• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.56-64
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• 2008

Purpose: Cathepsin D(CD) is a lysosomal acid proteinase that is related to malignant progression, invasion, and a poor prognosis in several tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic clinical significance of CD and p53 expression in pretreatment biopsy specimens from patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who were treated with preoperative chemoradiation. Materials and Methods: Eighty-nine patients with locally advanced rectal cancer(cT3/T4 or N+) were included in this study. Preoperative chemoradiation consisted of a dose of 50.4 Gy of pelvic radiation and two concurrent cycles of administration of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin. Surgery was performed six weeks after chemoradiation. CD and p53 expression in pretreatment formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor biopsy specimens were assessed by immunohistochemical staining using a CD and p53 monoclonal antibodies. The threshold value for a positive stain in tumor tissue and stromal cells was 1+ intensity in 10% of the tumors or stromal cells, respectively. Results: Positive CD expression was found in 57(64%) of the tumors and 32(35%) of the stromal cell specimens. There was no association with CD expression of the tumor or stromal cells and patient characteristics. There was a correlation between tumor CD expression with stromal cell CD expression(p=0.01). Overexpression of p53 was not a significant prognostic factor. The 5-year overall survival(OS) and disease-free survival(DFS) rates were not different between tumor CD-negative and positive patient biopsy samples(69% vs. 65%, 60% vs. 61%, respectively). The 5-year OS rates in the tumor-negative/stromal cell-negative, tumor-negative/stromal cell-positive, tumor-positive/stromal cell-negative and tumor-positive/stromal cell-positive biopsy samples were 75%, 28%, 62%, and 73%, respectively. Stromal cell staining only without positive tumor staining demonstrated the worst overall survival prognosis for patients(p=0.013). Conclusion: Overexpression of p53 in rectal biopy tissue was not associated with prognostic significance. In the pretreatment biopsy specimens, an exclusive increase in CD expression in stromal cells without tumor expression was related to poor overall survival in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiation.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2001

Purpose: We measured anti-H. pylori IgG in Korean elementary school children living in Shinchon area of Seoul, Korea to evaluate the influence of environmental living standards on H. pylori infection. Methods: IgG antibodies to H. pylori were measured in plasma using a commercial ELISA kit (GAP IgG Helicobacter pylori, Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Hercules, CA, USA). Information on environmental status such as place of birth, parental income, type of housing, number of persons in the household, parents' occupation, family history of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer was obtained. Statistical analysis was done by Chi-square and logistic regression test using SPSS $7.0^{TM}$ for Windows. Results: Study subjects consisted of 571 children, and the age distribution ranged from 6.0 to 13.6 years with a mean of $9.6{\pm}1.8$ years. Male-to-female ratio was 1.1:1. The seropositive rates of H. pylori infection ranged from 10.4% in children aged 6 years to 30.9% in 12 year-old group, overall 16.8%. The prevalence of H. pylori infection progressively increased with age, but there was no significant difference in seropositive rates among children in different age groups (p=0.06). Seropositive rates of anti-H. pylori IgG on the basis of gender, place of birth, parental income, type of housing, parents' occupation, family history of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer showed no statistically significant difference. Interestingly, however, seropositive rate of anti-H. pylori IgG showed statistical significance in relation to number of persons in the household (p=0.003; Odds ratio 1.50 by logistic regression test). Conclusion: These results suggest that number of persons in the household is the most important factor among environmental living standards, and that risk of H. pylori infection increases by increment of 1.5 times as the number of persons in the household increases by one.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.283-288
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• 2011

This study was conducted to study the environment effects on live weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, eye muscle area, backfat thickness, and marbling score, which are the carcass traits of Hanwoo, based on the estimates and all the possible regression for the selection of variable and significance test for 231,382 heads that underwent the carcass measurements. The average and standard deviation for the live weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, eye muscle area, backfat thickness, and marbling score were 654.79${\pm}$91.61 kg, 362.30${\pm}$67.15 kg, 59.52${\pm}$0.03%, 81.79${\pm}$12.21 $cm^2$, 11.39${\pm}$5.40 mm, 4.38${\pm}$2.29, respectively. The live weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, eye muscle area, backfat thickness, and marbling score for cow were 532.79${\pm}$78.38 kg, 313.40${\pm}$44.90 kg, 56.50${\pm}$0.03%, 75.24${\pm}$10.69 $cm^2$, 11.82${\pm}$5.10 mm, 4.30${\pm}$2.06, respectively, while for bull were 619.74${\pm}$93.27 kg, 376.89${\pm}$48.62 kg, 58.61${\pm}$0.02%, 85.61${\pm}$10.46 $cm^2$, 5.64${\pm}$2.71 mm, 1.41${\pm}$0.83, respectively, and for steer were 681.78${\pm}$70.72 kg, 415.23${\pm}$49.43 kg, 60.19${\pm}$0.02%, 88.29${\pm}$10.27 $cm^2$, 12.71${\pm}$5.23 mm, 5.42${\pm}$1.99, respectively. In the environmental variables selection based on the variables selection method, the examination by carcass traits suggested that the most appropriate model could be determined when five variables were selected for the live weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, eye muscle area, and four variables for backfat thickness, and marbling score. When they were considered at a time altogether based on multiple traits, it was deemed to be desirable to insert all five variables into the variables for analysis. In addition, high significance was found by carcass traits.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.253-264
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• 2002

Background : It has been reported that the expression of protein which influences on the cell cycle is significantly involved in the development, progress, treatment response, and survival of cancer, and also that the degree of expression of p27 and CDK4 is related to the prognosis. Recent research has revealed that uteroglobin, tumor suppressor gene, is related to cell cycle. This study is focused on the relations between expression of proteins related to cell cycle and clinical index of and survival of NSCLC. Methods : We examined immunohistochemically specimens of 110 surgically resected NSCLCs for expression of p27, CDK, Uteroglobin. Tissue array slide were obtained from 110 surgically resected NSCLCs. Immunohistochemical staining was performed by immuno-peroxidase technique using avidin-biotinylated horseradish peroxidase complex. Results : In 110 patients with resected NSCLCs, the ratio of male to female was 87:13, the median age was $56.43{\pm}9.41$ yrs. The positive staining of p27 was detected in 75% of the cases. A non-statistically significant trend toward increased p27 expression was observed in smoker and squamous cell cancer. The positive staining of CDK4 was detected in 89%, which was the highest expression of protein among 3 types. The survival ratio of CDK4 negative staining group was higher than that of positive staining group, which was significant diffrernce(P<0.05). There was no association between p27 or uteroglobin expression and survival. Conclusion : The expression degree of CDK4 is related to the prognosis. This findings suggests that the measurement of CDK4 may be useful in identifying patient at high risk for disease recurrence and survival.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.196-204
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• 2001

Background : Bronchial asthma is characterized by a reversible airway obstruction, airway hyperresponsiveness, and eosinophilic airway inflammation. The bronchodilator response(BDR) after short acting beta agonist inhalation and PC20 with methacholine inhalation are frequently used for diagnosing bronchial asthma. However, the relationship between the presence of a bronchodilator response and the degree of airway hyperresponsiveness is uncertain. Therefore, the availability of a eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and a correlation ECP with a bronchodilator response and airway hyperresponsiveness was investigated. Method : A total 71 patients with a moderate to severe degree of bronchial asthma were enrolled and divided into two groups. 31 patients with a positive bronchodilator response and 38 patients with a negative bronchodilator response were evaluated. In both groups, the serum ECP, peripheral blood eosinophil counts, and total IgE level were measured and the methacholine bronchial provocation test was examined. Results : There were no differences observed in age, sex, atopy, and baseline spirometry in both groups. The peripheral eosinophil counts showed no difference in both groups, but the ECP level in group 1 (bronchodilator responder group) was higher than in group 2(non-bronchodilator responder group) ($22.4{\pm}20.7$ vs $14.2{\pm}10.4$, mean$\pm$SD). The PC20 in group 1 was significantly lower than in group 2 ($1.14{\pm}1.68$ vs $66{\pm}2.98$). There was a significant positive correlation between the BDR and ECP, and a negative correlation between the bronchial hyperresponsiveness and ECP. Conclusion : The bronchodilator response significantly correlated with the bronchial hyperresponsiveness and serum ECP in the moderate to severe asthma patients. Hence, the positive bronchodilator response is probably related with active bronchial inflammation and may be used as a valuable index in treatment, course and prognosis of bronchial asthma.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.307-313
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• 2010

Purpose : Results of the Korea National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children, which was launched in November 2007, were evaluated for future research and policy development. Methods : Data from a total of 2,729,340 cases were analyzed. Five visiting ages, such as 4, 9, 18, 30, and 60 months, were included. Several parameters such as stunting, obesity, and positive rate of developmental screening were also analyzed. Telephone survey was performed in 1,035 users. For the provider survey, 262 doctors participated in our study. Results : The overall participation rate of users was 35.3%. This participation rate showed a decrement tendency to old age and low income. Only 6.9% of users participated in oral screening. Health screening was performed mainly in private clinics (82.6%). The recall rate of 4 months program users at the age of 9 months was 57.3%. The positive rate of screening was 3.1%, and was higher in the low-income group. By telephone survey, users reported that questionnaires were not difficult (94%) and overall satisfaction was good (73%). Longer duration of counseling was related with more satisfied users. Counseling and health education were helpful to users (73.2%). Doctors agreed that this program was helpful to children (98.5%). Conclusion : Korea National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children was launched successfully. Participation rate should be improved, and a quality control program needs to be developed. More intensive support following this program for children of low-income families may lead to effective interventions in controlling health inequality. Periodic update of guidelines is also needed.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.275-285
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• 1998

Antibody responses(IgG) to Paragonimus westermani. Clonorchis sinensis, Cysticercus cellulosae, Sparganum Anisakis simplex, Toxocara canis and Trichinella spiralis were studied. The ELISA technique was performed to determine the prevalence of above helminthic diseases. 975 cases obtained from Yanbian of China during October, 1995 to July, 1997 were examined with a positive antibody titer of 5.74% in clonorchiasis, 4.92% in paragonimiasis, 1.54% in cysticercosis. 8.51% in sparganosis, 1.85% in anisakiosis, 12.51% in toxocariasis, and 7.08% in trichinosis respectively. And 23.87% in showed positive antibody titer at least one of the seven helminths. The differences of the age and sex in the positive sera were analysed by the Chi-squared test and the level of significance accepted was p<0.05. The significant differences in positive antibody production were P.W.(p<0.01). C.S.(p<0.01), A.S.(p<0.05). T.C.(p<0.001), and T.S.(p<0.01) respectively in age groups. sparganosis(p<0.05) in sex groups. Other parasites showed that there were no significant differences among age groups and sex groups(males and females). Higher positive antibody rate of C.S. and P.W. occured in the 50-59 years old and those of T.C. and T.S. happened in the 20-29 years old. Patients of internal disease showed more positive antibody titer, that is to say, there was significant difference between positive rate of internal diseases and that of control (p<0.01. p<0.05) in 6 helminths except cysticercosis. The result showed that some cross reactions existed among nematodes, and the developed techniques(EITB) should be done for a correct diagnosis. Also the prevalence of some important helminths may be evaluated from the result and it would be a basic data for controlling parasitic diseases in Yanbian.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.362-368
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• 2008

Background: LKB1(STK11) is a serine/threonine kinase that functions as a tumor growth suppressor. The functions of LKB1 in lung cancer are not completely understood. This study evaluated the relationship between LKB1 protein expression and the clinicopathological features in lung cancer tissues. Methods: The expression of LKB1 was studied in paraffin-embedded tumor blocks, which were obtained from 77 patients who had undergone surgery at Wonkwang University Hospital. The expression of the LKB1 protein was considered positive if the staining intensity in the tumor tissue adjacent to the normal airway epithelium was >30%. Results: The LKB1 expression was positive in 31 (40%) of samples. Loss of LKB1 expression was significantly associated with being male, smoking history, and squamous cell carcinoma. In the peripheral sites, the loss of LKB1 expression was strongly associated with a smoking history. A loss of LKB1 expression was more frequently associated with progression according to TNM staging, particularly more than T2, N progression. Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between the loss of the LKB1 protein and gender, smoking history, and histological type in primary lung cancer. Although LKB1 expression was not found to be a significant prognostic factor, further studies with a larger cohort of patient's lung cancer tissue samples will be needed to confirm this.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.700-708
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• 1993

Background: Lung cancer has become one of the most common cancers in Korea. It is important to determine the accurate histologic types and stages because of different therapeutic modlaity, especially in small cell carcinoma. This study was designed to evaluate diagnostic yields according to variable diagnostic methods in lung cancer. Methods: The records of 683 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of primary lung cancer during the period of 7 years, from January, 1986 until December, 1992 at Presbyterian Medical Center were analyzed retrospectively. Results: 1) Age and sex distributions Male: female sex ratio was 5.57:1 and age distributions were 7th decade 41.4%, 6th decade 30.2%, 8th decade 17.0%, 5th decade 7.9%, 4th decade 2.5%, 9th decade 1.3%, and 3rd decade 0.2% in decreasing order. 2) The frequencies according to histologic cell types were squamous cell carcinoma 44.7%, small cell carcinoma 23.9%, adenocarcinoma 22.8%, alveolar cell carcinoma 2.5%, large cell carcinoma 1.2%. mixed forms 1.2%, undifferenciated cell carcinoma 0.6% and malignant fibrous histiocytoma 0.2%(1 case) in decreasing order. 3) The most common locations of lung cancer were in left upper lobe and right lower lobe, and no differences of diagnostic methods according to locations were noted. 4) In central lesions, bronchoscopic examination was very accurate and frequently used diagnostic method, and in peripheral lesions, transthoracic lung biopsy(TTLB) was apparent1y accurate method. 5) The diagnostic yields of bronchoscopic biopsy, bronchial brushing, sputum cytology, transthoracic lung biopsy and transbronchial lung biopsy(TBLB) were 81.3%, 57.5%, 31.1%, 69.6% and 61.6%, respectively. 6) The concordance rates between the histologic diagnosis with bronchial brushing and sputum-cytology were 91.3% and 98.4%, respectively. 7) It was appropriate in lung cancer to repeat sputum cytology 3 to 5 times. Conclusion: Bronchoscopic examination is important to determine the histologic cell types in lung cancer. In addition, we should be interrested in improving diagnostic yields of sputum cytology as an easy method.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1983.05a
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• pp.12.2-13
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• 1983

Corrosive injuries of the esophagus by accident or suicidal attempt, though decreasing in number, still represent an important problem of our national pathology. One of the most difficult problems facing any physician is the diagnosis and management of caustic ingestion. In order to determine the extent of esophageal bums, to prevent the potential complication, to increase the therapeutic effect, the use of esophagoscopy is an essential step, and it has lessened an unnecessary admission and treatment. The authors have found the value of early esophagoscopy in selected 41 corrosive esophagitis patient who were admitted to Dept. of ENT, Wonju medical college, Yonsei university between 1980. 1-1982. 12