• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1213-1217
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• 2015

Background: Gastric cancer is the second most common cause of cancer- related deaths worldwide and ranks $11^{th}$ or $14^{th}$ among all deaths. Patients with advanced disease require supportive care along with the medical and/or surgical treatment. Aim: To assess the need for palliative care for patients with advanced tumours along with standard clinical therapy. Materials and Methods: Eighty-four patients with metastatic (stage 4) gastric cancer, including both patients who had received surgical treatment or not, were followed up in Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital, Division of Medical Oncology between 2011 and 2014. They were categorised as supportive care (-) (Group 1, n=37) and (+) groups (Group 2, n=47) and evaluated retrospectively. Results: Demographic characteristics of the patients were as follows: mean age, Group 1, $65.2{\pm}10.5$ years, Group $2,63.7{\pm}11.3$ years; male/female ratio, Group 1, 21/16, Group 2, 28/19; distribution of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance scores of 0 and 1, Group 1, ECOG 0 (n=9) and 1 (n=14), Group 2, ECOG 0 (34) and 1 (n=13) (p<0.0001); patients receiving second-line, Group 1 (n=7) and Group 2 (n=22) (p<0.008) or third - line chemotherapy,Group 2 (n=6) (p<0.02); mortality rates, Group 1, (n=28; 75.6%) and Group 2 (n=30; 63.8%); progression-free survival (PFS) rates, Group 1, $17.4{\pm}6$ weeks, Group 2, $28.3{\pm}16.2$ weeks; statistically significant overall survival rates, Group 1, $20.8{\pm}8.2$ weeks and Group 2, $28.3{\pm}162$ weeks (p<0.01). Conclusions: The supportive care team (medical oncologist, general surgeon, internal medicine specialist, algologist, psychiatrist and radiologist) can play a role in the treatment of metastatic gastric tumours, with improvements shown in terms of the performance status of cases, eligibility of patients to be on chemotherapy programmes for longer duration and overall survival rates in Turkey.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2020

Background: Pregnancy-related low back pain (PLBP) has fewer systematic guidelines than pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, previous studies have not evaluated physical therapy for this ailment in Korea. Objects: We aimed to provide a detailed account of clinical decision making by Korean physiotherapists while treating PLBP. Methods: In total, 955 questionnaires were distributed mainly in places of continuing education held by the Korean Physical Therapy Association from April to July 2019. The same questionnaire was posted on a website used by physiotherapists. We collected subject information, a specific Vignette typically represent symptoms of PLBP, and responses to multiple questions about decision making, subjective recognition and interest level in the field of women's health physiotherapy (WHPT). Results: The overall response rate was 56% (n = 537); of these, responses to 520 questionnaires were analyzed. Most respondents chose various combinations of physical therapy methods. There were significant differences in subjective recognition levels of WHPT according to gender (p < 0.05), age (p < 0.01), education level (p < 0.01), and clinical experience (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in interest according to gender (p < 0.01) and education level (p < 0.01). With respect to the types of treatment, significant differences were noted in selective rates for "manual therapy", "pain control", and "supportive devices" based on gender. Manual therapy tended to be chosen more with increasing age and clinical experience. With increased education level, there were fewer choices for the use of pain control. Conclusion: This is the first data on how Korean physiotherapists manage PLBP patients using the vignette method. We were able to recognize the Korean physical therapist's decision on PLBP patients, and observed statistically significant correlations. This may aid in developing future research and education plans in the WHPT field.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.51-59
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• 2015

Objective: This paper is to investigate the current evidence and clinical effectiveness of mountain ginseng pharmacopuncture (MGP) in cancer treatment. Methods: Along with hand searches, relevant literatures were searched from Korean medical database until November 2015 without language restriction and clinical researches were selected for this review. Results: Nine articles were searched. The MGP was generally prepared in the concentration of ten percent. Also, the MGP has been used by intravenous injection much more than acupoint injection. The clinical effects were the suppression of the cancer cell growth, the improvement the quality of life, the reduction of the side effect by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Conclusion: This analysis suggests that the MGP can be used as a single therapy or a supportive therapy with conventional therapies, which are chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.95-100
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• 2011

Purpose: Ingestion of puffer fish can be poisonous due to the presence of potent neurotoxins such as tetrodotoxin (TTX) found in its tissues. There are few clinical reports related to TTX. We performed this study to evaluate the clinical characteristics of TTX poisoning. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of the 41 patients diagnosed with TTX poisoning who visited the Seoul Asan medical center from July 2004 and December 2010. A review of patients' electronic medical records and patient telephone interviews were conducted. Diagnosis of TTX poisoning was confirmed by observing the casual link between puffer fish consumption and the development of typical TTX intoxication symptoms. Results: The mean age of the patients included in the study was 46.6 years. The highest incidence of intoxication was observed in patients in their 50s (10 patients). Seasonal distribution of intoxication events included 10 in spring, 7 in summer, 10 in fall, and 14 in winter. In most cases, symptoms occurred within 1 hour of ingestion. A wide range of symptoms were associated with puffer fish ingestion affecting multiple body systems including neuromuscular (27 patients), gastrointestinal (19 patients), and cardiopulmonary/vascular (19 patients). All patients were treated with symptomatic and supportive therapy and recovered completely, without sequelae, within 48 hours. In three cases, ventilator support was required. Conclusion: TTX poisoning is not seasonally related, and patients admitted to the emergency room were observed with a wide range of symptoms. Where TTX poisoning is diagnosed, supportive therapy should be performed. Early intubation and ventilation is important, especially is cases of respiratory failure.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.65-70
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effect of patient compliance with supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) on tooth loss in Korean adults. Methods: The periodontal records of 134 patients were reviewed for this study. They completed active periodontal treatment from 1999 to 2001 and were placed on a schedule of periodic follow-up visits for SPT. Patient compliance was classified into complete compliance (CC), erratic compliance (EC), and noncompliance (NC) groups. Re-examinations were carried out $11.0{{\pm}}0.8$ years after the active periodontal treatment. The prognosis for each tooth was determined as good, questionable, or hopeless according to the bone loss observed in pretreatment radiographs. Results: The rate of tooth loss of the CC group was significantly lower than that of the NC group. The tooth loss/patient and the tooth loss/patient/year were not significantly different between the three groups. The rates of tooth loss in the good, questionable, and hopeless prognosis groups were 6.7%, 9.5%, and 13.2%, respectively. For the teeth with a good prognosis, the rate of tooth loss of the CC group was significantly lower than that of the NC group (0.4% vs. 5.1%). For the teeth with a questionable prognosis, the CC group showed a significantly lower rate of tooth loss than did the EC group (4.1% vs. 30.7%) or the NC group (4.1% vs. 25.6%). For the teeth with a hopeless prognosis, the rates of tooth loss were not significantly different among the three groups. Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, the patients who showed a poor compliance with SPT were more likely to lose teeth than were the regularly compliant patients. However, the risk of tooth loss with a hopeless prognosis was high irrespective of the compliance.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.185-191
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• 2022

An Amur softshell turtle with multiple shell injuries was admitted to the Seoul Wildlife Center on 19 May 2021. The most severe lesion was a puncture wound requiring urgent closure. In addition to routine supportive therapy, the damaged shell was patched with biocompatible polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) materials (bone cement and dental acrylic) and fiberglass. Despite a few methods to repair the carapace or plastron of hard-shelled turtles, shell repair in the Amur softshell turtle has rarely been reported. This paper reports the repair process of a puncture wound in the carapace of a softshell turtle using polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). PMMA is a biocompatible acrylic polymer that forms a tight structure that holds the implant against tissue defects, such as skin, bones, and dentures. Fiberglass, a preferred fiber in various medical fields, was used with PMMA to provide extra strength and waterproof capability. After the procedure, there were no signs of edema, inflammation, bleeding, skin discoloration, or any other complications. Accordingly, this can be a method of choice in softshell turtles using biocompatible materials to cover the lesion in the carapace and provide appropriate wound management, supportive therapy, and a suitable course of antibiotics considering all other circumstances.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1979-1985
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• 2016

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine has been highly appreciated as a supportive regimen for classical treatment strategies. Here we offer a nutrition-based adjuvant therapy for liver fibrosis, a major risk factor for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Aim of the study: To evaluate the possible hepatoprotective effects of Jerusalem artichoke tubers (JAT) in combination with interferon and ribavirin. Materials and Methods: Twelve groups of rats were administered JAT, interferon and ribavirin either separately or in combination from day one of $CCL_4$ administration until the end of the study. Animals were killed after 8 weeks of $CCL_4$-induced hepatotoxicity. Results: Hepatocytes from rats treated with triple combination of interferon, ribavirin, and JAT showed more less normal architecture compared to $CCL_4$-treated rats. We also detected significantly higher hepatic protein expression levels of p53, BAX and transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) in the $CCL_4$-intoxicated group compared to normal controls, as evidenced by immunohistochemical staining and western blotting analyses. Addition of JAT as a supportive regimen improved response to ribavirin and interferon and effectively participated in retaining normal histopathological and biochemical criteria and significantly lowered protein expression of p53, BAX, and TGF-${\beta}$. Conclusions: We suggest that addition of JAT as a supportive r egimen to interferon and ribavirin effectively potentiates their anti-fibrotic effects.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.61-71
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• 2002

purpose : The purpose of this study was to find out the influencing factors of smoking-cessation behavior of patients with coronary heart disease and to suggest the model of smoking-cessation behavior which was based on the relationship between influencing factors and then to test its fitness empirically. method : This study was based on the Theory of Reasoned Action and a hypothetical model was constructed with fifteen paths in consideration of main predictive factors of smoking-cessation behavior such as biological factor, disease-related characteristics, self-efficacy, supportive factor, environmental factor, disease-related perception factor, intention-to-quit, and psychological factor. The validity of a smoking- cessation model was tested to 264 patients with coronary heart disease by using SPSS 8.0 and Window LISREL 8.12a. results : 1. Seven of the 15 paths of smoking-cessation behavior proved to be significant. 2. The final model excluded three paths in the hypothetical model was demonstrated to be improved by $x^2$=44.31 (df=38, p=.22), Goodness of Fit Index (GFI)=.98, Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index (AGFI)=.96, Non-Normed Fit Index(NNFI)=1.00, Normed Fit Index(NFI)=1.00, and Root Mean Square Residual(RMR)=.24. 3.The smoking-cessation behavior was influenced directly by biological factor, self-efficacy, supportive factor, environmental factor, intention-to-quit, and psychological factor. The smoking-cessation behavior was accounted for 82% of variance by these factors. conclusion : although the adolescents' smoking behavior can be predicted by only smoking intention, it is hard to predict the adults' smoking-cessation behavior by only this factor. Therefore, intention-to-quit, self-efficacy, supportive factor should be improved because these are promotive factors for smoking-cessation behavior. Biological factor, environmental factor, and psychological factor are inhibitive factors, so nicotine replacement therapy is helpful to the high nicotine-dependents, and ex-smokers avoid other smokers in their environment and also patients should learn and practice the stress coping-skills.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.134-142
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• 2015

Lichen planus is an immune-mediated mucocutaneous disease, affects more frequently middle-aged Caucasian women and makes signs and symptoms in the oral mucosa. Cutaneous lichen planus lesions cause itching but they are self-limiting, oral lichen planus lesions are usually chronic, recalcitrant to treatment and potentially premalignant in some cases. Although, oral lichen planus is non-plaque related disease, they possess particular problems because plaque control is complicated by pain and bleeding and might cause plaque-related disease. The resulting condition comprises accumulations of plaque, which again can influence the progress of oral lichen planus with burning sensation, spontaneous gingival bleeding. Thus, it should be noted that both medication and supportive periodontal treatment are essential for the remission of the lesions. This case report introduces topical corticosteroid therapy and supportive periodontal treatment including intensive oral hygiene procedures to obtain an improvement of subjective symptoms and objective changes and to prevent relapse the lesions.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.669-678
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of integrated psychoeducational program for distress management of newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer. Methods: A quasi-experimental trial was conducted. The participants consisted of 47 female patients with breast cancer assigned to an intervention group (n=25) and control group (n=22). The intervention group participated in integrated psychoeducational program, consisting of individual face-to-face education and telephone-delivered health-coaching sessions. Data were collected at three time points: pre-intervention (T1), post-intervention (T2), and 6-month follow-up (T3). Study instruments were Distress thermometer, Supportive Care Needs Survey Short Form 34 and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast. Results: Compared with the control group, breast cancer patients in the intervention group reported lower distress and supportive care needs than the control group. The intervention group reported higher quality of life (QOL) overall and higher emotional well-being than the control group. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the integrated psychoeducational program is an effective intervention for reducing distress and supportive care needs and increasing QOL of newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer. Oncology nurses need to provide psychoeducational intervention to support patients with breast cancer in managing their distress and helping them adjust to their life.