• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5989-5993
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• 2013

Background: Radiation therapy is the mainstay of treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Importance of tumor coverage and challenges posed by its unique and critical location are well evident. Therefore we aimed to evaluate our radiation treatment plan through dose volume histograms (DVHs) to find planning target volume (PTV) dose coverage and factors affecting it. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study covered 45 histologically proven nasopharyngeal cancer patients who were treated with definitive 3D-CRT and chemotherapy between Feb 2006 to March 2013 at the Department of Oncology, Section Radiation Oncology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. DVH was evaluated to find numbers of shrinking field (phases), PTV volume in different phases and its coverage by the 95% isodose lines, along with influencing factors. Results: There were 36 males (80%) and 9 females (20%) in the age range of 12-84 years. Stage IVA (46.7%) was the most common stage followed by stage III (31.1). Eighty six point six-percent received induction, 95.5% received concurrent and 22.2% received adjuvant chemotherapy. The prescribed median radiation dose was 70Gy to primary, 60Gy to clinically positive neck nodes and 50Gy to clinically negative neck regions. Mean dose to spinal cord was 44.2Gy and to optic chiasma was 52Gy. Thirty seven point eight-percent patients completed their treatment in three phases while 62.2% required four to five phases. Mean volume for PTV3 was $247.8cm^3$ (50-644.3), PTV4 $173.8cm^3$ (26.5-345.1) and PTV5 $119.6cm^3$ (18.9-246.1) and PTV volume coverage by 95% isodose lines were 74.4%, 85.7% and 100% respectively. Advanced T stage, intracranial extension and tumor volume > $200cm^3$ were found to be important factors associated with decreased PTV coverage by 95% isodose line. Conclusions: 3D CRT results in adequate PTV dose coverage by 95% isodose line. However advanced T stage, intracranial extension and large target volume require more advanced techniques like IMRT for appropriate PTV coverage.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.6141-6145
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• 2013

Background: The objective of the study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and behaviors of the practicing dentists regarding tobacco cessation counseling (TCC) in Chhattisgarh state and also the barriers that prevent them from doing so. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among dental practitioners of Raipur district, Chhattisgarh state (India). The sampling frame was registration with the State Dental Council and practicing in Raipur district. A questionnaire was personally administered and the practitioners were given explanations regarding how to complete it. Only descriptive statistics were calculated (SPSS version 16 for Windows). Results: Based on the responding dentists' self reports, 76% were not confident in TCC, 48% did not assume TCC to be their responsibility, 17% considered that it might have a negative impact on their clinical practice, whereas 24% considered it might take away precious time from their practice, 25% considered TCC by dentists to be effective to a considerable extent and 80% considered TCC activities are not effective due to lack of formal training, 69% considered dental clinics as an appropriate place for TCC but 82% thought there must be separate TCC centre and 100% of the dentists wanted TCC training to be a part of practice and that it should be included in dental curriculum. Some 95% of them were of the view that tobacco products should be banned in India and 86% responded that health professionals must refrain from tobacco habits so to act as role models for society. Conclusions: Dental professionals must expand their armamentarium to include TCC strategies in their clinical practice. The dental institutions should include TCC in the curriculum and the dental professionals at the primary and the community health care level should also be trained in TCC to treat tobacco dependence.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup3
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• pp.263-268
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• 2016

Cervical cancer is the fourth common cancer among women worldwide. Pap smear screening has resulted in deceasing incidence of cervical cancer in developed countries but low uptake of Pap smear screening among women in developing countries is still a public health challenge. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the relationship between self-efficacy and timely uptake of Pap smear among Iranian women. A total of 580 married women referred to primary health care centers covered administratively by Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran were administered a questionnaire by trained staff. Data were analyzed with SPSS (version 16) software, using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. The mean age for participants was $33.1{\pm}8.8years$. There was a significant association between self-efficacy and Pap smear screening (P<0.01). There was also a positive correlation between duration of marriage and husband's education with Pap smear uptake (P<0.01). In univariate analysis, there was a significant association between Pap smear uptake and level of selfefficacy (OR = 15.3 for intermediate and OR=7.4 for good level), duration of marriage (OR = 5.7 for 5-14 years and OR=10.4 for more than 15), age (OR =2.7 for 27-34 years and OR=7.4 for more than 35 years) and husband education level (OR=2.3 for more than 12 years of education). In multivariate analysis, significant associations persisted between Pap smear uptake and self-efficacy (OR = 23.8; 95% CI: 8.7, 65.5), duration of marriage (OR = 5.9; 95% CI: 2.8, 12.2), age (OR = 3.9; 95% CI: 1.2, 12.9) and husband's education (OR = 2.5; 95% CI: 2.0, 10.3). Efforts are needed to increase women's knowledge about cervical cancer and improve their self-efficacy and perceptions of the Pap smear screening in order to reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2011

Neonatal bleeding is a common problem encountered in nursery rooms or neonatal intensive care units, especially among premature infants. Furthermore, owing to recent remarkable improvement of neonatology, survival rates of preterm neonates have increased; hence, neonatal bleeding cannot be emphasized enough. Since the total blood volume of neonates is small, bleeding can be one of the causes of morbidities and mortalities. Therefore, rapid diagnosis and immediate therapy is urgently needed. The patient's medical history including a familial history of a bleeding disorder or of a previously affected infant who suffered from bleeding along with maternal and neonatal drugs can provide important diagnostic clues. Presence of bleeding with or without petechiae and ecchymoses in a healthy term or late preterm infant with thrombocytopenia but normal prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time strongly suggests a congenital bleeding disorder. For a sick infant who is bleeding from multiple sites, an acquired disorder such as disseminated intravascular coagulation is suspected. Intracranial hemorrhage in term or late preterm infants without a history of birth trauma is highly suggestive of coagulation disorders. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent advances in diagnostic methods is as well as basic concepts of neonatal hemostatic disorders. First, an outline of background information will be presented followed by a discussion of primary and secondary hemostatic disorders as well as inherited and acquired disorders.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1759-1767
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• 2016

Background: Uterine sarcoma is a group of rare gynecologic tumors with various natures, and different lines of treatment. Most have a poor treatment outcome. This study targeted clinical characteristics, treatment, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and prognostic factors in uterine sarcoma patients in one tertiary center for cancer care. Materials and Methods: Uterine sarcoma patients who were treated at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital between January 1994 and December 2014 were identified. Clinico-pathological data were analyzed. Prognostic outcomes were examined by Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analysis. Results: We identified 46 uterine sarcoma patients: 25 carcinosarcoma (CS) (54.3%), 15 leiomyosarcoma (LMS) (32.6%), and 6 undifferentiated uterine sarcoma (UUS) (13.1%) cases. Mean age was $54.0{\pm}11.9years$ (range 25-82 years). Abnormal uterine bleeding was the most common presenting symptom (63.0%). Among 33 patients (71.7%) who had pre-operative tissue collected, diagnosis of malignancy was correct in 29 (87.9%). All patients received primary surgery and retroperitoneal lymph nodes were resected in 34 (73.9%). After surgery, 5 (10.9%) had gross residual tumors. Stage I disease was most commonly found (56.5%). Adjuvant treatment was given to 27 (58.7%), most commonly chemotherapy. After a median follow-up of 16.0 months (range 0.8-187.4 months), recurrence was encountered in 22 patients (47.8%). Median time to recurrence was 5.8 months (range1.0-105.5 months). Distant metastasis was more common than local or locoregional failure. The 2-year PFS was 45.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 30.6%-59.7%) and the 2-year OS was 48.3% (95% CI, 33.3%-60.7%). Multivariable analyses found residual disease after surgery as a significant factor only for PFS. Conclusions: Uterine sarcoma is a rare tumor entity. Even with multimodalities of treatment, the prognosis is still poor. Successful cytoreductive surgery is a key factor for a good survival outcome.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1917-1923
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• 2016

Background: Lynch Syndrome (LS) is a familial cancer condition caused by germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes. Individuals with LS have a greatly increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) and it is therefore important to identify mutation carriers so they can undergo regular surveillance. Tumor DNA from LS patients characteristically shows microsatellite instability (MSI). Our aim here was to screen young CRC patients for MSI as a first step in the identification of unrecognized cases of LS in the Saudi population. Materials and Methods: Archival tumor tissue was obtained from 284 CRC patients treated at 4 institutes in Dammam and Riyadh between 2006 and 2015 and aged less than 60 years at diagnosis. MSI screening was performed using the BAT-26 microsatellite marker and positive cases confirmed using the pentaplex MSI analysis system. Positive cases were screened for BRAF mutations to exclude sporadic CRC and were evaluated for loss of expression of 4 DNA mismatch repair proteins using immunohistochemistry. Results: MSI was found in 33/284 (11.6%) cases, of which only one showed a BRAF mutation. Saudi MSI cases showed similar instability in the BAT-26 and BAT-25 markers to Australian MSI cases, but significantly lower frequencies of instability in 3 other microsatellite markers. Conclusions: MSI screening of young Saudi CRC patients reveals that approximately 1 in 9 are candidates for LS. Patients with MSI are strongly recommended to undergo genetic counselling and germline mutation testing for LS. Other affected family members can then be identified and offered regular surveillance for early detection of LS-associated cancers.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.53-64
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this study is to assess the usage of diagnosis codes for somatic dysfunctions and the general characteristics of patients diagnosed with the code, by analyzing health insurance data provided by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service(HIRA) of Korea. This investigation is intended to outline future and willing to contribute to further use of diagnosis code and the approach of Oriental Medicine to somatic dysfunction. Materials and Methods : By analyzing HIRA data, those diagnosed with M99 codes, a code attributed to somatic dysfunction, were selected for analysis. Patients included were assessed for the relevant general characteristics, and the specific diagnostic criteria. The current usage rates and noteworthy characteristics of diagnostic codes of somatic dysfunctions were assessed. A comparative analysis between clinical departments and subcategories, and a comparative analysis to data of 2014 was conducted. Results : Patients given M99 codes constituted a small minority of all patients diagnosed in 2011 as shown by HIRA data. The codes were more frequently to older patients, females, outpatients, and those who filed for Health Insurance compensation. Medical institutions participating in the diagnosis were mostly primary care facilities, usually specializing in orthopedic(Western medicine sector) and internal medicine (Oriental Medicine sector). The most registered code in 2011 and 2014 was M995. The same trend can be observed in Oriental/Western medicine institutions and Public health center, on the other hand, between them, have some different patterns both 2nd and 3rd. Conclusions : This investigation is that of current usage of diagnostic codes of somatic dysfunction. HIRA insurance claim data was analyzed. Based on the current results, more precise diagnostic standards of somatic dysfunction are warranted. This study will provide a foundation for future Oriental Medicine approach to somatic dysfunctions.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2009

Purpose: Many studies have addressed a psychiatric analysis of self-injury patients who have self-injurious behavior and who have attempted suicide. Few studies on the injury characteristics of self-injury related trauma patients have been conducted. We analyzed the injury characteristics of self-injury patients. Methods: A retrospective review of the medical records extracted from the injury surveillance system of Wonju Christian Hospital for the period from August 2006 to February 2008 was conducted. Of the 121 cases extracted, 103 were included in this study. We analyzed the sex ratio, age group, place of injury, injury mechanism, location of injury, management results, injury severity, and relation with drinking. Results: One hundred three cases were included (sex ratio: 1.06), and the mean age was $33.9{\pm}14.2$ years old. Fifty-six patients (54.4%) were discharged from the emergency department (ED) on the day of injury after primary care, and 9 patients (8.7%) were discharged, because they refused treatment. Seven patients (6.8%) died. Of these, 4 patients (3.9%) died after attempted cardio-pulmonary resuscitation in the ED, 1 patient (1%) was dead on arrival, and 2 patients (1.9%) died after admission. Sixteen patients (15.5%) were admitted to the hospital, including 2 patients (1.9%) needing emergency surgery. Sixteen patients (15.5%) were transferred to other hospitals. Sixty-one cases (59.2%) involved drinking, and 31 (30.1%) did not; for 11 cases (10.7%), the involvement of drinking was unknown. The mean revised trauma score (RTS) was $11.26{\pm}2.52$, and 88 cases (85.4%) hat a RTS of 12. The mean injury severity score (ISS) was $5.80{\pm}14.56$, and 9 (8.7%) severely injured patients had scores of more than 15. Conclusion: Most self-injuries were mild traumas related to drinking and occurred at a young age. Most cases were not so severe, and the patients were discharged from the ED, but some patients needed hospitalization. Other patients had injuries so severe that they died.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.211-217
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• 2004

Chronic acquired hepatocerebral degeneration(CAHD) is a heterogenous that can occur with a primary neurologic, hepatic, or combined presentation. Symptoms and signs of that included progressive dementia, dysarthria, involuntary movements(including tremor, asterixis, and choreoathetosis), ataxia of limb and gait, typically in a patient with chronic liver cirrhosis. Characteristic radiologic findings is high signal on globus pallidus on T1W1 MRI. Recently, we experienced a patients, a 73-year-old female with CAHD presenting mental change, cognitive deficits, and various involuntary movement. In our patient, T1 weighted MRI of the brain showed symmetric high signal intensity in both basal ganglia. Increased ammonia $level(226{\mu}g/dl)$ in whole blood and a multiple anomalous vessels with spleno-renal shunt on abdominal CT were found. But, liver cirrhosis is absent. In admission care, these mental change and involuntary movements had a good response to herbal medication. We report on patient with CAHD which had a spontaneous spleno-renal shunt without liver disease.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.262-277
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the health status and to examine the relationship between health related variables of the clients with arthritis. This descriptive-correlational study was measured physical health status(pain, fatigue, physical disability, joint flexibility) and psycho-social health status(social function disability, self-efficacy, depression). The clients were consisted of 127 arthritis clients who were randomly selected from health center, 2 sub health center and 6 primary health care center in Wonju City. The data was collected from November 2000 to January 2001. The results of the study analyzed using a SPSS win were as follows: 1) The subjects' average age was 64.81 years old(female: 86.6%, male: 13.4%). 2) In physical health status, the average score of fatigue was 63 scores and pain was 69.77. Physical disability score was higher than total disability score. In psychosocial disability, housekeeping management disability score was higher than social function disability score. In psycho-social health status, the average score of self-efficacy was 70.86 and the subjects have higher level of depression, more than 20 scores. 3) On pain sites, almost of subjects complained of a knee joint pain. The waist, wrist, and shoulder joint pain were followed. The numbers of pain site were 8.3 per individuals. 4) The flexibility of knee and shoulder joint were lower than another joints. 5) Correlation with fatigue, pain, physical disability, social disability, self-efficacy and depression was revealed highly significant. We suggest that health promotion program considering our research results should be provided for arthritis clients in community level.