• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6449-6453
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• 2014

Background: Prior studies showed a relationship between serum albumin and the albumin to globulin ratio with different types of cancer. We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the albumin-globulin ratio (AGR) for survival of patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 240 lung adenocarcinoma patients. Biochemical parameters before chemotherapy were collected and survival status was obtained from the hospital registry. The AGR was calculated using the equation AGR=albumin/(total protein-albumin) and ranked from lowest to highest, the total number of patients being divided into three equal tertiles according to the AGR values. Furthermore, AGR was divided into two groups (low and high tertiles) for ROC curve analysis. Cox model analysis was used to evaluate the prognostic value of AGR and AGR tertiles. Results: The mean survival time for each tertile was: for the $1^{st}$ 9.8 months (95%CI:7.765-11.848), $2^{nd}$ 15.4 months (95%CI:12.685-18.186), and $3^{rd}$ 19.9 months (95%CI:16.495-23.455) (p<0.001). Kaplan-Meier curves showed significantly higher survival rates with the third and high tertiles of AGR in comparison with the first and low tertiles, respectively. At multivariate analysis low levels of albumin and AGR, low tertile of AGR and high performance status remained an independent predictors of mortality. Conclusions: Low AGR was a significant predictor of long-term mortality in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Serum albumin measurement and calculation of AGR are easily accessible and cheap to use for predicting mortality in patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.4363-4368
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• 2015

Background: The tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) represents the percentage of neoplastic cell components compared to the combined area of neoplastic cells and the surrounding tumor-induced stroma. A low TSR (predomination of stromal component) has been demonstrated to be an independent adverse prognostic factor in cancers of several organs. In cervical carcinoma patients, TSR has been evaluated in only one previous study with different histological types. The present study aimed to assess the prognostic value of TSR in early stage cervical cancer patients with adenocarcinoma histology only. Materials and Methods: Histological slides of patients with early stage (IB-IIA) cervical adenocarcinoma who underwent surgical treatment between January 2003 and December 2011 were reviewed. Patients who had received preoperative chemotherapy were excluded. TSR was categorized as low (<50%) and high (${\geq}50%$). Correlations between TSR and clinicopathological variables were evaluated. Prognostic values of TSR and other variables were estimated using Cox's regression. Results: Of 131 patients; 38 (29.0%) had low TSR and 93 (71.0%) had high TSR. The patients with low TSR had significantly higher proportions of deep cervical stromal invasion (outer third of wall, p=0.011; residual stroma less than 3 mm, p=0.008) and parametrial involvement (p=0.026). Compared to the patients with high TSR, those with low TSR tended to have lower 5-year disease-free survival rate (83.8% versus 88.9%) and overall survival rate (85.6% versus 90.3%), although the differences were not statistically significant. Low TSR was significantly associated with decreased overall survival in univariate analysis (HR 2.7; 95% CI 1.0-7.0; p=0.041), but not in multivariate analysis. TSR was not significantly associated with decreased disease-free survival. Conclusions: Low TSR is associated with decreased overall survival in patients with early stage cervical adenocarcinoma treated by surgery. However, it was not found to be an independent prognostic predictor in this study.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5185-5188
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• 2013

Background: We aimed to evaluate prognostic factors and response rates to various treatment approaches to patients with synovial sarcoma in an advanced setting. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 55 patients (18 pts; 32.7% women) diagnosed with synovial sarcomas. Twenty had metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis while the remainder of the study group consisted of patients who developed metastatic or inoperable locally advanced disease during follow up. Results: The median follow up time was 15 months (range: 1-53). Regarding outcomes for the 55 patients, 3 and 5 year overall survival rates were 26% and 14%, respectively. In univariate analyses among demographic factors female gender was associated with a better outcome (p=0.030). Patients with early progressing disease (<2 years) had a worse prognosis when compared to patient group with late relapse, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.056). According to multivariate Cox regression analysis patients who had undergone metastasectomy had a significant survival advantage (p=0.044). The overall response rate to different salvage chemotherapy regimens given as second line treatment was around 42.9-53.9% for all regimes. There were no statistically significant differences between chemotherapy regimens given in either second or third line settings in terms of overall survival. Conclusions: We observed no major differences in terms of response rate and survival between different salvage chemotherapy regimens. Although metastatic disease still carries a poor prognosis, metastasectomy was found to be associated with improved survival.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.243-257
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• 2016

Objectives : Illicium verum Hook. f. has been known to possess antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, analgesic, sedative, convulsive activities, it has been rarely conducted to evaluate the immuno-biological activity. The present study was examined to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of the Illicium verum Hook. f. water extracts (IVE) in vivo and in vitro. Methods : Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The relative levels of NO were measured with Griess reagent. iNOS, COX-2, $NF-{\kappa}B$ and target proteins were detected by immunoblot analysis, and levels of cytokines were analyzed by ELISA kit. Anti-edema effect was determined in the carrageenan (CA)-induced paw edema model in rats. Results : All dosages of IVE used in MTT assay had no significant cytotoxicity. The increases of NO production and iNOS expression were detected in LPS-treated cells compared with control. However, these increases were attenuated by treatment with IVE. Also, IVE reduced the elevated production of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6 by LPS. IVE inhibited the $p-I{\kappa}B$ and translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ to nuclear. Furthermore, IVE significantly inhibited the increases of hind paw swelling, skin thicknesses and inflammatory cell infiltrations induced by CA injection. Therefore, IVE will be favorably inhibited the acute edematous inflammations. Conclusion : These results provide evidences that anti-inflammatory effect of IVE is partly due to the reduction of some inflammatory mediators by suppression of $NF-{\kappa}B$ pathway.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1168-1177
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• 2008

Atopic dermatitis(AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. AD has increased gradually, many people are tortured with AD. Chunggi-san(CG) and Samhwangseze-gamibang(SG) has been used for many kinds of skin disease in the Oriental medicine. But reports about the effect of CG and SG are insufficient. So, author investigated the effect of CG and SG on NC/Nga atopic mice. Major findings are summarized as follows: The clinical skin severity scores of experimental group in 13 and 16 week were decreased by 42% and 50% compared to the control group. Serum IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IgM, IgGI levels of experimental group were significantly decreased compared to the control group. Serum $IFN-\nu$ was significantly increased in the experimental group compared to the control group. mRNA expression levels of IL-4, IL-5, and CCR3 in the skin tissues of experimental group were significantly decreased, and expression level of IL-6 in the skin tissues of experimental group was significantly decreased compared to the control group. $IFN-\nu$ mRNA expression levels was increased compared to the control group. According to biopsy reports of the ear and skin tissues showed that the tissue damage, experimental group were highly reduced compared to the control group. Judging from that $IL-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 express of gene, the effects of inflammatory cytokines revelation were significantly decreased compared to the control group. Depending on the density of CG, inflammatory RAW 264.7 in the serum of CG were significantly inhibited compared to the control serum that leaded a COX-2 activity model.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.54-71
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• 2005

Purpose : The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of Saurui Herba Seu Rhizoma(SHSR) on Anti-inflammatory properties in Raw264.7 cell line and murine models of inflammation. Methods : To investigate the effects of Saurui Herba Seu Rhizoma(SHSR) on anti-inflammation, we study cytotoxicity effects of SHSR on Mouse Lung Fibroblast Cells and Peritoneal Macrophages, Inhibitory effects of SHSR on the nitric oxide (NO) release, the ROS production, and the interleukin-6 production. Results : The cytotoxicity of SHSR on mouse lung fibroblast Cells and Raw264.7 cell line was not observed. SHSR in RAW264.7 cell line inhibited $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 mRNA gene expression depending upon the concentrations of extract and inhibited IL-18 mRNA gene expression at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ of extract. SHSR in RAW264.7 cell line inhibit COX-2 mRNA gene expression at 100, 10 ${\mu}g/ml$ of extract. SHSR in RAW264.7 cell line inhibited NOS-II mRNA gene expression depending upon the concentrations of extract. SHSR in RAW264.7 cell line didn't inhibit $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA　gene expression. SHSR in RAW264.7 cell line decreased IL-6 production depending　upon the concentrations of extract. SHSR in RAW264.7 cell line decreased $ITNF-{\alpha}$ production according to the concentrations of extract. SHSR in RAW264.7 cell line inhibited NO release specially SHSR 100, 10 ${\mu}g/ml$ concentrations of extract. SHSR inhibit ROS production depending upon the concentrations of extract. Conclusion : These results suggest that SHSR can be used treating a lot of women disease caused by inflammation.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.825-838
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• 2007

Endosseous implants are used in the treatment of various types of tooth loss, and numerous long-term studies have demonstrated the excellent reliability of this method of treatment. However, the increase of implant failure are associated with inadequate quality and/or height of bone. At the end of the 1980s, Wide(>3.75mm) implants were initially used for managing these difficult bone situations. The recommended indications for its use included poor bone quality, inadequate bone height. immediate placement in fresh extraction sockets, and immediate replacement of failed implants. At the 2000s, wider implants(6.0mm and 6.5mm) were used in a few studies. Although good clinical outcomes have been reported in recent years, there is still a controversy on this topic. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to estimate the survival rate of wide implants($6.0{\sim}8.0mm$) in molar regions, evaluating the clinical outcome. In this study, 1135 RBM surfaced wide implants($Rescue^{TM}$, MEGAZEN Co., Korea/595 maxillary, 540 mandibular) were placed in 650 patients(403 male, 247 female/age mean: $51.2{\pm}11.1$ years, range 20 to 83 years). Of the total, 68.3% were used to treat fully or partially edentulous situations, including single-tooth losses and 31.7% were placed immediately after teeth extraction or removal of failed implants, of which all were in the molar regions. Implant diameter and length ranged from 6.0 to 8.0mm and from 5.0 to 10.0mm respectively. The implants were followed for up to 42 months (mean: $14.6{\pm}9.5$ months). Of 1135 placed implants, 58 implants were lost. Among them, 53 implants were lost within 12 months after implant placement. The survival rate was 93.6% in the maxilla and 96.3% in the mandible, yielding an overall survival rate of 94.9%, for up to 42 months. As the result of Cox regression model, prosthetic type, sinus graft, and patient gender have an statistical significance on the implant survival rate in this study. This study suggests that the use of wide implants($6.0{\sim}8.0mm$) would provide a predictable treatment alternative in posterior areas.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.213-224
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• 2021

Objective: Clinical outcomes of patients who undergo transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for single small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not consistent, and may differ based on certain imaging findings. This retrospective study was aimed at determining the efficacy of pre-TACE CT or MR imaging findings in predicting survival outcomes in patients with small HCC upon being treated with TACE. Besides, the study proposed to build a risk prediction model for these patients. Materials and Methods: Altogether, 750 patients with functionally good hepatic reserve who received TACE as the first-line treatment for single small HCC between 2004 and 2014 were included in the study. These patients were randomly assigned into training (n = 525) and validation (n = 225) sets. Results: According to the results of a multivariable Cox analysis, three pre-TACE imaging findings (tumor margin, tumor location, enhancement pattern) and two clinical factors (age, serum albumin level) were selected and scored to create predictive models for overall, local tumor progression (LTP)-free, and progression-free survival in the training set. The median overall survival time in the validation set were 137.5 months, 76.1 months, and 44.0 months for low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves of the predictive models for overall, LTP-free, and progression-free survival applied to the validation cohort showed acceptable areas under the curve values (0.734, 0.802, and 0.775 for overall survival; 0.738, 0.789, and 0.791 for LTP-free survival; and 0.671, 0.733, and 0.694 for progression-free survival at 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively). Conclusion: Pre-TACE CT or MR imaging findings could predict survival outcomes in patients with small HCC upon treatment with TACE. Our predictive models including three imaging predictors could be helpful in prognostication, identification, and selection of suitable candidates for TACE in patients with single small HCC.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.736-745
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• 2020

Objective: To identify the initial chest computed tomography (CT) findings and clinical characteristics associated with the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Materials and Methods: Baseline CT scans and clinical and laboratory data of 72 patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia (39 men, 46.2 ± 15.9 years) were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline CT findings including lobar distribution, presence of ground glass opacities, consolidation, linear opacities, and lung severity score were evaluated. The outcome event was recovery with hospital discharge. The time from symptom onset to discharge or the end of follow-up (for those remained hospitalized) was recorded. Data were censored in events such as death or discharge without recovery. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression was used to explore the association between initial CT, clinical or laboratory findings, and discharge with recovery, whereby hazard ratio (HR) values < 1 indicated a lower rate of discharge at four weeks and longer time until discharge. Results: Thirty-two patients recovered and were discharged during the study period with a median length of admission of 16 days (range, 9 to 25 days), while the rest remained hospitalized at the end of this study (median, 17.5 days; range, 4 to 27 days). None died during the study period. After controlling for age, onset time, lesion characteristics, number of lung lobes affected, and bilateral involvement, the lung severity score on baseline CT (> 4 vs. ≤ 4 [reference]: adjusted HR = 0.41 [95% confidence interval, CI = 0.18-0.92], p = 0.031) and initial lymphocyte count (reduced vs. normal or elevated [reference]: adjusted HR = 0.14 [95% CI = 0.03-0.60], p = 0.008) were two significant independent factors that influenced recovery and discharge. Conclusion: Lung severity score > 4 and reduced lymphocyte count at initial evaluation were independently associated with a significantly lower rate of recovery and discharge and extended hospitalization in patients admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.715-725
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• 2024

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) according to the size of the beads for the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 212 patients with a single HCC ≤5 cm from five tertiary institutions. One hundred and nine patients were treated with 70-150-㎛ doxorubicin DEBs (group A), and 103 patients received 100-300-㎛ doxorubicin DEBs (group B). The initial tumor response (assessed between 3 weeks and 2 months after DEB-TACE), time to local tumor progression (TTLTP), restricted mean duration of complete response (RMDCR), rate of complications, incidence of post-embolization syndrome, and length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression was used to analyze prognostic factors for initial tumor response. Results: The initial objective response rates were 91.7% (100/109) and 84.5% (87/103) for groups A and B, respectively (P = 0.101). In the subgroup analysis of tumors ≤3 cm, the initial objective response rates were 94.6% (53/56) and 78.0% (39/50) for groups A and B, respectively (P = 0.012). There was no significant difference in the TTLTP (median, 23.7 months for group A vs. 19.0 months for group B; P = 0.278 [log-rank], 0.190 [multivariable Cox regression]) or RMDCR at 24 months (11.4 months vs. 8.5 months, respectively; P = 0.088). In the subgroup analysis of tumors >3-cm, the RMDCR at 24 months was significantly longer in group A than in group B (11.8 months vs. 5.7 months, P = 0.024). The incidence of mild bile duct dilatation after DEB-TACE was significantly higher in group B than in group A (5.5% [6/109] vs. 18.4% [19/103], P = 0.003). Conclusion: DEB-TACE using 70-150-㎛ microspheres demonstrated a higher initial objective response rate in ≤3-cm HCCs and a longer RMDCR at 24 months in 3.1-5-cm HCCs compared to larger DEBs (100-300-㎛).