• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2019

Purpose An examination guide is a useful medium to provide the patient with an overview, pre- and post-test preparation, and precautions of nuclear testing. The design and arrangement of existing written texts and announcements were evaluated to elucidate the comprehension of patients undergoing testing. Materials and Methods Informational material describing bone scanning and $^{201}thallium$ myocardium perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), as a secondary examination, which accounts for the largest portion of gamma imaging at Asan Hospital (Seoul, South Korea), was selected as an improvement target in consultation with a national innovation center. Existing informational material was dispensed to patients scheduled for bone scans from November 2016 to February 2017 and the revised material was issued from March 2017 to May 2017. A survey was conducted of 200 patients who underwent $^{201}thallium$ myocardium perfusion SPECT before and after the revisions (n = 100 each time period) to assess the patients' understanding of the informational material. Results When comparing the use of the conventional vs. revised material, the number of patients who received treatment before bone scanning had decreased from 130 to 60, while the number of those who required additional imaging decreased from 53 to 14. Prior to the revision, 43% of patients underwent testing before preparation and 18% underwent additional testing. The decreased need for additional image acquisition after revision of the informational material resulted in a decrease in acquisition time of about 2 min, from 16.5 to 14.2 min. In the case of $^{201}thallium$ myocardium perfusion SPECT, patient comprehension of all five items surveyed had increased, while the number of patients who had repeatedly asked about various facets of the procedure pre- and post-testing had decreased from 36% to 16% and 31% to 14%, respectively. Conclusion Lower patient comprehension is accompanied by a decrease in image quality due to non-compliance during pre-testing and may lead to repetitive questions from the patient, which may also negatively affect the fatigue and work efficiency of the examiner. Improved readability and visibility of informational material through visualization was correlated with greater patient comprehension as well as improved image quality and acquisition time.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.413-421
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• 2019

Purpose: Astragalus membranaceus (AM) is an important traditional medicinal herb. Pharmacological research has indicated that AM has various physiological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, anticancer, hypolipidemic, antihyperglycemic, and hepatoprotective activities. The bioactive substances responsible for the physiological activities in AM, including many antioxidant substances, change during the roasting process. This study investigated and compared the changes in the antioxidant constituents of AM caused by roasting. Methods: DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) and $ABTS^+$ (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) radical scavenging activities and their total phenolic content (TPC) were measured. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was performed to confirm any changes in the isoflavonoids of roasted AM (R-AM),. The cell viability of UVB-induced HDF (Human dermal fibroblast) cells treated with AM and R-AM extracts was investigated. The comet assay was used to examine the inhibitory effects of R-AM extracts on DNA damage caused by oxidative stress. Results: The DPPH and $ABTS^+$ radical scavenging activities were $564.6{\pm}20.9$ and $108.2{\pm}3.1$ ($IC_{50}$ value) respectively, from the 2R-AM. The total phenol content was $47.80{\pm}1.40mg$ GAE/g from the 1R-AM. The values of calycosin and formononetin, which are the known isoflavonoid constituents of AM, were $778.58{\pm}2.72$ and $726.80{\pm}3.45{\mu}g/g$ respectively, from the 2R-AM. Treatment of the HDF cells with R-AM ($50{\sim}200{\mu}g/mL$) did not affect the cell viability. Furthermore, the R-AM extracts effectively protected against UVB-induced DNA damage. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that R-AM increases its isoflavonoid constituents and protects against UVB-induced DNA damage in HDF cells.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.38-46
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• 2019

BACKGROUND: Salinity is one of the main environmental stresses deteriorating qualities as well as yields of food crops. This study was conducted to identify the effects of salt stress on dry matter ratio, glucose content, and mineral content and composition in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.). METHODS AND RESULTS: Four potato varieties were grown in plastic pots (diameter 20 cm and height 25 cm) with three salinity levels (EC: 1.0, 4.0, and 8.0 dS/m) in a glasshouse. Dry matter ratio, specific gravity, starch, and glucose content in tubers harvested at 90 days after sowing were analyzed. Also, mineral contents (T-N, T-C, $P_2O_5$, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Na^+$) in stem, leaf, and tuber were investigated and statistically analyzed for analysis of variance (ANOVA). Dry matter ratio, specific gravity, and starch content in tubers were reduced in all varieties as the salt concentration increased. Glucose content tended to decrease according to the salt concentration. In ANOVA analysis of mineral contents, there were significant differences in $K^+$ and $Mg^{2+}$ of leaf and stem, in $Na^+$ of leaf and tuber, and also in $Ca^{2+}$ of leaf by the interactions of variety and salinity. In the case of $K^+/Na^+$ and $Ca^{2+}/Na^+$, the stem was more sensitively influenced by the salt treatment than the leaf or the tuber. The $K^+/Na^+$ and $Ca^{2+}/Na^+$ decreased in leaf, stem, and tuber of four varieties, as the salt concentration became higher. The decreasing level varied according to the varieties. 'Kroda' and 'Duback' maintained relatively higher $K^+/Na^+$ and $Ca^{2+}/Na^+$ than 'Atlantic' or 'Goun' under the salt stress conditions. CONCLUSION: The composition and accumulation of minerals in potato plant as well as dry matter ratio, starch, and glucose contents were significantly influenced by salt stress. The respond patterns were different depending on the varieties and it was related to the salt tolerance among varieties.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.134-141
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of lithium disilicate ceramic pressed zirconia prostheses and monolithic zirconia prostheses and to investigate the complications after two years of follow-up in posterior edentulous site. Materials and methods: A total 17 patients (male: 12, female: 5) were treated with 60 posterior fixed implant-supported prostheses (LP. lithium disilicate ceramic pressed zirconia prostheses: n = 30, MZ. monolithic zirconia prostheses: n = 30). After 24-month, clinical examination of Implant survival rate, marginal bone resorption, probing depth, plaque index, bleeding index, calculus and complications were evaluated. Results: There were no failed implants and all implants were normal in function without mobility. Marginal bone resorption was lower in LP group than MZ group at 12-month (P < .05), and 12-month probing depth and calculus deposit in LP group were significantly higher than MZ group (P < .05). Most common complications in MZ were marginal bone resorptions more than 1.5.mm and 2 chipping occurred in LP group. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present study, lithium disilicate ceramic pressed zirconia is considered as a predictable treatment option as much as monolithic zirconia in posterior fixed implant-supported prostheses.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2019

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in Korean children. Methods: We retrospectively collected and analyzed data from the medical records of the patients with S. aureus bacteremia ${\leq}18years$ of age in Gil Medical Center from 2002 to 2016. Results: A total of 212 SAB cases were detected. The annual incidence of SAB from 2002 to 2016 ranged from 0.77 to 1.95 per 1,000 patients hospitalized. The neonate group (<28 days of age) and the pediatric group (28-18 years of age) were 51.4% (n=109) and 48.6% (n=103), respectively. According to the origin of infection, there were 93 cases (43.9%) of community-associated (CA)-SAB and 119 cases (56.1%) of healthcare-associated (HA)-SAB. The rates of HA-SAB among the neonate group and among the pediatric group were 64.2% and 47.6%, respectively (P=0.015). There was no difference in complications between CA-SAB and HA-SAB, but mortality was higher in HA-SAB. The proportion of methicillin-resistance S. aureus (MRSA) was the highest in neonates (88.1%), decreased with age, and was 36.4%-37.5% among children aged ${\geq}5years$. The MRSA proportion was 72.2%, showing no consistent trend over the period. Conclusions: The annual incidence of SAB and the proportion of MRSA in SAB remained constant in the recent 15 years in children. Judicious decision of antimicrobial agents for treatment considering the patient's age and the origin of infection is necessary.

• Journal of Gynecologic Oncology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.100.1-100.13
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• 2018

Objective: To investigate survival outcomes in endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) patients with single vs. multiple positive pelvic lymph nodes. Methods: We performed a retrospective evaluation of all consecutive patients with histologically proven International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIIC1 EEC who underwent primary surgical treatment between 2004 and 2014 at seven Italian gynecologic oncology referral centers. Patients with pre- or intra-operative evidence of extra-uterine disease (including the presence of bulky nodes) and patients with stage IIIC2 disease were excluded, in order to obtain a homogeneous population. Results: Overall 140 patients met the inclusion criteria. The presence of >1 metastatic pelvic node was significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrence and mortality, compared to only 1 metastatic node, at both univariate (recurrence: hazard ratio [HR]=2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.2-3.99; p=0.01; mortality: HR=2.8; 95% CI=1.24-6.29; p=0.01) and multivariable analysis (recurrence: HR=1.91; 95% CI=1.02-3.56; p=0.04; mortality: HR=2.62; 95% CI=1.13-6.05; p=0.02) and it was the only independent predictor of prognosis in this subset of patients. Disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were significantly longer in patients with only 1 metastatic node compared to those with more than 1 metastatic node (p=0.008 and 0.009, respectively). Conclusion: The presence of multiple metastatic nodes in stage IIIC1 EEC represents an independent predictor of worse survival, compared to only one positive node. Our data suggest that EEC patients may be categorized according to the number of positive nodes.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.158-170
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• 2020

Purpose: We evaluated the incidence and characteristics of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in Korean children. Methods: Medical records of patients aged 2-18 years and diagnosed with CDI at a tertiary hospital between 2009 and 2018 were analyzed. The patients were classified into three CDI groups: community-acquired (CA), community onset-health care facility-associated (CO-HCFA), and healthcare facility onset (HO). Results: The incidence of CDI increased from 1.00 to 10.01 cases per 10,000 admissions from 2009 to 2018 (P<0.001). As compared to the CA group, the HO group had a higher frequency of operation and malignancy as predisposing factors (40.4% vs. 0.0%, P=0.001; and 27.7% vs. 0.0%, P=0.027, respectively), frequency and number of previous antibiotic use (97.9% vs. 31.3%, P<0.001; and 2 vs. 0, P<0.001, respectively), and median postdiagnosis hospital stay (13 vs. 5 days, P=0.008). The CO-HCFA group had a lower median age and higher frequency of malignancy than the CA group (5 vs. 13 years, P=0.012; and 30.8% vs. 0.0%, P=0.030, respectively). As compared to the HO group, the CA group had a higher frequency of abdominal pain and hematochezia (56.3% vs. 10.6%, P=0.001; and 50.0% vs. 10.6%, P=0.002, respectively), inflammatory bowel disease (68.8% vs. 2.1%, P=0.001), and intravenous metronidazole treatment (37.5% vs. 2.1%, P=0.001). Conclusions: With the increasing incidence of pediatric CDI, awareness regarding its epidemiology and clinical characteristics is important to manage nosocomial infections.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.57-65
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• 2020

Purpose: Since 2012, acetaminophen can be accessed easily not only at pharmacies but also at convenience stores. The relationship between the easy access of acetaminophen and the risk of poisoning has been controversial. Several studies also reported different results regarding the risk of acetaminophen poisoning after access to acetaminophen was relaxed. This study examined the long-term effects on the risk of acetaminophen poisoning after easy access to acetaminophen was implemented. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of an emergency department (ED)-based in-depth Injury Surveillance Cohort by the Korea Center for Disease Control and prevention from 2011 to 2018. Poisoning cases were selected from the Cohort, and the incidence of acetaminophen poisoning and the characteristics of the cases of acetaminophen poisoning were analyzed. The purchase path and the amount of ingestion in acetaminophen poisoning were sub-analyzed from data of six EDs. Results: Of 57,326 poisoning cases, 4.0% (2,272 cases) were acetaminophen poisoning. Of 2,272 cases of acetaminophen poisoning, 42.8% (974 cases) required in-patient care after ED management. Two hundred and sixty-four of these 964 cases required intensive care. The rates of cases that required in-patient treatment and the rates of cases that required intensive care increased from 29.4% in 2011 to 48.1% in 2018, and from 3.1% in 2011 to 15.2% in 2018, respectively (p<0.001, p<0.001). In the poisoning group with in-depth toxic surveillance (n=15,908), the incidence and proportion of acetaminophen (AAP) poisoning increased from 55 cases per year to 187 cases per year and 4.9% to 6.1%, respectively (p=0.009, p<0.001, respectively). The most common age group of acetaminophen poisoning was teenagers, which is different from the most common age group of other pharmaceutical agents: the middle age group of 40-49 years (p<0.001). Of 15,908 in-depth toxic surveillance patients, 693 patients had AAP poisoning, of whom 377 cases (54.2%) purchased acetaminophen from a non-pharmacy. The proportions of the purchase path from non-pharmacy were 41.4% at 2011-12 and 56.4% (2013-18) (p=0.004). The amount of acetaminophen ingestion was 13.5±14.3 g at 2011-12 and 13.9±15.1 g at 2013-18 (p=0.794). Conclusion: Although the incidence of acetaminophen poisoning did not increase remarkably in the short term after the implementation of the new regulation, the incidence of acetaminophen poisoning has increased slightly during the study period of 2017-18. In addition, the proportion of the purchase path from non-pharmacies has increased since the emergence of new regulations for the easy access of acetaminophen in 2012. The incidence of acetaminophen poisoning might have been affected after the increasing accessibility of acetaminophen in convenience stores. Continuous control of acetaminophen poisoning is required. Furthermore, the prevention of acetaminophen poisoning should be focused on teenagers with specialized school education programs.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.130-138
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• 2011

This study was carried out to investigate growth characteristics and propagation methods of Clerodendron trichotomum for landscape uses. The results are obtained as follows: In the first place, Korean native C. trichotomum was printed in the "Enumeration of plants in Chosun" in 1937 by Tae Hyun Chung. C. trichotomum is a shrub with round shape. This is noted for its late summer flowers, showy fruit and malodorous foliage. White flowers in long-peduncled cymes bloom in the upper leaf axils from late summer into fall. Flowers are followed by small bright blue fruits, each subtended by a fleshy red calyx. C. trichotomum showed high seed germination rate and greater shoot length in plug box than in normal seeding bed. The rooting rate of C. trichotomum according to cutting date was highest on July 7. The optimum date for cutting was on July 7~10 when the shoots were more hardened. Soil acidity ranged from pH 4.58 to 5.52. The most effective method for rooting of C. trichotomum was treatment with 1,000 ppm IBA on July 7 cuttings, which showed rooting rate of over 90%. Korean native C. trichotomum was successfully propagated through soft cutting and seed.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.63-74
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• 2020

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of internal shame and self-control on interpersonal relationships in stroke patients, and to provide evidence and information necessary for clinical trials by analyzing the relationship. Methods : For this study, 150 stroke patients receiving occupational therapy services at institutions where occupational therapists work in Jeollanam-do and Chungnam regions were targeted through email and mail from March 1, 2019 to April 30, 2019. The questionnaire was conducted using general characteristics, Relationship Change Scales(RCS), Self-Control Scales(SCS), and Internalized Shame Scale(ISS) questionnaire. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed for the general characteristics of the study subjects, and t-test and one-way batch variance analysis (ANOVA) were used to compare interpersonal relationships according to general characteristics. The relationship between internalized shame, self-control, and interpersonal competence was analyzed by Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting interpersonal relationships of stroke patients. Results : As a result of comparing interpersonal competence according to general characteristics, significant differences were found in terms of age and education level. Interpersonal relationships and internalized shame, internalized shame and self-control showed a negative correlation, and self-control and interpersonal relationships had a positive correlation, but self-control was the sub-factors of interpersonal relationships such as openness, sensitivity, intimacy, It was not statistically significant with the communication item. In addition, the items of inadequacy (β =-0.32) and adventure seeking (β =-0.23), which are sub-areas of internalized shame, affect the negative direction, and physical activity (β =0.22), which is the sub-area of self-control and the self-centered (β =0.24) item was found to have an effect on the positive direction. Conclusion : Therefore, additional research is needed that can operate a rehabilitation treatment program that applies various psychological factors for the formation of interpersonal relationships among stroke patients.