• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.274-286
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of preoperative low body mass index (BMI) on both the short- and long-term outcomes in patients with gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 510 patients with gastric cancer were divided into the following 3 groups: low BMI group (${\leq}18.5kg/m^2$, n=51), normal BMI group ($18.6-24.9kg/m^2$, n=308), and high BMI group (${\geq}25.0kg/m^2$, n=151). Results: There were significantly more stage III/IV patients in the low BMI group than in the other groups (P=0.001). Severe postoperative complications were more frequent (P=0.010) and the survival was worse (P<0.001) in the low BMI group. The subgroup analysis indicated that survival was worse in the low BMI group of the stage I/II subgroup (P=0.008). The severe postoperative complication rate was higher in the low BMI group of the stage III/IV subgroup (P=0.001), although the recurrence rate and survival did not differ in the stage III/IV subgroup among all the BMI groups. Low BMI was an independent poor prognostic factor in the stage I/II subgroup (disease-free survival: hazard ratio [HR], 13.521; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.186-154.197; P=0.036 and overall survival: HR, 5.130; 95% CI, 1.644-16.010; P=0.005), whereas low BMI was an independent risk factor for severe postoperative complications in the stage III/IV subgroup (HR, 17.158; 95% CI, 1.383-212.940; P=0.027). Conclusions: Preoperative low BMI in patients with gastric cancer adversely affects survival among those with stage I/II disease and increases the severe postoperative complication rate among those with stage III/IV disease.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.167-171
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• 2012

Objective : The aim of this study was to compare clinical characteristics of ruptured aneurysms in young adults, of the third and fourth decades of life, and to compare several clinical characteristics affecting the outcome of patients. Methods : We retrospectively investigated 1459 patients who underwent surgery and endovascular treatment for ruptured cerebral aneurysms from June 1992 to December 2010 and compared clinical characteristics. We also reviewed pre-existing medical conditions and perioperative complications. Results : Among 1459 patients, there were 21 patients (1.44%) in the third decade and 104 patients (7.13%) in the fourth decade of life. Within two age groups, 88 (70.4%) were male and 37 (29.6%) were female, a ratio of 2.37 : 1. In both groups, we observed the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) aneurysm with the most frequency (p=0.028). In general, favorable outcome was achieved in both age groups (90.5% and 81.7%, respectively). An initial univariate analysis showed Hunt-Hess grade, Fisher grade, location of aneurysm, and rebleeding significantly associated with outcome after aneurysm rupture. Further, multivariate analysis demonstrated that only Hunt-Hess grade (grade 4-5) was a risk factor for the outcome (odds ratio=9.730, 95% confidence interval 2.069-45.756, p=0.004). Conclusion : The incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was higher in the male population of the third and fourth decades of life. Aneurysms on the ACA were most frequently occurred in both age groups and the outcome of aneurysmal SAH among the third and fourth decades was favorable. Multivariate analysis revealed that high Hunt-Hess grade was a risk factor for patient's outcome.

• School Mathematics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.61-75
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• 2013

This study analyzed Korean students' affective characteristics in mathematical learning according to school and sex by Factor Analysis and Cognitive Diagnosis Theory. In numerical affective achievements by Factor Analysis, there are mean differences between schools, i.e. elementary school and secondary school. And there are sexual differences within schools and boys show more positive achievement than girls. By Cognitive Diagnosis Theory, I investigated 6 affective attributes' proportions that students achieved according to school and sex. Middle school students' proportion is highest in self-control and anxiety and the attribute that students achieved most in all school is cognizing mathematical value. Boys show higher proportion in self directivity, interest and confidence than girls, but girls show higher proportion in anxiety than boys. In personal profiles, the proportion of students who achieved 5 attributes except anxiety is highest.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.19-24
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• 2003

Background and Purposes : Smoking is a well-known risk factor for ischemic stroke. It may contribute to s1Toke by inducing the aggregation of platelets and formation of atheroma, reducing cerebral blood flow, and increasing fibrinogen. However, the relative risk varies according to different ethnicity and area. Therefore, we performed this study to assess the risk of smoking for ischemic s1Toke in Korea. Methods : Cigarette smoking habit was studied in 308 patients with ischemic s1Toke and in 348 age- and sex-matched control subjects who had no history of stroke using case control methods. In multiple logistic regression analysis, smoking had a significant value of odds ratio adjusted for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia. Results : The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95％ confidence interval (CI) was significant in the medium smokers (AOR, 1.92; 95％ CI, 1.11 to 3.33: p< 0.05) and heavy smokers (AOR, 2.80; 95％ CI, 1.64 to 4.78: p< 0.05). Furthermore, the OR was higher in hypertensive subjects than in normotensive subjects compared to non-smokers (AOR, 1.98; 95％ CI, 1.01 to 3.85: p< 0.05). Conclusions : Our findings suggest that smoking is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke in Korea.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.52-59
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relative weight gain at 2-week intervals up to 6 weeks after birth to predict retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) requiring treatment among very low birth weight infants. Methods: A total of 211 preterm infants with birth weights <1,500 g and gestational age <32 weeks were retrospectively reviewed. The main outcome was the development of ROP requiring treatment. Body weight measurements were recorded daily. Relative weight gains (g/kg/day) were calculated at the second, fourth, and sixth week after birth. Results: Of the 211 infants, 89 developed ROP, of which 41 spontaneously regressed and 48 with early treatment of ROP type I required laser treatment. The relative weight gain at 2, 4, and 6 weeks postnatal age was significantly lower in infants with ROP requiring treatment than in infants without ROP or those with spontaneous regression (P<0.001, P=0.005, and P=0.004, respectively). On logistic regression, poor relative weight gain in the first 2 weeks was found to be related to ROP requiring treatment (adjusted odds ratio, 0.809; 95% confidence interval, 0.695-0.941; P=0.006). Relative weight gain at 2 weeks postnatal age was significantly lower in infants with ROP requiring treatment compared to that in ROP requiring no treatment (P=0.012). Conclusion: Poor postnatal weight gain in the first 2 weeks of life is an important and independent risk factor for ROP requiring treatment. Postnatal weight gain can predict the development of severe ROP requiring treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10421-10425
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• 2015

Background: While the incidence of non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) has been rising worldwide, the reasons remain undefined. Recent research has focused on effect of red andf processed meat intake as a risk factor, but with inconclusive results. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis of data published to date, to ascertain the overall association between intake and NHL. Materials and Methods: A published literature search was performed through Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Medline, and Science Citation Index Expanded databases for articles published in English. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated using random or fixed effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using Chi-square and I2 statistics. Dissemination bias was evaluated by funnel plot analysis.We performed a formal meta-analysis using summary measures from these studies. Results: In total, 11 published studies were included in the final analysis. The combined analysis revealed that there was significant association between the red meat and NHL risk (OR=1.10, 95%CI: 1.02 to 1.19, p=0.01). Additionally, there was showed significance association between processed red meat and NHL risk (OR=1.17, 95%CI: 1.06 to 1.29, p=0.001). In subgroup analysis, a statistical significant association was noted between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (OR=1.20, 95%CI: 1.04 to 2.37, P=0.01) and red meat intake. Conclusions: In this meta-Analysis, there was evidence for association between consumption of red meat, or processed meat and risk of NHL, particularly with the DLBCL subtype in the red meat case.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2903-2908
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• 2012

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is associated with disruption of basement membranes of blood vessels and promotion of metastasis through the lymphatics. However, its prognostic value for survival in patients with gastric cancer remains controversial. Method: We therefore conducted a meta-analysis of the published literature in order to clarify the impact of MMP-9. Clinical studies were selected for further analysis if they provided an independent assessment of MMP-9 in gastric cancer and reported analysis of survival data according to MMP-9 expression. Results: A total of 11 studies, covering 1700 patients, were included for meta-analysis. A summary hazard ratio (HR) of all studies and sub-group hazard ratios were calculated. The combined HR suggested that a positive MMP-9 expression had an impact on overall survival: 1.25 (95% confidence interval 1.11-1.40) in all eligible studies; 1.13 (1.06-1.20) in 8 studies detecting MMP-9 by immunohistochemistry; 1.36 (1.12-1.65) in 7 studies from Asia. Only one study for DFS showed a significant impact on disease free survival (HR 1.73, 95%CI 1.27-2.34). Conclusions: Our findings suggested that MMP-9 protein expression might be a factor for a poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer. However, the association was rather weak, so that more prospective studies should further explore the prognostic impact of MMP-9 mRNA and correlations between MMP-9 and clinicopathological characteristics.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9687-9692
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• 2014

Background: Biliary tract cancers are rare, and surgical resection is the standard treatment at early stages. However, reports on the benefits of adjuvant treatment following surgical resection are conflicting. This study aimed to evaluate the factors affecting survival and adjuvant treatments in patients with surgically treated biliary tract cancers. Materials and Methods: Patient clinical features, adjuvant treatments, and efficacy and prognostic factor data were evaluated. Survival analyses were performed using SPSS 15.0. Results: The median overall survival was 30.7 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 18.4-42.9 months). Median survival was 19 months (95% CI, 6-33) for patients treated with fluorouracil based chemotherapy and 53 months (95% CI, 33.2-78.8) with gemcitabine based chemotherapy(p=0.033). On univariate analysis, poor prognostic factors for survival were galbladder localization, perineural invasion, hepatic invasion, a lack of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy treatment, and a lack of lymph node dissection. On multivariate analysis, perineural invasion was a poor prognostic factor (p=0.008). Conclusions: Biliary tract cancers generally have poor prognoses. The main factors affecting survival are tumour localization, perineural invasion, hepatic invasion, adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, and lymph node dissection. Gemcitabine-based adjuvant chemotherapy is more effective than 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.8
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• pp.2853-2859
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• 2010

Development and promotion of foreign tourism products is an important factor for economical side as well as to improving the foreign relation and the image of nation. Also, foreign tourism products can give a positive effect in activation of the domestic tourism industry and foreigner's domestic visit. Thus, development and promotion of travel industry may offer competitive power of the specification country and a development opportunity, and influence in investment infancy of different industry. Therefore, in this study, service quality of this foreign tourism products analyze effect about customer satisfaction and re-purchase intention, investigated competitive power factors of the tourism industry in the future. In the final study, service quality patten, confidence, attraction could be influenced on customer satisfaction, reliability and responsiveness was not affected by the other factors. This study may suggest guideline that analyze the special character factors of the tourism industry future, or develop the critical success factor of foreign tourism products.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.206-210
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• 2015

Background: Fatigue has a strong impact on workers' performance and safety, but expedient methods for assessing fatigue on the job are not yet available. Studies discuss posturography as an indicator of fatigue, but further evidence for its use in the workplace is needed. The purpose of the study is to examine whether posturography is a suitable indicator of fatigue in clerical workers. Methods: Thirty-six employees (${\emptyset}$ 34.8 years, standard deviation = 12.5) participated in postural tasks (eyes open, eyes closed, arm swinging, and dual task) in the morning and afternoon. Position of their center of pressure (COP) was registered using a Nintendo Wii Balance Board and commercial software. From registered COP time series, we calculated the following parameters: path length (mm), velocity (mm/s), anterior-posterior variance (mm), mediolateral variance (mm), and confidence area ($mm^2$). These parameters were reduced to two orthogonal factors in a factor analysis with varimax rotation. Results: Statistical analysis of the first factor (path length and velocity) showed a significant effect of time of day: COP moved along a shorter path at a lower velocity in the afternoon compared with that in the morning. There also was a significant effect of task, but no significant interaction. Conclusion: Data suggest that postural stability of clerical workers was comparable in the morning and afternoon, but COP movement was greater in the morning. Within the framework of dynamic systems theory, this could indicate that the postural system explored the state space in more detail, and thus was more ready to respond to unexpected perturbations in the morning.