• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.215-225
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• 2018

To reach a better foundation treatment project, an optimized analysis of composite foundation was studied in the field of hydraulic engineering. Its unique characteristics in hydraulic engineering were concluded. And, the overall and detailed analysis of the composite foundation model established was carried out. The index parameters of the vertical reinforced rigid pile composite foundation were formulated. Further, considering the unique role of cushion in hydraulic engineering, its penetration and regularity were analyzed. Then, comparative and optimized analyses of cushion multistage physical dimensions and multistage material characteristics were established. The parameters of the piles distance were optimized and the multilevel scientific and reasonable parameters information was obtained. Based on the information of these parameters, the practical application was verified. It effectively supported the effective application of vertical reinforcement rigid pile composite foundation in hydraulic engineering. The service mechanism of composite foundation was fully analyzed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3153-3157
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• 2015

Background: Incidence and mortality rates for cancer have increased dramatically in the recent 30 years in Taiwan. However, not all patients receive treatment. Treatment refusal might impair patient survival and life quality. In order to improve this situation, we proposed this study to evaluate factors that are related to refusal of treatment in cancer patients via a cancer case manager system. Materials and Methods: This study analysed data from a case management system during the period from 2010 to 2012 at a medical center in Northern Taiwan. We enrolled a total of 14,974 patients who were diagnosed with cancer. Using the PRECEDE Model as a framework, we conducted logistic regression analysis to identify independent variables that are significantly associated with refusal of therapy in cancer patients. A multivariate logistic regression model was also applied to estimate adjusted the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results: A total of 253 patients (1.69%) refused treatment. The multivariate logistic regression result showed that the high risk factors for refusal of treatment in cancer patient included: concerns about adverse effects (p<0.001), poor performance(p<0.001), changes in medical condition (p<0.001), timing of case manager contact (p=.026), the methods by which case manager contact patients (p<0.001) and the frequency that case managers contact patients (${\geq}10times$) (p=0.016). Conclusions: Cancer patients who refuse treatment have poor survival. The present study provides evidence of factors that are related to refusal of therapy and might be helpful for further application and improvement of cancer care.

• Current Optics and Photonics
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• v.1 no.5
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• pp.500-504
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• 2017

In this paper, we developed a temperature measurement system based on an infrared temperature imaging module for thermal safety verification of a plasma skin treatment device (PSTD). We tested a pilot product of the low-temperature PSTD using the system, and the temperature increase of each plasma torch was well-monitored in real-time. Additionally, through the approximation of the temperature increase of the plasma torches, a certain limitation of the plasma treatment time on skin was established with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) guideline. We determined an appropriate plasma treatment time ($T_{Safe}$ < 24 minutes) using the configured temperature measurement system. We believe that the temperature measurement system has a potential to be employed for testing thermal safety and suitability of various medical devices and industrial instruments.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.1680-1688
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• 2013

Many different approaches have been developed to improve the efficiency of animal cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), one of which is to modify histone acetylation levels using histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) such as trichostatin A (TSA). In the present study, we examined the effect of TSA on in vitro development of porcine embryos derived from SCNT. We found that TSA treatment (50 nM) for 24 h following oocyte activation improved blastocyst formation rates (to 22.0%) compared with 8.9% in the non-treatment group and total cell number of the blastocysts for determining embryo quality also increased significantly ($88.9{\rightarrow}114.4$). Changes in histone acetylation levels as a result of TSA treatment were examined using indirect immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy scanning. Results showed that the histone acetylation level in TSA-treated embryos was higher than that in controls at both acetylated histone H3 lysine 9 (AcH3K9) and acetylated histone H4 lysine 12 (AcH4K12). Next, we compared the expression patterns of seven genes (OCT4, ID1; the pluripotent genes, H19, NNAT, PEG1; the imprinting genes, cytokeratin 8 and 18; the trophoblast marker genes). The SCNT blastocysts both with and without TSA treatment showed lower levels of OCT4, ID1, cytokeratin 8 and 18 than those of the in vivo blastocysts. In the case of the imprinting genes H19 and NNAT, except PEG1, the SCNT blastocysts both with and without TSA treatment showed higher levels than those of the in vivo blastocysts. Although the gene expression patterns between cloned blastocysts and their in vivo counterparts were different regardless of TSA treatment, it appears that several genes in NT blastocysts after TSA treatment showed a slight tendency toward expression patterns of in vivo blastocysts. Our results suggest that TSA treatment may improve preimplantation porcine embryo development following SCNT.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2019.09a
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• pp.210-210
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• 2019

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.609-621
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• 2023

Purpose: Determination of optimal treatment strategies for HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer (AGC) in randomized trials is necessary despite difficulties in direct comparison between trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) and nivolumab as third or later-line treatments. Materials and Methods: This single-institution, retrospective study aimed to describe the real-world efficacy and safety of T-DXd and nivolumab as ≥ third line treatments for HER2-positive AGC between March 2016 and May 2022. Overall, 58 patients (median age, 64 years; 69% male) were eligible for the study (T-DXd group, n=20; nivolumab group, n=38). Results: Most patients exhibited a HER2 3+ status (72%) and presented metastatic disease at diagnosis (66%). The response rates of 41 patients with measurable lesions in the T-DXd and nivolumab groups were 50% and 15%, respectively. The T-DXd and nivolumab groups had a median progression-free survival of 4.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.3, 7.0) and 2.3 months (95% CI, 1.5, 3.5), median overall survival (OS) of 10.8 months (95% CI, 6.9, 23.8) and 11.7 months (95% CI, 7.6, 17.1), and grade 3 or greater adverse event rates of 50% and 2%, respectively. Overall, 64% patients received subsequent treatment. Among 23 patients who received both regimens, the T-DXd-nivolumab and nivolumab-T-DXd groups had a median OS of 14.0 months (95% CI, 5.0, not reached) and 19.3 months (95% CI, 9.5, 25.1), respectively. Conclusions: T-DXd and nivolumab showed distinct efficacy and toxicity profiles as ≥ third line treatments for HER2-positive AGC. Considering the distinct features of each regimen, they may help clinicians personalize optimal treatment approaches for these patients.

• Journal of the Korean Professional Engineers Association
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.50-53
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• 2004

JSP(Jumbo Super Pile) method is a foundation treatment of mixing in depth, one of the soft ground improvement methods through which settlement and deformation of ground foundation is prevented. An example of this method which is applied for the foundation design of a new drainage pumping station is Introduced, and another applied example for an existing pumping station which is built on soft foundation is also introduced.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.203-213
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• 2024

Backgrounds/Aims: The standard treatment for acute cholecystitis, biliary pancreatitis and intractable biliary colics ("hot gallbladder") is emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This paper aims to identify the prognostic factors and create statistical models to predict the outcomes of emergency LC for "hot gallbladder." Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted on 466 patients having an emergency LC in 17 months. Primary endpoint was "suboptimal treatment," defined as the use of escape strategies due to the impossibility to complete the LC. Secondary endpoints were postoperative morbidity and length of postoperative stay. Results: About 10% of patients had a "suboptimal treatment" predicted by age and low albumin. Postop morbidity was 17.2%, predicted by age, admission day, and male sex. Postoperative length of stay was correlated to age, low albumin, and delayed surgery. Conclusions: Several predictive prognostic factors were found to be related to poor emergency LC outcomes. These can be useful in the decision-making process and to inform patients of risks and benefits of an emergency vs. delayed LC for hot gallbladder.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.359-362
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• 2016

Objectives: Loss of lumbar lordosis causing pain and curvature of the vertebral skeleton to one side is a relatively uncommon disease. To our knowledge, successful treatment of loss of lumbar lordosis with any potentized homeopathic drug diluted above Avogadro's limit (that is, above a potency of 12C) has not been documented so far. In this communication, we intend to document a relatively rare case of loss of lumbar lordosis with osteophytic lippings, disc desiccation, and protrusion, causing a narrowing of secondary spinal canal and a bilateral neural foramina, leading to vertebral column curvature with acute pain in an adolescent boy. Methods: The patient had undergone treatment with orthodox Western medicines, but did not get any relief from, or cure of, the ailment; finally, surgery was recommended. The patient's family brought the patient to the Khuda-Bukhsh Homeopathic Benevolent Foundation where a charitable clinic is run every Friday with the active participation of four qualified homeopathic doctors. A holistic method of homeopathic treatment was adopted by taking into consideration all symptoms and selecting the proper remedy by consulting the homeopathic repertory, mainly of Kent. Results: The symptoms were effectively treated with different potencies of a single homeopathic drug, Calcarea phos. X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) supported recovery and a change in the skeletal curvature that was accompanied by removal of pain and other acute symptoms of the ailment. Conclusion: Homeopathy can be a safe, much less expensive, non-invasive, and viable alternative for the treatment of such cases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.269-278
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to report the effect of the Korean acupuncture treatment and Open Wet Dressing Therapy(OPWT) for pressure ulcer. From November 2015 to January 2020, 9 patients with 3rd or 4th graded pressure ulcer over 70 years of age who were admitted to a care hospital with underlying diseases such as cerebral infarction, brain hemorrhage, and Parkinson's disease were treated by acupuncture and OPWT. Photographs of lesions were used to evaluate the changes in condition of pressure ulcer. Acupuncture was performed 4 times a week along the border between the normal epidermal region and the pressure ulcer granulation tissue in contact with the pressure ulcer interface. OPWT to create a wet environment for wounds by washing the wounds 1-2 times a day with normal saline solution and covering them with food wrap was combined. In addition, for objective treatment progress evaluation, size, stage and condition of pressure ulcer were regularly monitored using the classification method of The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) according to the condition and depth of the damaged tissue and The Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing(PUSH tool 3.0). After acupuncture treatment and OPWT, the pressure ulcer of patients was cured in as short as 66 days and as long as 274 days (average 170 days). This study shows that acupuncture treatment and OPWT were effective to treat pressure ulcer.