• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2009

Objectives: This study was on the pharmaceutical components in purified ginseng total saponin (GTS), coisis semen (CS), the combination of these drugs, and the major component of coicis coixol for the prevention and treatment of obesity. Methods: In this study, to evaluate the effect on the suppression of obesity, high fat diet-induced obese rats were treating with the drugs, the effects on the balance of energy and diet activity were examined, and the change of weight, the change of the intake of diet, body fat rate, etc. were assessed. Results: The results demonstrate that in high fat diet-induced obese white rats, the combination treatment of ginseng total saponin and coicis was effective in suppression of weight gain, reduction of intake of food, and reduction of body fat. Conclusions: The results suggest that a combination treatment with major components of red ginseng total saponin and coicis may be used therapeutically for the suppression and treatment of obesity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.5153-5157
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• 2016

Objective: The benefits of screening and early detection of breast cancer, including reduced morbidity and mortality, have been well-reported in the literature. In 2011, a breast cancer screening program was launched in Meknes-Tafilalt region of Morocco. The aim of this study was to evaluate the early performance indicators of this program. Materials and Methods: This retrospective evaluative study was conducted between April 2012 and December 2014, in Meknes-Tafilalt region of Morocco. Several performance indicators of the breast cancer screening program were calculated: the compliance rate, the positivity rate, the referral rate, the cancer detection rate and the organizational indicators. Results: During 2012-2014, a total of 184,951 women participated in the breast cancer screening program. The compliance rate was 26%, the positive rate was 3.3%, the referral rate was 36.7%, and the cancer detection rate was 1.2 per 1,000 women. The median time between the date of clinical breast examination and the date of biopsy (or cyto-puncture) was 36 days. The median time between the date of positive mammography and the date of biopsy (or cyto-puncture) was 6 days. The median time between the date of clinical breast examination and the date of the first received treatment was 61 days. Conclusions: The program needs better monitoring, as well as implementation of quality assurance tools to improve performance in our country.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2875-2878
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• 2014

Background: Lung cancer is one of the commonest and most lethal cancers throughout the world. The majority of the patients present at advance stage and are not suitable for curative intent treatment. Even among patients with localized disease, there has been underutilization of curative treatment modalities. The aim of this study was to analyze the radical treatment utilization rates in patients with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated at our centre. Materials and Methods: We analyzed case records of 104 patients with a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of NSCLC having stage 1-3B disease who were treated at our centre over last 3 years, to assess the utilization of curative treatment modalities i.e. surgery or radical radiotherapy. Results: The median age of this cohort was 58 years. Out of 104 patients only 33 (31.7%) received curative intent treatment, 14 undergoing curative resection and 19 receiving radical doses of radiotherapy. The baseline characteristics of both the groups (with or without radical treatment) were not different. Major factors associated with underutilization with curative treatment were progressive disease or loss of follow up after chemotherapy and inappropriate use of TKI and/or palliative radiotherapy in patients with stage 1-3B disease. Patients who did not receive radical treatment had inferior PFS and OS than those who received radical treatment. Conclusions: In our practice we observed gross underutilization of curative intent treatment modalities in patients with NSCLCs which is associated with inferior survival.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.7331-7335
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• 2015

Background: Concurrent chemoradiation with three weekly high dose cisplatin is the non-surgical standard of care for the treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancers. Although this treatment regime is efficacious, it has high acute toxicity, which leads not only to increased treatment cost, but also to increased overall treatment time. Hence, the current study was undertaken to evaluate the acute toxicity and tumor response in head and neck cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation using $40mg/m^2$ weekly cisplatin, which has been our institutional practice. Materials and Methods: This single institution retrospective study included data for 287 head and neck cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation from 2012 to 2014. Results: The mean age of the patients was 48.8 years. The most common site of involvement was oral cavity. Most of the study patients presented with advanced stage disease. The mean overall treatment time was 56.9 days. Some 67.2% had overall complete response to treatment as documented till 90 days from the start of treatment. According to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) acute radiation morbidity scoring criteria, mucositis was seen in 95.1% of the patients. Dermatitis and emesis were observed in 81.9% and 98.6%, respectively. Regarding haematological toxicity, 48.8% and 29.6% suffered from anaemia and leukopenia, respectively, during treatment. Acute kidney injury was assessed using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), and was found in 18.8% of the patients. Conclusions: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with weekly cisplatin is an effective treatment regime for head and neck cancers with reasonable toxicity which can be used in developing countries, where cost of treatment is so important.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6381-6384
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• 2015

Background: The purpose of this retrospectively study was to examine the effectiveness and tolerability of a radiotherapy technique for the palliation of symptomatic liver metastases. Materials and Methods: Twentyseven patients with liver metastases were enrolled and received targeted whole liver irradiation consisting of mean 1, 8 Gy in five to twelve fractions to a total mean dose 17Gy. Symptoms at baseline were hepatic pain (26 patients), lost of weight (6), lack of appetite (2), and night sweats (1). Seventeen patients (63%) had failed previous treatment with chemotherapy and/or high-dose steroids. Results: Individual symptom response rates were 100% at 4 weeks. Partial or complete global symptomatic responses were noted in 11 patients (40%) after 2 months. After 3 months, 8 patients (28%) reported loss of pain. The treatment was well tolerated with one patient (3%) experiencing grade 3 toxicity (one vomiting and one diarrhoea). Overall the median survival time was 4.9 months (range 1 - 14 months). One year survival was 39%. Conclusions: This is simple and well-tolerated treatment but to achieve good palliation effects we should carefully selected patients whose conventional treatment does not bring good analgesic control.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2010

Objectives & Method : We investigated toxicity, poisoning symptoms, poisoning treatment and prevention against poisoning of mind-tranquilizing herbal medicines(安神藥) in order to use herbal medicines accurately. Result : Cinnabaris(朱砂), Zizyphi Spinosae Semen(酸棗仁), Polygalae Radix(遠志), Ganoderma(靈芝) and Polygoni Multiflori Ramulus(夜交藤) may give rise to some side effects or toxic symptoms in mind-tranquilizing herbal medicines(安神藥). The representative methods of poisoning treatment in western medicines are washing out the stomach, promotion of vomiting, causing diarrhea, supplies of grape sugar and symptomatic treatment, etc. The representative methods of poisoning treatment in oriental medicine take advantage of herbs. And Oriental medical doctor should meet symptoms as patients call for attention. In order to prevent against poisoning of mind-tranquilizing herbal medicines(安神藥), the patients should keep usage, dosage and notes and oriental medical doctors should do processing drugs. Conclusion : We should pay attention to clinical using of Cinnabaris(朱砂), Zizyphi Spinosae Semen(酸棗仁), Polygalae Radix(遠志), Ganoderma(靈芝) and Polygoni Multiflori Ramulus(夜交藤) in mind-tranquilizing herbal medicines(安神藥).

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.123-130
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• 2010

Objectives & Method：We investigated adverse symptoms, toxicity, treatment and prevention against adverse effects of restoratives for invigorating qi(補氣藥) in order to use herbal medicines accurately. Result：Ginseng Radix(人參), Codonopsis Pilosulae Radix(黨參), Panacis Quinquefolii Radix(西洋參), Astragali Radix(黃芪), Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba(白朮), Dioscoreae Rhizoma(山藥), Dolichoris Semen(白扁豆), Glycyrrhizae Radix(甘草), Jujubae Fructus(大棗) and Mel(蜂蜜) may give rise to some side effects, allergic reaction or toxic symptoms in restoratives for invigorating qi(補氣藥). The representative methods of poisoning treatment in western medicines are stopping medication, washing out the stomach, promotion of vomiting, causing diarrhea, supplies of grape sugar and symptomatic treatment, etc. The representative methods of poisoning treatment in oriental medicine take advantage of various herbs. And Oriental medical doctor should meet symptoms as patients call for attention. In order to prevent against poisoning of restoratives for invigorating qi(補氣藥), the patients should keep usage, dosage and notes. Conclusion：We should pay attention to clinical using of Ginseng Radix(人參), Codonopsis Pilosulae Radix(黨參), Panacis Quinquefolii Radix(西洋參), Astragali Radix(黃芪), Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba(白朮), Dioscoreae Rhizoma (山藥), Dolichoris Semen(白扁豆), Glycyrrhizae Radix(甘草), Jujubae Fructus(大棗) and Mel(蜂蜜) in restoratives for invigorating qi(補氣藥).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.16
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• pp.6587-6590
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• 2014

Objective: To further observe the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed, combined with Irinotecan or oxaliplatin or cisplatin in treating patients with advanced gastric cancer as second-line or third-line chemotherapy. Methods: From September 2013 to February 2014 we recruited 50 patients with advanced gastric cancer, with stage IV disease or postoperative recurrence, or unresectable. Then treated with pemetrexed based chemotherapy. After two cycles of treatment, efficacy and toxicity were evaluated. Results: Pemetrexed based chemotherapy was used as second-line in 33 patients, RR(CR+PR) is 41.2%. And achieved 36.4% when used as third-line. Overall response rate of 50 patients treated with Pemetrexed based treatment was 38% (CR+PR). Treatment related side effects were bone marrow suppression, vomiting, hepatic dysfunction and malaise.No treatment related death occurred. Conclusions: Treatment with pemetrexed based chemotherapy is active and is well tolerated in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3163-3166
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• 2015

Background: Patients with refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma are considered to have a very poor prognosis, and new regimens are needed to improve this setting. Pomalidomide is a new immunomodulatory drug with high in vitro potency. Immunomodulatory drugs are hypothesized to act through multiple mechanisms. Here we performed a systemic analysis to evaluate pomalidomide-based chemotherapy (pomalidomide in combination with low-dose dexamethasone) as salvage treatment for patients with refractory and relapsed multiple myeloma. Methods: Clinical studies evaluating the efffectiveness of pomalidomide based regimens on response and safety for patients with refractory and relapsed multiple myeloma were identified using a predefined search strategy. Pooled response rate (RR) of treatment were calculated. Results: For pomalidomide based regimens, 4 clinical studies which including 291 patients with refractory and relapsed multiple myeloma were considered eligible for inclusion. Systemic analysis suggested that, in all patients, pooled RR was 41.2% (120/291). Major adverse effects were hematologic toxicity, including grade 1 or 2 anemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia with pomalidomide based treatment. No treatment related death occurred. Conclusion: This pooled analysis suggests that pomalidomide in combination with low-dose dexamethasone is active with good tolerability in treating patients with refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Dental Administration
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.10-20
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• 2019

Korean dental hygienists perform more tasks in dental clinics than are described in the law. The purpose of this study was to investigate the actual work of Korean dental hygienists in dental clinics using an observational study design. Two dental hygienists observed and recorded the work performed in 1 day from the time of commencement to the time of leaving work by 18 dental hygienists working in the dental clinic in a single area. Data management, prevention of infection, counseling, calculus removal, radiography, assistance of fixed orthodontic treatment, assistance of fixed prosthetic treatment, and preparation for implant surgery were recorded. Among the tasks that take more than 1 min, the most time-consuming tasks were document management, infection control, consultation, calculus removal, preparation for implant surgery, assistance of orthodontic treatment, and assistance of fixed prosthetic treatment. Korean dental hygienists are performing various tasks, such as infection control, dental hospital/clinic management, oral disease prevention, and dental treatment assistants.