• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.4037-4041
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• 2016

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer that is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage. Transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) is an effective palliative treatment for patients who are not eligible for curative treatment. The two main methods for performing TACE are conventional (c-TACE) or with drug eluting beads (DEB-TACE). We sought to compare survival rates and tumour response between patients undergoing c-TACE and DEB-TACE at our centre. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing either treatment was carried out from January 2009 to December 2014. Tumour response to the procedures was evaluated according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST). Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess and compare the overall survival in the two groups. Results: A total of 79 patients were analysed (34 had c-TACE, 45 had DEB-TACE) with a median follow-up of 11.8 months. A total of 20 patients in the c-TACE group (80%) and 12 patients in the DEB-TACE group (44%) died during the follow up period. The median survival durations in the c-TACE and DEB-TACE groups were $4.9{\pm}3.2$ months and $8.3{\pm}2.0$ months respectively (p=0.008). There was no statistically significant difference noted among the two groups with respect to mRECIST criteria. Conclusions: DEB-TACE demonstrated a significant improvement in overall survival rates for patients with unresectable HCC when compared to c-TACE. It is a safe and promising approach and should potentially be considered as a standard of care in the management of unresectable HCC.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.53-63
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• 2016

In this paper, we proposed the improvements for performance test and surveying equipment regulations, standards, methods and procedures, depending on the need of improving the legal system for surveying equipment in a diverse and sophisticated surveying industry. This research was performed first investigating the existing legal systems(Act on the establishment and management of spatial data, Framework act on national standards, ISO 17123, JIS B 7912) with respect to the surveying equipment performance testing and the research for IOS and KOLAS suggested the improvements on the application for the surveying equipment performance testing standard. More exactly, first, two years were presented for the surveying equipment performance testing cycle considering the precise accuracy of the instrument stability, purpose and frequency of use, etc. Second, the abolition of the measurement distance by grade and the upward or cross-grade adjustment of the single prism standards about the light wave rangefinder and total station were suggested for the improvement on survey equipment performance criteria. Third, since the main function of total station is focused on a three-dimensional coordinate measurement due to the improvement of surveying equipment performance testing, it was proposed to use the precision(repeatability) of the coordinate measuring method as an evaluation method.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.39 no.sup2
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• pp.287-291
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• 2009

Purpose: The objective of this clinical presentation was to present a clinical case series report of socket preservation, sinus augmentation, and bone grafting using a horse-derived biomaterial. Methods: A horse-derived biomaterial was used in 8 patients for different indications including socket preservation following tooth extraction, osseous bone grafting, and sinus augementation procedures. Surgeries were performed by a well trained specialist and clinical radiographs were obtained at designated intervals. Biopsy cores of 2 ${\times}$ 8 mm prior to implant placement was obtained following a healing interval of 4 - 6 months. A clinical and histologic evaluation was performed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and biocompatibility of the biomaterial. Results: All surgeries in 8 patients were successful with uneventful healing except for one case with membrane exposure that eventually resulted with a positive outcome. Radiographic display of the healing phase during different intervals showed increased radiopacity of granular nature as the healing time increased. No signs of adverse effect or infection was observed clinically and the tissues surrounding the biomaterial seemed well-tolerated with good intentional healing. The augmented sinuses healed uneventfully suggesting in part, good biocompatibility of the biomaterial. Dental implants placed following socket preservation were inserted with high initial torque suggesting good initial stability and bone quality. Conclusions: Our results show that at least on a tentative level, a horse-derived biomaterial may be used clinically in socket preservation, sinus augmentation, bone grafting techniques with good intentional healing and positive results.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.65-76
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• 2015

FEED (Front End Engineering and Design) is the key area that determines the competitiveness of procurement and construction in the EPC contracts especially in terms of the added value. Nevertheless, previous researches in FEED have been limited to the process and deliverable of design work or the particular management business function (e.g. System Engineering, collaboration, information etc.). In this context, the purpose of this study is to propose a comprehensive FEED structure and its functions from the project management perspective throughout the whole project life-cycle for thermal power plants. Proposed FEED business procedures are classified into three levels; First level is the classification of FEED business phases, the second level defines major FEED management functions, and the third level is detailed FEED functions. A survey using proposed FEED functions and assessment variable was conducted in order to analyze the current status and the areas for future improvement. It is expected that the proposed structure, functions, and evaluation methodology for FEED management will contribute to effective practice of FEED as well as to improvement of competitive capability for engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) companies.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.146-154
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• 2011

Korean contractors have been maintained sustainable growth since entering into overseas construction market for the first time in 1960' s. In 2010, Korean contractors ordered 761 billion (USD) from overseas markets. Especially, billion (USD) were earned by Korean contractors in overseas plant construction market which account for more than 80% of the total amount by Korean contractors. Nevertheless, many Korean contractors are suffering from lack of technological competitiveness and construction management skills in the design phase compared with global leading contractors. These conditions have directly effect on the success of projects in terms of cost, duration, and quality. So, this study focused on identifying the risk factors and developing risk priority method for the design phase of LNG plant projects whose market is expanding. Research procedures were conducted by the following three steps. First, total 57 risk factors were identified in design phase through extensive literature reviews and experts survey. Second, the authors developed risk priority method which are more suitable for design phase of LNG plant projects by using three criteria, Probability(P), Impact(I), and Coordination Index(CI). Finally, the suitability of risk priority method and practical applicability were verified through expert survey and interview. Consequently, if korean contractors use the suggested risk factors and priority method based on their own know-how and experiences, then more reasonable and rational risk management will be conducted in the design phase of LNG plant projects.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.263-276
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• 2018

Long-term survival and prognosis of narrow-diameter implants have been reported to be adequate to consider them a safe method for treating a deficient alveolar ridge. The objective of this study was to perform case report of narrow-diameter implants with a trapezoid-shape in anterior teeth alveolar bone. A 50-year-old male patient presented with discomfort due to mobility of all of the maxillary teeth and mandibular incisors. Due to destruction of alveolar bone, four anterior mandibular teeth were extracted. Soft tissue healing was allowed for approximately 3 months after the extraction, and a new design of implant placement was planned for the mandibular incisor area, followed by clinical and radiological evaluation. Implant placement was determined using an R2GATE surgical stent. The stability of the implants was assessed by ISQ measurements at the first and second implant surgery and after prosthetic placement. At 1 and 3 months and 1 year after implantation of the prosthesis, clinical and radiological examinations were performed. Another 50-year-old male patient presented with discomfort due to mobility of the mandibular central incisors. For the same reason as in the first patient, implant placement was carried out in the same way after extraction. ISQ measurements and clinical and radiological examinations were performed as in the previous case. In these two clinical cases, 12 months of follow-up revealed that the implant remained stable without inflammation or additional bone loss, and there was no discomfort to the patient. In conclusion, computer-guided implant surgery was used to place an implant in an optimal position considering the upper prosthesis. A new design of a narrow-diameter implant with a trapezoid-shape into anterior mandibular alveolar bone is a less invasive treatment method and is based on the contour of the deficient alveolar ridge. Through all of these procedures, we were able to reduce the number of traumas during surgery, reduce the operation time and total treatment period, and provide patients with more comfortable treatment.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.19-33
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• 2008

Dynamic response measurements from natural excitation were carried out for 25- and 42-story buildings to evaluate their inherent properties, such as natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios. Both are reinforced concrete buildings adopting a core wall, or with shear walls as the major lateral force resisting system, but frames are added in the plan or elevation. In particular, shear walls in a 25-story building are converted to frames from the 4th floor level downwards while maintaining a core wall throughout, resulting in a fairly complex structure. Due to this, along with similar stiffness characteristics in the principal directions, significantly coupled and closely spaced modes of motion are expected in this building, making identification rather difficult. By using various state-of-the-art system identification methods, the modal parameters are extracted, and the results are then compared. Three frequency-domain and four time-domain based operational modal identification methods are considered. Overall, all natural frequencies and damping ratios estimated from the different identification methods showed a greater consistency for both buildings, while mode shapes exhibited some degree of discrepancy, varying from method to method. On the other hand, in comparison with analysis results obtained using the initial finite element(FE) models, test results exhibited a significant difference of about doubled frequencies, at least for the three lower modes in both buildings. To improve the correlation between test and analysis, a few manual schemes of FE model updating based on plausible reasons have been applied, and acceptable results are obtained. The advantages and disadvantages of each identification method used are addressed, and some difficulties that might arise from the updating of FE models, including automatic procedures, for such large structures are carefully discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.464-469
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• 2011

Introduction: As dental implant surgery is becoming increasingly popular, it has become one of the causes for the hypesthesia of the inferior alveolar nerve, along with other surgical procedures, such as a third molar extraction. In addition, it tends to cause legal problems between the operator and patient. Therefore, there must be a proper method that is reliable, objective and economical to assess the nerve impairment. For this reason, an attempt was made to use an Electric Pulp Tester to assess inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients were tested. Electric pulp testing of the lower jaw skin was performed at the three different times, before anesthesia, at the onset of sensory changes and after 15 minutes waiting from the onset, and on the 10 points of the chin, which produced 10 sections on the skin area. Results: Twenty seven patients (90%) could feel the electric stimulus on the chin at all 10 points before local anesthesia and the scores represent the statistical differences between the right and left points except R4 and L4. After anesthesia, the difference between the right and left points (L3-R3, L4-R4, L5-R5) increased significantly with time but two points (L2, R2) showed no significant difference. The scores on the left chin (L3, L4, L5) increased, whereas the other points (R1-R5, L1, L2) showed no significant differences. Conclusion: This study highlights the potential clinical use of an electric pulp tester for an assessment of inferior alveolar nerve impairment.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.431-438
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• 2004

The purpose of present study was to compare the sedative effect of intranasal and oral midazolam treatment. The study was conducted on twenty eight child patients who required at least two visits. All the patients showed a good physical status (ASA-I). The patient was randomly assigned to receive midazolam either intranasal (Group I, 0.25 mg/kg) or oral (Group II, 0.5mg/kg) route at each visit. Treatment procedure was divided into six stages. In each stage, sleep score, crying score, movement score and overall behavior score were evaluated. The overall results can be summarized as follows: 1. Through all treatment procedures, no significant difference was observed between Group I and Group II in terms of sleep, crying, movement and overall behavior index. 2. In a questionnaire to the parents, 67.8% of parents answered that the child suffered at intranasal administration, while only 17.7% of parents responded the same way at oral administration. 3. In a questionnaire regarding patients' behavior at home after midazolam treatment, 'Similar to normal behavior' was 78.6% in Group I and 57.1% in Group II, indicating that intranasal treatment of midazolam may be more effective for the recovery.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.68 no.5
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• pp.259-266
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• 2010

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), requiring the intensive care unit (ICU) care, has been a high-mortality condition until now. In the present study, we aimed to investigate clinical features and parameters associated with TB mortality. Methods: From August 2003 to December 2008, patients with microbiologically or histologically confirmed pulmonary TB then admitted to the ICU, were retrospectively enrolled into the study. Upon enrollment, their medical records were reviewed. Results: Forty three patients (30 males, 13 females) were included and their mean age was 63.8 years (range: 17~87 years). Twelve patients died, an overall in-hospital mortality of 27.8%. The main reason for the ICU care was dyspnea or hypoxemia requiring mechanical ventilation (n=17). Other diagnoses for ICU care were hemoptysis, monitoring after procedures, neurologic dysfunction, shock, and gastrointestinal bleeding. On univariate analysis, the factors affecting the mortality were malnutrition-related parameters including low body mass index, hypoalbuminemia, lymphocytopenia, and hypocholersterolemia, as well as severity-related variables such as high acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) score, number of involved lobes, and high C-reactive protein. In addition, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation and acute respiratory distress syndrome contributed to patient fatality. It was shown on multivariate analysis that respiratory failure and hypoalbuminemia were significantly independent variables associated with the mortality. Conclusion: Acute respiratory failure is the most common reason for the ICU care and also the most important factor in predicting poor outcome. In addition, our data suggest that the parameters associated with malnutrition could be possible factors contributing to mortality.