• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.51
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• pp.93-118
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• 2002

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a psycho-educational group intervention in reducing psychologic distress and enhancing coping in Korean breast cancer patients. The patient selection criteria were age younger than 70 years, having any postoperative adjuvant therapy, and surgery undergone within the previous 12 months as of the start of the study and there were 70 patients eligible for this criteria. They were randomized into three groups; experimental group(24 patients), wait-list control group(24 patients) and wait-list group(36 patients). We conducted a 8-week, structured, psychosocial group intervention, which used psycho-educational strategies combining education and psychological support. Subjects were assessed for psychological distress and coping by administering the Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) and the Ways of Coping Checklist-Revised(WCCL-R) at the baseline and after 8 weeks. Forty eight patients were participated and thirty five patients completed the study. The experimental group had significantly lower scores than the controls for depression on the BDI(p=.012) after 8-week intervention. However, coping did not show a significant difference on WCCL-R after the intervention. Despite of some limitations, the results of this study suggest that a short term psychosocial group intervention produces a significant improvement in the quality of life of patients with primary breast carcinoma in Korea in terms of managing depression.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• v.33 no.49
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• pp.327.1-327.10
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• 2018

Background: It is difficult to decide whether to inform the child of the incurable illness. We investigated attitudes of the general population and physicians toward prognosis disclosure to children and associated factors in Korea. Methods: Physicians working in one of 13 university hospitals or the National Cancer Center and members of the general public responded to the questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of the age appropriate for informing children about the prognosis and the reason why children should not be informed. This survey was conducted as part of research to identify perceptions of physicians and general public on the end-of-life care in Korea. Results: A total of 928 physicians and 1,241 members of the general public in Korea completed the questionnaire. Whereas 92.7% of physicians said that children should be informed of their incurable illness, only 50.7% of the general population agreed. Physicians were also more likely to think that younger children should know about their poor prognosis compared with the general population. Physicians who opposed incurable illness disclosure suggested that children might not understand the situation, whereas the general public was primarily concerned that disclosure would exacerbate the disease. Physicians who were women or religious were more likely to want to inform children of their poor prognosis. In the general population, gender, education, comorbidity, and caregiver experience were related to attitude toward poor prognosis disclosure to children. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that physicians and the general public in Korea differ in their perceptions about informing children of poor prognosis.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.35-47
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• 2014

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the pollution level (gaseous and particle phase) in the public facilities for the PAHs, non-regulated materials, forecast the risk level by the health risk assessment (HRA) and propose the guideline level. PAH assessments through sampling of particulate matter of diameter < 2.5 ${\mu}m$ ($PM_{2.5}$). The user and worker exposure scenario for the PAHs consists of 24-hour exposure scenario (WIES) assuming the worst case and the normal exposure scenario (MIES) based on the survey. This study investigated 20 PAH substances selected out of 32 substances known to be carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic. The risk assessment applies major toxic equivalency factor (TEF) proposed from existing studies and estaimates individual Excess Cancer Risk (ECR). The study assesses the fine dusts ($PM_{2.5}$) and the exposure levels of the gaseous and particle PAH materials for 6 spots in each 8 facility, e.g. underground subway stations, child-care facilities, elderly care facilities, super market, indoor parking lot, terminal waiting room, internet caf$\acute{e}$ (PC-rooms), movie theater. For internet caf$\acute{e}$ (PC-rooms) in particular, that marks the highest $PM_{2.5}$ concentration and the average concentration of 10 spots (2 spots for each cafe) is 73.3 ${\mu}g/m^3$ (range: 6.8-185.2 ${\mu}g/m^3$). The high level of $PM_{2.5}$ seen in internet cafes was likely due to indoor smoking in most cases. For the gaseous PAHs, the detection frequency for 4-5 rings shows high and the elements with 6 rings shows low frequency. For the particle PAHs, the detection frequency for 2-3 rings shows low and the elements with 6 rings show high frequency. As a result, it is investigated that the most important PAHs are the naphthalene, acenaphthene and phenanthrene from the study of Kim et al. (2013) and this annual study. The health risk assessment demonstrates that each facility shows the level of $10^{-6}-10^{-4}$. Considering standards and local source of pollution levels, it is judged that the management standard of the benzo (a)pyrene, one of the PAHs, shall be managed with the range of 0.5-1.2 $ng/m^3$. Smoking and ventilation were considered as the most important PAHs exposure associated with public facility $PM_{2.5}$. This study only estimated for inhalation health risk of PAHs and focused on the associated cancer risk, while multiple measurements would be necessary for public health and policy.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.34
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• pp.73-82
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of reducing the absorbed dose to the ovaries and the quality of the CBCT image when using the Halcyon^TM Fast kV CBCT of cervical cancer patients of child-bearing age who performed ovarian transposition Materials and Methods : Contouring of the cervix and ovaries required for measurement was performed on the computed tomography images of the human phantom (Alderson Rando Phantom, USA), and three Optically Stimulated Luminescence Dosimeter(OSLD) were attached to the selected organ cross-section, respectively. In order to measure the absorbed dose to the cervix and ovaries in the Truebeam^TM pelvis mode (Hereinafter referred to as TP), The Halcyon^TM Pelvis mode (Hereinafter referred to as HP) and The Halcyon^TM Pelvis Fast mode (Hereinafter referred to as HPF), An image was taken with a scan range of 17.5 cm and also taken an image that reduced the Scan range to 12.5cm. A total of 10 cumulative doses were summed, It was replaced with a value of 23 Fx, the number of cervical cancer treatments, and compared In additon, uniformity, low contrast visibility, spatial resolution, and geometric distortion were compared and analyzed using Catphan 504 phantom to compare CBCT image quality between equipment. Each factor was repeatedly measured three times, and the average value was obtained by analysing with the Doselab (Mobius Medical Systems, LP. Versions: 6.8) program. Results: As a result of measuring absorbed dose by CBCT with OSLD, TP and HP did not obtain significant results under the same conditions. The mode showing the greatest reduction value was HPF versus TP. In HPF, the absorbed dose was reduced by 39.8% in the cervix and 19.8% in the ovary compared to the TP in the scan range of 17.5 cm. the scan range was reduced to 12.5 cm, absorbed dose was reduced by 34.2% in the cervix and 50.5% in the ovary. In addition, result of evaluating the quality of the image used in the above experiment, it complied with the equipment manufacturer's standards with Geometric Distortion within 1mm (SBRT standard), Uniformity HU, LCV within 2.0%, Spatial Resolution more than 3 lp/mm. Conclusion: According to the results of this experiment, Halcyon^TM can select more various conditions than Truebeam^TM in treatment of fertility woman who have undergone ovarian Transposition , because it is important to reduce the radiation dose by CBCT during radiation therapy. So finally we recommend Halcyon^TM Fast kV CBCT which maintains image quality even at low mAs. However, it is consider that the additional exposure to low doses can be reduced by controlling the imaging range for patients who have undergone ovarian transposition in other treatment machines.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2002

Purpose : The purpose of this study 띤as to determine the potential role of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) in the treatment of primary unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. The preliminary results on the efficacy and the toxicity of 3D-CRT are reported. Materials and Methods : Seventeen patients were enrolled in this study, which was conducted prospectively from January 1995 to June 1997. The exclusion criteria included the presence of extrahepatic metastasis, liver cirrhosis of Child-Pugh classification C, tumors occupying more than two thirds of the entire liver, and a performance status of more than 3 on the ECOG scale. Two patients were treated with radiotherapy only while the remaining 15 were treated with combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. Radiotherapy was given to the field including the tumor plus a 1.5 cm margin using a 3D-CRT technique. The radiation dose ranged from $36\~60\;Gy$ (median; 59.4 Gy). Tumor response was based on a radiological examination such as the CT scan, MR imaging, and hepatic artery angiography at $4\~8$ weeks following the completion of treatment. The acute and subacute toxicities were monitored. Results : An objective response was observed in 11 out of 17 patients, giving a response rate of $64.7\%$. The actuarial survival rate at 2 years was $21.2\%$ from the start of radiotherapy (median survival; 19 months). Six patients developed a distant metastasis consisting of a lung metastasis in 5 patients and bone metastasis in one. The complications related to 30-CRT were gastro-duodenitis $(\geq\;grade\;2)$ in 2 patients. There were no treatment related deaths and radiation induced hepatitis. Conclusion : The preliminary results show that 3D-CRT is a reliable and effective treatment modality for primary unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma compared to other conventional modalities. Further studies to evaluate the definitive role of the 3D-CRT technique in the treatment of primary unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma are needed.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.284-289
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• 2011

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is a disease caused by metabolic disorder of purine. General muscle stiffness and hyposomia are shown from infancy and symptoms can include involuntary or irregular movements of arms and legs, mental retardation, and compulsive self-mutilating behaviors. Self-mutilating behaviors begin at approximately the first year or sometimes at late teens. The patients bite their lips, especially lower lip, tongue, buccal mucosa, hands and fingers. Tongue and lips can be injured or mutilated in severe cases. As the patient gets older, self-mutilating behaviors become more serious and extensive and secondary infection of injured areas is possible. Periodic soft tissue damage due to self-mutilating may evolve to cancer. Medical treatment, appliance treatment, extraction of tooth and surgical operation was attempted to control self-mutilaing behaviors. We hereby report the case of child Lesch-Nyhan syndrome patient who has self-inflicted labial damage as chief complaint. When patient was treated with conservate therapy, such as removable or fixed appliance, the frequency of labial damage could be subdued and yielded favorable results.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.641-646
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• 2018

Purpose : The aim of this research was to clarify the difference in awareness of food safety and what they feel as dangerous among parents in Japan, China, and Korea and how they are different among the nations. Methods : Research subjects were 250 parents in Japan, 181 parents in China, 166 parents in Korea whose children attend a child institution or a day care center. We conducted a questionnaire survey that was self-written and anonymous. Results : Parents in Japan feel safer than Korea and China, and parents in Korea feel safer than China about food that are sold generally. Especially, in China, the average of 5 level scale was lower than the median so it shows that people do not trust food that are sold in the market. All 3 countries tend to have the awareness that "pesticide that is over the standard amount is detected from vegetables in China" and "vegetable grown without pesticides and organic produce are safe" and showed no significant difference. Also, there was a significant difference statistically for the awareness that "it makes it easier to get cancer if you eat food that contain radiation" and "there is a possibility that seafood caught near Japan contain radiation". Parents in Japan emphasize that "the price is low" the most and it was significantly higher than in China and Korea. Also, similar to parents in Japan, parents in Korea tend to emphasize that it is "domestic". On the other hand, it verified that parents in China emphasized "the meat or fish is grown without antibiotics" and "it uses vegetable grown without pesticides".

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.207-212
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• 2001

Purpose: Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is relatively common in childhood. Its extrapulmonary manifestations have been reported so much, but hepatitis associated with it has not been studied yet until now in Korea. Methods: We performed the prospective study of 19 cases that had AST and ALT>50 IU/L respectively without evidence of hepatitis A, B, C, cytomegalovirus, and Ebstein-Barr virus infections amongst 143 patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Seoul Red Cross Hospital from Jan. 1999 to Dec. 2000. Results: 1) Hepatitis occurred in 13.3% of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, especially in fall and winter times. The average age was 4.86 years and male to female ratio was 2.2:1. 2) Vomiting was developed in 21.1%, diarrhea in 36.8%, and hepatomegaly in 21.1%, respectively. And leukocytosis was noted in 21.1%, eosinophilia in 15.4%, anemia in 10.5%, and thrombocytosis in 5.3%, respectively. The average level of C-reactive protein was $6.34{\pm}4.82$ mg/dl. 3) There was no hyperbilirubinemia, but hypoalbuminemia was detected in 42.1%. The average serum levels of AST and ALT were $214.05{\pm}183.22$ IU/L and $284.16{\pm}286.84$ IU/L, respectively. 4) Chest radiology showed lobar or lobular consolidation in 73.7%, bronchial infiltration in 26.3%, and pleural effusion in 31.6%. 5) The average length of hospitalization was 7.9 days, and the average length of normalization of serum transaminases was 8.8 days. All patients recovered within 2 weeks completely. Conclusion: The prognosis of M. pneumoniae hepatitis is good. However, its incidence is not so low that liver function should be considerately checked in case of M. pneumoniae infection.