• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3155-3160
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• 2016

Background: L-asparaginase (ASNase) is commonly used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma. This study was designed to describe the incidence of toxicity associated with ASNase in Asian adults. Secondary objectives were to investigate the management and impact of toxicity on subsequent ASNase use, and to compare the actual management against current recommendations. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective, multi-center, observational study, Asian patients ${\geq}18$ years old who received ${\geq}1$ dose of the native E. coli ASNase from 2008 to 2013 were included. Patients were excluded if they did not receive ASNase. Endpoints of this study were development of specific toxicities, whether ASNase was discontinued or re-challenged, and developmentg of recurrent toxicity. All data analyses were performed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: A total of 56 patients were analyzed. Mean (${\pm}SD$) age was 36.2 (${\pm}15.2$) years old, with 62.5% being males, 55.4% with ALL and 28.6% with NK/T-cell lymphoma. Hypersensitivity (12.5%) was associated with the highest incidence of toxicity (6 out of 7 patients had Grade 3 and 4 toxicity), followed by 10.7% for hepatic transaminitis, 3.6% for non-CNS thrombosis and 1.8% each for hyperbilirubinemia and pancreatitis. Hypersensitivity recurred in the 3 patients who were re-challenged with E. coli ASNase. Conclusions: ASNase is associated with a wide range of toxicities, with hypersensitivity being the most commonly observed among Asian adult patients.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.343-355
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• 2015

There is much observational evidence that active star formation is taking place in the Hii regions Sh 2-255 – 257. We present a photometric study of this star forming region (SFR) using imaging data obtained in passbands from the optical to the mid-infrared, in order to study the star formation process. A total of 218 members were identified using various selection criteria based on their observational properties. The SFR is reddened by at least E(B −V ) = 0.8 mag, and the reddening law toward the region is normal (R_V = 3.1). From the zero-age main sequence fitting method it is confirmed that the SFR is 2.1 ± 0.3 kpc from the Sun. The median age of the identified members is estimated to be about 1.3 Myr from a comparison of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram (HRD) with stellar evolutionary models. The initial mass function (IMF) is derived from the HRD and the near-infrared (J, J −H) color-magnitude diagram. The slope of the IMF is about Γ = −1.6 ± 0.1, which is slightly steeper than that of the Salpeter/Kroupa IMF. It implies that low-mass star formation is dominant in the SFR. The sum of the masses of all the identified members provides the lower limit of the cluster mass (169M_⊙). We also analyzed the spectral energy distribution (SED) of pre-main sequence stars using the SED fitting tool of Robitaille et al., and confirm that there is a significant discrepancy between stellar mass and age obtained from two different methods based on the SED fitting tool and the HRD.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.83 no.4
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• pp.303-311
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• 2020

Background: If the duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) is related with the intensive care unit (ICU) readmission must be clarified. The purpose of this study was to elucidate if prolonged MV duration increases ICU readmission rate. Methods: The present observational cohort study analyzed national healthcare claims data from 2006 to 2015. Critically ill patients who received MV in the ICU were classified into five groups according to the MV duration: MV for <7 days, 7-13 days, 14-20 days, 21-27 days, and ≥28 days. The rate and risk of the ICU readmission were estimated according to the MV duration using the unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Results: We found that 12,929 patients had at least one episode of MV in the ICU. There was a significant linear relationship between the MV duration and the ICU readmission (R²=0.85, p=0.025). The total readmission rate was significantly higher as the MV duration is prolonged (MV for <7 days, 13.9%; for 7-13 days, 16.7%; for 14-20 days, 19.4%; for 21-27 days, 20.4%; for ≥28 days, 35.7%; p<0.001). The analyses adjusted by covariables and weighted with the multinomial propensity scores showed similar results. In the adjusted regression analysis with a Cox proportional hazards model, the MV duration was significantly related to the ICU readmission (hazard ratio, 1.058 [95% confidence interval, 1.047-1.069], p<0.001). Conclusion: The rate of readmission to the ICU was significantly higher in patients who received longer durations of the MV in the ICU. In the clinical setting, closer observation of patients discharged from the ICU after prolonged periods of MV is required.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 2018

Objectives The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of Hwangryunhaedok-tang Pharmacopuncture, Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture and Jungsongouhyul Pharmacopuncture on cervical pain caused by traffic accident retrospectively. Methods The retrospective observational chart review was conducted to 52 cases of traffic accident patients who had admitted to Daegu haany University Pohang Korean Hospital from December 1st, 2015 to May 31th, 2017. The patients were classified into three groups by which pharmacopuncture was used as Hwangryunhaedoktang pharmacopuncture treatment group, bee venom pharmacopuncture treatment group and Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture treatment group. Additionally, outcomes should include Neck disability index(NDI) and patient's global assessment(PGA) for evaluate the treatment effects. Results Each pharmacopuncture treatment group showed significant decrease of NDI and PGA. But there was no significant difference in NDI and PGA between three groups. Conclusions According to the results, we found out that 3 kinds of pharmacopunctures are considered to be effective and useful for cervical pain patients caused by traffic injury. Further well designed prospective studies are needed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.375-382
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was to examine the features of work and posture analysis outputs in assessment of exposure to musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk factors in general hospital nurses. Methods: Work and posture analyses were carried out using observational approaches for nurses at general hospitals across Korea. With development of a taxonomy for assessing exposure to MSD risk factors, nursing tasks were documented in frequency (%time) for 8 hours a day in work analyses. Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) scores were obtained for mode and maximum risk levels, respectively, during posture analyses. Results: A total of 27 nurses were observed while conducting 7 nursing tasks at 6 general hospitals. For both the work analyses and posture analyses, the taxonomy was developed and used. In the work analyses, 'Video display terminal task' and 'Nursing examination/ treatment' were the highest as 25%time for 8 hours a day, followed by 'Patient care' and 'Room rounding' as 13%time in order. In the posture analyses, the mode REBA scores were 2 or less for all nursing tasks while the maximum REBA scores were 7 for upper limbs at 'Room rounding' and 6 for trunk/neck/legs at 'Patient care'. Conclusions: The results showed the study nurses are occasionally at a risk for MSD, a medium level as designated in the REBA risk level, suggesting that it is important to control awkward posture at the nursing tasks such as 'Room rounding' and 'Patient care', in priority, for preventing MSD in the hospital sector including the study general hospitals.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.130-135
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• 2021

Background: The clinical significance of lip-tie, or a tethered maxillary frenulum, remains under debate. Clinicians and parents are often perplexed when deciding whether procedures available to relieve a seemingly tight or severe maxillary frenulum are needed. Purpose: No previous studies have assessed the consequences of not subjecting a tethered maxillary frenulum in newborns to surgical intervention. This study aimed to contribute the first prospective trial on this topic with a relatively extended follow-up of these newborn infants. Methods: This prospective observational questionnaire-based cohort trial was performed in a community setting and aimed to determine whether lip-tie is associated with an increased likelihood of eventual feeding or oral disorders. Results: The convenience sample comprised of 61 consecutively arriving infants with concomitant tethered frenula who were treated at the clinic for various reasons. This cohort was compared with a random sample of 66 age-matched children for a mean follow-up period of 6.42 years. Infants undergoing oropharyngeal procedures were excluded. Awareness of a deviation in oral structures was reported by 18% of the study group versus 0% of the controls. Mothers participating in the study group (24.6%) less frequently recalled painful nipples or discomfort during breastfeeding than those in the control group (47.0%) (P<0.01). There were no intergroup differences in other types of feeding difficulty, dental hygiene, pronunciation, or speech development. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a tethered labial frenulum is not associated with an increase in breastfeeding disturbances or oral disorders. These data encourage clinicians to question the need to intervene in cases of tethered maxillary frenula.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.206-214
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• 2019

Background: Although case reports have suggested that the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) may help analgesia for patients after breast surgery, no study to date has assessed its effectiveness. This retrospective observational study analyzed the analgesic effects of the ESPB after total mastectomy. Methods: Forty-eight patients were divided into an ESPB group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 28). Twenty patients in the control group were selected by their propensity score matching the twenty patients in the ESPB group. Patients in the ESPB group were injected with 30 mL 0.375% ropivacaine, followed by catheter insertion for further injections of local anesthetics every 12 hours. Primarily, total fentanyl consumption was compared between the two groups during the first 24 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included pain intensity levels (visual analogue scale) and incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Results: Median cumulative fentanyl consumption during the first 24 hours was significantly lower in the ESPB ($33.0{\mu}g$; interquartile range [IQR], $27.0-69.5{\mu}g$) than in the control group ($92.8{\mu}g$; IQR, $40.0-155.0{\mu}g$) (P = 0.004). Pain level in the early postoperative stage (<3 hr) and incidence of PONV (0% vs. 55%) were also significantly lower in the ESPB group compared to the control (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Intermittent ESPB after total mastectomy reduces fentanyl consumption and early postoperative pain. ESPB is a good option for multimodal analgesia after breast surgery.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.12-23
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the aspects of the Korean medicine (KM) treatment among children with cerebral palsy (CP) according to the disease characteristics. Methods: In a prospective observational multicenter study for children with CP, we analyzed 78 baseline questionnaires of children having experience of KM treatments such as acupuncture and Korean herbal medicine and 43 follow-up data of children who have received KM during the one observation year. Results: Of all the 182 participants, 38 children were currently getting KM treatment and 40 children have discontinued KM treatment. Children with non-spastic CP and more health problems tended to use KM. The most frequent reason for quitting acupuncture therapy was 'suffering of children' and the highest reason of stopping herbal medicine was 'rejection of children'. Among the 133 participants finished one year follow-up, 43 children have received at least one KM treatment. The average number of acupuncture therapy was twice a week and the average monthly cost of acupuncture therapy and herbal medicine were 65,922 won and 476,003 won, respectively. Children under 32 month old have received significantly more acupuncture and children with non-spastic CP have taken significantly more herbal medicine. Conclusions: Further study will be required to confirm the effectiveness of KM and increase the utilization of KM among the children with CP. More efforts should be made to increase the convenience of acupuncture therapy and herbal medicine and to expand the insurance coverage of KM for children with CP.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.1139-1145
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• 2019

In order to efficiently use defined satellite network resources, it is a priority to understand the performance and usage of the network. In this paper, in order to analyze the operational efficiency and stability of the system in the satellite communication system operated by K-water flood forecast and alarm network, FTP and ping testing and network traffic analysis methods of measuring download and upload speed between central and observational countries were introduced. As a result of measuring the transmission speed by the introduced test method, the effects of TCP accelerators have been improved by 120% upon download from the observational station. Through the performance test and traffic analysis of the satellite hydrologic observation system introduced, environmental improvement and improvement points of the satellite communication system were derived so that the operational efficiency and stability of the communication network could be expected.

• Kosin Medical Journal
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.380-385
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• 2018

Objectives: Aminophylline has been used for prevention or treatment of apnea in preterm infants with idiopathic apnea of prematurity. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical usefulness of prophylactic in comparison with therapeutic aminophylline therapy. Methods: This retrospective observational study included infants born with a birth weight of < 2,500 g or at < 36 weeks of gestation. Infants born between August 2013 and July 2014 who received aminophylline therapy within 24 hr after birth were assigned to the prophylactic group, while infants born between August 2014 and July 2015 who received aminophylline therapy after obvious apnea were assigned to the therapeutic group. We compared clinical characteristics, including days of ventilator and oxygen therapy and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) between both groups. Results: Sixty-four patients and 25 infants were identified in the prophylactic and therapeutic groups, respectively. The mean gestational age and birth weight were $32.57{\pm}1.96weeks$ and $1765{\pm}205g$, respectively, in the prophylactic group and $32.46{\pm}1.82weeks$ and $1770{\pm}250g$, respectively, in the therapeutic group. No significant differences in clinical characteristics were found between the two groups. Similar clinical outcomes, including days of ventilator and oxygen therapy, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), periventricular leukomalacia, and BPD, were observed between the two groups. Conclusions: The present study showed that the prophylactic use of aminophylline does not improve the clinical outcomes, including BPD, IVH, and ventilator dependency as compared with therapeutic use. In other words, routine prophylactic use of aminophylline is unnecessary.