• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.6111-6116
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• 2015

Background: Stomach cancer is one of leading causes of death worldwide. In Thailand, the incidence and mortality of stomach cancer are in the top ten for cancers. Effects of DNA repair gene X-ray repair cross complementary protein 1 (XRCC1) polymorphisms and clinicopathological characteristics on survival of stomach cancer in Thailand have not been previously reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of XRCC1 gene and clinicopathological characteristics on survival of stomach cancer patients in Thailand. Materials and Methods: Data and blood samples were collected from 101 newly diagnosed stomach cancer cases pathologically confirmed and recruited during 2002 to 2006 and followed-up for vital status until 31 October 2012. Genotype analysis was performed using real-time PCR-HRM. The data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method to yield cumulative survival curve, log-rank test to assess statistical difference of survival and Cox proportional hazard models to estimate adjusted hazard ratio. Results: The total followed-up times were 2,070 person-months, and the mortality rate was 4.3 per 100 person-months. The median survival time after diagnosis was 8.07 months. The cumulative 1-, 3-, 5-years survival rates were 40.4%, 15.2 % and 10.1 % respectively. After adjustment, tumour stage were associated with an increased risk of death (p= 0.036). The XRCC1 Gln339Arg, Arg/Arg homozygote was also associated with increased risk but statistically this was non-significant. Conclusions: In addition to tumour stage, which is an important prognostic factor affecting to the survival of stomach cancer patients, the genetic variant Gln339Arg in XRCC1 may non-significantly contribute to risk of stomach cancer death among Thai people. Larger studies with different populations are need to verify ours findings.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1403-1407
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• 2015

Background: New tumour biomarkers are being intensely investigated for malignant mesothelioma (MM). Fibulin-3 is produced in MM but its role remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of measuring serum fibulin-3 in the diagnosis and prognosis of MM. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was performed on 43 patients and 40 healthy controls who were admitted to our hospital between January 2012 and January 2014. Data from MM patients, including demographic and clinical features, routine laboratory data, levels of serum fibulin-3, and treatment outcomes were defined as potential prognostic factors. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for fibulin-3 was used to detect the cut-off value with highest sensitivity and specificity. Univariate survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method in patients with MM. Afterwards, the possible factors identified with univariate analyses were entered into the cox regression analysis. Results: Our results revealed that patients with MM had significantly higher serum levels of fibulin-3 than controls. The results showed that the best cut-off point was 36.6 ng/ml with an AUC (area under the curve)=0.976, sensitivity=93.0% and specificity=90.0. In our study, the initial significant poor prognostic factors were advanced stage, high white blood cell count, high platelet count, high C-reactive protein (p<0.05 for each variable). Later, according to multivariate analysis the results showed only advanced stage as significant parameter (p=0.040). Conclusions: We determined that real use for serum fibulin-3 was not for prognosis but for diagnosis in MM. Also advanced stage was associated with poor MM prognosis.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.434-439
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• 2013

This study was conducted to compare the dental plaque reduction using various mouthwashes with Quantitative Light induced Fluorescence-Digital (QLF-D). A survey on 20 students was carried out. The students who were at Shingu College. Experimental group was gargled 20 ml of Listerine during 30 seconds and 15 ml of Hexamedine during 60 seconds. Control group was gargled distilled water during 30 second. The data were analyzed with t-test using SPSS 20.0 program. The ratios of control group and experimental group were reduced. Degree of ${\Delta}R30$ and ${\Delta}R70$ Listerine group was a significant difference (p>0.05). Degree of Simple Plaque Score and ${\Delta}R30$ Hexamedine group was a significant difference (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in the distilled water gargle group (p<0.05). The result of this study has the effect of two mouthwashes reduced dental plaque. The evaluation data of this study will be used in clinical application and research about QLF-D.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.49-63
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• 2004

Purpose: The Hospice Oriented Medical Record (HOMR) was developed for assessing the pain and symptoms of terminal cancer patients. Methods and Results: The HOMR consists of an instruction for users and 2 assessment pages which include the graph showing vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration rate and pain score), current problem lists, performance status, laboratory data, pain characteristics and management, sedation score, associated symptoms and drug side effects, etc. Pilot study was performed in the inpatient Hospice Care Unit in Guro Hospital, Korea University Medical Center. Because an one-week progress data was recorded in HOMR as a flow sheet, the patient's condition and pain control status could be seen at a glance. Conclusion: The HOMR is useful for assessing the terminal cancer patients because it is simple and convenient to use. Further research is needed before it can be universally used in the clinical settings.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.333-345
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• 2024

Stem cells transplantation (SCT) is known as a newfound strategy for multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) contain various regenerative features. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a laboratory model of MS. This meta-analysis study was conducted to assess the overall therapeutic effects of hUCMSCs on reduction of clinical score (CS) and restoration of active movement in EAE-induced animals. For comprehensive searching (in various English and Persian databases until May 1, 2024), the main keywords of "Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis", "Multiple Sclerosis", "Human", "Umbilical Cord", "Mesenchymal", and "Stem Cell" were hired. Collected data were transferred to the citation manager software (EndNote x8) and duplicate papers were merged. Primary and secondary screenings were applied (according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria) and eligible studies were prepared for data collection. CS of two phases of peak and recovery of EAE were extracted as the difference in means and various analyses including heterogeneity, publication bias, funnel plot, and sensitivity index were reported. Meta-analysis was applied by CMA software (v.2), P<0.05 was considered a significant level, and the confidence interval (CI) was determined 95% (95% CI). Six eligible high-quality (approved by ARRIVE checklist) papers were gathered. The difference in means of peak and recovery phases were -0.775 (-1.325 to -0.225; P=0.006; I²=90.417%) and -1.230 (-1.759 to -0.700; P<0.001; I²=93.402%), respectively. The overall therapeutic effects of SCT of hUCMSCs on the EAE cases was -1.011 (95% CI=-1.392 to -0.629; P=0.001). hUCMSCs transplantation through the intravenous route to the animal MS model (EAE) seems a considerably effective procedure for the alleviation of motor defects in both phases of peak and recovery.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.453-473
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• 1992

Background: National survey was performed to estimate the incidence of sarcoidosis in Korea. The clinical data of confirmed cases were analysed for the practice of primary care physicians and pulmonary specialists. Methods: The period of study was from January 1991 to December 1992. Data were retrospectively collected by correspondence with physicians in departments of internal medicine, dermatology, ophthalmology and neurology of the hospitals having more than 100 beds using returning postcards. In confirmed and suspicious cases of sardoidosis, case record chart for clinical and laboratory findings were obtained in detail. Results: 1) Postcards were sent to 523 departments in 213 hospitals. Internal medicine composed 41%, dermatology 20%, ophthalmology 20% and neurology 19%. 2) Postcards were returned from 241 departments (replying rates was 48%). 3) There were 113 confirmed cases from 50 departments and 10 cases. The cases were composed from internal medicine (81%), dermatology (13%), ophthalmology (3%) and neurology (3%). 78 confirmed cases were analysed, which were composed from department of internal medicine (92%), dermatology (5%), and neurology (3%). 4) The time span for analysed cases was 1980 to 1992. one case was analysed in 1980 and the number gradually increased to 18 cases in 1991. 5) The majority of patients (84.4%) were in the age group of 20 to 49 years. 6) The ratio of male to female was 1 : 1.5. 7) The most common chief complains were respiratory symptoms, dermatologic symptoms, generalized discomforts, visual changes, arthralgia, abdominal pains, and swallowing difficulties in order. 16% of the patients were asymptomatic. 8) Mean duration between symptom onset and diagnosis was 2 months. 9) The most common symptoms were respiratory, general, dermatologic, ophthalmologic, neurologic and cardiac origin in order. 10) Hemoglobin, hematocrits and platelet were in normal range. 58% of the patients had lymphopenia measuring less than 30% of white cell count. The ratio of CD4 to CD8 lymphocytes was $1.73{\pm}1.16$ with range of 0.43 to 4.62. ESR was elevated in 43% of the cases. 11) Blood chemistry was normal in most cases. Serum angiotensin converting enzyme (S-ACE) was $66.8{\pm}58.6\;U/L$ with the range of 8.79 to 265 U /L. Proteinuria of more than 150 mg was found in 42. 9% of the patients. 12) Serum IgG was elevated in 43.5%, IgA in 45.5%, IgM in 59.1% and IgE in 46.7%. The levels of complement C3 and C4 were in the normal range. Anti-nuclear antibody was detected in 11% of the cases. Kweim test was performed in 3 cases, and in all cases the result was positive. 13) FVC was decreased in 17.3%, FEV1 in 11.5%, FEV1/FVC in 10%, TLC in 15.2%, and DLco in 64.7%. 14) PaO2 was decreased below 90 mmHg in 48.6% and PaCO2 was increased above 45 mmHg in 5.7%. 15) The percentage of macrophages in BAL fluid was $51.4{\pm}19.2%$, lymphocytes $44.4{\pm}21.1%$, and the ratio of CD4 to CD8 lymphocytes was $3.41{\pm}2.07$. 16) There was no difference in laboratory findings between male and female. 17) Hilar enlargement on chest PA was present in 87.9% (bilaterally in 78.8% and unilaterally in 9.1%). 18) According to Siltzbach's classification, stage 0 was 5%, stage 158.3%, stage 228.3%, and stage 38.3%. 19) Hilart enlargement on chest CT was present in 92.6% (bilaterally 76.4% and unilaterally in 16.2%). 20) HRCT was done in 16 cases. The most common findings were nodules, interlobular thickening, focal patchy infiltrations in order. Two cases was normal finding. 21) Other radiologic examinations showed bone change in one case and splenomegaly in two cases. 22) Gallium scan was done in 12 cases. Radioactivity was increased in hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes in 8 cases and in parenchyme in 2 cases. 23) The pathologic diagnosis was commonly performed by transbrochial lung biopsy (TBLB, 47.3%), skin and mediastinal lymph nodes biopsy (34.5%), peripheral lymph nodes biopsy (23.6%), open lung biopsy (18.2%) and bronchial biopsy in order. 24) The most common findings in pathology were non·caseating granuloma (100%), multi-nucleated giant cell (47.3%), hyalinized acellular scar (34.5%), reticulin fibrin network (20%), inclusion body (10.9%), necrosis (9.1%), and lymphangitic distribution of granuloma (1.8%) in order. Conclusion: Clinical, laboratory, radiologic and pathologic findings were summarized. This collected data will assist in finding a test for detection and staging of sarcoidosis in Korea in near future.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.898-903
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• 2009

Purpose : This study investigated the predictive factors for identifying infection-prone febrile infants younger than three months. Methods : We conducted a retrospective study of 167 infants younger than three months with an axillary temperature >$38^{\circ}C$ who were hospitalized between 2006 and 2008. If they met any of the following criteria, positive blood culture, CSF WBC ${\geq}11/mm^3$ or positive CSF culture, urinalysis WBC ${\geq}6$/HPF and positive urine culture, WBC ${\geq}6$/HPF on microscopic stool examination or positive stool culture, they were considered at high risk for severe infection. Infants with focal infection, respiratory infection or antibiotic administration prior to admission to the hospital were excluded. We evaluated the symptoms, physical examination findings, laboratory data, and the clinical course between the high risk and low risk groups for severe infection. Results : The high-risk group included 77(46.1%) infants, and the most common diagnosis was urinary tract infection (51.9%). Factors, such as male sex, ESR and CRP were statistically different between the two groups. But, a multilinear regression analysis for severe infection showed that male and ESR factors are significant. Conclusion : We did not find the distinguishing symptoms and laboratory findings for identifying severe infection-prone febrile infants younger than three months. However, the high-risk group was male and ESR-dominated, and these can possibly be used as predictive factors for severe infection.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.424-430
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• 2006

Purpose : Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis(JRA) is one of the most common rheumatic diseases of childhood and is an important cause of short- and long-term disability. The purpose of this study was to determine the disease course and outcome in childhood patients with JRA. Methods : Fifty nine patients with JRA who were diagnosed and treated in the Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center from August 1990 to November 2004 were enrolled in this study. Sex, age, type, affected joints, extra-articular manifestations, laboratory and radiologic findings, treatments, and outcomes of JRA patients were reviewed retrospectively. Results : Among JRA patients, 32.2 percent had pauciarticular type, 30.5 percent had polyarticular type and 37.3 percent had systemic type. The ratio of boys to girls was 1.7 : 1 and the mean age at onset was $9.3{\pm}3.7$(1.3-15.9) years. The most commonly affected joints were knee, ankle and wrist. The extra-articular manifestations observed were fever, rash, myalgia and lymph node enlargement, etc. The main laboratory findings observed were leukocytosis, anemia, thrombocytosis, elevated ESR, and elevated CRP. Rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibody(ANA) were positive in 5.3 percent and 18.0 percent. Nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAID) were used most frequently and methotrexate with or without steroids was added in 27.1 percent of patients unresponsive to NSAID. 88.1 percent of patients were cured without functional disability and only one patient was in functional status IV. One patient, who had pulmonary involvement, died. Conclusion : Our results showed an even distribution in type of onset, male predominance, older age of onset, low incidence of iridocyclitis, and low positivity of ANA in JRA patients; this differs from occidental data. This study may suggest regional differences and variability in disease groups of JRA among different racies, but further multi-center trials and large scale epidemiological studies are needed to confirm our conclusion.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.117-121
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• 2005

Purpose: Elevated AST/ALT level in rotavirus gastroenteritis have been reported. We found elevated creatine kinase (CK) in those children. This study was carried out to define the relationship of major clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and level of creatine kinase. Methods: A retrospective analysis was made for thirty patients who were diagnosed rotavirus gastroenteritis from Jan 2001 to Mar 2005 in Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Hospital. Serum creatine kinase was checked for the evaluation of high aminotransferase level among the patients. Results: Fourteen patients (8 males, 6 females) with high creatine kinase activity were included in this study. The mean age was $1.46{\pm}1.24year$ of age. The mean level of AST, ALT and CK were $127.5{\pm}136.2IU/L$, $126.1{\pm}154.3IU/L$, and $542.8{\pm}624.6IU/L$, respectively. Electrophoresis of CK isoenzyme was performed in four of them and the results revealed elevated CK-MM fraction (96~100%). Three of them revealed high serum creatine kinase acitivity (>1,000 IU/L) without acute renal failure and other symptom. However, none of them had muscular pain or trauma history. Elevated creatine kinase activity did not correlate with clinical implications (age, sex, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, symptom of URI, degree of dehydration or seizure) or laboratory findings. Conclusion: In this study, we found that serum creatine kinase acitivity also was elevated in infants with rotavirus gastroenteritis. This data support muscular damage due to rotavirus, but could not prove the mechanism of increased serum creatine kinase activity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.592-597
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• 2010

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (HIES) is a rare immunodeficiency disease which is characterized by high serum IgE levels, eczema, and recurrent infections. Herein we present the case of a patient with HIES associated with STAT3 gene ($stat3$) mutation. A 16 year-old girl was admitted to our hospital due to hemoptysis caused by pneumonia with bronchiectasis. She had a history of recurrent skin and respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia caused by MRSA (methicillin-resistant $Staphylococcus$ $aureus$) and $Pseudomonas$ $aeruginosa$. On physical examination, a broad round shaped nose, oral thrush, and chronic eczematous skin rash over her whole body were found. Laboratory data showed an elevated eosinophil count ($750/{\mu}L$) and total IgE level (5,001 U/mL). The patient's National Institutes of Health (NIH) score for HIES was 44. Direct sequencing of the STAT3 gene revealed that the patient was heterozygous for a missense mutation in the DNA binding domain of the STAT3 protein (c.1144C>T, p. Arg382Trp). HIES should be suspected in patients with recurrent infections and can be confirmed by clinical scoring and genetic analysis.