• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2009

The Platelet Function Analyzer (PFA)$^{(R)}$-100 measures the ability of platelets activated in a high-shear environment to occlude an aperture in a membrane treated with collagen and epinephrine (CEPI) or collagen and ADP (CADP). The time taken for the flow across the membrane to stop (closure time, CT) is recorded. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of the PFA$^{(R)}$-100 as a primary clinical screening tool using the wide spectrum of clinical samples assessed for platelet function as well as to perform the optimal algorithm for the use of PFA$^{(R)}$-100. We established the reference interval in 460 hospital inpatients defined as having normal platelet function based on classical laboratory tests. The reference interval by using the range $5^{th}$ and $95^{th}$ percentile was 84~251 seconds for males CEPI-CT and 85~249 seconds for females CEPI-CT. A total of 1,200 inpatients were enrolled to identify impaired hemostasis before surgical interventions. The abnormal group showing prolonged CEPI-CT was 303 cases (18.9%). Only 3 cases had both abnormal CEPI-CT and CADP-CT. Several factors including sample errors, drugs, hematologic abnoralities were contributed to unexpected prolonged CEPI-CT for screening test. The von Willebrand factor (vWF:Ag) assay was performed only in one patient to verify the algorithm for the use of PFA$^{(R)}$-100. The PFA$^{(R)}$-100 was sensitive and rapid method for primary screening test of platelet dysfunction, so we can substitute it for the bleeding time in routine clinical practice.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.18-27
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• 2003

Purpose : Cancer is th e most frequent cause of death in Korea. Cancer screening can save lives through early detection. This study was to investigate major cancer screening rates and the reasons for not having been screening. Method : 210 participants of registered nurses from 5 general hospitals in Busan, Korea were completed a structured self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with SPSS WIN 10.0. Results : The cancer screening rates of the subjects were 53.8% in Pap smear test for cervical cancer, 41.0% in gastroendoscopy for stomach cancer, 15.7% in mammograpy for breast cancer, and 3.8% in colonoscopy. And the higher proportions of having regular screening were 9, 5% in Pap smear test and 2.9% in gastroendoscopy. The primary reason related to not having a screening test was 'seems to be healthy'. Conclusion : The findings showed the necessity of recognizing and educating Korean nurses to have a regular cancer screening for their health management.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.85-92
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• 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers and is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Based on the current screening guidelines by the American Cancer Society and Korean multi-society expert committee, CRC screening is recommended in asymptomatic adults starting at the age of 45 years. Fecal immunochemical test-based screening programs reduce the development of CRC and related mortality in the general population. However, this most popular CRC screening strategy demonstrates a crucial limitation due to modest diagnostic accuracy. Colonoscopy may be considered as an alternative primary method for CRC screening; however, its implementation can still be challenging due to concerns regarding invasiveness, low adherence, cost-effectiveness, and quality assurance. To overcome the limitations of current screening tests, innovative noninvasive tests for CRC screening have been developed with advances in molecular biology, genetics, epigenetics, and microbiomics for detecting CRC, which may enhance the approach to CRC screening and diagnosis in clinical practice in the near future. This review explores the emerging screening methods and discusses their potential for integration into current practice.

• Journal of Oriental Medical Thermology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.46-58
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• 2006

Purpose: We intended to observe the relations between Chiljehyangbuhwan and abdominal & palmar temperature according to primary dysmenorrhea severity. Methods: We selected the 100 primary dysmenorrhea patients by the screening tests (first screening test-inquiry, second screening test-clinical test. additionally WHR (Waist-to-Hip ratio) by Inbody 2.0). By the fixed blocked randomization and double blind method, Chiljehyangbuhwan or placebo was administered for 1 menstration period. Finally, 69 patients remainded. Before and after administration, we measured 4 points abdominal temperature (Chon-jung (CV17), Chung-wan(CV12), Kwan-won(CV4). Chung-guk(CV3)) by DITI(DOREX Inc., USA). And then we checked the difference of temperature $({\Delta}T)$ between CV17 and CV12/CV17 and CV4/CV17 and CV3/CV12 and CV4/CV12 and CV3. Also, we measured 2 points (palmar region, upper front of forearm) for the difference of palmar temperature $({\Delta}T)$. Then, we checked palmar temperature minus upper front of forearm temperature and took an average of right and left ${\Delta}T.$ After that. we compared ${\Delta}T$ with primary dysmenorrhea severity evaluated by VRS (verbal rating scale) and MVRS (multidimensional verbal rating scale). In dysmenorrhea severity. we standardized scale score and 3-group-severity by score (mild, moderate. severe). Besides, we compared palmar ${\Delta}T$ with abdominal ${\Delta}T$. For statistics, we used ANOVA and Spearman's rho correlations. SPSS 13.0 for windows. Results: In case of MVRS, though Chiljehyangbuhwan was correlated to abdominal ${\Delta}T$(CV12 and CV3/CV12 and CV4). it was not correlated to palmar ${\Delta}T$. In case of VRS, though Chiljehyangbuhwan was not correlated to abdominal ${\Delta}T$. it was correlated to palmar ${\Delta}T$. However. palmar ${\Delta}T$ was not correlated to abdominal ${\Delta}T$. Statistically they showed significant result (p<0.05). Conclusion: The primary dysmenorrhea patients showed that severity by MVRS was connected with abdominal ${\Delta}T$ (CV12 and CV3/CV12 and CV4) and severity by VRS was connected with palmar ${\Delta}T$ after Chiljehyangbuhwan administration. So we can consider Chiljehyangbuhwan partially effects the abdominal & palmar temperature according primary dysmenorrhea severity. However, palmar temperature was not correlated to abdominal temperature. Therefore, we need further study.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2269-2276
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• 2015

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is now common in Thailand with an increase in incidence over time. Health authorities are planning to implement a nationwide CRC screening program using fecal immunochemical test (FIT) as a primary screening tool. This study aimed to estimate preferences and acceptance of FIT and colonoscopy, explore factors influencing the acceptance, and investigate reasons behind choosing and rejecting to screen before the program was implemented. Patients aged 50-69, visiting the primary care unit during the study period, were invited to join this study. Patients with a history of cancer or past CRC screening were excluded. Face-to-face interviews were conducted. Subjects were informed about CRC and the screening tests: FIT and colonoscopy. Then, they were asked for their opinions regarding the screening. The total number of subjects was 437 (86.7% response rate). Fifty-eight percent were females. The median age was 58 years. FIT was accepted by 74.1% of subjects compared to 55.6% for colonoscopy. The acceptance of colonoscopy was associated with perceived susceptibility to CRC and family history of cancer. No symptoms, unwilling to screen, healthy, too busy and anxious about diagnosis were reasons for refusing to screen. FIT was preferred for its simplicity and non-invasiveness compared with colonoscopy. Those rejecting FIT expressed a strong preference for colonoscopy. Subjects chose colonoscopy because of its accuracy; it was refused for the process and complications. If the screening program is implemented for the entire target population in Thailand, we estimate that 106,546 will have a positive FIT, between 8,618 and 12,749 identified with advanced adenoma and between 2,645 and 3,912 identified with CRC in the first round of the program.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.72-78
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• 2015

Recently, noninvasive prenatal test (NIPT) has been adopted as a primary screening tool for fetal chromosomal aneuploidy. The principle of NIPT lies in isolating the fetal fraction of cell-free DNA in maternal plasma and analyzing it with bioinformatic tools to measure the amount of gene from the target chromosome, such as chromosomes 21, 18, and 13. NIPT will contribute to decreasing the need for unnecessary invasive procedures, including amniocentesis and chorionic villi sampling, for confirming fetal aneuploidy because of its higher positive predictive value than that of the conventional prenatal screening method. However, its greater cost than that of the current antenatal screening protocol may be an obstacle to the adoption of this innovative technique in clinical practice. Digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) is a novel approach for detecting and quantifying nucleic acid. dPCR provides real-time diagnostic advantages with higher sensitivity, accuracy, and absolute quantification than conventional quantitative PCR. Since the groundbreaking discovery that fetal cell-free nucleic acid exists in maternal plasma was reported, dPCR has been used for the quantification of fetal DNA and for screening for fetal aneuploidy. It has been suggested that dPCR will decrease the cost by targeting specific sequences in the target chromosome, and dPCR-based noninvasive testing will facilitate progress toward the implementation of a noninvasive approach for screening for trisomy 21, 18, and 13. In this review, we highlight the principle of dPCR and discuss its future implications in clinical practice.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.11
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• pp.438-446
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• 2020

Background: Most developmental screening tools in Korea are adopted from foreign tests. To ensure efficient screening of infants and children in Korea, a nationwide screening tool with high reliability and validity is needed. Purpose: This study aimed to independently develop, standardize, and validate the Korean Developmental Screening Test for Infants and Children (K-DST) for screening infants and children for neurodevelopmental disorders in Korea. Methods: The standardization and validation conducted in 2012-2014 of 3,284 subjects (4-71 months of age) resulted in the first edition of the K-DST. The restandardization and revalidation performed in 2015-2016 of 3.06 million attendees of the National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children resulted in the revised K-DST. We analyzed inter-item consistency and test-retest reliability for the reliability analysis. Regarding the validation of K-DST, we examined the construct validity, sensitivity and specificity, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and a criterion-related validity analysis. Results: We ultimately selected 8 questions in 6 developmental domains. For most age groups and each domain, internal consistency was 0.73-0.93 and test-retest reliability was 0.77-0.88. The revised K-DST had high discriminatory ability with a sensitivity of 0.833 and specificity of 0.979. The test supported construct validity by distinguishing between normal and neurodevelopmentally delayed groups. The language and cognition domain of the revised K-DST was highly correlated with the K-Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II's Mental Age Quotient (r=0.766, 0.739), while the gross and fine motor domains were highly correlated with Motor Age Quotient (r=0.695, 0.668), respectively. The Verbal Intelligence Quotient of Korean Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence was highly correlated with the K-DST cognition and language domains (r=0.701, 0.770), as was the performance intelligence quotient with the fine motor domain (r=0.700). Conclusion: The K-DST is reliable and valid, suggesting its good potential as an effective screening tool for infants and children with neurodevelopmental disorders in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.17-28
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• 2016

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effects of a 'Customized Integrated Health Care Program' for male living alone in a single region and assist health promotion of the participants. Methods: This study was one-group pretest-posttest design. Eleven participants in the 'Happy Cooking Class for Male Living Alone' who made 100% of attendance from February 18 to September 8, 2016 were analyzed. Nonparametric paired T-test was performed to determine the differences in Blood pressure(BP), Blood sugar(BS), Cholesterol, Hemoglobin(Hb), Dementia screening test, Depression screening test of the participants in the Customized Integrated Health Care Program. Results: After applying the 'Customized Integrated Health Care Program', Hb level(z=-2.724, p=.006) and Dementia screening test(z=-1.974, p=.048) increased statistically significantly. Conclusion: As the elderly living alone increase in number, it seems that social support networks and health care programs contribute to health promotion of the participants and positively affect the rest of their life.

• Journal of Menopausal Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.188-195
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• 2018

Objectives: This study investigated the association between menopausal-specific quality of life (MENQOL) and breast cancer screening beliefs among Hong Kong Chinese menopausal and postmenopausal women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed to collect data. The questionnaire was distributed to a convenience sample of 218 women aged above 45. The outcome variables were breast cancer screening beliefs and breast examination. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the effect of 4 domains in MENQOL (vasomotor, psycho-social, physical, and sexual symptom) and the health behaviors on the 2 outcome variables. Results: This study found that the overall MENQOL scores (in particular psycho-social, and physical aspects) were significantly associated with positive attitudes toward health check-ups and better knowledge and perceptions in breast cancer. Regular exercise was also significantly related to breast examination. Conclusions: MENQOL (especially psycho-social and physical domain) and regular exercise are important factors associated with breast cancer screening beliefs. The results of this study illuminate health care professionals to develop primary health care strategies to improve the quality of life of mid-life women.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3983-3987
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• 2012

In Malaysia, colorectal cancer is the most common cancer in males and the third most common in females. Mortality due to colorectal cancer can be effectively reduced with early diagnosis. This study was designed to look into colorectal cancer screening participation and its barriers among average risk individuals in Malaysia. A cross sectional study was conducted from August 2009 till April 2010 involving average risk individuals from 44 primary care clinics in West Malaysia. Each individual was asked whether they have performed any of the colorectal cancer screening methods in the past five years. The barrier questions had three domains: patient factors, test factors and health care provider factors. Descriptive analysis was achieved using Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 12.0. A total of 1,905 average risk individuals responded making a response rate of 93.8%. Only 13 (0.7%) respondents had undergone any of the colorectal cancer screening methods in the past five years. The main patient and test factors for not participating were embarrassment (35.2%) and feeling uncomfortable (30.0%), respectively. There were 11.2% of respondents who never received any advice to do screening. The main reason for them to undergo screening was being advised by health care providers (84.6%). The study showed that participation in colorectal cancer screening in Malaysia is extremely low and multiple factors contribute to this situation. Given the importance of the disease, efforts should be made to increase colorectal cancer screening activities in Malaysia.