• 대한한의학회지
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• 제32권6호
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• pp.122-130
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the effect of herbal extract medicines for inpatients with fever symptoms in an oriental medicine hospital. Methods: Medical records of inpatients who experienced over $38^{\circ}C$ of fever from July 2010 to August 2011 has been requested with deleted personal identifiable information. The requested data were analyzed by patients' general characteristics, administrated western/herbal medicines, and changes in the body temperature of four administration groups (group 1, herbal extract medicine only; group 2, western medication(antibiotics/antipyretics) only; group 3, combination of herbal extract medicine and western medication; group 4, no medication control). The SPSS 19.0 was used for statistical analysis and p-value of less than 0.05 was regarded significant. Results: The body temperature has significantly dropped over time in the herbal extract medicine only group (p<0.001) along with the antibiotics/antipyretics only group. When both treatments were combined, stronger antipyretic effect was shown compared to the sole treatment of herbal extract medicine or antibiotics/antipyretics. Conclusion: The use of herbal extract medicines may be effective in alleviation of fever.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.765-774
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• 2011

Purpose: Many facial burn patients suffer from hyperpigmentation and its treatment has been challenging. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has important physiologic effects on skin, including inhibition of melanogenesis, promotion of collagen biosynthesis, prevention of free radical formation, and acceleration on wound healing. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Vitamin C iontophoresis for the treatment of postburn hyperpigmentation. Methods: The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 93 patients who were admitted for the treatment of facial burn from February 2008 through February 2010. Among them, 51 patients were treated with Vitamin C iontophoresis to control postburn hyperpigmentation and 42 patients were not. Experimental group was chosen 20 of 51 patients who had been treated with Vitamin C iontophoresis and had normal facial skin on the comparable contralateral aesthetic unit. Control group was chosen 20 of 42 patients who were not treated with Vitamin C iontophoresis and had also contralateral normal aesthetic unit. The resulting color of 20 patients who were treated with Vitamin C iontophoresis was compared with the color of the contralateral normal facial skin using a digital scale color analysis. Results were analyzed with Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: The analysis revealed significant improvement of hyperpigmentation in the experimental group compared to control group. The difference of intial value and the value in 6 months showed significant change. Mean (${\Delta}^{initial}$-${\Delta}^{6month}$) of experimental group was 11.61 and control group was 7.23. Thus, the difference between the experimental group and the control group was 4.38. Therefore, Vitamin C iontophoresis revealed significant improvement of hyperpigmentation in the experimental group compared with control group. Conclusion: Vitamin C iontophoresis is an effective treatment modality for postburn hyperpigmentation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.172-180
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• 2016

Background Conventional frontalis transfer may cause a range of complications. In order to overcome complications, we made modifications to the surgical technique, and compared the outcomes of patients who underwent conventional frontalis transfer with those of patients who underwent modified frontalis transfer. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of 48 patients (78 eyes) who underwent conventional frontalis transfer between 1991 and 2003 (group A) and 67 patients (107 eyes) who underwent modified frontalis transfer between 2004 and 2014 (group B). The frontalis transfer procedures were modified conform to the following principles. The tip of the frontalis muscle flap included soft tissue that was as thick as possible and the soft tissue on the tarsal plate was removed to the greatest extent possible. A double fold was created in cases of unilateral ptosis. In order to evaluate the objective effects of modification, preoperative and postoperative values of the marginal distance reflex 1 (MRD1), the corneal exposure area, and the decrease in eyebrow height were compared between the two groups. Results In group A, patients showed an improvement of 1.19 mm in the MRD1, a 6.31% improvement in the corneal exposure area, and a 7.82 mm decrease in eyebrow height. In group B, patients showed an improvement of 2.17 mm in the MRD1, an 8.39% improvement in the corneal exposure area, and an 11.54 mm decrease in eyebrow height. The improvements in group B were significantly greater than those in group A. Conclusions Modified frontalis transfer showed better results than the conventional procedure and provided satisfactory outcomes.

• 한국의료질향상학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.30-42
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• 2013

Objectives: This study was intended to check if the "Creating Clean Wards" project, which is an innovative reinforced campaign activity targeting infection control strategies and active surveillance cultures for VRE (vancomycin resistant enterococci) high-risk patients to be admitted in the NS (neuro-surgery) wards, would be reduced the incidence rates of VRE acquisition, transmission rates. Methods: 75 subjects of the VRE high-risk patients were surveyed by carrying out active surveillance cultures of VRE colonization 11 times from January to March, 2012. And the retrospective study was conducted dividing them into two groups. Results: The incidence rates of VRE acquisition was reduced to 3.67 cases per 1,000 patients day in the control group and to 2.88 cases in experimental group, which was not statistically significant (p = .753). VRE transmission rates of 0.0015 per day before the project tended to increase to 0.0019, although not statistically significant (p = .650). As a result of multivariate analysis with regard to using glycopeptide antibiotics in order to find out risk factors of VRE colonization, the patients who had been treated with glycopeptide until VRE colonization showed 274.41 times higher rate. Conclusion : For effective VRE infection control in NS wards, We should carry out active surveillance culture regularly, especially patient of using glycopeptide. And block the spread of VRE by strengthening infection control through the strict isolation and the changed mind-set of members motivated by the "Creating Clean Wards" campaign.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.256-261
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• 2006

Objective : The goal of this study was to establish the benefit and prognostic factors of lumbar medial branch block[MBB] for low back pain. Methods : A retrospective analysis was based on the data obtained from 281 patients with low back pain, who visited our hospital between January 2001 and November 2004. Pain relief was evaluated at 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months. The authors analyzed the results of MBB according to the patient's age, sex, symptom duration, pathologic condition, and presence of radiating pain. Results : Two hundred eighty one patients had sprain [151]. lumbar fracture [27], spinal stenosis [50], herniated lumbar disc [24] acute post-operative pain [8], and chronic post-operative pain [21] with success rate of 63.6%, 59.3%, 26.0%, 25.0%, 87.5% and 42.9%, respectively. The effects of MBB in sprain, lumbar fracture, and acute post-operative pain were significantly better than those in stenosis, herniated lumbar disc and chronic post-operative pain patients. The patients in young age group [<60 years], with short symptom duration [<6 months] and without radiating pain showed good response to lumbar MBB. Conclusion : The lumbar MBB appears to be safe and effective for low back pain in certain selected patients. Good prognostic factors were low back pain without surgical conditions and radiating pain, with short symptom duration [<6 months], and in relatively young age [<60 years] group.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.463-466
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• 2016

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive type of primary brain neoplasm. The current standard therapy for GBM consists of maximal surgical resection within safe limits, followed by radiation therapy (RT) and chemotherapy with temozolomide. Despite advances in treatment, the prognosis of GBM remains poor. Epileptic seizure is one of the most common symptoms in patients with GBM. Valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, is often used as an anti-epileptic drug in patients with brain neoplasms due to its effectiveness and low toxicity profile. Several in vivo and in vitro studies have indicated that VPA has radiosensitizing effects for gliomas and radioprotective influence on normal brain tissue or hippocampal neurons. The results of several retrospective studies have also indicated potential benefit to improve survival of patients with GBM. Moreover, the promising treatment results of a phase 2 trial of concurrent radiation therapy, temozolomide, and VPA for patients with GBM have been recently reported. The use of VPA in patients with GBM has thus recently receiving more attention. In this article, we review the role of VPA in radiation therapy for GBM, focusing on the clinical evidence.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.749-754
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• 2016

Extended follow-up of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors indicates that these patients are at high risk of secondary malignant neoplasms (SMNs) contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. This study examined the characteristics of HL survivors who developed SMNs with the aim to report any correlation with radiotherapy (RT) dose. In this retrospective multi-center cohort study of HL patients treated between 1990 and 2011 at three major teaching hospitals in Lebanon, classification was into two groups including those treated with combined modality (RT and chemotherapy-CHT) and those treated with CHT alone. Approval from the University Institutional Review Board (IRB) was obtained. Of the 112 patients evaluated, 52.7% (59) received the combined modality while 47.3% (53) received CHT alone. There were 6 cases of SMNs in the combined modality cohort and 5 cases in the CHT cohort. The mean RT dose in the combined modality cohort was 34.5 Gray (Gy) ($SD{\pm}5.3$). A statistically significant increase (1.5 fold) in the risk of developing SMNs was observed among patients who received a dose higher than 41 Gy compared to a dose between 20 to 30 Gy (OR= 1.5; 95% confidence interval= 0.674 to 3.339, p=0.012). The risk of SMNs was not significantly higher among patients who received extended field compared to involved field RT (p=0.964). This study showed that the risk of developing SMNs is higher among patients treated with RT dose greater than 31 Gy, independent of the RT type used.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권12호
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• pp.7701-7706
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• 2013

Background: In a prospective cohort study of antiemetic therapy conducted in Malaysia, a total of 94 patients received low emetogenic chemotherapy (LEC) with or without granisetron injections as the primary prophylaxis for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). This study is a retrospective cost analysis of two antiemetic regimens from the payer perspective. Materials and Methods: This cost evaluation refers to 2011, the year in which the observation was conducted. Direct costs incurred by hospitals including the drug acquisition, materials and time spent for clinical activities from prescribing to dispensing of home medications were evaluated (MYR 1=$0.32 USD). As reported to be significantly different between two regimens (96.1% vs 81.0%; p=0.017), the complete response rate of acute emesis which was defined as a patient successfully treated without any emesis episode within 24 hours after LEC was used as the main indicator for effectiveness. Results: Antiemetic drug acquisition cost per patient was 40.7 times higher for the granisetron-based regimen than for the standard regimen (MYR 64.3 vs 1.58). When both the costs for materials and clinical activities were included, the total cost per patient was 8.68 times higher for the granisetron-based regimen (MYR 73.5 vs 8.47). Considering the complete response rates, the mean cost per successfully treated patient in granisetron group was 7.31 times higher (MYR 76.5 vs 10.5). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) with granisetron-based regimen, relative to the standard regimen, was MYR 430.7. It was found to be most sensitive to the change of antiemetic effects of granisetron-based regimen. Conclusions: While providing a better efficacy in acute emesis control, the low incidence of acute emesis and high ICER makes use of granisetron as primary prophylaxis in LEC controversial.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제5권5호
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• pp.450-454
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• 2011

The beneficial effects of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in improving the nutritional status of malnourished patients during hospital stays have been well established. However, recent randomized trials and meta-analyses have reported an increased rate of TPN-associated complications and mortality in critically ill patients. The increased risk of complications during TPN therapy has been linked to the development of hyperglycemia, especially during the first few days of TPN therapy. This retrospective study was conducted to determine whether the amount of dextrose from TPN in the 1st week in the intensive care unit (ICU) was related to the development of hyperglycemia and the clinical outcome. We included 88 non-diabetic critically ill patients who stayed in the medical ICU for more than two days. The subjects were 65 ${\pm}$ 16 years old, and the mean APACHE (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation) II score upon admission was 20.9${\pm}$7.1. The subjects received 2.3${\pm}$1.4 g/kg/day of dextrose intravenously. We divided the subjects into two groups according to the mean blood glucose (BG) level during the 1st week of ICU stay: <140 mg/dl vs ${\geq}$ 140 mg/dl. Baseline BG and the amount of dextrose delivered via TPN were significantly higher in the hyperglycemia group than those in the normoglycemia group. Mortality was higher in the hyperglycemia group than in the normoglycemia group (42.4% vs 12.8%, P=0.008). The amount of dextrose from TPN was the only significant variable in the multiple linear regression analysis, which included age, APACHE II score, baseline blood glucose concentration and dextrose delivery via TPN as independent variables. We concluded that the amount of dextrose delivered via TPN might be associated with the development of hyperglycemia in critically ill patients without a history of diabetes mellitus. The amount of dextrose in TPN should be decided and adapted carefully to maintain blood glucose within the target range.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.216-221
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of short-course hypofractionated radiotherapy (RT) for the palliation of uterine cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: Seventeen patients with cancer of the uterine cervix, who underwent palliative hypofractionated 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy between January 2002 and June 2012, were retrospectively analyzed. RT was delivered to symptomatic lesions (both the primary mass and/or metastatic regional lymph nodes). The total dose was 20 to 25 Gy (median, 25 Gy) in 5 Gy daily fractions. Results: The median follow-up duration was 12.2 months (range, 4 to 24 months). The median survival time was 7.8 months (range, 4 to 24 months). Vaginal bleeding was the most common presenting symptom followed by pelvic pain (9 patients). The overall response rates were 93.8% and 66.7% for vaginal bleeding control and pelvic pain, respectively. Nine patients did not have any acute side effects and 7 patients showed minor gastrointestinal toxicity. Only 1 patient had grade 3 diarrhea 1 week after completion of treatment, which was successfully treated conservatively. Late complications occurred in 4 patients; however, none of these were of grade 3 or higher severity. Conclusion: Short-course hypofractionated RT was effective and well tolerated as palliative treatment for uterine cervical cancer.