• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.855-861
• /
• 1995

Background: Parathyroid hormone-related protein(PTHrp) was first identified as the cause of hypercalcemia in malignancy. Hypercalcemia can be found in malignancy, especially in the epidermoid carcinoma of the lung, even without extensive metastases to the bones. The application of sensitive assays for PTHrp may help in the early diagnosis of lung cancer, in the monitoring of treatment and in the detection of recurrence. Method: Serum PTHrp was measured by radioimmunoassay detecting the N-terminal 1~34 peptide of human PTHrp(PTHrp 1-34) in 63 histologically confirmed lung cancer patients and 22 healthy controls. Result: Serum PTHrp(mean$\pm$S.E.) was $312{\pm}68.9pg/ml$ in 63 lung cancer patients and $158{\pm}38.2pg/ml$ in 22 controls(p>0.05). PTHrp was $356{\pm}103.9pg/ml$ in 34 epidermoid carcinoma patients, $281{\pm}148.7pg/ml$ in 15 adenocarcinoma patients and $316{\pm}140.8pg/ml$ in 9 small cell carcinoma patients. In epidermoid carcinoma patients, PTHrp was $570{\pm}472.3pg/ml$ in stage II(n=3; p<0.05 vs controls), $166{\pm}22.4pg/ml$ in stage IIIa(n=9), $282{\pm}113.3pg/ml$ in stage IIIb(n=12) and $668{\pm}367.9pg/ml$ in stage IV(n=9; p<0.05 vs controls). PTHrp was significantly increased in 8 epidermoid carcinoma patients with bone metastases($1526{\pm}811.2\;pg/ml$; p<0.0005 vs controls). Hypercalcemia was observed in an epidermoid carcinoma patient whose PTHrp value was 244 pg/ml. Conclusion: The serum PTHrp was increased in advanced epidermoid carcinoma patients even without hypercalcemia. The measurement of PTHrp may be not helpful in the early diagnosis of lung cancer. But the lung cancer should be suspected in the marked elevation of PTHrp. It may be of value in detecting patients of advanced diseases with bone metastases or patients who might develop the malignancy associated hypercalcemia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.119-128
• /
• 2013

Since the early 2000s, demand for coastal dredging projects have been significantly increased, and the dredged sediments have showed the continuing marked increases through the multiple projects with other coastal development and constructions. As significant or potential degradation of marine environment has been mounting, we checked the current situation of marine environmental impact assessment through marine water and sediment qualities in relation with dredging projects of the sea area utilization consultation statements submitted in 2011. While analysis percentages of the general items were usually higher, harmful components such as metals revealed wide variation of analysis percentages. In the event of analysis of metals, the pre-treatment process (full digestion) and analysis method were not properly implemented in accordance with the guidelines for preparation of consultation statements. Although not specified in the guidelines, verification procedures (tests of recovery efficiency and detection limit) to secure the reliability were almost ignored. As a result, most of developers did conduct poor marine environmental impact assessment on coastal dredging and related projects. We suggested that the responsible government authority should establish new detailed guidelines on the sea area utilization consultation for more strict evaluation and diagnosis of marine environment and distinctly request the developer to obey the guidelines by complementing the system of the sea area utilization consultation.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.239-248
• /
• 2011

This paper evaluated types and characteristics of development projects occurred in coastal area (Public Water) by analyzing an application status of Sea Area Utilization Conference System that effective protect and manage marine environment and ecosystem from various artificial utilization and development enforced in 2008. Also, system improvement for stable settlement and security of efficiency considering exposed problems during system enforcement were diagnosed. The number of Sea Area Utilization Conference (SAUC) performanced during the period of 2009-2010 was 3,705, which consisted of simple SAUC (87.0%), general SAUC (12.8%), and Sea Area Utilization Impact Assessment (SAUIC; 0.2%). The general SAUC was accomplished for Public Water reclamation (43.4%), seawater supply and drainage (17.5%), dredging sediment (5.5%), installation of port facilities (4.6%) and fishing harbor facilities (2.3%), and others (23.4%). Statements of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) were reviewed mainly for construction of port facilities (32.9%), followed by construction of industrial complex, development of tourism and leisure complex, road construction, and development of energy facilities. It would be necessary to strengthen effectiveness of the system, advertisement, and capability of conference and review agency, and to enhance confidence of marine EIA continuously, according to the increase of development projects, and diversity and enlargement of development types.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.417-424
• /
• 2015

In this study, the relationship between selenoprotein concentrations in blood and stomach cancer have been searched for Korean. The concentration of each selenoprotein in blood serum was analyzed and the correlation between the concentration and stomach cancer was studied to find a potential for using Selenium as a biomarker. In concentration determination, a simple calibration curve method was used with the monitoring of m/z 78 without the use of solid phase extraction. This is a lot more simple than the method using SPE with post column isotope dilution. The result obtained from the analysis of CRM BCR-637, 72.20±3.35 ng·g⁻¹, showed similar value of reference value (81±7 ng·g⁻¹). The total concentration of Se for the controlled group, cardiovascular patients group, was 105.70±21.20 ng·g⁻¹. This value was the same as normal healthy person reported earlier. Each selenoprotein concentration of GPx, SelP and SeAlb was 26.12±7.84, 65.15±14.50, 14.43±6.99 ng·g⁻¹, respectively. The distribution of each selenoprotein was 24.7%, 61.6%, and 13.7%, which was similar to the normal person. The result of stomach cancer patients, the total concentration of Se was 76.11±28.12 ng·g⁻¹ and each concentration of GPx, SelP and SeAlb was 15.41±9.01, 50.83±17.91, and 9.87±5.21 ng·g⁻¹, respectively. The total and each selenoprotein concentration level showed significant decrease for the stomach cancer patients. The level of decrease was 41.0% for GPx, 22.0% for SelP, and 31.6% for SeAlb. However, the distribution of each selenoprotein was not much different. Either total Selenium or each selenoprotein could be used as a possible index for the diagnosis of cancer. However, in age group study, it is shown that young age group (30's-40's) did not show much difference.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.183-189
• /
• 2009

Purpose : To evaluate the usefulness of three-dimensional (3D) maximal intensity projection (MIP) reconstruction method in breast MRI. Materials and Methods : Total 54 breasts of consecutive 27 patients were examined by breast MRI. Breast MRI was performed using GE Signa Excite Twin speed (GE medical system, Wisconsin, USA) 1.5T. We obtained routine breast MR images including axial T2WI, T1WI, sagittal T1FS, dynamic contrast-enhanced T1FS, and subtraction images. 3D MIP reconstruction images were obtained as follows; subtraction images were obtained using TIPS and early stage of contrast-enhanced TIPS images. And then 3D MIP images were obtained using the subtraction images through advantage workstation (GE Medical system). We detected and analyzed the lesions in the 3D MIP and routine MRI images according to ACR $BIRADS^{(R)}$ MRI lexicon. And then we compared the findings of 3D MIP and those of routine breast MR images and evaluated whether 3D MIP had additional information comparing to routine MR images. Results : 3D MIP images detect the 43 of 56 masses found on routine MR images (76.8%). In non-mass like enhancement, 3D MIP detected 17 of 20 lesions (85 %). And there were one hundred sixty nine foci at 3D MIP images and one hundred nine foci at routine MR images. 3D MIP images detected 14 of 23 category 3 lesions (60.9%), 11 of 16 category 4 lesions (68.87%), 28 of 28 Category 5 lesions (100%). In analyzing the enhancing lesions at 3D MIP images, assessment categories of the lesions were correlated as the results at routine MR images (p-value < 0.0001). 3D MIP detected additional two daughter nodules that were descriped foci at routine MR images and additional one nodule that was not detected at routine MR images. Conclusion : 3D MIP image has some limitations but is useful as additional image of routine breast MR Images.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.38-45
• /
• 2017

Objectives: Sleep disturbance is a very rapidly growing disease with aging. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of sleep disturbances and its predictive factors in a three-year cohort study of people aged 60 years and over in Korea. Methods: In 2012 and 2014, we obtained data from a survey of the Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. We asked participants if they had been diagnosed with stroke, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, arthritis, pulmonary tuberculosis, asthma, cataract, glaucoma, hepatitis B, urinary incontinence, prostate hypertrophy, cancer, osteoporosis, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, or metabolic syndrome. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination for dementia screening in 2012, and depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale in 2012 and 2014. In 2015, a structured clinical interview for Axis I psychiatric disorders was administered to 235 people, and sleep disturbance was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The perceived stress scale and the State-trait Anger Expression Inventory were also administered. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict sleep disturbance by gender, age, education, depression score, number of coexisting diseases in 2012 and 2014, current anger score, and perceived stress score. Results: Twenty-seven percent of the participants had sleep disturbances. Logistic regression analysis showed that the number of medical diseases three years ago, the depression score one year ago, and the current perceived stress significantly predicted sleep disturbances. Conclusion: Comorbid medical disease three years previous and depressive symptoms evaluated one year previous were predictive of current sleep disturbances. Further studies are needed to determine whether treatment of medical disease and depressive symptoms can improve sleep disturbances.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2000

Purpose : Spine is one of the most common sites of the metastatic bone tumors. Conservative management such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy has been preferred in most cases. However, the neurologic deficit has not been usually improved, and the quality of life was poor. The purpose of this study was to show the efficacy of the surgical treatments for metastatic spinal tumors in terms of postoperative improvements of neurologic deficit and survival time. Materials and Methods : Authors have reviewed the literatures and analyzed 14 patients of metastatic spinal tumors who were received operative treatments between August 1991 and June 1999 at the our department of orthopaedic surgery. Results : The most frequent primary tumor was breast cancer in women and lung cancer in men. The thoracic region was the most common site. There was a preponderance of females over males, and the age ranged between 4th and 8th decade. The indications of surgical treatment comprised instability, progressive neurologic findings, resistance to radiotherapy, pathological fracture, long life expectancy( >6weeks), isolated metastasis and need for pathological diagnosis. The degree of preoperative neurological deficit might influence on the improvement of clinical symptoms after surgery. Conclusion : The surgical treatment reduced the neurological deficit and pain regardless of the operative methods. In the early stage of neurological deficit, the surgical treatment was important for better prognosis. Recently early active operative treatment was performed for metastatic spinal tumor to minimize the intractable pain and to prevent the progression of the neurologic deficit. Early intervention can improve the quality of life and long term survival.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.137-144
• /
• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify and assess the needs of the cancer patients and their families and provide basic data to meet with their needs. Methods: This is a descriptive study using questionnaire method. Questionnaire were collected by mail from 76 discharged patients from a hospice ward from May until the end of October, 2004, and data were analyzed by SPSS 10.0. Results: Admitted patients had needs of pain control (85.5%), non-pain symptoms (63.2%) such as vomiting, dyspnea, ascites, etc, and emotional and spiritual problem solving (28.9%, 14.5%). Interests of patients were health care of himself/herself (65.8%), concern for their spouses left alone (32.9%), and future of their children (15.8%). In families' needs of care of 5 areas, "information on patient's status and treatment/nursing care" was shown most high score ($3.48{\pm}0.62$). In detailed questions, they request most 'to inform the prognosis of patients' and the next is 'to inform the reasons that nursing care was required'. The next highest score was to 'inform family roles' ($3.39{\pm}0.64$), and next was spiritual support ($3.11{\pm}0.79$), and emotional support ($3.08{\pm}0.72$). Expectations of family on the treatment were comfortable dying (73.4%) scored the highest. Patients' families were satisfied with volunteer service most in service area (97.4%). The next was pain control (89.5%) and nursing service (77.6%). Conclusion: Health care staff should identify the actual needs of families caring cancer patients and they should operate realistic programme which can give continuous and assistance by reflecting individual needs and characteristics. With these srategies, the quality of life of patients and families can be improved. And then the intervention programme should be developed to measure subjective nursing care needs of terminally ill cancer patients and their families.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.259-266
• /
• 2015

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among women worldwide. Cervical cancer is significantly associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The prevalence of HPV infection is influenced by geography, immune status, sexual history and genetic factors. For example, geographically, HPV prevalence varies from 1.5% to 39%. However, little is known about the relationship between HPV prevalence and age. An analysis of HPV prevalence by age will help determine when high-risk groups are exposed to HPV. Such an analysis could also demonstrate a correlation between specific HPV genotypes and age. In addition, the analysis might clarify the optimum age for using vaccines. In this study, HPV prevalence and genotype distribution among Korean and Chinese women are analyzed by age. The REBA HPV-ID$^{(R)}$ assay (YD diagnostics, Yong-in, Republic of Korea) was used for detecting HPV genotypes in uterine cervical liquid-based cytology samples from 533 women from Korea and 324 from East China (Western Shandong province. Women with severe dysplasia such as SCC (Squamous cell carcinoma) and HSIL (High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) groups were primarily in their 40s and 50s, whereas women with mild and moderate dysplasia (ASCUS and LSIL groups) were primarily in their 30s and 40s. Women with HPV genotype 16 and 18 infections were primarily in their 40s. The results suggest that HPV infection is associated with certain age groups in the Korean population.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.26-33
• /
• 2007

[ $\underline{Purpose}$ ]: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the incidence and aspects of myocardial perfusion defects in patients who were subjected to either two-dimensional or three-dimensional simulation techniques for early left-sided breast cancer. The myocardial perfusion defects were determined from using single photon emitted computerized tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion images. $\underline{Materials\;and\;Methods}$: Between January 2002 and August 2003, 32 patients were enrolled in this study. The patients were diagnosed as having early (AJCC stage T1-T2N0M0) left-sided breast cancer and were treated with tangential irradiation after breast-conserving surgery and systemic chemotherapy. The patients were divided into two groups according to the type of simulation received: two-dimensional simulation using an X-ray fluoroscope simulator or three-dimensional simulation with a CT simulator. All patients underwent technetium-99m-sestamibi gated perfusion SPECT at least 3 years after radiotherapy. The incidence and area of myocardial perfusion defects were evaluated and were compared in the two groups, and at the same time left ventricular ejection fraction and cardiac wall motion were also analyzed. The cardiac volume included in the radiation fields was calculated and evaluated to check for a correlation between the amount of irradiated cardiac volume and aspects of myocardial perfusion defects. $\underline{Results}$: A myocardial perfusion defect was detected in 11 of 32 patients (34.4%). There were 7 (46.7%) perfusion defect cases in 15 patients who underwent the two-dimensional simulation technique and 4 (23.5%) patients with perfusion defects in the three-dimensional simulation group (p=0.0312). In 10 of 11 patients who had myocardial perfusion changes, the perfusion defects were observed in the cardiac apex. The left ventricular ejection fraction was within the normal range and cardiac wall motion was normal in all patients. The irradiated cardiac volume of patients in the three-dimensional simulation group was less than that of patients who received the two-dimensional simulation technique, but there was no statistical significance as compared to the incidence of perfusion defects. $\underline{Conclusion}$: Radiotherapy with a CT simulator (three-dimensional simulation technique) for early left-sided breast cancer may reduce the size of the irradiated cardiac volume and the incidence of myocardial perfusion defects. Further investigation and a longer follow-up duration are needed to analyze the relationship between myocardial perfusion defects and clinical ischemic heart disease.