• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.473-481
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• 1999

Objectives: In recent days, the problem of odor pollution in community near Sihwa Industrial complex, Kynuggi Province is becoming of significant public concern. We have investigated the health effects of the Sihwa residents from odor pollution comparing with other less polluted areas. Methods: The Ansan and Kuri Cities were selected as control areas. The parents of the elementary and middle school students in these three areas were surveyed with structured questionnaire twice, Nov 1997 and Jure 1998 each. As a exposure index, the ambient air concentrations of five major air pollutants(particulates, $O_3,\;SO_2,\;NO_2$, CO) and subjective odor perception were used. We have focused health outcomes such as the prevalence of nonspecific irritant symptoms, respiratory disease among family members and the score of qualify of life(QOL). Results: Although the mean concentrations of major air pollutants except particulates were similar or lower in Sihwa than other areas, the odor perception rate and the monthly odor perception days were significantly higher. It suggested that odor producing chemical compounds are the major source of environmental pollution problem. There were higher prevalence rates of nonspecific irritant symptoms and respiratory disease among family members in Sihwa than other control areas. The QOL score was also lower in Sihwa. The odor perception proved to be a most important factor in reporting adverse health effects and lowering the QOL score. Conclusion: The residents living near Sihwa industrial complex were suffering from more adverse health symptoms and poorer QOL status than control areas. And it may be due to environmental odor pollution from industrial complex. Therefore, further research will be needed for monitoring of the responsible chemicals emitted from industries.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.331-343
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of short-wave therapy (SWT) for treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) as compared to placebo and control, and to assess the question of whether the effects are related to the mode, dosage, and application method. Methods: We searched randomized, placebo-controlled trials using electronic databases. We also manually reviewed sources in order to identify additional relevant studies. Results: Eight studies (597 participants) with OA were included in the meta-analysis. Pulse SWT had a significant effect on pain relief compared with control treatment, while did not favour compared with the placebo group. Pulse SWT had a significant effect on functional improvement compared with control and placebo treatment. Continuous SWT had no effect on pain relief and functional improvement. Capacitive SWT a significant effect on pain relief, functional improvement, and muscle strength. Continuous and capacitive SWT had increased muscle strength significantly. We found no clinical significance of all outcomes except pain and functional improvement in pulsed SWT with low dose. There was no difference in adverse events. None of the participants experienced any serious adverse events. Conclusion: Low dose pulsed SWT provided a short-term clinical benefit for pain relief and functional improvement. Pulsed SWD with low and high dose had effects on pain and function. There seems to be a placebo effect. We found significant effects on pain and function in capacitive SWT. Despite some positive findings, this analysis lacked data on how effectiveness is affected by mode, dosage, and application method of SWT. Further well-designed clinical studies are required in order to confirm the effectiveness of SWT.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권12호
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• pp.7111-7116
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• 2013

Introduction: Trastuzumab, an HER2-targeting agents, has shown efficacy in metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer patients. Single-agent clinical trials have evaluated therapeutic regimens using trastuzumab for metastatic breast cancer patients. The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy or hormone therapy in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients. Methods: A literature research was conducted in PubMed and to identify appropriate studies from relevant reviews. Randomized controlled trials comparing chemotherapy or hormone therapy regimens in combination with trastuzumab were eligible. Dadta on clinical outcomes, including safety, efficacy, and patient characteristics were collected. Results: Seven articles describing five trials were included in our systematic review and meta-analysis. Partners of trastuzumab included in trials were anthracycline, paclitaxel, docetaxel, anastrozole and letrozole. The addition of trastuzumab to chemotherapy improved the overall survival (HR=0.79, 95%CI 0.65-0.96), while to hormone therapy did not (HR=0.85 95%CI 0.56-1.30). All trastuzumab-containing regimens increased cardiac toxicity (RR=3.37, 95%CI 1.26-9.02) and grade III-IV adverse events. Conclusions: Our study supports the addition of trastuzumab to chemotherapy which is effective and tolerated for metastatic breast cancer with HER2+ patients. Of note, more adverse events will occur followed the use of trastuzumab, especially cardiac toxicity, with two treatment regimens.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.172-179
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• 2017

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for patients with liver oligo-recurrence and oligo-progression from various primary tumors. Materials and Methods: Between 2002 and 2013, 72 patients with liver oligo-recurrence (oligo-metastasis with a controlled primary tumor) and oligo-progression (contradictory progression of a few sites of disease despite an overall tumor burden response to therapy) underwent SBRT. Of these, 9 and 8 patients with uncontrollable distant metastases and patients immediate loss to follow-up, respectively, were excluded. The total planning target volume was used to select the SBRT dose (median, 48 Gy; range, 30 to 60 Gy, 3-4 fractions). Toxicity was evaluated using the Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events v4.0. Results: We evaluated 55 patients (77 lesions) treated with SBRT for liver metastases. All patients had controlled primary lesions, and 28 patients had stable lesions at another site (oligo-progression). The most common primary site was the colon (36 patients), followed by the stomach (6 patients) and other sites (13 patients). The 2-year local control and progression-free survival rates were 68% and 22%, respectively. The 2- and 5-year overall survival rates were 56% and 20%, respectively. The most common adverse events were grade 1-2 fatigue, nausea, and vomiting; no grade ${\geq}3$ toxicities were observed. Univariate analysis revealed that oligo-progression associated with poor survival. Conclusion: SBRT for liver oligo-recurrence and oligo-progression appears safe, with similar local control rates. For liver oligo-progression, criteria are needed to select patients in whom improved overall survival can be expected through SBRT.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.79-93
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to explore research trends in gold implantation therapy performed on the animal and human body, through a review of clinical studies focused on gold thread, gold needle and gold bead. Methods : Medical databases, including Pubmed, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, RISS4u, KISTI, OASIS and KTKP, were searched for relevant articles published from their launch to December 31, 2015 using the key word 'gold' with '$thread^*$', '$needle^*$', '$acupuncture^*$', '$wire^*$', '$bead^*$', '$embed^*$', '$implant^*$', or '$insert^*$'. The results were classified into in vivo studies, clinical trials and clinical reports. Analysis of the results was conducted in several research areas, from the identity of studies such as nationality and published year, to the gold preparations-features and implanted locations and to the outcomes that reflect the clinically favorable or adverse effect of gold implantation therapy. Results : A total of 30 studies including 11 in vivo studies, 4 clinical trials and 15 case reports, were found in the search. We observed certain research trends according to the research time, nationality and target indication of the studies. The studies primarily revealed a chronic local inflammatory response which could be a useful mechanism for pain-relief in musculoskeletal diseases and facial rejuvenation. Researches concerning long-term reactions or adverse effects were rare. Conclusion : The results show that the efforts to discover the level of clinical efficacy of gold implantation therapy were steady and worldwide. However, further researches on the longterm effect, and more importantly, the safety of gold implantation therapy are required.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제54권9호
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• pp.380-384
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• 2011

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of topiramate monotherapy in West syndrome prospectively. Methods: The study population included 28 patients (15 male and 13 female children aged 2 to 18 months) diagnosed with West syndrome. After a 2-week baseline period for documentation of the frequency of spasms, topiramate was initiated at 2 mg/kg/day. The dose was increased by 2 mg/kg every week to a maximum of 12 mg/kg/day. Clinical assessment was based on the parents' report and a neurological examination every 2 weeks for the first 2 months of treatment. The baseline electroencephalograms (EEGs) were compared with the post-treatment EEGs at 2 weeks and 1 month. Results: West syndrome was considered to be cryptogenic in 7 of the 28 patients and symptomatic in 21 patients. After treatment, 11 patients (39%) became spasm-free, 6 (21%) had more than 50% spasms-reduction, 3 (11%) showed less than 50% reduction, and 8 (29%) did not respond. The effective daily dose for achieving more than 50% reduction in spasm frequency, including becoming spasm-free, was found to be $5.8{\pm}1.1$ mg/kg/day. Nine patients (32%) showed complete disappearance of spasms and hypsarrhythmia, and 11 (39%) showed improved EEG results. Despite adverse events (4 instances of irritability, 3 of drowsiness, and 1 of decreased feeding), no patients discontinued the medication. Conclusion: Topiramate monotherapy seems to be effective and well tolerated as a first line therapy for West syndrome and is not associated with serious adverse effects.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제41권1호
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• pp.81-87
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the clinical effectiveness of Korean medicine treatment on FOLFOX-induced symptoms such as nausea and dizziness in a patient with recurrent advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. Methods: The patient was diagnosed with recurrent advanced gastric cancer and had FOLFOX-induced nausea and dizziness. The patient was treated with Samchulgunbi-tang and Banhasashim-tang for symptom management. The clinical outcomes were measured by National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event (NCI CTCAE) and a numeral rating scale (NRS). Results: After treatment, the patient's nausea and dizziness were relieved from NRS 9 to 2 and NRS 8 to 2 respectively. During and after treatment, no severe toxicities were detected on laboratory findings. Conclusion: This case study suggests that Samchulgunbi-tang and Banhasashim-tang may relieve symptoms of FOLFOX-induced nausea and dizziness.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.59-66
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• 2017

Objectives : This study aims to report the effectiveness and safety of Korean medicine with thread embedding acupuncture in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Methods : A 73-year-old man who had suffered from severe facial pain for one year and who had had a healthy tooth extracted due to the pain is reported. He could not eat or sleep due to the severe pain. Acupuncture, thread embedding acupuncture, cupping, herbal steam, and herbal medicines were used for the treatment. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and adverse events were checked daily, and other outcomes (Baseline Evaluation, Visual Analogue Scale [VAS], Short Form Health Survey 36-Bodily Pain [SF-36 BP], and Patient Global Assessment [PGA]) were measured at hospital admission and discharge. During the follow-up examinations, his pain was evaluated roughly, without using any formal measurements, on the basis of a global assessment. Results : All measured parameters, including pain, quality of life, and patient satisfaction were noted to have improved at the time of discharge compared to admission: VAS from 10 to 1.5, NRS from 7-8 to 1-2, and SF-36 BP from 0 to 22.5, and the patient's global assessment was somewhat improved. He did not take any analgesics after discharge and noted only mild adverse events, like pain where the acupuncture and thread embedding acupuncture needles were inserted. His pain relief was maintained for 6 months. Conclusion : Korean medicine with thread embedding acupuncture might be a safe and effective treatment for TN. In the future, larger sample sizes and high quality randomized clinical trials are warranted to confirm its efficacy and safety.

• 생물정신의학
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.226-232
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• 2001

The pharmacotherapy of depression has reduced morbidity and improved outcome for many depressive patients. A wide range of classical and new antidepressants are available for their treatment. However, 30-40% of all patients do not respond sufficiently to the initial treatment and present adverse effects. Pharmacogenetics studies the genetic basis of an individual's ability to respond to pharmacotherapy. Recently, some reports on serotonin transporter gene polymorphisms and their influence on the response to antidepressive therapy provide an interesting diagnostic tool in assessing the chances of response to antidepressants. We also investigated the relationship between serotonin transprter polymorphisms(5-HTTLPR) and the long-term effect of the antidepressant treatment. 128 depressive patients were enrolled into 2nd year study. The therapeutic response of each subset was not different at 8th, 16th week, but the subset with homozygote(l/l) of long variant showed a better therapeutic response to antidepressant than the heterozygote(l/s) of long and short variant, which showed a better therapeutic response than the subset with homozygote (s/s) of short variant at 1st year and 2nd year after the antidepressant treatment. This result shows that the serotonin transporter polymorphisms may be related to the long-term effect of antidepressant treatment. The potential for pharmacogenomics, the use of genetic information to guide pharmacotherapy and improve outcome by providing individualized treatment decisions, has gained increasing attention. pharmacogenomics will contribute to individualize drug choice by using genotype to predict positive clinical outcomes, adverse reactions, and levels of drug metabolism. Personalized medicine, the use of marker-assisted diagnosis and targeted therapies derived from an individual molecular profile, will impact the antidepressant therapy and this approach will replace the traditional trial-and-error practice of medicine.

• 대한암한의학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.63-74
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• 2016

Objective : The purpose of this study is to report the effects of radio-frequency hyperthermia cancer treatment in conjunction with Sorafenib on hepatocellular carcinoma patient. Method : The patient was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma at S6/7 and treated with right posterior sectionectomy. After 4 months, tumor recurrence was found at S4, 5 and 8. After transarterial chemoembolization, the patient was prescribed Sorafenib (proprietary name $Nexavar^{(R)}$ ) as well as proceeding with radio-frequency hyperthermia. The clinical outcomes were measured by computed tomography, laboratory findings including tumor markers (AFP, PIVKA-II), natural killer (NK) cell activity, and numeric rating scales (NRS). Results : After the treatment, tumor size was decreased accompanying by reducing the level of tumor markers (AFP, PIVKA-II). Major clinical symptoms were improved with increasing NK cell activity. There were no adverse events based on National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. Conclusion : This case suggests that radio-frequency hyperthermia has synergistic effect for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma patient in conjunction with Sorafenib.