• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.27-43
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• 2013

Objectives : We surveyed this study for knowing the relation within stress, depression and medical comorbidities, and finding the risk factors of major depression. Methods : 1764 subjects were enrolled from Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2009 who visit Korea University Guro hospital healthcare center. The subjects answered the questionnaire of PSS(Perceived Stress Scale), PHQ-9(Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and the demographic data. We categorized them as the stress group, depressive group, medical comorbidity group and analyzed the correlation analyses and logistic regression analyses. Results : 198 of 1764 subjects(11.8%) were applied to major depression, and the depressive group showed the higher mean stress score(23.19) and mean depression score(12.95) than the normal group. The total PHQ-9 score was increased by perceiving more stress, having more medical comorbidities. The subjects with female, visiting due to recent health problems, irregular exercise, current smoking, history of angina and cerebrovascular disease showed the increased risk of major depression. Conclusions : In this study, we find the PSS, PHQ-9 were valuable for mental health screening in healthcare center. As perceiving more stress and having more medical comorbidity, risk of major depression were increased. Accordingly the individuals with medical diseases or unhealthy lifestyle would need the mental health screen.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.26-31
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• 2015

Objectives: This study used semiology based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to investigate vital energy (Qi) behavior in women with abdominal myofascial pain syndrome (AMPS). Methods: Fifty women diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) secondary to AMPS were evaluated by using a questionnaire based on the theories of "yin-yang," "zang-fu", and "five elements". We assessed the following aspects of the illness: symptomatology; specific location of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs); onset, cause, duration and frequency of symptoms; and patient and family history. The patients tongues, lips, skin colors, and tones of speech were examined. Patients were questioned on various aspects related to breathing, sweating, sleep quality, emotions, and preferences related to color, food, flavors, and weather or seasons. Thirst, gastrointestinal dysfunction, excreta (feces and urine), menstrual cycle, the five senses, and characteristic pain symptoms related to headache, musculoskeletal pain, abdomen, and chest were also investigated. Results: Patients were between 22 and 56 years old, and most were married (78%), possessed a elementary school (66%), and had one or two children (76%). The mean body mass index and body fat were 26.86 kg/cm2 (range: 17.7 - 39.0) and 32.4% (range: 10.7 - 45.7), respectively. A large majority of women (96%) exhibited alterations in the kidney meridian, and 98% had an altered gallbladder meridian. We observed major changes in the kidney and the gallbladder Qi meridians in 76% and 62% of patients, respectively. Five of the twelve meridians analyzed exhibited Qi patterns similar to pelvic innervation Qi and meridians, indicating that the paths of some of these meridians were directly related to innervation of the pelvic floor and abdominal region. Conclusion: The women in this study showed changes in the behavior of the energy meridians, and the paths of some of the meridians were directly related to innervation of the pelvic floor and abdominal region.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.271-277
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• 1996

In selected cases, early corrective surgery is indicated in the management of infants having large ventricular septal defects. The risk of any surgical procedure in infancy is acknowledged to be great and should be avoided whenever possible. However this greater surgical risk is justified when the patient presents with intractable congestive heart failure, severe pulmonary hypertension, marked growth retardation, and recurrent prolonged lower respiratory infections. We analyzed 31 patients with ventricular septal defect in infancy who underwent surgical correction from January 1991 through December 1994. Age ranged from 6 months to 12 months with mean age of 9.2 months. Of the thirty-one patients, 23 patients were male and 8 patients were female. Mean body weight was 7. 4kg. The most common type of ventricular septal defect was perimembraneo s (64.5%). Associated cardiac anomalies were found in 17 patients (55.8%). Mitral regurgitation was the most commonly associated cardiac anomaly (16.1 %) and followed by patent ductus arteriosus (12.9%). When cardiac catheterization data were analysed, the most common range of Qp/qs, RpiRs, Pp/ps were 2.1∼ 3.0, 1-0.25, above 0.70 respectively. Among the indications of surgical correction, there were pulmonary hypertension in 20 patients, congestive heart failure in 3 patients, intractable respiratory infection in 10 patients and growth retardation in 14 patients. The most common surgical approach and method for closure of ventricular septal defect .were right atriotomy (58%) and Dacron patch closure (94%). Postoperative complications occurred in 10 cases (32%) and overall mortality was 12.9% (4 cases). All operative deaths in this series occurred in infants under the age of 8 months and weight of 8 kilograms.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.985-989
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• 2015

Background: Docetaxel, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil (DCF) given every three weeks is an effective, but palliative regimen and significantly toxic especially in patients who have a low performance score. Here, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a weekly formulation of DCF in locally advanced and metastatic gastric cancer patients. Materials and Methods: 64 gastric cancer patients (13 locally advanced and 51 metastatic) whose ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) performance status (PS) was 1-2 and who were treated with at least two cycles of weekly DCF protocol as first-line treatment were included retrospectively. The weekly DCF protocol included $25mg/m^2$ docetaxel, $25mg/m^2$ cisplatin, and 24 hours infusion of $750mg/m^2$ 5-fluorouracil, repeated every week. Disease and patient characteristics, prognostic factors, treatment response, grade 3-4 toxicity related to treatment, progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. Results: Of the patients, 41 were male and 23 were female; the median age was 63 (29-82) years. Forty-one patients were ECOG-1 and 23 were ECOG-2. Of the total, 81.2% received at least three cycles of chemotherapy. Partial response was observed in 28.1% and stabilization in 29.7%. Overall, the disease was controlled in 57.8% whereas progression was noted in 42.2%. The median time to progression was 4 months (95%CI, 2.8-5.2 months) and median overall survival was 12 months (95%CI, 9.2-14.8 months). The evaluation of patients for grade 3-4 toxicity revealed that 10.9% had anemia, 7.8% had thrombocytopenia and 10.9% had neutropenia. Non-hematologic toxicity included renal toxicity (7.8%) and thrombosis (1.6%). Conclusions: In patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer who were not candidates for DCF administered every-3-weeks, a weekly formulation of DCF demonstrated modest activity with minimal hematologic toxicity, suggesting that weekly DCF is a reasonable treatment option for such patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.290-300
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• 2000

Background: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of EBT(Electron Beam Tomography) in the diagnosis of conotruncal anomaly and to determine whether it can be used as a substitute for cardiac angiography. Material and Method: 20 patients(11M & 9F) with TOF(n=7, pulmonary atresia 2), DORV(n=7), complete TGV(n=4), & corrected TGV(n=2) were included. The age ranged from 7 days to 26 years(median 60 days). We analyzed the sequential chamber localization, the main surgical concenrn in each disease category (PA size, LVED volume and coronary artery pattern for TOF & pulmonary atresia, the LV mass, LVOT obstruction, coronary artery pattern for complete TGV, and type of VSD and TV-PV distance for DORV, etc) and other associated anomalies(e.g., VSD, arch anomalies, tracheal stenosis, etc). Those were compared with the results of echocardiography(n=19), angiography (n=9), and surgery(n=11). The interval between EBT and echocardiography/angiography was within 20/11 days, respectively except for an angiography in a patient with corrected TGV (48 days). Result: EBT correctly diagnosed the basic components of conotruncal anomalies in all subjects, compared to echocardiography, angiography or surgery. These included the presence, type and size of VSD(n=20), pulmonic/LV outflow tract stenosis(n=15/2), relation of great arteries and the pattern of the proximal epicardial coronary arteries(16 out of 20). EBT proved to be accurate in quantitation of the intrapericardial and hilar pulmonary arterial dimension and showed high correlation and no difference compared with echocardiography, angiography, or surgery(p>0.05) except for left pulmonary arterial & ascending arterial dimension by echocardiography. LVED volume in seven TOF(no difference: p>0.05 & high correlation: r=0.996 with echocardiography), and LV mass in 4 complete TGV were obtained. Additionally, EBT enabled the cdiagnosis of subjlottic tracheal stenosis and tracheal bronchus in 1 respectively. Some peripheral PA stenosis were not detected by echocardiography, while echocardiography appeared to be slightly more accurate than EBT in detecing ASD or PDA. Conclusion: EBT can be a non-invasive and accurate modality of for the evaluation of most anatomical alteration including peripheral PS or interruption in patients with conotruncal anomalies. Combined with echocardiography, EBT study provides sufficient information for the palliative or total repair of anomalies.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.813-822
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• 1998

Background: Extubation is recommended to be performed at minimum pressure support (PSmin) during the pressure support ventilation (PSV). In field, physicians sometimes perform additional 1 hr T-piece trial to the patient at PSmin to reduce re-intubation risk. Although it provides confirmation of patient's breathing reserve, weaning could be delayed due to increased airway resistance by endotracheal tube. Methods: To investigate the effect of additional 1 hr T-piece trial on weaning outcome, a prospective study was done in consecutive 44 patients who had received mechanical ventilation more than 3 days. Respiratory mechanics, hemodymic, and gas exchange measurements were done and the level of PSmin was calculated using the equation (PSmin=peak inspiratory flow rate $\times$ total ventilatory system resistance) at the 15cm $H_2O$ of pressure support. At PSmin, the patients were randomized into intervention (additional 1 hr T-piece trial) and control (extubation at PSmin). The measurements were repeated at PSmm, during weaning process (in cases of intervention), and after extubation. The weaning success was defined as spontaneous breathing more than 48hr after extubation. In intervention group, failure to continue weaning process was also considered as weaning failure. Results: Thirty-six patients with 42 times weaning trial were satisfied to the protocol. Mean PSmin level was 7.6 (${\pm}1.9$)cm $H_2O$. There were no differences in total ventilation times (TVT), APACHE III score, nutritional indices, and respiratory mechanics at PSmin between 2 groups. The weaning success rate and re-intubation rate were not different between intervention group (55% and 18% in each) and control group (70% and 20% in each) at first weaning trial. Work of breathing, pressure time product, and tidal volume were aggravated during 1 hr T-piece trial compared to those of PSmin in intervention group ($10.4{\pm}1.25$ and $1.66{\pm}1.08$ J/L in work of breathing) ($191{\pm}232$ and $287{\pm}217$cm $H_2O$ s/m in pressure time product) ($0.33{\pm}0.09$ and $0.29{\pm}0.09$ L in tidal volume) (P<0.05 in each). As in whole, TVT, and tidal volume at PSmin were significantly different between the patients with weaning success ($246{\pm}195$ hr, $0.43{\pm}0.11$ L) and the those with weaning failure ($407{\pm}248$ hr, $0.35{\pm}0.10$L) (P<0.05 in each). Conclusion : There were no advantage to weaning outcome by addition of 1 hr T-piece trial compared to prompt extubation to the patient at PS min.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.12 s.269
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• pp.900-905
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• 2006

Background: Homografts and bioprostheses are most commonly used for Rastelli operation in congenital heart disease, but the limited durability is responsible for multiple reoperations associated with increased morbidity This study evaluated long-term results after Rastelli operation with a mechanical valved conduit. Material and Method: A total of 20 patients underwent Rastelli operation with mechanical valved conduit from January 1990 to July 1992. Operative mortality was 1 of 20 patients, and a retrospective review of 19 patients(10 males, 9 females) was done. Initial diagnosis was congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries(cc-TGA, n=4), complete TGA (n=2), ventricular septal defect with pulmonary atresia(VSD with PA, n=9), truncus arteriosus(n=2), double outlet right ventricle with pulmonary stenosis(DORV with PS, n=2). The mean age at Rastelli operation was $4.6{\pm}3.4$ years, and mean follow-up period was $12.8{\pm}2.7$ years. Patients underwent Rastelli opearation using 16 CarboMedics mechanical valve, and 3 Bjork-Shiley mechanical valve($17{\pm}2$ mm). Result: There were 15 reoperations for failed mechanical valved conduit. The freedom from reoperation at 5 and 10 years was 53% and 37%. Most patients were received oral anticoagulation with warfarin, and maintained the international normalized ratio(INR) of 1.5 to 2.0. There was no anticoagulation or thromboembolism related complication. There was a significant difference in the causes of a conduit failure between early(within 3 years) and late(after 3 years) failure groups. The six patients reported early prosthetic valve failure, mainly due to valvular dysfunction by thrombosis or pannus formation. The other nine patients reported late prosthetic valve failure, mainly due to dacron conduit stenosis at anastomosis sites, whereas their valvar motion was normal except 1 patient. Conclusion: To avoid early prosthetic valve failure, strict anticoagulation therapy would be helpful. About the late development of obstructive intimal fibrocalcific peels within the Dacron conduit, an improvement of conduit material is necessary to reduce late prosthetic valve failure. In selected patients, the long term results were satisfactory.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.120-127
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• 2015

Purpose: We aimed to investigate how serum vitamin D levels are related to survival of terminally ill cancer patients. Methods: From May 2012 through June 2013, a retrospective chart review was performed on 96 hospice patients. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with severe vitamin D deficiency and Coxcy and Coxional hazard analyses were used to evaluate effects on survival. Results: The mean vitamin D level in patients was $8.60{\pm}7.16ng/ml$. Vitamin D was severely deficient (<10 ng/ml) in 75 patients (78.2%), deficient (10~20 ng/ml) in 13 patients (13.5%), relatively insufficient (21~29 ng/ml) in five patients (8.3%) and sufficient ((t ng/ml) in three patients (3.1%). Hyperbilirubinemia (${\geq}1.2g/dl$) was the only factor associated with severe vitamin D deficiency according to the multiple logistic regression analysis (Odds ratio, OR=18.48, P<0.05). Although hyperbilirubinemia showed a strong association with survival (Hazard ratio, HR=2.25, P<0.01), no association was found between severe vitamin D deficiency and survival (HR=1.15, P>0.05) in Cox's proportional hazard analysis. Conclusion: Although serum vitamin D levels were severely low in terminally ill cancer patients, we found no association between severe vitamin D deficiency and patient survival.