• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4373-4378
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• 2012

Introduction: Hypercalcemia is mainly caused by bone resorption due to either secretion of cytokines including parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) or bone metastases. However, hypercalcemia may occur in patients with or without bone metastases. The present study aimed to describe the effect of chemotherapy treatment, regimens and doses on calcium levels among breast and lung cancer patients with hypercalcemia. Methods: We carried a review of medical records of breast and lung cancer patients hospitalized in years 2003 and 2009 at Penang General Hospital, a public tertiary care center in Penang Island, north of Malaysia. Patients with hypercalcemia (defined as a calcium level above 10.5 mg/dl) at the time of cancer diagnosis or during cancer treatment had their medical history abstracted, including presence of metastasis, chemotherapy types and doses, calcium levels throughout cancer treatment, and other co-morbidity. The mean calcium levels at first hospitalization before chemotherapy were compared with calcium levels at the end of or at the latest chemotherapy treatment. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Chi-square test for categorical data, logistic regression test for categorical variables, and Spearman correlation test, linear regression and the paired sample t tests for continuous data. Results: Of a total 1,023 of breast cancer and 814 lung cancer patients identified, 292 had hypercalcemia at first hospitalization or during cancer treatment (174 breast and 118 lung cancer patients). About a quarter of these patients had advanced stage cancers: 26.4% had mild hypercalcemia (10.5-11.9 mg/dl), 55.5% had moderate (12-12.9 mg/dl), and 18.2% severe hypercalcemia (13-13.9; 14-16 mg/dl). Chemotherapy lowered calcium levels significantly both in breast and lung cancer patients with hypercalcemia; in particular with chemotherapy type 5-flurouracil+epirubicin+cyclophosphamide (FEC) for breast cancer, and gemcitabine+cisplatin in lung cancer. Conclusion: Chemotherapy decreases calcium levels in breast and lung cancer cases with hypercalcemia at cancer diagnosis, probably by reducing PTHrP levels.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.19
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• pp.8221-8224
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• 2014

Gastric cancer continues to be a leading cause of cancer death. The majority of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma in China present with advanced disease. Ruling out unresectable cancers from an unnecessary "open" exploration is very important. The aim of this study was to assess the value of five-port anatomical laparoscopic exploration in T4 gastric cancer in comparison with three-port laparoscopic exploration and laparotomy exploration. We conducted a retrospective study on 126 patients with T4 stage scheduled for D2 curative gastrectomy based on computed tomography (CT) staging at Department of Gastric Cancer and Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, from Apr. 2011 to Apr. 2013. Laparotomy exploration (Group I), three-port laparoscopic exploration (Group II) or five-port anatomical laparoscopic exploration (Group III) were performed prior to radical gastrectomy. Accuracy rate for feasibility of D2 curative gastrectomy in laparotomy exploration and five-port anatomical laparoscopic exploration groups was higher than that in the three-port laparoscopic exploration group. Five-port anatomical laparoscopic exploration group had the highest accuracy resection rate (Group I vs Group II vs Group III,92.6% vs78.6% vs 97.7%; p<0.05) and shorter length of hospitalization (Group I vs Group II vs Group III, $9.58{\pm}4.17$ vs $6.13{\pm}2.85$ vs $5.00{\pm}1.81$; p<0.001). Three-port laparoscopic exploration has low accuracy rate for assessing feasibility of D2 curative gastrectomy and five-port anatomical laparoscopic exploration should be performed on patients with T4 gastric cancer.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.471-478
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• 2013

PURPOSE. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of annealing on the nanostructure and hardness of Co-Cr metal ceramic samples that were fabricated with a direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Five groups of Co-Cr dental alloy samples were manufactured in a rectangular form measuring $4{\times}2{\times}2$ mm. Samples fabricated by a conventional casting technique (Group I) and prefabricated milling blanks (Group II) were examined as conventional technique groups. The DMLS samples were randomly divided into three groups as not annealed (Group III), annealed in argon atmosphere (Group IV), or annealed in oxygen atmosphere (Group V). The nanostructure was examined with the small-angle X-ray scattering method. The Rockwell hardness test was used to measure the hardness changes in each group, and the means and standard deviations were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA for comparison of continuous variables and Tukey's HSD test was used for post hoc analysis. P values of <.05 were accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS. The general nanostructures of the samples were composed of small spherical entities stacked atop one another in dendritic form. All groups also displayed different hardness values depending on the manufacturing technique. The annealing procedure and environment directly affected both the nanostructure and hardness of the Co-Cr alloy. Group III exhibited a non-homogeneous structure and increased hardness ($48.16{\pm}3.02$ HRC) because the annealing process was incomplete and the inner stress was not relieved. Annealing in argon atmosphere of Group IV not only relieved the inner stresses but also decreased the hardness ($27.40{\pm}3.98$ HRC). The results of fitting function presented that Group IV was the most homogeneous product as the minimum bilayer thickness was measured (7.11 ${\AA}$). CONCLUSION. After the manufacturing with DMLS technique, annealing in argon atmosphere is an essential process for Co-Cr metal ceramic substructures. The dentists should be familiar with the materials that are used in clinic for prosthodontics treatments.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 1998

In the tele-medical system, the broadband network for multimedia telecommunication and the multimedia terminal equipment for the remote access of the tele-medical information are essential. Especially, the tele-medical terminal equipment should provide the multimedia GUI environment in order to support the similar medical process by the tele-medical system. In this paper, we present a multimedia GUI (Graphic User Interface) for a Multimedia Tele-Medical System (TeleMedi_GUI) based on ATM/B-ISDN. In the tele-medical system, one workstation is used for the multimedia data server that is supporting multiple client terminals that are connected by the ATM network. The client terminals are based on Multimedia Personal Computers, and provide the remote access environment of the tele-medical database. We also developed the remote access protocols among the clients and the server to access multimedia medical information of the multimedia server. With using the TeleMedi_GUI, the doctors can examine and treat patients efficiently, using image data like X-ray/CT and voice data such as the S-ray diagnosis. The result of this paper can be applied to the following areas: 1) the implementation of the advanced medical service system interconnecting the small-scale health center and general hospitals, 2) the development of a fully computerized medical information system within the hospital.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.383-387
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• 2006

Microbiological hazard analysis of foodservice facilities and utensils of 6 hospitals in the Honam region was evaluated. In the microaerosol evaluation, the microbial counts of dinning table, kitchen, and freezer were comparatively high, and it indicated the microbial contamination of these facilities should be effectively managed. In the microbiological hazard analysis evaluation of cooking utensils and appliances, the total plate counts of cutting boards, knife, and meal plates were comparatively high but did not reveal significance. The counts of coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, were lower than the general limit of microbial contamination, and the microbiological safety of the cooking utensils and appliances were satisfactory. In the microbial safety evaluation of side dishes, microbial counts of heat-cooked foods were generally low and microbiological hazards of these side dishes were comparatively low.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.162-170
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• 2017

This study analyzed the current situation of medium and small-sized hospital nursing staff and related policies, and identified the factors that affect staffing level to provide evidence for planning and adopting policy. By analyzing the statistical data published by public institutions such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare and Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the result was viewed based on the understanding of various internal and external health care environments. The number of active nurses was less than 50% of the number of licensed nurses and has decreased every year. This means that the cost-effectiveness of increases in nursing college enrollment should be reconsidered. Inpatient nursing fees by staffing grades has caused nurses to move from medium and small-sized hospitals, where there is a severe lack of staff, to more advanced general hospitals. As a result, the lack of nursing staff in medium and small-sized hospitals has worsened. In conclusion, reexamination is needed to improve effectiveness of inpatient nursing fees by staffing grades as a policy to secure the workforce of medium and small-sized hospitals. Furthermore, the tracking management system of licensed nurses must be able to solve the imbalance between demand and supply of nursing staff.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.109-118
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• 2020

Purpose: Hypofractionated radiotherapy (RT) is becoming a new standard in postoperative treatment of patients with early stage breast cancer after breast conservation surgery. However, data on hypofractionation in patients with advanced stage disease who undergo mastectomy followed by local and regional nodal irradiation (RNI) is lacking. In this retrospective study, we report late-term effects of 3 weeks post-mastectomy hypofractionated local and RNI with two-dimensional (2D) technique in patients with stage II and III breast cancer. Methods: Between January 1990 and December 2007, 1,770 women with breast cancer who were given radical treatment with mastectomy, systemic therapy and RT at least 10 years ago were included. RT dose was 35 Gy/15 fractions/3 weeks to chest wall by two tangential fields and 40 Gy in same fractions to supraclavicular fossa (SCF) and internal mammary nodes (IMNs). SCF and IMNs dose was prescribed at d_max and 3 cm depth, respectively. Chemotherapy and hormonal therapy was given in 64% and 74% patients, respectively. Late-term toxicities were assessed with the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) scores and LENT-SOMA scales (the Late Effects Normal Tissue Task Force-Subjective, Objective, Management, Analytic scales). Results: Mean age was 48 years (range, 19 to 75 years). Median follow-up was 12 years (range, 10 to 27 years). Moderate/marked arm/shoulder pain was reported by 254 (14.3%) patients. Moderate/marked shoulder stiffness was reported by 219 (12.3%) patients. Moderate/marked arm edema was seen in 131 (7.4%) patients. Brachial plexopathy was not seen in any patient. Rib fractures were noted in 6 (0.3%) patients. Late cardiac and lung toxicity was seen in 29 (1.6%) and 23 (1.3%) patients, respectively. Second malignancy developed in 105 (5.9%) patients. Conclusion: RNI with 40 Gy/15 fractions/3 weeks hypofractionation with 2D technique seems safe and comparable to historical data of conventional fractionation (ClinicalTrial.gov Registration No. NCT04175821).

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.151-163
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in cases and to find the general tendency of herbal medicine treatment and to establish the primary treatment direction of Atopic dermatitis. Methods : In the domestic databases, Oriental medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System(OASIS), Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal(KTKP), National Discovery for Science Leader(NDSL), Research Information Sharing Service(RISS), we selected among the papers published in the last 20 years using search terms related to "Atopic dermatitis & Cases". Reports based on Sasang constitutional medicine and Six meridian pattern identification were excluded and a total of 21 papers were finally selected. Results : 113 herbal medicines were retrieved from 21 papers. The most commonly used herbs are Scutellariae Radix(黃芩), Rehmanniae Radix(地黃), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma(甘草). Atractylodis Rhizoma(蒼朮), Akebiae Caulis(木通), Smilacis Rhizoma(土茯?), Paeoniae Radix(芍藥) used mostly when Oozing exists, Trichosanthis Radix (瓜蔞), Asparagi Radix(天門冬), Persicae Semen(桃仁), Carthami Flos(紅花) used mostly when Dryness, Lichenification, and Pigmentation exist. The average score of SCORAD index was improved after Herbal medicine treatment. Conclusion : Through this study, we could find out the tendency of herbal medicine to treat Atopic dermatitis along with Symptoms.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.239-251
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• 2023

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of noise-filtering earplugs on the hearing ability of dentists wearing them during noise-induced dental procedures. Pure tone audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) tests were conducted at the initial visit and 1 year later to evaluate the hearing ability of the participants. As a result of the study, the pure tone average of the group wearing earplugs decreased significantly compared to the group not wearing earplugs, indicating an improvement in hearing. However, the signal-to-noise ratio of the DPOAE tests did not show a significant difference. These findings suggest that noise-filtering earplugs may have some effectiveness in preventing hearing loss. However, since the 1-year observation period may not be adequate to identify changes in hearing, a follow-up study with an extended follow-up period is necessary.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.101-110
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• 2023

Background: Dentists make various efforts to reduce patients' anxiety and fear associated with dental treatment. Dental sedation is an advanced method that dentists can perform to reduce patients' anxiety and fear and provide effective dental treatment. However, dental sedation is different from general dental treatment and requires separate learning, and if done incorrectly, can lead to serious complications. Therefore, sedation is performed by a limited number of dentists who have received specific training. This study aimed to investigate the proportion of dentists who practice sedation and the main sedatives they use in the context of the Republic of Korea. Methods: We used the customized health information data provided by the Korean National Health Insurance. We investigated the number of dental hospitals or clinics that claimed insurance for eight main sedatives commonly used in dental sedation from January, 2007 to September, 2019 at the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. We also identified the changes in the number of dental medical institutions by region and year and analyzed the number and proportion of dental medical institutions prescribing each sedative. Results: In 2007, 302 dental hospitals prescribed sedatives, and the number increased to 613 in 2019. In 2007, approximately 2.18% of the total 13,796 dental institutions prescribed sedatives, increasing to 3.31% in 2019. In 2007, 168 institutions (55.6%) prescribed N₂O alone, and in 2019, 510 institutions (83.1%) made claims for it. In 2007, 76 (25.1%) hospitals made claims for chloral hydrate, but the number gradually decreased, with only 29 hospitals (4.7%) prescribing it in 2019. Hospitals that prescribed a combination of N₂O, chloral hydrate, and hydroxyzine increased from 27 (8.9%) in 2007 to 51 (9%) in 2017 but decreased to 38 (6.1%) in 2019. The use of a combination of N₂O and midazolam increased from 20 hospitals (6.6%) in 2007 to 51 hospitals (8.3%) in 2019. Conclusion: While there is a critical limitation to the investigation of dental hospitals performing sedation using insurance claims data, namely exclusion of dental clinics providing non-insured treatments, we found that in 2019, approximately 3.31% of the dental clinics were practicing sedation and that N₂O was the most commonly prescribed sedative.