• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.1125-1139
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• 2006

The cluster analysis of diurnal precipitation patterns is performed by using daily precipitation of 59 stations in South Korea from 1973 to 1996 in four seasons of each year. Four seasons are shifted forward by 15 days compared to the general ones. Number of clusters are 15 in winter, 16 in spring and autumn, and 26 in summer, respectively. One of the classes is the totally dry day in each season, indicating that precipitation is never observed at any station. This is treated separately in this study. Distribution of the days among the clusters is rather uneven with rather low area-mean precipitation occurring most frequently. These 4 (seasons)$\times$2 (wet and dry days) classes represent more than the half (59 %) of all days of the year. On the other hand, even the smallest seasonal clusters show at least $5\sim9$ members in the 24 years (1973-1996) period of classification. The cluster analysis is directly performed for the major $5\sim8$ non-correlated coefficients of the diurnal precipitation patterns obtained by factor analysis In order to consider the spatial correlation. More specifically, hierarchical clustering based on Euclidean distance and Ward's method of agglomeration is applied. The relative variance explained by the clustering is as high as average (63%) with better capability in spring (66%) and winter (69 %), but lower than average in autumn (60%) and summer (59%). Through applying weighted relative variances, i.e. dividing the squared deviations by the cluster averages, we obtain even better values, i.e 78 % in average, compared to the same index without clustering. This means that the highest variance remains in the clusters with more precipitation. Besides all statistics necessary for the validation of the final classification, 4 cluster centers are mapped for each season to illustrate the range of typical extremities, paired according to their area mean precipitation or negative pattern correlation. Possible alternatives of the performed classification and reasons for their rejection are also discussed with inclusion of a wide spectrum of recommended applications.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence and describe radiologic pattern of ankle arthritis following change of mechanical loading axis by total knee arthroplasty. Materials and Methods: We reviewed radiographs of 419 cases, 243 patients underwent total knee arthroplasy from January 2002 to October 2006 retrospectively. We described radiologic parameters around the ankle joint and measured the amount of change of knee varus or valgus angle by comparing preoperative and postoperative anteroposterior standing lower extremities AP X-rays. We divided cases into two groups, one with radiologically arthritic change of the ankle joint and the other one without any radiologic change after surgery. We compared two groups in each parameters and analyzed statistically (SPSS v13.0). Results: Three hundred eighty one cases were divided into varus group and 38 cases in valgus group. 125 cases were divided into ankle arthritic change-positive subgroup among the varus group and 251 cases were in negative subgroup. The amount of varus angle correction by total knee arthroplasty showed significant difference between two subgroups. There was no significant difference in each parameters between subgroups within 38 valgus cases. Conclusion: Ankle arthritis can be aggravated after total knee arthroplasty because of the change of mechanical loading axis onto the ankle joint. Therefore it may be needed to evaluate symptoms and function of ankle joints before performing total knee arthroplasties especially in patients with huge varus deformities of knee joints.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1158-1165
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• 1997

Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma is a very rare tumor which was first reported by Angervall and Enzinger in 1975. The common sites of extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma are bony structures of lower extremities, paravertebral region, and pelvis, but rarely chest wall. Microscopically, extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma is indistinguishable from the Ewing's sarcoma of bone. We present here a case of extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma of the left lateral chest wall in a 19-year-old male. Wide extirpation and postoperative combined chemotherapy were done, and we discuss the clinical picture, histopathology, therapeutic management, and prognosis with review of the literature.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.389-393
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• 2006

Tsutstugamushi disease is a major febrile disease that generally occurs in the fall in Korea with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and leptospirosis. This disease is often accompanied by interstitial pneumonia, acute renal failure and liver failure. The causative agent, namely Orientia tsutsugamushi, is transmitted to humans through the bite of a laval trombiculid mite, which is commonly known as a chigger. A 78 year old man was admitted in October 2004 with intractable fever and a drowsy mentality. Two weeks earlier, he visited a private clinic complaining of a simple skin rash. He was treated with antihistamine and steroid, but his symptoms were aggravated and he was referred to our hospital. His physical examination and laboratory findings showed a septic shock status. The maculopapular rash had spread over his face, chest, abdomen and extremities. Eschar was observed in lower back area but it was too difficult to distinguish it from other skin rashes. His chest X-ray appeared as diffuse nodular patchy consolidations in the bilateral lung parenchyme. He was treated with a mechanical ventilator and doxycycline under th suspicion of Tsutstugamushi disease. However, he suffered multiorgan failure accompanied by acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute renal failure and acute hepatitis. He was treated in the intensive care unit for approximately 12 weeks and his general condition was recovered.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.11-19
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• 2005

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is often attributed to malalignment and maltracking of patella within the patellofemoral joint. Most exercise for PFPS has focused on selectively strengthening the vastus medialis oblique muscle (VMO). This study was designed to identify the effect of medial, lateral wedge and difference of Quadriceps angle (Q-angle) on vastus medialis oblique/vastus lateralis muscle (VL) activity ratios. The subjects were twenty young adult males who had not experienced any knee injury. They were asked to perform isometric contraction exercises in three postures using medial and lateral wedge. The EMG activity of the VL and VMO were recorded in three postures by surface electrodes and normalized by %MVC values derived from seated, isometric knee extensions. The normalized EMG activity levels (%MVC) of the VL and VMO for the three postures of the lower extremities were compared using 2-way repeated measures ANOVA with 1 between-subject factor (group), and 1 within-subject factor (wedge). Results of repeated measures of ANOVA's revealed that the medial wedge isometric contraction exercise produced significantly greater EMG activity of VMO/VL ratios in Group I (Q-angle $18^{\circ}$ or less) (p<.05). But, the medial wedge isometric contraction exercise was no significant difference of VMO/VL ratios in Group II (Q-angle $19^{\circ}$ or more) (p>.05). These results have important implications for selective VMO muscle strengthening exercises in PFPS patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.26-37
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• 2011

Although there have been various studies related to the body's movement from a sitting to a standing position (sit-to-stand task), there is limited information on the kinematic changes on the frontal and transverse planes. The purpose of this study was to ascertain how pelvic tilt affects kinematic changes in the frontal and transverse planes in the hip and knee joints during a sit-to-stand task. For this study, 33 healthy participants (13 female) were recruited. Each participant rose from a sitting to a standing posture at his or her preferred speed for each of three different pelvic tilt trials (anterior, posterior, and neutral), and the measured angles were analyzed using a 3-D motion analysis system. A one-way repeated measure analysis of variance was performed with Bonferroni's post hoc test. In addition, an independent t-test was carried out to determine the sex differences in hip and knee joint kinematic changes during the sit-to-stand tasks. The results were as follows: 1) The hip and knee joint angle in the frontal and transverse planes showed a significant difference between the different pelvic tilt postures during sitting in the pre-buttock lift-off phase (pre-LO) (p<.05). Compared to the posterior pelvic tilt posture, the anterior pelvic tilt posture involved significantly greater hip joint adduction and internal rotation, knee joint adduction, and reduced internal rotation of the knee joint. 2) Sex differences were found with significant differences for males in the initial and maximal angles in the frontal plane of the hip and knee joint (p<.05). Females had a significantly smaller initial abduction angle of the hip joint and a significantly greater maximal angle of the hip adduction joint. These results suggest that selecting a sit-to-stand exercise for pelvic tilt posture should be considered to control abnormal movement in the lower extremities.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.63-67
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• 1993

The syndrome of carotid sinus hypersensitivity is cardovascular symptom complex including lightheadedness, transient loss of consciousness, perspiration, pallor, weakness of lower extremities, transient hypotension, bradycardia and seizure, which occurs from firing of hyperactive carotid sinus reflex. Most cases are idiopathic, but maliganant tumors involving parapharyngeal space have been occasionally implicated. We present a case of carotid sinus hypersensitivity due to nasopharyngeal carcinoma invading the parapharyngeal space with bilateral cervical lymphnode metastases(stage IV, $T_4N_2M_0$). The patient experienced several episodes of severe syncope proceeded by blurring of vision, dizziness and nausea, which were used to occur while he was working in erect position. The tumors were markedly regressed by external radiation therapy with successful resolution of syncope.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.787-799
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• 2020

Objectives: Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is a rare papulosquamous disorder with unknown etiology. Studies on adults have not been conducted yet in Korean medicine. We report the progress of Korean medicine treatment for adult-type pityriasis rubra pilaris. Methods: A 62-year-old female patient was diagnosed with PRP in June 2019. After the diagnosis of PRP, retinoid treatment was continued for about 6 months, and then the drug was switched to an oral immunosuppressant. However, the patient's symptoms did not improve, but instead worsened. The patient was treated with Mihudeungsikjang-tang and acupuncture therapy. We evaluated her treatment progress based on the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), a visual analogue scale (VAS), and the changes in the patient's subjective symptoms. Results: After Korean medicine treatment, the DLQI and VAS scores improved from 18 points to 16 points and from 6 points to 4 points, respectively. The whole-body itching and scaling were reduced by 30% compared to pretreatment. The itching and pain in the neck, which had been severely symptomatic, decreased by 50%. The pain and dysesthesia in the upper and lower extremities disappeared, but the erythema still remained. Conclusions: Conventional treatments for PRP have limitations due to adverse effects and difficulty in treating refractory forms. Korean medicine treatment is worth considering as it can complement the limitations of conventional treatments, although more studies will be needed.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.279-282
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• 2008

Purpose: It is known that the chronic absence of unilateral breast can cause spine curvature. The artificial breast manufactures take up the position of that possibility. This study was designed to evaluate the influence of the mastectomy on the spine and appearance of scoliosis among women who wanted delayed breast reconstruction. ted delayed breast reconstruction. Methods: The study population consisted of 47 women who underwent delayed breast reconstruction at our Department of Plastic Surgery from April 2001 to May 2007. The whole spine anteroposterior and lateral X-ray was taken to evaluate the Cobb's angle. As a general rule a Cobb angle of 10 is regarded as a minimum angulation to define scoliosis. We evaluated Cobb's angle and drew a correlation between the duration of the mastectomy state and the weight of the mastectomy specimen. Results: There were no family history of scoliosis, and no numbness or weakness in the upper or lower extremities. They had normal reflex and experienced no tenderness of the perispinal area. The Spearman Correlation Coefficient between Cobb's angle and the period that took time from the mastectomy to the X-rays and analysis between Cobb's angle and specimen weight was 0.032 and-0.115. there were no correlation between Cobb's angle and time, or between Cobb's angle and specimen weight. Conclusion: lthough the patients attribute their back pain and distorted posture to having received an one-sided mastectomy, it is unlikely that one-sided mastectomy causes spinal deformity and scoliosis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2017

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania donovani is an endemic vector-borne disease in Sri Lanka. Over 2,500 cases have been reported since 2000 and the number of CL cases has dramatically increased annually. Total 57 clinically suspected CL patients attending the dermatology clinic in Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital were recruited from January to June 2015. Slit skin smears and skin biopsies were taken from each of the subjects. Clinical and epidemiological data were obtained using interviewer administered questionnaire. Forty-three (75.4%) patients among 57 were confirmed positive for L. donovani. The majority (77%) of infected patients was males, and the most affected age group was 21-40 years. Soldiers in security forces, farmers, and housewives were identified as high risk groups. The presence of scrub jungles around the residence or places of occupation (P=0.003), the presence of sandflies (P=0.021), and working outsides more than 6 hr per day (P=0.001) were significantly associated with CL. The number of lesions ranged from 1-3, and the majority (76%) of the patients had a single lesion. Upper and lower extremities were the prominent places of lesions, while the wet type of lesions were more prevalent in females (P=0.022). A nodular-ulcerative type lesion was common in both sexes. The presence of sandflies, scrub jungles, and outdoor activities contributed to spread of Leishmania parasites in an endemic pattern. Implementation of vector control programs together with health education with regard to transmission and prevention of CL are necessary to control the spread of this infection.