• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.594-598
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• 2004

Signet ring cell carcinoma of lung is an unique variant of mucin producing adenocarcinoma which is characterized by abundant intracellular mucin accumulation. Only a few cases of primary signet ring cell carcinoma of lung have been reported in the world wide literature. And we have, recently experienced one case of primary signet ring cell carcinoma of lung. A 55 years old man was evaluated for paralysis of lower extremities and was found to have lung cancer in the left upper and lower lobe with pleural, multiple spinal, bone and liver metastases. Signet ring tumor cells were revealed by cytologic examination of pleural fluids. And there were no evidence of signet ring cell carcinoma of other organs. Primary signet ring cell carcinoma of lung seems to have an aggressive behavior and therapeutic modalities could be different from those for signet ring cell carcinomas from other organs. Therefore it is important to separate primary signet ring cell adenocarcinoma of lung from metastatic tumors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2109-2114
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• 2012

Background: Ethnic variation in tumor characteristics and clinical presentation of breast cancer is increasingly being emphasized. We studied the tumor characteristics and factors which may influence the presentation and prognosis of triple negative breast cancers (TNC) in a cohort of Chinese women. Methods: A prospective cohort of 1800 Chinese women with breast cancer was recruited in a tertiary referral unit in Hong Kong between 1995 and 2006 and was followed up with a median duration of 7.2 years. Of the total, 216 (12.0%) had TNC and 1584 (88.0%) had non-TNC. Their clinicopathological variables, epidemiological variables and clinical outcomes were evaluated. Results: Patients with TNC had similar age of presentation as those with non-TNC, while presenting at earlier stages (82.4% were stage 1-2, compared to 78.4% in non-TNC, p=0.035). They were likely to be associated with grade 3 cancer (Hazard Ratio(HR)=5.8, p<0.001). TNC showed higher chance of visceral relapse (HR=2.69, p<0.001), liver metastasis (HR=1.7, p=0.003) and brain metastasis (HR=1.8, p=0.003). Compared with non-TNC group, TNC had similar 10-year disease-free survival (82% vs 84%, p=0.148), overall survival (78% vs 79%, p=0.238) and breast cancer-specific mortality (18% vs 16%, p=0.095). However, TNC showed poorer 10-year stage 3 and 4 specific survival (stage 3: 53% vs. 67%, p=0.010; stage 4: 0% vs. 40%, p=0.035). Conclusions: Chinese women with triple negative breast cancer do not have less aggressive biological behavior compared to the West and presentation at a later stage results in worse prognosis compared with those with non triple negative breast cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.1887-1893
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to detail characteristics of mammary Paget's disease (PD) representing the whole population in China. A total of 4211 female breast cancer inpatients at seven tertiary hospitals from seven representative geographical regions of China were collected randomly during 1999 to 2008. Data for demography, risk factors, diagnostic imaging test, physical examination and pathologic characters were surveyed and biomarker status was tested by immunohistochemistry. The differences of demography and risk factors between PD with breast cancer and other lesions were compared using Chi-square test or t-test, with attention to physical examination and pathological characters. The percentage of PD was 1.6% (68/4211) in all breast cancers. The mean age at diagnosis was 48.1, and 63.2% (43/68) patients were premenopausal. There is no difference in demography and risk factors between PD with breast cancer and other breast cancer (P > 0.05). The main pattern of PD in physical exam and pathologic pattern were patients presenting with a palpable mass in breast (65/68, 95.6%) and PD with underlying invasive cancer (82.4%, 56/68) respectively. The rate of multifocal disease was 7.4% (5/68). PD with invasive breast cancer showed larger tumor size, more multifocal disease, lower ER and PR expression and higher HER2 overexpression than those in other invasive breast cancer (P < 0.05). These results suggested that PD in China is a concomitant disease of breast cancer, and that PD with underlying invasive cancer has more multiple foci and more aggressive behavior compared with other breast invasive cancer. We address the urgent needs for establishing diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for mammary PD in China.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.387-407
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• 2005

This paper is to study globalization motives and strategies of Japanese and Korean industries by analyzing the causes and patterns of foreign direct investment (FDI) of the firms of the two countries during the 1980s and 1990s. First we develop a FDI function from the profit maximizing model of firms. Then we use regression analysis to determine internally driving-out factors and externally-inducing factors. Japanese FDI strategy has gone through three different stages; from natural resource-seeking investment in the 1950s and 1960s to market-expansion investment in the 1970s and 1980s and to a combination of cost-reducing (low-cost labor-seeking) investment and market-penetrating investment in the 1990s. On the other hand, Korean FDI behavior has gone through four different stages; from the learning stage with small investments in the 1970s, to natural resource-seeking investment in the early and mid 1980s, to the growth stage in the late 1980s and the early 1990s, to the maturity stage of the mid and late 1990s. The last two stages were characterized by a combination of cost-reducing investment and market-seeking investment. As a late comer, Korea began its FDI two decades later than Japan, but caught up the patterns of Japanese FDI by the mid 1990s and is in a competing position with Japan. Our findings show that both Japanese FDI and Korean FDI in Asia and other developing countries tendto be in labor-intensive sectors where their firms are losing their comparative advantages at home. The main motive for FDI into these regions is low-cost resource seeking. On the other hand, both Japanese FDI and Korean FDI in the U.S. and Europe tend to be knowledge-intensive sectors where Japanese and Korean firms attempt to internalize transaction and information costs by globalizing its production. The main motive for FDI into these regions is market-seeking. Firms in both countries have increased their investments in Mexico and Western and Eastern Europe in order to penetrate large economic blocs such as the EU and NAFTA area. Korean firms are more aggressive in expanding into new and untested markets than are their counterpart in Japan. Evidence of this can be seen in the scarcity of Japanese FDI and abundance of Korean FDI in Eastern Europe and China.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.29-39
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• 1989

Ossifying fibroma is a relatively slow growing tumor, and likely to have presented for some years before its clinical diognosis. The usually well circumscribed nature of ossifying fibroma in jaws lends itself to relative ease of excision and hence the favorable therapeutic results. On occasion, however, particulary in juvenile patient, if maxilla the tumor assumes an aggressive behavior. In that case, because the tumor grows invasively, resection with a margin of healthy tissue is indicated. The case presented is 34 - year old female. The patient had noticed a gradual swelling of the right side of the face approximately 2 months in duration correlation with a intermittent pain on the right maxillary molar area. Palpation disclosed firm swelling on the right anterior and lateral walls of the maxillary sinus extended to the maxillary tuberosity area. The radiographic examination revealed soft tissue mass with multiple dense round calcifications with destruction of anterior and posterolateral wall of the right maxillary sinus and right alveolar process, and hard palate. The mass totally obliterated maxillary sinus and extended to the pterygopalatine fossa. The histologic diagnosis from the biopsied specimen revealed ossifying fibroma. The tumor mass was resected by subtotal maxillectomy procedure due to a recent rapid infiltrative growth. In 5 months of postoperative follow - up period, the patient has favorable prognosis.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.95-100
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• 1987

The effects of various drugs on muricide and hyperirritability induced by bilateral lesions of the nucleus accumbens septi (NAB) were investigated in comparison with those on aggression induced by midbrain raphe nuclei-lesioned rats (raphe) and olfactory bulbectomized rats (OB). Muricide in NAB, raphe and OB rats were markedly suppressed by atropine. Muricide in NAB and raphe rats were significantly suppressed by L-DOPA, L-5-HTP, but muricide in OB rats was scarcely suppressed by L-DOPA and L-5-HTP. Hyperirritability in NAB, raphe and OB rats were significantly reduced by L-DOPA and haloperidol but not suppressed by atropine. On the other hand, muricide in NAB rats was markedly suppressed by antidepressants, particularily, nomifensine, clomipramine and desipramine. Muricide in raphe rats was markedly inhibited by nomifensine and clomipramine but only slightly inhibited by desipramine. Muricide in OB rats was markedly suppressed by imipramine. Hyperirritability in NAB, raphe and OB rats were slightly suppressed by antidepressants. These results suggested that the pharmacological characteristics of aggression induced by NAB rats resembles that induced by raphe rats, but differs from that induced by OB rats. It is also suggested that employment of different types of experimentally induced muricide in rats can be useful for the evaluation of antidepressants.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.505-511
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• 2007

Objectives : While cervical cancer is one of the leading cancers among women worldwide, there are a number of effective early detection tests available. However, the participation rates in cervical cancer screening among Korean women remain low. After the nationwide efforts in 1988 and thereafter to encourage participation in cervical cancer screening, few studies have investigated the effects of socioeconomic inequality on participation in cervical cancer screening. The purpose of this study was to investigate 1) the level of socioeconomic disparities in receiving cervical cancer screening by age group and 2) if there was an improvement in reducing these disparities between 1995 and 2001. Methods : Using data from the Korean National Health Status, Health Behavior and Belief Survey in 1995, the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 1998 and 2001 (sample sizes of 2,297, 3,738, and 3,283), age-standardized participation rates were calculated according to education level, equivalized household income, and job status. Odds ratios and the relative inequality index (RII) were also calculated after controlling for age. Results : Women with lower education levels were less likely to attend the screening test, and the disparities by education level were most pronounced among women aged 60 years and older. The RIIs among women 60 years and older were 3.64, 4.46, and 8.64 in 1995, 1998, and 2001, respectively. Higher rates of participation were reported among those in the highest income category, which was more notable among the middle aged women (40s and 50s). An inconsistent trend in the rate of participation in cervical cancer screening by occupational level was found. Conclusions : Indicators of socioeconomic position seem to have varying impacts on the inequalities in the rates of participation in cervical cancer screening according to age group. These results demonstrate the need for more aggressive and age-based interventions and policy programs to eliminate the remaining inequalities.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.341-350
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• 2016

Background: Prenatal exposure to infectious and/or inflammatory insults can increase the risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorder such as bipolar disorder, autism, and schizophrenia later in life. We investigated whether Valeriana fauriei (VF) treatment alleviates prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficits and social interaction impairment induced by maternal immune activation (MIA). Methods and Results: Pregnant mice were exposed to polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid (5 mg/kg, viral infection mimic) on gestational day 9. The adolescent offspring received daily oral treatment with VF (100 mg/kg) and injections of clozapine (5 mg/kg) for 30 days starting on the postnatal day 35. The effects of VF extract treatment on behavioral activity impairment and protein expression were investigated using the PPI analysis, forced swim test (FST), open field test (OFT), social interaction test (SIT), and immunohistochemistry. The MIA-induced offspring showed deficits in the PPI, FST, OFT, and SIT compared to their non MIA-induced counterparts. Treatment with the VF extract significantly recovered the sensorimotor gating deficits and partially recovered the aggressive behavior observed in the SIT. The VF extract also reversed the downregulation of protein expression induced by MIA in the medial prefrontal cortex. Conclusions: Our results provide initial evidence of the fact that the VF extract could reverse MIA-induced behavioral impairment and prevent neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.213-220
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• 1997

Background: Thyroid cancer is a relatively rare neoplasm and its incidence varies geographically and ethnically around the world. Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, but it has a wide spectrum of biologic behavior, histologic appearance, and management. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to analyse and evaluate all aspects of the clinical consideration in thyroid cancer. Method: Between 1986 and 1995, a retrospective analysis of 77 thyrod cancer patients admitted at the Department of Surgery, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University was made to assess clinical entities. Result: By the pathological classification, the papillary carcinoma was the most common type(83.1%). Male to female ratio was 1 : 5.4 and most prevalent age group was noted from fourth decade to fifth decade(46.8%). The most common duration of illness between the appearance of the symptoms and the treatment was below 6 months(44.2%), and the most common symptom was the palpable mass at the anterior portion of the neck(96.1%). Most cases of the thyroid cancer were appeared as cold nodule in the $^{99m}$Tc-thyroid scan(95.7%). In the site of tumor location, the right and left lobe was distributed similarly. In the extent of tumor, incidence of intrathyroidal location was 41.6%, and that of the metastasis to the cervical lymph nodes was 44.2% and that of the direct capsular invasion was 27.3%, and incidence of both involved case was 13%. Surgical procedures were total thyroidectomy alone in 27 cases(35.1%) or with modified neck dissection in 6 cases(7.8%), or with radical neck dissection in 2 cases (2.6%), near total thyroidectomy alone in 22 cases(28.6%), ipsilateral lobectomy with isthmectomy alone in 12 cases(15.6%) or with modified neck dissection in 1 case(1.3%), and biopsy only in 7 cases(9.1%). The most common postoperative complications were transient hypoparathyroidism(5.2%) and transient unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis(5.2%). Conclusion: The major problem of management of thyroid cancer include a wide spectrum of clinical behaviour of this tumor entity, the lack of reliable prognostic factors and lack of an objective assessment of the various treatment modalities. But because of showing the favorable prognosis for most thyroid cancer, appropriate and aggressive management should be recommended.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.71-82
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• 2018

Stress involves changes in behavior, autonomic function and the secretion of hormones. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) contributes to physiological adaptive process in short durations. In particular, heart rate variability (HRV) analysis is commonly used as a quantitative marker depicting the ANS activity related to mental stress. The aim of this study is to investigate correlations between psychological responses to stress and HRV indices induced by the cognitive stressor. Thirty-three participants rated their mental and physical symptoms occurred during the past two weeks on Stress Response Inventory (SRI), which is composed of seven stress factors that may influence the status of mental stress levels. Then, they underwent the psychophysiological procedures, which are collected electrocardiogram (ECG) signals during a cognitive stress task. HRV indices, the standard deviation of R-R interval (SDNN), root mean square of successive R-R interval difference (RMSSD) and low frequency (LF)/high frequency (HF) ratio were extracted from ECG signals. Physiological responses were calculated stress responses by subtracting mean of the baseline from the mean of recovery. Stress factors such as tension, aggression, depression, fatigue, and frustration were positively correlated to HRV indices. In particular, aggression had significant positive correlations to SDNN, RMSSD and LF/HF ratio. Increased aggressive responses to stress correlated with the increases of all HRV indices. This means the increased autonomic coactivation. Additionally, tension, depression, fatigue, and frustration were positively associated with RMSSD reflecting increases in parasympathetic activation. The autonomic coactivation may represent an integrated response to specific cognitive reactions such as the orienting response.