• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 2002

This study is aimed at offering basic data about prevention of Hepatitis B virus and infection control to dental hygiene students who will work mostly at dental offices which are characteristically exposed to a high risk of HBV infection. For this study, surveyed were 188 sophomores and juniors of the dental hygiene department who volunteered to undergo the tests of HBsAg and HBsAb. The examination of the blood collected from the samples and analysis of their perception about hygiene resulted in following conclusion: Positive HBsAg Four was found in 4 testees(2.1%) while 118(62.8%) revealed positive HBsAb. Juniors showed higher positive rate in HBsAg whereas sophomores had higher positive rate in HBsAb. But such difference has statistically no significance. Generally, students seemed to pay little attention to HBV, judging from the survey of their perception about the present state of HBsAg and HBsAb(p>0.05), conduct of infection(p<0.05), completion of 3 requested vaccinations(p>0.05), and formation of antibody(p>0.05). With regard to the infection routes of HBV, most students(92.4%) replied "through blood", which is statistically insignificant, though. Next ratio goes to the reply "through contaminated injectors". This reply came more from sophomores than from juniors, a difference which is statistically significant(p<0.05). The lowest rate of possible infection(29.2%) was thought to be "through breast-feeding of a positive mother"(p<0.05). In general, it turned out that sophomores had more knowledge about the infection routes of HBV than juniors. In terms of clinical history among family members, 6(3.1%) reported that some of their family members are currently suffering from a liver complaint, 3(1.6%) replied their family members were once afflicted, and 4(2.1%) said their members died of hepatitis. Except 10(4.7%), all the surveyees replied that their states of health are better than normal. Generally, sophomores are healthier than juniors except for the very health case, a difference which is statistically of no value.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.120-125
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• 2006

Distinguishing small cell carcinoma from other lung malignancies is of great clinico-therapeutic significance. Small cell carcinoma is an aggressive tumor with a tendency to metastasize early. Survival time if untreated is low but this tumor is highly responsive to chemotherapy. We have occasionally experienced difficulties in differentiation between adenocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma of the lung in fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of distinguishing small cell carcinoma from adenocarcinoma of the lung in FNAC. We evaluated cytomorphological features of FNAC specimens from 62 small cell carcinomas and 57 adenocarcinomas from the lung that were confirmed by biopsy and/or immunohistochemistry on cell block. Cytomorphological details of the two tumors were compared. Nuclear smearing and nearly absent cytoplasm were the most distinct findings in small cell carcinoma compared to adenocarcinoma (p<0.05). Necrotic background, architecture and chromatin pattern, nuclear molding and nucleoli were significantly different (p<0.05). Nuclear size, nuclear membrane nature and nuclear size variation however were not helpful in distinguishing the two tumors. Combining several features described above, small cell carcinoma can be properly differentiated from adenocarcinoma on FNAC. FNAC is proposed as a diagnostic tool of small cell carcinoma of the lung in the case of inaccessibility to biopsy, and so may allow the proper therapeutic strategies to be determined in such cases

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.210-216
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• 2007

There is increasing evidence that stromal reaction in cancer has an important diagnostic and prognostic significance. The aim of our study is to analyze the relation between the increase in mast cell number and the expression CD34 and alpha-smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$-SMA) in the stroma of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We investigated a total of 29 CIN (1,2,3) and 21 SCC (microinvasive and invasive) specimens and compared the distribution of $CD34^+$ stromal cells, ${\alpha}-SMA^+$ cells, transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ $(TGF-{\beta}1)^+$ cells, and the density of mast cells using immunohistochemistry with antibodies against CD34, ${\alpha}$-SMA, TGF-${\beta}1$, and c-Kit (CD117) respectively. Computerized image analysis was to evaluate the positive area (%) and density of the respective immunoreactive cells. In CIN $CD34^+$ cells were abundant in the stroma but no ${\alpha}-SMA^+$ cells were identified except the wall of blood vessels. $CD34^+$ cells were progressively decreased along the continuum from CIN 2 to microinvasive SCC and not observed in the stroma of invasive SCC. Whereas ${\alpha}-SMA^+$ cells were only observed in the stroma of microinvasive and invasive SCC. We found more intense TGF-${\beta}1$ expression in the increased mast cells in the stroma of invasive SCCs than that in the stroma of CIN. These results indicate that disappearance of $CD34^+$ stromal cells and appearance of ${\alpha}-SMA^+$ cells are associated with the stromal change of CIN to SCC and the transformation of $CD34^+$ stromal cells into ${\alpha}-SMA^+$ cells is mediated by TGF-${\beta}1$ secretions in the stromal mast cell of SCC.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.185-189
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• 2001

Background: Cervical metastasis of unknown origin is defined as histologic evidence of malignancy in the cervical lymph nodes with no apparent primary site of origin for the metastatic tumor. Patients and Methods: A retrospective review of 20 cervical metastasis of unknown origin diagnosed and managed between january 1989 and December 1999 at the Korea University was undertaken to determine outcome. Patient age ranged 46 to 78 years (mean 60). There were 17 men and 3 women. The aim of this study is to ananlyze the diagnostic approach and the result of treatment of the cervical metastasis of unknown origin. Result: Histopathologically, squamous cell carcinoma (15 case, 75%) were the most common, followed by adenocarcinoma (4 case, 20%), undifferentiated carcinoma (1 case, 5%) According to the criteria of the AJCC on staging, N1 was 2 cases, N2a 2 cases, N2b 5 cases, N2c 1 cases, N3 10 cases. Overall survival rate for all patients at 2 years was 45% and 5 years 25%, and in the combination therapy(surgery and radiotherapy group (12 cases)) it was 67% and 34% respectively, high compared with other treatment modality such as surgery or radiotherapy alone. In extracapsular spread positive group, 5 year survival rate was 12%, but was 33% in the extracapsular spread negative group. Conclusion: With no stastatical significance, extracapsular spread group was poor outcome in our study. Combination of radiotherapy and surgery was more effective treatment result than surgery alone or radiotherapy alone in our study. But, overall prognosis of cervical metastasis of unknown origin was very poor despite aggressive treatment (5 year survival rate: 25%).

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.193-199
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• 1986

Body fluid Lactate dehydrogenase and its isoenzyme measurement was performed in 132 patients: 8 cases with peritonitis, 21 cases with malignant ascites, 43 cases with liver cirrhosis, 48 cases with tuberculous pleuritis, 12 cases with malignant pleural effusion respectively. Body fluid protein and glucose contents, red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts, cytologic examination were also performed as a comparative study. The results were as follows: 1. Measurement of total LD and protein amount could differentiate between transudate and exudate in the ascitic fluids. 2. In the malignant exudate of ascites and pleural fluid, the activity of LD2 isoenzyme was statistically increased compared with that of inflammatory exudate and the activity of LD4 isoenzyme was also increased compared with that of serum(P<0.05). 3. The inflammatory exudate of pleural fluid and ascites demonstrated the increase of LD5 isoenzyme activity stastistically compared with that of serum and malignant exudate(P<0.05). 4. A difference of total LD activity between malignant ascites and inflammatory ascites was significant statistically, while this was not observed in the pleural exudate. 5. Total LD and LD5 isoenzyme activity didn't correlated with the number of white blood cells in the exudate.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.58-67
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• 1993

The author obtained index of red cell volume distribution width(RDW) and other red cell indices in 210 patients of various hematoncologic conditions and 200 healthy control group using, an automated blood analyzer, Coulter Counter Model S-plus II. This study performed to classify various etiologic anemia based on the MCV and RDW, to evaluate availability to the differential diagnosis in korean anemic distoders somewhat different from etiologies of anemias in foreginers. In the most of cases, the increase or decrease of MCV were always combined the pararell changes of MCH and MCHC. But the values of MCV and RDW were not correlated in control group and patient group. So the terms of heterogenous of homogenous anemia were meaningful morphologic classification than hypochromic or normochromic anemia. The heterogenous microcytic anemia contained iron deficiency anemia. In heterogenous normocytic anemia, myelophthisic anemia, acute leukemia were contained. In heterogenous macrocytic anemia, megaloblastic anemia, hemolytic anemia were contained. The homogenous microcytic anemia was observed in anemia of chronic disorders. In homogenous normocytic anemia, acute blood loss, chronic leukemia, multiple myeloma were contained. The aplastic anemia was belonged to homogenous macrocytic anemia. The diagnostic significance of RDW in hemoglobinopathies is most important. But this study was not contained hemoglobinopathies. Instead RDW was very helpful to differential diagnosis of most common anemias, iron deficiency anemia and anemia due to chronic disorders in Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10187-10192
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• 2015

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are a large family of constitutive and inducible mono-oxygenase enzymes that play a central role in the oxidative metabolism of both xenobiotic and endogenous compounds. Several CYPs are involved in metabolism of oxysterols, which are cholesterol oxidation products whose expression may be dysregulated in inflammation-related diseases including cancer. This study focused on CYP39A1, which can metabolize 24-hydroxycholesterol (24-OH) that plays important roles in the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. We aimed to investigate the expression status of CYP39A1 and its transcription factor (RUNX2) in relation to clinical significance in cholangiocarcinoma (CCAs) and to determine whether 24-OH could induce oxidative stress in CCA cell lines. Immunohistochemistry showed that 70% and 30% of CCA patients had low and high expression of CYP39A1, respectively. Low expression of CYP39A1 demonstrated a significant correlation with metastasis. Our results also revealed that the expression of RUNX2 had a positive correlation with CYP39A1. Low expression of both CYP39A1 (70%) and RUNX2 (37%) was significantly related with poor prognosis of CCA patients. Interestingly, oxidized alpha-1 antitrypsin (ox-A1AT), an oxidative stress marker, was significantly increased in CCA tissues in which CYP39A1 and RUNX2 were down regulated. Additionally, immunocytochemistry showed that 24-OH could induce ox-A1AT in CCA cell lines. In conclusion, our study revealed putative roles of the CYP39A1 enzyme in prognostic determination of CCAs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7085-7090
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• 2013

Objective: Published data have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) could play a potential role as diagnostic and prognostic indicators in cancers. Data for the predictive value of microRNA-155 are inconclusive. The aim of the present analysis was therefore to evaluate the role of miR-155 in prognosis for patients with a variety of carcinomas. Methods: Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed and EMBASE. Data were extracted from studies comparing overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS) or cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with carcinoma with higher miR-155 expression and those with lower levels. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of miR-155 for clinical outcome were calculated. Results: A total of 15 studies were included. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) for OS of higher miR-155 expression in cancerous tissue was 1.89 (95% CI: 1.20-2.99, P=0.006), which could markedly predict poorer survival in general cancer. For RFS/CSS, elevated miR-155 was also associated with poor prognosis of cancer (HR=1.50, 95% CI: 1.10-2.05, P=0.01). On subgroup analysis, the pooled HR for OS in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was 2.09 (95% CI: 0.68-6.41, P > 0.05), but for RFS/CSS was 1.28 (95% CI: 1.05-1.55, P=0.015), with statistical significance; the pooled HRs for OS and RFS/CSS in digestive system neoplasms were 3.04 (95% CI: 1.48-6.24, P=0.003) and 2.61 (95% CI: 1.98-3.42, P<0.05), respectively. Conclusions: The results indicated that the miR-155 expression level plays a prognostic role in patients with cancer, especially NSCLCs and digestive system carcinomas.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.2144-2151
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• 2010

Yoga meditation and music therapy are considered to be appropriate for the spiritual and mental treatment for the patients and employed in many clinics and rehabilitation centers as an alternative medicine. This study aims at the analysis of the effects of yoga and music on the treatment of alcoholism. For this, yoga and music treatments were executed for the patients hospitalized in an alcohol clinic hospital in Gimhae district. Only the patients who were judged as alcohol dependents by a psychiatrist with a diagnostic criteria of DSM-IV participated in the study. During five weeks, from November 10, 2009 to December 29, yoga program was practiced two times per week, totaling 10 times, and music therapy was practiced one time per week, totaling 5 times. Among the patients participated in the programs, 44patients were selected finally. They are 16 patients who performed all the yoga programs, and 28 patients who fulfilled all the music therapies. A survey was conducted on them to estimate the effects of yoga and music treatments for the three cases of 'angry behavior', 'anger expression', and 'psychological state at interview'. The results show that yoga and music treatments have positive effects on the patients, although the statistical significance is not so great. However, the more reliable and significant results could be obtained in further studies by prolongation of the practice period, and by introducing the clinical information such as brain mapping to compensate the emotional bias of the patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2007

Objective : On the magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the infiltrating brain tumor, enhancement is usually higher in malignant tumor than in benign tumor, and tumor cells can invade into the peritumoral area without definite enhancement. In various pathological conditions, the blood brain barrier (BBB) becomes changed to pathological condition, allowing various materials extravasating into the interstitial space, and degree of enhancement is depend on the pathology. Authors performed dynamic MRI on enhancing and surrounding edematous area in order to evaluate the degrees of opening of BBB, to differentiate tumor from non-tumorous condition, and to determine its relationship with the recurrence of the tumor. Methods : Dynamic MRI was performed in 25 patients. Dynamic scans were done every 15 seconds after administration of Gd-DTPA on the enhancing and surrounding area for maximum 300 seconds, and the patterns of enhancement were ana lysed. The enhancement curve with initial steep increase followed by slow decrease was defined as "N pattern", those with initial steep increase followed by additional slow increase as "T pattern", and those with initial steep increase followed by plateau as "E pattern". Histopathological findings were compared with the dynamic scan. Results : The graphs taken from enhancing area showed "T pattern" regardless of pathology. In the surrounding area, "T pattern" was noticed in the malignant tumors, but "E pattern" or "N pattern" was noted in low-grade or benign tumors and non-tumorous condition. "T pattern" in the surrounding area was related to the malignant with tumor cell infiltration and recurrence. Conclusion : The results suggest that the malignant tumor infiltration changes the condition of BBB enough to extravasate the Gd-DTPA. Enhancement pattern in the surrounding edematous area may be a useful information to differentiate the malignant glioma with the low-grade and benign tumors or other non-tumorous conditions.