Objective: To retrospectively compare the therapeutic effects of combined highintensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) with TACE alone for the treatment of non-advanced hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) ,5 cm. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the tumour responses of 32 HCCs of 25 patients who underwent combined HIFU and TACE, and 46 HCCs of 32 patients who underwent TACE only. The mean follow-up observation of the TACE+HIFU group was on average 31 months and that of the TACE group was 33 months. Those patients who had undergone any other treatment modality (including systemic chemotherapy) during the follow-up observation period were excluded. The therapeutic effects were classified according to the modified Response

Background:Loss of independence is a major concern for rural older adults. Older adults living inrural areas are at an increased nutritional risk, which can lead to functional impairments in self-care capacity.Identifying factors, which have a role in sustaining rural older adults’ self-care capacity, could help withmaintaining independence as long as possible. Objective:The objective of this study was to examine the effect ofsocial support as a moderator between nutritional risk and self-care capacity. Design:Cross sectional designusing convenient sampling. Setting:Rural Oklahoma counties designated as “non-metro” and having populationsunder 5,000. Participants:Participants included 171 community-dwelling older adults, 65 years of age and older.Measurements:Data were collected using self-report surveys on self-care capacity (using the Duke OlderAmericans Resources and Services Procedures), social support (using the Social Provisions Scale), andnutritional risk (using the Mini-Nutritional Assessment short form). Using hierarchical linear regressiontechniques, data were analyzed to explore the moderating influence of social support in the association betweennutritional risk and self-care capacity. Results:A significant interaction emerged between nutritional risk, socialsupport, and self-care capacity (β = 0.20 p < 0.05). Thus, the deleterious impact of nutritional risk on self-carecapacity was reduced by social support. Conclusions:Results provide further support of the “buffering-hypothesis” and have implications relative to the importance of accessible social provisions to enhance self-carecapacity and quality of life among older adults residing in rural settings.

Radiation exposure from diagnostic medical imaging has increased in Korea. Radiological societies play a key role in radiation safety issues in Korea, including guidelines, accreditation, advocacy, scientific activity, and education. Any medical radiation exposure must be justified, and examinations using ionising radiation must be optimised. Education of referring physicians and radiologists is also important for justification. Medical physicists and radiographers have an important role to play in quality management and optimisation. Regulations are essential to control medical radiation exposure. Therefore, national organisations have made a significant effort to regulate and monitor medical radiation exposure using guidelines, accreditation, and even the law. Medical radiation exposure must be controlled, and this could be achieved by continuous interest from health professionals and organisations.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of CK files as an ultrasonic instrument, and to determine most efficient file size for smear layer removal. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six extracted human mandibular premolars with single, straight root canals and mature apices were mechanically prepared and randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 (Control) underwent conventional needle irrigation, Group 2 (CKS) underwent passive ultrasonic irrigation with a #20 CK file, and Group 3 (CKL) underwent passive ultrasonic irrigation with a #30 CK file. After preparation and irrigation, all teeth were dried and split with a chisel to obtain the mesial and distal half of their roots. Each sample was evaluated using a scanning electron microscope, and data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney rank sum tests (p<0.05). Results: The CKS group showed less debris in the apical third than the other groups (p<0.05). In this section, no significant difference was observed among the other groups. And, there was no significant difference among any groups for the middle third section. Conclusion: This study showed that PUI with #20 CK file removed more smear layer compared to using #30 CK file at the apical third of the root canal.