• 한국의료질향상학회지
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.12-29
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• 1994

• 대한한방소아과학회지
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.24-36
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• 2017

Objectives The purpose of this study is to provide clinical evidence of herbal medicine treatment for cerebral palsy by reviewing randomized controlled trials conducted in China. Methods We searched literatures dated up to 17 May, 2017 in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and evaluated methodological quality of those studies using 'Risk of Bias' tool. Results Sixteen studies were selected for analysis. These studies indicated that the total effective rate, motor function, self-care, muscle spasticity were significantly improved in the herbal medicine treatment group, as compared to the control group. The most-commonly-used herbs were Poria (茯?), Astragali Radix (黃?), Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草), and Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba (白朮). There were no serious adverse events found that were associated with herbal medicine treatment. The methodological quality of included studies was generally unclear or low. Conclusions This study shows that the herbal medicine treatment can be effective and safe in treating cerebral palsy. Further well-designed clinical trials with high methodological quality and appropriate assessment tools need to be performed to solidify these findings.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.397-404
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• 2020

Background: Most job exposure matrices (JEMs) have been developed for chemical and physical hazards in the United States (US). In addition, the overall validity of most JEMs of work organization hazards using self-reported data in the literature remains to be further tested due to several methodological weaknesses. Methods: This paper aims to review important methodological issues with regard to a JEM of work organization hazards using self-report data and to present a research protocol for developing a four-axis (job titles, hazards, sex, and time) JEM of major work organization hazards using the US General Social Survey-Quality of Work-Life (GSS-QWL) data (2002-2018; N = 7,100 workers). Results: Five methodological weaknesses in existing JEMs of work organization hazards using self-report data were identified: having only two axes (hazard and occupation), using psychometrically weak items and scales, including scales having little interoccupational variability, unresolved optimal minimum numbers of subjects per occupation, and low accessibility. The methodological weaknesses were successfully addressed in the proposed research protocol. Conclusion: The work organization JEM to be developed will significantly facilitate and strengthen occupational epidemiological studies on work organization hazards and major health outcomes, improve national and occupational surveillance of work organization hazards, and promote interventions for a healthy work environment in the US.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권5호
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• pp.2069-2079
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• 2012

Background and Objective: A comprehensive overall review of gastric cancer (GC) risk and protective factors is a high priority, so we conducted the present study. Methods: Systematic searches in common medical electronic databases along with reference tracking were conducted to include all kinds of systematic reviews (SRs) about GC risk and protective factors. Two authors independently selected studies, extracted data, and evaluated the methodological qualities and the quality of evidence using R-AMSTAR and GRADE approaches. Results: Beta-carotene below 20 mg/day, fruit, vegetables, non-fermented soy-foods, whole-grain, and dairy product were GC protective factors, while beta-carotene 20 mg/day or above, pickled vegetables, fermented soy-foods, processed meat 30g/d or above, or salty foods, exposure to alcohol or smoking, occupational exposure to Pb, overweight and obesity, helicobacter pylori infection were GC risk factors. So we suggested screening and treating H. pylori infection, limiting the amount of food containing risk factors (processed meat consumption, beta-carotene, pickled vegetables, fermented soy-foods, salty foods, alcohol), stopping smoking, avoiding excessive weight gain, avoidance of Pb, and increasing the quantity of food containing protective components (fresh fruit and vegetables, non-fermented soy-foods, whole-grain, dairy products). Conclusions: The conclusions and recommendations of our study were limited by including SRs with poor methodological bases and low quality of evidence, so that more research applying checklists about assessing the methodological qualities and reporting are needed for the future.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.127-135
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• 2007

Objectives: To evaluate the methodological quality of Korean Acupuncture Clinical trials Methods : Two independent researchers reviewed 12 protocols of Acupuncture clinical trials which were conducted in Korea 2006. Also, Survey Principal Investigator of those was conducted. We compare the results of protocol review with investigator reponses of actual practice. Quality assessment consisted of 5 items including random sequence generation, randomization method, allocation concealment, subject blinding, assessor blinding. Results : Randomization was performed using the proper procedure to insure that treatment assignment is unbiased and concealed from subjects in all clinical trials, According to protocols, 6(50%) of 12 clinical trials used computer-generated random numbers, 6(50%) remaining trials didn't describe the randomization method. Also all trials used appropriate randomization methods on the basis of the survey results: 8 trials used computer-generated random number, 2 used random table. Of 7 protocols in which allocation concealment was stated, 5(71%) reported appropriate method (Calling a central office or statisticians, Sealed opaque envelopes). However according to survey, 5(42%) of 12 trials used inappropriate allocation concealment (Keeping a master randomization list and referring to when subject entered the trial). In addition, the result of protocol review and survey response was not coincident in 5(42%) trials. Subject blinding was conducted in all except 1 clinical trials. Although 11(92%) of 12 trials were conducted using assessor blinding in actual practice, only 7(58%) reported that in protocol. Conclusion : Although randomization and blinding were conducted adequately, allocation concealment was used inadequately, Not only appropriate allocation concealment, but also every quality assessment item including randomization, blinding should be stated in more detail in protocol.

• 전기학회논문지
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• 제58권12호
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• pp.2511-2519
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• 2009

In this paper, we introduce the methodological system design via feature selection using Principal Component Analysis and Particle Swarm Optimization algorithms. The overall methodological system design comes from three kinds of modules such as preprocessing module, feature extraction module, and recognition module. First, Histogram equalization enhance the quality of image by exploiting contrast effect based on the normalized function generated from histogram distribution values of 2D face image. Secondly, PCA extracts feature vectors to be used for face recognition by using eigenvalues and eigenvectors obtained from covariance matrix. Finally the feature selection for face recognition among the entire feature vectors is considered by means of the Particle Swarm Optimization. The optimized Polynomial-based Radial Basis Function Neural Networks are used to evaluate the face recognition performance. This study shows that the proposed methodological system design is effective to the analysis of preferred face recognition.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.109-120
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• 2022

Purpose: While regurgitation is a common and often benign phenomenon in infants and younger children, it can also be a presenting symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). If untreated, GERD can lead to dangerous or lifelong complications. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have been published to inform clinical diagnosis and management of pediatric GERD, but to date there has been no comprehensive review of guideline quality or methodological rigor. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed, and a total of eight CPGs pertaining to pediatric GERD were identified. These CPGs were evaluated using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation instrument. Results: Three CPGs were found to be "high" quality, with 5 of 6 domains scoring >60%, one "average" quality, with 4 of 6 domains meeting that threshold, and the remaining four "low" quality. Conclusion: Areas of strength among the CPGs included "Scope and Purpose" and "Clarity and Presentation," as they tended to be well-written and easily understood. Areas in need of improvement were "Stakeholder Involvement," "Rigor of Development," and "Applicability," suggesting these CPGs may not be appropriate for all patients or providers. This analysis found that while strong CPGs pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric GERD exist, many published guidelines lack methodological rigor and broad applicability.

• 사상체질의학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.1-16
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• 2012

Objectives For the methodological review on the accuracy study of questionnaire for Sasang constitution diagnosis, we searched the various diagnostic accuracy study of the questionnaires for Sasang constitution. Methods We searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, KISS, and DBPIA. Additionally, We hand-searched the main oriental medical journals. All articles were independently reviewed and selected by two evaluators. And selected articles were assessed by "Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies Tool"(QUADAS Tool) for the methodological review. Results The twenty eight studies initially identified studies were included in the methodological review. The part of "Acceptable reference standard", "Uninterpretable results reported" and "Withdrawals explained" was very weak in the risk of bias. The part of "Representative spectrum", "Acceptable delay between tests", "Incorporation avoided", "Reference standard results blinded", "Index test results blinded" was unclear in the description. Conclusions For the further study on the accuracy study of Sasang constitution diagnosis, we have to improve the aforementioned errors. Additionally, the checklist for the description of study might be needed.

• 한국콘크리트학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국콘크리트학회 1998년도 가을 학술발표논문집(II)
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• pp.380-385
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• 1998

Nowadays, shotcrete plays an essential part in he construction of underground structures, and steel fiber is so useful for increasing the toughness of the concrete that is spotlighted at tunnel or pavement site. A variety of tests have been developed to measure and quantity the improvements achievable in steel fiber reinforced concrete(SFRC) and shotcrete. But Korea doesn`t have specific standards in this respect, and the only criteria that KHC(Korea Highway Corporation) applies to tunnel shotcreting are flexural strength and toughness quotient. Test results in order to manage the quality of steel fiber reinforced concrete and shocrete are very affected by various test method. Therefore, this study deals with the test methodological effects on SFRC quality. The major interests are loading method, that is, load control and displacement control, loading velocity, support condition.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.209-216
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• 2007

Objectives : To review and summarize the existing evidence on acupuncture treatment for cancer and cancer related symptoms. Methods: Literature searches were made through domestic and international databases. Data were extracted according to pre-defined criteria. The methodological quality was assessed using the Modified Jadad scale. Results: Seven studies were included. Two of the studies were high in methodological quality. One study concerning acupuncture treatment for cancerous dyspnea reported insignificant differences between the treatment group and placebo group. The other study concerning auricular acupuncture for cancer related pain showed significant pain relief compared with the control group. All the other studies were non-blinded or uncontrolled trials. Conclusion : The hypothesis that acupuncture may be effective for the treatment of cancer is not supported by the data in recent clinical trials. More accurately designed randomized control trials (RCT) are needed.