• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.4685-4690
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• 2015

Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between cosmetic outcome (CO), body image, and quality of life in post breast-conserving therapy (BCT) women. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study concerned one-year post-completed BCT Thai women. The data included subjective and objective CO with a questionnaire covering demographic and clinical data, anti-hormonal treatment status, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, Self-Reported Cosmetic Outcomes (SRCO), Self-Reported Breast Symmetry (SRBS), Body Image Scale (BIS), and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy with Breast Cancer subscale (FACT-B). Participants had breast photographs taken for the evaluation of objective cosmetic outcome (OCO) after breast cancer conservation treatment. The relationship between CO and FACT-B was tested using Spearman's rank correlation Results: A total 127 participants volunteered for the study. The participant characteristics were age 52(${\pm}9$), Buddhist 87%, married 65%, body mass index 25.0(${\pm}4.6$), breast cup size A-C 91%, college educated 60%, employed 66%, ECOG 0-1 95%, tumor size less than or equal to 2 cm 55%, no lymph node metastasis 98%, and taking tamoxifen 57%. Two percent of the participants regretted their decision to undergo BCT. The SRCO was excellent in 2%, good in 68%, fair in 30%, and poor in 0%. For SRBS, rates were 17%, 58%, 24% and 1% for excellent, good, fair and poor cosmetic outcomes, respectively. The BCCT scores were excellent 24%, good 39%, fair 32%, and poor 6%. The median total QOL score of the participants was 130 (93-144). There was no significant correlation between CO and FACT-B scores. Conclusions: The significance of CO for FACT-B in Thai women with breast cancer could not be assessed in detail because of a very low level of correlation. The results may be due to the effects of cultural background.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.2915-2921
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• 2015

Background: Some recent clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate a combination of EGFR- TKI with chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC patients as second-line therapy, but the results on the efficacy of such trials are inconsistent. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination of EGFR-TKI and chemotherapy for patients with advanced NSCLC who failed first-line treatment. Materials and Methods: We searched relative trials from PubMed, EMBASE, ASCO Abstracts, ESMO Abstracts, Cochrane Library and Clinical Trials.gov. Outcomes analyzed were overall response rate (ORR), progression- free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and major toxicity. Results: Seven trails eventually were included in this meta-analysis, covering 1,168 patients. The results showed that the combined regimen arm had a significant higher ORR (RR 1.76 [1.16, 2.66], p=0.007) and longer PFS (HR 0.75 [0.66-0.85], p<0.00001), but failed to show effects on OS (HR 0.88 [0.68-1.15], p=0.36). In terms of subgroup results, continuation of EGFR-TKI in addition to chemotherapy after first-line EGFR-TKI resistance confered no improvement in ORR (RR 0.95 [0.68, 1.33], p=0.75) and PFS (HR 0.89[0.69, 1.15], p=0.38), and OS was even shorter (HR1.52 [1.05-2.21], p=0.03). However, combination therapy with EGFR-TKI and chemotherapy after failure of first-line chemotherapy significantly improved the ORR (RR 2.06 [1.42, 2.99], p=0.0002), PFS (HR 0.71 [0.61, 0.82], p<0.00001) and OS (HR 0.74 [0.62-0.88], p=0.0008), clinical benefit being restricted to combining EGFR-TKI with pemetrexed, but not docetaxel. Grade 3-4 toxicity was found at significantly higher incidence in the combined regimen arm. Conclusions: Continuation of EGFR-TKI in addition to chemotherapy after first-line EGFR-TKI resistance should be avoided. Combination therapy of EGFR-TKI and pemetrexed for advanced NSCLC should be further investigated for prognostic and predictive factors to find the group with the highest benefit of the combination strategy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.103-109
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• 2013

Background: The objective of this study is to determine knowledge about lung cancer among secondary school male teachers in Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among three secondary schools located in Kudat district, Sabah, Malaysia during the period from June until September 2012. The protocol of this study was approved by ethics committee of Management and Science University, Malaysia. The aims were explained and a consent form was signed by each participant. Respondents were chosen randomly from each school with the help of the headmasters. Self-administrated questionnaires, covering socio-demographic characteristics and general knowledge of lung cancer, were distributed. Once all 150 respondents completed the questionnaire, they passed it to their head master for collecting and recording. All the data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 13. ANOVA and t-test were applied for univariate analysis; and multiple linear regression for multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 150 male secondary school teachers participated in this study. Their mean age was $35.6{\pm}6.5$ (SD); maximum 50 and minimum 23 years old. More than half of the participants were Malay and married (52%, 79%; respectively). Regarding the knowledge about lung cancer, 57.3% of the participants mentioned that only males are affected by lung cancer. Some 70.7% mentioned that lung cancer can be transmitted from one person to another. More than half (56.7%) reported that lung cancer is not the leading cause of death in Malaysian males. As for risk factors, the majority reported that family history of lung cancer is not involved. However, 91.3% were aware that cigarettes are the main risk factor of lung cancer and more than half (52%) believed that second-hand smoking is one of the risk factor of lung cancer. More than half (51.3%) were not aware that asbestos, ionizing radiation and other cancer causing substances are risk factors for lung cancer. Quitting smoking, avoiding second-hand smoking and avoiding unnecessary x-ray image of the chest (53.3%, 96.0%, 87.3%; respectively) are the main preventive measures mentioned by the participants. For the factors that influence the participants knowledge, univariate and multivariate analysis showed that only race was significant. Conclusions: Overall, the knowledge of school male teachers about lung cancer was low. However, few items were scored high: cigarettes are the main risk factor; avoiding second-hand smoking; and avoiding x-rays. Interventions to increase lung cancer awareness are needed to improve early detection behavior. Increase the price of pack of cigarettes to RM 20 and banning smoking in public places such as restaurants are highly recommended as primary preventive measures.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 2002

Remote Sensing has been very useful tool in monitoring of cities and updating of GIS database compare to traditional methods due to its benefit; wide range covering on low cost and advanced data collection. However it had come to a limited method in limited researches because of its relatively poor spatial resolution in scanning. Recently launched satellites are able to produce improved imageries, and new commercial services have been commenced for the use of general public with higher spatial resolution up to $1m{\times}1m$. This study tackled a potential use of these improved satellite imageries in urban planning based on the Multi-temporal satellite imagery with particular reference to monitoring on urban areas, for example urbanization and its expanding. i) Portion of individual features and elements in each pixel of satellite imagery was computed based on 'Endmember' of targeted elements. ii) Urbanized areas were categorized based on the 'Fraction imagery' derived from the 'SMA algorithm'. iii) Alterations and expanding of urban areas were identified based on the Multi-temporal satellite imageries. Tested method showed a strong potential to produce more advanced monitoring skills of urban areas.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.21
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• pp.9107-9112
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• 2014

Purpose: To investigate and study the relationship between the PLCE1 rs2274223 gene polymorphism and susceptibility to esophageal cancer by meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: The literature was searched in Wanfang, CNKI, PubMed, CBM, Web of Science, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Springer, Elsevier and Cochrane databases from the date of January $1^{st}$ 2004 to April $1^{st}$ 2014 to collect case-control studies on the PLCE1 polymorphism and susceptibility to esophageal cancer. For the population genotype distributions of both esophagus cancer and control groups, their odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were taken as effect indexes. Disqualified studies were excluded. Odds ratios of PLCE1 rs2274223 genotype distributions in the group of patients with esophageal cancer and the group of healthy control were calculated. The metaanalysis software, RevMan5.0, was applied for heterogeneity test, pooled OR and 95% confidence intervals. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias were also explored. Results: A total of twelve case-control studies were included, covering a total of 9, 912 esophageal cancer cases and 13, 023 controls were included. The pooled odds ratio of PLCE1 rs2274223 genotype GA vs AA was 1.29 (95%CI=1.17~1.43), p<0.01, GG vs AA was 1.65 (95%CI=1.32~2.05), p<0.01, GG/GA vs AA was 1.30 (95%CI=1.16~1.46), p<0.01 and GG vs GA/AA was 1.48 (95%CI=1.22~1.80), p<0.01. The PLCE1 rs2274223 polymorphism was thus associated with risk of esophageal cancer in all genetic models. In the stratified analysis by ethnicity, and source of controls, no significantly increased risk was observed for white persons. There was no obvious publication bias detected. Conclusions: This meta-analysis showed there was a significantly association between PLCE1 rs2274223 polymorphism and esophageal cancer in yellow race populations. Due to some minor limitations, our findings should be confirmed in further studies.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.72-77
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• 2012

Purpose: Unplanned excision of a soft tissue sarcoma is defined as the operation performed for gross removal of a soft tissue sarcoma without regard for preoperative imaging or the necessity to removal a margin of normal tissue covering the cancer. We report our experience of treating primary soft tissue sarcoma after an unplanned excision. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 31 patients referred to our hospital after unplanned excision at other hospitals for treatment of a STS. The clinical information was reviewed with a focus on the patient's age, gender, tumor location, tumor size, tumor depth, presumptive diagnoses at the previous surgery, refer hospital, definitive diagnosis, interval between the initial and additional surgery and local recurrence. Results: There were 19 males and 12 females with a median age of 48 years (range, 17-75 years) at the time of referral. Seventeen patients (54.8%) had tumors in their lower limb, 6 (19.4%) had tumors in their upper limb, and 8 (25.8%) had tumors in their trunk. Tumor depth could be determined for 8 patients (25.8%), with superficial and 22 deep tumors (71%). The medial interval between unplanned excision to re-excision ranged from 2 weeks to 1 year (median, 5 weeks). Local recurrence was detected in 2 patients. All patients were alive without metastasis at last follow up. Conclusion: Even in upper class general hospital, many unplanned excision had been performed, which is considered to be avoided. When the relatively huge mass located in deeper layer it requires enough preoperative imaging studies and biopsy.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.63-73
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to review the disaster preparation and response programs and the status of disaster preparation in public health center. Methods: In depth interview was performed in September 2017 using 5 open questions to the persons who are in charge of disaster response services in 5 public health centers of different levels in Korea. The questions included general characteristics of public health center, disaster programs and future issues. The research hired a quality method. Results: In general, the persons in charge recognized the cooperative agency of local government in disaster management. There were no disaster preparation programs developed by the public health centers. Most of the preparation were passive activities such as emergency support, crisis management on communicable disease and quarantine, participation in biological disaster response training, and education etc. The persons in charge emphasized necessity of disaster preparation programs. Conclusions: Disaster preparation and responsiveness is an evolving issue in public health centers in Korea. Medical support system and communicable disease management system are being set up in the national level. A comprehensive system covering health management, nutritional support, mental health, environment management of shelter, and volunteers supports on public health center level needs to be developed along with a easy-to-follow manual.

• 전기의세계
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• v.2
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• pp.6-14
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• 1949

Telemetering may be described as the art of metering at a considerable distance those quantities which are ordinarily encountered in industry, and in the generation of electric power. It is in the production of electric power that telemetering is particularly important, for it permits the system operator, or load dispatcher, to have before him at all times a continuous graphic record of the power output of each individual generating station together with an automatically made continuous graphic record of the total system output. There desired individual graphic records may be obtained showing power flow in or out, on important tie lines, etc. Such arrangements have the very great advantage that loads may be assigned to each generating station so that the best over-all system economy may be obtained and the system operator at all times may see with his own eyes that loads scheduled are actually held at the various stations. Moreover, with such equipment, in the event of system or station trouble the load dispatcher can see exactly what station, or stations, are affected and to what extent, without having to get in touch with anyone by telephone. Decisions can, therefore, be quickly reached for rescheduling the load. One of the most accurate and reliable telemetering systems is based on the use of potentiometric circuits, the fundamentals of which are discussed below. A member of such telemetering systems have been installed for the Boston Edicon Co., Boston, Massachusetts, the Consolidated Edison Co. of New York City. The Public Service Gas & Electric Co. of Newark, new Jersey. The Philadelphia Electric Co. for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. for their electrified zone between New York and Washington a distance of over 200 miles. The scale of the totalizing recorder for the New York area is 3,000,00 KW. That of the totalizing recorder for the Philadelphia area is 2,000,000 KW. The initial installation using this type of equipment described was placed in service for the Philadelphia Electric Co. in 1923. All of the original recording instruments are still in service, later instruments have been added to take care of additions to the power system and naturally these later recorders have incorporated in those refinements in design made since the earlier ones were manufactured. Many other installations of similar equipment have been made in the United States in various locations such as at St. Louis, on the West Coast, at Baltimore and in Washington, D.C. While the use of these basic potentiometric circuits involves the use of continuous metallic circuits of good insulation resistance and free of grounds, nevertheless, intermediate transmission links, involving and impulse method suitable for use on telephone Morse carrier channels is available. This same method may be employed on power line carrier systems and is also suitable for use on beam type microwave transmission. Many impulse type units are also used as a link in these potantiometric methods. For the sake of brevity a description is given only of these basic potentiometric circuits. If there is sufficient interest in Korea, a further paper can be given covering those impulse circuits also.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.23-33
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• 2003

This morphological study was carried out to investigate the healing effect of open and occlusive dressing on rabbit skin wounds. The male white rabbits were given incision wound measuring 1.0cm in length and excision wound measuring $1.0{\times}0.2cm$ respectively on backs. Five rabbits among their received sterilization with beta dine twice a day and kept wound open. Another group of rabbits received sterilization and occlusive dressing with application of 1% sulfadiazine ointment and covering of gauze. The rabbits were observed at 5, 10, and 15 days after dressing with light microscope. The results were as follows. Both incision and excision wounds received open and occlusive dressing respectively revealed formation of scab and regeneration of epidermal epithelial cells at wound margin. The superficial dermis showed infiltration of neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes, fibroblastic proliferation, and edema. On 10 days after opera and occlusive dressing the scab had disappeared and regeneration of epidermal epithelium was completed. The capillaries and inflammatory cells were decreased in number. However, edema and fibroblastic proliferation were more pronounced. On 15 days after opera and occlusive dressing, there were keratinization of regenerated epidermal epithelium, loss of inflammatory infiltration, edema, and capillary proliferation, and increase of fibroblastic proliferation and collagen fibers. The amounts of scars were less in incision wound than of excision one. There were no differences in healing processes between both dressing methods. According to the above results, it was conceived that sterilization of wound is more important in wound healing than dressing method in trivial wounds.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.228-234
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• 2011

Purpose: Reconstruction of chest wall has always been a challenging problem. Muscle flaps for chest wall reconstruction have been helpful in controling infection, filling dead space and covering the prosthetic material in this challenge. However, when we use muscle flaps, functional and cosmetic donor site morbidities could occur. The authors applied and revised various partial muscle flaps and combination use of them to cover the prosthetic material for the chest wall reconstruction and evaluated the usefulness of partial muscle flaps. Methods: This study included 7 patients who underwent chest wall reconstruction using partial muscle flap to cover prosthetic material from 2004 to 2008. The pectoralis major muscle was used in anterior 2/3 parts of it leaving lateral 1/3 parts of it. The anterior 2/3 parts of the pectoralis major muscle were used while lateral 1/3 parts were left. In case of the rectus abdominis muscle flap, we used upper half of it, or we dissected it around its origin and then advanced to cover the site. The latissimus dorsi muscle flap was elevated with lateral portion of it along the descending branch of the thoracodorsal artery. If single partial muscle flap could not cover whole prosthetic material, it would be covered with combination of various partial muscle flaps adjacent to the coverage site. Results: Flap coverage of the prosthetic material and chest wall reconstructions were successfully done. There occurred no immediate and delayed post operative complications such as surgical site infection, seroma, deformity of donor site and functional impairment. Conclusion: When we use the muscle flaps to cover prosthetic material for chest wall reconstruction, use of the partial muscle flaps could be a good way to reduce donor site morbidity. Combination of multiple partial flaps could be a valuable and good alternative way to overcome the disadvantages of partial muscle flaps such as limitation of volume and size as well as flap mobility.