• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.419-432
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• 2017

Objectives: This study provides an evaluation of the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of essential tremors (ETs) using randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: Nine databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, OASIS, NDSL, CNKI, Wanfang, J-STAGE, and CiNii) and the keywords "Essential tremor", "Benign tremor", "Familial tremor", and "Acupuncture" were used to compile RCTs that used acupuncture to treat ETs. Studies that were not RCTs, such as case studies, reviews, and essays, were excluded. The methodological quality of each RCT was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, and where appropriate, meta-analyses were performed. Results: Initially, 819 studies were found, but 773 were excluded after title and abstract screening. After further screening of the resulting 46 papers, eight RCTs were selected that had been published between 2003 and 2016, and the total effective rate (TER) was used as the primary evaluation method for all eight studies. It was found that the TER was significantly higher in treatment groups (83.33-96.7%) than in control groups (56.5-80.0%), and seven studies included in the meta-analysis showed positive results for acupuncture for ETs (Risk Ratio: 1.43, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.21-1.69, P<0.0001) Confidence Interval. Conclusions: This meta-analysis of clinical trials suggests that acupuncture is effective for treating ET patients; however, further studies are needed or larger populations to prove its effectiveness.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1203-1208
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• 2012

Background: Previous studies concerning the association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk in Asian populations generated conflicting results. A meta-analysis was therefore performed to allow a more reliable estimate of any link. Methods: Relevant studies concerning the association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and risk of colorectal cancer were included into this meta-analysis. The quality of the studies was assessed according to a predefined scale. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined for this gene-disease association using fixed or random effect models according to the heterogeneity between included studies. Results: Finally, 21 studies with a total of 6692 cases and 8266 controls were included. Meta-analyses showed that there was an obvious association of the MTHFR 677T allele with decreased risk of colorectal cancer (OR = 0.91, 95%CI=0.85-0.98, P=0.011). Subgroup analyses by country further identified this association, with dietary folate as the main source of heterogeneity. Conclusion: The MTHFR 677T allele is associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer in Asian populations, and there is effect modification by population plasma folate.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.169-182
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• 1978

The Weolagsan area consists of four units; (1) Low grade meta-sediments of the upper members of Ogcheon age unknown group such as Changri (mainly black slate and phyllitic rock), Majeonri (mainly alternation of slate, limestone and chert) and Hwanggangri Formation (pebble bearing phyllitic sediments); (2) Samtaesan Formation of Chosun System of Ordovician; (3) So called meta-volcanics and (4) Weolagsan Granite and its associations which intruded above mentioned meta-sediments and meta-volcanics. This study was focused to know the Woelagsan granite and its metasomatic effects to the country rocks petrographically and petrochemically. According to the field survey, microscopic work and some chemical analysis, the granite is a "normal granite" based on the Streckeisen's classification and belongs to a mass of the Central-zone younger group in Ogcheon geosynclinal belt. The granite metasomatized the country rocks along its northern contact zone. Zone of calcareous and cherty rocks (Majeonri formation) was silicified partly and skarned locally at the contact with the granite. The chemical analysis of the zone show no difinite variations in contents of $SiO_2$ and CaO with the distance from the granite. It seems to be indicated that the silicification of this part was not so metasomatized by the granite body, but thermally affected as much as to be partially remelted in the specific parts of the formations. Meta-volcanic rock zone was slightly chloritized near contact with the granite. Limestone of Samtaesan Formation was silicified and skarned along the contact zone by the granite body. The chemical analysis of the zone show some noticiable changes in compositions of $SiO_2$ and CaO with distance from the granite boundary. It can be imagined that the silicification of this zone was metasomatically originated by Woelagsan Granite. According to chemical analysis on several trace elements, the ratio of Zn/Cr and Ni/Cr are relatively higher than that of Cu/Cr in the above mentioned silicified zones. Generally the variation of these metal elements in the zones tend to be regular with distance from the granite body.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.909-913
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• 2015

Background: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies evaluated the association of intake of vitamin B2 with the incidence of colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: Relevant studies were identified in MEDLINE via PubMed (published up to April 2014). We extracted data from articles on vitamin B2 and used multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (OR) and a random-effects model for analysis. Results: We found 8 articles meeting the inclusion criteria (4 of cohort studies and 4 of case-control studies) and a total of 7,750 colorectal cancer cases were included in this meta-analysis. The multivariable-adjusted OR for pooled studies for the association of the highest versus lowest vitamin B2 intake and the risk of colorectal cancer was 0.83 (95% confidence interval [95%CI]:0.75,0.91). We performed a sensitivity analysis for vitamin B2. If we omitted the study by Vecchia et al., the pooled OR was 0.86 (95%CI, 0.77,0.96). Conclusions: This is the first meta-analysis to study links between vitamin B2 and colorectal cancer. We found vitamin B2 intake was inversely associated with risk of colorectal cancer. However, further research and large sample studies need to be conducted to better validate the result.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.848-854
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• 2014

A Meta-analysis refers to a statistical literature synthesis method from the quantitative results of many known empirical studies. We conducted a meta-analysis and review of external factors based on the technology acceptance model for Smartphone-related researches. This study surveyed 106 research papers that established causal relationships in the technology acceptance model published in Korean academic journals during 2008 and 2013. The result of the meta-analysis might be summarized that the playfulness has the highest effect size in the path from external factors to the perceived usefulness, with the effect size(0.536). Also the self efficacy showed the highest effect size(0.626) in the path from external factors to the perceived ease of use. Based on these findings, several theoretical and practical implications were suggested and discussed with the difference from previous researches.

• Journal of Information Technology Services
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.15-31
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• 2017

This study analyzes 45 Korea IT service companies from 2012 to 2016 using DEA analysis. Large enterprises, medium enterprises and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). CCR model and BCC model were used for efficiency analysis. Among the various analytical objects, the decision objects which yield the maximum output with minimum input are compared with other analysis objects. The relative inefficiency was measured through this, and Technical Efficiency (TE), Pure Technology Efficiency (PTE), Scale Efficiency (SE), scale profit, reference frequency were analyzed. Also, we analyzed the Technology Gap Ratio (TGR), which is the distance between production function and Meta-Frontier for each firm, using Meta-Frontier analysis. Finally, the Tobit model is used to analyze the sources of efficiency and inefficiency. The inputs are assets, capital, and employees, and the output factor is sales. The analysis shows that large firms are achieving technological achievements more efficiently than small and medium enterprises. As a result, medium-sized enterprises and SMEs can improve efficiency overall through efficient operation of workforce and appropriate combination of inputs such as assets and capital. Also, as a result of the influence factor analysis, it was found that the ratio of the managed asset ratio and the management cost ratio were significant factors influencing the efficiency of the IT service companies. This study suggests the efficiency analysis using DEA for many Korea IT service companies. Inefficient parts of each company are classified according to size and technology. Also, we identify the most efficient companies and analyze the causes of those companies whose profits are lower than their size.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.233-239
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• 2016

Objective: Uterine contraction induced by the embryo transfer (ET) process has an adverse effect on embryo implantation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oxytocin antagonist supplementation on the day of ET on in vitro fertilization outcomes via a meta-analysis. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Four online databases (Embase, Medline, PubMed, and Cochrane Library) were searched through May 2015 for RCTs that investigated oxytocin antagonist supplementation on the day of ET. Studies were selected according to predefined inclusion criteria and meta-analyzed using RevMan 5.3. Only RCTs were included in this study. The main outcome measures were the clinical pregnancy rate, the implantation rate, and the miscarriage rate. Results: A total of 123 studies were reviewed and assessed for eligibility. Three RCTs, which included 1,020 patients, met the selection criteria. The implantation rate was significantly better in patients who underwent oxytocin antagonist infusion (19.8%) than in the control group (11.3%) (n = 681; odds ratio [OR], 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-2.96). No significant difference was found between the two groups in the clinical pregnancy rate (n = 1,020; OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.92-2.67) or the miscarriage rate (n = 456; OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.44-1.33). Conclusion: The results of this meta-analysis of the currently available literature suggest that the administration of an oxytocin antagonist on the day of ET improves the implantation rate but not the clinical pregnancy rate or miscarriage rate. Additional, large-scale, prospective, randomized studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.551-560
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of drama program for early children by using method of meta-analysis. For the purpose of the study, master's theses, doctoral dissertations, and journal articles published in Korea up to April, 2017 were systematically reviewed. As a result, a total of 39 studies were eligible for the inclusion criteria. The mean effect sizes and test for homogeneity of effect size(Q-statistic) were analyzed by using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software 2.0. The main findings of the study were as follows. First, the average effect sizes for drama program were ES=1.922 of verbal expression, ES=1.898 of emotional intelligence, ES=1.558 of creativity, ES= 1.292 of sociability. Second, by analysing the moderate variables of the effect size for drama program, 'age' of verbal expression, creativity and sociability, 'sessions' of verbal expression were statistically significant. Based on the study results, the research and practice implications were discussed.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.331-337
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to meta-synthesize the results of qualitative research that explored the experiences of nursing care in a domestic nurse to understand the phenomenon. The research method was a qualitative meta-synthesis study, which was analyzed using Thomas and Harden's methods. This was analyzed by searching for quality assessments for individual studies, extracting data for analysis, and meta-synthesizing the results. As a result of the study, it appeared as five synthetic themes. 1) Disaster nursing that begins with anxiety and fear, 2) Disaster nursing process: An atmosphere that feels even loneliness and burden in isolation and disconnection, 3) Disaster nursing process: Being in a poor and diverse environment, 4) Disaster nursing process: Although exhausted Endure and overcome. 5) After disaster care: A leap forward for development beyond mission and self-esteem. Conclusion, this study is expected to be a useful basic data for the development and application of nurse's disaster nursing programs and educational programs in the future.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2018

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are the most important problems among professions particularly, dentists. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in various parts of the body in Iranian dentists by using systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was based on preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and searching in national databases such as SID, Magiran, Irandoc, IranMedex, and Medlib, and international databases such as MedLine, Web of Sciences, Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, Embase, Springer, Wiley Online Library, Ebsco, CEBM, and Google Scholar search engine which were published by January 1, 2017. Researched keywords were in Persian and their standard English equivalents were in accordance with their MeSH. The obtained documents were analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-analysis version 2. Results: According to 23 studies through 2,531 Iranian dentists which took part in this study, prevalence of skeletal disorders in Iranian dentists has been 17.6% [confidence interval (CI) 95%:11.7-25.5] in knees, 33.2% (CI 95%:24.1-43.8) in shoulders, 33.4% (CI 95%: 26.8-40.8) in the thorax, 51.9% (CI 95%:46.7-57.2) in necks, 33.7% (CI 95%:28.2-39.6) in wrists/hands, 12.9% (CI 95%:7.7-20.6) in elbows, 37.3% (CI 95%: 31.5-43.5) in lower back, 11.9% (CI 95%:8.7-16.1) in thighs, 12.9% (CI 95%:3.8-36) in the foot, and 10.5% (CI 95%:7-15.4) in legs. Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in Iranian dentists, ergonomics should be included as a lesson in preclinic and also, reeducation courses for ergonomics basics should be executed for graduate dentists.