• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2005

The objective of this study was to construct multi-element ultrasound applicators for the treatment of gynecologic cancer with high dose rate brachytherapy. For the treatment of uterus, piezo-ceramic crystal transducer (PZT -5A) with outer diameter of 4 mm, wall thickness of 1.3 mm, and length of 24.5 mm was selected. For the treatment of cervix or vagina, it should be possible to insert the applicator into the vagina. Thus, a cylindrical PZT -8 material with outer diameter of 24.5 mm, wall thickness of 1.3 mm, and length of 15.2 mm was selected. The operating frequencies determined by vector impedance measurement were 3.2 MHz for the PZT 5A cylinder (OD=4 mm) and 1.7 MHz for the PZT -8 cylinder (OD: 24.5 mm). The ratios of generated acoustic output power to applied electric power were 33% and 61% for the tandem type crystal and the cylinder type crystal, respectively. The radiated acoustic pressure fields from both transducers were calculated using a Matlab code and measured in water using hydrophone. There was good agreement between measured and calculated acoustic pressure field distribution. For a tandem type transducer, the calculated acoustic pressure field decreased from 0.023 MPa at 10 mm to 0.010 Mpa at 30 mm, the reduction of 57%. For the cylinder type transducer which will be used for the treatment of vagina showed 78% reduction at 15 mm and 66% at 25 mm as compared to values at 5 mm from the surface. Based on the characteristics of the transducers, this study demonstrated the possibility of using the crystals as a heating source. Finally, a 3-element and 4-element prototype applicators were constructed. The 3-element applicator is 75 mm long and 4 mm thick and will be used for the treatment of uterus. The 4-element applicator is 61 mm long and 24.5 mm thick and will be used for the treatment of vagina. Using these applicators, it is possible to generate enough power to increase temperature to therapeutic level.

• 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.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.213-217
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• 1992

Locally advanced cervical carcinoma has shown high rate of local failure and poor survival rate despite the advances in modern radiation therapy techniques. Combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy demonstrated benefit in improving local control and possibly the overall survival. Twelve patients with advanced stages (Figo stage III, IV) or 11b with bulky tumors (>5 cm in diameter) were treated with combination of radiation therapy and concurrent weekly cisplatin between May of 1988 and September of 1991 at Inje University Paik Hospital. Cisplatin was administered in bolus injections of 50 mg at weekly intervals during the courses of radiation therapy. Median follow-up period was 34 months with ranges from 3 to 53 months. Eleven patients were evaluable for the estimation of response. Response was noted in all the 11 patients: complete response (CR) in 7 ($64\%$), partial response (PR) in 4 ($36\%$). Of the 7 patients with CR, all maintained local control, whereas only 1 of 4 with PR showed local control. Six of 7 with CR are alive disease free on the completion of follow-up. Eight of 11 patients ($73\%$) maintained local control in the pelvis. The median survival for CR patient is 27 months and 9 months for the PR patients. Analysis of survival by stage shows 11 b 4/5, III 2/3 and IV 1/3. Overall survival rate was $61\%$. Three patients recurred: 1 at local, 1 in distant site and 1 with local and distant site. Toxicity for the combination therapy was not excessive. These results are preliminary, but definitely encouraging in view of markedly improved response rate compared with the results of historical control group.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.460-463
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• 2014

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) which is one of the common chemotherapy related toxicity poses a significant clinical challenge. Here we conducted a prospective pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture on CIPN. Patients with CIPN were administered acupuncture procedure with continuation of previous conventional medication. Acupuncture procedures were conducted three times per week for 3 weeks. We assessed patients with Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.0, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-Ntx) at the time of baseline and every week after the acupuncture procedures. Total 5 patients were included and treated with acupuncture. CTCAE grades were the same of 2 in all patients. VAS mean value changed from 5.2 to 3.2, and FACT/GOG-Ntx total score that suggests the higher relates to better quality of life changed from 93.3 to 110 as mean value at the end of the 3rd week, though this index difference did not show any statistically significant difference. This pilot study suggests that acupuncture procedure may have a role for CIPN treatment. Launching a more larger and properly controlled study will be required to ascertain the efficacy of acupuncture.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.47-60
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• 2015

Objective : The aim of this review is to analyze the study tendency in papers on Gyejibokryeong-hwan had been published in Korea from 1990 to 2014. Methods : We searched the four electronic database(NSDL, RISS, Korean traditional knowledge portal, OASIS) and checked relevant Korean journals from 1990 to 2014. We classified the papers by publication date, speciality, study method, and field of study, and analysed the study tendency. Results : After analyzing the papers, these results are revealed : 1. 2.12 papers were published annually on average. 2. As for the speciality of the journal, most of the papers were published in Traditional Korean Medicine, and a few were in Pharmacology. 3. As for the study method, in vitro was 32%, in vivo was 30%, and clinical case was 21%, 4. As for the subject of the studies, beneficial effect was 86%, toxicity was 8%, safety, stability and qualitative analysis was 2% each. 5. As for the studies about effectiveness on the diseases, 30% at gynecologic disease and 30% at vascular disease like arteriosclerosis. There were new studies for a variety of fields like cancer, urologic, and musculoskeletal diseases. Conclusions : These results suggest that Gyejibokryeong-hwan can be used as cure medicine, but there are not sufficient evidence based papers, so there should be further studies in order to establish Gyejibokryeong-hwan as a cure medicine.

• 모자간호학회지
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.64-77
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• 1993

Recovery of functional status and affecting factors it were examined at 1 and 2 months after delivery in 111 women who defined as the resumption of household, self-care, social & community, and occupational activities, and assumption of infant care responsibilities. The data were collected by Tulman & Fawcett (1988)'s IFSAC questionnaire at 2 local hospitals & health center in Kwangju city & Chonnam province. The results were as follows : 1. Total mean scores of functional status were 2.3 points and increased in total functional status between 1 & 2 months after childbirth. The analysis revealed significant changes in 3 dimensions-household, social & community, and occupational activities-of IFSAC between 1 & 2 months after childbirth. 2. Mean scores of 5 dimensions of IFSAC were : self-care activities, 1.9 points : household activities, 2.7 points ; infant care responsibilities, 3.6 points ; occupational activities, 1.5 points ; and social & community activities, 1.6 points. 3. The job affected significantly the household, occupational activities and infant care responsibilities. And the complication of infant or mother affected significantly the infant care responsibilities in association with recovery functional status. Based on the findings and a review of the literature in regard to our understanding of recovery of functional status, the following recommendations were derived. 1. Future research needs to be policied concerning length of maternity leave after delivery on a firmer basis throught longitudinal study. 2. The data also nay be used to develop individual interventions to facilitate recovery from childbirth. 3. The IFSAC may be used to clinical assessments of functional status in the case of women cancer or obstetric and gynecologic operation.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.35-39
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• 2016

Background: The superficial lymphatic system is divided into areas called lymphatic territories which are separated by watersheds. When the lymphatic system fails to remove its load either due to surgery, radiotherapy or some congenital malformation of it then the fluid and the proteins and wastes contained within it accumulates in that territory. Anastomotic connections exist across the watersheds and while they can work unaided manual lymph drainage (MLD) can significantly help drainage across them into unaffected lymphatic territories. The purpose of the study is to examine the effectiveness of a manual technique in moving fluids and softening hardened tissues using a tape measure and Patient-Specific Functional Scale. Methods: We examined the movement of fluids from the affected limbs of lymphedema patients who underwent a standardized 30-min treatment using the Dr. Vodder method of MLD. We chose a typical cross section of patients with secondary leg or secondary arm lymphedema. The lymphedema patient was also measured after the conclusion of treatment and underwent a follow-up control measurement, within 8 weeks. Both evaluation tools indicated a movement of fluid to different and unblocked lymphatic territories as well as a softening of tissues in some of the affected limbs. Results: MLD is an effective means of fluid clearance when it accumulates as a consequence of a failure of the lymphatic system. It seems likely that MLD has a systemic effect on the lymphatic system and that it can improve flow from otherwise normal tissues. Conclusions: It is hypothesized that a series of treatments would result in even more significant improvements.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.5
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• pp.1083-1095
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• 2020

Since 2019, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of urogenital disorders have been covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI) in Korea. Patients with urogenital malignancies were already insured by NHI for ultrasound and MRI. With the expansion of NHI coverage, patients with suspected prostate or gynecologic cancer, uterine fibroids before myomectomy and some other benign disease such as congenital anomaly can receive benefits of NHI. In consideration of these changes, radiologists and other clinicians should be aware of the indications and standard images of each examination and the required reporting forms. Clinical application based upon thorough understanding of the NHI guidelines will aid in improving the standard care of patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.16
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• pp.6639-6641
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• 2014

Background: To evaluate the clinical significance of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) in PAP test in post-menopausal women and compare with reproductive age women. Materials and Methods: A total of 367 patients who referred to our gynecologic oncology clinic were included to the study between September 2012 and August 2013. Data for 164 post-menopausal (group 1) and 203 pre-menopausal (group 2) women with ASCUS cytology were evaluated retrospectively. Immediate colposcopy and endocervical curettage was performed for both groups and conization for all women with a result suggestive of CIN2-3. Histopathological results and demographic features of patients were compared between the two groups. Results: Mean age of the patients was $54.6{\pm}6.5$ years in group 1 and $38{\pm}6.6$ years in group 2. Some 14 (8.5%) of post-menopausal women and 36 (17.7%) of pre-menopausal women were current smokers (p=011). Totals of 38 (23.2%) post-menopausal and 64 (31.5%) pre-menopausal women were assessed for HPV-DNA. High risk HPV was detected in 7 (4.3%) and 21 (10.3%), respectively (p=0.029). Final histopathological results recorded were normal cervix, low grade cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN 1), and high grade cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN2-3). In group 1 results were 84.8%, 12.2% and 1.8%, respectively, and in group 2 were 71.9%, 23.2% and 4.9%. There were no cases of micro invasive or invasive cervical carcinoma in either group. Two cases were detected as endometrial carcinoma in the menopausal group (1.2%). Conclusions: In current study we found that preinvasive lesions were statistically significantly higher in pre-menopausal women than post-menopausal women with ASCUS. Cervicitis was more common in menopausal women. Therefore, we think that in case of ASCUS in a post-menopausal woman there is no need for radical management.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.6
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• pp.467-470
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• 2009

Serum CA 125 is the most useful marker for monitoring patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. However, it can be elevated above normal level in a variety of conditions other than ovarian cancer such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammation disease, and other malignant or nonmalignant disorders, including pulmonary diseases. Recently, we experienced a case of bronchiectasis in which the serum CA 125 level was elevated, changing with the patient's condition. There was no evidence of underlying malignant disease on positron emission tomography or on gynecologic examination, including transvaginal ultrasonography. During follow-up for 14 months, we could not find any clue of malignant disease that could have been the cause of the elevated levels of serum CA 125. Elevated serum CA 125 level should be interpreted carefully according to the patient's clinical condition. In addition, our case suggests that CA 125 may be used as a surrogate marker for acute inflammatory status for chronic pulmonary diseases.