• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.2
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• pp.121-126
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• 2009

Background: Pemetrexed has been prescribed newly as a second line chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The aim of study was to determine the efficacy and toxicity of pemetrexed in advanced NSCLC. Methods: Patients with histologically or cytologically confirmed NSCLC were evaluated from June 2006 to December 2008. The patients had relapsed or progressed after prior chemotherapy treatment. They were treated with intravenous pemetrexed $500mg/m^2$ for 10 min on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle. Results: A total of 89 patients were eligible for analysis. The response rate and disease control rate were 11% and 66%. Non-squamous cell carcinoma histology was significantly associated with a superior response rate (p=0.035) and disease control rate (p=0.009) than squamous cell carcinoma histology. The median survival time was 13 months and the median progression free survival time was 2.3 months. The median survival time of patients with ECOG PS 0~1 was 13.2 months, whereas median survival time was 11.6 months for patients with PS 2 (p=0.002). The median progression free survival time of patients with PS 0~1 were 3.8 months, but 2.1 months for patients with PS 2 (p=0.016). The median progression free survival time of smokers with non-squamous cell carcinoma was 3.4 months, which was significant (p=0.014). Grade 3~4 neutropenia were seen in 7.9% patients. Conclusion: Pemetrexed has efficacy in patients who had prior chemotherapy with advanced NSCLC and less hematologic toxicity.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.259-267
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• 1996

In order to evaluate the effect of viral load on the prognosis of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)-infected individuals, immune complex dissociated (ICD) serum p24 antigen (p24) by acid treatment was retrospectively measured for 50 HIV-infected patients for 60 months. Among them, 27 patients were p24 positive (p24+) above 25pg/ml for $40.4{\pm}12$ months and 23 patients were negative (p24-). Follow-up periods from HIV diagnosis were $63.0{\pm}19$ months (range; 40-112) for the p24+ and $68.4{\pm}19$ months (range; 38-106) for the p24-, respectively (P>0.05)Mean CD4+T cell counts in the p24+ group decreased from $473{\pm}$277/ul (median;373) to $157{\pm}150/ul$ (median; 111) for $60{\pm}16$ months (5.3/month P280/ul (median; 476) to $432{\pm}285/ul$ (median;382) for $63{\pm}19$ months (2.5/month, P<0.01). From CD4+T cell count >200/ul, the patient who progressed to AIDS of <200/ul were 13 of 23 (56%) in the p24+ and 4 of 22 (18%) in p24-, respectively (p<0.01). And the number of death in two groups were 6 (22%) and 1 (4%), respectively (p<0.01). Presumed survival in two groups were about 12 and 24.5 years. These data suggest that viral load itself be very important for the prognosis of HIV-infected patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.516-524
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• 2018

Objective : This study aims to determine whether gamma knife radiosurgery (GKR) improves survival in patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas. Methods : Twenty nine patients with recurrent high-grade glioma underwent 38 GKR. The male-to-female ratio was 10 : 19, and the median age was 53.8 years (range, 20-75). GKR was performed in 11 cases of recurrent anaplastic oligodendrogliomas, five anaplastic astrocytomas, and 22 glioblastomas. The median prescription dose was 16 Gy (range, 10-24), and the median target volume was 7.0 mL (range, 1.1-15.7). Of the 29 patients, 13 (44.8%) received concurrent chemotherapy. We retrospectively analyzed the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) after GKR depending on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS), pathology, concurrent chemotherapy, radiation dose, and target tumor volume. Results : Starting from when the patients underwent GKR, the median PFS and OS were 5.0 months (range, 1.1-28.1) and 13.0 months (range, 1.1-75.1), respectively. On univariate analysis, the median PFS was significantly long in patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma, ECOG PS 1, and target tumor volume less than 10 mL (p<0.05). Meanwhile, on multivariate analysis, patients with ECOG PS 1 and target tumor volume less than 10 mL showed improved PFS (p=0.043 and p=0.007, respectively). The median OS was significantly increased in patients with ECOG PS 1 and tumor volume less than 10 mL on univariate and multivariate analyses (p<0.05). Conclusion : GKR could be an additional treatment option in recurrent high-grade glioma, particularly in patients with good PS and limited tumor volume.

• Proceedings of the Korean Operations and Management Science Society Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.40-43
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• 2000

This paper is concerned with development of an efficient Ρ-median approach applicable to large cell formation(CF) problems. A two-phase methodology that seeks to minimize the number of exceptional elements is proposed. In phase I, two efficient Ρ-median formulations which contain fewer binary variables than existing Ρ-median formulations are constructed. These make it possible to implement large CF problem within reasonable computer runtime with commercially available linear integer programming codes. Given the initial cell configuration found with the new p-median formulations, in phase II bottleneck machines and parts are reassigned to reduce the number of exceptional elements. This procedure has the flexibility to provide the cell designer with alternative solutions. Test results on large CF problems show a substantial efficiency of the new Ρ-median formulations.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.26-34
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• 2020

Purpose: To compare the clinical features, diagnostic findings, and medications of children with infrequent bowel movements or fecal soiling. Methods: This study enrolled 333 children (189 male; age range, 1 month to 18 years) diagnosed with functional constipation by Rome III or IV criteria. We classified them into 3 groups (infrequent bowel movement without fecal soiling [G3-a], infrequent bowel movement with fecal soiling [G3-b], and fecal soiling only [G3-c]) and into 2 subgroups of fecal soiling (G2-b) or not (G2-a). Retrospective data on clinical characteristics, colon transit time (CTT) test results, and medications were collected. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test were used for the statistical analysis. Results: The median age (months) and interquartile range (IQR) was 33 (45) in G3-a, 54 (40) in G3-b, and 73 (48) in G3-c (p<0.0001). G3-c had the latest onset (median, 18; IQR, 18; p=0.0219) and longest symptom duration (24 [24], p=0.0148). PEG 4000 was used in 60.6% (G3-a), 96.8% (G3-b), and 83.2% (G3-c) of patients (p<0.0001). The median age (months) and IQR were 33.0 (45.0) in G2-a and 63.5 (52.5) in G2-b (p<0.0001). G2-b had later onset (median, 12; IQR, 19.5; p=0.0062) and longer symptom duration than G2-a (24 [12], p=0.0070). PEG 4000 was used in 60.6% (G2-a) and 88.3% (G2-b) of children (p<0.0001). No statistically significant intergroup differences were seen in maintenance laxative dose, CTT, or CTT type. Conclusion: Infrequent bowel movement and fecal soiling represent the advanced stage of chronic functional constipation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.232-235
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• 2013

Objective : Major complaints of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are sensory components. However, motor deficit also impedes functional status of hand. Contrary to evaluation of sensory function, the objective, quantitative evaluation of median nerve motor function is not easy. The motor function of median was evaluated quantitatively using load cell and its correlation with findings of electrodiagnostic study (EDS) was evaluated. Methods : Objective motor function of median nerve was evaluated by load cell and personal computer-based measurement system. All of the measurement was done in patients diagnosed as having idiopathic CTS by clinical features and EDS findings. The strength of thumb abduction and index finger flexion was measured in each hand three times, and the average value was used to calculate thumb index ratio (TIR). The correlation of TIR with clinical, EDS, and ultrasonographic findings were evaluated. Results : The TIR was evaluated in 67 patients (119 hands). There were 14 males and 53 females, mean age were 57.6 years (range 28 to 81). The higher preoperative nerve conductive studies grade of the patients, the lower TIR was observed [p<0.001, analysis of variance (ANOVA)]. TIR of cases with thenar atrophy were significantly lower than those without (p<0.001, t-test). TIR were significantly lower in patients with severe median nerve swelling in ultrasonography (p=0.042, ANOVA). Conclusion : Measurements of median nerve motor function using load cell is a valuable evaluation tool in CTS. It might be helpful in detecting subclinical motor dysfunction before muscle atrophy develops.

• Korean Management Science Review
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.91-111
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• 2007

In this paper an effective two-phase approach adopting modified p-median mathematical model is proposed for grouping machines and parts in cellular manufacturing(CM). Unlike the conventional methods allowing machines and parts to be improperly assigned to cells and families, the proposed approach seeks to find the proper block diagonal solution where all the machines and parts are properly assigned to their most associated cells and families in term of the actual machine processing and part moves. Phase 1 uses the modified p-median formulation adopting new inter-machine similarity coefficient based on the non-binary production data-based part-machine incidence matrix(PMIM) that reflects both the operation sequences and production volumes for the parts to find machine cells. Phase 2 apollos iterative reassignment procedure to minimize inter-cell part moves and maximize within-cell machine utilization by reassigning improperly assigned machines and parts to their most associated cells and families. Computational experience with the data sets available on literature shows the proposed approach yields good-quality proper block diagonal solution.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.4125-4128
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• 2014

The median ages at death from cancers between 1985 and 2005 were calculated to demonstrate that inherent anticancer mechanisms may be a common pathway for different cancers. Seventy-eight patients with gastric, liver and lung cancers, were recruited in the solid cancer group. The leukemia group consisted of 31 patients with three main types of leukemia. The controls were 100 healthy individuals. The samples were typed using an HLA-DR/DQ PCR-SSP typing kit. The results showed that the median ages at death from all causes were 64.7 years in 1985 and 70.1 years in 2005. The range of the median ages at death from all cancers was similar to the corresponding value for deaths attributed to all causes. The frequency of $DRB1^*03$ was 9.6% in the solid cancer group and 3.0% in the control group (p<0.05). The frequency of $DRB1^*04$ in the leukemia group were significantly lower than that of the control (p<0.05). $DRB1^*13$ and $DRB1^*06$ frequencies in the leukemia group were significantly higher than those of the controls (p<0.05). It is suggested that inherent anti-cancer mechanisms may be a common pathway for different cancers and are associated with the immune system and HLA.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.66-76
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between lateral position change and sternal complications after cardiac surgery through median sternotomy. Methods: This study was a retrospective descriptive case-control study, involving 241 patients who underwent cardiac surgery through median sternotomy. Data from October 2011 to September 2014 were collected. Results: Sternal complications (i.e. dehiscence, sternal instability, mediastinitis) developed in 33 patients (13.7%). Primary symptoms of complications were discharge and erythema, and the mean time difference from surgery to appearance of symptoms was 15 days (range, 1-138 days). The factors associated with sternal complications were cancer comorbidity (${\chi}^2=5.22$, p=.039), internal mammary artery procedure (${\chi}^2=4.16$, p=.041), and duration of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (p=.033). Position change was not related to incidence of sternal complications (${\chi}^2=0.14$, p=.704). Pressure ulcers appeared in 63 patients (26.1%). Mean time difference from surgery until occurrence of ulcers was 6.7 hours (range, 0-323.0 hours), but position change was started from 132.4 hours (range, 27.1-503.2 hours) after intensive care unit admission. Conclusions: These results provide baseline data to create a standard position change and activity protocol for patients after median sternotomy. Furthermore, the study could help clinical practitioners establish evidence-based nursing practices.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2000

Background: There has been few electrophysiologic studies in median proper palmar digital nerve(PPDN). Bar electrode may be a useful tool to evaluate the pathophysiologic state of the distal peripheral nerves. Objectives : To evaluate sensory nerve conduction velocities(NCVs) of median PPDNs in normal controls and carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS) patients by bar electrode, and clarify the usefulness of the bar electrode. Methods : We checked NCV of each median PPDN of thumb(D1), index(D2) and middle finger(D3) in normal controls(68 hands) and CTS patients(95 hands) by bar electrode. The each mean NCV of both groups were compared to find the correlation between them. Results : The mean NCV of each median PPDN in control group were $38.7{\pm}4.2$(D1), $32.0{\pm}4.6$(D2), $34.2{\pm}4.4$(D3) m/sec, and in CTS group were $35.3{\pm}8.9$(D1), $20.2{\pm}5.2$(D2), $20.2{\pm}5.1$(D3) m/sec orderly. There were significant differences between mean NCV of each finger in control group(p=0.0001), but not between each left and right finger(p>0.05). The differences between each mean NCV of control and CTS were significant in all 3 fingers(p=0.0014, 0.0000, 0.0000). Conclusion : Bar electrode is a useful tool to evaluate the pathophysiologic state of the median PPDNs in normal controls and CTS patients.