• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.334-338
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• 2012

Objective : We compared the survival time between patients with multiple gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) and patients with a single GKRS plus whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), in patients with multiple metachronous brain metastases from lung cancer. Methods : From May 2006 to July 2010, we analyzed 31 patients out of 112 patients who showed multiple metachronous brain metastases. 20 out of 31 patients underwent multiple GKRS (group A) and 11 patients underwent a single GKRS plus WBRT (group B). We compared the survival time between group A and B. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards were used to analyze relationship between survival and 1) the number of lesions in each patient, 2) the average volume of lesions in each patient, 3) the number of repeated GKRS, and 4) the interval of development of new lesions, respectively. Results : Median survival time was 18 months (range 6-50 months) in group A and 6 months (range 3-18 months) in group B. Only the average volume of individual lesion (over 10 cc) was negatively related with survival time according to Kaplan-Meier method. Cox-proportional hazard ratio of each variable was 1.1559 for the number of lesions, 1.0005 for the average volume of lesions, 0.0894 for the numbers of repeated GKRS, and 0.5970 for the interval of development of new lesions. Conclusion : This study showed extended survival time in group A compared with group B. Our result supports that multiple GKRS is of value in extending the survival time in patients with multiple metachronous brain metastases, and that the number of the lesions and the frequency of development of new lesions are not an obstacle in treating patients with GKRS.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.270-274
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• 2017

Background: We evaluated the operative outcomes of an extra-anatomic bypass from the ascending aorta to the abdominal aorta in patients with type II or III Takayasu arteritis (TA) with mid-aortic syndrome. Methods: From 1988 to 2014, 8 patients with type II (n=2) or III (n=6) TA underwent an ascending aorta to abdominal aorta bypass. The mean patient age was $43.5{\pm}12.2years$ and the mean peak pressure gradient between the upper and lower extremities was $54.8{\pm}39.0mm\;Hg$. The median follow-up duration was 54.4 months (range, 17.8 to 177.4 months). Results: There were no cases of operative mortality. The mean peak pressure gradient significantly decreased to $-2.4{\pm}32.3mm\;Hg$ (p=0.017 compared to the preoperative value). Late death occurred in 2 patients. The symptoms of upper extremity hypertension and claudication improved in all patients. The bypass grafts were patent at $47.1{\pm}58.9months$ in 7 patients who underwent follow-up imaging studies. Conclusion: An extra-anatomic ascending aorta to abdominal aorta bypass could be an effective treatment option for severe aortic steno-occlusive disease in patients with type II or III TA, with favorable early and long-term outcomes.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.138-144
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• 1987

This study was conducted to pursue the normalization of frequency distribution by making approach the coefficient of skewness to nearly zero tbrough SMEMAX transformation and to get probable minimum flows can be acquired by means of transforrnation equation which has been derivated by SMEMAX method to the annual minimum flow series of five watersheds along Geum river basin. The results obtained through SMEMAX method were compared with probable minimum flows according to return periods by Type III extremal distribution which has been determined as the best fitted one among probablility distributions for the analysis of minimum flow. All the results obtained through this study are summarized as follows. 1.SMEMAX transformation based on median value was proved to be the best method when the coefficient of skewness has less reliability because of the short duration for the observation and were not affected by accidental outliers. 2.SMEMAX transformation has found to be the best one for the coefficient of skewness to be made nearly zero in comparison with log and cubic root transformation. 3.Probable minimum flows according to the return periods were derivated by transformation equations obtained through theoretical analysis of SMEM AX transformation. 4.In general, probable minimum flows by SMEMAX method were appeared as higher values in the range of five and twenty years and as lower ones in the range of below than five and more than fifty years in return periods respectively, in comparison with the results of type III extremal distribution. 5.Relative errors in the probable minimum flows of SMEMAX method to the results of type III extremal distribution were shown to be within ten percent except those of one hundred years in return periods. 6.SMEMAX method was also confirmed to be useful for the analysis of minimum flow frequency as well as flood frequency analysis.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.395-406
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• 2006

This study was carried out to offer the systematical and scientific method of regional environment conservation by deciding the rank using fuzzy theory, and try to find the methodology to accurately accomplished the regional environment assessment for sound land conservation. The results were as follows. To transform the Likert's scale granted to assessment indicators into the type of triangular fuzzy number (a, b, c), there was conversion to each minimum (a), median (b), and maximum (c) in applying membership function. We used the center of gravity and eigenvalue leading to the rank. In the sequential analysis of rank-based test of assessment indicators by triangular fuzzy number, the result proclaimed that ranking of the indicators was, in the biotic field, in the order of 'dominance', 'sociality', 'coverage' and in the abiotic one, 'soil pH', 'T-N', 'soil property', and in the qualitative one, 'impact rating class', 'hemeroby degree', 'land use pattern', and in the functional one, 'protection of water resource', 'offer of recreation', 'protection of soil erosion'. Therefore, there was a difference between subjective rank from human and the rank from triangular fuzzy number. In other words, the scientific rank decision would be not so much being subjective and biased as dealing with human thoughts mathematically by triangular fuzzy number.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2245-2250
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• 2015

Background: The interaction between tumor cells and inflammatory cells has not been systematically investigated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether preoperative the lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR), the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) could predict the prognosis of ESCC patients undergoing esophagectomy. Materials and Methods: Records from 218 patients with histologically diagnosed ESCC who underwent attempted curative surgery from January 2007 to December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Besides clinicopathological prognostic factors, we evaluated the prognostic value of the LMR, the NLR, and the PLR using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression models. Results: The median follow-up was 38.6 months (range 3-71 months). The cut-off values of 2.57 for the LMR, 2.60 for the NLR and 244 for the PLR were chosen as optimal to discriminate between survival and death by applying receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of patients with low preoperative LMR demonstrated a significant worse prognosis for DFS (p=0.004) and OS (p=0.002) than those with high preoperative LMR. The high NLR cohort had lower DFS (p=0.004) and OS (p=0.011). Marginally reduced DFS (p=0.068) and lower OS (p=0.039) were found in the high PLR cohort. On multivariate analysis, only preoperative LMR was an independent prognostic factor for both DFS (p=0.009, HR=1.639, 95% CI 1.129-2.381) and OS (p=0.004, HR=1.759, 95% CI 1.201-2.576) in ESCC patients. Conclusions: Preoperative LMR better predicts cancer survival compared with the cellular components of systemic inflammation in patients with ESCC undergoing esophagectomy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2639-2642
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• 2012

Background: The patterns of gastric cancer recurrence vary across societies. We designed the current study in an attempt to evaluate and reveal the outbreak of the recurrence patterns of gastric cancer and also prediction of time to recurrence and its effected factors in Iran. Materials and Methods: This research was performed from March 2003 to February 2007. Demographic characteristics, clinical and pathological diagnosis and classification including pathologic stage, tumor grade, tumor site and tumor size in of patients with GC recurrent were collected from patients' data files. To evaluate of factors affected on the relapse of the GC patients, gender, age at diagnosis, treatment type and Hgb were included in the research. Data were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and logistic regression models. Results: After treatment, 82 patients suffered recurrence, 42, 33 and 17 by the ends of first, second and third years. The mean ( SD) and median ( IQR) time to recurrence in patients with GC were 25.5 (20.6-30.1) and 21.5 (15.6-27.1) months, respectively. The results of multivariate analysis logistic regression showed that only pathologic stage, tumor grade and tumor site significantly affected the recurrence. Conclusions: We found that pathologic stage, tumor grade and tumor site significantly affect on the recurrence of GC which has a high positive prognostic value and might be functional for better follow-up and selecting the patients at risk. We also showed time to recurrence to be an important factor for follow-up of patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2705-2709
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• 2012

Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene polymorphisms for the prognosis of osteosarcoma patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods: A total of 159 patients were included in our study between January 2005 and December 2007., with follow-up until January 2012. Genotyping was based upon the duplex polymerase-chain-reaction with the PCR-CTPP method. Results: At the time of diagnosis, 15.4% of the patients presented with metastasis, while 22.3% developed metastasis during follow-up. At the time of final analysis on January 2012, the median follow-up was 45.5 months. Patients with null GSTM1 and GSTT1 had a higher event free survival rate than non-null genotype, but no significant association was found between the two genotypes and prognosis of osteosarcoma. Individuals with GSTP1 Val/Val genotype tended to live shorter than with the IIe/IIe genotype, and we found a significantly higher risk of death from osteosarcoma (adjusted HR=2.35, 95% CI=1.13-4.85). Conclusion: The GSTP1 gene polymorphism may have an important role in the prognosis of osteosarcoma patients with chemotherapy. Further analyses with larger samples and more genes encoding metabolizing and DNA repair enzymes are warranted.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2559-2563
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• 2014

Purpose: We investigated the expression of epithelial $Ca^{2+}$ channel transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) 5 and 6 in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and assessed their prognostic role in patients after surgical resection. Materials and Methods: From January 2008 to January 2009, 145 patients who had undergone surgical resection of NSCLCs were enrolled in the study. Patient clinical characteristics were retrospectively reviewed. Fresh tumor samples as well as peritumor tissues were analyzed for TRPV5/6 expression using immune-histochemistry (IHC) and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Patients were grouped based on their TRPV5 and TRPV6 levels in the tumor tissues, followed up after surgery, and statistically analyzed to examine the prognostic roles of TRPV5 and TRPV6 on patients' survival after surgical resection of NSCLCs. Results: Using IHC, among the 145 patients who had undergone surgical resection of NSCLCs, strong protein expression (grade${\geq}2$) of TRPV5 and TRPV6 was observed in a lower percentage of primary tumor tissues than in non-tumor tissues of same patients. Similar findigns were obtained with the RT-PCR test for mRNA levels. Decreased overall mRNA levels of TRPV5 and TRPV6 were associated with a worse overall survival rate (p=0.004 and p=0.003 respectively) and shorter recurrence-free survival (p<0.001 and p<0.001 respectively). The combining effect of TRPV5 and TRPV6 on survival was further investigated using multivariate analysis. The results showed that a combination of low expression of TRPV5 and TRPV6 could be an independent predictor of poor recurrence-free survival (p=0.002). Conclusions: Decreased expression of TRPV5/6 in tumor tissues was observed in NSCLC patients and was associated with shorter median survival time after surgical resection. Combined expression of TRPV5 and TRPV6 in tumor tissues demonstrated promising prognostic value in NSCLC patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9673-9678
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• 2014

Background: Breast cancer is a fatal disease and the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women with an increasing pattern worldwide. The burden is mostly attributed to metastatic cancers that occur in one-third of patients and the treatments are palliative. It is of great interest to determine factors affecting time from cancer diagnosis to secondary metastasis. Materials and Methods: Cure rate models assume a Poisson distribution for the number of unobservable metastatic-component cells that are completely deleted from the non-metastasis patient body but some may remain and result in metastasis. Time to metastasis is defined as a function of the number of these cells and the time for each cell to develop a detectable sign of metastasis. Covariates are introduced to the model via the rate of metastatic-component cells. We used non-mixture cure rate models with Weibull and log-logistic distributions in a Bayesian setting to assess the relationship between metastasis free survival and covariates. Results: The median of metastasis free survival was 76.9 months. Various models showed that from covariates in the study, lymph node involvement ratio and being progesterone receptor positive were significant, with an adverse and a beneficial effect on metastasis free survival, respectively. The estimated fraction of patients cured from metastasis was almost 48%. The Weibull model had a slightly better performance than log-logistic. Conclusions: Cure rate models are popular in survival studies and outperform other models under certain conditions. We explored the prognostic factors of metastatic breast cancer from a different viewpoint. In this study, metastasis sites were analyzed all together. Conducting similar studies in a larger sample of cancer patients as well as evaluating the prognostic value of covariates in metastasis to each site separately are recommended.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.9
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• pp.750-755
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• 2005

Hepcidin, a peptide hormone synthesized mainly by the liver, has been implicated as a key regulator of iron homeostasis. Results from studies with experimental animal models suggested that hepcidin levels are related with body iron status, but little data is available in human subjects. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between serum pro-hepcidin levels, blood indexes of anemia, and dietary iron intake in female college students. Serum pro-hepcidin concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in eighty-two women with $22.1\pm0.2$ years old. Dietary intake data were collected by using the 24-hour recall method for 3 days. Mean concentrations of serum pro-hepcidin were 85.1 ng/ml$\pm$6.1(s.d.) with the range of 13.6-295.7 ng/ml. The median value of serum pro-hepcidin in the study subjects was 70.3 ng/ml. Serum pro-hepcidin concentrations were positively correlated with hemoglobin concentrations (r=0.273, p=0.013), and also with hematocrit (r=0.291, p=0.008). To examine whether the level of dietary iron intake affects serum pro-hepcidin levels, study subjects were divided into two groups according to the amounts of daily iron intake. Serum pro-hepcidin concentrations were $22\%$ lower in groups with low iron intake (${\leq}10.1$ mg/day), compared to high-iron intake group (>10.1 mg/day) . In conclusion, these data, as in agreement with findings in mice, suggest that hepcidin plays an important role in regulating iron metabolism in the human body.