• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.299-304
• /
• 2014

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a malignancy of biliary duct with a very poor prognosis, is the leading cause of cancer death in countries of the Mekong subregion. Liver fluke infection is the main etiological factor, but genetic variation has been recognized as also important in conferring susceptibility to CCA risk. Nuclear factor (erythroid derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) is a key transcription factor in detoxification and antioxidant defense. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that genetic polymorphisms in the NRF2 gene may be associated with cancer development. The objectives of this study were to investigate the association of NRF2 genetic polymorphism with CCA risk and to evaluate the influence of the NRF2 genotype on survival time of affected patients. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the NRF2 gene, including rs6726395: A/G, rs2886161: C/T, rs1806649: C/T, and rs10183914: C/T, were analyzed using TaqMan$^{(R)}$ SNP genotyping assays. Among 158 healthy northeastern Thai subjects, the allele frequencies were 41, 62, 94, and 92%, respectively. The correlation of NRF2 SNPs and CCA risk was analyzed in the 158 healthy subjects and 198 CCA patients, using unconditional logistic regression. The results showed that whereas the NRF2 SNPs were not associated with CCA risk (p>0.05), Kaplan-Meier analysis of 88 intrahepatic CCA patients showed median survival time with rs6726395 genotypes of GG and AA/AG to be $344{\pm}138$ (95%CI: 73-615) days and $172{\pm}37$ (95%CI: 100-244) days, respectively, (p<0.006). On multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, the GG genotype of rs6726395 was found to be associated with longer survival with a hazard ratio of 0.54 (95%CI: 0.31-0.94). In addition, non-papillary adenocarcinoma was associated with poor survival with a hazard ratio of 2.09 (95%CI: 1.16-3.75). The results suggest that the NRF2 rs6726395 polymorphism can be a potential prognostic biomarker for CCA patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.1471-1475
• /
• 2014

Background: The epidemiological patterns of cancer incidence have been investigated widely in western countries. Nevertheless, information is quite limited in Jiangxi province, southern China. Materials and Methods: All data were reported by 6 population-based cancer registries in Jiangxi Province. The results were presented as incidence rates of cases by site (ICD-10), sex, crude rate (CR), age-standardized rates (ASRs) and truncated incidence rate (TR) per 100,000 person-years, using the direct method of standardization to the world population. Results: 8,765 new cancer cases were registered in our study during the period 2009-2011. Diagnosis of cancer was based on histopathology in 61.0%, clinical or radiology findings in 4.87% and death certificate only (DCO) in 3.0% of the cases. The median age at diagnosis was 62.0 years (mean, 61; standard deviation, 15). The ASRs were 170.8 per 100,000 for men and 111.2 for women. The ASRs for all invasive cancers from the urban areas (145.7 per 100,000) was higher than that of rural areas (137.1). Incidence rates for lung cancer were higher in rural (35.8) than in urban areas (27.0). Similarly, relatively high rates were observed for stomach cancer in rural (20.1) relative to urban areas (15.5). Conclusions: Our results reveal that the most common cancers were breast and lung in women and lung and liver in men. Interestingly, this study suggested a higher incidence rates for lung and stomach cancer in rural males than in urban population, which may suggest other potential causes, such as over-consumption of smoked meats and high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection, respectively. Public education and the promotion of healthy lifestyles should be actively carried out.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.743-752
• /
• 1995

The study was carried out to characterize the properties of Korean isolates of EHV from aborted fetuses and determine envelope protein profiles. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. Two strains of EHV was isolated from 2 liver samples among 10 aborted fetuses from which the virus isolation was attempted. 2. Morphological and some enzymatic properties of the Korean isolates of EHV which was designated as $LC_1$ and $LC_2$ was identical to those of a reference strain of Australia-N of EHV-1. The Korean isolates of EHV could be propagated on ED cell culture and they formed typical plaques 1 to 2 days after infection in the ED cells from which typical cuboidal particles of 150~170 nm diameter herpesvirus were observed. The virus could be detected specifically from neucleus and cytoplasm of infected cells by flourescent antibody technique using FITC labelled anti-Aust IV(EHV-1) antiserum. The Korean isolates, $LC_1$ and $LC_2$ were specifically neutralized by anti Aust IV antiserum and reacted positively to CELISA. 3. The structural polypeptides of purified enveloped virions of $LC_1$ and $LC_2$ isolates of EHV were determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to identify the envelope glycoproteins. $LC_1$ and $LC_2$ strains revealed 14 glycoproteins ranging in molecular weight from 190 kD to 31 kD while 17 structural proteins of Aust IV(EHV-1), of which 14 were identical to those of $LC_1$ and $LC_2$, were identified. Upon immunoblotting by rabbit antiserum against EHV isolates and EHV-1(Aust IV), 4 immunogenic proteins of $LC_1$ and $LC_2$ were 135 kD, 88 kD, 64 kD and 59 kD, of which 135 kD, 88 kD and 64 kD proteins were also found in Aust IV(EHV-1).

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.332-336
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The third molar extraction is one of the mostly performed procedures in the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery. In most of dental clinic or hospital, the third molar extraction used to be frequently performed in an office-based surgery, and most patients did not have specific medical history with young ages. Medical history taking are dependent on the only way by asking to the patients about their individual conditions. Therefore, as the specialists of the oral and maxillofacial surgery in the field of dentistry, we suggest a new policy that the preoperative lab must be performed routinely before extraction of the third molar. Methods: This study is based on 1,096 patients who have been managed with third molar extractions, from March 2008 to September 2011 by a single surgeon. The preoperative lab, including complete blood count, coagulation panel, chemistry and serology, was performed before any surgical procedures. The results were informed to the patients regardless of their abnormalities, and any abnormalities related to the surgical procedures, such as platelet count and coagulation factors, were checked and corrected safely. Results: Through the preoperative blood test, systemic diseases that the patients had not recognized before, such as anemia, leukopenia, fatty liver and chronic renal disease, were identified. Patients with acute or chronic leukemia, Hepatitis B, and HIV positive, were also detected as a small number. Also, the possibilities of the cross-infection between dentists and patients or between patients and patients, and any other emergency situations can be prevented; as well as the public health condition can be improved, too. The patients were satisfied with low cost preventive blood test and high quality of medical services. Conclusion: Therefore, routine medical lab testing, including history taking are needed before an office-based minor surgery, such as third molar extractions, and these results were suggested as a new policy in the field of dentistry.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.66 no.5
• /
• pp.390-395
• /
• 2009

Among the bronchogenic carcinomas, especially squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma frequently present with cavitation, which may result from tumor necrosis. Cavitary lesions of the tumor are occasionally associated with infection and misdiagnosed as benign lung abscess owing to the partial responsiveness to antibiotics. It is very difficult to distinguish the carcinomatous abscess from the benign lung abscess, because of their similar clinical and radiologic features. Delay in diagnosis of underlying lung cancer may result in poor outcome. Therefore, clinicians should remember that the patients with highly suspicious carcinoma of the lung should undergo further precise examinations to find out malignant cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.60 no.3
• /
• pp.86-93
• /
• 2017

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical spectrum of posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) after solid organ transplantation (SOT) in children. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 18 patients with PTLD who underwent liver (LT) or kidney transplantation (KT) between January 1995 and December 2014 in Seoul National University Children's Hospital. Results: Eighteen patients (3.9% of pediatric SOTs; LT:KT, 11:7; male to female, 9:9) were diagnosed as having PTLD over the last 2 decades (4.8% for LT and 2.9% for KT). PTLD usually presented with fever or gastrointestinal symptoms in a median period of 7 months after SOT. Eight cases had malignant lesions, and all the patients except one had evidence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) involvement, assessed by using in situ hybridization of tumor tissue or EBV viral load quantitation of blood. Remission was achieved in all patients with reduction of immunosuppression and/or rituximab therapy or chemotherapy, although 1 patient had allograft kidney loss and another died from complications of chemotherapy. The first case of PTLD was encountered after the introduction of tacrolimus for pediatric SOT in 2003. The recent increase in PTLD incidence in KT coincided with modification of clinical practice since 2012 to increase the tacrolimus trough level. Conclusion: While the outcome was favorable in that all patients achieved complete remission, some patients still had allograft loss or mortality. To prevent PTLD and improve its outcome, monitoring for EBV infection is essential, which would lead to appropriate modification of immunosuppression and enhanced surveillance for PTLD.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.104-113
• /
• 2014

Purpose: We compared the clinical manifestations of patients with tsutsugamushi disease between children and adults. Methods: From January 2003 to December 2012, 768 patients diagnosed with tsutsugamushi disease were retrospectively reviewed, and the clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and complications were compared between children and adults. Results: No patterns of annual increases in the number of patients were noted in both children and adults. The higher incidences occurred in October and November respectively. By gender, male outnumbered female in children, but the opposite trend was seen in adults. By residential area, the urban distribution of children was higher than that of adults. Rashes (P =0.001) and eschar (P =0.004) were more common in children, while myalgia was more common in adults. Children had a high prevalence of anemia (P =0.041), and low incidence rates of thrombocytopenia, abnormal liver and renal function. Children yielded better results in the duration of their hospital stay and the incidence of complications (P <0.001). A comparison of the therapeutic effects of doxycycline and macrolide antibiotics, which was performed only on the children, did not reveal any significant differences. Conclusion: Compared to adults, children had higher incidence rates of male patients and more often suffered from rashes and eschar. Children yielded better results in the laboratory findings and duration of the hospital stay and complications. Therefore, when children are suspected to have tsutsugamushi disease, especially during its peak occurrence period, detailed physical examination and serological test should be performed to ensure a prompt diagnosis, and the use of macrolide antibiotics, which have fewer side effects, is expected to yield the same therapeutic effects.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.347-352
• /
• 1995

The efficacy of closantel against naturally-acquired and experimentally-induced F hepatica and param-phistomes were administered once orally with closantel at the level of 5mg/kg body weight. In a double-checked fecal examination, cows treated with closantel did not contain F hepatica eggs in their feces at second week post-treatment(PT). At the third and fourth weeks PT, however, Fasciola eggs were found in the feces of 3 treated cows, resulting in a 97.7% efficacy. Of the 41 treated cattle, 30 were at various stages of gestation. No side effects were observed in any of the treated cows and congenital defects among calves born from the treated cows were not reported. Closantel was not effective against paramphistomes. In a separate experiment, 16 Holstein caves were experimentally infected with 300 F hepatica metacercariae each. F hepatica eggs were found in the feces of all infected calves by 14 weeks post-infection(PI). Calves were then treated at 18 weeks PI once orally with 5mg/kg body weight closantel. None of the treated calves contained F hepatica eggs in their feces at 2nd, 3rd or 4th week PT. Our results indicate that oral administration of closantel at the level of 5mg/kg body weight eliminated all mature F hepatica in the liver, while some of immature flukes survived to become adult and produce eggs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.637-642
• /
• 2014

The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) related to habitual betel quid (BQ) chewing is unclear. Risk of HCCis increased with adverse hepatic fibrosis. This study aimed to assess the impact of chronic viral hepatitis on adverse hepatic fibrosis in HCC related to BQ chewing. This hospital-based case-control study enrolled 200 pairs of age- and gender-matched patients with HCC and unrelated healthy controls. Serologic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), ${\alpha}$-fetoprotein (AFP), and surrogate markers for significant hepatic fibrosis were measured. Information on substance-use habits was obtained with a questionnaire. By analysis of surrogate markers for hepatic fibrosis, the prevalence of significant hepatic fibrosis in patients chewing BQ was between 45.8% and 91.7%, whereas that for patients without BQ chewing was between 18.4% and 57.9%. The difference was significant (P <0.05 for each surrogate marker). Multivariate analysis indicated that cirrhosis with Child-Pugh C (odds ratio (OR) = 3.28; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.29-8.37), thrombocytopenia (OR = 3.92, 95% CI, 1.77-8.68), AFP >400 mg/L (OR = 2.21, 95% CI, 1.05-4.66) and male gender (OR = 4.06, 95% CI, 1.29-12.77) were independent factors associated with habitual BQ chewing. In conclusion, adverse hepatic fibrosis and severe liver damage play important roles in the pathogenesis of BQ-related HCC, which could be aggravated by chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C. BQ-cessation programs and prevention of chronic HBV/HCV infection are needed to prevent HCC related to BQ chewing.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.161-168
• /
• 2002

Objectives: Hwangryunhaedok-tang (Huang-lian-jie-du-tang, HRHDT, 黃連解毒湯) is a traditional Korean herbal medicine that is formulated with Coptidis Rhizoma, Phellodendri Cortex, Scutellariae Radix and Gardeniae Fructus. HRHDT is cold (寒) and bitter (苦) in nature and has general properties of clearing heat and detoxifying (淸熱解毒), strengthening the stomach and settling the liver (健胃平肝), and reducing inflammation, fever and swelling. This formula can prevent and treat artherosclerosis, hyperplasia of the endothelium, cerebral fluid circulation, cerebral vascular deterioration through aging, impairment of neurotransmitters, or disruption of the functioning of the cerebral cortex following infection or trauma. The purpose of the study reported here was to determine the neuroprotective effect of HRHDT on global ischemia induced by 4-vessel occlusion in Wistar rats. Methods: HRHDT extract was lyophilized after extraction with 85% methanol and 100% water. Rats were induced to 10 minutes of forebrain ischemia by 4-vessel occlusion (4-VO) and reperfused again. HRHDT was administered with a dose of 100 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg of 85% methanol extracts and 100 mg/kg of 100% water extracts, respectively, at 0 min and 90 min after 4-VO. Rats were killed at 7 days after ischemia and the number of CA1 pyramidal neurons was counted in hippocampal sections stained with cresyl violet. Results: Body temperature of animals showed no significant difference between saline-treated groups and HRHDT extracts-treated groups until 5 hours of reperfusion. This result indicated that neuroprotective effects of HRHDT extracts were not due to hypothermic effects. The administration of HRHDT showed a significant neuroprotective effect on hippocampal CA1 neurons at 7 days after ischemia compared to the saline-treated group (P<0.001). HRHDT methanol extracts of 100 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and HRHDT water extracts of 100 mg/kg showed 88.5%, 98.3% and 95.1 % neuroprotection, respectively. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that administration of HRHDT is highly effective in reducing neuronal damage in response to transient global cerebral ischemia. HRHDT may involve many mechanisms that might account for its high degree of efficacy. A number of factors including free radicals, glutamate, calcium overload, NO, and various cytokines have been proposed to have an important role in causing neuronal death after short periods of global ischemia. Further studies are needed to know the neuroprotective mechanisms of HRHDT.