• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.27 no.4 s.48
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• pp.711-734
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• 1994

Among chemical agents in herbicides, dioxin (2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachloro dibenzo-$\rho$-dioxin : TCDD), a chemical contaminant in herbicides sprayed during the Vietnam War has been known to be the major agent causing toxic effects. Approximately 320,000 korean soldiers participated the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1974. Although the potential hazards of the herbicides among Korean veterans exposed were implicated, the problem had not been a public issue until 1991 when Korean veterans were informed U.S. companies, the herbicides manufacturer payed fund, from which a trust fund for New Zealand and Australian Class members were established in 1985. After a series of appeals and demonstration by the Korean Veterans demanding medical care and compensation for their serious health damages, a bill of medical care and compensation for herbicides victims was promulgated in March 1993 and become effective from May 1993, This study was carried out with two major objectives : the first to understand the health problems caused from the herbicides by reviewing literatures published, and the second to examine the nature and extent of health impacts among Korean veterans exposed and to develop valid study methods for the major study by interviewing and reviewing records on a part of veterans (638 persons) registered and completed medical examination in Seoul Veterans Administration Hospital from June to October 1993. The results obtained are as followings: 1. The literature review of 107 papers revealed that 1) Dioxin is teratogenic, carcinogenic and affects almost all organs including nervous, endocrine, and reproductive systems in animal experiments. 2) The diseases showing evidence of causal association were Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's disease, lung cancer, lymphoma, soft tissue sarcoma, chloroacne and polyneuropathy when judged on the basis of consistency in study results and biological plausibility. 2. Interview and medical record review study on 638 veterans, though limited validity owing to lack of control group, crude estimates of dioxin exposure levels (no biomarkers measurable), and uncertainty of diagnosis, showed that: 1) Most of the study subject's were in their 40's of age and had been dispatched to Vietnam during the period from $1965{\sim}1970$ around one year. 2) Most frequently complained symptoms in medical examination were motor weakness (32%), sensory abnormalities in extremities (23%), skin diseases (22%), and pain in extremities (20%) whereas in Interview they were more frequent in order of skin problem (44%), motor weakness (38%), sensory abnormalities and pain in extremities(17% and 19% each). Kappa indices on the same category of complaints between two sources of information were variable and relatively low. 3) On medical examination, only a part of the 638 subjects had initial impression (442 pts) and final diagnosis (218 pts) suggesting decision making on diagnosis appeared to be difficult even with all available modern medical technologies: in initial impression disorders from peripheral and central neuropathy were predominant whereas in final diagnosis various types of skin disorder were most frequent 4) When dose-response relationship between several conditions (from questionnaire) and arbitrary exposure scores were examined by CMH linear trend test, spontaneous abortion, sexual problems and health problem of offsprings showed statistically significant linear trends. However, pregnancy, accident and suicidal attempts did not show any relationship in this study capacity. 5) Among complaints, psychosis and neurosis (anxiety, phobia) in interview study, and memory disorder and psychosis in medical record study revealed linear trend. 6) Skin disorder was the only condition showing linear trend in initial impression and none in final diagnosis on medical examination. Even though objective to select out dioxin-related disease or group of diseases from this study was not achieved the research experiences provided firm basis for developing various methodological approaches. 3. From this preliminary study we concluded that a larger scale major epidemiologic study on health impacts of herbicides among Korean veterans exposed is not only Indispensible but also well designed study with more valid exposure information and diagnosis may be able to establish causal relationship between certain groups of diseases and exposure to the herbicides among Korean veterans.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.385-396
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• 2014

Objectives: By conducting a meta-analysis of cohort studies reporting standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for workers exposed to trichloroethylene, we attempted to adjust for healthy hired effect by applying the same methods as described in a recent report from the Agricultural Health Study. Methods: Among all cohort studies that evaluated the association between all cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), kidney cancer, liver cancer and occupational exposure to trichloroethylene, a total of 10 studies reporting SMR values were selected. A random-effects model was used to estimate the summary SMRs or rSMRs and 95% confidence intervals. Relative SMR ($rSMR=SMR_x/SMR_{not\;x}$) was calculated comparing observed and expected counts for all cancer, NHL, kidney cancer, and liver cancer with an independent referent set of values consisting of the observed and expected counts for other causes. Results: The SMR values for all causes ranged from 0.68 to 1.03, suggesting moderate to weak healthy worker effect for the selected studies. When the healthy worker hire effect was taken into account, the summarized risk became statistically significant; the summary SMR of all cancer was 0.95 (0.91-1.00) and the summary rSMR of all cancer was 1.10 (1.04-1.15). The summary SMR of NHL was 1.04 (0.93-1.14) and the summary rSMR of NHL was 1.23 (1.04-1.46). The summary SMR of kidney cancer was 1.08 (0.88-1.33) and the summary rSMR of kidney cancer was 1.23 (1.02-1.49). The summary SMR of liver cancer was 0.88 (0.78-0.99), and the summary rSMR of liver cancer was 0.95 (0.84-1.07). Conclusion: The rSMR method is useful to determine summary risk adjusted for healthy worker effect through meta-analysis.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.60-71
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• 2009

Purpose: We assessed the absorbed dose to the tumor ($Dose_{tumor}$) by using pretreatment FDG-PET and whole-body (WB) planar images in repeated radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with $^{131}I$ rituximab for NHL. Materials and Methods: Patients with NHL (n=4) were administered a therapeutic dose of $^{131}I$ rituximab. Serial WB planar images alter RIT were acquired and overlaid to the coronal maximum intensity projection (MIP) PET image before RIT. On registered MIP PET and WB planar images, 2D-ROls were drawn on the region of tumor (n=7) and left medial thigh as background, and $Dose_{tumor}$ was calculated. The correlation between $Dose_{tumor}$ and the CT-based tumor volume change alter RIT was analyzed. The differences of $Dose_{tumor}$ and the tumor volume change according to the number of RIT were also assessed. Results: The values of absorbed dose were $397.7{\pm}646.2cGy$ ($53.0{\sim}2853.0cGy$). The values of CT-based tumor volume were $11.3{\pm}9.1\;cc$ ($2.9{\sim}34.2cc$), and the % changes of tumor volume before and alter RIT were $-29.8{\pm}44.3%$ ($-100.0%{\sim}+42.5%$), respectively. $Dose_{tumor}$ and the tumor volume change did not show the linear relationship (p>0.05). $Dose_{tumor}$ and the tumor volume change did not correlate with the number of repeated administration (p>0.05). Conclusion: We could determine the position and contour of viable tumor by MIP PET image. And, registration of PET and gamma camera images was possible to estimate the quantitative values of absorbed dose to tumor.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.61-70
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• 2004

Purpose: We studied to decide the operative indication of the metastatic tumor in pelvis according to the oncologic results, the Eastern Cooperative Oncologic Group (ECOG) performance status and complication. Materials and methods: From May 1994 to May 2003, 9 patients who were performed on palliative treatment and 10 paitents on operative treatment due to metastatic tumor of pelvic bone were investigated. On palliative/operative group, the mean age of patients was 57.6/48.0 years old and the ratio of male to female was 5:4/7:3. Primary origins were 3 cases from kidney, 3 from cervix and 2 of lung, 2 of myeloma, 2 of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and 1 from breast, bladder, testis, prostate, stomach, liver and retroperitoneal leimyosarcoma respectively. The palliative treatment was performed in 5 cases with radiotherapy, 1 with chemotherapy, 2 with combined chemo-radiotherapy and 1 with percutaneous cementation. The operative methods were 1 case of bone cement insertion after curettage, 2 of Girdlestone with internal hemipelvectomy and 7 of reconstruction after wide excision. Reconstructions were done.: 1 case of bone cementation, 5 of autograft prosthesis composite with irradiation or pastuerization and 1 of saddle prosthesis. We have observed the oncologic results, the ECOG performance status and complication. Results: The oncologic results of palliative/operative groups are NED 0/1, AWD 2/6, DOC 1/2 and DOD 6/1. The ECOG performance status was changed from 1.5 into 4.3 in palliative group and from 2.6 into 2.2 in operative group. The complications were 3 cases of the prosthesis failure and 2 of infection. Conclusion: The indication of operation of metastatic pelvic tumor is decided in consideration of the patient's condition, the grade of malignancy in primary tumor and the life expectancy.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.204-210
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• 1999

Purpose: We assessed the nutritional status and the alterations of oral diets during anti-cancer chemotherapy in pediatric oncology patients. Methods: Twenty children with malignancy were evaluated from day 0 until day 21 of post-chemotherapy. Nutritional status was assessed by body weight and biochemical parameters. The amount and calories of oral diets were assessed and food preference before and during chemotherapy were analysed by questionnelle. Results: 1) The underlying diseases of 20 patients were 11 acute lymphoblastic lekemia, 2 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 2 Langerhans cell histiocytosis, 2 Wilm's tumor, 2 brain tumor, 1 rhabdomyosarcoma. 2) There were weight loss during chemotherapy in 8 patients (40.0%), weigt gain in 5 patients (25.0%), and no significant changes in 7 patients (35.0%). 3) Biochemical parameters showed no significant interval changes during chemotherapy except elevation of serum ALT level. 4) The daily caloric intakes of oral diets during chemotherapy were 310~600 Kcal which was much lower than average of daily recommended calory for Korean children. 5) The most favorate food was altered by chemotherapy, from meats to carbonated beverages and unfavorate food was not altered as vegetables. Conclusion: The periodic assessment of nutritional status and dietary supplements according to preferred foods of patients will be required for the optimal nutrition care in cancer patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.591-597
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• 2008

Background: Pulmonary endarterectomy is widely accepted as a treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Based on our experiences, we sought to find ways to reduce perioperative complications and to improve surgical outcomes in patients undergoing pulmonary endarterectomy. Material and Method: This study was designed as a retrospective analysis of 20 patients with pulmonary hypertension who underwent pulmonary endarterectomy between January 1998 and March 2008. All patients presented with chronic dyspnea. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was the major cause of chronic pulmonary thromboembolism (55%). Seventeen patients (85%) underwent inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement. Thirteen patients underwent surgery under total circulatory arrest, while the others underwent surgery while on low flow cardiopulmonary bypass. Concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty was done in 6 patients (66%) whose tricuspid regurgitation was as severe as grade IV/IV. The mean follow-up duration was $45{\pm}32$ months. Result: Using of University of California, San Diego (UCSD), thromboembolism classification, 4 patients (20%) were type 1, 8 patients (40%) were type II, and 8 patients (40%) were type III. Right ventricular systolic pressure was reduced significantly from $77{\pm}29$ mmHg to $37{\pm}19$ mmHg after pulmonary endarterectomy (p<0.001). The degree of tricuspid regurgitation and the NYHA functional class were all improved postoperatively. Reperfusion edema occurred in 7 cases (35%). The incidence of reperfusion edema was higher in the UCSD type III group than in the other group (25% vs 50%, p=0.25) and the length of postoperative intensive care unit stay was longer in type III group ($5{\pm}2$ days vs $9{\pm}7$ days, p=0.07). The early mortality rate was 10%, and the late mortality rate was 15% (n=3); one death was due to progression of underlying non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and the other deaths were related to recurrent thromboembolism and persistent pulmonary hypertension, respectively. Conclusion: Pulmonary endarterectomy, as a curative surgical method for treating chronic thromboernbolic pulmonary hypertension, should be performed aggressively in patients diagnosed with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, and an effort should be made to reduce the frequency of perioperative complications and to improve surgical outcomes.