• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.281-290
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• 1996

Purpose : Chest irradiation leads to a significant cardiac injury in a number of patients. To prevent, or to reduce the risk of radiation-induced cardiac injury, pentoxifylline(PTX), a haemorrheologic agent that improves the blood flow through small blood capillaries has been employed. Materials and Methods : One hundred and eighty ICR mice were divided into three study groups: control, radiation alone, and radiation-pentoxifylline. Each group was subdivided into 12 subgroups: 1 3, 6 and 10 days and 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks by observation Period after irradiation. The total 15Gy of radiation was delivered in a single fraction through anterior mediastinal port. Pentoxifylline was injected subcutaneously daily 50mg/kg to the back of the mice from the first day of irradiation throughout the observation period. The mice of each group after a certain observation period were sacrificed and sectioned for histopathologic examination of the heart. Result : The findings of acute radiation-induced carditis i.e., heterophilic infiltration and vacuolization and ballooning of endothelial cells were observed upto 6 weeks and reduced sharply afterwards. The late radiation effects including pericarditis with mononuclear cell infiltration, pericardial fibrosis, endothelial cell changes, myocardial degeneration and fibrosis present from 4 weeks onwards after irradiation but with various degree of severity. The overall process of pathologic changes of radiation-pentoxifylline group was similar to those of radiation alone group but the duration of acute stage was relatively short and the severity of late cardiac toxicity was much lesser compared with those of radiation alone group. Conclusion : Pentoxifylline can effectively reduce the late radiation-induced cardiac injury and reslve the acute effects relatively rapidly.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 2005

Objectives : To acquire an improved understanding of oppositional defiant disorder, we evaluated the characteristics of children who have the symptoms of ODD in community sample. Methods : 1200 children from an elementary school in Bucheon (an urban community near Seoul) were recruited by randomized sampling method. By Disruptive Behavior Disorder Scale according to DSM-III-R & DSM-IV, we evaluated the symptoms of ODD and selected subjects with ODD. Psychiatric comorbidity, character trait were compared in subjects with ODD and comparison group. Also we examined the association between prenatal/perinatal risk factors, family functions and the symptoms of ODD. Data were analyzed by appropriate statistical method using SPSS 11.5 window version. Result : Children with oppositional defiant disorder were revealed to have significantly higher rates of psychiatric comorbidity and significantly greater family dysfunction compared to comparison group. Among the prenatal/perinatal risk factors, severe emotional stress during pregnancy, postpartum depression, medication during pregnancy were revealed as risk factors of ODD. In character inventory, ODD group were evaluated to have high score in novelty seeking, harm avoidance, but low in reward dependency. Conclusion : These results support that 1) prenatal/perinatal and psycho-social risk factors could be a important role in the progression of ODD, and 2) children with ODD have diverse comorbid psychiatric symptoms.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.100-106
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• 2001

Purpose : We performed a retrospective analysis to compare short term results of induction chemotherapy-radiotherapy versus concurrent chemo-radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Materials and Methods : From Oct. 1989 to May 1998, 62 patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated with induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy (induction group) or concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (concurrent group). Induction chemotherapy was done for 50 patients, and concurrent chemotherapy for 12 patients. Age, sex, performance status, and pathologic types were evenly distributed between two groups. Stage distribution showed $32\%$ with IIB, $32\%$ with III, and $38\%$ with IV in induction group, and $50\%,\;33.3\%,\;and\;16.7\%$ in concurrent group, respectively. Chemotherapy regimen was CF (cisplatin and 5-FU) in both groups, and drug delivery method also same. Cisplatin $100\;mg/m^2$ was intravenously infused on day 1, and 5-FU $1,000\;mg/m^2$ on day $2\~6$. This was repeated at 3 weeks interval. At the end of radiotherapy, total cycles of chemotherapy were $1\~3$ (median 2) in both groups. Conventionally fractionated radiotherapy with daily fraction size $1.8\~2.0\;Gy$ and 5 fractions/week was done. Total dose was $69.4\~86\;Gy$(median 73.4 Gy) for induction group, and $69.4\~75.4\;Gy$ (median 70.8 Gy) for concurrent group. Follow-up time was $9\~116$ months (median 40.5 months) for induction group, $14\~29$ months (median 21 months) for concurrent group, respectively. Results : Overall 2 year survival rate (2YSR) for all patients was $78.7\%$. According to treatment modality, 2YSR were $77\%$ for induction group, $87\%$ for concurrent group (p>0.05). 2 year disease-free survival rate were $56\%$ and $81\%\;(p>0.05)$, respectively. Complete response to treatment were $75.5\%$ for induction group and $91.7\%$ for concurrent group, but there was no statistical difference. The incidence of grade $3\~4$ hematologic toxicity during radiotherapy was not differ between two groups, but grade 2 leukopenia was more frequent in concurrent group $(18\%\;vs\;66.7\%)$Grade $3\~4$ mucositis was more frequent in concurrent group $(4.0\%\;vs\;33.3\%)$. Overall incidence of grade $3\~4$ acute toxicity during radiotherapy was more frequent in concurrent group $(6.0\%\;vs\;41.7\%,\;p=0.005)$. Conclusion : Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy showed a trend of improvement in short-term survival and in treatment response when compared with induction chemotherapy-radiotherapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. More controlled randomized trial are needed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.361-369
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• 1995

Background: A number of different weaning techniques can be employed such as spontaneous breathing trial, Intermittent mandatory ventilation(IMV) or Pressure support ventilation(PSV). However, the conclusive data indicating the superiority of one technique over another have not been published. Usually, a conventional spontaneous breathing trial is undertaken by supplying humidified $O_2$ through T-shaped adaptor connected to endotracheal tube or tracheostomy tube. In Korea, T-tube trial is not popular because the high-flow oxygen system is not always available. Also, the timing of extubation is not conclusive and depends on clinical experiences. It is known that to withdraw the endotracheal tube after weaning is far better than to go through any period. The tube produces varying degrees of resistance depending on its internal diameter and the flow rates encountered. The purpose of present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of weaning and extubation following a 60 minutes spontaneous breathing trial with simple oxygen supply through the endotracheal tube. Methods: We analyzed the result of weaning and extubation following a 60 minutes spontaneous breathing trial with simple oxygen supply through the endotracheal tube in 18 subjects from June, 1993 to June, 1994. They consisted of 9 males and 9 females. The duration of mechanical ventilation was from 38 hours to 341 hours(mean: $105.9{\pm}83.4$ hours). In all cases, the cause of ventilator dependency should be identified and precipitating factors should be corrected. The weaning trial was done when the patient became alert and arterial $O_2$ tension was adequate($PaO_2$ > 55mmHg) with an inspired oxygen fraction of 40%. We conducted a careful physical examination when the patient was breathing spontaneously through the endotracheal tube. Failure of weaning trial was signaled by cyanosis, sweating, paradoxical respiration, intercostal recession. Weaning failure was defined as the need for mechanical ventilation within 48 hours. Results: In 19 weaning trials of 18 patients, successful weaning and extubation was possible in 16/19(84.2 %). During the trial of spontaneous breathing for 60 minutes through the endotracheal tube, the patients who could wean developed slight increase in respiratory rates but significant changes of arterial blood gas values were not noted. But, the patients who failed weaning trial showed the marked increase in respiratory rates without significant changes of arterial blood gas values. Conclusion: The result of present study indicates that weaning from mechanical ventilation following a 60 minutes spontaneous breathing with $O_2$ supply through the endotracheal tube is a simple and effective method. Extubation can be done at the same time of successful weaning except for endobronchial toilet or airway protection.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.149-159
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• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the results and prognostic factors for postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy in patients at stages I and II of endometrial cancer. Materials and Methods: Between January 1991 and December 2006, 35 patients with FIGO stages I and II disease, who received adjuvant radiation therapy following surgery for endometrial cancer at Ewha Womans University Hospital, were enrolled in this study. A total of 17 patients received postoperative pelvic external beam radiation therapy; whereas, 12 patients received vaginal brachytherapy alone, and 6 patients received both pelvic radiation therapy and vaginal brachytherapy. Results: The median follow-up period for all patients was 54 months. The 5-yr overall survival and disease-free survival rates for all patients were 91.4% and 81.7%, respectively. The 5-yr overall survival rates for low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk groups were 100%, 100% and 55.6%, respectively. In addition, the 5-yr disease-free survival rates were 100%, 70.0%, and 45.7%, respectively. Although no locoregional relapses were identified, distant metastases were observed in 5 patients (14%). The most common site of distant metastases was the lung, followed by bone, liver, adrenal gland, and peritoneum. A univariate analysis revealed a significant correlation between distant metastases and risk-group (p=0.018), pathology type (p=0.001), and grade (p=0.019). A multivariate analysis also revealed that distant metastases were correlated with pathology type (p=0.009). Papillary, serous and clear cell carcinoma cases demonstrated a poor patient survival rate compared to cases of endometrioid adenocarcinoma or adenosquamous carcinoma. The most common complication of pelvic external beam radiation therapy was enteritis (30%), followed by proctitis, leucopenia, and lymphedema. All these complications were of RTOG grades 1 and 2; no grades 3 and 4 were observed. Conclusion: For the low-risk and intermediate-risk groups (stages 1 and 2) endometrial cancer, pelvic control, and overall survival rate was free of severe toxicity when pelvic radiation therapy or vaginal brachytherapy was performed. In the high-risk group, pelvic control rate was excellent, but the survival rate was poor due to distant metastases, in spite of the pelvic radiation therapy. The combined modality of chemotherapy and radiation therapy is recommended for high-risk groups. For the intermediate-risk group, a prospective randomized study is required to compare the efficacy between whole pelvic radiation therapy and vaginal brachytherapy.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.327-334
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• 2001

Purpose : To find out the role of postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy in the treatment of rectal cancer by comparing survival, pelvic control, complication rate, and any prognostic factor between surgery alone and postoperative radiotherapy group. Materials and methods : From Feb. 1982 to Dec. 1996 total 212 patients were treated by radical surgery with or without postoperative radiotherapy due to rectal carcinoma of modified Astler-Coiler stage $B2\~C3$. Of them, 18 patients had incomplete radiotherapy and so the remaining 194 patients were the database analyzed in this study. One hundred four patients received postoperative radiotherapy and the other 90 patients had surgery only. Radiotherapy was peformed in the range of $39.6\~55.8\;Gy$ (mean: 49.9 Gy) to the whole pelvis and if necessary, tumor bed was boosted by $5.4\~10\;Gy$. Both survival and pelvic control rates were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and their statistical significance was tested by Log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was peformed by Cox proportional hazards model. Results : 5-year actuarial survival rate (5YSR) and 5-year disease-free survival rate (5YDFSR) of entire patients were $53\%\;and\;49\%$, respectively. 5YSRs of surgery alone group and adjuvant radiotherapy group were $63\%\;vs\;45\%$, respectively (p=0.03). This difference is thought to reflect uneven distribution of stages between two treatment groups (p<0.05 by $\chi^2-test$) with more advanced disease patients in adjuvant radiotherapy group. 5YSRs of surgery alone vs adjuvant radiotherapy group in MAC B2+3, C1, C2+3 were $68\%\;vs\;55\%$ (p=0.09), $100\%\;vs\;100\%$, $40\%\;vs\;33\%$ (p=0.71), respectively. 5YDFSRs of surgery alone vs adjuvant radiotherapy group in above three stages were $65\%\;vs\;49\%$ (p=0.14), $100\%\;vs\;100\%$, $33\%\;vs\;31\%$ (p=0.46), respectively. 5-year pelvic control rate (5YPCR) of entire patients was $72.5\%$. 5YPCRs of surgery alone and adjuvant radiotherapy group were $71\%\;vs\;74\%$, respectively (p=0.41). 5YPCRs of surgery alone vs adjuvant radiotherapy group in B2+3, C1, C2+3 were $79\%\;vs\;75\%$ (p=0.88), $100\%\;vs\;100\%$, $44\%\;vs\;68\%$ (p=0.01), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that only stage was significant factor affecting overall and disease-free survival in entire patients and also in both treatment groups. In view of pelvic control, stage and operation type were significant in entire patients and only stage in surgery alone group but in adjuvant radiotherapy group, operation type instead of stage was the only significant factor in multivariate analysis as a negative prognostic factor in abdominoperineal resection cases. Conclusion : Our retrospective study showed that postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy could improve the pelvic control in MAC C2+3 group. To improve both pelvic control and survival in all patients with MAC B2 or more, other treatment modality such as concurrent continuous infusion of 5-FU, which is the most standard agent, with radiotherapy should be considered.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.213-217
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• 1992

Locally advanced cervical carcinoma has shown high rate of local failure and poor survival rate despite the advances in modern radiation therapy techniques. Combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy demonstrated benefit in improving local control and possibly the overall survival. Twelve patients with advanced stages (Figo stage III, IV) or 11b with bulky tumors (>5 cm in diameter) were treated with combination of radiation therapy and concurrent weekly cisplatin between May of 1988 and September of 1991 at Inje University Paik Hospital. Cisplatin was administered in bolus injections of 50 mg at weekly intervals during the courses of radiation therapy. Median follow-up period was 34 months with ranges from 3 to 53 months. Eleven patients were evaluable for the estimation of response. Response was noted in all the 11 patients: complete response (CR) in 7 ($64\%$), partial response (PR) in 4 ($36\%$). Of the 7 patients with CR, all maintained local control, whereas only 1 of 4 with PR showed local control. Six of 7 with CR are alive disease free on the completion of follow-up. Eight of 11 patients ($73\%$) maintained local control in the pelvis. The median survival for CR patient is 27 months and 9 months for the PR patients. Analysis of survival by stage shows 11 b 4/5, III 2/3 and IV 1/3. Overall survival rate was $61\%$. Three patients recurred: 1 at local, 1 in distant site and 1 with local and distant site. Toxicity for the combination therapy was not excessive. These results are preliminary, but definitely encouraging in view of markedly improved response rate compared with the results of historical control group.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.227-232
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• 2007

Purpose: To investigate the flavopiridol effect on radiation-induced apoptosis and expression of apoptosisrelated genes of human laryngeal and lung cancer cells. Materials and Methods: A human laryngeal cancer cell line, AMC-HN3 and a human lung cancer cell line, NCI-H460, were used in the study. The cells were divided into four groups according to the type of treatment: 1) control groups; 2) cells that were only irradiated; 3) cells treated only with flavopiridol; 4) cells treated with flavopiridol and radiation simultaneously. The cells were irradiated with 10 Gy of X-rays using a 4 MV linear accelerator. Flavopiridol was administered to the media at a concentration of 100 nM for 24 hours. We compared the fraction of apoptotic cells of each group 24 hours after the initiation of treatment. The fraction of apoptotic cells was detected by measurement of the sub-G1 fractions from a flow cytometric analysis. The expression of apoptosis-regulating genes, including cleaved caspase-3, cleaved PARP (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase), p53, p21, cyclin D1, and phosphorylated Akt (protein kinase B) were analyzed by Western blotting. Results: The sub-G1 fraction of cells was significantly increased in the combination treatment group, as compared to cells exposed to radiation alone or flavopiridol alone. Western blotting also showed an increased expression of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP expression in cells of the combination treatment group, as compared with cells exposed to radiation alone or flavopiridol alone. Treatment with flavopiridol down regulated cyclin 01 expression of both cell lines but its effect on p53 and p21 expression was different according to each individual cell line. Flavopiridol did not affect the expression of phophorylated Akt in both cell lines. Conclusion: Treatment with flavopiridol increased radiation-induced apoptosis of both the human laryngeal and lung cancer cell lines. Flavopiridol effects on p53 and p21 expression were different according to the individual cell line and it did not affect Akt activation of both cell lines.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.88-95
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• 2009

Purpose: p53 and bcl-2 are important markers of apoptosis. The expression of p53 and bcl-2 in gastric adenocarcinoma was examined in relation to prognosis and survival rate. Materials and Methods: The clinicopathologic data from 238 patients who underwent gastrectomies for gastric adenocarcinoma between December 1999 and July 2007 were reviewed. Immunohistochemical staining of gastric adenocarcinoma tissues embedded in paraffin blocks was performed using an Envision kit (DAKO, Glostrup, Denmark). Statistical comparisons were made between age, gender, tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, Lauren's classification, cell differentiation, and the relationship with p53 and bcl-2. Results: The expression of p53 was related to cell differentiation (P=0.028) and UICC TNM stage (P<0.001). The expression of bcl-2 was related to UICC TNM stage (P=0.005). The co-expression of p53 and bcl-2 was related to UICC TNM stage (P=0.002). The co-expression group exhibited a greater reduction in the survival rate (P=0.001). Conclusion: The expression of p53 and bcl-2 nuclear proteins has significant relationships with other conventional prognostic factors and the survival rate. bcl-2 will be characterized through analysis of a greater number of patients and comparison with survival data over a longer period of time.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2004

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify potential dangers involved in procedure and evaluate complications of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) comparing to surgical gastrostomy (SG). Methods: A retrospective study of 66 children with feeding gastrostomy between 1994 and 2002 was done. Results: Of 66 children, 23 (mean age 29 months) had PEG and 43 (mean age 49 months) had SG. 31 cases of SG group had fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease. PEG groups were followed up with an average 13 months and SG groups with 21 months. Major complications occurred in 33% of PEG group (8/23) and 55% of SG group (24/43). Major complications were significantly lower in PEG group than SG group and minor complications, too (p<0.05). Of major complications, aspiration pneumonia was the most common but paralytic ileus was significantly higher in SG group than PEG group. 8 patients died of underlying disease but not related to gastrostomy. Removals of stomata were done in 5 of PEG group and 3 of SG group. GER recurred in 25% of SG group with fundoplication and newly developed in 17% of SG group. GER persisted in 17% and newly developed in 5% of PEG group. Conclusion: The gastrostomy was a significant procedure with the potential to produce complications. PEG is recommended as an initial procedure in children requiring a feeding gastrostomy but should be considered a major undertaking.