Results: The 74 patients were divided into survivor (n=33) and non-survivor (n=41) groups based on 28-day survival. Non-survivors showed a significantly higher CFB at 1-7 days (p<0.05). Cox multivariable proportional hazard regression revealed a relationship between CFB on day 3 and 28-day mortality (hazard ratio, 3.366; 95% confidence interval, 1.528-7.417; p=0.003). Conclusion: In adult ARDS patients treated with ECMO, a higher positive CFB on day 3 was associated with increased 28-day mortality. Based on our findings, we suggest a restrictive fluid strategy in ARDS patients treated with ECMO. CFB may be a useful predictor of survival in ARDS patients treated with ECMO.

• 한국의료질향상학회지
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.58-69
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• 2021

Purpose:In this study, we reviewed existing victim support programs implemented in Korea to aid in the development of psychosocial support programs for patients and guardians who have experienced patient safety incidents. Methods: We reviewed similar programs: a support program for suicide survivors operated by the Korea Psychological Autopsy Center (Korea Foundation for Suicide Prevention), a family harmony program for workers in industrial accidents operated by the National Center for Forest Therapy, and the support services for crime victims provided by the Korean Crime Victims Support Association. We reviewed the contents of each website and conducted interviews with key personnel from each institution. Results: The support program for families who have experienced suicide was developed based on the suicide prevention project at the Central Psychological Autopsy Center. The family harmony program for workers who suffered industrial accidents is operated by the National Center for Forest Therapy at the behest of the Korean Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service. The Korean Crime Victims Support Association was established by the Ministry of Justice in accordance with the Crime Victim Protection Act and provides support to victims of crime. Each program was designed and implemented considering the objectives and goals, defining their recruitment plans as well as the selection criteria for their participants, and creating quality content that adequately addressed the struggles of their participants. Conclusion: The summarization of the various types of victim support programs in this study can be helpful in the future development of psychosocial support programs for victims of patient safety incidents.

• 영미문화
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.71-88
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• 2016

Cormac McCarthy's The Road depicts a post-apocalyptic future in which the time and reason of catastrophe are not specified, but it can be seen to project the contemporary social and ethical concerns in the dismal setting. In this respect, the journey the man and boy depart for to the South is on one hand a journey to seek a warmer place to support their lives in the literal sense and, on the other hand, a journey to seek 'what a human being is' in the devastated world in a metaphorical sense since they face extremely harsh and tremendously poignant conditions in which their creed as human beings is tested. This paper aims to explore the hazards of the current society that the text criticizes and the morality and ethical values to be preserved and pursued. The second chapter examines how the text describes the contemporary crisis through the dark and coldness of the land and its sterility. The land produces almost nothing as the entire surface was scorched and is now covered with thick ashes. It shows perfectly a destroyed and irrecoverably frozen land. Throughout this desolate and ruined land, the atrocity and violence of the survivors goes beyond the limit. Ravaging strangers and plundering villages are widely spread. These conditions mirror the apparent selfishness and immorality of the recent society. The third chapter analyzes the man's inconsistent or dualistic narrative on the good. He knows what the good is but doesn't allow the boy to demonstrate the good behavior on others. His conflict is rooted in his hope to protect his son from being attacked by others. Therefore it can be interpreted that the meaning and orders of living in this post-apocalyptic period are uncertain and indecisive. The fourth chapter examines the belief the man and the boy clings to. Unlike the man's contradictory decisions, he shows definite firmness to be 'the good' by not eating people and carrying 'the fire.' Until he dies, the man endeavors to protect his son and have him acquire the moral conviction and strength to carry the fire in the world. In conclusion, the text reads the current society critically and highlights the importance of the humanity that must not be discarded throughout the generations.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.38-48
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• 2021

Purpose: As the number of gastric cancer survivors is increasing and their quality of life after surgery is being emphasized, single-port surgery is emerging as an alternative to conventional gastrectomy. A novel multi-degree-of-freedom (DOF) articulating device, the ArtiSential® device (LivsMed, Seongnam, Korea), was designed to allow more intuitive and meticulous control for surgeons facing ergonomic difficulties with conventional tools. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of this new device during single-port laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (SP-LDG) for early gastric cancer (EGC) patients. Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients diagnosed with EGC who underwent SP-LDG with ArtiSential® (LivsMed) graspers between April 2018 and August 2020 were enrolled in the study. The clinical outcomes were compared with those of a control group, in which prebent graspers (Olympus Medical Systems Corp) were used for the same procedures. Results: Seventeen patients were enrolled in the ArtiSential® group. There was no significant difference in operative time (205.4±6.0 vs. 218.1±9.9 minutes, P= 0.270) or the quality of surgery, in terms of the number of retrieved lymph nodes (49.5±3.5 vs. 45.9±4.0, P=0.473), length of hospital stay (15.4±2.0 vs. 12.4±1.3 days, P=0.588), and postoperative complications (40.0% vs. 41.2%, P=0.595), between the ArtiSential® group and the control group. Conclusions: The new multi-DOF articulating grasper is feasible and can be used as an alternative for prebent graspers during SP-LDG.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.334-344
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• 2022

Bacterial wilt is a re-emerging disease on dry bean and can affect many other crop species within the Fabaceae. The causal agent, Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens (CFF), is a small, Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium that is seed-transmitted. Infections in the host become systemic, leading to wilting and economic loss. Clean seed programs and bactericidal seed treatments are two critical management tools. This study characterizes the efficacies of five bactericidal chemicals against CFF. It was hypothesized that this bacterium was capable of forming biofilms, and that the cells within biofilms would be more tolerant to bactericidal treatments. The minimum biocide eradication concentration assay protocol was used to grow CFF biofilms, expose the biofilms to bactericides, and enumerate survivors compared to a non-treated control (water). Streptomycin and oxysilver bisulfate had EC95 values at the lowest concentrations and are likely the best candidates for seed treatment products for controlling seed-borne bacterial wilt of bean. The results showed that CFF formed biofilms during at least two phases of the bacterial wilt disease cycle, and the biofilms were much more difficult to eradicate than their planktonic counterparts. Overall, biofilm formation by CFF is an important part of the bacterial wilt disease cycle in dry edible bean and antibiofilm bactericides such as streptomycin and oxysilver bisulfate may be best suited for use in disease management.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.22-29
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• 2022

Background: A comprehensive, traceable, and easy-to-understand radiation risk indicator is desired for radiological protection. The early-onset hypothesis could be used for this purpose. Materials and Methods: An indicator for early death (IED) was developed and calculated using the epidemiological dataset from the 14^th Report of the Life Span Study (LSS) of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. By clarifying the calculation process, IED for all-cause mortality was estimated. In addition, the characteristics of IED for solid cancer mortality and cardiovascular mortality as well as those of men and women, and their dependence on age at exposure were investigated for detailed analysis. Results and Discussion: The IED for all-cause mortality was estimated to be approximately 4 years for an acute radiation exposure of 1 Gy regardless of the fitting dose range. The cumulative death rate for all solid cancers also indicated the early-death tendency (approximately 7-10 years at 1 Gy). Although, there is a slight difference in the characteristics of the risk obtained from the LSS study and this study, it is considered that the IED in a unit of years can also be used to show the overall picture of risk due to radiation exposure. Conclusion: We developed and calculated the indicator for early death, IED, for the cumulative mortality rate of all causes of death, all solid cancers, and circulatory diseases. The quantitative values of IED were estimated to be 4 years for all causes of death, 7-10 years for all solid cancers. IED has an advantage for intuitively understanding the meaning of radiation risk since it can be obtained by a simple and traceable method.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제55권2호
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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.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.9-21
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of an eight weeks twenty meters walk on the cardiorespiratory fitness and strength of the shoulder extensor, hip extensor, and dorsiflexor of stroke survivor outpatients in two tertiary hospitals in Osogbo, Nigeria. METHODS: A purposive sampling technique was used to select 21 registered right or left outpatient hemiplegic stroke survivors in a pre- and post-test experimental research design. The research questions were presented using the descriptive statistics of frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The differences between the mean of the cardio-respiratory indices and the muscle strength were tested by repeated measures analysis of variance followed by Bonferroni post-hoc test for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: No significant differences in heart rate were observed at week 0 compared to week 4. A significant decrease was recorded in the parameter at week 8, compared to week 4. Moreover, there were significant decreases in blood pressure and respiratory rate in week 0, compared to week 4, and in the respiratory rate, compared to week 8. In contrast, significant elevations in VO2 max were observed in week 0, compared to week 4, and in the week 4, compared to week 8. Furthermore, significant elevations in muscular strength were documented when comparisons were made at weeks 0, 4, and 8. CONCLUSION: Eight weeks of twenty meters walk aerobic exercise improve the cardio-respiratory fitness and muscular strength of stroke survivor outpatients.