• Journal of the Korea Society for Simulation
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.139-147
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• 2013

This paper proposes a novel method for feature selection for mass spectrometric proteomic data based on Random Forest. The method includes an effective preprocessing step to filter a large amount of redundant features with high correlation and applies a tournament strategy to get an optimal feature subset. Experiments on three public datasets, Ovarian 4-3-02, Ovarian 7-8-02 and Prostate shows that the new method achieves high performance comparing with widely used methods and balanced rate of specificity and sensitivity.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.124-129
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• 1996

Oral application of dimethyl sulfoxide in different concentration (1, 3 and 5 percent) to silkworm, Bomyx mori at the fourth and the fifth instar has significantly increased the commercial characters such as larval and silkgland weights, female and male cocoon weights, their shell weights and egg production. However, larval duration, cocooning and hatching percentages did not showed any significant change, as compared with that of the corresponding parameters of the carrier control. Similarly the glycogen and protein contents of the fat body and trehalose and protein contents of the haemolymph were significantly increased in 1 and 3 percent, whereas the increase of them in 5 percent concentration did not take place significantly, except haemolymph trehalose where it was found to be significant, as compared with that of carrier control.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.29-37
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to identify the distribution of non-ortho and mono-ortho PCB congeners and homologues in adipose tissues and sera of women with breast cancer. The collected samples were 25 adipose tissues and 33 sera from women with breast cancer. The samples from the control group were 49 adipose tissues and 52 sera. The levels of three non-ortho and eight mono-ortho PCBs identified in adipose tissue and serum samples were determined by GC/MSD and GC/ECD analyses. Non-ortho and mono-ortho PCB congeners were more dominant in the control group than in the case group for serum samples. The Tetra-PCB and the Hexa-, Hepta-PCB were more dominant in tale and control groups, respectively. The level of PCB homologues in normal women was similar to that of the normal human milk samples. However, the levels of PCB homologues from breast cancer patients were almost same the level of sample from environment. As a result of this study, it is suggested that breast cancer could be related to environmental factors such as PCB level in stack gas and soil sample. More extended research should be to verify this result.

• The Korean Journal of Medicine
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• v.93 no.6
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• pp.571-574
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• 2018

Nivolumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor approved for the treatment of metastatic cancers. Here, we report the case of a 65-year-old male with recurrent renal cell carcinoma. After six cycles of nivolumab treatment, positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was performed to evaluate the response. PET/CT revealed diffuse ground glass opacities in both lungs. He developed a cough, sputum, chills, and a febrile sense. After bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage, pneumocystis pneumonia was finally diagnosed.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2021

Thyroid cancer refers to various cancers arising from thyroid gland. Differentiated thyroid cancers (DTCs) include papillary, follicular, and Hurthle cell carcinomas and represent cancers retain normal thyroid functions such as iodine uptake. Radioactive iodine (RAI) is generally used for upfront treatment of metastatic DTCs, but RAI refractory DTCs remain to be clinical challenges. Sorafenib and lenvatinib were approved for the treatment of RAI refractory DTCs and more recently, genomics-based targeted therapies have been developed for NTRK and RET gene fusion-positive DTCs. Poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid cancers (ATCs) are extremely challenging diseases with aggressive courses. BRAF/MEK inhibition has been proven to be highly effective in BRAF V600E mutation-positive ATCs and immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising activities. Medullary thyroid cancers, which arise from parafollicular cells of thyroid, represent a unique subset of thyroid cancer and mainly driven by RET mutation. In addition to vandetanib and cabozantinib, highly specific RET inhibitors such as selpercatinib and pralsetinib have demonstrated impressive activity and are in clinical use.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.115-128
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to understand the experiences of women under 40 years of age with gynecologic cancer. Methods: Semi-structured individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 Korean female patients aged 21~39 years with gynecologic cancer. The data were analyzed using Corbin and Strauss' grounded theory approach, including open coding, context analysis, and integrating categories. Results: Grounded theory analysis revealed nine categories and a core category of 'the journey to find my life after losing the life as a typical woman.' The categories that emerged as the conditions are 'Unwelcomed guest, cancer,' 'Completely devastated life as an ordinary woman,' 'Uncertain future,' 'Losing my physical characteristics as a woman,' and 'Life tied with treatments.' The actions/interactions were 'Decrease of interpersonal relationships,' 'A lonely battle to overcome alone,' and 'The power to overcome hardships.' The consequence was 'Live my own life.' Conclusion: This study contributes to the development of a substantive theory of the experience of gynecologic cancer in young women, which has been on the rise in recent years. The study's results are expected to be used as a basis for providing nursing care to help young women with gynecologic cancer adapt to their disease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1199-1213
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• 1998

Background : The number of immunocompromised hosts has been increasing steadily and a new pulmonary infiltrate in these patients is a potentially lethal condition which needs rapid diagnosis and treatment. In this study we sought to examine the clinical manifestations, radiologic findings, and therapeutic outcomes of pulmonary mycoses presenting as a new pulmonary infiltrate in immunocompromised hosts. Method : All cases presenting as a new pulmonary infiltrate in immunocompromised hosts and confirmed to be pulmonary mycoses by pathologic examination or by positive culture from a sterile site between October of 1996 and April of 1998 were included in the study and their chart and radiologic findings were retrospectively reviewed. Results : In all, 14 cases of pulmonary mycoses from 13 patients(male : female ratio = 8 : 5, median age 47 yr) were found. Twelve cases were diagnosed as aspergillosis while two were diagnosed as mucormycosis. Major risk factors for fungal infections were chemotherapy for hematologic malignancy(10 cases) and organ transplant recipients(4 cases). Three cases were receiving empirical amphotericin B at the time of appearance of new lung infiltrates. Cases in the hematologic malignancy group had more prominent symptoms : fever(9/10), cough(6/10), sputum(5/10), dyspnea(4/10), chest pain(5/10). Patients in the organ transplant group had minimal symptoms(p<0.05). On simple chest films, all of the cases presented as single or multiple nodules(6/14) or consolidations(8/14). High resolution computed tomograph showed peri-lesional ground glass opacities(14/14), pleural effusions(5/14), and cavitary changes(7/14). Definitive diagnostic methods were as follows : 10 cases underwent minithoracotomy, 2 underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, 1 underwent percutaneous needle aspiration and 1 case was diagnosed by culture of abscess fluid. All cases received treatment with amphotericin B with 1 case each being treated with liposomal amphotericin B and itraconazole due to renal toxicity. Lung lesion improved in 12 of 14 patient but 4 patients died before completing therapy. Conclusion : When a new lung infiltrate develops presenting either as a nodule or consolidation in a neutropenic patient with hematologic malignancy or in a transplant recipient, you should always consider pulmonary mycoses as one of the differential diagnosis. By performing aggressive work up and early treatment, we may improve prognosis of these patients.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.303-313
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• 2003

General information is summarized, that is necessary to introduce a scientific assessment of the human health and exposure issue concerning dioxin and dioxin-like compound. Scientific literatures were reviewed to assess the background exposures to the dioxin-like compounds for normal residents. Epidemiologic studies were also reviewed to assess malignant and nonmalignant sweets of dioxins. In 1997, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) as a human carcinogen, primarily based on occupational cohort studies. The US Environmental Protection Agency made the same decision in it's Draft Dioxin Reassessment. Epidemiologic evidences point to a generalized excess of all cancers, without any pronounced excess at specific sites. Reported non-cancer effects included a range of conditions affecting most systems. Among them, chloracne, elevation in gamma glutamyl transferase(GGT), and alterations in reproductive hormones are related to TCDO, Other adverse outcomes, such as lipid concentrations, diabetes, circulatory and heart diseases, immunologic disorders, neurobehavioral effects, and developmental outcomes require further study before their respective relationships to TCDD can be more definitively assessed.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.57-65
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• 2014

Purpose: Since most terminally ill cancer patients die of multiple organ failure, plasma endotoxin concentration levels may be used to predict the life expectancy. This study was performed to evaluate the clinical significance of endotoxin level in plasma as a prognostic factor for survival in patients with terminal cancer. Methods: This study was conducted with 56 terminally ill cancer patients, above 20 years old, from April 2009 through October 2009. Demographic characteristics, Karnofsky performance status, and survival time were evaluated. We analyzed blood levels of white blood cell hemoglobin, hematocrit, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, c-reactive protein, total bilirubin and endotoxin in each patient. Results: We considered following variable for univariate analysis: plasma endotoxin level, sex, age, WBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, AST, ALT, total bilirubin, CRP and severity of pain. Univariate analysis did not show a significant association between plasma endotoxin level and survival time. However, in a multivariate analysis with factors that were found to be significantly associated with survival sex, WBC count and total bilirubin level in univariate analysis, high levels of plasma endotoxin and short survival time were significantly related. Conclusion: Plasma endotoxin level could be used as a prognostic factor to predict the life expectancy of terminally ill cancer patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.11
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• pp.1211-1216
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• 2008

Purpose : Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a rare heterogeneous genetic disorder of infancy and early childhood. It is characterized by red cell aplasia, congenital anomalies, and a predisposition to cancer. Corticosteroids and red cell transfusions are the mainstays of therapy. We describe our experience of 6 cases of DBA that were encountered over a period of 16 years. Methods : Medical records of 6 patients diagnosed to have DBA and admitted to the Chonnam National University Hospital between 1992 and 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Results : Three patients were males. The age at diagnosis ranged from 3 to 18 months (median, 5.5 months). Heart defects were observed in 4, polydactyly in 2, and strabismus in 1 patient. The median number of transfusions was 3 (range, 2-8). All patients responded to initial treatment with steroids and had a hemoglobin level ${\geq}9g/dL$ with a median of 12.5 days (range, 7-22 days). Three patients are currently not receiving steroid therapy. A minimum dose of oral prednisolone (<5 mg per day) was required to maintain hemoglobin ${\geq}9mg/dL$ in 3 cases. Red cell transfusion was infrequently required in 1 patient. In the median follow-up of 14 years, there was no development of malignancy. No significant side effects of steroids were found, except for short stature in 2. Conclusion : The majority of DBA patients achieved complete response and under maintenance therapy with low dose of steroids. Close observation is needed to monitor steroid side effects, cardiac function, and development of malignancy. A nation-wide survey is necessary to further characterize this rare disease in Korean children.