• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4247-4250
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• 2016

Background: Pax8 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 1 gene (Pax8-$PPAR{\gamma}1$) are important factors in tumors. Several studies have suggested that follicular thyroid cancer may arise from Pax8- $PPAR{\gamma}1$ rearrangement. In order to have a better understanding of the association between Pax8-$PPAR{\gamma}1$ rearrangement and follicular thyroid cancer, we conducted the presenmt meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: The information was extracted from PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. Statistic analysis was performed with Stata12.0 software. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using a fixed-effects model. We also performed heterogeneity and publication bias analyses. Results: Nine studies including 198 follicular thyroid cancer patients and 268 controls were considered eligible. The frequency of Pax8-$PPAR{\gamma}1$ rearrangement was significantly higher in the follicular thyroid cancer group than in the control group, with a pooled OR of 6.63 (95%CI=3.50-12.7). In addition, through subgroup analysis, the OR between Pax8-$PPAR{\gamma}1$ rearrangement and follicular thyroid cancer was 6.04 (95%CI = 3.18-11.5) when using benign tumor tissues as controls. The OR for the method subgroup was 9.99 (95% CI =4.86-20.5) in the RT-PCR. Conclusions: The final results demonstrated that Pax8-$PPAR{\gamma}1$ rearrangement has significant association with follicular thyroid cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4295-4300
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• 2016

Background: Recently, several studies have reported that elevated platelet counts may be associated with the poor prognosis of colorectal cancer. However, conclusions remain controversial. This meta-analysis was therefore designed to analyze and evaluate the prognostic role of preoperative or pretreatment thrombocytosis in patients with colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science to March 29th, 2015. The citation lists of included studies were also hand-searched to identify further relevant trials. To investigate the association between thrombocytosis and prognosis of colorectal cancer, the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival of each studies were obtained. The odds ratio (OR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to evaluate the relation of overall survival (OS) between thrombocytosis and normal platelet counts (PLT). Likewise, disease free survival (DFS) was obtained and evaluated. The analysis was performed and assessed using Review Manager 5.2. Results: A total of 14 studies (N=5,566 participants, 11 including 4,468 for OS, 6 including 1,533 for DFS) were included in this meta-analysis, of which seven (N=3810) defined thrombocytosis as a platelet count ${\geq}400{\times}10^9/L$, and 375 (9.8%) patients exhibited pretreatment thrombocytosis. Thrombocytosis have a close relationship with the poor OS of colorectal cancer compared with normal PLT, with the pooled ORs of 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival being 0.41 [95% CI 0.34-0.51; P<0.001], 0.28 [95% CI 0.21-0.38; P<0.001] and 0.26 [95% CI 0.20-0.34; P<0.001], respectively. For DFS, the same results were showed as the pooled ORs of 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival respectively being 0.34 [95% CI 0.24-0.50; P<0.001], 0.31 [95% CI 0.23-0.43; P<0.001] and 0.25 [95% CI 0.18-0.34; P<0.001]. Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicated that thrombocytosis may predict poor prognosis for patients with colorectal cancer, and platelet counts may be a cost-effective and noninvasive marker.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.14-23
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• 2016

Objectives : One of major complications of diabetes, diabetic ulcer is also one of the main reasons for amputation, and the prevalence rate is 4-10%. Laser therapy is widely used for leg ulcer and diabetic ulcer, and it is known to improve wound epithelialization, cellular content, and collagen deposition. The purpose of this study is to investigate the properties of the laser and the spectrum of laser instruments for diabetic ulcer. Methods : We performed literature search using the PubMed, Cochrane, CINAHL and Web of science for the data in English. In addition, other databases were checked for different languages such as OASIS and NDSL for the literature in Korean, CNKI in Chinese, and CiNii and J-STAGE written in Japanese. We excluded all review article and experimental studies, and only clinical studies using laser or light emitting diode (LED) for diabetic ulcer were selected. Results : A total twenty papers were selected. Different light sources were used as follows: LED, HeNe, InGaAlP, GaAlAs, GaAs, CO2, and KTP. The number of LED studies was 9, and HeNe laser was 7, and InGaAlP and GaAlAs laser was 2, GaAs, CO2, and KTP laser was 1 for each. Various energy density of the clinical study were reported. Conclusions : It is suggested that to select appropriate laser type and give the adequate output power to treat diabetic ulcer. Further evaluation and research for the condition of laser therapy to treat diabetic ulcers are warranted.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.211-221
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• 2016

Purpose: Dignity therapy is a very effective intervention to improve the dignity of end-stage patients. A concept analysis by Walker and Avant (2005) was adopted to define, describe, and delimitate the concept of dignity therapy. Methods: Nursing literature in the National Digital Science Links (NDSL) and Medline database were searched for the definitions of "dignity" and "dignity therapy". Definitions, uses, and defining attributes of dignity therapy were identified; model and contrary cases were developed; and antecedents, consequences, and empirical references were determined. Results: Through dignity therapy patients and their families share their stories, and that in turn improves the quality of life and death. Five attributes were identified: higher quality of life and death, therapeutic conversation, respect of human dignity and worth, expressing thoughts about life and death and systematic process. Conclusion: Patients at the end of their lives feel more comfortable about death. Hospice care providers should try to protect dignity of patients in their care. The attributes of the dignity therapy clarified in this study should be applied for terminally ill patients to improve their quality of life and death.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.23-33
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• 2016

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between cognitive function and upper extremity function in the elderly. The articles were analyzed based on patient, intervention, comparison, and outcome using the P.I.C.O. principle. Methods: We systematically examined papers from January, 2000 to November, 2015 published papers through the foreign journals which were Medline & Pubmed for three months. mainly used key words were elderly, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Mild cognitive impairment, age-related, aging, cognitive, upper extremity function, hand function, hand-grip strength, grip force, complex motor function, bimanual, dexterity, UE performance, and coordination. Results: The number of discovered outcomes for association between cognitive function and upper extremity function in the elderly was 7; grip strength & sex are impact on manipulation object, 1. The results show that cognitive function is associated with upper extremity function in the elderly. Conclusion: This study is expected to help selecting intervention, assessment tools according to the individual's degree of cognitive level and upper extremity function. In future domestic research, variety assessment tools need to be used and more qualitative level experiment will be carried out.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.61-72
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• 2009

Purpose : This study aimed to analyze the posttraumatic stress research trends in Korean and foreign firefighters. Method : Total 63 published international articles were searched by Pub Med internet site and total 17 published Korean articles were searched by Korean Medical Database internet site using 'PTSD in firefighters'. These articles were analyzed by published time, domains of journal, research designs, key words and research subjects. Result : 1) By the published time, there were 29 disaster-related researches(46.0%) and 34 job-related researches(54.0%) among 63 international articles. However, there were 16 disaster-related researches(94.1%) and 1 job-related research (5.9%) of Korean 17 articles. 2) By the international research domain, 9 researches(14.3%) were published in The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. Among domestic research domain, there were 9 researches(52.9%) consisting of 6 master's degrees and 3 doctor degrees. In major analysis of Korean domain, the highest portion is 4 psychology researches. (23.5%) 3) In the term of the international research design, quantitative research methods were highly used in both 23 disaster-related researches (36.5%) and 30 job-related researches(47.5%). In domestic research, quantitative research methods were mostly used in 14 job-related researches(82.3%) and Q methodology was only used in 1 disaster-related research(5.9%). 4) Looking on the research content trends according to the key words, 9 researches (31.0%) done on posttraumatic stress and coping had the most research and was followed up by posttraumatic stress symptom. Among these researches, key words for PTSD(Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) and PTS(Posttraumatic Stress) were mostly used. Moreover, there was 1 domestic study done on verifying the trends of Posttraumatic Stress in disaster-related research with PTS as the key word. In job-related research, the relationship between the Posttraumatic Stress and other factors had the most with ten studies (62.5%). Among these researches, key words for 5 PTSD(31.3%) were mostly used. 5) According to the international research subjects, the Posttrau consist the most subjects with 16 cases each for disaster and job related stress ; however, domestic research had 16 studies(94.1%) only using firefighters and 1 (5.9%) with their families as subjects. Conclusion : Although the studies of Posttraumatic Stress on Korean firefighters had started later than those on Foreign firefighters, first used for crucial topics show research development in various fields of study and should be tested for studies like those done in abroad regarding multiple topics and methods.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.114-136
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• 1997

This study was carried out to find out the effect of conflict between profession groups within medical institution. For the purpose, the questionnaire-based research was done with 605 persons consisting of specialists, residents, nurses, radiologic technicians, clinicopatholigic technicians, health record administrator, administrative employees who are working in a university hospital located in Taegu City from February 15, 1997 to March 2, 1997. The results of the study were summarized as follows. The subject profession group against which each profession group feels the most conflict in interprofession mutual recognition relation was found out as follows; Specialists(34%) against colleague specialists, residents(54.0%) against nurses, nurses(54.8%) against residents, radiologic technicians(44.0%) against residents, and clinicopathologic technicians(34.5%) against nurses, while it was shown that health record administrator felt even conflict against residents, nurses and administrative employees and administrative employees(48.1) did against nurses. Most employee group answered that medical specialists have a one-sided and individual attitude toward all affairs, while both medical specialists and administrative employees of hospital answered that nurses are one-sided. It was shown among such groups that radiologic technicians' conflict results from their thinking which mutual dependence and cooperation are lowest while individual difference is highest, clinicopatholigic technicians' conflict from the problem in mutual communication, medical specialists' conflict from difference in goals greater than other group, respectively lower than other group. The rate of vertical conflict between groups was highest for the health record administrators and then for the radiological technicians, while it was lowest for the medical specialists and then for the nurses. In addition, the rate of horizontal conflict was high for both medical specialists and nurses, but it was low for the health record administrations and clinicopathological technicians. The group with the highest job satisfaction was the medical specialists and nurses, and the group with the highest involvement in organization was the medical specialists and administrative employees. Also it was shown that both medical specialists and clinicopathological technicians show a favorable attitude toward patients. Factors having an effect on the vertical conflict included difference in goals, cooperation within group and leadership. It was shown among those factors, however, that only the leadership has an effect on all the groups evenly. The horizontal conflict was influenced by such factors as educational level, mutual dependence, difference in goals, cooperation within group, and individual difference, when an important factor was the difference in goals for all the groups. Their attitude toward patients was influenced by the vertical conflict and age, but the vertical conflict was the most significant factor for the medical specialists. In conclusion, it is required to control properly the conflict between employees as well as between profession group and to execute good leadership, so as to improve patients' satisfaction which is the key goal of hospital.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.419-424
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• 2016

Background: The aim of this systematic review was to study the relationship between exposure to nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$) in the ambient air and breast cancer incidence. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was performed based on the MOOSE guideline for review of observational studies. We searched five online databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, EBSCO, and Scopus) from their conception to June 2014. A pooled estimate of the correlation between $NO_2$ exposure and breast cancer incidence was calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: A total of 654 titles were retrieved in the initial search of the databases. Further refinement and screening of the retrieved studies produced a total of five studies from four countries. The studies included three ecological studies (aggregate level) and two individual based studies (one prospective cohort and the other one a case-control study). The ecological studies were pooled and the meta-analysis of correlation coefficient without z transformation showed a pooled estimate of r = 0.89 with 95% CI of 0.84 to 0.95. Using z transformation, the pooled r was 1.38 with 95%CI of 1.11 to 1.59. No significant heterogeneity between studies was observed. Following a sensitivity analysis and the removal of each study from pooled analysis we did not see any significant change in the pooled estimate. Conclusions: It was concluded that there is a tendency toward a weak association between exposure to $NO_2$ in ambient air and breast cancer at the individual level and a significant association at the aggregate level.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.13
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• pp.5541-5547
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• 2015

Background: The role of surgical resection for patients with single large (${\geq}5cm$) and/or multinodular (${\geq}2$) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still controversial. This systematic review was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of resection for patients with single large and/or multinodular HCC. Materials and Methods: Databases (the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases) were systematically searched to identify relevant studies exploring the safety and efficacy of resection for single large and/or multinodular HCC, published between January 2000 and December 2014. Perioperative morbidity and mortality, overall survival, and disease-free survival of the resection group were calculated. In addition, these outcome variables were also calculated for the control group in the included studies. Results: One randomized controlled trial and 42 nonrandomized studies involving 9,580 patients were eligible for analysis. Eight (1,594 patients) of the 43 studies also reported the outcomes of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Although 51.4% of patients featured cirrhosis, 90.7% of them demonstrated Child-Pugh A liver function in the resection group. The median rates of morbidity (24.5%) and mortality (2.5%) after resection were significantly higher than that of TACE (11.0%, P<0.001; 1.9%, P<0.001). However, patients who underwent resection had significantly higher median one-, three-, and five-year overall survival (76.1%, 51.7%, and 37.4%) than those who underwent TACE (68.3%, 31.5%, and 17.5%, all P<0.001). The median 1-, 3-, and 5-year DFS rates after resection were 58.3%, 34.6%, and 24.0%, respectively. Conclusions: Although tumor recurrence after resection for patients with single large and/ or multinodular HCC continues to be a major problem, resection should be considered as a strategy to achieve long-term survival.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8765-8774
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• 2014

This study aimed at summarizing epidemiological research findings on associations between tobacco, alcohol and tea consumption and risk of gastric cancer (GC) in the Chinese population. The review searched PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and China Biology Medicine (CBM) databases and reference lists of review papers for all studies published in English or Chinese languages. Information extracted, via two independent researchers, from retrieved articles included first author, year of publication, study design, sample size, source of controls and adjusted odds ratio (OR) or relative risk (RR) with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each category. Statistical analyses used software STATA version 12.0. The systematic search found 89 articles containing 25,821 GC cases and 135,298 non-cases. The overall random effects in terms of pooled OR and 95%CI for tobacco, alcohol and tea consumption were 1.62 (95%CI: 1.50-1.74), 1.57 (95%CI: 1.41-1.76) and 0.67 (95%CI: 0.59-0.76) respectively; while the heterogeneity among included studies ranged from 80.1% to 87.5%. The majority of subgroup analyses revealed consistent results with the overall analyses. All three behavioral factors showed statistically significant dose-dependent effects on GC (P<0.05). The study revealed that tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking were associated with over 1/2 added risk of GC, while tea drinking conferred about 1/3 lower risk of GC in the Chinese population. However, these results should be interpreted with caution given the fact that most of the included studies were based on a retrospective design and heterogeneity among studies was relatively high.