• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1049-1052
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• 2016

Background: Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a clonal disorder of hemopoeitic stem cells, characterized by infective hematopoiesis, peripheral cytopenias along with hypercellularity of marrow and marked dysplastic features. Our aim was to study the spectrum of the WHO classification in adult Pakistani patients with MDS at disease presentation. Materials and Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted at Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, extending from January 2010 to December 2014. Patient data were retrieved from the maintained archives. Results: Overall, 45 patients were diagnosed at our institution with de novo MDS during the study period. There were 28 males and 17 females. Age ranged between 18 and 95 years with a mean of $57.6{\pm}17.4years$. The male to female ratio was 1.7:1. According to the WHO classification, 53.3% had refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia, 22.2% had refractory cytopenia with unilineage dysplasia, 4.4% each had refractory anemia with excess of blasts-1 and II and 15.5% had MDS unclassified. The main presenting complaints were generalized fatigue (60%), fever (33.3%), dyspnea (15.5%), bleeding (13.3%) and weight loss (11.1%). Physical examination revealed pallor in 37.7%, followed by petechial and purpuric rashes in 20% of patients. Hemoglobin was <10 g/dl in 41 (91.1%). Pancytopenia and bicytopenia were noted in 18 (40%) and 14 (31.1%) respectively. Conclusions: MDS in our patients presents at a relatively young age. Refractory c ytopenia with multilineage dysplasia was the dominant disease variant in our setting.

• Hip & pelvis
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2023

Purpose: A response to conservative treatment is usually obtained in cases of ischiogluteal bursitis. However, the time required to achieve relief of symptoms can vary from days to weeks, and there is a high recurrence rate, thus invasive treatment in addition to conservative treatment can occasionally be effective. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine surgical excision in cases of refractory ischiogluteal bursitis and to evaluate patients' progression and outcome. Materials and Methods: A review of 21 patients who underwent surgical excision for treatment of ischiogluteal bursitis between February 2009 and July 2020 was conducted. Of these patients, seven patients were male, and 14 patients were female. Injection of steroid and local anesthetic into the ischial bursa was administered at outpatient clinics in all patients, who and they were refractory to conservative treatment, including aspiration and prescription drugs. Therefore, surgery was considered necessary. Excisions were performed by two orthopedic specialists using a direct vertical incision on the ischial area. A review of each patient was performed after excision, and quantification of the outcomes recorded using clinical scoring systems was performed. Results: The results of radiologic evaluation showed that the mean lesion size was 6.2 cm×4.5 cm×3.6 cm. The average disease course after excision was 21.6 days (range, 15-48 days). Measurement of clinical scores, including the visual analog scale and Harris hip scores, was performed during periodic visits, with scores of 0.7 (range, 0-2) and 98.1 (range, 96-100) at one postoperative month, respectively. Conclusion: Surgical excision, with an expectation of favorable results, could be considered for treatment of ischiogluteal bursitis that is refractory to therapeutic injections, aspirations, and medical prescriptions, particularly in moderate-to-severe cases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.2421-2427
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• 2013

Background: To study the response rate, toxicity profiles, and survival of refractory or recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients treated with paclitaxel. Materials and Methods: Patients with refractory or recurrent EOC who were treated with paclitaxel between January 2002 and December 2011 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Vajira Hospital were identified. Clinicopathological features of the patients including detailed data of paclitaxel treatment were collected. Results: During the study period, a total of 44 patients were identified, with a mean age of $52.9{\pm}8.2$ years. Some 13.6% (six patients) had refractory cancer to first-line chemotherapy while 86.4% (38 patients) had recurrent cancer. Among these, 35 (79.6%) and 9 (20.4%) patients were considered as platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant, respectively. Three patients (6.8%) received fewer than 2 cycles of paclitaxel due to loss to follow-up, leaving 41 patients evaluable for response. The overall response rate observed in all 41 patients was 41.5% (17 patients; 12 complete and five partial responses): 12.5% or 1/8 patients with refractory or platinum-resistant cancer and 48.5% or 16/33 patients with platinum-sensitive disease. Stable disease was demonstrated in 17.0% (seven patients) while progressive disease was apparent in 41.5% (17 patients). Median time to progress was 4.5 months (range, 0.67-58.6 months). Median progression-free survival was not reached while median overall survival was 16.3 months (95% confidence interval, 11.0 months -21.6 months). Common toxicities were neutropenia, neuropathy, and alopecia. Conclusions: Paclitaxel is an active agent for refractory or recurrent EOC. Neutropenia, neuropathy and alopecia are common side effects.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 1991

The evaporation characteristics of Ag, Al, Au, Cr. Cu, In, Mg, Mn, Pb, Pd, Si, SiO, Sn, Ti and Zn with the various resistive heating sources have been studied. The employed sources are refractory metal (Mo, Ta and W) boats, W-wire, ceramic (usually Al2O3)-coated and -barriered refractory metal boats, and special boats such as baffled boats and intermetallic boats (nitride compound and graphite). We investigated the melting mode, evaporation rate at a specific power, and lifetime of the sources. A special boat holder is also discussed which is needed to cool the sources at a large heat capacity.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2015.05a
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• pp.61-62
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• 2015

This study has analyzed the engineering characteristics of resource-cycling mortar according to the variation of fine aggregate type using illite with high development potentials by setting the goal as developing eco-friendly construction materials. As a result, while flow has increased if recycled fine aggregate and waste refractory are used separately or mixing them adequately in case of flow and compressive strength, the flow had somewhat declined followed by illite replacement. However, the possibility of such usage is determined to be adequate if used by mixing illite, recycled fine aggregate and waste refractory properly due to the dry shrinkage effect.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 1978

In order to develop the high refractory composite materials consisting of mullite and carborundum, Hadong kaolin and coal coke were selected as the starting materials. Silicone carbide crystals formed during the high-temperature reaction between kaolin and coke were detected by X-ray diffraction method and identified by electron diffraction. The temperature at which the amorphous silicone carbide begins to crystallize could be assumed to be about 155$0^{\circ}C$, which is the lower temperature claimed by others.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.267-273
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• 2011

Erosion and thermal shock resistance of several refractory materials have been investigated, which are expected to be used as nozzles in a planar flow casting equipment for amorphous alloys. The test was conducted on five materials; graphite, boron nitride, fused silica, alumina and zirconia. Test specimens were preheated and dipped into the melt of carbon steel and amorphous alloys. Some test specimens were rotated to develop high erosion and to shorten the test periods. Fused silica and boron nitride specimens showed the excellent erosion and thermal shock resistance irrespective of the kind of melt and melting atmosphere.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.21-28
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• 2000

Various man-made mineral fibers(MMMF) including refractory ceramic fiber(RCF) have been used widely in industries as insulation materials. The effect of fibrous dust on human health depends on fiber size, concentration (exposure level), and durability in biological system. Therefore, these parameters should be determined to evaluate accurately the potential risk of fibers on human health. The purpose of this study was to characterize the size of airborne fiber and the workers＇ exposure to airborne fibers in refractory ceramic fiber manufacturing and processing factories. Airborne fibers were collected on 25-mm mixed cellulose ester membrane filters at personal breathing zones, and analyzed by A and B counting rules of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH) Method # 7400. The average ratios of the fiber density by B rule to the fiber density by A rule was 0.84. This result indicates that the proportion of respirable fibers (<3 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ diameter) in air samples was high. The average diameter and length of airborne fibers were 1.05${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ and 35${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$, respectively. The average fiber concentrations (GM) of all personal samples was 0.26f/cc, and the average concentration was highest at blanket cutting and packing processes. The fifty seven percent of personal air samples was exceeded the proposed American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists(ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value(TLV), i.e. 0.2 f/cc. It was concluded that the RCF industrial workers had the higher potential health risk due to small fiber diameter, long fiber length, and high exposure level to the airborne fibers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.26-30
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• 2022

Background and Objectives Cough suppression therapy (CST) is a physiotherapy that can be used for patients with chronic refractory cough (CRC). We aimed to investigate the efficacy of CST for CRC. Materials and Method A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted in 27 patients with CRC. Participants were randomized to receive either standard mucolytic medications for CRC combined with supplemental CST (CST group) or standard medications alone (control group). CST consists of laryngeal hygiene management, humidification, cough suppression technique, breathing method, and counseling. We assessed the symptoms change at baseline and week 4 with the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ). Secondary efficacy outcomes included the degree of cough Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score (0 to 100 scale). Results From 2019 to 2021, 14 CST group patients and 13 control group patients were included. The improvement was significantly greater in the CST group than in the control group for cough VAS score (36.67 to 13.33 vs. 74.29 to 16.43, p<0.001). Patients in the CST group had a significant improvement in total (70.14 to 107.71, p=0.005), physical (31.42 to 43.86, p=0.015), psychological (23.57 to 40.14, p=0.003), and social (15.14 to 23.71, p=0.005) LCQ scores. However, there was not a significant pre- to post-treatment LCQ score improvement in control group. Conclusion CST might be an effective supplemental intervention for CRC.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.39 no.11
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• pp.33-40
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• 2023

This study explores the performance of pile foundations in highly expansive soil, incorporating magnesium oxide-based refractory materials. A controlled model chamber, housing a fixed pile, was utilized to induce ground expansion through fused magnesia (FM). The investigation focused on measuring the vertical displacement of FM-sand mixtures and the axial load on the pile in relation to depth and time. The study varied the amount of FM content (FM_c) at 30%, 50%, and 70%. The upward movement exhibited an augmentation with increasing FM_c, tapering off with depth as accumulation progressed toward the mixture surface. Compression and tensile forces were both evident along the pile for FM_c at 30% and 50%, while only a tensile force was observed at an FM_c of 70%. These results offer valuable insights for the analysis of pile behavior within FM-sand mixtures.