• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7653-7664
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• 2014

Background: Colorectal ranked first among cancers reported in males and ranked second amongst females in Jordan, accounting for 12.7% and 10.5% of cancers in males and females, respectively. Colorectal cancer patients can suffer several consequences after treatment that include pain and fatigue, constipation, stoma complications, sexual problems, appearance and body-image concerns as well as psychological dysfunction. There is no published quantitative data on the health-related quality of life and psychological wellbeing of Jordanian colorectal cancer survivors. Method: This project was a cross-sectional study of colorectal cancer survivors diagnosed in 2009 and 2010. Assessment was performed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), the colorectal cancer specific module (EORTC QLQ-CR 29) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Data on potential predictors of scores were also collected. Results: A total of 241 subjects completed the study with mean age of $56.7{\pm}13.6$. Males represented 52.3% of study participants. A majority of participants reported good to high overall health; the mean Global health score was $79.74{\pm}23.31$ with only 6.64% of study participants scoring less than 33.3%. The striking result in this study was that none of the study participants participated in a psychosocial support group; only 4 of them (1.7%) were even offered such support. The mean scores for HADS, depression score, and anxiety score were $8.25{\pm}9$, $4.35{\pm}4.9$ and $3.9{\pm}4.6$, respectively. However, 77.1% of study participants were within the normal category for the depression score and 81.7% were within this category for anxiety score; 5.4% of participants had severe anxiety and 5.4% of them had severe depression. Discussion: Patients with colorectal cancer in Jordan have a good quality of life and psychological wellbeing scores when compared with patients from western countries. None of the colorectal cancer patients managed at the Ministry of Health received any formal counselling, or participated in psychological or social support programmes. This highlights the urgent need for a psychosocial support programme, psychological screening and consultations for patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer at the Ministry of Health Hospitals.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5927-5936
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• 2014

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Jordanians. Breast cancer patients suffer from several negative consequences after treatment and these include pain, fatigue, sexual problems, appearance and body image concerns, with psychological dysfunction. This could affect the patient quality of life and psychological well-being. To the best of our knowledge, there is no published quantitative data on the quality of life and psychological well-being of breast cancer patients in Jordan. The objective of this study was to obtain such data and assess predictors with calculated scores. Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted among breast cancer patients in Jordan diagnosed in 2009 and 2010, assessment was performed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), the Breast Module (QLQ-BR23) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Clinical, demographic and psychosocial indicators that could predict patient quality of life scores were collected. Results: The number of patients interviewed was 236 (mean age=$50.7{\pm}10.7$ years). The mean Global Health score for the QLQ-C30 was $63.7{\pm}20.2$ SD. Among functional scales, "social functioning" scored the highest ($mean=78.1{\pm}28.6$ SD), whereas "emotional functioning" scored the lowest ($mean=59.0{\pm}SD\;33.5$). For the QLQ-BR23, the worst scores within the functional scales were for "body image" ($mean=52.1{\pm}36.8$ SD) and "future perspective" ($mean=52.9{\pm}38.5$ SD). The worst symptom was "upset by hair loss" ($mean=69.8{\pm}43.0$). The mean HADS scores was $18.{\pm}9.0$ SD. Out of study participants, 53% scored abnormal on the anxiety scale and 45% on the depression scale. Severe depression and severe anxiety were detected among 8% and 14% of study participants, respectively. Statistically significant predictors for individual scores were similar to those reported in published studies, such as the presence of recurrence since baseline, family history of cancer, low educational status, current social problems, extent of the disease, presence of financial difficulties, and employment status. Conclusions and Recommendations: Breast cancer survivors in Jordan have overall good quality of life scores when compared with patients from Western countries. However, their psychological wellbeing is more impaired. There is an urgent need for psychosocial support programs and psychological screening and consultation for breast cancer patients at hospitals of the Ministry of Health in Jordan.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.9 no.4 s.33
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• pp.489-500
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• 1997

The number of railway bridges in Korea reaches to about 3,000. Among them, the ratio of steel bridges is about 47%. Most of the long span railway bridges take the truss type, its number is 15 in Korea. These bridges have more than 30 years service life, it is expected that the damages of cracks and corrosion is going. Therefore, the estimation of fatigue life with random stress is considered as significant subject in maintenance. In this paper, the random stress was measured in bridges and counted the stress cycles using the rainflow counting method So, the stress range frequencies and their equivalent stress are obtained and the amplification factor for the span length, bridge types and traveling speed is assessed by the dynamic testing. From the results, the stress range of the stringer and the lower chord is higher than the other members and the characteristics of the stress histogram is varied to the loading system and the amount of the passing through trains. And the impact effects are depended on the traveling speed as well as the span length.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.99-106
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• 2010

Until now, the thickness design of anti-freezing layer has been empirically conducted using the frost depth determined from the freezing index. This approach cannot consider the structural properties of anti-freezing layer, which can cause the over-design of pavement structure. This paper presents results of structural evaluation of anti-freezing layer using the Falling Weight Deflectormeter (FWD) deflections. The FWD testing was directly conducted on top of the subbase layer located at the embankment, cutting, and boundary area of each section. It is observed from this testing that the center deflections of pavement structure with anti-freezing layer are smaller than those without anti-freezing layer. The deflection reduction rates are 15~55% in the embankment, 11~64% in the cutting, and 2~38% in the boundary, respectively. It was also found that the use of antifree zing layer enables to reduce the Surface Curvature Index (SCI) values up to 24 percent. Fatigue lives show that pavement structure with antifreezing layer are about two times higher than the those without anti-freezing layer. This fact indicates that the anti-freezing layer should be considered as a structural layer in the asphalt pavement system.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.289-301
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• 2018

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the current status of consumption of energy drinks among college students and investigate the effects of general environmental factors, health behavior factors, caffeine knowledge levels, and perceived stress levels on consumption of energy drinks. Methods: A survey was conducted among a total of 479 college students in Gwangju, using self-administered questionnaires. The questionnaire consisted of items about general environmental factors, health behavior, caffeine knowledge, perceived stress, and energy drink consumption behaviors. Results: 69.1% of participants experienced consumption of energy drinks, and specifically 82.8% of male students and 54.1% of female students experienced consumption of energy drinks (p<0.001). The reasons for drinking energy drinks were found to be recovery from fatigue, curiosity, taste, habit, thirst relief, and stress relief. In addition, 40.7% of participants experienced drinking energy drinks mixed with alcohol, and specifically 48.6% of male students and 27.4% of female students reported drinking energy drinks with alcohol (p<0.001). Moreover, 51.5% of participants responded that they experienced the effects of energy drinks, 31.9% reported experiencing adverse effects, and 41.1% were found to perceive the health risks. As a result of the assessment of caffeine knowledge, the participants showed a high level of knowledge of the arousal effect (77.7%) and the concentration increasing effect (70.8%) of caffeine, whereas they exhibited a low level of understanding of the health problems due to caffeine (32.6%) and adequate caffeine intake levels (24.4%). The higher levels of consumption experience of energy drinks was associated with higher body mass indexes (BMI) (p<0.01), higher academic years (p<0.01), lower levels of interest in health (p<0.05), smoking (p<0.001), alcohol consumption (p<0.05), and higher levels of perceived stress (p<0.05). Conclusions: The risk groups related to consumption of energy drinks among college students were identified as male students rather than female students, students in the third or fourth year of study associated with increased stress levels, and students with negative health behaviors. Therefore, support for diverse health and nutrition education for college students is required along with the improvement of internal and external environments of schools in order for college students to manage increased stress levels due to the schoolwork and preparation for employment and maintain positive health behaviors.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2013

Objectives: This research was done to identify relationships among job stress, fatigue, job satisfaction, and commitment to organization in customized home health care nurses. Methods: Research participants were 130 nurses who worked in the customized home health care of 20 county in Gyeongnam province. Data collection for this descriptive correlational study was done at August 2010 using self report questionnaires, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and we analyzed a four step approach in which several regression analyses were conducted and significance of the coefficients is examined at each step. Results: The results from step 1 showed that, the effect of each job stress was significantly related to job satisfaction. In step 2, the direct effect of commitment to organization on job satisfactions were all significant too. Step 3 analysis showed that the total effect of each job stress on commitment to organization symptoms was significant. Step 4 showed the results of controlling for mediating factor (job satisfaction): job demand and insecurity were significantly associated with commitment to organization(p<0.001), the finding supports that others were fully mediated by each job satisfaction, and, the job demand and insecurity were partially mediated by job satisfaction. Conclusion: Results of this research indicated that job stress in customized home health care nurses was the principal variable affecting job satisfaction and commitment to organization. Appropriate stress management strategies based on assessment of job demand and job security for these nurses lead to development of improved commitment to organization.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.415-423
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to estimate the consumption prevalence of vitamin and mineral supplements as health functional foods (VM-HFF) and to examine the factors associated with VM-HFF consumption behaviors in adolescents. A total of 1,407 adolescents attending middle or high schools from various cities and rural communities in Korea participated in this study. The prevalence of VM-HFF consumption was 41.7%, with boys showing a higher consumption than girls (p<0.01). VM-HFF consumption was higher in families with higher socioeconomic status and for families with parents that exhibited higher concerns about their child's health, growth, and nutritional intake (p<0.001). Most consumers of VM-HFF consumed HFFs 'when healthy' (50.1%), and acquired nutritional information from 'their families & relatives' (50.9%). Most consumers responded that VM-HFF was 'a little effective' (54.3%), followed by 'no obvious effects' (37.1%), and 'very effective' (7.4%). The effectiveness of consuming VM-HFF was mainly for 'fatigue recovery' (39.0%) and 'health improvement' (28.2%). Most consumers purchased HFFs at 'pharmacies & oriental medicine clinics' (53.8%) and at 'health functional food stores' (18.8%). Most consumers 'occasionally' (51.1%) or 'seldom' (27.3%) checked nutrition facts when purchasing, with 58.9% of consumers understanding the nutritional label for 'the most part', but only 8.7% of them understanding it 'very well'. Among the VM-HFF, consumers preferred calcium- and vitamin C-supplements. Consumers' mini-dietary assessment scores were higher than those of non-consumers. The results above showed that VM-HFF consumption was widely spread among adolescents, but few consumers checked and understood the nutrition label when they purchased VM-HFF, and were highly dependent on the advice and information from non-professional nutritionists, such as families & relatives. Therefore, it is necessary to educate adolescents to help them read nutrition labels and select the proper VM-HFF.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.33-45
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• 2013

Objectives: This study was aimed to find out the characteristics of ordinary symptoms between the control and patient groups, diagnosed as overweight or obesity, in Soyang, Taeeum, and Soeum Constitutions and among those 3 groups. Methods: As a prospective cross-sectional study based on medical records, 9213 patients, who visited Kyung Hee University Medical Center from May in 2007 to June in 2010, were included. To diagnose the constitution, Revised Questionnaire for the Sasang Constitution Classification II and examinations by oriental medical doctors who majored in Sasang Constitution Medicine were performed. Based on the World Health Organization criteria for Asian obesity assessment, body mass index (BMI) was classified into 3 groups; more than 25 as obesity, 23 to 25 as overweight, and less than 23 as normal. Ordinary symptoms questionnaire, which consists of 46 questions in 8 categories, were given to the subjects. One-way ANOVA test in continuous variables and chi-square test in categorical variables were carried out to analyze statistical significance. Results and Conclusions: 1) In general characteristics, we could find out the significant differences in age, sex, height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, and hemoglobin A1c among the 3 Constitutional groups. 2) Soyang Constitution of overweight and obesity has tendency to have higher appetite, like cool or cold water, defecate more, swear more, dislike heat, and have warmer or hotter extremities in the ordinary symptoms, compared with the control group. 3) Taeeum Constitution of overweight and obesity has tendency to have higher appetite, like cool or cold water, defecate more, swear more, dislike heat, and have warmer or hotter extremities in the ordinary symptoms, compared with the control group. 4) Soeum Constitution of overweight and obesity has tendency to have higher appetite and less fatigue in the ordinary symptoms, compared with the control group. 5) Soeum Constitution showed the slightest increase in appetite, preference about room temperature water, less number of feces, and feeling of chill and warmer extremities in ordinary symptoms, compared with Soyang and Taeeum Constitutions. Taeeum Constitution showed the distinct increase in appetite and sweating in ordinary symptoms, compared with Soyang and Soeum Constitutions.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.590-604
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the safety of Korean medicine treatment in patients vaccinated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/AZD1222). Methods: We investigated patients at Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital who were vaccinated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine between June 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021. The safety of Korean medicine treatment was evaluated by examining adverse events that occurred within seven days of vaccination, including liver function and kidney function testing, assessment of the severity of adverse events, and examination of causality to vaccines and Korean medicine treatment. Results: Eleven patients vaccinated with the first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine were included. A total of 19 adverse events were reported: 15 systemic adverse events, three local adverse events, and one alanine aminotransferase increase. The most commonly reported systemic adverse events were fatigue (4 cases, 36.4%), headache (4 cases, 36.4%), and myalgia (4 cases, 36.4%). All adverse events were rated below moderate (grade 2) in severity. Systemic and local adverse events were evaluated as definitely related to vaccination and unlikely to be related to Korean medicine treatment, while alanine aminotransferase increase was evaluated as unlikely to be related to either the vaccine or Korean medicine treatment. Aspartate transaminase, Blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine were measured within the reference range after vaccination. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the severity and frequency of adverse events in patients vaccinated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine did not increase after Korean medicine treatment.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.18-26
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• 2002

Objectives : The object of this study was to investigate the relationship between coping strategies and perceived stress or pain discomfort in patients with chronic low back pain. 80 patients with chronic low back pain and 100 normal controls participated in this study. Methods: Global assessment of recent stress (GARS) scale and Stress Response Inventory (SRI) were used to measure perception for stressors and stress responses. Coping scale and pain discomfort scale were used to measure coping strategies and pain perception. Results : Scores of perceived stress related to work or job, interpersonal relationship, changes in relationship, sickness or illness and the total scores on the GARS scale were significantly higher in those with chronic low back pain than normal controls. Scores of the SRI fatigue subscale scored significantly higher in those with chronic low back pain than normal controls. No significant difference was found on total scores of the pain discomfort scale between those with chronic low back pain and normal controls. The patients with chronic low back pain scored significantly higher on planful problem solving and positive reappraisal than normal controls. In the patient group, pain perception had significant positive correlations with total scores of the SRI and scores of stress perception related to illness or injury. The extent of escape-avoidance showed significant negative correlations with age, whereas the extent of distancing or escape-avoidance had significant negative correlations with the level of education. Significant difference was also found in accepting responsibilities between male subjects and females. However, no significant correlations were found between coping strategies and perceived stressors, stress responses or pain perception. Conclusion : The results suggest that patients with chronic low back pain were more likely to use more active coping strategies than normal controls, though the former had more perception for stressors than the latter. It was also found that coping strategies used by the patients were associated with sociodemographic factors, but that they were not associated with perceived stressors, stress responses or pain perception.