• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.201-209
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• 1998

Background: Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) have been used for various pain syndromes for their analgesic effects. They, however, often have anticholinergic side effects and therefore search for more selective drugs with fewer side effects is justified. Paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor devoid of autonomic side effects, was evaluated for its role as an analgesic adjuvant in the management of neuropathic pain. Method: According to individual diagnostic group as diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, central pain syndrome and cancer related plexopathy, 10 patients per each group were equally accumulated. Patients have been stabilized in their analgesic regimen at least four weeks prior to enrollment into study. TCA, if taken, was discontinued for two weeks for wash out period. Baseline four point verbal pain intensity score was obtained and oral administration of paroxetine 20 mg was initiated. At two weeks follow-up visit, pain intensity scores, pain improvement scores judged by family, drug efficacy, tolerability and overall evaluation were assessed. The incidence of side effects were also obtained. Result: After two weeks of treatment, pain intensity scores decreased in 77.5% of patients and no patients experienced aggravation. These findings were objectively reflected in pain improvement scores judged by family members. But, the number of nonresponders was different among groups. In drug efficacy, tolerability and overall evaluation, the proportions of patients who scored as excellent or good were 75%, 80% and 80% respectively. Incidence of side effects was 27.5%, but the side effects spontaneously disappeared after discontinuation of medication. Conclusion: Paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, appears to be effective as adjuvant analgesic for the management of various neuropathic pain syndromes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3287-3292
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• 2012

Purpose: To study the overall treatment time (OTT) and acute toxicity of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: This retrospective study covered all NPC patients who underwent radical IMRT treatment at the Penang General Hospital from June 2011 to February 2012. Patients of any age and stage of disease with histologically proven diagnosis were included. Information was collected on patient demographics, clinical stage, treatment received, including any neoadjuvant and/or concurrent chemotherapy, acute toxity and completion of IMRT within the OTT. Results: A total of 26 NPC patients were treated with IMRT during the study period; 88.5% had stage III/IV disease. 45.2% received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy while 50.0% were given concurrent chemo-irradiation. All patients completed the treatment and 92.3% within the 7 weeks OTT. Xerostomia was present in all patients with 92.3% having grade 2. Severe grade III/IV acute toxicity occurred in 73.1% of patients, the commonest of which was oral mucositis (57.6%). This was followed by dysphagia which occurred in 53.8%, skin reactions in 42.3% and weight loss in 19.2%. However, haematological toxicity was mild with only one patient having leucopaenia. Conclusion: IMRT treatment for NPC is feasible in our center. More importantly, it can be delivered within the 7 weeks OTT in the majority of patients. Severe grade 3/4 toxicity is very common (73.1%) and thus maximal nutritional and analgesic support is required throughout the treatment.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.32-38
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• 2017

Purpose: Several accelerated partial breast radiation (APBR) techniques have been investigated in patients with early-stage breast cancer (BC); however, the optimal treatment delivery techniques remain unclear. We evaluated the feasibility and toxicity of APBR delivered using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in elderly patients with stage I BC, using a novel fractionation schedule. Materials and Methods: Forty-two patients aged ${\geq}65$ years, with stage I BC who underwent breast conserving surgery were enrolled in a phase I/II study evaluating APBR using IMRT. Forty eligible patients received 40 Gy in 4 Gy daily fractions. Patients were assessed for treatment related toxicities, and cosmesis, before APBR, during, and after completion of the treatment. Results: The median age was 73 years, median tumor size 0.8 cm and the median follow-up was 54 months. The 5-year locoregional control was 97.5% and overall survival 90%. Erythema and skin pigmentation was the most common acute adverse event, reported by 27 patients (69%). Twenty-six patients (65%) reported mild pain, rated 1-4/10. This improved at last follow-up to only 2 (15%). Overall the patient and physician reported worst late toxicities were lower than the baseline and at last follow-up, patients and physicians rated cosmesis as excellent/good in 93% and 86 %, respectively. Conclusion: In this prospective trial, we observed an excellent rate of tumor control with daily APBR. The acceptable toxicity profile and cosmetic results of this study support the use of IMRT planned APBR with daily schedule in elderly patients with early stage BC.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.25-57
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• 1998

In order to assess the attractiveness of the hospital industry, the competitive environment of the industry was analyzed. With the employment of Michael Porter's five forces model' the deciding factor was examined and applied to evaluate the intensity of the competitiveness in the hospital industry, and then the structure and attractiveness in hospital industry was assessed. The subject of this study was hospitals that have over 500 beds. Main findings are as follows. 1. Out of 5 factors deciding competitiveness, the pressure from newly opened hospitals and the competition between existing hospitals, were both high in intensity; this makes hospital industry less attractive. The pressure from the substitutes and the pressure from the negotiating power of consumers and suppliers were low; this makes hospital industry more attractive. 2. Overall intensity of competitive pressure pressure for existing hospital industry that have over 500 beds was rather low, consequently the attractiveness of the industry was evaluated quite high. These findings, however, were not solid enough to endorse the attractiveness of the industry. 3. It was understood that future industry would have bigger pressure/ competition so that the attractiveness for the relevant hospital industry would be decreased. This study has its limitations. As the evaluation of competitive factor was not grounded on quantitative data, its objectivity could be questioned. Also, the overall result of each factors could be distorted as it was calculated with same weight against individual factor. This study has its significance in that the specific hospital group was viewed as one industry, and its attractiveness as a potentially profitable industry in which worth investing was estimated, with all factors considered. With this key result, hospitals industustry could work out a plan to enhance the status of hospitals, allowing hospitals to get assistance in making strategic decisions such as mergers, cooperations, and new establishments.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.276-284
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• 2018

Purpose: Traditionally, three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) is used for neoadjuvant chemoradiation in locally advanced rectal cancer. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) was later developed for more conformal dose distribution, with the potential for reduced toxicity across many disease sites. We sought to use the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to examine trends and predictors for IMRT use in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: We queried the NCDB from 2004 to 2015 for patients with rectal adenocarcinoma treated with neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiation to standard doses followed by surgical resection. Odds ratios were used to determine predictors of IMRT use. Univariable and multivariable Cox regressions were used to determine potential predictors of overall survival (OS). Propensity matching was used to account for any indication bias. Results: Among 21,490 eligible patients, 3,131 were treated with IMRT. IMRT use increased from 1% in 2004 to 22% in 2014. Predictors for IMRT use included increased N stage, higher comorbidity score, more recent year, treatment at an academic facility, increased income, and higher educational level. On propensity-adjusted, multivariable analysis, male gender, increased distance to facility, higher comorbidity score, IMRT technique, government insurance, African-American race, and non-metro location were predictive of worse OS. Of note, the complete response rate at time of surgery was 28% with non-IMRT and 21% with IMRT. Conclusion: IMRT use has steadily increased in the treatment of rectal cancer, but still remains only a fraction of overall treatment technique, more often reserved for higher disease burden.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.76-91
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• 2017

Background: Agricultural work is physically demanding and is associated with a high frequency of musculoskeletal disorders. It is challenging to comprehensively understand the present status of work-related diseases and injuries among farmers in underdeveloped countries. Objects: This study aimed to elucidate the current status of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in local farmers in Tigray, Ethiopia, and identify the agricultural factors associated work-related musculoskeletal pain (AFWMP) and healthy living and healthy behavior factors associated work-related musculoskeletal pain (HFWMP). Methods: The Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development at Yonsei University conducted a survey of 126 households in Tigray, Ethiopia in 2014. A total of 116 individuals (73 men, 43 women) representing each household answered the questionnaires. Results: 1) Work-related musculoskeletal pain (WMSP) most commonly occurred when performing heavy lifting and most frequently occurred in the lower back. 2) Age, self-perceived labor intensity, and months of farming work were significantly higher in the pain group than those in the non-pain group. 3) Overall work-related musculoskeletal pain intensity (WPI) showed positive and negative correlations with years of farming experience and self-perceived health status, respectively. 4) In binary logistic regression, the occurrence of WMSP showed significant associations with self-perceived labor intensity. 5) On multiple linear regression analysis, age, months of farming work, and self-perceived health status had a significant impact on overall WPI. Conclusion: The WMSP of farmers in Tigray, Ethiopia was related to the characteristics of farm working and health status. Furthermore, HFWMP and AFWMP were the chief factors affecting the occurrence of WMSP in farmers in Tigray. Therefore, both HFWMP and AFWMP should be considered for clinical health assessments of farmers with WMSP in underdeveloped African countries.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2023

The proportion of agricultural products handled through the Agricultural Products Processing Center (APC) is also steadily increasing every year, and in the case of Seongju Korean melon, a total of 10 APCs of Nonghyup and farming association corporations are in operation, and the distribution ratio is about 60% based on total production. In this study, Seongju Korean melon was selected as a target to analyze the environment load during carrying (production farm ~ APC) in the production area and the transport environment load during distribution of domestic fruits, and to analyze the environmental load for handling at APC. The vertical average vibration intensity (overall G_rms of 1~250 Hz) of truck transport measured at three transport routes from Seongju Korean melon producer ~ APC, Seongju ~ Seoul and Seongju ~ Jeju was about three times larger than that in the lateral direction and 4.5 times larger than that in the longitudinal direction, respectively. The frequency of occurrence of high-amplitude events (G) in the vertical direction compared to the measuring time was deeply related to pavement conditions in the order of unpaved farm-roads, concretepaved farm-roads, and asphalt-paved main-roads, but overall G_rms for the entire frequency band is believed to have a greater impact on vehicle traveling speed than road conditions. On the other hand, the difference in the size and direction of the vibration intensity measured by the forklift truck's main-body and the attachment (fork carrier) during handling at Seongju Korean melon APC was clear, and the vibration intensity of the forklift truck's main-body was largely affected by the stiffness of the fork and the mast according to the handling weight. Based on the field-data of the transport environment during domestic distribution measured through this study, it is believed that it is possible to develop a lab-based simulation protocol for appropriate packaging design.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 2019

Climate change has significantly affected the rainfall characteristics which can influence the pollutant build-up and wash-off patterns from the catchment. Therefore, this study explored the influence of varying rainfall characteristics on urban and agricultural runoff pollutant export using statistical approaches. For this purpose, Mann-Kendall and Pettitt's test were applied to detect the trend and breakpoint in rainfall characteristics time series. In addition, double mass curve and correlation analysis were used to drive the relationship between rainfall-runoff and pollutant exports from both catchments. The results indicate a significant decreased in total rainfall and average rainfall intensity, while a significant increased trend for antecedents dry days and total storm duration over the study periods. The breakpoint was determined to be 2013 which shows remarkable trend shifts for total rainfall, average rainfall intensity and antecedents dry days except total duration. Double mass curve exhibited a straight line with significant rainfall-runoff relationship indicates a climate change effect on both sites. Overall, higher pollutant exports were observed at both sites during the baseline period as compared to change periods. In agricultural site, most of the pollutants exhibited significant (p< 0.05) association with total rainfall, average rainfall intensity and total storm duration. In contrast, pollutants from urban site significantly correlated with antecedent dry days and average rainfall intensity. Thus, total rainfall, average rainfall intensity and total duration were the significant factors for the agricultural catchment while, antecedents dry days and average rainfall intensity were key factors in build-up and wash-off from the urban catchment.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.208-215
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• 2013

This study for add functional nutrition ginseng to make consomm$\acute{e}$ soup of beef. consomm$\acute{e}$ soup of beef added to the supplementary materials, the moisture content of ginseng (75.34%), crude protein 2.78%, crude fat 0.53%, ash 0.018%, respectively. Consomm$\acute{e}$ soup beef cone with the addition of solid content and viscosity measurements, the results showed BCG0 3.34% viscosity ginseng 0% 2.26 acid group most were lower. The sweetness of the control group, 0% added ginseng lowest measured pH is 6.53, and 4.13 BCG12 the lowest amount was measured. Consomm$\acute{e}$ soup beef cone with the addition of lightness was lower as the control group BCG0 34.21, redness BCG0 14.44 as the highest value, respectively. Yellowness decreased significantly (p<0.001) between the amount of ginseng have more and more each sample. Turbidity was decreased with increasing the amount of ginseng. Ginseng added 6% BCG6 symbols from color BCG9 5.10 the highest rating, and flavor 5.40 as the highest rating was 9% added BCG9 5.70 overall acceptability overall acceptance was rated the highest. Strength ginseng 0% added in the control group showed the highest intensity of 6.4, dark brown. Savory flavor 0% added ginseng BCG0 showed the lowest intensity to 4.4. Consomm$\acute{e}$ soup when you try to synthesize the results of all the experiments, the addition of ginseng considered the best addition to the 9%, and the addition of more than 12% of ginseng reducing rather symbols that suggest.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.311-320
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• 2019

This study aimed to optimize mixing conditions (adding amount of squid skin and sea tangle Saccharina japonica) for concentrates of octopus Octopus vulgaris cooking effluent (COCE) and roasting conditions (temperature and time) of seasoned Laver Pyropia yezoensis with concentrates of octopus cooking effluent (SL-COCE) using response surface methodology (RSM). The results of RSM program for COCE showed that the optimum independent variables ($X_1$, squid skin amount; $X_2$, sea tangle amount) based on the dependent variables ($Y_1$, odor intensity; $Y_2$, amino-N content; $Y_3$, sensory overall acceptance) for high-quality COCE were 0.53% (w/w) for $X_1$ and 0.48% (w/w) for $X_2$ for uncoded values. The results of the RSM program for SL-COCE showed that the optimum independent variables ($X_1$, roasted temp.; $X_2$, roasted time) based on the dependent variables ($Y_1$, burnt odor intensity; $Y_2$, water activity; $Y_3$, sensory overall acceptance) for high-quality SL-COCE were $344^{\circ}C$ for $X_1$ and 8 sec for $X_2$ for uncoded values. The SL-COCE prepared under optimum procedure was superior in sensory overall acceptance to commercial seasoned laver.