• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.293-301
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• 2019

Purpose: External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is a useful option to treat head and neck skin cancer patients who are not indicated for surgery. In this study, we evaluated the treatment outcomes of EBRT in an Asian population. Materials and Methods: The records from 19 head and neck skin cancer patients (10 with squamous cell carcinoma and 9 with basal cell carcinoma) who were treated with definitive or adjuvant EBRT from 2009 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The radiotherapy doses administered ranged from 50 to 66 Gy (median, 55 Gy) with 2.0-2.75 Gy per daily fraction (median, 2.5 Gy). The T stage at presentation was as follows: Tis (1 patient), T1 (11 patients), T2 (6 patients), and T3 (1 patient). None had regional lymph node disease or distant metastasis at presentation. The local failure-free survival (LFFS) rates, toxicity, and cosmetic results were analyzed. Results: The median age was 75.5 years (range, 52.6 to 92.5 years). The median follow-up duration from the completion of radiotherapy was 44.9 months (range, 5.8 to 82.6 months). One local failure occurred in a patient with a 2.1-cm posterior neck squamous cell carcinoma at 32.5 months after radiotherapy (1/19, 5.3%). The 3-year LFFS rate was 91.7%. No patients died from skin cancer during follow-up, and no grade 3 complications occurred. The cosmetic outcomes were excellent for 16 (84.2%) and good for 3 (15.8%) of the 19 patients. Conclusion: EBRT offers good local control and cosmetic outcomes in patients with head and neck skin cancer, with no grade 3 complications.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.12
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• pp.470-473
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective case-control study was to survey the detection rate of respiratory viruses in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) by using multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and to investigate the clinical implications of the prevalence of respiratory viruses during the acute phase of KD. Methods: RT-PCR assays were carried out to screen for the presence of respiratory syncytial virus A and B, adenovirus, rhinovirus, parainfluenza viruses 1 to 4, influenza virus A and B, metapneumovirus, bocavirus, coronavirus OC43/229E and NL63, and enterovirus in nasopharyngeal secretions of 55 KD patients and 78 control subjects. Results: Virus detection rates in KD patients and control subjects were 32.7% and 30.8%, respectively (P=0.811). However, there was no significant association between the presence of any of the 15 viruses and the incidence of KD. Comparisons between the 18 patients with positive RT-PCR results and the other 37 KD patients revealed no significant differences in terms of clinical findings (including the prevalence of incomplete presentation of the disease) and coronary artery diameter. Conclusion: A positive RT-PCR for currently epidemic respiratory viruses should not be used as an evidence against the diagnosis of KD. These viruses were not associated with the incomplete presentation of KD and coronary artery dilatation.

• BLOOD RESEARCH
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.307-313
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• 2018

Background Primary ocular adnexal extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (POML) is the most common subtype of lymphoma involving the eyes in Thailand. We sought to assess the characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with POML in Thailand. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patient data and included patients diagnosed with POML between January 2004 and December 2016 at Chiang Mai University Hospital and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thailand. We collected and analyzed patients' clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes. Results Among 146 patients with lymphoma involving the eyes, 121 (82%) were diagnosed with POML. Sixty-four (52.9%) were women with median age 58 (range, 22-86) years. The most common presenting symptom was orbital mass (71.1%). Common sites of origin were the orbit (46.3%) and lacrimal gland (34.7%). At presentation, 22.3% of patients had bilateral eye involvement. About half of patients had stage I disease (N=59, 56.2%) and 20% had stage IV. Most patients (73.3%) had a low-risk International Prognostic Index. Radiotherapy was the main treatment for patients with limited-stage disease (66.7% in stage I and 56.5% in stage II). The overall response rate was 100% with complete response rates 80%, 77.3%, and 64.7% for stages I, II, and IV, respectively. Five-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival were 66.1% and 94.0%, respectively. For patients with limited-stage disease, radiotherapy significantly improved PFS compared with treatment not involving radiotherapy (5-year PFS 89.9% vs. 37.3%, P=0.01). Conclusion We revealed that POML has good response to treatment, especially radiotherapy, with excellent long-term outcome.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.117-124
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• 2012

Objective: The goal of this study is to design a creative tutoring service, which helps children gain confidence and creativity through learning activities. Background: Nowadays most kids are growing up in a very competitive environment under their parents' zeal for education. A stressful environment can deter a child from the confident undertaking of challenges, leading to depression, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy. Art therapy helps children work through these issues, however the process led by instructors or parents, and kids still feel anxious studying adults' face to read their thought. Method: To help children address challenges, a creative tutoring service application can provide images with certain tasks instead of asking them to fill in blank areas. The tasks asked by the service system are 1) to visualize children's own experience utilizing visually associated images from given images and 2) to create an illustrated story modifying and re-composing given images. Another task is to learn basic math and words with numbers and alphabets in customized colors. By completing each task children collect awards, which allow them graduate to higher levels of challenges. The outcomes from the tasks are sent to the main server system and reviewed by analysts. Those results are sent to children's parents as a text message on smart phone. Results: Visual implication using images inspires children to make creative stories based on their own experience. Also, children can find their own patterns of reaching answers by using synaesthetic imagery through repetitive practices of creative thinking tasks. Conclusion: Understanding how they feel about doing tasks in certain environments and assessing them in varied situations should be carefully considered when designers approach service design for kids. By focusing on how to tutor children in creative ways, as opposed to focusing on the expected outcome, creative service applications can be designed to reduce children's stress and encourage self expression. Children are predicted to gain confidence through using the service without the concern of comparison by others. Application: The creative tutoring service needs to be developed and tested by varying types of children.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.10
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• pp.392-397
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• 2015

Purpose: Alagille syndrome is a complex hereditary disorder that is associated with cardiac, hepatic, skeletal, ocular, and facial abnormalities. Mutations in the Notch signaling pathway, such as in JAG1 and NOTCH2, play a key role in embryonic development. A cardiac or hepatic presentation is a critical factor for determining the prognosis. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 41 patients with Alagille syndrome or a JAG1 mutation between 1983 and 2013. Results: The first presentations were jaundice, murmur, cyanosis, and small bowel obstruction at a median age of 1.0 months (range, 0-24 months). The JAG1 mutation was found in 27 of the 28 genetically-tested patients. Cardiovascular anomalies were identified in 36 patients, chronic cholestasis was identified in 34, and liver transplantation was performed in 9. There was no significant correlation between the severity of the liver and cardiac diseases. The most common cardiovascular anomaly was peripheral pulmonary stenosis (83.3%), with 13 patients having significant hemodynamic derangement and 12 undergoing surgical repair. A total bilirubin level of >15 mg/dL with a complex surgical procedure increased the surgical mortality (P=0.022). Eight patients died after a median period of 2.67 years (range, 0.33-15 years). The groups with fetal presentation and with combined severe liver and heart disease had the poorest survival (P<0.001). Conclusion: The group with combined severe liver and heart disease had the poorest survival, and a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to improve the outcome.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 1999

We analyzed our experience with orchidopexy for undescended testicle performed during recent 10 years in order to evaluate our results and to determine the most effective treatment of undecended testes. Between 1988 and 1997, we treated 420 undescended tested (314 palpable and 106 nonpalpable) in 356 boys. Medical records were reviewed with respect to age at presentation, the surgical approach, testicular location, testicular volume and the final outcome. The average patient age at presentation was 4.1 years with 40.2 % presenting before age 2 years. Of 106 nonpalpable testes, 23 testes were intra-abdominal, 32 were preperitoneal and 51 were absent. During the first 5 years, we performed orchidopexy through 31 inguinal and 13 midline transabdominal incisions for 44 paitents with nonpalpable testes. In the next 5 years, all 47 patients with nonpalpable were treated through inguinal incisions. For the nonpalpable testes, the inguinal approach with or without intraperitoneal extension was successful in defining the location of testes and blind-ending vessels in all patients. Laparoscopy did not help to avoid surgical exploration in all our patients with nonpalpable tests. Of 339 inguinal and midline tranabdominal orchidopexies without spermatic vessels ligations, 324 testes were placed in the scrotum, 4 in the upper scrotum and 3 in the inguinal area. Eight testes underwent atrophy. Of 13 Fowler-Stephens orchidopexies, 7 were placed in the scrotum and 6 became atrophied. Testicular growths were noticed in most patients who underwent orchidopexies and the colume of pexed testes became as large as the contralateral normal testes by the mean duration of 43.3 months postoperatively. In conclusion, orchidopexies were successful in most cases of cryptochidism in terms of testicular position and growth. However, there were more testicular atrophies in cases where spermatic vessels were ligated. In cases of nonpalpable undescended testes, the inguinal approach with or without intraperitoneal extesion would be recommended.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 1999

Purpose : This study was conducted to analyze the clinical materials and treatment results of 13 cases of subungual exostosis. Materials and Methods : Thirteen subungual exostoses of the foot treated from January 1991 to December 1997 were studied. We analyzed the clinical data and results of treatment to identify the clinical characteristics of this disease. We investigated the location, shape and relation of exostosis to phalanx with simple x-ray of the foot to identify the radiological characteristics. All the cases were sent to pathologic examination after resection to determine the pathological characteristics. Results : The results of physical examination on presentation were various. Most cases were located at the dorsomedial side of the distal phalanx and were involved in the toe nail. Eleven cases were located at great toes and one each at the 2nd and 3rd toe. Causes of exostosis were not clear, but 2 cases were related to trauma. For the type of exostosis, 7 cases were sessile and 6 were stalk type. On histologic examination, 9 cases showed a cartilaginous portion with overlying proliferating fibrous tissue and underlying bone formation. There was a gradual maturation of spindle cell proliferation from cartilage to cancellous bone. The cartilage was moderately cellular with some pleomorphism, but true anaplasia was not present. Conclusion : The clinical presentation and findings of simple x-rays were most helpful in diagnosing subungual exostosis. Complete excision of the mass achieved complete relief of symptoms and recovery without recurrence in all cases.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.213-221
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• 2008

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the accuracy and adequacy of research papers reporting statistical testings for correlation and regression. Method: Original research articles utilized correlation and regression analysis were reviewed from the Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing published from the year 2004 to 2006. Thirty-six papers were evaluated in accordance with formatted criteria in respect to an inclusiveness of research title, accuracy of statistical methods and presentation styles, and errors in reporting statistical outcomes. Result: Thirty articles (83.3%) utilized Pearson's correlational analysis, and ten articles did regression analysis. Lack of accurate understanding and interpretation of the statistical method was a main fault. Basic assumptions and diagnostic testings for each statistical method were not performed or described in most of the studies. Some points like consistency of research questions with statistical methods and criteria for sample size were still left out in part. Details of the presentation in the reporting of outcomes were not complied with the guidelines, which need careful concerns of the writers. Errors in English of result tables were found in more than one third of the tables. Conclusion: The outcome would be reflected in the submission guidelines for future writers. To reach the level comparable with internationally recognized nursing journals, concrete knowledge to apply statistical methods should be ensured in the processes of submission, reviews, and editing.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.208-215
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to identify the independent clinicopathologic prognostic factors of soft tissue sarcoma affecting local recurrence, metastasis and survival. Retrospectively collected data from 130 patients with soft tissue sarcoma were analyzed. Patient, tumor and pathologic factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate methods for the endpoints of local recurrence, metastasis and survival. In univariate analysis, wide surgical margin, adjuvant radiotherapy and age younger than 40 years reduced local recurrence. Tumor size larger than 5cm was related with a higher rate of metastasis. Patients with metastasis at initial presentation and with a large tumor size had a low survival rate. In multivariate analysis, adjuvant radiotherapy and young age were significantly correlated with a low local recurrence rate. In conclusion, patients with metastasis at initial presentation and a large tumor size had a reduced survival rate. Independent adverse prognostic factors for local recurrence were old age and not undergoing adjuvant therapy.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.383-389
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• 2011

Background: EY-6 is one of the newly synthesized indoledione derivatives to induce tumor cell-specific cell death. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of immunological death induced by EY-6 at mouse colon cancer cell as well as at the normal immune cell represented by dendritic cell. Methods: C57BL/6 mouse syngeneic colon cancer cell MC38 was treated with EY-6, and analyzed by MTT for viability test, flow cytometry for confirming surface expressing molecules and ELISA for detection of cytokine secretion. Normal myeloid-dendritic cell (DC) was ex vivo cultured from bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells of C57BL/6 mice with GM-CSF and IL-4 to analyze the DC uptake of dead tumor cells and to observe the effect of EY-6 on the normal DC. Results: EY-6 killed the MC38 tumor cells in a dose dependent manner (25, 50 and $100{\mu}M$) with carleticulin induction. And EY-6 induced the secretion of IFN-${\gamma}$ but not of TNF-${\alpha}$ from the MC38 tumor cells. EY-6 did not kill the ex-vivo cultured DCs at the dose killing tumor cells and did slightly but not significantly induced the DC maturation. The OVA-specific cross-presentation ability of DC was not induced by chemical treatment (both MHC II and MHC I-restricted antigen presentation). Conclusion: Data indicate that the EY-6 induced tumor cell specific and immunological cell death by modulation of tumor cell phenotype and cytokine secretion favoring induction of specific immunity eliminating tumor cells.