• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.155-168
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• 2021

Purpose: Previous studies have demonstrated the usefulness of the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score in nutritional assessment and survival prediction of patients with various malignancies. However, its value in advanced gastric cancer (GC) treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and curative gastrectomy remains unclear. Materials and Methods: The CONUT score at different time points (pretreatment, preoperative, and postoperative) of 272 patients with advanced GC were retrospectively calculated from August 2004 to October 2015. The χ² test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to estimate the relationships between the CONUT score and clinical characteristics as well as short-term outcomes, while the Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate long-term outcomes. Survival curves were estimated by using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Results: The proportion of moderate or severe malnutrition among all patients was not significantly changed from pretreatment (13.5%) to pre-operation (11.7%) but increased dramatically postoperatively (47.5%). The pretreatment CONUT-high score (≥4) was significantly associated with older age (P=0.010), deeper tumor invasion (P=0.025), and lower pathological complete response rate (CONUT-high vs. CONUT-low: 1.2% vs. 6.6%, P=0.107). Pretreatment CONUT-high score patients had worse progression-free survival (P=0.032) and overall survival (OS) (P=0.026). Adjusted for pathologic node status, the pretreatment CONUT-high score was strongly associated with worse OS in pathologic node-positive patients (P=0.039). Conclusions: The pretreatment CONUT score might be a straightforward index for immune-nutritional status assessment, while being a reliable prognostic indicator in patients with advanced GC receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy and curative gastrectomy. Moreover, lower pretreatment CONUT scores might indicate better chemotherapy responses.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.335-351
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• 2021

Purpose: An underlying factor for the failure of several clinical trials of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapies is the lack of an effective method to identify patients who overexpress EGFR protein. The quantitative dot blot method (QDB) was used to measure EGFR protein levels objectively, absolutely, and quantitatively. Its feasibility was evaluated for the prognosis of overall survival (OS) of patients with gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Slices of 2×5 ㎛ from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded gastric cancer specimens were used to extract total tissue lysates for QDB measurement. Absolutely quantitated EGFR protein levels were used for the Kaplan-Meier OS analysis. Results: EGFR protein levels ranged from 0 to 772.6 pmol/g (n=246) for all gastric cancer patients. A poor correlation was observed between quantitated EGFR levels and immunohistochemistry scores with ρ=0.024 and P=0.717 in Spearman's correlation analysis. EGFR was identified as an independent negative prognostic biomarker for gastric cancer patients only through absolute quantitation, with a hazard ratio of 1.92 (95% confidence interval, 1.05-3.53; P=0.034) in multivariate Cox regression OS analysis. A cutoff of 208 pmol/g was proposed to stratify patients with a 3-year survival probability of 44% for patients with EGFR levels above the cutoff versus 68% for those below the cutoff based on Kaplan-Meier OS analysis (log rank test, P=0.002). Conclusions: A QDB-based assay was developed for gastric cancer specimens to measure EGFR protein levels absolutely, quantitatively, and objectively. This assay should facilitate clinical trials aimed at evaluation of anti-EGFR therapies retrospectively and prospectively for gastric cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제48권5호
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• pp.284-291
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the clinicopathological prognostic factors affecting the survival of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients with OSCC who received treatment at the Oral Oncology Clinic of the National Cancer Center (NCC) from June 2001 to December 2020. The patients' sex, age, primary site, T stage, node metastasis, TNM staging, perineural invasion (PNI), lymphovascular invasion (LVI), differentiation, surgical resection margin, smoking, and drinking habits were investigated to analyze risk factors. For the univariate analysis, a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test were used. Additionally, for the multivariable analysis, a Cox proportional hazard model analysis was used. For both analyses, statistical significance was considered when P<0.05. Results: During the investigation period, 407 patients were received surgical treatment at the NCC. Their overall survival rate (OS) for five years was 70.7%, and the disease-free survival rate (DFS) was 60.6%. The multivariable analysis revealed that node metastasis, PNI, and differentiation were significantly associated with poor OS. For DFS, PNI and differentiation were associated with poor survival rates. Conclusion: In patients with OSCC, cervical node metastasis, PNI, and differentiation should be considered important prognostic factors for postoperative survival.

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제54권1호
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• pp.18-31
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of anthropometric indices of obesity (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, waist hip ratio, and body fat percentage) on the incidence of hypertension in adults with prehypertension. Methods: A longitudinal study design using secondary data form the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study was employed. The study included 1,838 adults with prehypertension tracked every two years from 2001 to 2018. Statistical analyses, including frequency assessments, number of cases per 1,000 person-years, log-rank tests, Kaplan-Meier curves, and Cox's proportional hazards regression, were conducted using SPSS version 25. Results: Over the observation period (15,783.6 person-years), 1,136 individuals developed hypertension. The incidence of hypertension was significantly higher in the obesity groups defined by BMI (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.33), waist circumference (HR = 1.34), waist hip ratio (HR = 1.29), and body fat percentage (HR = 1.31) compared to the non-obese group. These findings indicate an increased risk of hypertension associated with obesity as measured by these indices. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of avoiding obesity to prevent hypertension in individuals with prehypertension. Specifically, BMI, waist circumference, waist hip circumference, and body fat percentage were identified as significant risk factors for hypertension. The results suggest the need for individualized weight control interventions, emphasizing the role of health professionals in addressing the heightened hypertension risk in this population.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제23권10호
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• pp.998-1008
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• 2022

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the relationship between incidental abnormalities on thoracic computed tomography (CT) and mortality in a general screening population using a long-term follow-up analysis. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected the medical records and CT images of 840 participants (mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 58.5 ± 6.7 years; 564 male) who underwent thoracic CT at a single health promotion center between 2007 and 2010. Two thoracic radiologists independently reviewed all CT images and evaluated any incidental abnormalities (interstitial lung abnormality [ILA], emphysema, coronary artery calcification [CAC], aortic valve [AV] calcification, and pulmonary nodules). Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank and z-tests was performed to assess the relationship between incidental CT abnormalities and all-cause mortality in the subsequent follow-up. Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to further identify risk factors of all-cause mortality among the incidental CT abnormalities and clinical factors. Results: Among the 840 participants, 55 (6%), 171 (20%), 288 (34%), 396 (47%), and 97 (11%) had findings of ILA, emphysema, CAC, pulmonary nodule, and AV calcification, respectively, on initial CT. The participants were followed up for a mean period ± SD of 10.9 ± 1.4 years. All incidental CT abnormalities were associated with all-cause mortality in univariable analysis (p < 0.05). However, multivariable analysis further revealed fibrotic ILA as an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 2.52 [95% confidence interval, 1.02-6.22], p = 0.046). ILA were also identified as an independent risk factor for lung cancer or respiratory disease-related deaths. Conclusion: Incidental abnormalities on screening thoracic CT were associated with increased mortality during the long-term follow-up. Among incidental CT abnormalities, fibrotic ILA were independently associated with increased mortality. Appropriate management and surveillance may be required for patients with fibrotic ILA on thoracic CT obtained for general screening purposes.

• 한국간담췌외과학회지
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.251-257
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• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: This is a retrospective analysis of whether the 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) was a significant improvement over the 7th AJCC distal extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma classification. Methods: In total, 111 patients who underwent curative resection of mid-distal bile duct cancer from 2002 to 2019 were included. Cases were re-classified into 7th and 8th AJCC as well as clinicopathological univariate and multivariate, and Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log rank were calculated using R software. Results: In patient characteristics, pancreaticoduodenectomy/pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy had better survival than segmental resection. Only lymphovascular invasion was found to be significant (hazard ratio 2.01, p = 0.039) among all clinicopathological variables. The 8th edition AJCC Kaplan Meier survival curve showed an inability to properly segregate stage I and IIA, while there was a large difference in survival probability between IIA and IIB. Conclusions: The 8th distal AJCC classification did resolve the anatomical issue with the T stage, as T1 and T3 showed improvement over the 7th AJCC, and the N stage division of the N1 and N2 category was found to be justified, with poorer survival in N2 than N1. Meanwhile, in TMN staging, the 8th AJCC was able differentiate between early stage (I and IIA) and late stage (IIB and III) to better explain the patient prognosis.

• 한국간담췌외과학회지
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.248-261
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• 2024

Backgrounds/Aims: This study aimed to investigate patterns and factors affecting recurrence after curative resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent curative resection for PDAC (2011-21) and consented to data and tissue collection (Barts Pancreas Tissue Bank) were followed up until May 2023. Clinico-pathological variables were analysed using Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Of 91 people (42 males [46%]; median age, 71 years [range, 43-86 years]) with a median follow-up of 51 months (95% confidence intervals [CIs], 40-61 months), the recurrence rate was 72.5% (n = 66; 12 loco-regional alone, 11 liver alone, 5 lung alone, 3 peritoneal alone, 29 simultaneous loco-regional and distant metastases, and 6 multi-focal distant metastases at first recurrence diagnosis). The median time to recurrence was 8.5 months (95% CI, 6.6-10.5 months). Median survival after recurrence was 5.8 months (95% CI, 4.2-7.3 months). Stratification by recurrence location revealed significant differences in time to recurrence between loco-regional only recurrence (median, 13.6 months; 95% CI, 11.7-15.5 months) and simultaneous loco-regional with distant recurrence (median, 7.5 months; 95% CI, 4.6-10.4 months; p = 0.02, pairwise log-rank test). Significant predictors for recurrence were systemic inflammation index (SII) ≥ 500 (hazard ratio [HR], 4.5; 95% CI, 1.4-14.3), lymph node ratio ≥ 0.33 (HR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.4-5.8), and adjuvant chemotherapy (HR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.7). Conclusions: Timing to loco-regional only recurrence was significantly longer than simultaneous loco-regional with distant recurrence. Significant predictors for recurrence were SII, lymph node ration, and adjuvant chemotherapy.

• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.132-142
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• 2023

Objective: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is usually temporarily used after stent-assisted coil embolization (SACE), and is commonly converted to mono antiplatelet therapy (MAPT) for indefinitely. In this study, we aimed to find the possibility of discontinuing MAPT, and to determine the proper period of DAPT use. Methods: We used the Standard Sample Cohort DB dataset from the National Health Insurance Sharing Service. Among approximately 1 million people in the dataset, SACE was performed in 214 patients whose data this study analyzed. The relationship between discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy and intracranial hemorrhage or cerebral infarction was analyzed using multiple logistic regression, considering all confounding variables. The survival rate according to the continuation of antiplatelet therapy was obtained using Kaplan-Meier analysis, and the difference in survival rate according to the continuation of antiplatelet therapy was verified using the log-rank test. The hazard ratio according to continuation of antiplatelet therapy was obtained using the Cox proportional hazards model. The analysis was conducted by applying the same statistical method to the duration of DAPT use. Results: Among 214 patients who underwent SACE, 50, 159 and five patients continued, discontinued and did not use antiplatelet therapy (except at the time of procedure), respectively. In multiple logistic regression analysis, discontinuation of antiplatelet agents (including aspirin) and the period of DAPT use did not affect the occurrence of intracranial hemorrhage or cerebral infarction, considering various confounding factors. In the survival analysis according to the continuation of antiplatelet agents, patients who continued to use antiplatelet agents had a higher survival rate than those in other groups (p=0.00). The survival rate was higher in the rest of the group than in the group that received DAPT for three months (p=0.00). Conclusions: Continuation of antiplatelet agents or the period of DAPT use did not affect the occurrence of intracranial hemorrhage or cerebral infarction. Considering the survival rate, it would be better to maintain at least three months of antiplatelet therapy and it might be recommended to continue DAPT use for 12 months.

• 한국산림과학회지
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• 제83권2호
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• pp.175-190
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• 1994

산지사면붕괴(山地斜面崩壞)에 의(依)한 피해(被害)를 예방(豫防) 또는 극소화(極小化)하기 위(爲)하여 산사태(山沙汰)가 자주 발생(發生)하는 지역(地域)을 중심(中心)으로 각(各) 조사(調査) 단위사면(單位斜面)에 대(對)하여 산지사면붕괴(山地斜面崩壞)에 영향(影響)하리라고 예상(豫想)되는 12개(個) 환경요인(環境要因)을 현지조사(現地調査)하고 붕괴(崩壞)와 환경인자(環境因子)와의 관계(關係)를 수량화(數量化) 이론(理論)에 의(依)한 방법(方法)으로 분석(分析)하여 산사태발생(山沙汰發生)의 위험도(危險度)를 평가(評價)할 수 있는 예측(豫測)모델을 도출(導出)하였으며, 또한 이를 기초(基礎)로 하여 위험도(危險度)를 각(各) 급별(級別)로 구분(區分)하고 예지(豫知)모델을 검토(檢討)하였던 바 그 결과(結果)을 요약(要約)하면 다음과 같다. 산지붕괴발생면적(山地崩壞發生面積)에 영향(影響)을 주는 인자(因子)는 강우(降雨), 령급(齡級), 표고(標高), 토성(土性), 경사(傾斜), 사면위치(斜面位置), 임상(林相), 곡차수(谷次數), 종단사면형(縱斷斜面形), 모암(母岩), 토심(土深), 방위(方位)의 순(順)이었으며, 편상관계수(偏相關係數)에 의(依)한 인자(因子)는 령급(令級), 강우(降雨), 토성(土性), 모암(母岩), 경사(傾斜), 사면위치(斜面位置), 표고(標高), 종단사면형(縱斷斜面形), 곡차수(谷次數), 임상(林相), 토심(土深), 방위(方位)의 순(順)으로 나타났다. 또한 산지붕괴발생빈도(山地崩壞發生頻度)에 의(依)한 인자(因子)의 순위(順位)는 령급(令級), 표고(標高), 토성(土性), 경사도(傾斜度), 식생(植生), 강우(降雨), 종단사면(縱斷斜面), 곡차수(谷次數), 모암(母岩), 토심(土深)이었으며 사면위치(斜面位置) 및 방위(方位)는 기여도(寄與度)가 낮게 나타났다. 산지사면붕괴위험(山地斜面崩壞危險) 예지(豫知)를 위(爲)하여 붕괴발생면적(崩壞發生面積)에 의(依)한 예측(豫測)모델에서 위험도(危險度) 예측점수표(豫測點數表)를 작성(作成)할 수 있었으며, 점수합계(點數合計)가 9.1636이면 붕괴발생위험(崩壞發生危險)이 높은 것으로 평가(評價)되었으며 산지(山地) 사면붕괴(斜面崩壞)가 발생(發生)한 사면(斜面)과 발생(發生)하지 않은 사면(斜面)에 의(依)한 예측(豫測)모델에서 우사면(雨斜面)에 대(對)한 사면판별(斜面判別) 구분치(區分値)는 -0.02였고, 그 적중율(適中率)은 73%로 높았다. 또한 판별구분치(判別區分値)를 기준(基準)으로 한 산지사면붕괴발생(山地斜面崩壞發生) 위험도별(危險度別) 점수(點數)는 A급(級)은 0.3132 이상(以上)이었고, B급(級)은 0.3132~-0.1051, C급(級)은 -0.1050~-0.4195, D급(級)은 -0.4195 이하(以下)였다. 그리고 산지사면붕괴발생(山地斜面崩壞發生)의 예지(豫知)는 판별구분치(判別區分値)를 기준(基準)으로 위험도(危險度)을 A, B, C, D의 4등급(等級)으로 구분(區分)할 수 있었으며, 총(總) 300개(個) 사면(斜面) 중(中) A급사면(級斜面) 68개(個), B급사면(級斜面) 115개(個), C급사면(級斜面) 65개, D급사면(級斜面) 52개(個)였다. 위험도(危險度) A, B급(級)에서의 산사태발생(山沙汰發生)은 150개(個) 붕괴지(崩壞地) 중 125개(個)로서 약(約) 83.3%의 높은 적중율(適中率)을 보여 예측(豫測)모델로서 응용(應用) 가능성(可能性)이 높게 나타났다. 따라서 이러한 예지방법(豫知方法)에 의(依)하여 선정(選定)한 위험(危險)한 지역(地域)에 대(對)하여 산지재해위험도(山地災害危險度) 지도(地圖)를 작성(作成)하여 토지이용(土地利用) 계획(計劃) 및 재해위험지(災害危險地) 선정기준(選定基準)의 행정지표(行政指標)로서 활용(活用)할 수 있을 것이다. 또한 산지재해(山地災害)에 대(對)한 종합(綜合) 대책(對策)에 유용(有用)하게 활용(活用)함으로써 막대(莫大)한 재산(財産) 피해(被害)와 인명(人命) 손실(損失)을 사전(事前)에 방지(防止)할 수 있을 것이다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권22호
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• pp.9823-9829
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• 2014

Background: High-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) is recognized as an efficient component of therapy against pediatric osteosarcoma in combination with other drugs such as cisplatin (CDP), carboplatin (CBDCA), doxorubicin (ADM), etoposide (VP-16) and ifosfamide (IFO). Objectives: To demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the HD-MTX/CDP/DOX/VP-16/IFO [MTX(+)] protocol comparable to CDP/ADM/CBDCA/IFO [MTX(-)] for treating childhood osteosarcoma at Ramathibodi Hospital (1999-2014). Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of osteosarcoma patients aged less than 18 years treated with two chemotherapeutic regimens between 1999 and 2014. A total of 45 patients received the MTX(-) and 21 the MTX(+) protocol. Results: Overall limb-salvage and amputation rate were 12.9% and 77.7%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis results for 3-year disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) regardless of treatment regimens were $43.4{\pm}6.0%$ and $53.2{\pm}6.1%$ respectively. The 3-year DFS and OS were improved significantly with the MTX(+) protocol compared to MTX(-) protocol (p=0.010 and p=0.009, log rank test) [$69.8{\pm}10.5%$, $79.8{\pm}9.1%$ for MTX(+) and $31.1{\pm}6.9%$, $42.2{\pm}7.4%$ for MTX(-) protocol, respectively]. Patients with metastatic osteosarcoma treated with the MTX(+) protocol had statistically significant higher 3-year DFS and OS than those treated with the MTX(-) protocol ($66.7{\pm}13.6%$ and $15.0{\pm}8.0%$ for 3-year DFS, p=0.010, $73.3{\pm}13.2%$ and $20{\pm}8.9%$ for 3-year OS, p=0.006, respectively). The independent risk factors for having inferior 3-year DFS and OS were poor histological response (tumor necrosis <90%) and treatment with the MTX(-) protocol. The multivariate analysis identified only the treatment with the MTX(-) protocol as an independent predictor of inferior OS with a hazard ratio (HR) of 3.53 (95% confidence interval of 1.2-10.41, p=0.022). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated the tolerability, feasibility and efficacy of the HDMTX-based regimen improving the survival rate in pediatric osteosarcoma cases, in line with reports from developed countries.