• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.228-233
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively examine the factors and characteristics of cancer patients who visited the emergency room, as well as to offer some educational materials for to manage acute symptoms. Methods: Data for this study were selected from the period of January to December, 2006. A total of 564 patients were examined using the tool which we developed by ourselves for the study. The collected data were analyzed using the SAS program for frequencies and percentage. Results: As for disease-related characteristics of the subjects, 28.9% of them had gastric and colorectal cancer; 66.9% were in stage 4; 51.6% had been in chemotherapy prior to visiting the emergency room; and 82.5% had their anticancer drug administrated average 1~5 times. As for the characteristics in regard to visit the emergency room, 62.9% were admitted to hospital within 2 weeks of being treated. As for chief complaints for visiting the emergency room, the worst symptom was pain, followed by symptoms such as gastro-intestinal symptoms, respiratory symptoms, high fever, and weakness. As for the disease-related symptoms, the worst symptom that gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, liver and gallbladder cancer patients complained of was pain, high fever for lymphoma patients was respiratory symptoms for lung cancer patients, and gastrointestinal symptoms for head and neck cancer and other patients. Conclusion: Therefore, according to their need and background, an individualized consultation and teaching program should be provided to cancer patients.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.51-57
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• 2018

Purpose: End-of-life (EoL) decisions are challenging and multifaceted for patients and physicians. This study was aimed to explore how EoL care is practiced for patients with a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients who died after agreeing to a DNR order in 2016 at a university hospital. Characteristics including cause of death, intensity of EoL care, and other factors were reviewed and statistically analyzed. Results: Of total 375 patients, 170 patients (45.3%) died with malignancies, and 205 patients (54.6%) with other causes involving the central nervous system (19.2%), pulmonary (14.7%), cardiologic (6.7%) and infectious (6.4%) conditions. Both the cancer and non-cancer patient groups showed a short duration from DNR to death (median 3 days vs 2 days, P=0.629). An intensive care group comprising patients who received one or more intensive treatments such as ventilator (n=205) showed a higher number of non-cancer patients and a shorter duration from DNR to death than a group that withheld treatment before DNR (P<0.05). Conclusion: EoL decisions were made very late by both cancer and non-cancer patients. About half of the patients did not have cancer, and two-thirds of them decided DNR during intensive treatment. To make a good EoL decision, a shared decision making with patients should be done at an earlier stage.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.145-155
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• 2019

Purpose: Amendment to the Act on Decisions on Life-sustaining Treatment was recently enacted to designate long-term care hospitals as providers of hospice and palliative care. Despite its benefit of providing improved accessibility to end-of-life care, the amendment has raised concerns about its effect on quality of service. This study aimed to use information obtained from an expert group interview and previous studies to compare how cancer patients, family caregivers, physicians, and the general Korean population perceive the potential benefits and risks of this amendment. Methods: We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study from July to October 2016. The included participants answered a structured questionnaire regarding the extent to which they agree or disagree with the questionnaire items indicating the potential benefits and risks of the amendment. Chi-square tests and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: Compared with the general population, physicians agreed more that long-term care hospitals are currently not adequately equipped to provide quality hospice and palliative care. Family caregivers found improved access to long-term care hospitals more favorable but were more likely to agree that these hospitals might prioritize profits, thereby threatening the philosophy of hospice care, and that families might cease to fulfill filial responsibilities. Compared with the general population, cancer patients were more concerned about the potentially decreased service quality in this setting. Conclusion: Although potential service beneficiaries and providers expected improved accessibility of hospice and palliative care services, they were also concerned whether the system can provide adequate quality of end-of-life care.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.198-206
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• 2019

Purpose: The Act on Hospice and Palliative Care and Decisions on Life-sustaining Treatment for Patients at the End of Life was enacted in 2016 and has taken effect since 2018 February. The content of this act was based on Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) in the United States and we modified it for terminal cancer patients registering hospice. The object of this study is to investigate preference and implementation rate for modified Korean POLST (MMK-POLST) items in hospice ward. Methods: From February 1, 2017 to April 30, 2019, medical records regarding MMK-POLST were retrospectively analyzed for all patients hospitalized in the hospice ward of Gyeongsang National University Hospital. Results: Of the eligible 387 total cohorts, 295 patients filled out MK-POLST. MK-POLST has been completed in 133 cases (44.1%) by the patient themselves, 84 cases (28.5%) by the spouse, and 75 cases (25.4%) by their children, respectively. While only 13 (4.4%) out of 295 MK-POLST completed patients refused the parenteral nutrition and 5 patients (1.7%) for palliative sedation, the absolute majority of 288 (97.6%) patients did not want cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and ventilators and 226 people (76.9%) for pressor medications. Kappa values for the matched strength of MK-POLST implementation were poor for all items except CPR, ventilators and palliative sedation. Conclusion: Hospice patients refused to conduct cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ventilators and pressor agents. In contrast, antibiotics, parenteral nutrition and palliative sedation were favored in the majority of patients.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.141-149
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• 2004

The aim of this study was to test the validity of the hypothesis that the karyotypes of four species of Lepilemuridae were formed spontaneously from their ancestral hybrid karyotype. Hypothetical ancestral haploid Karyotype of Lepilemuridae is composed of 18 autosomes and X chromosomes. Lepilemur mustelinus karyotype has four tandem fused chromosomes and one Robertsonian translocated chromosome pairs. Lepilemur septentrionalis septentrionalis karyotype has only two pairs of translocated chromosomes. We reconstruct and suggest ancestral karyotype of LMU(ancLMU) and LSS(ancLSS), from which all four studied species were derived. Hybrids of ancLMU and ancLSS were formed and produce differently fused equilibrated gametes via circular form arrangement during gametogenesis. Five unit of trivalent homologous chromosome pairs were engaged in a circular form to give new gamete corresponding to the karyotype of L. dorsalis, orientation of one unit of trivalent was inversed in the circle to gave new gamete corresponding to the karyotype of L. leucopus. Seven homologous chromosome pairs were engaged in circular form to give haploid karyotype of Lepilemur ruficaudatus. Only one homologous chromosome pair is dissociated and the other chromosome pairs rearranged in the circle to form haploid karyotype of Lepilemur edwardsi. The new gametes could be produced from these circular forms. When the new gamete fertilized with the same type of gamete, The new homozygote is produced as existing L. dorsalis, L. leucopus, L. edwardsi and L. ruficaudatus. These results support the theory that new species could be formed in hybrid population through activated chromosome fusion, chromosome rearrangement in circular from at zygotene stage and production of equilibrated gametes to form homozygote new species.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.34-42
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• 2016

In order to prepare for the type approval test for the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Phase-II of Ballast Water Treatment System (BWTS), a phytoplankton mass culture was conducted in a mesocosm enclosure. We evaluated the response of the phytoplankton community after nutrient addition (+N, +P, and +NP) and investigated the development of the species with increasing culture time. After nutrient dosing, the phytoplankton population significantly (p < 0.05) increased from day 1 to day 3, depending on the nutrient treatments In particular, the specific growth rate of the phytoplankton community in the case of +NP treatment and + N treatment were estimated to be $2.47d^{-1}$ and $1.98d^{-1}$, respectively. The phytoplankton population density in the case of + NP treatment was approximately 50 times higher than that of the control group, suggesting that these treatments could be useful for mass culturing phytoplankton (> 75% of natural community) for the approval regulation of USCG Phase-II. In the phytoplankton community of the mesocosm, Pseudo-nitzchia spp. dominated in the logarithmic growth phase. The cell density decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing time, coinciding with the nutrient limitation. At that time, the dominance of Pseudo-nitzchia spp. shifted to that of Cylindrotheca closterium. Therefore, the optimum nutrient concentration ($N:30{\mu}M$, $P:3{\mu}M$) and reasonable harvesting time (after 3 days in summer) found in this study for the mass culturing of phytoplankton may be helpful to meet the USCG Phase-II biological criteria to be used in BWTS.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.2951-2957
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• 2015

The development of worldwide harmful algal blooms(HAB) is a serious problem for public health and fisheries industries. To evaluate the algicidal impact on the HAB species, algicide thiazolidinedione derivative (TD49) and yellow clay were examined, which is focus on assess the algicidal effects and inhibition to photosynthesis of HAB species. To obtain the detailed information, we analyzed the viability of target species related to activity Chl. a, photosynthetic efficiency($F_v/F_m$), and electron transport rate(ETR). Culture experiment was conducted to evaluate the algicidal effects of three harmful species(raphidophyceae Heterosigma akashiwo, Chattonella marina, and dinophyceae Heterocapsa circularisquama) and one non-harmful species (cryptophyceae Rhodomonas salina). Our experiments revealed that three HAB species were easily destroyed of the cell walls after TD49 dosing. Also, they had significantly reducing values of active Chl. a, $F_v/F_m$, and ETR, due to the damage of photosystem II by inter-cellular disturbance. As a result, the algicidal effect(%) for the three HABs were as follows, in the order of greatest to the least: H. circularisquama> C. marina> H. akashiwo. However, the algicidal effect for yellow clay remained to be <30% (p>0.01), implying that it may not have damaged the photosystem II. On the other hand, non-HAB R. salina was promoted at both TD49 and yellow clay treatments. Our results demonstrated that the TD49 is a good agent for the control of HABs H. akashiwo, C. marina, and H. circularisquama, whereas the yellow clay would not be suitable for the field application based on our experimental results.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2189-2198
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• 2012

This study was designed to measure the difference in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among social classes and explore the factors that may explain it. Study subjects were 7,992 Korean adults aged 20-69 from the 4th (2007-2009) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys data. We described mean value of EQ-5D index as a HRQOL by class and performed hierarchical multiple regression analysis to find the factors. The result was as follows. In the distribution of EQ-5D index level among social classes, new middle class (class II) had the highest score (0.966 in men and 0.955 in women); upper and middle-upper class (class I) 0.965 in men and 0.936 in women; working class (class IV) 0.958 in men and 0.936 in women; old middle class (class III) 0.955 in men and 0.932 in women; low class (class VI) 0.941 in men and 0.908 in women; and rural self-management class (class V) the lowest score (0.918 in men and 0.866 in women). In men, chronic disease, job stress, education and income level were found to make the difference in the health-related quality of life among social classes; in women, those factors and health behavior explained the difference. In conclusion, the lower social class has lower HRQOL. Except for education and income level, chronic disease may be the major factor to explain the difference in the health-related quality of life among social classes.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.419-424
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was aimed to determine the effects of temporary sealing materials on microtensile bond strength between resin-coated dentin and resin inlay and to compare the bonding effectiveness of delayed dentin sealing and that of immediate dentin sealing. Materials and Methods: The teeth were divided into 4 groups: group 1, specimens were prepared using delayed dentin sealing after temporary sealing with zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE); group 2, specimens were prepared using immediate dentin sealing and ZOE sealing; group 3, specimens were prepared using immediate dentin sealing and Dycal (Dentsply) sealing; group 4, specimens were prepared using immediately sealed, and then temporarily sealed with a resin-based temporary sealing material. After removing the temporary sealing material, we applied resin adhesive and light-cured. Then the resin inlays were applied and bonded to the cavity with a resin-based cement. The microtensile bond strength of the sectioned specimens were measured with a micro-tensile tester (Bisco Inc.). Significance between the specimen groups were tested by means of one-way ANOVA and multiple Duncan's test. Results: Group 1 showed the lowest bond strength, and group 4 showed the highest bond strength (p < 0.01). When temporary sealing was performed with ZOE, immediate dentin sealing showed a higher bonding strength than delayed dentin sealing (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Based on these results, immediate dentin sealing is more recommended than delayed dentin sealing in bonding a resin inlay to dentin. Also, resin-based temporary sealing materials have shown the best result.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.257-262
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• 2012

This study was conducted to verify the performance of the solar water circulation apparatus that was installed in a semi-closed sea area of Tongyeong to improve the water quality through removing thermocline and oxygen depleted water mass, and to prevent the occurrence of red tides caused by eutrophication. From 8 weeks of experiments, we found that the thermocline in the semi-closed sea area has been removed gradually after installation of the apparatus. The initial temperature of surface and bottom was $27.9^{\circ}C$ and $23.8^{\circ}C$, respectively and it was changed to $22.1^{\circ}C$ in both depth. In case of DO concentration, there was a big gap between surface (5.49 mg/L) and bottom (2.61 mg/L) and was an oxygen depleted water mass in the bottom area at initial. However DO concentration in bottom layer has increased gradually after operation (6.19 mg/L) and the oxygen depleted water mass has removed. Due to the effects of seasonal variation and the operation of the solar water circulation apparatus for 8 weeks, COD concentration decreased from 5.61 mg/L to 2.36 mg/L in surface area, and from 6.08 mg/L to 1.73 mg/L in bottom area. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentration also decreased from 0.135 mg/L to 0.050 mg/L in surface area, and from 0.076 mg/L to 0.051 mg/L in bottom area. This research was conducted from July to September, and it might be possible that the variation of water quality was affected by both seasonal variation and the operation of the water circulation apparatus. Hence a further research is required to verify the performance of the water circulation apparatus itself and to monitor dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations as well as Chl-a.