• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.77-82
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• 2000

We carried out a case-control study to investigate protective effect of lactating against breast cancer in Korea. Cases (n=108) were the newly histologically identified breast cancer between December 1997 and August 1999. Hospital-based controls were selected by frequency matching method with age ($\pm$4 age) and menopausal status from the patients at the same hospital in the plastic surgery, general surgery and opthalmology department. Interviews included information on general characteristics of subjects, disease history, family history of breast cancer, vitamin supplementation, alcohol intake, food intake, and reproductive factors as well as lactation history. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were calculated by using unconditional logistic regression. Age distribution of case control subjects were similar. Late menarche age $\geq$ 17 in premenopausal women was related to the lower risk of breast cancer OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.28-0.91. Family history of breast cancer was related to the higher risk of breast cancer only in premenopausal women (OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.35-2.71). Higher body mass index mass index (> 30) were associated with higher risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. For premenopausal women, women who had lactated $\geq$ 12 months to the first child had a significantly lower risk (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.24-0.97) than the women had no breast feeding experience. However, results from postmenopausal women did not show an association with decreased breast cancer risk. These findings suggest that lactation may be a protective factor of breast cancer in Korean women.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.10
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• pp.3816-3823
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• 2022

This work analyzed the dosimetric difference between the intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), partial/single/double-arc volumetric modulated arc therapy (PA/SA/DA-VMAT) techniques in treatment planning for treating more than one target of lung cancer at different isocenters. IMRT and VMAT plans at different isocenters were created systematically using a Harold heterogeneous lung phantom. The conformity index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), gradient index (GI), dose-volume histogram and mean and maximum dose of the PTV were calculated and analyzed. Furthermore, the dose-volume histogram and mean and maximum doses of the OARs such as right lung, contralateral lung and non GTV were determined from the plans. The IMRT plans showed the superior target dose coverage, higher mean and maximum values than other VMAT techniques. PA-VMAT technique shows more lung sparing and DA-VMAT increases the V_5/10/20 values of contralateral lung than other VMAT and IMRT techniques. The IMRT technique achieves highly conformal dose distribution to the target than other VMAT techniques. Comparing to the IMRT plans, the higher V_5/10/20 and mean lung dose were observed in the contralateral lung in the DA-VMAT.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1789-1794
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• 2015

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common liver problem in diabetes, is a risk factor for liver cancer. Diabetes, high body mass index (BMI) and old age can all contribute to NAFLD progression. Transient elastography (TE) is used for non-invasive fibrosis assessment. Objectives: To identify the prevalence of NAFLD and significant hepatic fibrosis in diabetic patients and to assess associated factors. Materials and Methods: One hundred and forty-one diabetic and 60 normal subjects were screened. Fatty liver was diagnosed when increased hepatic echogenicity and vascular blunting were detected by ultrasonography. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) representing hepatic fibrosis was assessed by TE. LSM ${\geq}7$ kPa was used to define significant hepatic fibrosis. Results: Four cases were excluded due to positive hepatitis B viral markers and failed TE. Diabetic patients had higher BMI, systolic blood pressure, waist circumference and fasting glucose levels than normal subjects. Fatty liver was diagnosed in 82 (60.7%) diabetic patients but in none of the normal group. BMI (OR: 1.31; 95%CI: 1.02-1.69; p=0.038) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)(OR: 1.14; 95%CI: 1.05-1.23; p=0.002) were associated with NAFLD. Diabetic patients with NAFLD had higher LSM than those without [5.99 (2.4) vs 4.76 (2.7) kPa, p=0.005)]. Significant hepatic fibrosis was more common in diabetic patients than in normal subjects [22 (16.1%) vs 1 (1.7%), p=0.002]. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)(OR: 1.24; 95%CI: 1.07-1.42; p=0.003) was associated with significant hepatic fibrosis. Conclusions: Sixty and sixteen percent of diabetic patients were found to have NAFLD and significant hepatic fibrosis. High BMI and ALT levels are the predictors of NAFLD, and elevated AST level is associated with significant hepatic fibrosis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.8-20
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• 2015

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of pharmacopuncture in the treatment of acute peripheral facial paralysis (APFP) through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to assess the clinical evidence for pharmacopuncture as a treatment for PFP. Methods: Literature was searched using databases. The search terms used were "pharmacopuncture," "sweet BV," "apipuncture," "apitoxin," "injection acupuncture," and "herbal acupuncture" in English and "bongchim," "bongyakchim," and "yakchim" in Korean. The RevMan 5.2 program was used for meta-analysis. Results: In all, 1902 studies were screened and the full texts of 219 articles were reviewed. Of these, nine studies were included in the systematic review and nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. Treatments utilizing bee venom, sweet bee venom (SBV), Soyeom, Calculus Bovis Fel Ursi Moschus (BUM), Hominis Placenta, and Suseunghwagang (SSHG) were observed in nine RCTs. In the forest plot, the diamond favors the PA treatment against the control treatment. (95% CI: 0.34 [0.08, 0.60], Z = 2.57, P = 0.01), which Our meta-analysis in RevMan 5.2 confirmed the significant efficacy of PA in treating APFP. Conclusion: Our systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that treatments using Soyeom, bee venom, and BUM are effective in APFP and they reduce the duration of postauricular pain occurring at the acute stage of APFP. However, due to small effect size, further investigation is needed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.891-896
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• 2012

This study focused on infection rates and subtypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and the relationship between HPV status and prognosis of the disease. We evaluated sixty-six OSCC patients who met the enrollment criteria during the period from January 1999 to December 2009. The presence or absence of oncogenic HPV types in tumors was determined using the SPF10 LiPA25 assay. Overall survival (OS) and disease specific survival (DSS) for HPV positive and HPV negative patients were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. The Cox regression model was applied for multivariate analysis. HPV-DNA was detected in 11(16.7%) of all specimens. Among them, 7 were type HPV-16, while other types were HPV-16/11, HPV-35, HPV-58/52, and HPV-33/52/54. Patients with HPV positive tumors were more likely to be female, non-smokers and non-drinkers (p=0.002, 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). After a median follow-up of 24.5 months, patients with HPV positive tumors had significantly better overall survival (HR=0.106[95%CI=0.014-0.787], p=0.016,) and disease specific survival (HR=0.121[95%CI=0.016-0.906], p=0.030). Patients with HPV positive OSCC have significantly better prognosis than patients with HPV negative tumors. HPV infection is an independent prognostic factor.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.6
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• pp.498-503
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• 2011

Background: The causes of exertional desaturation in patients with COPD can be multifactorial. We aimed to investigate factors predict exertional desaturation in patients with moderate to severe COPD. Methods: We tested 51 consecutive patients with stable COPD (FEV1/FVC, $40{\pm}13%$ predicted). Patients performed a six minute walk test (6MWT). Pulse oxymetric saturation (SpO2) and pulse rate were recorded. Results: Oxygen desaturation was found in 15 subjects after 6MWT, while 36 subjects were not desaturated. Lung diffusing capacity was significantly lower in desaturation (DS) group ($62{\pm}18%$ predicted) compared with not desaturated (ND) group ($84{\pm}20$, p<0.01). However there was no statistical difference of FEV1/FVC ratio or residual volume between two groups. The pulse rate change was significantly higher in the desaturated compared with the not desaturated group. Six minute walking distance, subjective dyspnea scale, airflow obstruction, and residual volume did not predict exertional oxygen desaturation. Independent factors assessed by multiple logistic regression revealed that a pulse rate increment (odd ratio [OR], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01~1.40; p=0.02), a decrease in baseline PaO2 (OR, 1.105; 95% CI, 1.003~1.218; p=0.04) and a decrease in lung diffusing capacity (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01~1.19; p=0.01) were significantly associated with oxygen desaturation. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that an absolute increment in pulse rate of 16/min gave optimal discrimination between desaturated and not desaturated patients after 6MWT. Conclusion: Pulse rate increment and diffusion capacity can predict exertional oxygen desaturation in stable COPD patients with moderate to severe airflow obstruction.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.197-206
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• 1997

Purpose : Phospholipase D (PLD) catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidic acid (PA) and choline. Recently, PLD has been drawing much attentions and considered to be associated with cancer Process since it is involved in cellular signal transduction. In this experiment, oleate-PLD activities were measured in various tissues of the living rats after whole body irradiation. Materials and Methods : The reaction mixture for the PLD assay contained $0.1\;\muCi\;1,2-di[1-^{14}C]palmitoyl$ phosphatidylcholine 0.5mM phosphatidylcholine, 5mM sodium oleate, $0.2\%$ taurodeoxycholate, 50mM HEPES buffer(pH 6.5), 10mM $CaCl_2$, and 25mM KF. phosphatidic acid, the reaction product, was separated by TLC and its radioactivity was measured with a scintillation counter. The whole body irradiation was given to the female Wistar rats via Cobalt 60 Teletherapy with field size of 10cmx loom and an exposure of 2.7Gy per minute to the total doses of 10Gy and 25Gy. Results : Among the tissues examined, PLD activity in lung was the highest one and was followed by kidney, skeletal muscle, brain, spleen, bone marrow, thymus, and liver. Upon irradiation, alteration of PLD activity was observed in thymus, spleen, lung, and bone marrow. Especially PLD activities of the spleen and thymus revealed the highest sensitivity toward $\gamma-rar$ with more than two times amplification in their activities In contrast, the PLD activity of bone marrow appears to be reduced to nearly $30\%$. Irradiation effect was hardly detected in liver which showed the lowest PLD activity. Conclusion : The PLD activities affected most sensitively by the whole-body irradiation seem to be associated with organs involved in immunity and hematopoiesis. This observation s1ron91y indicates that the PLD is closely related to the physiological function of these organs, Furthermore, radiation stress could offer an important means to explore the phenomena covering from cell Proliferation to cell death on these organs.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.393-399
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• 2016

This study was conducted to elucidate the photosynthetic response to the environment and establish optimum cultivation conditions for the Korean endemic plant, Aster koraiensis. Photosynthetic characteristics according to growth stage, light, CO₂, and soil water potential were investigated. During the first year of transplanting, photosynthetic rates were drastically increased until June, after which they slowly declined, During the second year, photosynthetic rates declined throughout the entire growth period. The highest level of light compensation point was shown the early growth stage. Photosynthetic rates affected by intercellular CO₂ concentration were maintained or decreased over the CO₂ saturation point. The lowest CO₂ compensation point was 16.1 μmol·mol⁻¹ during March. The morphological changes of leaves were observed due to shading with chlorophyll contents increasing. Photosynthetic rates were higher at 0% and 50% shading treatments than at 75%. There were rarely any morphological changes of leaves due to soil moisture, however, changes to leaf compactness were observed. Photosynthetic rate, apparent quantum yield, and respiration rate increased, whereas water use efficiency decreased over −25 kPa of soil moisture.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.6
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• pp.481-485
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• 2012

Background: Tracheostomy is a common procedure for patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. However, the timing of tracheostomy is quite variable. This study was performed to find out the factors determining the timing of tracheostomy in medical intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: Patients who were underwent tracheostomy between January 2008 and December 2009 in the medical ICU of Seoul National University Hospital were included in this retrospective study. Results: Among the 59 patients, 36 (61.0%) were male. Median Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores on the admission day were 28 and 7, respectively. The decision of tracheostomy was made on 13 days, and tracheostomy was performed on 15 days after endotracheal intubation. Of the 59 patients, 21 patients received tracheostomy before 2 weeks (group I) and 38 were underwent after 2 weeks (group II). In univariate analysis, days until the decision to perform tracheostomy (8 vs. 14.5, p<0.001), days before tracheostomy (10 vs. 18, p<0.001), time delay for tracheostomy (2.1 vs. 3.0, p<0.001), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (19.0% vs. 2.6%, p=0.049), existence of neurologic problem (38.1% vs. 7.9%, p=0.042), APACHE II scores (24 vs. 30, p=0.002), and $PaO_2/FiO_2$ <300 mm Hg (61.9% vs. 91.1%, p=0.011) were different between the two groups. In multivariate analysis, APACHE II scores${\geq}20$ (odds ratio [OR], 12.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14~136.19; p=0.039) and time delay for tracheostomy (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.11~3.55; p=0.020) were significantly associated with tracheostomy after 2 weeks. Conclusion: APACHE II scores${\geq}20$ and time delay for tracheostomy were associated with tracheostomy after 2 weeks.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.125-129
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• 2016

Background: Patients with differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC) who receive radioactive iodine-131 (RAI) are released from isolation when their dose rate is below the regulatory requirements. The purpose of this study was establish predicting factors for early release from the isolation facility after RAI administration in patients with DTC. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study which included 96 (58 females and 38 males) patients with DTC who had received RAI from April 2013 till August 2015. The study was duly approved by the ethical committee of the institute. Patients who had complete information of primary tumor size (PTS), serum TSH, stimulated thyroglobulin level [sTg] with antibodies (IU/ml) at the time of RAI treatment were included. All had a normal serum creatinine level. To attain lower effective half-life good hydration and administration of soft laxative were ensured. Dose rate was measured (immediately, 24 h and 36 h) at 1 meter distance from anterior mid trunk and a dose rate <$50{\mu}Sv/h$ was considered as the releasing criterion. At 24 h 50 patients were released while the remaining 46 patients were released at 36 h. A post-ablative whole body scan (PA-WBIS) was performed 5-8 days after RAI ablation in all patients. Results: Patients released after 24 h were significantly younger, had smaller lesions with higher proportion of papillary cancer, lower sTg, lower sTg/TSH ratio and had received a lower dose of RAI as comapred to those who were discharged after 36 h. Serum TSH and gender were not found to have any significant correlation between two cohorts. ROC and multivariate analysis have shown age ${\leq}37years$, PTS ${\leq}3.8cm$, $RAI{\leq}150mCi$, $sTg{\leq}145ng/ml$ and $sTg/TSH{\leq}1.085$ as strong indepedent predictors for early release. Conclusions: We conclude that younger age (${\leq}37years$), smaller tumor size (${\leq}3.8cm$), lower RAI dose (${\leq}150mCi$), lower sTg (${\leq}145ng/ml$) and a lower sTg/TSH ratio (${\leq}1.085$) are significant independent predictors for release at 24 h after RAI treatment in DTC patients. Effective utilization of these factors could help the treating physicians to use limited number of internment facilities with higher throughput, lower cost and lower psychological stress to patients.