• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.412-420
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• 2000

Background : There is increasing concern in many countries about the problem of drug-resistant tuberculosis. Prevalence of primary drug-resistant tuberculosis is the optimal epidemiological indicator for long term monitoring of national tuberculosis control program. Our purpose was The purpose of our study is to assess clinical characteristics and socioeconomic status of patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis. Method : We studied 68 cases with drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection diagnosed at the Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital from March, 1995 to February, 2000. Results : Patients with primary drug-resistant tuberculosis(PDR) were younger (39.6$\pm$16.3 years vs. 48.2$\pm$16.5 years ; p<0.05), had more population of less than more were under the age of 40 years aged -group(62.9% vs. 36.4% ; p<0.05) and were more highly educated than those with acquired drug-resistant tuberculosis(ADR)(38.9% vs. 11.1% ; p<0.05). In patients with ADR, the rates of familial history of tuberculosis and living in a rented house residence in a rented house were increased higher than compared with to those of patients with PDR. Patients with ADR had more involved lobes(2.0$\pm$0.8 vs. 1.4$\pm$0.7 ; p<0.01) and longer treatment duration than those with PDR(18.3$\pm$7.2 months vs. 10.6$\pm$6.3 months ; p<0.05). Patients with ADR showed larger numbers of resistant were resistant to more number of drugs, lower hospitalization rate and higher rate of self-interruption of medication than those with PDR. In patients with PDR, mono-drug resistance was increased, whereas poly- and multi-drug resistances were decreased compared with those with ADR. Resistance to isoniazid was the highest among antituberculosis drugs, and resistance to isoniazid in patients with ADR was higher than that in patients with PDR(90.9% vs. 71.4% ; p<0.05). Conclusions : Patients with ADR were more likely to include more population be of lower socioeconomic class, and patients with PDR seem seemed to be young and socially active population. For control of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, proper isolation and prevention of patient with drug-resistant tuberculosis are needed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.2
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• pp.98-103
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• 2009

Background: Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) is characterized by a proliferation of Langerhans cells and this results in granulomas that involve multiple organs of the body. Because the incidence of PLCH is very low in Korea and worldwide, collecting the clinical data of patients with PLCH nationwide is needed to determine the clinical features of Korean patients with PLCH. Methods: The patients with PLCH confirmed by biopsy at any body site were included and the patients should have lung lesions present. A questionnaire that had items on the symptoms, lung function tests, the roentgenographic findings and the treatment was collected retrospectively at a Korean ILD Research Meeting. Results: A total of 56 cases were collected. The number of males and females was 48 and 8, respectively, and their median age was 43 years (range: 18-67 years). The patients were current or ex-smokers in 79% of the cases. The most frequent symptom was coughing (39%), followed in decreasing order by dyspnea (38%), sputum (20%) and chest pain (20%). Pneumothorax was observed in 16 (29%) patients. Lung function tests showed a normal, restrictive, mixed or obstructive pattern in 26 (61%), 7 (16%), 7 (16%) and 3 patients (7%), respectively. Nodular-cystic lesion was most frequently observed in 59% of the patients on HRCT. The lung lesions were located in the middle and upper lobes in almost the cases. The median follow-up period was 90 months (range: 1-180 months) and only two patients died during this period. Conclusion: This study provides a national survey of the patients with PLCH during a long follow-up period.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.280-287
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• 2009

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), became an attractive therapeutic option for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several studies suggested that there might be some different efficacy or response predictors between gefitinib and erlotinib. We compared the efficacy and toxicity of gefitinib and erlotinib in Korean patients with advanced NSCLC and evaluated specific predictors of response for both gefitinib and erlotinib. Methods: We collected the clinical information on patients with advanced NSCLC, who were treated with gefitinib or erlotinib at the Ewha Womans University Hospital, between July 2003 and February 2009. Median survival times were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Eighty-six patients (52 gefitinib vs. 34 erlotinib) were enrolled. Patient median age was 64 years; 53 (62%) subjects were male. Out of the 86 patients treated, 83 received response evaluation. Of the 83 patients, 35 achieved a response and 12 experienced stable disease while 36 experienced progressive disease, resulting in a response rate of 42% and a disease control rate of 57%. After a median follow-up of 502 days, the median progression-free and overall survival time was 129 and 259 days, respectively. Comparing patients by treatment (gefitinib vs erlotinib), there were no significant differences in the overall response rate (44% vs. 39%, p=0.678), median survival time (301 days vs. 202 days, p=0.151), or time to progression (136 days vs. 92 days, p=0.672). Both EGFR-TKIs showed similar toxicity. In a multivariate analysis using Cox regression model, adenocarcinoma was an independent predictor of survival (p=0.006; hazard ratio [HR], 0.487; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.292-0.811). Analyses of subgroups did not show any difference in response predictors between gefitinib and erlotinib. Conclusion: Comparing gefitinib to erlotinib, there were no differences in the response rate, overall survival, progression-free survival, or toxicity. No specific predictor of response to each EGFR-TKI was identified.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.411-421
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• 2006

In children, during developing occlusion stage, many studies confirm a high prevalence of gingival inflammation. Prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of gingival and periodontal disease is important because by establishing excellent oral hygiene habits in children, the risk of periodontal disease can be on the decrease in adulthood. This study evaluated the gingival conditions of 50 children$(8.5{\pm}3.1years)$ and 20 $adults(26.1{\pm}3.3 years)$ receiving clinical examination and GCF test at the pediatric dentistry of Chonbuk national university hospital in Jeonju, Korea. I estimated children's and adult's gingival states by measuring gingival crevicular fluid(GCF) using Periopaper and $Periotron^{(R)}$ 8000, gingival index, plaque index, DMFT scale. The results were as follows : 1. There are no statistical differences of GCF volume among the groups of the primary dentition, tooth erupting stage, complete eruption stage(p>0.1). But mean value of GCF is highest at the tooth erupting stage. 2. Comparing with adults, children have higher mean value of GCF volume with statistical differences (p<0.001). 3. There is statistically positive relationship between volume of GCF and gingival index (GI), plaque index(PLI) in both adults and children(GI; r=0.394, PLI ; r= 0.642). 4. There is no relationship between GCF volume and dental caries, composite resin treatments (p>0.05). But There is statistically positive relationship between GCF and orthodontic treatments(p<0.001) 5. Primary dentition has higher mean value of DMFT than permanent dentition(p<0.001). But there is no statistical relationship between GCF and DMFT (p>0.1).

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.268-277
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• 2008

Authors evaluated 1171 patients at the department of Pediatric Dentistry in Kyoungpook National University Hospital through clinical records and radiographs. And the following features were studied ; age, sex distribution, number of mesiodens per patients, cause of discovery of mesiodens, location, status of eruption, shape and orientation of crown, complication, dental age of adjacent upper incisor tooth at the time of surgical extraction of mesiodens and the relationship between the resolution rate of complication after extraction of mesiodens and the dental age of adjacent upper incisor tooth, length of diastema, the eruption status of lateral incisor and the crowding status of premaxilla. The followings are the results : 1. The cause of discovery of mesiodens were as follows ; delayed eruption of the permanent incisors in 13.8%, midline diastema in 11.6%, radiographs taken for other reasons in 23.4% and for caries treatment in 15.1%. 2. Complication due to the presence of mesiodens did not occur in 36.8%, delayed eruption of adjacent teeth was observed in 16.1%, midline diastema in 34.4%, rotation in 8.8%, displacement in 2.4%, and crowding in 1.0% of all evaluated patients. 3. As for the dental age of adjacent upper incisor tooth at the time of surgical extraction of mesiodens, below 1/3 of total root length were observed in 3.5%, $1/3{\sim}1/2$ of total root length in 19.9%, $1/2{\sim}2/3$ of total root length in 54.7% and over 2/3 in 21.9% of all evaluated patients. 4. Resolution rate of delayed eruption after the extraction of mesiodens was significant higher in the group with the root length below 1/2. Resolution rate of midline diastema was significant higher in the group with diastema width below 3mm and with non-crowding of adjacent upper incisor teeth.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2011

In order to confirm feasibility of MOSFET modality in use of in.vivo dosimetry, evaluation of gonad shielding in order to minimize gonadal dose of patients undergoing radiotherapy by using MOSFET modality was performed. Gonadal dose of patients undergoing radiotherapy for rectal cancer in the department of radiation oncology of Seoul National University Hospital since 2009 was measured. 6 MV and 15 MV photon beams emitted from Varian 21EX LINAC were used for radiotherapy. In order to minimize exposed dose caused by the scattered ray not only from collimator of LINAC but also from treatment region inside radiation field, we used box.shaped lead shielding material. The shielding material was made of the lead block and consists of $7.5\; cm\;{\times}\;9.5\;cm\;{\times}5.5\;cm$ sized case and $9\;cm\;{\times}\;9.5\;cm\;{\times}\;1\;cm$ sized cover. Dosimetry for evaluation of gonad shielding was done with MOSFET modality. By protecting with gonad shielding material, average gonadal dose of patients was decreased by 23.07% compared with reference dose outside of the shielding material. Average delivered gonadal dose inside the shielding material was 0.01 Gy. By the result of MOSFET dosimetry, we verified that gonadal dose was decreased by using gonad shielding material. In compare with TLD dosimetry, we could measure the exposed dose easily and precisely with MOSFET modality.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.72-81
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• 1994

Total 55 patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer treated with radiation therapy at Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yeungnam University Hospital, between May-1 1986 and April-30 1993 were retrospectively analyzed by clinical characteristics, failure patterns, follow up duration and survival ratio according to prognostic factors. Obtained results were as follows : 1. Male to female ratio was 17.3 2. Sixth and seventh decades were predominant age group. 3. The patients were 8 in stage I-II, 34 in stage IIIA, 13 in stage IIIb, respectively. 4. Forty five patients out of 55 were squamous cell carcinoma. 5. Primary tumor were originated from upper lobe bronchi predominantly. 6. The size of the primary tumor, lymph node involvement and the degree of differentiation were important in evaluation of prognosis. 7. In conclusion, for patients with poor prognostic factors systemic chemotherapy and multidisciplinary approach were recommended for better treatment outcome and improvement of survival.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.137-142
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• 2011

Purpose: In relation to perinatal healthcare, medical institutions and resources are limitative and also are in a state of flux due to the therapeutic specialty. We analyzed requests for interhospital transfers received by Busan 1339 Emergency Medical Information Center (EMIC) to grasp the state of perinatal healthcare delivery system. Methods: This study was conducted on the basis of data inputted into the computing system of Busan 1339 EMIC, between January 1 and December 31, 2009. In connection with 378 pregnant women and 136 newborns who were required to transfer, retrospective analyses were made of the success rate of transfer (SR), the number of contacted hospitals, the time required for transfer and the reason of transfer and refusal. Results: In the case of pregnant women, the SR were 65.5%. They came in contact with 2.7 hospitals, and it took 24.4 minutes. As for the reason of transfer, preterm labor accounted for the highest proportion. In the case of newborns, the SR were 71.3%. They came in contact with 2.4 hospitals, and it took 15.6 minutes. The most common reason of transfer were respiratory symptoms. In the reason of refusal with pregnant women and newborn, the lack of medical staff, medical equipments and wards accounted for great. Conclusion: Many pregnant women and newborns have been transferred to hospitals by EMIC, but the SR has not been higher yet. Accordingly, there is a need to evaluate the propriety of perinatal treatment system, as well as to set up effective perinatal healthcare delivery system.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 1969

To clarify the hematologic effects of the radioiodine ($^{131}I$) in therapeutic doses ($5{\sim}10$ mCi) on the various thyroid patients, authors studied the peripheral blood pictures of 396 goitrous patients before and after radioiodine ($^{131}I$) administrations in the Isotope Clinic of Seoul National University Hospital. Among these 396 cases of goiters, we gave 5 to 10 mCi of radioiodine ($^{131}I$) with single or fractionated administrations. The blood pictures of peripheral blood were repeated after 3 months in 40 cases of 65 cases who had been treated with $^{131}I$. The blood pictures of non-treated thyroid patients were compared with that of normal Korean values to clarify any difference between normal and goiter. The blood pictures of hyperthyroid patients treated with $^{131}I$ therapy were compared with the blood pictures of non-treated thyroid patients. The results were as following: 1) The incidence according to type: Toxic diffuse goiter: 35.4% Nontoxic nodular goiter: 29.7% Euthyroid: 13.8% Nontoxic diffuse goiter: 12.6% Hypothyroidism: 4.3% Thyroiditis($\bar{s}$ subacute form): 1.8% Toxic nodular goiter: 1.4% Malignancy: 1.0% 2) Age incidence: The range of distribution was 11 to 71 years. The peak incidence was found in the 4th decade of life. $80.6{\sim}82.6%$ of those 396 cases were found among the 3rd, 4th and the 5th decades of life. 3) Sex incidence: Sex ratio of male:female was 1:7.8. 4) The most outstanding findings in peripheral blood before treatment were decreased erythrocyte count and hemoglobin value in all types of thyroid diseases, especially in. the cases of hypothyroidism and thyroiditis. Hook worm-infested patients showed no significant difference in erythrocytes and hemoglobin values from those of other hook worm free patients. 5) Total leukocytes count was within normal range. Differential count of W.B.C. showed increased percentile of lymphocyte in diffuse toxic goiter and thyroiditis. 6) 39 cases of diffuse goiter treated with $^{131}I$ toxic showed amelioration in the anemia and restoration to normal range of lymphocyte count in association with increased percentile of neutrophiles 3 months after administration, except a case of toxic nodular goiter. One can observe anemia in slight degree, and increased lymphocytes count in hypothyroidism. Therapeutic dose of radioiodine ($^{131}I$) does not result any residual effect on the hematopoietic function. Radioiodine ($^{131}I$) therapy resulted in improvement of thyroid function in association of amelioration of pevious abnormal blood pictures. 7) Authors did not observe any myxedema resulted from radioiodine therapy during the 3 months period in this study.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.170-178
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• 2007

Background : The incidence of acute hepatitis A in adults has recently been increasing. This study was conducted to investigate the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of acute hepatitis A in Daegu province over the past 10 years. Materials and Methods : We reviewed the medical records of 55 patients (male/female: 34/21), who were diagnosed with acute hepatitis A by confirmation of the IgM anti-HAV between January 1998 and June 2007. Results : The mean age was $29.7{\pm}10.3$ years (range; 17-65 years). The incidence was most common between March and June (56.1%), in the third and fourth decades of life (78.2%) and 90.9% (50/55) of the patients were diagnosed from 2003 to present. The common symptoms included anorexia, nausea or vomiting (69.1%), fever and chills (49.1%), myalgia (47.3%), weight loss (47.3%), fatigue (40.0%), abdominal pain (36.4%), diarrhea (9.1%) and pruritus (5.5%). The mean duration of hospital stay was $8.6{\pm}3.4$ days (range; 3-20 days). The route of transmission was identified in only 11 patients (20.0%); 7 patients (12.7%) traveled (abroad or domestic), 2 patients (3.6%) ingested raw food and 2 patients (3.6%) had friends with acute hepatitis A. Fifty four patients recovered without complication; one patient developed fulminant hepatitis and recovered after a liver transplantation. Conclusion : The incidence of acute hepatitis A in adults is increasing. Because of the cost of treatment and potential for serious disease, persons, under 40 are recommened to have hepatitis A vaccination and confirmation of IgG anti-HAV.