• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.23
• /
• pp.10263-10266
• /
• 2015

Background: The risk of febrile neutropaenia (FN) and treatment related death (TRD) with first line palliative chemotherapy for de novo metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remains unknown outside of a clinical trial setting despite its widespread usage. This study aimed to determine rates in a large cohort of patients treated in the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). Materials and Methods: Patients who were treated with first line palliative chemotherapy for de novo MBC from 2002-2011 in UMMC were identified from the UMMC Breast Cancer Registry. Information collected included patient demographics, histopathological features, treatment received, including the different chemotherapy regimens, and presence of FN and TRD. FN was defined as an oral temperature > $38.5^{\circ}C$ or two consecutive readings of > $38.0^{\circ}C$ for 2 hours and an absolute neutrophil count < $0.5{\times}10^9/L$, or expected to fall below $0.5{\times}10^9/L$ (de Naurois et al, 2010). TRD was defined as death occurring during or within 30 days of the last chemotherapy treatment, as a consequence of the chemotherapy treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS version 18.0 software. Survival probabilities were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and differences in survival compared using log-rank test. Results: Between $1^{st}$ January 2002 and $31^{st}$ December 2011, 424 patients with MBC were treated in UMMC. A total of 186 out of 221 patients with de novo MBC who received first line palliative chemotherapy were analyzed. The mean age of patients in this study was 49.5 years (range 24 to 74 years). Biologically, ER status was negative in 54.4% of patients and Her-2 status was positive in 31.1%. A 5-flourouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (FEC) chemotherapy regimen was chosen for 86.6% of the cases. Most patients had multiple metastatic sites (58.6%). The main result of this study showed a FN rate of 5.9% and TRD rate of 3.2%. The median survival (MS) for the entire cohort was 19 months. For those with multiple metastatic sites, liver only, lung only, bone only and brain only metastatic sites, the MS was 18, 24, 19, 24 and 8 months respectively (p-value= 0.319). Conclusions: In conclusion, we surmise that FEC is a safe regimen with acceptable FN and TRD rates for de novo MBC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.12
• /
• pp.4963-4968
• /
• 2014

Background: We evaluated whether providing health risk appraisal for Koreans (KHRA) in terms of 'health age' during smoking cessation program would effectively help smokers quit smoking or not. Materials and Methods: A total of 332 male smokers aged between 30-65 years old, registered for a smoking cessation program in a public health center in a city, were recruited and underwent a baseline survey from January 2010 to February 2011. They were then prospectively randomized to a conventional counseling group (n=165) or a KHRA group (n=167), and received conventional counseling or KHRA-based counseling for six months. Abstinence rates were identified through carbon monoxide measurement (at the $4^{th}$ and $24^{th}$ weeks) or urinary cotinine level (at the $12^th$ week). Results: The abstinence rate confirmed by exhaled carbon monoxide was significantly higher in the KHRA group (61.1%) than the control group (49.1%) at the $4^{th}$ week (absolute difference 12.0%, 95% CI: 1.4%-22.6%). However, there was no difference in abstinence rates between the two groups at the 12th and 24th weeks. The predicting factors of 24 week's smoking cessation success were age, older than 50 years old (OR 2.02, 95% CI: 1.16-3.52), lower Fagerstr$\ddot{o}$m Test for Nicotine Dependence score less than 4 (OR 1.84, 95% CI: 1.03-3.29), and higher Self Efficacy/Temptation score (OR 1.79, 95% CI: 1.05-3.06). Conclusions: Smoking cessation counseling with KHRA could be effective compared to conventional counseling in the short period of smoking cessation. Further study is needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of KHRA in tobacco dependence treatment and to establish the indication and target population of this tool.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.62-72
• /
• 2003

The purpose of this study is to prove the efficacy of the Kaltenborn-Evjenth Orthopedic Manipulative Therapy and the Conventional Physical Therapy that influence changes in pain and range of motion when those therapies are applied to patients with temporomandibular pint movement restriction. The subjects of the study were 30 randomly selected patients who had been diagnosed with temporomandibular pint movement restriction and had endured pain for more than two weeks. These patients had visited one of three hospitals in Pyongchon 00 Hospital. The subjects were divided into two groups with 15 patients each. The Kaltenborn-Evjenth Orthopedic Manipulative Therapy was applied to one group and the Conventional Physical Therapy was applied to the other group, once a day for three days. Then, the pain perception degree was measured by using the Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) and a digital device(Absolute Digimatic) measured the range of motion for each group. The average and standard errors were calculated for each measured items and a paired t-test was used for identifying significance in the differences in the pain perception degree and the range of motion between the two groups according to therapy. The significant level was set as ${\alpha}=0.05$. The changes in the pain perception degree were statistically significant in both groups; however, the group that received Kaltenborn-Evjenth Orthopedic Manipulative Therapy(KE-Group) showed more significant changes in a decrease in the pain perception degree than did the group that received the Conventional Physical Therapy(CPT-Group). Both groups showed significant results regarding changes in the range of motion: however, the KE-Group showed more of a significant difference in the average of the range of motion than did the CPT-Group(p<0.001). Comparing the changes in the range of motion between the two groups, the KE-Group showed a significant result which means that the KE-Group had a higher therapy effect than did the CPT-Group(p<0.05). Based on the results of this study, we found that the Kaltenborn-Evjenth Orthopedic Manipulative Therapy decreased pain and increased the range of motion. With such findings, we expect that the Kartenborn-Evjenth Orthopedic Manipulative Therapy can be used as an effective treatment method for patients with tempomrnandibular pint movement restriction and that the treatment period can be reduced with this therapy as well.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.49 no.11
• /
• pp.1167-1173
• /
• 2006

Purpose : To evaluate various sepsis screening tests, individually and in combination, to formulate a guideline for the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Methods : The study was a retrospective cohort study. It took place at the neonatal intensive care unit of the Paediatric Department, Il Sin Christian Hospital, Busan, Korea, over a period of 68 months from 1st, April, 2001 to 31st, December, 2005. This study evaluated 100 neonates having clinical features of sepsis and 100 normal asymptomatic neonates and used screening tests including C-reactive protein (CRP), total leukocyte count (TLC), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), immature neutrophils to total neutrophil count ratio (I/T ratio), thrombocytopenia, degenerative changes in the neutrophils and gastric aspirate cytology (GAC) for the diagnosis of neontal sepsis. Results : The sensitivity of CRP and ANC was high. CRP had 86 percent sensitivity for group-A (proven sepsis) and 74 percent sensitivity for group-B (probable sepsis) and 94 percent specificity for group-A, B. ANC had sensitivity of 72 percent for group-A and 62 percent for group-B and 86 percent specificity for group-A, B. For group-A, sensitivity, specificity of GAC for polymorphs was 74 percent and 94 percent respectively. As for sensitivity, specificity of platelet count for group-A was 64 percent and 89 percent respecively. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values (PV) of the individual tests and different test combinations were also calculated for group-A and B. Conclusion : For the detection of culture negative cases in neonatal sepsis, screening tests including CRP, TLC, ANC, thrombocytopenia, cytoplasmic vacuolization in the neutrophils and GAC for polymorphs have high sensitivity. A combination of three tests has higher sensitivity.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.45-67
• /
• 2014

National Innovative Capability (NIC) is an important decisive factor where economic growth is concerned. As such, it is very important to measure and manage NIC. The composite index approach is one of the widely used approaches to measuring NIC, but there have been insufficient reviews of its feasibility and reliability. This paper conducted an analysis of the feasibility and reliability of the report on the last three years (i.e. 2011 through 2013) of the Innovation Union Scoreboard (IUS) of the EU, which is the most representative means of measuring NIC. It turned out that its reliability meets the recommended criteria as a result of Chronbach's alpha-based test of the models of IUS-related composite index. However, neither the absolute fit index nor the incremental fit index was found to meet the recommended criteria in a construct validity analysis. It also turned out that predictive validity is very low as a result of panel linear regression analysis of sectors and items of IUS-related composite index. This paper presents a number of considerations to be made when measuring national innovative capability using the composite index approach, as well as major policy suggestions based on the results of the analysis.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.16.1-16.10
• /
• 2020

This study was conducted in Lake Hayq between January and December 2018. The objectives of this study were to determine the growth, condition, sex ratio, fecundity, length at first sexual maturity (L₅₀), and spawning seasons of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Monthly fish samples of C. carpio were collected using gillnets of stretched mesh sizes of 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 13 cm and beach seines of mesh size of 6 cm. Immediately after the fish were captured, total length (TL) and total weight (TW) for each individual were measured in centimeters and grams, respectively, and their relationship was determined using power function. Length at first maturity (L₅₀) was determined for both males and females using the logistic regression model. The spawning season was determined from the frequency of mature gonads and variation of gonadosomatic index (GSI) values of both males and females. Fecundity was analyzed from 67 mature female specimens. The length and weight relationship of C. carpio was TW = 0.015TL^2.93 for females and TW = 0.018TL^2.87 for males that indicate negative allometric growth in both cases. The mean Fulton condition factor (C_F) was 1.23 ± 0.013 for females and 1.21 ± 0.011 for males. The value of C_F in both cases was > 1 that shows both sexes are in good condition. Among the total 1055 C. carpio collected from Lake Hayq, 459 (43.5%) were females and 596 (56.5%) were males. The chi-square test showed that there was a significant deviation between male and female numbers from 1:1 ratio (χ²= 22, df = 11, P > 0.05) within sampling months. The length at first sexual maturity (L₅₀) for females and males were 21.5 and 17.5 cm, respectively. Males mature at smaller sizes than females. The spawning season of C. carpio was extended from February to April, and the peak spawning season for both sexes was in April. The average absolute fecundity was 28,100 ± 17,462. C. carpio is currently the commercially important fish while Nile tilapia fishery has declined in Lake Hayq. Therefore, this baseline data on growth, condition, and reproductive biology of common carp will be essential to understand the status of the population of carp and design appropriate management systems for the fish stock of Lake Hayq, Ethiopia, and adjacent countries.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.452-456
• /
• 2013

PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to evaluate the repeatability of the digitizing of silicon rubber impressions of abutment teeth by using a white light scanner and compare differences in repeatability between different abutment teeth types. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Silicon rubber impressions of a canine, premolar, and molar tooth were each digitized 8 times using a white light scanner, and 3D surface models were created using the point clouds. The size of any discrepancy between each model and the corresponding reference tooth were measured, and the distribution of these values was analyzed by an inspection software (PowerInspect 2012, Delcamplc., Birmingham, UK). Absolute values of discrepancies were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test and multiple comparisons (${\alpha}$=.05). RESULTS. The discrepancy between the impressions for the canine, premolar, and molar teeth were $6.3{\mu}m$ (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.4-7.2), $6.4{\mu}m$ (95% CI, 5.3-7.6), and $8.9{\mu}m$ (95% CI, 8.2-9.5), respectively. The discrepancy of the molar tooth impression was significantly higher than that of other tooth types. The largest variation (as mean [SD]) in discrepancies was seen in the premolar tooth impression scans: $26.7{\mu}m$ (95% CI, 19.7-33.8); followed by canine and molar teeth impressions, $16.3{\mu}m$ (95% CI, 15.3- 17.3), and $14.0{\mu}m$ (95% CI, 12.3-15.7), respectively. CONCLUSION. The repeatability of the digitizing abutment teeth's silicon rubber impressions by using a white light scanner was improved compared to that with a laser scanner, showing only a low mean discrepancy between $6.3{\mu}m$ and $8.9{\mu}m$, which was in an clinically acceptable range. Premolar impression with a long and narrow shape showed a significantly larger discrepancy than canine and molar impressions. Further work is needed to increase the digitizing performance of the white light scanner for deep and slender impressions.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.70 no.6
• /
• pp.498-503
• /
• 2011

Background: The causes of exertional desaturation in patients with COPD can be multifactorial. We aimed to investigate factors predict exertional desaturation in patients with moderate to severe COPD. Methods: We tested 51 consecutive patients with stable COPD (FEV1/FVC, $40{\pm}13%$ predicted). Patients performed a six minute walk test (6MWT). Pulse oxymetric saturation (SpO2) and pulse rate were recorded. Results: Oxygen desaturation was found in 15 subjects after 6MWT, while 36 subjects were not desaturated. Lung diffusing capacity was significantly lower in desaturation (DS) group ($62{\pm}18%$ predicted) compared with not desaturated (ND) group ($84{\pm}20$, p<0.01). However there was no statistical difference of FEV1/FVC ratio or residual volume between two groups. The pulse rate change was significantly higher in the desaturated compared with the not desaturated group. Six minute walking distance, subjective dyspnea scale, airflow obstruction, and residual volume did not predict exertional oxygen desaturation. Independent factors assessed by multiple logistic regression revealed that a pulse rate increment (odd ratio [OR], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01~1.40; p=0.02), a decrease in baseline PaO2 (OR, 1.105; 95% CI, 1.003~1.218; p=0.04) and a decrease in lung diffusing capacity (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01~1.19; p=0.01) were significantly associated with oxygen desaturation. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that an absolute increment in pulse rate of 16/min gave optimal discrimination between desaturated and not desaturated patients after 6MWT. Conclusion: Pulse rate increment and diffusion capacity can predict exertional oxygen desaturation in stable COPD patients with moderate to severe airflow obstruction.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
• /
• v.31 no.3 s.86
• /
• pp.301-309
• /
• 2001

Because many of patients seeking orthodontic treatment worry about the facial appearance and their chief motivation for orthodontic treatment is facial esthetics, it is critical to understand the influence of gender or culture on the evaluation of profile esthetics. The purpose of this study was to find out any influence of gender or culture on judging good facial profile. 4 different groups were asked to evaluate 133 facial profiles to test the influence of gender or culture on judging good facial profiles. Those 4 groups consisted of 10 Korean males, 10 Korean females, 10 Korean American males, and 10 Korean American females. 2 evaluation systems were introduced, absolute and relative. Soft tissues of selected good profile group were analyzed and statistic analysis was performed. Conclusions were as follows 1. Inter-evaluator difference for judging good facial profile was statistically significant, even if there was general agreement for the best profile among 40 raters. 2. Gender difference under the same cultural environment was not significant statistically. 3. The same ethnic groups with different cultural background showed statistically different preference on judging good Profile. 4. Good facial profile group had their own characteristics compared to remaining group in several soft tissue measurements which were vertical facial ratio, soft tissue facial convexity, and antero-posterior relative lip position.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.59.5-60
• /
• 2017

We present the relationship between vector magnetic field parameters and solar major flare occurrence rate. Based on this, we are developing a forecast model of major flare (M and X-class) occurrence rate within a day using hourly vector magnetic field data of Space-weather HMI Active Region Patch (SHARP) from May 2010 to April 2017. In order to reduce the projection effect, we use SHARP data whose longitudes are within ${\pm}60$ degrees. We consider six SHARP magnetic parameters (the total unsigned current helicity, the total photospheric magnetic free energy density, the total unsigned vertical current, the absolute value of the net current helicity, the sum of the net current emanating from each polarity, and the total unsigned magnetic flux) with high F-scores as useful predictors of flaring activity from Bobra and Couvidat (2015). We have considered two cases. In case 1, we have divided the data into two sets separated in chronological order. 75% of the data before a given day are used for setting up a flare model and 25% of the data after that day are used for test. In case 2, the data are divided into two sets every year in order to reduce the solar cycle (SC) phase effect. All magnetic parameters are divided into 100 groups to estimate the corresponding flare occurrence rates. The flare identification is determined by using LMSAL flare locations, giving more numbers of flares than the NGDC flare list. Major results are as follows. First, major flare occurrence rates are well correlated with six magnetic parameters. Second, the occurrence rate ranges from 0.001 to 1 for M and X-class flares. Third, the logarithmic values of flaring rates are well approximated by two linear equations with different slopes: steeper one at lower values and lower one at higher values. Fourth, the sum of the net current emanating from each polarity gives the minimum RMS error between observed flare rates and predicted ones. Fifth, the RMS error for case 2, which is taken to reduce SC phase effect, are smaller than those for case 1.