• International Journal of Costume and Fashion
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.53-64
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• 2013

Culture has played a pivotal role in fashion from time immemorial. The objective of this research is to explore the power of cultural affiliation in fashion. The selected study setting is the Kandyan Kingdom of Sri Lanka. The Kandyan Kingdom of Sri Lanka lasted almost 3 1/2 centuries from 1474-1815. The whole period faced different foreign cultural forces. As a result of such diverse cultural influences the Kandyan dress showed a hybrid formation of Western and South Indian and Sinhalese traditional sartorial features. Sewing techniques and unsewn dress arrangement methods were mixed together. The dress became an amazing blend of Eastern and Western dress items. They combined different aspects of foreign dress together to yield a unique result. The analysis comprises observational study of actual descriptions made by observer- participants, historical records, murals of the period review of ancient literature and research papers relevant to the subject. Reliability of the data was ensured. The pictorial data were cross checked from different literary sources. Many original sources were used. Results: Culture and fashion have strong interconnection. When features of culture change, trends of fashion are gradually correspondingly changed.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.264-270
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) presented in a tertiary medical center, characteristics of patients and results of the diagnostic work-up together with an outcome during the follow up. Methods: This was a retrospective, single center, observational study including all patients who were diagnosed with FGID based on Rome III criteria from January to December 2015 in tertiary medical center. Results: Overall 294 children were included (mean age, 8.9 years [range, 1-18 years]; 165 females). Majority had functional constipation (35.4%), followed by functional abdominal pain (30.6%), irritable bowel syndrome (17.0%), functional dyspepsia (12.6%), functional nausea (3.4%) and abdominal migraine (1.0%). Regression model found that only significant factor associated with improvement of symptoms is the establishment of the functional diagnosis at the first visit (hazard ratio, 2.163; 95% confidence inverval, 1.029-4.544). There was no association between improvement of symptoms and presence of alarm signs/symptoms (weight loss, nocturnal symptoms and severe vomiting) at diagnosis. Furthermore, in pain symptoms (functional abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia) no treatment positively correlated with pain improvement. Conclusion: Regardless of the initial diagnosis of FGID, positive diagnosis at the first visit increases a chance for resolution of symptoms.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7871-7874
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• 2015

Background: There is no consensus regarding the selection of treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after initial transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). This meta-analysis aimed to explore the survival benefit of hepatic resection after initial TACE for the treatment of HCC. Materials and Methods: We searched three major databases to identify all relevant papers comparing the outcomes of hepatic resection after initial TACE versus TACE alone for the treatment of HCC. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated to evaluate the survival benefit of hepatic resection after initial TACE over TACE alone. Results: Three of 2037 initially identified papers were included. All of them were cohort studies from Asia. There was a significantly better overall survival (OS) in patients undergoing hepatic resection after initial TACE than in those undergoing TACE alone (HR=0.63, 95%CI=0.52-0.76, P<0.00001). The heterogeneity among studies was not statistically significant (P=0.96; I2=0%). Conclusions: Hepatic resection could improve the OS of HCC patients treated with initial TACE. Further randomized controlled trials should be necessary to identify the target population for the sequential use of hepatic resection after initial TACE and to compare the outcomes between patients undergoing hepatic resection after initial TACE session versus those undergoing TACE alone.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.67-72
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• 2003

The basic objective of helioseismology is to determine the structure and the dynamics of the Sun by analysing the frequency spectrum of the solar oscillations. Accurate frequency measurements provide information that enables us to probe the solar interior structure and the dynamics. Therefore the frequency of the solar oscillation is the most fundamental and important information to be extracted from the solar oscillation observation. This is why many efforts have been put into the development of accurate data analysis techniques, as well as observational efforts. To test one's data analysis method, a realistic artificial data set is essential because the newly suggested method is calibrated with a set of artificial data with predetermined parameters. Therefore, unless test data sets reflect the real solar oscillation data correctly, such a calibration is likely incomplete and a unwanted systematic bias may result in. Unfortunately, however, commonly used artificial data generation algorithms insufficiently accommodate physical properties of the stochastic excitation mechanism. One of reason for this is that it is computaionally very expensive to solve the governing equation directly. In this paper we discuss the nature of solar oscillation excitation and suggest an efficient algorithm to generate the artificial solar oscillation data. We also briefly discuss how the results of this work can be applied in the future studies.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2017

Background: Generic medications are approved on the basis of bioequivalence with brand medications in healthy volunteers rather than the target population, there remains a substantial uncertainty regarding their clinical effectiveness and safety. The object of this paper is to compare the clinical equivalence of generic statin drugs in patients. Methods: Literature published before September 2016, which is indexed in PubMed, EMBASE, RISS, comparing generic to brand products in statins. Outcomes included blood lipid level, proportion of days covered (adherence), hospitalization and mortality. Results: 511 citations were screened, of which 11 studies met eligibility criteria (6 randomized clinical trials, 5 observational studies). Generic atorvastatin was clinical equivalent with brand drugs in blood lipid level (3 RCTs) and generic simvastatin was also clinical equivalent with brand drugs (2 RCTs). 2 of 3 studies reported no significant difference in proportion of days covered except 1 study which reported generic statin significantly enhance proportion of days covered (p<0.001). Hospitalization was no significant difference in all studies (p>0.05). 1 study reported that all cause of mortality was significantly low in generic drugs (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Published data on comparing clinical efficacy of generic and brand statins were insufficient in both quantity and quality. This systematic review suggests that additional studies on clinical equivalence and safety of generic medications in patients would be needed.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.55-64
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• 2018

Purpose: The ward division is a representative part of the hospital, where a variety of user activities are performed. Users can be broadly categorized as patients and carers, visitors, and medical staff (doctors and nurses). The relationship between these two is a major issue with ward planning as the patient's place of life centers around the hospital room and the task of the clinical workforce centers around the nursing station (NS). Against this backdrop, the study divides the ward units of the General Hospital of China into patient areas, medical team areas, supply areas, and public domain, with the focus on the ward areas affecting most significantly in the hospital patients. Methods: The theoretical advance studies of the standard ward unit are identified by the associated guidelines, articles, and documentation. Results: This study is a summary analysis of relevant regulations, reference literature, and drawing data from the target hospital. Further work is expected to be undertaken, including further surveys and observational surveys, to produce more detailed results. Implications: It is expected that the research in this paper will provide an effective reference for the future research of China General Hospital Ward department, so as to promote and improve the work system of China General Hospital Ward department.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.494-504
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurses' behaviors while soothing newborns with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Methods: An observational study was used to assess nurses' soothing behaviors. Data were collected from September, 2012 to March, 2013 using an audio-video recording system. Participants were eight babies and 12 nurses caring for those babies. After obtaining parental permission, the overall process of each episode from nurses' engagement in soothing to the end of soothing was recorded. Then a researcher interviewed each participating nurse. Data from 18 episodes were transcribed as verbal and nonverbal nursing behaviors and then categorized by two researchers. Results: There were 177 observed soothing behaviors which were classified with the five sensory-based categories (tactile, oral, visual, auditory, vestibular). Most frequently observed soothing behavior was 'Gently talking' followed by 'Removing irritant', and 'Providing non-nutritive sucking'. Nurses' perceived soothing behaviors were similar to the observed soothing behaviors except for 'Gently talking'. Conclusion: Nurses used diverse and mixed soothing behaviors as well as recognizing those behaviors as essential nursing skills. Nurses' soothing behaviors identified in this study can be used to comfort babies and to enhance their developmental potential in accordance with individual characterstics or cues.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.160-170
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• 2012

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude, correct metered dose inhaler (MDI) use and compliance with self management among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: The participants of this study consisted of 109 COPD patients who were outpatients in C and K hospital located in G city from March 1 to September 30th, 2010. Data were measured using self-administered questionnaires and observational checklist. The data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 18.0 program that included mean, standard deviation, ANOVA, Sheffe test, and Pearson's correlation. Results: There were significant relationships between knowledge and attitude (r=.33, $p$ <.001), between knowledge and correct MDI use (r=.37, $p$ <.001), and between knowledge and self-management compliance (r=.28, $p$=.003). There was significant relationship between attitude and self-management compliance (r=.33. $p$ <.001). In contrast, attitude was not significantly related to correct MDI use. Conclusion: The study showed that COPD knowledge and attitude of patients were related compliance in managing their disease. Therefore, strategies need to be utilized in education programs which would improve knowledge and subsequently improve attitude and compliance.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.100-104
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• 2011

Background: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a regional musculoskeletal pain disorder that is caused by myofascial trigger points. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of MPS among chronic back pain patients, as well as to identify risk factors and the outcome of this disorder. Methods: This was a prospective observational study involving 126 patients who attended the Pain Management Unit for chronic back pain between 1st January 2009 and 31st December 2009. Data examined included demographic features of patients, duration of back pain, muscle(s) involved, primary diagnosis, treatment modality and response to treatment. Results: The prevalence of MPS among chronic back pain patients was 63.5% (n = 80). Secondary MPS was more common than primary MPS, making up 81.3% of the total MPS. There was an association between female gender and risk of developing MPS ($x^2$ = 5.38, P = 0.02, O.R. = 2.4). Occupation, body mass index and duration of back pain were not significantly associated with MPS occurrence. Repeated measures analysis showed significant changes (P < 0.001) in Visual Analogue Score (VAS) and Modified Oswestry Disability Score (MODS) with standard management during three consecutive visits at six-month intervals. Conclusions: MPS prevalence among chronic back pain patients was significantly high, with female gender being a significant risk factor. With proper diagnosis and expert management, MPS has a favourable outcome.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.285-297
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze effectiveness of herbal medicine treatment on Dry Eye Syndrome. Methods : We analyze medical records of 114 patients who visited Indara oriental medical clinic for dry eye syndrome. Patients were treated with acupuncture and Inmok-tang, and the ocular surface disease index was evaluated before and after treatment. Results : Analysis of 114 medical records showed a significant decrease in the pre-treatment and post-treatment ocular surface disease index, and a statistically significant positive correlation between the duration of Inmok-tang administration and the change in the ocular surface disease index. Conclusions : Herbal medicine treatment with Inmok-tang reduces the Ocular Surface Disease Index, an indicator of subjective symptoms of dry eye syndrome.