The role of radiation therapy (RT) in cancer management has grown remarkably during the past few decades. For successful RT, the most important factor is highly conformal radiation delivery focused to the tumor-bearing region while minimizing the surrounding normal tissue damage. RT has evolved from 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional techniques to intensity modulated RT (IMRT) along with the development of computer science and mechanical engineering. IMRT is a special form of 3-dimensional conformal RT techniques, by which the intensities of radiation coming though the beamlets are modulated so that conformal radiation dose distribution around the tumor-bearing region is achieved. IMRT has been covered by the Korean health insurance system since July 2001. The basic principles and process of IMRT are introduced.
Fibrinogen ; Insurance, Health

A profession is characterized by advanced theoretical and systematic knowledge, which can provide that profession with autonomy and authority. This paper examines the factors affecting the realization of complete professional autonomy such as the market and capital, patients, and the state. The primary factor of weak autonomy is due to the undifferentiated interests of professionalism from the influence of capital. The second factor is the ineffective system of self-regulation over physician behavior. The third factor is the underdevelopment of medical values, which could override the current conflicts between physicians and the state.
Fibrinogen ; Humans ; Professional Autonomy

OBJECTIVE: The aim here is to examine the factorial structure, internal consistency, and concurrent validity of the Korean version of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (K-ASI-3) in student samples in Korea. Also, we investigated the cross-cultural differences in the Social Concerns factor. METHODS: K-ASI-3 was administered to non clinical samples in Korea. Internal consistency, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were undertaken to examine the factorial structure and reliability of the K-ASI-3. RESULTS: Results from CFA comparing our data to factor solutions commonly reported as representative of European-American samples indicated an adequate fit. The K-ASI-3 showed good performance on the indices of internal consistency and concurrent validity. In addition, using regression analyses, we found the Social Concerns factor is most strongly related to life satisfaction and worry. However, we found no evidence that Korean college students express more Social Concerns than their European Caucasian counterparts. CONCLUSION: The authors demonstrate that the K-ASI-3 has highly internally consistent and psychometrically sound items, and that it reliably measures three lower-order domains assessing Physical, Social, and Cognitive Concerns.
Anxiety ; Fibrinogen ; Humans ; Korea

No abstract available.
Blood Coagulation Factors* ; Fibrinogen*

No abstract available.
Blood Coagulation Factors* ; Fibrinogen*

No abstract available.
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation* ; Fibrinogen*

PURPOSE: To find the most effective treatments in cystic diseases of soft tissue using three different treatment modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed three different treatment modalities-curative excision, incision & steroid injection, and aspiration & human fibrinogen injection-in 75 patients from June 1997 to May 1998 and followed up for at least one year. We analyzed the recurrence rate and patients' satisfaction according to their treatment modalities. We used the Fischer's exact test (P=0.05) to evaluate the results. RESULTS: In curative excision 4 of 23 patients (18%) were recurred, 6 of 14 patients (43%) were recurred in incision & steroid injection, and 20 of 36 patients (56%) in aspiration & human fibrinogen injection, and it was meaningfully different in statistics. 16 of 23 patients (70%) were satisfied with the result in curative excision, 4 of 14 patients (29%) in steroid injection, and 11 of 36 patients (31%) in aspiration & human fibrinogen injection, and it was also different in statistics. Recurrence was the most popular reason of dissatisfaction. CONCLUSION: This study showed that curative excision was the most effective cure method. Because both incision & steroid injection and aspiration & human fibrinogen injection method were easier to perform, cosmetically preferable and much cheaper in cost, these two methods would be recommended before surgical intervention.
Fibrinogen ; Humans ; Recurrence

The purpose of this study has been performed to investigate the possibility of external audit program using thermoluminescence dosimetry for electron beam in korea. The TLD system consists of LiF powder, type TLD-700 read with a PCL 3 reader. In order to determine a calibration coefficient of the TLD system, the reference dosimeters are irradiated to 2 Gy in a (60)Co beam at the KFDA The irradiation is performed under reference conditions is water phantom using the IAEA standard holder for TLD of electron beam. The energy correction factor is determined for LiF powder irradiated of dose to water 2 Gy in electron beams of 6, 9, 12, 16 and 20 MeV (Varian CL 2100C). The dose is determined according to the IAEA TRS-398 and by measurement with a PTW Roos type plane-parallel chamber. The TLD for each electron energy are positioned in water at reference depth. In this study, to verify of the accuracy of dose determination by the TLD system are performed through a 'blind' TLD irradiation. The results of blind test are 2.98%, 3.39% and 0.01% (1sigma) at 9, 16, 20 MeV, respectively. The value generally agrees within the acceptance level of 5% for electron beam. The results of this study prove the possibility of the TLD quality assurance program for electron beams. It has contributed to the improvement of clinical electron dosimetry in radiotherapy centers.
Calibration ; Fibrinogen ; Korea ; Radiotherapy ; Water

The thickness of the part being irradiated is finite. Percent depth dose tables being used routinely are generally obtained from dosimetry in a phantom much thickner than usual patient. At or close to exit surface, the dose should be less than that obtained from the percent depth dose tables, because of insufficient volume for backscattering. To know the difference between the true absorbed dose and the dose obtained from percent depth dose table, the doses at or close to the exit surface were measured with plate type ionization chamber with volume of 0.5ml. The results are as follows; 1. In the case of 60Co, percent depth dose at a given depth increases with underlying phantom thickness up to the 5cm. 2. In the case of 60Co, the dose correction factor at exit surface which is less than 1, increases with part thickness and decreases with field size. 3. Exposure time may not be corrected when the part above 10cm in thickness is treated by 60Co. 4. In the case of 10MV x-ay, the dose correction factor is nearly 1 and constant for the underlying phantom thickness and field size, so the correction of monitor unit is not necessary for part thickness.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra* ; Fibrinogen ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo analyze the phenotype and genotype of a family with inherited dysfibrinogenemia.

METHODSAssays of coagulation, including activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT) and thrombin time (TT), were carried out with Stago Compact in the proband and his family members. The activity and antigen of fibrinogen in plasma were determined by Clauss and immunoturbidimetry, respectively. Fibrinogen and its constituent were analyzed by Western blot with nonreducing 4%-20% SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). All exons and exon-intron boundaries of fibringen genes FGA, FGB and FGG were analyzed by PCR and then direct sequencing.

RESULTSThe proband had normal APTT and PT, but prolonged TT. The activity of fibrinogen in plasma was decreased while its antigen level was normal. These abnormalities were also found in his mother and a sister. Genetic analysis revealed heterozygous G1233A in the exon 2 of FGA originating from his mother, which resulted in Arg16His missense mutation.

CONCLUSIONInherited dysfibrinogenemia was caused by Arg16His mutation in exon 2 of FGA, and this is the first case reported in a Chinese family.