• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1705-1708
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• 2012

The inception of targeted agents has revolutionized the cancer therapy paradigm, both for physicians and patients. A large number of molecular targeted agents for cancer therapy are currently available for clinical use today. Many more are in making, but there are issues that remain to be resolved for the scientific as well as social community before the recommendation of their widespread use in may clinical scenarios can be done, one such issue being cost and cost effectiveness, others being resistance and lack of sustained efficacy. With the current knowledge about available targeted agents, the growing knowledge of intricate molecular pathways and unfolding of wider spectrum of molecular targets that can really matter in the disease control, calls for only the just use of the agents available now, drug companies need to make a serious attempt to reduce the cost of the agents. Research should focus on agents that show sustained responses in preclinical data. More needs to be done in laboratories and by the pharmaceutical industries, before we can truly claim to have entered a new era of targeted therapy in cancer care.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.179-188
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• 2001

Diarrhea is the frequent passage of loose, watery stool (frequency: ${\geq}4/day$, weight: ${\geq}250g/day$) Most antibiotics can cause inflammatory change of the colon or Pseudomembranous colitis (PMC). Typical presentations of PMC are watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, leukocytosis ($12,000~20,000/\textrm{mm}^3$), hypoalbuminemia, hypovolemia and recent or concurrent use of antibiotics. Diagnostic methods of PMC are stool assay, sigmoid scopy, abdominal CT, abdominal US, etc. The age-related susceptibility noted with PMC is impressive but unexplained. Two stroke patients had diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever hypoalbuminemia and a history of recent or concurrent use of antibiotics. By use of Shirhyung- Tang, we could improve clinical symptoms (diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever hypoalbuminemia, etc.) and so report clinical course of two stroke patients with antibiotics-associated PMC.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.167-177
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• 2012

Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is a term that means post-Sanger sequencing methods with high-throughput sequencing technologies. NGS parallelizes the sequencing process, producing thousands or millions of sequences at once. The latest NGS technologies use even single DNA molecule as a template and measures the DNA sequence directly via measuring electronic signals from the extension or degradation of DNA. NGS is making big impacts on biomedical research, molecular diagnosis and personalized medicine. The hospitals are rapidly adopting the use of NGS to help to patients understand treatment with sequencing data. As NGS equipments are getting smaller and affordable, many hospitals are in the process of setting up NGS platforms. In this review, the progress of NGS technology development and action mechanisms of representative NGS equipments of each generation were discussed. The key technological advances in the commercialized platforms were presented. As NGS platforms are a great concern in the healthcare area, the latest trend in the use of NGS and the prospect of NGS in the future in diagnosis and personalized medicine were also discussed.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.84-89
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• 2020

Spinal pain is a common patient complaint in clinical practice. Conservative treatment methods include oral medication, physical therapy, injections, and spinal orthoses. The clinical application of orthoses is debated because of potential complications associated with long-term use, such as muscle weakness and joint contracture. We reviewed the orthoses most frequently used to manage spinal pain. We review the use of soft cervical and Philadelphia collars, lumbosacral corsets, and thoracolumbosacral orthosis to manage spinal pain. Spinal orthoses can help reduce pain by protecting the muscles and joints of the injured spinal region, preventing or correcting malformations, and limiting trunk flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation. The short-term use of spinal orthoses is known to improve pain and disability during the treatment period without significant adverse effects. Spinal orthoses are expected to alleviate pain and improve patients' lifestyle.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2014

Virtual reality (VR) provides an immersive and interactive 3-dimensional system, which allows an individual to become immersed in a computer-generated situation. VR technology has been administered in the exposure-based treatment of a variety of psychiatric disorders, including acrophobia, fear of flight, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Furthermore, VR systems have also been developed for the use of research and treatment in addiction. They might have advantages in cue exposure therapy, by increasing the salience of cues, as well as assessments of cue reactivity in addiction. This article summarizes the application of VR in the field of psychiatry. More importantly, it suggests the possibilities of clinical use of VR technology, in the treatment of addiction.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to find out drug use pattern of narcotic analgesics in university hospitals in Korea. A university hospital located in Kyungbuk province was chosen for this study. The drug use pattern was analyzed in terms of ingredient, administration route, patient type, and attending department. Amount of drug usage was counted by unit dose defined by the number of ampule or vial for injectable, tablet or capsule for oral, and each for patch preparations. Result showed that 11 narcotic analgesic ingredients were used during 2007-2009, and the drug usage was increased by about 20% annually during the period. Proportion of oral preparations used for pain management was about two third of all narcotic analgesics usage and kept increasing during the period. Proportion of the drug usage for outpatients was also steadily increased. Notably, the usage of oral preparations of oxycodone, morphine, and hydromorphone was rapidly increased for the management of cancer pain while the usage of codeine and codeine-containing composite preparations for cancer pain were minimal (<10%). About 90% of all narcotic analgesics were used by physicians in Internal Department, especially in Oncology Division of the Department. These findings suggest that pain management is becoming more aggressive and in agreement with WHO's guidelines regarding selection of administration route. However, in terms of 3-step ladder for cancer pain management, the drug use pattern was not congruent to WHO's guidelines. Therefore, in conclusion, it appears that physicians need to try to be congruent to the guidelines when using narcotic analgesics for cancer pain.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.207-212
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• 2013

Objectives : We investigated the long-term tolerability of escitalopram in Korean adolescents. Methods : The subjects were 37 adolescents, who had been diagnosed with depressive disorder in accordance to DSM-IV. Clinical effectiveness was assessed by Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scale at the final follow-up visit. Tolerability was assessed through a medical record of the reason for discontinuation of escitalopram and documented adverse events. Results : The mean duration of treatment was $78.1{\pm}89.5$ days, and the mean dosage was $10.0{\pm}4.4$mg/day. Out of the total 37 patients, two (5%) patients sustained use of escitalopram. Twelve patients (32.4%) discontinued use of escitalopram due to target symptom remission, and 23 patients (61.9%) due to insufficient efficacy. Six patients (16.2%) had at least one documented adverse event. However, no suicidal ideation or self-injurious behavior was reported. Significant differences in clinical symptom improvement efficacy were seen between the patients who were receiving escitalopram for less than 8 weeks (4.3%, 1/13) and those for more than 8 weeks (92.9%, 13/14). There was no significant difference between the tolerability of monotherapy compared to the concomitant use group. Conclusion : The results of this study suggest that long-term use of escitalopram may result in superior efficacy than shortterm use, and is tolerable in Korean adolescents with depression.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.61-77
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate music therapists'use and perception of computer-based music technology. Questionnaires were distributed either electronically or in-person to 367 music therapists with credentials. Of the 367 initially distributed questionnaires, 101 were returned and 61 were analyzed after excluding 40 incomplete responses. The survey was comprised of two sections: the use of music technology and perceived importance of music technology in music therapy practice. The results showed that 65.6% of the respondents had used music technology in their clinical practice. The most frequently used type of music technology was Finale, followed by Garage band, and Cubase. With regard to the areas where music technology was used, it was implemented primarily for adolescents for musical or emotional goals, and was applied most frequently as a musical resource. In addition, most respondents showed a positive attitude toward music technology and added that they would need to be trained to use music technology for their clinical practice. These results provide practical information on how music therapists use and perceive computer-based music technology, and its implication for music therapy clinical practice.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2012

Purpose : We investigated the effects of the combined use of FES and over ground walking with partial body-weight support (PBWS) on walking function and balance control in people with chronic strokes. Methods : Twenty-seven people who were ambulatory after chronic strokes were evaluated. The exercise's intervention consisted of the combined use of FES and over ground walking with PBWS and general exercise groups. The FES + PBWS group and general exercise group consisted on a-20-minute session per day, 3 times a week during a 4 week period. The evaluation was carried out before, after, and two weeks after the exercise intervention. Outcome measures were a 6 Minute Walk Test, 6-Meter walk Test, Timed Up and Go Test, and a Balance Test, measured before and after the exercise interventions at a-2 week follow up. Results : The endurance was significantly increased in both the FES+PBWS group and general exercise group (p<0.05). Significant increase on the gait velocity was observed in both the FES+PBWS group and general exercise group (p<0.05). The TUG was significantly different in both the FES + PBWS group and general exercise group (p<0.05). However there were no differences in both the between-group & interaction. The stability index was significantly different in both the FES + PBWS group and general exercise group (p<0.05). Conclusion : In conclusion, the combined use of FES and over ground walking with PBWS led to an improvement in walking function and balance control. Thus, it is possible to combine the use of FES and over ground walking with PBWS for physical therapy intervention to improve walking function and balance control. It is suggested to apply this intervention in the clinical field.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.61-78
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• 2021

Background and Objective: The use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) increases the risk of negative health outcomes, including drug-related admissions. Tools for structured medication review have been developed to ensure optimal medication use and safety. Here, we aimed to evaluate medication use review (MUR) tools for community-dwelling older patients. Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement (PRISMA). We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from 1991 to 2020, excluding tools that are specifically applied to hospitalized patients or nursing home residents. We identified the most common inappropriate medications, drug-disease interactions, drug-drug interactions and prescribing omissions presented among tools. Results: From among 9,788 identified reports screened, 60 met our inclusion criteria; finally, 27 were eligible for data analysis considering originality and up-to-dateness. Most tools presented explicit criteria (93%), and only one was specific to community-dwelling elderly. The most common PIM was tricyclic antidepressants. Use of diltiazem and verapamil in patients with heart failure and the combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics and warfarin were the most frequent disease-specific PIM and drug-interaction, respectively. Conclusions: Although several medication review tools have been developed for older adults, specific guidelines for community-dwelling populations remain limited. Furthermore, the list of PIMs differed among available tools. In future, specific but integrating MUR tools need to be developed for clinical practice considering this population.