• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제49권6호
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• pp.435-442
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• 2016

Background: Blunt traumatic cardiac rupture is rare. However, such cardiac ruptures carry a high mortality rate. This study reviews our experience treating blunt traumatic cardiac rupture. Methods: This retrospective study included 21 patients who experienced blunt traumatic cardiac rupture from 1999 to 2015. Every patient underwent surgery. Several variables were compared between survivors and fatalities. Results: Sixteen of the 21 patients survived, and 5 (24%) died. No instances of intraoperative mortality occurred. The most common cause of injury was a traffic accident (81%). The right atrium was the most common location of injury (43%). Ten of the 21 patients were suspected to have cardiac tamponade. Significant differences were found in preoperative creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) levels (p=0.042) and platelet counts (p=0.004) between the survivors and fatalities. The patients who died had higher preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale scores (p=0.007), worse Trauma and Injury Severity Scores (p=0.007), and higher Injury Severity Scores (p=0.004) than those who survived. Conclusion: We found that elevated CK-MB levels, a low platelet count, and multi-organ traumatic injury were prognostic factors predicting poor outcomes of blunt cardiac rupture. If a patient with blunt traumatic cardiac rupture has these factors, clinicians should be especially attentive and respond promptly in order to save the patient's life.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.153-164
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• 2011

Background: It has been reported that estrogen receptor beta ($ER{\beta}$) mRNA expression was down-regulated during carcinogenesis and was inversely related to estrogen receptor alpha ($ER{\alpha}$) expression in breast cancer. The association of $ER{\beta}$ mRNA expression to tamoxifen resistance has also been reported. In this study, the expression of $ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$ via immunohistochemistry (IHC) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was prompted, and an attempt was made to find out the relationship between $ER{\beta}$ expression and recurrence in the hormonal therapy group, and between $ER{\beta}$ expression and known prognostic factors. Methods: Tumor specimens were obtained at surgery from 67 female breast cancer patients during the period of September 1995 to December 2000. All the specimens were frozen in liquid nitrogen and kept at $-70^{\circ}C$ until they were used. The medical records were analyzed retrospectively. The expressions of ER were analyzed using IHC and RT-PCR methods. Results: The median follow-up was at 93.0 months (range: 14-157 months). The percentage of $ER{\alpha}+/ER{\beta}+$, $ER{\alpha}+/ER{\beta}-$, $ER{\alpha}-/ER{\beta}+$, and $ER{\alpha}-/ER{\beta}$ group were 35.9% 9.4%, 47.2%, and 7.5%, respectively, in 53 patients with hormonal therapy. $ER{\beta}$ was positive in 42 (82.3%) of 51 ER-positive patients. In the hormonal therapy group, the recurrence rates of each group was 15.8%, 0%, 40.0%, and 0%, respectively. In this group, the $ER{\beta}$ expression tended to recur, but there was no clinical significance (p=0.084). Conclusion: The $ER{\beta}$ expression may be a predictive marker of a poor response to endocrine therapy in breast cancer patients, although this needs to be confirmed in additional studies.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권16호
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• pp.6911-6917
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• 2014

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a complex and heterogeneous tumor with poor prognosis due to frequent intrahepatic spread and extrahepatic metastasis. The molecular mechanisms underlying HCC pathogenesis still remain obscure. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the abundance and the DNA binding activity of nuclear factor kappa B/p65 subunit in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with HCC and to assess its prognostic significance and association with hypoxia inducible factor one alpha (HIF-$1{\alpha}$) in blood. Subjects and methods: This study was carried out on 40 patients classified equally into liver cirrhosis (group I) and HCC (group II), in addition to 20 healthy volunteers (group III). All groups were subjected to measurement of NF-${\kappa}B$/P65 subunit expression levels by real time-PCR, and DNA binding activity was evaluated by transcription factor binding immunoassay. Serum HIF-$1{\alpha}$ levels were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Significant increase of both the expression level and DNA binding activity of NF-${\kappa}B$/P65 subunit together with serum HIF-1 alpha levels was noted in HCC patients compared to liver cirrhosis and control subjects, with significant positive correlation with parameters for bad prognosis of HCC. In conclusion, NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling is activated in HCC and associated with disease prognosis and with high circulating levels of HIF-1 alpha.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권11호
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• pp.4691-4698
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• 2015

Background: The tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is an important negative regulator of cell-survival signaling. However, available results for the prognostic value of PTEN expression in patients with cancer remain controversial. Therefore, a meta-analysis of published studies investigating this issue was performed. Materials and Methods: A literature search via PubMed and EMBASE databases was conducted. Statistical analysis was performed by using the STATA 12.0 (STATA Corp., College, TX). Data from eligible studies were extracted and included into the meta-analysis using a random effects model. Results: A total of 3,810 patients from 27 studies were included in the meta-analysis, 22 investigating the relationship between PTEN expression and overall survival (OS) using univariate analysis, and nine with multivariate analysis. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) for OS was 1.64 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32-2.05) by univariate analysis and 1.56 (95% CI: 1.20-2.03) by multivariate analysis. In addition, eight papers including two disease-free-survival analyses (DFSs), four relapse-free-survival analyses (RFSs), three progression-free-survival analyses (PFSs) and one metastasis-free-survival analysis (MFS) reported the effect of PTEN on survival. The results showed that loss of PTEN expression was significant correlated with poor prognosis, with a combined HR of 1.74 (95% CI: 1.24-2.44). Furthermore, in the stratified analysis by the year of publication, ethnicity, cancer type, method, cut-off value, median follow-up time and neoadjuvant therapy in which the study was conducted, we found that the ethnicity, cancer type, method, median follow-up time and neoadjuvant therapy are associated with prognosis. Conclusions: Our study shows that negative or loss of expression of PTEN is associated with worse prognosis in patients with cancer. However, adequately designed prospective studies need to be performed for confirmation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제57권6호
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• pp.264-270
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• 2014

Purpose: Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a fulminant disease of the brain characterized by bilateral thalamic lesions, and is prevalent among children in East Asia. The prognosis of ANE is usually poor with a high mortality rate and neurological sequelae. This study aimed to delineate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of ANE. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 399 pediatric patients with encephalitis who were admitted to Samsung Medical Center from December 1998 to March 2011. We enrolled ten patients (11 cases) with ANE and analyzed their demographic, clinical, and neuroimaging data. The location and extent of the brain regions were checked based on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, T1-, and T2-weighted imaging findings; the presence of contrast enhancement, restricted diffusion, and hemorrhage. Results: Ten patients were identified, including one patient with two episodes. The median age of onset was 1.5 years (0.4-8.4 years). The mortality rate was 40%, and only 30% of patients survived without neurological sequelae. The definite involvement of the brainstem on brain magnetic resonance imaging was significantly correlated with mortality (P =0.04). Conclusion: Broad and extensive brainstem involvement suggested the fulminant course of ANE. Early diagnosis of ANE before brainstem involvement, through careful identification of symptoms of brain dysfunction, may be the best way to achieve better neurological outcomes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.431-437
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• 2016

In this investigation, global DNA methylation patterns and the specific methylation status of 5 genes were studied in DNA from peripheral blood (PB) and impact on progression free survival (PFS) and overall-survival (OS) in patients with de novo or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated with decitabine-based regimens waas assessed. DNA was isolated from PB samples at the time of -1, 1, and 7 days of chemotherapy. Global methylation was determined by ELISA, and the CpG island DNA methylation profile of 5 genes using a DNA methylation PCR system. Our data demonstrated that patients with a high level of 5-mC had a poor prognosis after demethylation therapy and those who have low levels of 5-mC in PB achieved higher CR and better SO, but there was no significant correlation found between the 5-mC levels and other clinical features before treatment except the disease status. Higher methylation status of Sox2 and Oct4 genes was associated with differential response to demethylation therapy. A relatively low methylation percentage in one or both of these two genes was also associated with longer OS after decitabine based chemotherapy. We also suggest that global DNA and Oct-4/Sox2 methylation might impact on the pathogenesis of leukemia and play an important role in the initiation and progression. Moreover, dynamic analysis of 5-mC and Oct-4/Sox2 in peripheral blood nucleated cells of leukemia patients may provide clues to important molecular diagnostic and prognostic targets.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권24호
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• pp.10831-10836
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• 2015

This study was conducted to establish whether the preoperative platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is predictive of survival of women with ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC). A PLR > 300 was deemed elevated. Progression-free survival (PFS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to determine the independent effect of PLR. Thirty-six patients were reviewed. Elevated PLRs were more commonly noted in patients with an advanced vs an early stage of disease (88.9% vs 11.1%). Women with elevated PLR carried a higher rate of disease progression during primary therapy than that those in the normal PLR group (44.4 vs 22.2%). The median PFS for patients with elevated PLR was notably worse than that for patients with normal PLR (10 vs 34 months). Despite the impact of elevated PLR on PFS, it was found to be marginally significant when controlling for commonly applied prognostic markers. It, however, trended toward significance (HR=4.76; 95%CI, 0.95-23.8). In conclusion, an elevated PLR appears to be directly associated with adverse survival rather than being a surrogate for other indicators of a poor prognosis. PLR may be a useful biomarker for predicting survival of women with OCCC and merits further large-scale studies.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권6호
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• pp.2877-2881
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• 2016

Background: Lung cancer is one of the most common causes of death that is rising in many countries including Iran. This study aimed to determine the impact of factors on survival of lung cancer patients at a referral center of lung diseases in Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on adult lung cancer cases admitted to a referral center for lung diseases from 2011 to 2015. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine the risk factors for all-cause mortality. Results: Of a total 933 patients with lung cancer, 53.4% died, 49.3% of them at the hospital. Overall median follow-up time was 7 months. The most common histological type of cancer was adenocarcinoma with a 13 month median survival time. Age ${\geq}55$ and smoking remained significant for all-cause mortality on Cox analysis, whereas gender was not. Conclusions: The survival of lung cancer patients is poor and the patients with history of smoking and age${\geq}55$ are at increased risk of death. Having a large hospital-based registry provides a good measurement of prognostic statistics for lung cancer. Further investigations are necessary to establish reasons for mortality.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.178-183
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• 2007

목적: 위암은 각종 암 중에서 발생률, 사망률이 높은 암으로, 이런 말기 위암 환자에 대한 보다 체계적이고 효율적인 호스피스 완화의료를 위한 기초자료를 제공하고자 호스피스 병동에서 임종한 말기 위암 환자의 임상적 특성과 생존기간에 관련된 인자들을 조사하였다. 방법: 2004년 5월 1일부터 2007년 8월 31일까지 일개 종합병원 호스피스 병동에서 말기 위암으로 임종한 99명의 환자를 대상으로 하여 이들의 의무기록을 후향적으로 조사하였다. 수집된 자료는 실수와 백분율, 빈도와 중간 값으로 제시하였으며 호스피스 완화의료 동안의 생존 기간은 SPSS 13.0의 Kaplan-Meier 방법으로 분석하였다. 결과: 99명의 말기 암 환자 중 남자 62명(63%), 여자 37명(37%), 연령의 중간 값은 60.9세이었으며 간 전이가 38명(38%)으로 가장 많았다. 입원 당시 증상은 전신쇠약이 97명(98%), 식욕부진이 85명(86%)이며, 검사실 소견상 저알부민혈증은 87명(88%), 저나트륨혈증이 60명(61%), 빈혈이 72명(73%)에서 있었다. 장폐색이 있었던 환자는 27명(27%)이었으며 이중 완화적 시술을 받은 사람은 17명이었으며 스텐트 삽입법이 11명으로 가장 많았다. 입원 당시 수행능력점수(ECOGPS)가 낮은 경유(P<0.001), 호흡곤란이 있는 경우(P=0.017)에 통계적으로 유의하게 생존기간이 짧은 것으로 나타났다. 호스피스 병동 입원한 기간 중간간은 20일이었고, 전원 시부터 사망하기까지 생존기간의 중간값은 22일이었다. 결론: 보다 더 효율적이고 적절한 호스피스 완화의료를 제공하기 위해서 말기 위암 환자의 생존기간을 예측할 수 있는 인자에 대해 더 많은 표본에서 연구할 필요가 있으며, 이에 대한 지속적 지원이 필요하다고 생각된다.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.149-159
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• 2008

목 적: 본 연구는 자궁내막암 병기 $1{\sim}2$ 환자에 수술 후 방사선치료의 결과와 예후인자를 분석하여 향후 치료원칙을 결정하는 데 도움을 얻고자 시행하였다. 대상 및 방법: 1991년 1월부터 2005년 12월까지 이화여자대학교 의과대학부속병원에서 자궁내막암으로 진단받고 수술 후 방사선치료를 받은 병기 $1{\sim}2$환자를 대상으로 후향적 분석을 하였다. 전체 환자는 35명이었으며 17명은 자궁절제술과 양측 난소제거술을 시행하였고 18명은 완전한 수술적 병기의 수술을 시행하였다. 골반강 방사선치료를 받은 환자는 17명, 질강내근접치료를 받은 환자는 12명, 골반강 방사선치료와 질강내근접치료를 받은 환자는 6명이었다. 결 과: 추적기간의 중앙값은 54개월이었다. 전체 환자의 5년 생존율은 91.4%, 무병생존율은 81.7%이었다. 저위험군, 중간위험군, 고위험군의 위험군에 따른 5년 생존율은 각각 100%, 100%, 55.6%이었으며 무병생존율은 각각 100%, 70.0%, 45.7%이었다. 국소재발된 환자는 없었으며 5명(14%)에서 원격전이가 발생하였으며 호발부위는 폐, 뼈, 간, 부신, 전복강의 순이었다. 원격전이에 대한 단변량 통계분석에 따르면 위험군, 조직학적 세포형태와 조직학적 등급이 유의성이 있었으며, 다변량 통계분석에 따르면 조직학적 세포형태로서 유두형, 장액형, 그리고 투명세포암은 자궁내막양암과 샘암편평암에 비하여 원격전이율이 높고 생존율이 낮았다. 골반강 방사선치료에 의한 후유증은 장염이 30%에서 나타났으며 다음으로 직장염이었으나 대부분 등급 $1{\sim}2$로 등급 $3{\sim}4$의 후유증은 발생하지 않았다. 결 론: 수술 후 골반강 방사선치료 혹은 질강내근접치료를 시행한 자궁내막암 병기 $1{\sim}2$환자들의 경우 저위험군과 중간위험군은 국소제어율과 생존율이 높았으나, 고위험군은 골반강 방사선치료를 시행하여 국소제어율은 높으나 원격전이율이 높고 생존율이 낮았다. 따라서 고위험군은 방사선치료와 동시에 항암화학요법이 요구된다. 중간 위험군의 더 효율적인 치료를 위하여 많은 환자를 대상으로 골반강 방사선치료와 강내근접치료를 비교하는 전향적 무작위연구가 필요하다.