• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.6001-6006
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• 2015

Background: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer related death with median survival ranging from 3 to 6 months for metastatic disease. Palliative chemotherapy has been the backbone of treatment in advanced stage and has evolved over time. Data pertaining to the disease are scarce from our part of the world where treatment poses a significant challenge due to lack of resources. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients presenting with stage IV pancreatic carcinoma at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan between January 2008 and December 2012. Data were collected using a pre-designed, coded questionnaire looking at patient characteristics, treatment given and outcome. Results: 101 patients were found to be eligible. Mean age was $56.7{\pm}12.8years$, the male to female ratio was 2:1 and most patients had a good performance status. More than half of the tumors were located in the head (57%, n=58) and almost all were adenocarcinomas (95%, n=96). Some 58% (n=59) received first line chemotherapy of which 49% (n=29) received gemcitabine-based regimens and 39% (n=23) received FOLFIRINOX. The median progression free survival for gemcitabine based treatment was 2.9 months (IQR=1.6-5.6) as opposed to 7.3 months (IQR=4.5-9.2) for FOLFIRINOX (P=0.02). Median overall survival was 4.9 months (IQR=2.3-9.5) for first line gemcitabine based treatment and 10.5 months (IQR=7.0-13.2) for first line FOLFIRINOX therapy (P=0.002). Patients on FOLFIRINOX had better survival across all subgroups. Inpatient admissions and dose reductions were more frequent with FOLFIRINOX but the difference between the two regimens was not statistically significant. FOLFIRINOX could be successfully administered as outpatient therapy to a number of patients. Conclusions: FOLFIRINOX remains a suitable first line option in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer with good performance status even in a resource-poor country where diagnostic and supportive care facilities may be less than optimal and cost is a limitation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.43-51
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects on improvement of the range of motion in the TM joint. Methods: 26 subjects who have TM joint limitation were divided to passive movement group(n=13, $21.3{\pm}2.95$ years) and active movement group(n=13, $20.62{\pm}1.39$ years). All of the subjects were treated 5 to 10 minutes per one time, five times once a week for 4 weeks by the physical therapist. The open bite and cross bite were investigated at before, during(2 wks) and treatment(4 wks). Results: In order to assure the statistical significance of the result, a Repeated measures ANOVA were applied at the 0.05 level of the significance. There was a significant difference in terms of the rates of open bite mean change in within-open bite effects among pre-test, post-test 2weeks and post-test 4weeks in each group(P=0.029). There was no significant difference in the rates of mean change in between-open bite effects(P=0.441) but interactions between two types of effects(P=0.025) were statistical significance among pre-test, post-test 2 weeks and post-test 4 weeks in each group. There was no significant difference in the rates of mean change in within-close bite effects(P=0.112), between-cross bite(P=0.179) and interactions between the two types of effects(P=0.098) among pre-test, post-test 2 weeks and post-test 4 weeks in each group. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that passive movement and active movement were effect on increase of TM joint ROM about open bite and cross bite.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.26-37
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of active mandibular exercise (AME) in patients with limited mouth opening after maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) release. Methods: The study used a quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group and a pre test-post test design. Sixty-two patients with Maxillomandibular Fixation Release were assigned to the experimental (n=31) or control group (n=31). The AME was performed in the experimental group for 4 weeks. The exercise AME consisted of maximal mouth opening, lateral excursion and protrusive movement. These movements were repeated ten times a day. After the final exercise of the day, the number of tongue blades used for mouth opening was noted. The effect of AME was evaluated after MMF release at different time intervals: a) immediately, b) after 1 week, c) after 2 weeks, d) after 4 weeks, and e) after 12 weeks. The exercise was assessed using the following criteria: a) mandibular movements, b) pain scores associated with maximal mouth opening, c) discomfort scores associated with range of movement, and d) daily life activities that involve opening the mouth. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvement regarding the range of mandibular movements (maximal mouth opening (F=23.60, p<.001), lateral excursion to the right side (F=5.25, p=.002), lateral excursion to the left side (F=5.97, p=.001), protrusive movement (F=5.51, p=.001)), pain score (F=39.59, p<.001), discomfort score (F=9.38, p<.001). Daily life activities that involve opening the mouth were more favorable compared to those in the control group. Conclusion: The AME in patients after MMF release is helpful for increasing mandibular movement range, decreasing pain and discomfort, and improving day life activities that involve opening the mouth. Therefore, AME is highly recommended as an effective nursing intervention.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.79-95
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• 2017

Euiam and Paldang Reservoirs have often been facing water quality problems, such as eutrophication, algal blooms and off-flavors by treated wastewater effluent (TWE) in the North-Han and the Han River basins, but little is examined on the direct biological effect of TWE. This study tested algal growth potential (AGP) of four TWEs discharged into Euiam and Paldang Reservoirs to evaluate water fertility in September 2014 and March and September 2015. Test alga was used Anabaena circinalis isolated from Paldang Reservoir. Mean concentration of T-N and T-P in TWEs was $3,956.7{\mu}g\;N\;L^{-1}$ and $50.8{\mu}g\;P\;L^{-1}$, and the proportion of $NO_3-N$ and $PO_4-P$ to the total fraction was 72.1% and 40.8%, respectively. Both N and P were high in TWEs, but much higher N than P concentration indicates strong P-limitation. As a consequence, the maximum AGP was determined by $PO_4-P$ concentration (r=0.998, p<0.01). Mean AGP value was $15.4mg\;dw\;L^{-1}$ among four effluents indicating its eutrophic condition. Due to the establishment of tertiary (advanced T-P) treatment method in the studied plants recently, P concentration was significantly decreased in TWEs compared to the years prior to 2012. However, P concentration seems to be still high enough to cause eutrophication and algal blooms. Therefore, wastewater treatment to P-free level needs to be considered if effluents are directly discharged into the drinking water resources.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.235-246
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare and assess the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise on the balance ability of young college studets with low back pain after having performed spinal stabilization exercise by using 3-dimensional air-balance system and gym ball. Methods: The subjects of this study were 34 low back patients in their early twenties. They were divided into two groups: 3-dimensional lumbar stabilization exercise group(N=17) and gym ball lumbar stabilization exercise group(N=17). The period of the intervention was for five weeks. VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) for pain test, ODI(Oswestry Disability Index) for ADL limitation test, Tetrax system for static balance test, and Air-balance system 3D for dynamic balance test were used as evaluation tools for this study. Results: Pain showed significant decrease in both groups after having performed the experiment, but ADL limitation of the groups did not show any remarkable difference between before and after the experiment. Dynamic balance ability in the 8-directional angle comparison test significantly increased in all directions except for the backward, left-backward, and right-backward directions. As for dynamic balance ability in the 8-directional postural test, 3D exercise group showed statistically significant reduction in every direction while gym ball exercise group did not(p<.05). However, when it comes to static balance ability in the weight distribution and stability test, there was not significantly change between pre and post test in both groups. Conclusion: This study shows 3-dimensional lumbar stabilization exercise is more effective in the lumbar stabilization of coordinated movement than gym ball exercise, which may imply that 3D air-balance system can be used for the therapeutic treatment of body imbalance for patients with low back pain.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.85-98
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• 2007

Objectives : Standardization and clear description of locating acupuncture points guarantees reproducibility and credibility of the results in animal studies of acupuncture points and meridians. In this study, we aimed at analyzing the acupoint description of the previous experimental studies and suggesting guidelines for related journals. Methods : We searched animal studies where acupuncture points were used in Journal of Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Society and Journal of Meridian & Acupoint with a limitation of period, from 2002 to 2006. Data on experimental animals, acupuncture points and their descriptions were extracted and put in a predefined form. They were classified as one of the 4 classes; A) descriptions of the acupuncture points present, B) no description of the acupuncture points and only reference provided, C) neither description of the acupuncture points nor reference provided, or D) acupuncture point detector used. Two authors independently extracted and classified the data and the disagreements were resolved by discussion. Experts were invited to rate acupuncture point description validity on a numeric rating scale in the 11-item questionnaire. Results : Two hundred and five studies were identified and classified as follows; A) 32.2% (n=66), B) 7.8% (n=16), C) 51.2% (n=105), and D) 8.8% (n=18). Experts ratings were significantly lower for class C (mean${\pm}$SD, 2.14${\pm}$1.35, 95% CI [1.90, 2.39], P = 0.004 compared with class B, P ${\leq}$ 0.001 compared with class A or C) and no difference was found between classes A, B, and D. Conclusions : Reporting of acupuncture points in experimental animals is poor and validity and reliability of the result from such reporting is hampered. We suggest that journal editors and experts provide guidelines for reporting animal acupuncture points and adopt them into guide for authors for related journals.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.455-461
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• 2002

limiting nutrients for phytoplankton were determined by dissored inorganic nitrogen/phosphorous (DIN/DIP) in situ and algal bioassay experiment in the Seomjin River estuary during a study period from March 1999 to October 2001. DIN/DIP ranged from 14.7 to 681.1 during the study period. DIN/DIP was over 16 at the upper and middle estuarine region where salinity was lower than 25 psu and chlorophyll a concentration was high, probably indicating P-limitation in this region while the ratio was less than 16 at the high saline (> 25 psu) region, reflecting the supply of DIP from Gwangyang Bay and thereby indicating N-limitation at the lower estuarine region. These results suggested that the spatial distribution of DIN/DIP in the study region was controlled by the high supply of phosphate from Gwangyang Bay, the low input from Seomjin River and the active uptake by phytoplankton within the estuarine system. The bioassay experiments using Skeletonema costatum, Thalaasiosira rotula and in situ phytoplankton assemblage displayed relatively higher growth of phytoplankton in the P-added culture media, indicating P-limitation. This result was well consistent with the spatial distribution of inorganic nutrients. S. costatum showed a rapid adaptation to the low salinity compared to other phytoplankton species. This phenomenon seemed to account for the strong (> $90\%$ in total cell number) S. costatum bloom in autumn in this estuary. Moreover, although phytoplankton growth rate was higher in the P-added culture media at the end of culture experiment of in situ phytoplankton, the fast growth in the trace metal-added media at the beginning of the experiment suggested a possibility of limitation by other micro-nutrients such as trace metal and vitamin etc.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.187-194
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• 1997

The management of post-thoracotomy pain is on of the difficult clinical problems. A variety of pain management methods have been used with variable efficacy. We compared the effect of acupuncture with the effect of analgesics for the post-thoracotomy pain control. From March 1995 to September 1995, 20 patients who underwent elective thoracotomy were randomized into two groups. The patients were treated with analgesics in control group(n=10) and acupuncture in the other group(n: 10). Postoperative analgesic effects were evaluated by the scoring system which was made by the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Korea University Medical Center. No significant difference was observed between two groups concerning the subjective pain and limitation of motion of operated side. Although the number of analgesic requirement was reduced significantly in the acupuncture group(P < 0.05). We conclude that acupuncture is an effective method to control post-thoracotomy pain and it is safer than the analgesics bacause of its lower side effects.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.303-311
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• 2009

A scaling up study for the exopolysaccharide (EPS) production by submerged culture of Ganoderma lucidum was carried out in jar fermenter systems (2.6, 20 and 75 L) under bi-staged pH process. Profiles of dissolved oxygen (DO) and volumetric coefficient of oxygen transfer ($k_La$) as a function of operating variables (agitation speed and aeration rate) was investigated, and a correlation between $k_La$ and operating variables was analysed statistically. Under bi-staged pH process, no limitation of DO was observed at agitation speeds tested in the range of 200 and 600 rpm, and the highest EPS production was obtained at the level of DO of $40{\sim}80%$. From the regression analysis, the relation between $k_La$, gas velocity (Vs), stirrer speed (N) and impeller diameter (Di) could be expressed as : $$k_La=0.555{\times}Vs^{0.42}{\times}(N^3{\times}Di^2)^{0.33}\;(R^2=0.925,\;p<0.05)$$ It was found that under 2.6 L jar fermenter, the optimum agitation speed and aeration rate was 400 rpm and 1 vvm, respectively, obtaining the EPS production of 15.43 g/L. Under the submerged cultivation of G. lucidum in jar fermenters of $2.6{\sim}75\;L$, the similar EPS yields at each fermenter were achieved during scaling up based on $k_La$, and $k_La$ value for maximum EPS production was $85.4{\pm}26.70\;h^{-1}$.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.139-146
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction in patients with neck pain. Patients with neck pain also experience muscle weakness and limitation of activities of daily living. Craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction may increase the thickness of the deep cervical flexor muscles, thereby reducing pain and limitations on activities of daily living. METHODS: Twenty-six volunteers participated in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=13) and a control group (n=13). Both groups performed craniocervical flexion exercise using a pressure biofeedback unit; the experimental group performed craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction for 20 minutes, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Assessment tools included ultrasonography for measurement of muscle thickness and the Neck Disability Index for the level of pain and function. RESULTS: The rate of change in muscle thickness in both groups significantly increased (p<.05), with a significantly greater increase in the experimental group than in the control group (p<.05). The Neck Disability Index score significantly improved (p<.05) in both groups, with significantly greater improvement in the experimental group compared with the control group (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction can be effective in increasing muscle thickness and improving the Neck Disability Index score in patients with neck pain.