• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제51권3호
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• pp.683-691
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• 2019

In this paper, we propose a novel method to quantify the neural synchronization between subjects in the collaborative process through electroencephalogram (EEG) hyperscanning. We hypothesized that the neural synchronization in EEGs will increase when the communication of the operators is smooth and the teamwork is better. We quantified the EEG signal for multiple subjects using a representative EEG quantification method, and studied the changes in brain activity occurring during collaboration. The proposed method quantifies neural synchronization between subjects through bispectral analysis. We found that phase synchronization between EEGs of multi subjects increased significantly during the periods of collaborative work. Traditional methods for a human error analysis used a retrospective analysis, and most of them were analyzed for an unspecified majority. However, the proposed method is able to perform the real-time monitoring of human error and can directly analyze and evaluate specific groups.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.137-143
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• 2015

Background: Insomnia is becoming increasingly recognized as a clinically important symptom in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). In this retrospective study, we have determined risk factors associated with clinical insomnia in CLBP patients in a university hospital in Korea. Methods: Data from four-hundred and eighty one CLBP patients was analyzed in this study. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) was used to determine the presence of clinical insomnia (ISI score ${\geq}15$). Patients' demographics and pain-related factors were evaluated by logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors of clinical insomnia in CLBP. Results: It was found that 43% of patients reported mild to severe insomnia after the development of back pain. In addition, 20% of patients met the criteria for clinically significant insomnia (ISI score ${\geq}15$). In a stepwise multivariate analysis, high pain intensity, the presence of comorbid musculoskeletal pain and neuropathic pain components, and high level of depression were strongly associated with clinical insomnia in CLBP. Among these factors, the presence of comorbid musculoskeletal pain other than back pain was the strongest determinant, with the highest odds ratio of 8.074 (95% CI 4.250 to 15.339) for predicting clinical insomnia. Conclusions: Insomnia should be addressed as an integral part of pain management in CLBP patients with these risk factors, especially in patients suffering from CLBP with comorbid musculoskeletal pain.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.381-386
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• 2013

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adjuvant chemotherapy cycles on the prognosis of patients with post-operative stomach cancer through retrospective analysis. Methods: A total of 128 patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of epirubicin, cisplatin or oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and 5-fluorouracil, according to a defined schedule, were divided into three groups according to the number of chemotherapy cycles: Group I (<6 cycles); Group II (6 cycles); and Group III (>6 cycles). Results: The 5-year overall survival (OS) was 20.8% in Group I, 45.0% in Group II, and 42.9% in Group III, with a median follow-up of 43 months. The 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) was 15.1% in Group I, 40% in Group II, and 40% in Group III. The OS and RFS in Groups II and III were significantly better than in Group I (OS, p = 0.002 and p=0.003; RFS, P<0.001 and P=0.002). There was no difference in OS (p = 0.970) or in RFS (p = 0.722) between Groups II and III. Multivariate Cox hazard analysis determined that the number of adjuvant chemotherapy cycles was an independent factor that influenced OS and RFS. Conclusion: Six cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy gave encouraging outcomes in patients with resectable gastric cancer. Further prospective randomized controlled investigations are warranted in a multi-center setting.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.54-60
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• 2018

Objective: Persons with chronic stroke fall more often than healthy elderly individuals. The Timed Up and Go test (TUG) is used as a fall prediction tool, but only provides a result for the total measurement time. This study aimed to determine the optimal cut-off values for each of the 6 components of the TUG. Design: Retrospective study. Methods: Thirty persons with chronic stroke participated in the study. TUG evaluation was performed using a wearable miniaturized inertial sensor. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for the measured values in each section. Optimal values for fall risk classification were determined. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk of future falls based on TUG. Results: The cut-off values of the 6 sections of the TUG were determined, as follows: sit-to-stand >2.00 seconds (p<0.05), forward gait >4.68 seconds (p<0.05), mid-turn >3.82 seconds (p<0.05), return gait >4.81 seconds (p<0.05), end-turn >2.95 seconds (p<0.05), and stand-to-sit >2.13 seconds (p<0.05). The risk of falling increased by 2.278 times when the mid-turn value was >3.82 seconds (p<0.05). Conclusions: The risk of falls increased by 2.28 times when the value of the mid-turn interval exceeded 3.82 seconds. Therefore, when interpreting TUG results, the predictive accuracy for falls will be higher when the measurement time for each section is analyzed, together with the total time for TUG.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.13-20
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• 2023

Objectives: Ultra-wide implants may be used as a replacement if existing implants fail. This study was conducted to evaluate the factors influencing the prognosis and failure of ultra-wide implants. Patients and Methods: This study evaluated whether sex, age, site, diameter, length, additional surgery, implant stability (primary and secondary), and reason for ultra-wide implant placement affect the 5-year survival and success rates and marginal bone loss (MBL) of ultra-wide implants. Seventy-eight ultra-wide implants that were placed in 71 patients (39 males and 32 females) from 2008 to 2010 were studied. One-way ANOVA analysis was conducted to evaluate the statistical significance of MBL according to the patient's sex, implant site, and diameter. Independent sample t-tests were used to determine the statistical significance of MBL analysis which was used to determine the significance of the 5-year success and survival rates related to the variables. One-way ANOVA was conducted to evaluate the statistical significance of sex, implantation site, diameter, and MBL. Independent sample t-tests were used to evaluate the correlation between implantability and MBL for implantation reasons, while additional surgery, length, and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to evaluate 5-year survival and success rates. Results: The mean age of patients was 54.2 years with a survival rate of 92.3% and a success rate of 83.3% over a mean 97.8-month period of observation. MBL averaged 0.2 mm after one year of prosthetic function loading and 0.54 mm at the time of final observation. Success rates correlated with primary stability (P=0.045), survival rates correlated with secondary stability (P=0.036), and MBL did not correlate with any variables. Conclusion: Ultra-wide implants can be used to achieve secure initial fixation in the maxillary and mandibular molar regions with poor bone quality or for alternative purposes in cases of previous implant failure.

• 중환자간호학회지
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.42-53
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• 2023

Purpose : This retrospective mixed-methods study aimed to explore key considerations for designing effective simulated education in nursing, focusing specifically on the recognition and response to deteriorating patients. Methods : Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed to assess the clinical judgment and performance of the nursing students. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data related to prior knowledge, simulation satisfaction, clinical judgment, and nursing performance during deteriorating patient simulations. Qualitative content analysis was conducted for the reflective journal entries of the participants. Results : Quantitative analysis showed that most participants demonstrated a "being skillful" level of clinical judgment (33.1%) in effective response. At the beginner level, clinical judgment varied across effective noticing(39.7-82.8%), effective interpretating(77.6-82.8%), effective responding(3.4-86.2%), and effective reflecting(90.0-95.4%). Nursing performance in assessing patient respiration or SpO2 after request from a physician ranged from 46.6-48.3%. Qualitative analysis indicated that 48.5% of the participants anticipated a deteriorating condition and initiated appropriate actions, while 70% noticed patient unresponsiveness for the first time. Conclusion : To design an effective simulation program for identifying and addressing deteriorating patient care, a framework for observation and interpretation is essential, along with regular simulated training. It is important to design and assess simulation programs and to conduct thorough interviews with nursing students to gain insight into their clinical decision-making.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권6호
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• pp.2751-2755
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• 2016

Background: Melanoma, the most life-threatening type of skin cancer, is a malignant tumor initiating in melanocytes that rapidly metastasizes and causes death. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, samples were selected from patients' information files in our Cancer Institute in Tehran with a designed checklist. A total of 322 files were found from 2003 until 2012. Then the raw data were transferred to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16 and additional analysis was performed by Students t-test. The important variables were considered according to the available information from history of pathology including age, gender, occupation, stage and location of tumor. Results: Our data showed that incidence of melanoma has been different in the studied 10-year period according to age. Also, incidence of melanoma was higher in men than women. It was more common in lower limbs. More commonly housewives among women and farmers among men were affected by melanoma. Conclusions: Taken together the descriptive data clarified general aspects of this disease for further screening and interventions.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.269-274
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• 2018

Objectives: The incidence and patterns of mandibular fractures vary by country and population age. This retrospective study evaluated the etiologies and patterns of mandibular fractures in children. Materials and Methods: The clinical records of 89 children (45 males and 44 females) aged 0 to 12 years who presented with mandibular fractures from July 2012 to June 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. The sex, patient age, site of fracture, etiology of trauma, and monthly variations of the fractures were recorded. Descriptive statistics, the z-test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis and the P-value was set at <0.05. Results: Eighty-nine children (male-to-female ratio 1.02:1) sustained 131 mandibular fractures. Within the study sample, the 6 to 9 year age group most frequently experienced fractures (47.3%). Falls and road traffic accidents (RTA) were the two most common etiological factors that accounted for 44.9% and 24.7% of cases. The condylar fracture was the most common anatomical location (38.9%) followed by the angle (20.6%), parasymphysis (18.3%), body (15.3%), and symphysis (5.3%). A single fracture (51.7%) was more common than multiple fractures (48.3%). The month-wise distribution of mandibular fractures was fairly constant. Conclusion: The condylar region was the most common anatomic site for fractures; in addition, a fall and RTA were the major etiological factors for mandibular fractures. A single fracture was observed in 51.7% of patients while multiple fracture lines accounted for 48.3% of cases.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.233-238
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• 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Korean medicine treatments on pain reduction and functional improvement of patients after rotator cuff surgery. We studied 10 patients who had admitted to Dunsan Korean Medical hospital after have being diagnosed as rotator cuff tear and got a surgery at other hospital from April 30, 2014 to April 30, 2019. This study was conducted as retrospective study which analyzes patient's medical records. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS statistics 24 program. We used Numeric Rating Scale to evaluate pain reduction, Range of Motion to evaluate shoulder functional improvement and Five-point likert scale to evaluate the patient's satisfaction. The result showed that Korean medicine treatments statistically significantly reduced pain on the patients after rotator cuff surgery. Although there were improvement of Range of Motion, it wasn't statistically significant. In conclusion, we found that the Korean medicine treatments showed a positive effect on pain reduction of patients after rotator cuff surgery and got a high satisfaction.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권16호
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• pp.6727-6732
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• 2014

Objectives: Advanced gastric cancer (AGC) patients have a poor prognosis. The best benefit of chemotherapy is usually achieved by first line setting. Very few studies have compared combination regimens. This study was designed to compare two combination regimens. Methods: Patients with advanced gastric cancer receiving first line chemotherapy were retrospectively collected, and divided into two groups, receiving DCF (docetaxel, cisplatin and fluorouracil) or ECF (epirubicin, cisplatin and fluorouracil) regimens. Data were collected for the retrospective analysis in a single center. Results: Eighty-six patients were eligible for analysis. Median overall survival (OS) was 10.0 months in the ECF group and 11.0 months in the DCF group (p=0.31). Median progression free survival (PFS) for ECF and DCF was equal at 6.0 months. Second line chemotherapy were administered in more than one third of patients. Both regimens had similar toxicity. Conclusions: This is the first study investigating the outcomes of gastric cancer chemotherapy in this region. ECF and DCF regimens have similar efficacy and a similar tolerability profile for first line treatment of advanced gastric cancer. The decision of the first line chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer could be improved with patient selection according to clinical parameters and molecular markers.