• Speech Sciences
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.139-156
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• 2001

Speech intelligibility in patients with complete dentures is an important clinical problem depending on the material used. The objective of this study was to investigate the speech of two edentulous subjects fitted with a complete maxillary prosthesis made of two different palatal materials: chrome-cobalt alloy and acrylic resin. Three patients with complete dentures in the experiment group and ten people in the controls groups participated in the experiment. CSL, Visi-Pitch were used to measure speech characteristics. The test words consisted of a simple vowel /e/, meaningless three syllabic words containing fricative, affricated and stops sounds, and sustained fricative sounds /s/ and /$\int$/. The analysis speech parameters were vowel and lateral formants, VOT, sound durations, sound pressure level and fricative frequency. Data analysis was conducted by a series of paired T-test. The findings like the following: (1) Vowel formant one of patients with complete denture is higher than that of the control group (p<0.05), while lateral formant three of patients with complete denture is lower than that of the control group (p<0.0l). (2) Patients with complete denture produced lower speech intelligibility with low fricative frequency (/$\int$/) than control group (p<0.0). The speech intelligibility of patients with metal prosthesis was higher than that of those with resin prosthesis (p<0.05). (3) Fricative, lateral and stop sound durations of patients with complete denture were longer than those of the control group (p<0.01 and p<0.05), respectively. Total sound durations of patients with metal prosthesis were similar to that of the control group (p<0.05), while those with resin prosthesis had a shorter duration (p<0.01). This implied that those with metal prosthesis had higher speech intelligibility than those with resin prosthesis. (4) Patients with complete denture had higher sound pressure levels /t/ and /c/ than the control group (p<0.01). However, sound pressure levels for /c/ of patients with metal prosthesis or resin prosthesis was similar to the control group (p<0.05). (5) Patients with complete denture had higher fundamental frequency than the control group (p<0.01).

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.121-131
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• 2009

Intestinal malrotation presents with different clinical characteristics, depending upon the age of the patient. The medical records of 44 patients treated for intestinal malrotation with/without midgut volvuls between January 2002 and August 2009 at Seoul National University Children's Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were grouped by the age criteria of 1 and 12 months. Fourteen patients were under 1 month of age (31.8 %), 9 patients between 1 month and 12 months (20.5 %) and 21 patients over 12 months (47.7 %). Twenty patients (45.5 %) presented with volvulus. Vomiting (66 %) and abdominal pain (20 %) were the most common symptoms. UGIS (68.2 %) was the most frequent diagnostic tool. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 13.7 days. There were 7 mild postoperative complications. Volvulus was more frequent in patients under 1 month (p=0.025) than over 1 month. The interval between diagnosis and operation was shorter in patients under 1 month (p=0.003) than in patients over one month of age. In the age between under and over 12 months, volvulus was more common in those under 12 months of age, but the difference was not significant. The interval from diagnosis to operation was shorter in patients under 12 months than over 12 months of age (p=0.001). Vomiting was the most frequent symptom in patients under 12 months. On the other hand, abdominal pain was the most frequent symptom in patients over 12 months. In conclusion, patients with intestinal malrotation had age-related differences in the presence of midgut volvulus, the interval between diagnosis and operation, and clinical symptoms. The age of the patient should be considered in order to determine adequate treatment of malrotation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2022

Purpose: This study sought to compare the characteristics of patients with pathogen-positive and negative cultures, and to investigate factors predicting pathogen-positive culture results in patients of acute poisoning with suspected aspiration. Methods: Consecutive patients with acute poisoning admitted to an intensive care unit between January 2016 and December 2018 were retrospectively studied. Respiratory specimens were collected from the enrolled patients at the time of the suspected aspiration. We compared the characteristics of patients with pathogen-positive and negative culture results and analyzed the causative pathogens. Results: Among the 526 patients, 325 showed no clinical features that could be attributed to aspiration, and 201 patients had clinical features suggestive of aspiration. Of these, 113 patients had pathogen-positive culture, 61 were negative, and the specimens of 27 patients contained poor-quality sputum. In univariate analysis, patients with a positive culture showed a longer time to culture from ingestion (p=0.01), faster heart rate (p=0.01), and higher partial pressure of arterial oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO₂/FiO₂) (p=0.02) than patients with negative culture. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that PaO₂/FiO₂ (adjusted odd ratio, 1.005; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.002-1.008; p=0.005) was a significant risk factor for pathogen-positive culture. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of PaO₂/FiO₂ was 0.591 (95% CI, 0.510-0.669, p=0.05). Gram-negative pathogens (GNPs) were predominant and at least one GNP was observed in 84 (73.3%) patients among those with pathogen positive culture. Conclusion: We failed to find any clinical factors associated with positive culture results. Antibiotics that cover GNPs could be considered when deciding the initial antibiotic regimen at the time of suspected aspiration.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.13
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• pp.5433-5438
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• 2015

Background: Systemic chemotherapy for patients with metastatic gastric cancer (MGC) is generally palliative, although some patients experience long-term survival after treatment. Thus, we identified clinical characteristics that are associated with long-term survival of patients with MGC after palliative chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 514 MGC patients who received systemic chemotherapy at our institution from 2001 to 2008. To identify clinical predictors of survival beyond 2 years, multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, and 5-year survival rates were estimated among MGC patients following chemotherapy. Results: Among 514 patients, 96 (19%) and 16 (3%) survived beyond 2 and 5 years, respectively, and performance status of 0 or 1 (odds ratio [OR]=3.39; p=0.01), previous gastrectomy (OR=1.86; p=0.01), single metastatic site (OR=1.80; p=0.03), and normal alkaline phosphatase levels (OR=2.81; p<0.01) were identified as independent predictors of long-term survival. Of the 16 5-year survivors, six were alive at the end of the study and showed no evidence of disease despite cessation of chemotherapy. Conclusions: The present data demonstrate distinct clinical characteristics that are associated with long-term survival of MGC patients, and indicated that palliative chemotherapy can be curative in highly selected patients.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.23-32
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to examine the level of the cognitive function, and to identify the influencing factors on cognitive function in women cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. This study attempted to provide basic data useful to development of nursing intervention and improve the quality of life in women cancer patients. Methods : As a cross-sectional descriptive study, women with receiving chemotherapy above one cycle were recruited. One hundred and twenty-five women cancer patients who met the study criteria agreed to participate in the study. The questionnaire set consisted of cognitive function, quality of life, depression, anxiety and information on demographic and clinical characteristics. Results : There was no statistically significant difference in clinical characteristics according to the cognitive function. The cognitive function was higher the more low age (F=9.937, p<.001), and the more high education level (F=12.332, p<.001). Multiple regression analysis showed the predictors were significantly related to cognitive function. age, education, and the number of chemotherapy explained 31.8% of the cognitive function. Conclusions : This result of this study provides basic information about factors influencing cognitive function, although study findings are insufficient in explaining related variables among women cancer patients. Even though women cancer patients were receiving chemotherapy, this study showed that the level of cognitive function was high. In order to receive better results and findings the period decreasing cognitive function, further studies are need to measure cognitive function according to the passage of time during or after chemotherapy.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.96-102
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: Temporal bone fracture (TBF) is a common occurrence in cases of head trauma. Although the incidence of temporal bone concussion (TBC) has increased in cases of head trauma, it has not been extensively studied. We assessed the characteristics of TBF and TBC in patients with head trauma. Subjects and Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 432 patients with head injury who visited our hospital between January 2011 and April 2016. Of these patients, 211 who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Their clinical characteristics, causes of injury, and hearing function were analyzed. Results: Among the 211 patients, 157 had TBFs and 54 had TBCs. Ear symptoms were more common among patients with TBF than among those with TBC. Car accidents were the most common cause of both TBF and TBC, but assault and sports injuries were more common among patients with TBC than among those with TBF. The occurrence of facial palsy in both cases of TBF and TBC. Hearing loss was observed among 35 patients with TBF and 11 patients with TBC. However, patients with TBF showed conductive hearing loss with an air-bone gap. Hearing function of these patients with TBF recovered with a reduced air-bone gap, but the patients with TBC showed little recovery. Conclusions: Emergency physicians should focus more on temporal bone injury in patients with head trauma. Therefore, an early complete diagnostic battery, which includes high-resolution computed tomography, audiometric tests, neurologic examination, and vestibular tests, be performed in patients with head trauma.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.96-102
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: Temporal bone fracture (TBF) is a common occurrence in cases of head trauma. Although the incidence of temporal bone concussion (TBC) has increased in cases of head trauma, it has not been extensively studied. We assessed the characteristics of TBF and TBC in patients with head trauma. Subjects and Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 432 patients with head injury who visited our hospital between January 2011 and April 2016. Of these patients, 211 who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Their clinical characteristics, causes of injury, and hearing function were analyzed. Results: Among the 211 patients, 157 had TBFs and 54 had TBCs. Ear symptoms were more common among patients with TBF than among those with TBC. Car accidents were the most common cause of both TBF and TBC, but assault and sports injuries were more common among patients with TBC than among those with TBF. The occurrence of facial palsy in both cases of TBF and TBC. Hearing loss was observed among 35 patients with TBF and 11 patients with TBC. However, patients with TBF showed conductive hearing loss with an air-bone gap. Hearing function of these patients with TBF recovered with a reduced air-bone gap, but the patients with TBC showed little recovery. Conclusions: Emergency physicians should focus more on temporal bone injury in patients with head trauma. Therefore, an early complete diagnostic battery, which includes high-resolution computed tomography, audiometric tests, neurologic examination, and vestibular tests, be performed in patients with head trauma.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.478-484
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• 2007

Purpose: Multiple symmetric lipomatosis (MSL) is a relatively rare disorder characterized by presence of multiple, symmetric, nonencapsulated fat masses in face, neck, shoulder and other areas. There has been only a few cases reported in Korea. The main purpose of this research is to examine the Korean patients to see what kinds of special characteristics occurred due to this disease and to decide the proper treatment.Methods: A total of 16 patients were evaluated retrospectively. 5 patients were treated at our hospital. The other patients were reviewed from literature. We analyzed the biological characters of patients, location of fat deposit, morphologic characters of patients, clinical evidence of neuropathy, associated metabolic disorders and treatment modality.Results: All cases were male patient. The mean age of onset was 47.43 years. All patients were moderate to heavy alcoholics. The most common location of fat deposition was posterior neck and abdomen. In neurologic exam of 9 patients, 5 patients showed muscle weakness, tremor, pain and autonomic nerve dysfunction. In metabolic studies of 9 patients, total cholesterol values were higher in 1 patient. A glucose tolerance test was abnormal in 1 patient. In treatment modality, 14 patients were treated with surgical resection, 1 patient was treated with liposuction and surgical excision, 1 patient was treated only with liposuction. Conclusion: To treat MSL patients successfully, we should concentrate not only on the removal of the fatty tissue but also on neurologic abnormities, metabolic disorders and associated diseases.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.52-64
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the utilization of health care of patients with lung cancer in Korea and identify determinants of these patients' health care utilization. Methods: This was a descriptive analytical study. The national medical fees claims data of patients with lung cancer were used. Using SPSS Statistics 20, the ${\chi}^2$-test and logistic regression were performed to determine the factors influencing health care utilization. Results: There were significant differences by sex, age, disease type, stage, comorbidity index, region of institutions, and type of institutions in the utilization of surgical procedures; by age, disease type, stage, comorbidity index, region of institutions, and type of institutions in the utilization of chemotherapy; and by age, stage, comorbidity index, region of institutions, and type of institutions in the utilization of radiotherapy. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that democratic and clinical characteristics of patients as well as institutional characteristics affect health care utilization of patients with lung cancer. Additional research is needed to determine the factors influencing health care utilization of patients with lung cancer.

• Speech Sciences
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.87-97
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to analyze the speech duration in Korean-speaking aphasics. Five patients with nonfluent aphasia (2 with traumatic brain injury and 3 with strokes) and five normal adults participated in this experiment. The mean age in patients with nonfluent aphasia was $45.8\pm2.3$ years and $47.4\pm2.3$ years for the normal adults. The Computerized Speech Lab was used to evaluate the acoustic characteristics of the subjects. Voice onset time, vowel duration, total duration, hold and consonant duration were evaluated for the monosyllabic and the polysyllabic words. The patients with nonfluent aphasia did not show the voicing bar on hold area, however, it was seen in the normal persons in the intervocalic position. Explosion duration of glottalized stops in the intervocalic position was significantly prolonged in nonfluent aphasics in comparison with the normal persons. This suggestes that the laryngeal adjustment is disturbed in these patients. Consonant duration, vowel duration, and total duration of the polysyllabic words were significantly longer in the patients with nonfluent aphasia than those of the normal persons. These results demonstrate the disturbances in controlling articulatory muscles during sound production in patients with nonfluent aphasia. The objective and quantitative analysis based on the acoustic characteristics of nonfluent aphasics, will be very useful in therapeutic planning and on the the effects of speech therapy.