• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.136-140
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• 1999

Purpose : Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a useful tumor marker, which is widely used as a diagnostic index and predictor of both treatment and follow-up result in prostate cancer. A prospective analysis was carried out to obtain the period of PSA normalization and the half life of PSA and to analyze the factors influencing the period of PSA normalization. The PSA level was checked before and serially after radical radiotherapy. Materials and Method : Twen쇼 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer who underwent radical external beam radiotherapy were enrolled in this study. Accrual period was from April 1993 to May 1998. Median follow-up period was 20 months. Radiotherapy was given to whole pelvis followed by a boost to prostate. Dose range for the whole pelvis was from 45 Gy to 50 Gy and boost dose to prostate, from 14 Gy to 20 Gy. The post-irradiation PSA normal value was under 3.0 ng/ml. The physical examination and serum PSA level evaluation were performed at 3 month interval in the first one year, and then at every 4 to 6 months. Results : PSA value was normalized in nineteen patients (95%) within 12 months. The mean period of PSA normalization was 5.3 (${\pm}$2.7) months. The half life of PSA Of the nonfailing patients was 2.1 (${\pm}$0.9) month. The nadir PSA level Of the nonfailing Patients waS 0.8 (${\pm}$0.5) ng/ml. The period of PSA normalization had the positive correlation with pretreatment PSA level (R$^{2}$=0.468). The nadir PSA level had no definite positive correlation with the pretreatment PSA level (R$^{2}$=0.075). The half life of serum PSA level also had no definite correlation with pretreatment PSA level (R$^{2}$=0.029). Conclusion :The PSA level was mostly normalized within 8 months (85%). If it has not normalized within 12 months, we should consider the residual disease in prostate or distant metastasis. In 2 patients, the PSA level increased 6 months or 20 months before clinical disease was detected. So the serum PSA level can be used as early diagnostic indicator of treatment failure.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2002

Core-shell polymers of methyl methacrylate/styrene pair were prepared by sequential emulsion polymerization in the presence of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate(SDBS) as an emulsifier using ammonium persulfate(APS) as an initiator. The characteristics of these core-shell polymers were evaluated. Core-shell composite latex has the both properties of core and shell components in a particle, where as polymer blonds or copolymers show a combined properties from the physical properties or two homopolymers. This unique behavior of core-shell composite latex can be used in many industrial fields. However, in preparation of core-shell composite latex, several unexpected phenomina are observed, such as, particle coagulation, low degree of polymerization, and formation of new particles during shell polymerization. To solve the disadvantages, we studied the effects of surfactant concentrations, initiator concentrations, and reaction temperature on the tore-shell structure or PMMA/PSt and PSt/PMMA. Particle size and particle size distribution were measured by using particle size analyzer, and the morphology of the core-shell composite latex was observed by using transmission electron microscope. Glass transition temperature($T_g$) was also measured by using differential scanning calorimeter. To identify the core-shell structure, pH of the composite latex solutions were measured.