• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.278-288
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• 2019

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to summary controversy over health risks among semiconductor workers, to review major cancer risk results conducted in semiconductor operation and to evaluate occupational health activities in Korea for controlling hazardous agents generated in semiconductor operations Methods: Major occupational health issues that has been social controversies among semiconductor workers since 2007 were reviewed through an extensive literature, report and article review. Results: Since a female semiconductor worker aged 22 died from leukemia in 2007, job-association of a number of former semiconductor workers with various types of cancer and rare diseases have been denied by the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service (KWCWS), but some of them were later awarded compensation as an occupational disease by the administrative court. Two epidemiologic cancer risk studies conducted in Korea found increased risks in leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma among semiconductor workers. Various legal occupational health activities taken in semiconductor industry were found to fail to assess a complex characteristics of semiconductor operations, such as drastic changes in chemical use, processes, and technology, multiple exposure. National compensation regulation also showed the limitation to evaluate job-association of semiconductor workers who had worked in semiconductor operation. Conclusions: National legal measures should be taken to improve several occupational health activities and duties for protecting workers. In addition, the KWCWS program should be revised so that all workers who meet minimal job or environment associations can be compensated.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.118-122
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• 2019

Paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) is a rare and often fatal autoimmune blistering disease accompanied by both benign and malignant neoplasms. Usually, oral, skin, and mucosal lesions are the earliest manifestations shown by PNP patients. Oral ulcers are initial lesions in various autoimmune diseases like pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid, erythema multiforme, graft-versus-host, lichen planus, it does not improved despite of high-dose steroid therapy. We report a-35-year-old female who presented oral ulceration, lip crust and skin lesions. By doing several examinations, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, incisional biopsy with indirect immunofluorescence, she was diagnosed PNP with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on pancreas.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 1992

Between August 1988 and December 1991, 24 patients with intracranial tumors were treated with stereotactic radiosurgery(RS) using a 10 MV linear accelerator at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine. There were 5 meningiomas, 3 craniopharyngiomas, 9 glial tumors, 2 solitary metastases, 2 acoustic neurinomas, 2 pineal tumors, and 1 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Ten patients were treated as primary treatment after diagnosis with stereotactic biopsy or neuroimaging study. Nine patients underwent RS for post-op. residual tumors and three patients as a salvage treatment for recurrence after external irradiation. Two patients received RS as a boost followed by fractionated conventional radiotherapy. Among sixteen patients who were followed more than 6 months with neuroimage, seven patients (2 meningiomas, 4 benign glial tumors, one non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) showed complete response on neuroimage after RS and nine patients showed decreased tumor size. There was no acute treatment related side reaction. Late complications include three patients with symptomatic peritumoral brain edema and one craniopharyngioma with optic chiasmal injury. Through this early experience, we conclude that stereotactically directed single high doses of irradiation to the small intracranial tumors is effective for tumor control. However, in order to define the role of radiosurgery in the management of intracraniai tumors, we should get the long-term results available to demonstrate the benefits versus potential complications of this therapeutic modality.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2003

I. Purpose In special cases of Total Body Irradiation(TBI), Half Body Irradiation(HBI), Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, E-Wing's sarcoma, lymphosarcoma and neuroblastoma a large field can be used clinically. The dose distribution of a large field can use the measurement result which gets from dose distribution of a small field (standard SSD 100cm, size of field under $40{\times}40cm2$) in the substitution which always measures in practice and it will be able to calibrate. With only the method of simple calculation, it is difficult to know the dose and its uniformity of actual body region by various factor of scatter radiation. II. Method & Materials In this study, using Multidata Water Phantom from standard SSD 100cm according to the size change of field, it measures the basic parameter (PDD,TMR,Output,Sc,Sp) From SSD 180cm (phantom is to the bottom vertically) according to increasing of a field, it measures a basic parameter. From SSD 350cm (phantom is to the surface of a wall, using small water phantom. which includes mylar capable of horizontal beam's measurement) it measured with the same method and compared with each other. III. Results & Conclusion In comparison with the standard dose data, parameter which measures between SSD 180cm and 350cm, it turned out there was little difference. The error range is not up to extent of the experimental error. In order to get the accurate data, it dose measures from anthropomorphous phantom or for this objective the dose measurement which is the possibility of getting the absolute value which uses the unlimited phantom that is devised especially is demanded. Additionally, it needs to consider ionization chamber use of small volume and stem effect of cable by a large field.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate the relationship between exposure of Korean workers to petrochemicals in the refinery/petrochemical industry and lymphohematopoietic cancers. Methods: The cohort consisted of 8,866 male workers who had worked from the 1960s to 2007 at one refinery and six petrochemical companies located in a refinery/petrochemical complex in Korea that produce benzene or use benzene as a raw material. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated for 1992-2007 and 1997-2005 based on the death rate and cancer incidence rate of the Korean male population according to job title (production, maintenance, laboratory, and office workers). Results: The overall mortality and most cause-specific mortalities were lower among these workers than those of the general Korean population. Increased SMRs were observed for leukemia (4/1.45; SMR 2.77, 95% CI: 0.75-7.09) and lymphohematopoietic cancers (5/2.51; SMR 2, 95% CI: 0.65-4.66) in production workers, and increased SIRs were also observed in leukemia (3/1.34; SIR 2.24, 95% CI: 0.46-6.54) and lymphohematopoietic cancers (5/3.39; SIR 1.47, 95% CI: 0.48-3.44) in production workers, but the results were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The results showed a potential relationship between leukemia and lymphohematopoietic cancers and exposure to benzene in refinery/petrochemical complex workers. This study yielded limited results due to a short observational period; therefore, a follow-up study must be performed to elucidate the relationship between petrochemical exposure and cancer rates.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3173-3177
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• 2016

Background: The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in Lebanon provides cancer drugs free of charge for uninsured patients who account for more than half the total case-load. Other categories of cancer care are subsidized under more stringent eligibility criteria. MOPH's large database offers an excellent opportunity to analyze the cost of cancer treatment in Lebanon. Materials and Methods: Using utilization and spending data accumulated at MOPH during 2008-2013, the cost to the public budget of cancer drugs was assessed per case and per drug type. Results: The average annual cost of cancer drugs was 6,475$ per patient. Total cancer drug costs were highest for breast cancer, followed by chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), which together represented 74% of total MOPH cancer drug expenditure. The annual average cancer drug cost per case was highest for CML ($31,037), followed by NHL ($11,566). Trastuzumab represented 26% and Imatinib 15% of total MOPH cancer drug expenditure over six years. Conclusions: Sustained increase in cancer drug cost threatens the sustainability of MOPH coverage, so crucial for socially vulnerable citizens. To enhance the bargaining position with pharmaceutical firms for drug cost containment in a small market like Lebanon, drug price comparisons with neighboring countries which have already obtained lower prices may succeed in lowering drug costs.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.388-394
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• 2017

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of oral lesions in human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) patients in a descriptive cross-sectional study, and to establish their presence according to levels of CD4+ cells (including the CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio). Materials and Methods: A total of 75 patients infected with HIV were included. Oral lesions were observed and classified using World Health Organization classification guidelines. Potential correlations between the presence and severity of oral lesions and CD4+ cells, including the CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio, were studied. Results: The most frequent oral lesion detected was oral pseudomembranous candidiasis (80.0%), followed by periodontal disease (40.0%), herpetic lesions (16.0%), hairy leukoplakia (16.0%), gingivitis (20.0%), oral ulceration (12.0%), Kaposi's sarcoma (8.0%), and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (4.0%). The CD4+ count was <$200cells/mm^3$ in 45 cases (60.0%), between $200-500cells/mm^3$ in 18 cases (24.0%), and >$500cells/mm^3$ in 12 cases (16.0%). The mean CD4+ count was $182.18cells/mm^3$. The mean ratio of CD4+/CD8+ cells was 0.26. All patients showed at least one oral manifestation. Conclusion: There was no correlation between the CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio and the presence of oral lesions. The severity of the lesions was more pronounced when the CD4+ cell count was less than $200cells/mm^3$.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.84-92
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• 2023

Background: Clinical spectrum of immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal gammopathy varies from IgM monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (IgM-MGUS) to hematological malignancies. We evaluated the clinical features, electrophysiological characteristics, and prognosis of patients with peripheral neuropathy associated with IgM monoclonal gammopathy (PN-IgM MG). Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 25 patients with PN-IgM MG. Peripheral neuropathy was classified as axonal, demyelinating, or undetermined, based on electrophysiological studies. We classified the enrolled patients into the IgM-MGUS and malignancy groups, and compared the clinical and electrophysiological features between the groups. Results: Fifteen patients had IgM-MGUS and 10 had hematologic malignancies (Waldenström's macroglobulinemia: two and B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: eight). In the electrophysiological evaluation, the nerve conduction study (NCS) criteria for demyelination were met in 86.7% of the IgM-MGUS group and 10.0% of the malignancy group. In particular, the distal latencies of the motor NCS in the IgM-MGUS group were significantly prolonged compared to those in the malignancy group (median, 9.1 ± 5.1 [IgM-MGUS], 4.2 ± 1.3 [malignancy], p = 0.003; ulnar, 5.4 ± 1.9 [IgM-MGUS], 2.9 ± 0.9 [malignancy], p = 0.001; fibular, 9.3 ± 5.1 [IgM-MGUS], 3.8 ± 0.3 [malignancy], p = 0.01; P-posterior tibial, 8.3 ± 5.4 [IgM-MGUS], 4.4 ± 1.0 [malignancy], p = 0.04). Overall treatment responses were significantly worse in the malignancy group than in the IgM-MGUS group (p = 0.004), and the modified Rankin Scale score at the last visit was higher in the malignancy group than in the IgM-MGUS group (2.0 ± 1.1 [IgM-MGUS], 4.2 ± 1.7 [malignancy], p = 0.001), although there was no significant difference at the initial assessment. Conclusions: The risk of hematological malignancy should be carefully assessed in patients with PN-IgM MG without electrophysiological demyelination features.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7837-7841
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• 2015

Objective: To assess the safety of Liena polypeptide injection (produced by JILIN FSENS PHARMACEUTICAL CO.,LTD) combined with chemotherapy in treating patients with advanced cancers. Method: A consecutive cohort of patients with advanced cancers were treated with Liena polypeptide injection combined with chemotherapy. And chemotherapy for patients with advanced cancers were adopted from regimens suggested by NCCN guideline. Liena polypeptide injection was intravenously injected at a dosage of 2ml plus 100ml normal saline for continuous 7 days during chemotherapy as one course. After at least two courses of treatment, safety and side effects were evaluated. Results: There were 20 female and 14 male patients with advanced cancer recruited into this study, including 10 patients with breast, 8 patients with colorectal, 8 patients with lung, 4 patients with gastric, and 1 patient with esophageal cancer, as well as 1 patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 1 patient with low pharyngeal and 1 patient with urethral cancer. The median age of patients was 59 (40-82) years. Incidences of Grade 1 to 2 myelosuppression was observed in 5/34 patients, and Grade 1 to 2 elevation of hepatic enzyme was recorded in 3/34 patients. Adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract were documented in 5/34 patients, and were Grade 1. No Grade 3-4 toxicities were diagnosed. No treatment related death was found. Conclusions: Liena polypeptide injection combined with chemotherapy was safe in treating several sites of tumors, that mainly included lung, colorectal and breast cancer. However, further study should be conducted to clarify the effectiveness of this treatment.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.108-117
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• 2001

This research objected to the diagnosed patients as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, neuroblastoma, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, kidney tumor, myelodysplastic syndrom and juvenile chronic leukemia after admission in the 'P' hospital in Pusan from Aug. 1. 1999 to Jan. 31. 2000. The results of this study are summarized as follows. 1. On the specific character between the experimental(exp.) group and the control (con.) group : there were 7 of 4-7 years old patients(the most) in the experimental group(53.8％), 5 of 12 years old or older patients in the control group (38.5％). Patients who experienced operation were 7 in the exp. group(53.8％) and 6 in con. group(46.2％). The largest number of the patients' diagnosis was acute lymphoblastic leukemia by 5 in the exp. group(38.5％) and 4 in the con. group (30.8％). The hardest nausea came on the second day by 5 in the exp. group(38.5％), 9 in the con. group(69.2％). 2. P-score of the nausea vomiting on the number of daily anticancer drug administration : first day, the exp. group got 9.6 and the con. group 17.6(P = 0.03). 2nd day, 10.9 and 19.4(P = 0.00), 3rd day, 10.6 and 18.3(P = 0.00), 4th day 10.0 and 18.0, 5th day 10.9 and 16.8(P = 0.05). The score showed statistically significant difference(P < .05). 3. Oral intake didn't show statistically significant difference between two groups. However the average of Oral intake of the exp. group was continually higher than the con. group except to the first day after administration. In conclusion, nursing intervention and nutrition care are much more needed on the 2-3th day after administration to reduce nausea vomiting, and for remission of nausea and enlarging oral intake it is utilizable to apply the easy, economic Oral Cryotherapy to the young patients who undergo chemotherapy.