• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4643-4650
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• 2014

Background: For decades, studies have been performed to evaluate the association between ABO blood groups and risk of cancer. However, whether ABO blood groups are associated with overall cancer risk remains unclear. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies to assess this association. Materials and Methods: A search of Pubmed, Embase, ScienceDirect, Wiley, and Web of Knowledge databases (to May 2013) was supplemented by manual searches of bibliographies of key retrieved articles and relevant reviews. We included case-control studies and cohort studies with more than 100 cancer cases. Results: The search yielded 89 eligible studies that reported 100,554 cases at 30 cancer sites. For overall cancer risk, the pooled OR was 1.12 (95%CI: 1.09-1.16) for A vs. non- A groups, and 0.84 (95%CI: 0.80-0.88) for O vs. non-O groups. For individual cancer sites, blood group A was found to confer increased risk of gastric cancer (OR=1.18; 95%CI: 1.13-1.24), pancreatic cancer (OR=1.23; 95%CI: 1.15-1.32), breast cancer (OR=1.12; 95%CI: 1.01-1.24), ovarian cancer (OR=1.16; 95%CI: 1.04-1.27), and nasopharyngeal cancer (OR=1.17; 95%CI: 1.00-1.33). Blood group O was found to be linked to decreased risk of gastric cancer (OR=0.84; 95%CI: 0.80-0.88), pancreatic cancer (OR=0.75; 95%CI: 0.70-0.80), breast cancer (OR=0.90; 95%CI: 0.85-0.95), colorectal cancer (OR=0.89; 95%CI: 0.81-0.96), ovarian cancer (OR=0.76; 95%CI: 0.53-1.00), esophagus cancer (OR=0.94; 95%CI: 0.89-1.00), and nasopharyngeal cancer (OR=0.81; 95%CI: 0.70-0.91). Conclusions: Blood group A is associated with increased risk of cancer, and blood group O is associated with decreased risk of cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7541-7546
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• 2015

Aim: To report the histologic findings on Whipple resection specimens and thus determine the extent and spread of carcinomas of ampullary region and head of pancreas in our population. Setting: Section of Histopathology, Department of Pathology, Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: A case series of 311 consecutive Whipple resection specimens received between January 1,2003 and December 31, 2014. Specimens processed for histologic sections and representative sections submitted and histologically examined as per established and standard protocols. All relevant tumor parameters including histologic type, histologic grade, pathologic T and N stage and tumor size were assessed. Epidemiologic data were also recorded. All findings were analysed using SPSS 19.0 software. Results: Ampullary (periampullary) carcinomas were much more common than carcinomas of the head of the pancreas, especially in males, with an average age of 53 years. Mean tumor size was 2.5 cms, over 54% were well differentiated. A large majority were pT2 or pT3 and N0. Carcinomas of pancreatic head were also more common in males, mean age was 55 years, mean tumor size was 3.5cms, and over 65% were moderately differentiated. The majority were T2 or T3 and pN1. Prognostically, significant statistical correlation was seen with tumor grade and pathologic T and N stage (p values statistically significant). However, tumor size was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Ampullary carcinomas are more common compared to pancreatic carcinomas. Majority of ampullary carcinomas were well differentiated while majority of pancreatic carcinomas were moderately differentiated. Large majority of both types of cases were pT2 or T3. Histologic tumor grade and pathologic T and N stage are significantly related to prognosis in Pakistani patients with ampullary and pancreatic cancers.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.248-261
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• 2024

Backgrounds/Aims: This study aimed to investigate patterns and factors affecting recurrence after curative resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent curative resection for PDAC (2011-21) and consented to data and tissue collection (Barts Pancreas Tissue Bank) were followed up until May 2023. Clinico-pathological variables were analysed using Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Of 91 people (42 males [46%]; median age, 71 years [range, 43-86 years]) with a median follow-up of 51 months (95% confidence intervals [CIs], 40-61 months), the recurrence rate was 72.5% (n = 66; 12 loco-regional alone, 11 liver alone, 5 lung alone, 3 peritoneal alone, 29 simultaneous loco-regional and distant metastases, and 6 multi-focal distant metastases at first recurrence diagnosis). The median time to recurrence was 8.5 months (95% CI, 6.6-10.5 months). Median survival after recurrence was 5.8 months (95% CI, 4.2-7.3 months). Stratification by recurrence location revealed significant differences in time to recurrence between loco-regional only recurrence (median, 13.6 months; 95% CI, 11.7-15.5 months) and simultaneous loco-regional with distant recurrence (median, 7.5 months; 95% CI, 4.6-10.4 months; p = 0.02, pairwise log-rank test). Significant predictors for recurrence were systemic inflammation index (SII) ≥ 500 (hazard ratio [HR], 4.5; 95% CI, 1.4-14.3), lymph node ratio ≥ 0.33 (HR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.4-5.8), and adjuvant chemotherapy (HR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.7). Conclusions: Timing to loco-regional only recurrence was significantly longer than simultaneous loco-regional with distant recurrence. Significant predictors for recurrence were SII, lymph node ration, and adjuvant chemotherapy.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.266-269
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• 2024

Choledochal cyst is a condition involving an abnormal dilation of the bile ducts, which can lead to various symptoms and comorbidities, including cancer. The treatment of choice for choledochal cyst is surgical correction including choledochal cyst excision and Roux-en-y hepaticoenterostomy. Minimal invasive methods like laparoscopic methods or robotic methods are used for surgical correction of choledochal cysts; however, it is still controversial which method is superior. A Korean company, LIVESMED, developed Artisential^®, a laparoscopic surgical instrument that can overcome the drawbacks of laparoscopic methods. This article presents a case of the first Artisential^®-performed surgical excision of a choledochal cyst and hepaticojejunostomy.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.138-143
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• 2022

Backgrounds/Aims: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a standard surgical procedure for patients with periampullary cancer. During the follow-up period after PD, recurrence can be observed in various places with different prognosis. The aim of this study was to clarify the pattern of recurrence and factors affecting the survival of patients with periampullary cancer. Methods: Overall, 88 patients who received PD for distal common bile duct cancer or ampulla of Vater cancer were finally included and their clinical characteristics were analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups: recurrence-free (RF) group, an isolated locoregional recurrence (LR) group, and a distant metastasis (DM) group. Prognostic factors affecting recurrence in each group were analyzed and a survival analysis was performed. Results: Perineural invasion (PNI), T stage, and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) were significant risk factors for LR and PNI, lymph node metastasis, LVI, and T stage were associated with DM group compared to RF group in univariate analysis, respectively. N stage and PNI were significant risk factors (p = 0.046, p = 0.041) in overall survival of the LR and the DM groups. There was no significant difference in 5-year overall survival between the LR and DM groups. Conclusions: T stage was a significant risk factor of LR, while PNI was a significant risk factor of DM. There was no significant difference in overall survival depending on the site of recurrence.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.209-215
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• 2018

To evaluate the radical scavenging activity of phenolic-rich fractions of Gardenia jasminoides, we first measured the levels of total polyphenols in hexane, ethyl acetate, and butanol fractions from the extract of G. jasminoides. The ethyl acetate fraction of G. jasminoides extract (GJ-EA) showed high level of phenolics, potent reducing power, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl/2,2'-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical scavenging effect. In addition, GJ-EA inhibited the overproduction of nitric oxide in lipopolysaccharide-activated BV-2 microglia. Furthermore, we found that GJ-EA suppressed $H_2O_2$-induced PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner and also reduced their migratory ability. These results suggest that GJ-EA may be a good source for functional foods with antioxidant and chemo-preventive activities.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.195-201
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• 2023

Background: Hematocrit is usually measured from venous blood collected by invasive venipuncture. This study was performed to determine hematocrit accurately and precisely using minimally invasive volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) technique. Such technique is to be applied to determining hematocrit in various clinical settings for the care, including therapeutic drug monitoring, of neonatal or epileptic patients, or patients with high risk of infection or bleeding. Methods: The study was performed using 31 VAMS samples obtained from 21 pancreatic cancer patients. Hematocrit was determined using the values of potassium concentrations obtained from blood in VAMS tips (Hct_VAMS). Hct_VAMS was compared with hematocrit measured from blood collected by venipuncture (Hct_VP). The accuracy and precision of Hct_VAMS in comparison to Hct_VP were evaluated using Bland-Altman plot, Deming regression and mountain plot. Results: Bland-Altman plot displayed a random scattering pattern of the differences between Hct_VAMS and Hct_VP with the mean bias of -0.010 and the 95% limit of agreement ranging from -0.063 to 0.044. Deming regression for Hct_VAMS and Hct_VP line demonstrated very small proportional and constant biases of 1.04 and -0.003, respectively. Mountain plot exhibited a narrow and symmetrical distribution of the differences with their median of -0.011 and central 95% range from -0.049 to 0.033. Conclusion: Hematocrit was accurately and precisely determined using less invasive VAMS technique. Such technique appears to be applicable to determining hematocrit in situations that venipuncture is not favorable or possible.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.802-811
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• 2023

Background/Aims: Covered self-expandable metallic stents (cSEMS) have become popular for endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy with transmural stenting (EUS-HGS). We compared the time to recurrent biliary obstruction (TRBO), complications, and reintervention rates between EUS-HGS using plastic stent (PS) and cSEMS in patients with unresectable malignancies at multicenter institutions in Japan. Methods: Patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction who underwent EUS-HGS between April 2015 and July 2020 at any of the six participating facilities were enrolled. Primary endpoint: TRBO; secondary endpoints: rate of complications other than recurrent biliary obstruction and technical success rate of reintervention were evaluated. Results: PS and cSEMS were used for EUS-HGS in 109 and 43 patients, respectively. The TRBO was significantly longer in the cSEMS group than in the PS group (646 vs. 202 days). Multivariate analysis identified two independent factors associated with a favorable TRBO: combined EUS-guided antegrade stenting with EUS-HGS and the use of cSEMS. No significant difference was observed in the rate of complications other than recurrent biliary obstruction between the two groups. The technical success rate of reintervention was 85.7% for PS and 100% for cSEMS (p=0.309). Conclusions: cSEMS might be a better option for EUS-HGS in patients with unresectable malignancies, given the longer TRBO.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2006

Objectives : This study planed to evaluate effect of oriental medicine therapy treatment method of dyspnea that happen from cancer of the pancreas patient who accompany Multiple metasis Methods : Patient complained dyspnoea during admission into dept. Of internal medicine, college of oriental medicine, Dong-eui Univ, was appealed patient treated by Oriental medicine therapy that is of use Herb Medication and Herbal -acupuncture Treatment being diagnosed in lung asthenia including deficiency of Eum and insufficiency of Gi of the lung(肺虛), the fire due to deficiency(虛火), and loving warfare of symptoms evaluated through VAS (visual analog scales). Results & Conclusion : Patient's difficulty in breathing symptoms took a favorable turn after treatment. This study means that Oriental medicine therapy that is difficulty in breathing symptoms that happen from patient surely has effectiveness.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.5-17
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• 2019

The diagnosis and management of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) have evolved significantly in recent years. There are several diagnostic and therapeutic challenges and controversies regarding the management of these lesions. In this review, we focus on the recent significant changes and controversial issues regarding the diagnosis and management of NENs and discuss the role of imaging in the multidisciplinary team approach.