• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2857-2861
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• 2014

More and more evidence indicates that the G801A polymorphism in the CXCL12 gene might be associated with susceptibility to breast carcinoma in humans being. However, individually published results have been inconsistent. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the association between the G801A polymorphism in the CXCL12 gene and breast carcinoma risk. A complete search strategy was done by the electronic databases including PubMed and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. A meta-analysis including seven individual studies was carried out in order to explore the association between the G801A polymorphism in the CXCL12 gene polymorphisms and breast carcinoma. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) between the G801A polymorphism in the CXCL12 gene and breast carcinoma risk were assessed by the random-effects model. A significant relationship between the G801A polymorphism in the CXCL12 gene and breast carcinoma was discovered in an allelic genetic model (OR: 1.214, 95%CI: 1.085-1.358, p=0.001), a homozygote model (OR: 1.663, 95%CI: 1.240-2.232, p=0.001), a heterozygote model (OR: 1.392, 95%CI: 1.190-1.629, p=0.000), a recessive genetic model (OR: 1.407, 95%CI: 1.060-1.868, p=0.018) and a dominant genetic model (OR: 1.427, 95%CI: 1.228-1.659, p=0.000). On sub-group analysis based on ethnicity, significance was observed between the European group and the mixed group. A significant relationship was found between the G801A polymorphism in the CXCL12 gene and breast carcinoma risk. Individuals with the A allele of the G801A polymorphism in the CXCL12 gene are under a higher risk for breast carcinoma.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7401-7407
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• 2013

Aim: To compare survival outcomes after whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and WBRT plus SRS combination therapy in Korea, by performing a quantitative systematic review. Materials and Methods: We searched 10 electronic databases for reports on Korean patients treated with WBRT or SRS for brain metastases published prior to July 2010. Independent reviewers screened all articles and extracted the data. When a Kaplan-Meier survival curve was available, median survival time and standard errors were calculated. Summary estimates for the outcomes in each study were calculated using the inverse variance random-effects method. Results: Among a total of 2,761 studies, 20 studies with Korean patients (n=1,053) were identified. A combination of 12 studies (n=566) with WBRT outcomes showed a median survival time of 6.0 months (95%CI: 5.9-6.2), an overall survival rate of 5.6% (95%CI: 1-24), and a 6-month survival rate of 46.5% (95%CI: 37.2-56.1). For nine studies (n=412) on SRS, the median survival was 7.9 months (95%CI: 5.1-10.8), and the 6-month survival rate was 63.1% (95%CI: 49.8-74.8). In six studies (n=75) using WBRT plus SRS, the median survival was 10.7 months (95%CI: 4.7-16.6), and the overall and 6-month survival rates were 16.8% (95%CI: 6.2-38.2) and 85.7% (95%CI: 28.3-96.9), respectively. Conclusions: WBRT plus SRS showed better 1-year survival outcome than of WBRT alone for Korean patients with metastatic brain tumors. However, the results of this analysis have to be interpreted cautiously, because the risk factors of patients were not adjusted in the included studies.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.87-95
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• 2008

Background: Hemiplegic patients usually have difficulty maintaining balance. Balance training is a major component of there habilitation program for patients with neurological impairment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of PLS(Posterior Leaf Spring), FES(Functional Electrical stimulation), treadmill training, and neurodevelopmental treatment on the improvement of balance in patients with hemiplegia. Methods: We looked into published studies from Dankook University’s electronic library databases of RISS4U, KMbase, NCBI, and MEDLIS concerning the effectiveness of any form of intervention leading to improvement of balance. All types of studies relevant to the topic that were published in English during the time period of 1986 to 2005 were included. Results: 1. There were significant differences in standing balance, dynamic activity balance, and gait speed between barefoot subjects and subjects who wore SPAFO and HPAFO(p<.05). 2. The changes in ROM and FRT related to sex, age, height, and weight part of the diagnosis, as well as experience relapse, was of meaningless value. Changes in ROM related to the duration of pain and experiences of falling down were also meaningless. However, FRT showed significant static differences(p<.05). 3. The body-weight-support treadmill training scoring of standing balance, step length, and a timed 10m walking test showed definite improvement. 4. The proprioceptive control approach improved dynamic balance in patients with hemiplegia. Conclusion: Consequently, further study is needed to verify methods when physical therapists are researching balance ability in hemiplegic patient.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.531-554
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• 2007

This paper suggests a new model connecting various knowledge activities through classification systems such as classifications of research, technology, industry, major and job. Although research activities are linked to technology and industry areas or to education and job areas, there is no effort to link these kinds of activities. There are a few studies to link research and technology or research and education respectively. But, there have been no studies to connect technology-industry linkage and education-job linkage. This paper suggests that research area can be a basis of link between technology-industry linkage and education-job linkage. The methods building the links are not simple, but easy; 1) setting up new science/research classification system having two dimensions of research and application, 2) building electronic systems and databases allowing fields for several classification systems, and 3) making rules using multi-dimensional classification systems following the purpose of the programs. The model is designed to meet the needs of nationwide R&D and human resources policies, and for the preparation of knowledge society to grasp the relationship between sequential activities using knowledge. If we know the interactive relationships between various areas, we can trace related phenomena in different activities with restricted information.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.13-22
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• 2012

Objective : This study was conducted to compare Sasang Constitutional Medicine (SCM) and Four Humor Theory (FHT). Method : 1. The theoretical comparison was focused on the central pillars of both theories, i.e., the theories of Hippocrates and his successor Galenos as well as Lee Je-ma. 2. Research papers on SCM and FHT were collected as follows. First, relevant papers were searched for using several electronic databases: Pubmed (http://www.pubmed.org.), NDSL (http://www.ndsl.kr/index.do), KISS (http://kiss.ksstudy.com), and RISS (http://www.riss4u.net.). Keywords were 'Sasang', 'constitution', 'constitutional medicine', 'humor theory', 'Hippokrates', 'Galenos', and "Dongeuisusebowon".In addition, relevant papers were searched for using the websites of The Korean Society for the History of Medicine(http://medhist.kams.or.kr), The Korean society of Oriental medical classics (http://www.wonjeon.or.kr), The Society of Sasang Constitutional Medicine (http://www.esasang.or.kr/new_home/main.htm),and The Korean Association of Oriental Medical Physiology (http://www.ksomp.or.kr). As a result, a total of 32 papers were included in the final selection. Result & Conclusion : In this study, a comparison was made between FHT and SCM in terms of physiology, pathology and therapy. We showedthat the theories share similarities as well as differences. However, in a practical sense, the two should be characterized based on their differences rather than their similarities. In conclusion, the two have something in common, but overall, they are remarkably different from each other.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and the adverse events of high dose insulin/euglycemia therapy in acute calcium channel blocker (CCB) poisoning. Methods: We developed a systematic search strategy and applied it to 4 electronic reference databases. We searched medical journals as well as the bibliographies of relevant articles. All forms of literature relevant to human use of high dose insulin for acute CCB poisoning were included. The literature search was conducted by two investigators in August, 2015 with publication language restricted to English and Korean. Case reports were divided between CCB overdose alone and multi-drug overdose including CCB. The effect and adverse event of high dose insulin and clinical outcome of each case were analyzed. Results: Among 55 searched studies, 20 studies were included. A prospective study, a retrospective study, a systematic review study, and 17 case reports were identified. Case reports consisted of 11 CCB alone and 12 multidrug overdose cases including CCB. Although most cases described significant clinical improvements, one of them showed no beneficial effect. Several adverse events including hypoglycemia and hypokalemia were reported. No significant sequalae from adverse events was reported. Conclusion: Although there were many case reports demonstrating successful use of high dose insulin for CCB poisoning, the effect cannot be estimated due to a possibility of publication bias. Therefore, high dose insulin/euglycemia therapy might be considered adjunctive therapy in cases of CCB intoxication refractory for standard therapy.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.627-640
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• 2015

Purpose: The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effects of family support programs on caregiving burden, depression, and stress in family caregivers of people with dementia. Methods: A literature search was conducted of electronic databases to identify randomized controlled studies with family support programs done between 2000 and 2014. Studies published in English and/or Korean were included for the analysis with search strategies adapted from the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group. Studies were rated for quality assessment by two independent reviewers using the appraisal checklist developed by Cochrane Reviews and Dissemination. Of 8,334 articles identified in the literature search, full texts of 76 articles that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed and 38 were found to include relevant outcomes. Results: Results from selected studies were pooled in statistical meta-analysis using Review Manager Software and heterogeneity between combined studies was assessed using the Chi-square test. Meta-analysis showed that the effect sizes of family caregiver support programs were small to medium for categories of caregiving burden (Hedge's g= - 0.17, 95% CI= - 0.30~ - 0.04), depression (Hedge's g= - 0.30, 95% CI= - 0.40~ - 0.20), and stress (Hedge's g= - 0.39, 95% CI= - 0.52~ - 0.25). Conclusion: The review results indicate that a support programs can assist family caregivers in reducing their psycho-emotional distress.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.11-19
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• 2017

Objectives We attempted to investigate the trends of Korean Medical treatments for neck pain caused by whiplash injury by analyzing domestic clinical studies. Methods We searched for studies listed on Korean electronic databases (KTKP, OASIS, RISS, KMbase, NDSL, KCI, and National Assembly Library). Clinical studies were chosen according to the inclusion criteria. Subsequently, we compared and analyzed the data. Results The search yielded 35 studies, of which there were 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 15 non-randomized controlled trials (NRCTs), 6 case reports, and 2 before-after studies. Among these, 54.7% of participants were in the acute stage of the damage period. Pharmacopuncture was used the most in main treatment methods. Only 14.3% of studies mentioned approval by an institutional review board (IRB) and only 8.6% of studies considered side effects. Conclusions There is some evidence that Korean Medical treatment is effective for neck pain caused by whiplash injury. Since all studies, however, were exposed to the risk of bias. Therefore, future studies of a higher quality are required.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.85-96
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• 2017

Objectives To summarize and evaluate the efficacy of traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) treatment for antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD). Methods Eight electronic databases were searched from their inception to August 2017. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of TCHM treatment for AAD were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Data analysis was performed using RevMan software version 5.3. Results Seventeen RCTs involving 1138 patients with AAD were included for qualitative synthesis. TCHM treatment improved total effective rate (TER). However, the results that TER in experimental group was significantly higher than in control group were different between the included studies. TCHM enema treatment improved TER, but not significantly higher than control group. The most frequently used herbal formulas were Gamiwekwanjeon, Gamiinsampaedoksan, and Samryungbaekchulsan. The most frequently used TCHMs were Atractylodes macrocephala (Bai Zhu), Dioscorea batatas (Shan Yao). Within the studies documenting the adverse events, no serious adverse events associated with TCHM treatment were observed. Conclusions Evidence of TCHM treatment efficacy for AAD is encouraging, but not conclusive, because of the low methodological qualities, diversity of TCHM treatment prescriptions. Further well-designed RCTs with rigorous randomization and blinding method are needed to confirm these results.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.4043-4048
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• 2016

Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the ninth most common cancer worldwide, and has a poor 5-year survival rate averaging 50%, which has not changed for decades. A high prevalence of HNC has been reported in the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia, as compared to other areas of the country. However, data in regards to HNC are scattered and not well documented. Thus, the aim of this systematic review was to gather all available and updated important information regarding HNC in Saudi Arabia, and highlight the gaps of knowledge in our country with regard to this disease. In addition, suggestions of solutions to overcome the current status and improve our future standard of care to fight HNC are also highlighted. Materials and Methods: The electronic databases PubMed and Google Scholar using English-language literature were used for this systematic review, using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria and keywords. The search was performed in April 2016 and updated in June 2016. Results: Our search revealed twenty-one studies that fulfilled our inclusion and exclusion criteria and that were conducted in Saudi Arabia. These studies investigated different aspects of HNC, including prevalence, risk factors, biomarkers, and assessed knowledge and awareness of both public and practitioners with regard to HNC. Conclusions: This review uncovered a big gap in our epidemiological data in cancer information in general, and head and neck cancer in particular. In addition, a lack of knowledge and awareness of both the public and health care practitioners hinders the early diagnosis of disease and negatively impact the prognosis, treatment and outcome. The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia should develop a more systematic way and adapt policies to gather cancer information in general, and head and neck cancer in particular, from all governmental and private sectors from all over the kingdom, and develop educational programs to raise the knowledge and awareness of HNC in the country.