• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.925-928
• /
• 2014

Background: Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is a spectrum of disease with abnormal trophoblastic proliferation. Treatment is based on FIGO stage and WHO risk factor scores. Patients whose score is 12 or more are considered as at extremely high risk with a high likelihood of resistance to first line treatment. Optimal therapy is therefore controversial. Objective: This study was conducted in order to summarize the regimen used for extremely high risk or resistant GTN patients in our institution the in past 10 years. Materials and Methods: All the charts of GTN patients classified as extremely high risk, recurrent or resistant during 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2011 were reviewed. Criteria for diagnosis of GTN were also assessed to confirm the diagnosis. FIGO stage and WHO risk prognostic score were also re-calculated to ensure the accuracy of the information. Patient characteristics were reviewed in the aspects of age, weight, height, BMI, presenting symptoms, metastatic area, lesions, FIGO stage, WHO risk factor score, serum hCG level, treatment regimen, adjuvant treatments, side effects and response to treatment, including disease free survival. Results: Eight patients meeting the criteria of extremely high risk or resistant GTN were included in this review. Mean age was 33.6 years (SD=13.5, range 17-53). Of the total, 3 were stage III (37.5%) and 5 were stage IV (62.5%). Mean duration from previous pregnancies to GTN was 17.6 months (SD 9.9). Mean serum hCG level was 864,589 mIU/ml (SD 98,151). Presenting symptoms of the patients were various such as hemoptysis, abdominal pain, headache, heavy vaginal bleeding and stroke. The most commonly used first line chemotherapeutic regimen in our institution was the VAC regimen which was given to 4 of 8 patients in this study. The most common second line chemotherapy was EMACO. Adjuvant radiation was given to most of the patients who had brain metastasis. Most of the patients have to delay chemotherapy for 1-2 weeks due to grade 2-3 leukopenia and require G-CSF to rescue from neutropenia. Five form 8 patients were still survived. Mean of disease free survival was 20.4 months. Two patients died of the disease, while another one patient died from sepsis of pressure sore wound. None of surviving patients developed recurrence of disease after complete treatment. Conclusions: In extremely high risk GTN patients, main treatment is multi-agent chemotherapy. In our institution, we usually use VAC as a first line treatment of high risk GTN, but since resistance is quite common, this may not suitable for extremely high risk GTN patients. The most commonly used second line multi-agent chemotherapy in our institution is EMA-CO. Adjuvant brain radiation was administered to most of the patients with brain metastasis in our institution. The survival rate is comparable to previous reviews. Our treatment demonstrated differences from other institutions but the survival is comparable. The limitation of this review is the number of cases is small due to rarity of the disease. Further trials or multicenter analyses may be considered.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.8
• /
• pp.3477-3482
• /
• 2014

Objective: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of extra-intestinal cancer, whereas its impact on cholangiocarcinoma (CC) remains unknown. The aim of this study was to obtain a reliable estimate of the risk of CC in IBD patients through a meta-analysis of clinical observational studies. Methods: Relevant studies were retrieved by searching PUBMED, EMBASE and Web of Science Databases up to Dec 2013. Four population-based case-control and two cohort studies with IBD were identified. Summary relative risk (RR) and its corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. Potential sources of heterogeneity were detected using subgroup analyses. Results: The pooled risk estimate indicated IBD patients were at increased risk of CC (RR = 2.63, 95%CI = 1.47-4.72). Moreover, the increased risk of CC was also associated with Crohn's disease (RR = 2.69, 95%CI = 1.59-4.55) and ulcerative colitis (RR = 3.40, 95%CI = 2.50-4.62). In addition, site-specific analyses revealed that IBD patients had an increased risk of intrahepatic CC (ICC) (RR = 2.61, 95%CI = 1.72-3.95) and extrahepatic CC (ECC) (RR = 1.47, 95%CI = 1.10-1.97). Conclusions: This study suggests the risk of CC is significantly increased among IBD patients, especially in ICC cases. Further studies are warranted to enable definite conclusions to be drawn.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.484-494
• /
• 2014

The purpose of this study was to evaluate dietary intake according to the risk of coronary heart disease (less than 10% = low-risk group; 10~20% = middle-risk group) based on Framingham risk score (FRS), on 122 male adult subjects. The body weight and body mass index were not significantly different between the groups, while height of the low-risk group was shown to be significantly high compared to that of the middle-risk group. The daily energy intake was shown to be significantly high in the low-risk group with 1,910.88 kcal, compared to 1,606.63 kcal of the middle-risk group. As a result of analyzing nutrient intake per 1,000 kcal of energy, while the low-risk group had significantly high intake of animal protein, fat, and animal fat compared to the middle-risk group, the intake of plant protein, carbohydrate, and plant iron was found to be significantly low. The daily food intake was shown to be significantly high in the low-risk group (1,445.16 g), compared to the middle-risk group (1,075.12 g). The low-risk group was found to have significantly high intake of sugars, eggs, and beverages compared to the middle-risk group, while mushrooms intake was significantly high in the middle-risk group. Dietary variety score (DVS) was significantly high in the low-risk group with 26.42, compared to 22.66 of the middle-risk group. Dietary diversity score (DDS) was indicated to be significantly high in the low-risk group with 3.70, compared to 3.27 of the middle-risk group. The low-risk group was indicated to have significantly high score in DDS of dairy products and fruit group, compared to the middle-risk group. In the correlation between diversity index of food intake (DVS and DDS) and FRS, DDS was shown to have significantly negatively correlation with FRS after adjusting for confounding factors. To sum up these results, the adult males with low-risk of coronary heart disease had more various consumptions of fruits and milk, compared to the subjects with the middle-risk. The proportion of consuming major food groups such as cereals, meat group, milk, fruits, and vegetables more than a fixed quantity was indicated to be high. Accordingly, dietary habit for intake of various food seems to be necessary, to prevent coronary heart disease.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.498-502
• /
• 2018

Molecular imaging is a powerful method for tracking various infectious disease-causing pathogens in host organisms. Currently, a dual molecular imaging method that can provide temporal and spatial information on infected hosts at the organism, organ, tissue, and cellular levels simultaneously has not been reported for Burkholderia pseudomallei, a high-risk pathogen that causes melioidosis. In this study, we have established an experimental method that provides spatiotemporal information on infected hosts using luminescent and fluorescent dual-labeled B. pseudomallei. Using this method, we visualized B. pseudomallei infection at the organism, organ, and tissue levels in a BALB/c mouse model by detecting its luminescence and fluorescence. The infection of B. pseudomallei at the cellular level was also visualized by its emitted fluorescence in infected macrophage cells. This method could be an extremely useful and applicable tool to study the pathogenesis of B. pseudomallei-related infectious diseases.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.471-486
• /
• 2011

1. Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) related characteristics found in each Sasang Constitutional type. 2. Methods This cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted using data from 2,842 men and women. After typing each participant into one of the four Sasang constitutional types, they were analyzed on various cardiovascular disease-related variables. 3. Results 1) The predictors of cardiovascular disease (metabolic syndrome, high risk FRS group, high risk hsCRP group) was found to show the highest prevalence in the Taeeum type. 2) In the group with metabolic syndrome, the mean hsCRP concentration in the Taeeum and Soyang types were higher than in the Soeum type. In the group without metabolic syndrome, the mean hsCRP concentration in the Taeeum type were higher than in the Soyang and Soeum types. 3) In the FRS low risk group, the mean hsCRP concentration were higher in order of Taeeum type > Soyang type > Soeum type. In the FRS high risk group, the mean hsCRP concentrations were not significantly different among the Sasang constitutional types. 4. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that the Taeeum constitutional type is a risk factor for high hsCRP and cardiovascular disease. These findings suggest that the prevention of cardiovascular disease is more important in the Taeeum type compared to other constitutional types. Moreover, preventive measures are warranted even in the Taeeum-type persons with low clinical cardiovascular risk.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.13
• /
• pp.5137-5141
• /
• 2015

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy among males worldwide, and is the second leading cause of cancer death among men in United States. According to GLOBOCAN (2012), an estimated 1.1 million new cases and 307,000 deaths were reported in 2012. The reasons for the increase of this disease are not known, but increasing life expectancy and modified diagnostic techniques have been suggested as causes. The established risk factors for this disease are advancing age, race, positive family history of prostate cancer and western diet (use of fat items). Several other risk factors, such as obesity, physical activity, sexual activity, smoking and occupation have been also associated with prostate cancer risk, but their roles in prostate cancer etiology remain uncertain. This mini-review aims to provide risk factors, disease knowledge, prevalence and awareness about prostate cancer.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.67-75
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of occupational exposure to low dose organic solvents on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: Study design was retrospective cohort study subjected on 191 exposures and 118 controls working in a petrochemical manufacture company. The eight indicators related to CVD risk were followed up for five years from 2008 to 2012. The risk level was compared during the follow up years and subject's characteristics, and the change of risk level were analyzed with repeated measures ANOVA and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: At the start year 2008, the rate over cutoff value (ROCV) of BS (p<.001) and mean systolic BP (p=.017) were higher in organic solvent exposure group and the others showed no difference. And by the subject's characteristics, odds ratio of the ROCV of BS were higher in organic solvent exposure group and work shift group as 2.51 and 3.07. Comparing the results in 2012 to those of 2008, cardiovascular disease risk in organic solvent exposure group was about 1.5 times higher than that of in the control group. Conclusion: Gradual increase in the CVD risk was identified in organic solvent exposure group. However, the risk might be influenced by shift work and bad behaviors rather than organic solvent exposure.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.529-538
• /
• 2001

Purpose: This study purposed to examine the disease-related knowledge level and compliance with good health behavior in patients with myocardial infarction according to the atherosclerotic risk factors. Method: The subjects consisted of 72 patients with myocardial infarction and the data were collected by interviewing the subjects with questionnaires and reviewing their medical records from September, 15, 1999 to July 31, 2000. Data were analyzed using the SAS program. Results: 1) With regard to atherosclerotic risk factors: of the subjects, 91.7% lacked regular exercise, followed by smoking (61.1%). 2) The average knowledge score of the patients was 19.7 and the average compliance score was 53.9. 3) There were no significant differences in the total knowledge scores according to the patients' atherosclerotic risk factors. 4) Non-diabetics were significantly higher in knowledge scores on domain of risk factors than the diabetics. 5) The overweight patients were significantly higher in knowledge score on domain of nature of disease than the normalweight patients. 6) The total compliance scores of the non-smokers were significantly higher than those of the smokers. 7) The total compliance scores of the patients who do regular exercise were significantly higher than those of the patients who forgo regular exercise. 8) The non-smokers were significantly higher in compliance scores on domain of diet than the smokers. 9) The diabetic patients were significantly higher in compliance scores on domain of smoking cessation than the non-diabetics. 10) Patients who do regular exercise were significantly higher in compliance scores on other domains than the patients who forgo regular exercise. Conclusion: According to the above findings, it can be concluded that intensive nursing care and education should be provided to patients who have atherosclerotic risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, lack of exercise, over weight, or hypercholesterolemia to increase disease related knowledge level and to improve compliance with good health behavior.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.315-322
• /
• 2013

Objectives: This study was conducted in order to prepare fundamental data and assess the short-term effects of applying cerebrovascular disease prevention programs by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) in Korea. Methods: The number of study subjects was 2,676 workers (58.5%) who were able to evaluate the level of incidence risk at pre- and post-applications of the program, among the 4,576 total workers who were enrolled in the cerebrovascular disease prevention program during 2011. The guidelines for this prevention program were adopted from KOSHA GUIDE H-1-2010. To determine the program' effectiveness, the workers'risks for cerebrovascular disease were assessed pre- and post-application of the program. Results: The blood pressure level was significantly reduced by 4.09 mmHg for the mean systolic blood pressures and 5.47 mmHg for diastolic blood pressures, respectively. The mean level of total cholesterol and BMI were also reduced significantly by 2.07 g/dl and 0.1 $0.1kg/m^2$. The rate of smoking was decreased by 4.0% and the percentage of workers engaging in regular exercise was increased by 29.8%. The level of overall cerebrovascular disease risk was reduced among 1,451 (70.7%) of 2,052 workers at low risk and above. The level of cerebrovascular disease risk was lower in the improved group for health behavior than the unimproved group (odds ratio =1.7, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The author considers that the application of the cerebrovascular disease prevention program by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency reduced cerebrovascular diseases risks among workers who were enrolled in the cerebrovascular disease prevention program and it must be accompanied by an improvement in health behavior for prevention of cerebrovascular disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.9
• /
• pp.5483-5487
• /
• 2013

Background: Associations between Arg399Gln, Arg194Trp and Arg280His polymorphisms of the XRCC1 gene and risk of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) have been widely studied but the findings are contradictory. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis in the present study using STATA 11.0 software to clarify any associations. Electronic literature databases and reference lists of relevant articles revealed a total of 10, 6 and 6 published studies for the Arg399Gln, Arg194Trp and Arg280His polymorphisms, respectively. Results: No significant associations were observed between Arg399Gln and DTC risk in all genetic models within the overall and subgroup meta-analyses, while the Trp/Trp vs Arg/Arg and recessive model of the Arg194Trp polymorphism was associated with DTC susceptibility, and the dominant model of Arg280His polymorphism contributed to DTC susceptibility in Caucasians. Conclusions: Our meta-analysis suggests that XRCC1 Arg194Trp may be a risk factor for DTC development.