• Smart Media Journal
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2023

Meta-learning is metacognition that instantly distinguishes between knowing and unknown. It is a learning method that adapts and solves new problems by self-learning with a small amount of data.A few-shot learning method is a type of meta-learning method that accurately predicts query data even with a very small support set. In this study, we propose a method to solve the limitations of the prototype created with the mean-point vector of each class. For this purpose, we use the few-shot learning method that created the prototype used in the few-shot learning method as the median prototype. For quantitative evaluation, a handwriting recognition dataset and mini-Imagenet dataset were used and compared with the existing method. Through the experimental results, it was confirmed that the performance was improved compared to the existing method.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.285-297
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• 2023

Objectives: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess and compare the effectiveness of manual therapy in alleviating infant crying, a common symptom of nocturnal crying (NC) and infantile colic (IC). Methods: Total effective rate, crying time and adverse events were used as outcome indicators. To assess the quality, the risk of bias was determined for each study by two authors, using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. RevMan 5.0 was used for data analysis. A total of 98 articles were identified from 6 electronic databases. Results: Among them, twenty-seven studies which included 13 NC and 14 IC were included. Meta-analysis showed favorable effects tuina therapy on total effective rate (TER) of NC (RR: 1.20 [95% CI 1.05 to 1.37], p = 0.007), chiropractic therapy on crying time change of IC (SMD: -0.83 [95% CI -1.61 to -0.06], p = 0.04) and massage on total crying time of IC (SMD: -0.86 [95% CI -1.09 to -0.63], p < 0.00001). This systematic review compares different manual therapies for the treatment of NC and IC. While tuina, chiropractic, and massage show results in alleviating symptoms, the overall evidence remains limited due to the low quality and heterogeneity of the included studies. Conclusion: Therefore, further high-quality research with unified control groups is needed to establish manual therapy as a recommended treatment option for NC and IC. Protocol registration number is CRD42022348143 01/08/2022.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.29-52
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• 2024

The aim of this review is to consolidate findings from clinical investigations spanning the past decade regarding the impact of acupuncture on Parkinson's disease (PD). The objective is to assess the efficacy of acupuncture as a therapeutic approach to PD, with the intention of informing future clinical practices and advancing the foundation for subsequent research endeavors in this area. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify clinical trials exploring the effects of acupuncture on PD between January 2014 and August 2023. Databases search included PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI, OASIS, KISS, KMBASE, RISS, and ScienceON. Quantitative evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was systematically reviewed, and the methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using Cochrane's risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager (RevMan) 5.4.1 software. The systematic review encompassed a total of 38 RCTs involving 2,786 participants. Meta-analysis of 12 studies revealed that individuals treated with a combination of acupuncture and Western medicine exhibited notable improvements compared to those receiving Western medicine alone or sham acupuncture alongside Western medicine. However, the overall quality of the RCTs was deemed low, and no serious adverse events were reported. Across clinical investigations conducted in the past decade, acupuncture appears to hold promise as a complementary treatment for PD patients when administered alongside Western medicine. Nevertheless, this study identifies certain limitations that warrant consideration in future research endeavors. Enhanced emphasis on conducting high-quality RCTs is imperative to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in managing PD.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.278-289
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• 2023

Background: Linezolid has been widely used in the treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. However, there are limitations to use it such as long treatment, because of related side effects, even adequate treatment period has been needed for remission of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Method: The meta-analysis was performed based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. To choose literatures, systematic literature reviews were conducted with databases of PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE. Results: Efficacy and safety of Linezolid were determined by 85% (95% CI=79~89%, p<0.05) in the sputum culture conversion and 55% (95% CI=45~64%, p<0.01) in side effects related to linezolid, respectively. In addition, I² was estimated by 72%. In the subgroup analysis, efficacy and safety by dose and region were analyzed. In the subgroup analysis, compared with the linezolid dose in groups greater than 600 mg/day and less than 600 mg/day, this study showed 85% (95% CI 79~90%, p>0.05) in 206 patients and 82% (95% CI 73~89%, p<0.05) in 297 patients, respectively. Also, in the subgroup analysis, adverse effects caused by linezolid occurred more than 50% of treated patients. Conclusion: Therapeutic efficacy of linezolid for MDR-TB patients was confirmed regardless of the initial dose of linezolid, especially for sputum culture conversion and it was recommended that the dose of linezolid has been more effective below 600 mg/day. However, it should be necessary to closely monitored for safety issues since serious side effects possibly occurred by administration of long period treatment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.31-54
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• 2024

Objectives: This study assessed the effectiveness of Hwanggigyejiomul-tang for postoperative breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) by a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: A search was conducted using keywords such as "breast cancer", "lymphedema", "edema", "Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction", "Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu tang", and "Hwanggigyejiomul tang" in 10 databases (PubMed, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, CNKI, CiNii, RISS, KISS, ScienceON, OASIS, DBpia) on February 11, 2024. There were no limits on the publication period and language, and the quality of the studies was evaluated using Cochrane's risk of bias tool. A meta-analysis was performed based on the outcome measurements, such as total effective rate (TER), increase in shoulder joint mobility (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction), Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), and visual analog scale (VAS) using Review Manager Web. Results: Eleven RCTs were selected. The treatment group (Hwanggigyejiomul-tang-gagambang or hapbang with control group intervention) showed a more statistically significant effect compared with the control group (physical therapy or western medicine) in TER (upper limb circumference change), TER (upper limb edema grade change), increase in flexion angle, increase in extension angle, increase in adduction angle, FMA, and VAS. Conclusions: Hwanggigyejiomul-tang is effective in treating postoperative BCRL. However, because of the low quality of the included studies, more clinical studies are required to increase the possibility of clinical use.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2022

In patients with neuroendocrine tumors with liver metastases (NETLMs), complete resection of both the primary and liver metastases is a potentially curative option. When complete resection is not possible, debulking of the tumour burden has been proposed to prolong survival. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of curative surgery (R0-R1) and debulking surgery (R2) on overall survival (OS) in NETLMs. For the subgroup of R2 resections, outcomes were compared by the degree of hepatic debulking (≥ 90% or ≥ 70%). A systematic review of the literature was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines using PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Embase databases. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated for each study and pooled using a random-effects inverse-variance meta-analysis model. Of 538 articles retrieved, 11 studies (1,729 patients) reported comparisons between curative and debulking surgeries. After pooling these studies, OS was found to be significantly shorter in debulking resections, with an HR of 3.49 (95% confidence interval, 2.70-4.51; p < 0.001). Five studies (654 patients) compared outcomes between ≥ 90% and ≥ 70% hepatic debulking approaches. Whilst these studies reported a tendency for OS and progression-free survival to be shorter in those with a lower degree of debulking, they did not report sufficient data for this to be assessed in a formal meta-analysis. In patients with NETLM, OS following surgical resection is the best to achieve R0-R1 resection. There is also evidence for a progressive reduction in survival benefit with lesser debulking of tumour load.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.311-328
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• 2024

Purpose: In this study a systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the impact of non-pharmacological interventions on major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with coronary artery disease who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A literature search was performed using PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature databases up to November 2023. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. Effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using R software (version 4.3.2). Results: Eighteen randomized studies, involving 2,898 participants, were included. Of these, 16 studies with 2,697 participants provided quantitative data. Non-pharmacological interventions (education, exercise, and comprehensive) significantly reduced the risk of angina, heart failure, myocardial infarction, restenosis, cardiovascular-related readmission, and cardiovascular-related death. The subgroup meta-analysis showed that combined interventions were effective in reducing the occurrence of myocardial infarction (MI), and individual and group-based interventions had significant effects on reducing the occurrence of MACE. In interventions lasting seven months or longer, occurrence of decreased by 0.16 times, and mortality related to cardiovascular disease decreased by 0.44 times, showing that interventions lasting seven months or more were more effective in reducing MI and cardiovascular disease-related mortality. Conclusion: Further investigations are required to assess the cost-effectiveness of these interventions in patients undergoing PCI and validate their short- and long-term effects. This systematic review underscores the potential of non-pharmacological interventions in decreasing the incidence of MACE and highlights the importance of continued research in this area (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023462690).

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.197-211
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aims to comprehensively assess the characteristics and effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) in nursing education among nursing students and nurses. Methods: A thorough search was conducted in seven databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, RISS, KMbase, and KoreaMed) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English or Korean before February 20, 2024. The quality of the included RCTs was assessed using the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomized trials. A random-effects model was applied for the meta-analysis using Review Manager 5.4. Results: Out of the 15,840 studies extracted, ten were selected. Of those ten, the majority (six, 60%) were conducted on education dealing with specific nursing situations. In addition to the use of immersive VR or AR during nursing education, lectures, debriefing, and discussion processes were applied together, and device usage orientation was also provided. The meta-analyses showed that immersive VR or AR in nursing education significantly improved knowledge (standardized mean difference, SMD=2.64; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI=1.10~4.17) and skills (SMD=0.58, 95% CI=0.02~1.15). Conclusion: Immersive VR or AR in nursing education can effectively enhance knowledge and skills. However, for their development and implementation, various factors should be considered, and these findings are expected to provide valuable evidence regarding that concern.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.224-235
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• 2024

Purpose: This systematic review investigated whether drug use is associated with the presence of oral lesions and periodontitis. Methods: A search was performed for studies that analyzed the presence of periodontitis and/or oral lesions in users of crack, cocaine, and/or marijuana in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Observational studies in English, Spanish, or Portuguese, without limitation of year, age, and sex, were included. Studies that did not evaluate periodontitis and oral lesions according to the eligibility criteria were excluded. Two authors independently performed study selection and data extraction using a standardized form. The risk of bias of studies included in the meta-analysis was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist. The meta-analysis included studies that investigated the association of drug use with the outcome. Results: The initial search resulted in 9,279 articles, from which 16 studies with 15,434 participants were included in the review and 8 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Most studies that evaluated periodontitis in drug users and non-users found a positive association in users. Most studies that analyzed oral lesions reported a higher prevalence, association, or risk of oral lesions in drug users than in non-users. A critical evaluation identified a need to improve the control and reporting of confounding factors in studies on this topic. An association was found between periodontitis and the use of crack, cocaine, and/or marijuana (odds ratio [OR], 1.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-3.27; P=0.04) and between oral lesions and the use of these drugs (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.58-2.86; P<0.001). Conclusions: Drug users are more likely to develop oral lesions and periodontitis than nonusers. However, the results should be interpreted with caution, considering the heterogeneity and quality of the studies included in the analysis.

• Composites Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.291-295
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• 2024

Vibration occurs not only in daily life but also in various fields such as semiconductors, aerospace, vehicles, and ships. Unexpected vibrations can cause fatigue damage to structures and degrade the performance of the entire system, having very detrimental effects. Particularly, low-frequency vibrations can be very harmful to precision equipment, human bodies, and buildings. Therefore, mitigating low-frequency vibrations is essential for effective vibration reduction. In this study, a kirigami-inspired composite meta-structure is proposed for low-frequency vibration reduction. Inspired by kirigami, the meta-structure is designed to transform from a three-dimensional to a two-dimensional form upon compression, leveraging structural advantages. Additionally, it is designed to have quasizero stiffness characteristics, providing excellent vibration reduction performance even at low frequencies. The kirigami composite meta-structure was fabricated using carbon fiber reinforced TPU through 3D printing. Its structural and vibrational characteristics were evaluated and analyzed through compression and vibration tests.