• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.3734-3740
• /
• 2014

The aim of this study was provide basic information and establish the criteria in radiation therapy planning by measuring the absorbed neutron dose of normal tissues and lesions according to the number of portals. From September 2013 to January 2014, 20 patients who were diagnosed with prostate cancer and were previously treated with radiation therapy were replanned retrospectively to measure the absorbed neutron dose distribution according to the number of portals. The absorbed neutron dose was measured in each of the 5, 7 and 9 portals using a 15 MV energy, which meant a therapeutic dose of 220 cGy. The optical stimulation luminescence dosimeter was separated by 20cm and 60cm away from the center of the field of view. As a result, the average radiation dose in the abdomen appeared to have a positive relationship with the number of portals, which was statistically significant (p<.05). The average radiation dose was $4.34{\pm}1.08$. The average radiation dose in the thyroid was $2.71{\pm}.37$. Although it showed a positive relationship with the number of portals, it did not have statistical significance. The number of portals and the neutron dose depending on the position showed a significant positive relationship, particularly in the abdomen. As a result of linear regression analysis, as the number of the portal increased in steps, the average volume of the neutrons increased significantly (0.416 times). In conclusion, efficient selection of the number of portals is needed considering the difference in the absorbed neutron dose in the normal tissues depending on the number of the portals.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.225-234
• /
• 2009

This study attempts to provide basic information on overseas employment to the radiological technologists and students majoring in radiology in Korea who consider the overseas employment by investigating the job consciousness for radiological technologists in Canada and Australia which have a high level of interest for overseas employment and want to compare their status with that of Korean radiological technologists. This study was performed by visiting hospitals such as Prince George Regional Hospital, 1475 Edmonton Street, Prince George, BC, Canada on August 13, 2007, Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road Melbourne 3004, Australia on August 4, 2008, and other Korea hospitals that show the similar scale as Canada and Australia on September 10, 2007. The results were summarized as follows : 1. Differences were observed in this sexual composition, such as 18 males (90%) in Korea, 14 females (73.7%) in Canada, and 25 females in Australia (86.2%). 2. The item of 'aptitude' which is one of the most important criteria, showed the highest level in Korea, Canada, and Australia, and the second most considered item was 'salary'. 3. In the values in jobs, the items of 'economic self-sufficiency', 'recognized by others', and 'establishing a social position' represented high levels in Korea, and the items of 'like the job itself', 'establishing self-actualization', 'feel the meaning of life', and 'make new friends' showed high levels in Canada and Australia. 4. Regarding the item of 'a job is important as much as a marriage', 'Yes' showed high level in Korea, and 'No' showed high levels in Canada and Australia. 5. Radiological technologists in Korea demonstrated a low level in the job consciousness compared to those of Canada and Australia. Although this study shows some limitations for showing whole idea of radiological technologists due to the lack of the scope in samples for each country as a practical manner, this study can be regarded significant to compare some countries that have interests in overseas employment.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.66 no.4
• /
• pp.280-287
• /
• 2009

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), became an attractive therapeutic option for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several studies suggested that there might be some different efficacy or response predictors between gefitinib and erlotinib. We compared the efficacy and toxicity of gefitinib and erlotinib in Korean patients with advanced NSCLC and evaluated specific predictors of response for both gefitinib and erlotinib. Methods: We collected the clinical information on patients with advanced NSCLC, who were treated with gefitinib or erlotinib at the Ewha Womans University Hospital, between July 2003 and February 2009. Median survival times were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Eighty-six patients (52 gefitinib vs. 34 erlotinib) were enrolled. Patient median age was 64 years; 53 (62%) subjects were male. Out of the 86 patients treated, 83 received response evaluation. Of the 83 patients, 35 achieved a response and 12 experienced stable disease while 36 experienced progressive disease, resulting in a response rate of 42% and a disease control rate of 57%. After a median follow-up of 502 days, the median progression-free and overall survival time was 129 and 259 days, respectively. Comparing patients by treatment (gefitinib vs erlotinib), there were no significant differences in the overall response rate (44% vs. 39%, p=0.678), median survival time (301 days vs. 202 days, p=0.151), or time to progression (136 days vs. 92 days, p=0.672). Both EGFR-TKIs showed similar toxicity. In a multivariate analysis using Cox regression model, adenocarcinoma was an independent predictor of survival (p=0.006; hazard ratio [HR], 0.487; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.292-0.811). Analyses of subgroups did not show any difference in response predictors between gefitinib and erlotinib. Conclusion: Comparing gefitinib to erlotinib, there were no differences in the response rate, overall survival, progression-free survival, or toxicity. No specific predictor of response to each EGFR-TKI was identified.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.7
• /
• pp.3349-3355
• /
• 2012

Background and objectives: Chromosomal abnormalities play an important role in genesis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and have prognostic implications. Five major risk stratifying fusion genes in ALL are BCR-ABL, MLL-AF4, ETV6-RUNX11, E2A-PBX1 and SIL-TAL1. This work aimed to detect common chromosomal translocations and associated fusion oncogenes in adult ALL patients and study their relationship with clinical features and treatment outcome. Methods: We studied fusion oncogenes in 104 adult ALL patients using RT-PCR and interphase-FISH at diagnosis and their association with clinical characteristics and treatment outcome. Results: Five most common fusion genes i.e. BCR-ABL (t 9; 22), TCF3-PBX1 (t 1; 19), ETV6-RUNX1 (t 12; 21), MLL-AF4 (t 4; 11) and SIL-TAL1 (Del 1p32) were found in 82/104 (79%) patients. TCF3-PBX1 fusion gene was associated with lymphadenopathy, SIL-TAL1 positive patients had frequent organomegaly and usually presented with a platelets count of less than $50{\times}10^9/l$. Survival of patients with fusion gene ETV6-RUNX1 was better when compared to patients harboring other genes. MLL-AF4 and BCR-ABL positivity characterized a subset of adult ALL patients with aggressive clinical behaviour and a poor outcome. Conclusions: This is the first study from Pakistan which investigated the frequency of5 fusion oncogenes in adult ALL patients, and their association with clinical features, treatment response and outcome. Frequencies of some of the oncogenes were different from those reported elsewhere and they appear to be associated with distinct clinical characteristics and treatment outcome. This information will help in the prognostic stratification and risk adapted management of adult ALL patients.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.164-172
• /
• 2002

Breast cancer cell lines display a wide variety of growth factor receptors, and considerable evidences implicate the importance of signalings from those receptors. A useful prognostic indicator would be the level of activity of a second messenger protein used in common by these receptors. Our studies were designed to obtain preliminary information on the possible role of polyamine as a mediator of the membrane-associated protein phosphorylation and as a regulator of second messenger in mitogenic signal of estrogen or growth factors in MCF-7 human breast lancer cells. DFMO significantly inhibited the phosphorylation induced by $E_2$, TGF-$\alpha$ and EGF in membrane-associated proteins (154, 134, 116, and 104 kDa). Exogenous polyamines abolished the inhibitory effect of DFMO. Tyrosine phosphorylations of membrane-associated proteins were not increased by $E_2$ or growth factor treatments and not affected DFMO treatment. Polyamine administration markedly enhanced the tyrosine phosphorylation of membrane-associated proteins (154, 134, and 116 kDa). In the present study, $E_2$ and TGF-$\alpha$ and EGF enhanced protein phosphorylation in the almost same levels. These data indicate that $E_2$ and growth factor signaling pathway may cross-talk through various protein kinase which phosphorylated many substrate proteins (154, 134, 116 and 104 kDa). Polyamines may be involved in growth signaling pathway of $E_2$ and TGF-$\alpha$ or EGF for the cross-talk through regulation of the protein phosphorylation such as 154, 134, 116 and 104 kDa. Polyamine may also selectively interfere with several different protein kinases, and the specific steps in signal transduction system were effected by polyamines.

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

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.48 no.3
• /
• pp.365-376
• /
• 2000

Background : Ever since Flexible Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy was introduced into clinical practice, it has played an important role in both diagnosis and therapy of respiratory diseases. Repeated bronchoscopic examinations is are not so uncommon. This study was designed prospectively to assess the clinical availability of the Repeated Flexible Bronchoscopy (RFB). Methods : Pre-established indications were as follows : 1) To confirm diagnosis or the cell type in proven malignancy 2) to diagnose or locate hemoptysis 3) to follow-up or confirm recurrence 4) to use in therapy. We performed RFB and analyzed the data in 156 patients during 28-month period. Results : The frequency of RFB was 23.0%. The indication for diagnosis or cell type of malignancy was 25 cases, of which 2 cases were confirmed by a third bronchoscopic examination and 3 cases by surgical procedures. Localization of the bleeding site was confirmed in 53.8%. RFB for small cell lung cancer yielded more information on residual or recurred lesion not apparent even with the CT scan in 30%. Previous cases of bronchostenosis due to endo-bronchial tuberculosis was shown to have worsened in 66.7%. Therapeutic manipulations were done in 126 cases, and bronchial suction was most common. Complications showed decreasing tendency with repeated examinations. Conclusion : The RFB for diagnosis or cell type of malignancy was useful in that comfirmation of diagnosis was possible in 85.7% of malignancy. More aggressive procedures should be employed including TBLB or TBNA. The RFB showed possible usefulness in the follow-up of patients with small cell lung cancer. For the patients with hemoptysis or endobronchial tuberculosis, the RFB did not the significance did not show significance because its results did not influence the diagnosis, therapy or clinical course.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.24-31
• /
• 2006

Automated analysis software was developed to measure the magnitude of the intrafractional and interfractional errors during breast radiation treatments. Error analysis results are important for determining suitable planning target volumes (PTV) prior to Implementing breast-conserving 3-D conformal radiation treatment (CRT). The electrical portal imaging device (EPID) used for this study was a Portal Vision LC250 liquid-filled ionization detector (fast frame-averaging mode, 1.4 frames per second, 256X256 pixels). Twelve patients were imaged for a minimum of 7 treatment days. During each treatment day, an average of 8 to 9 images per field were acquired (dose rate of 400 MU/minute). We developed automated image analysis software to quantitatively analyze 2,931 images (encompassing 720 measurements). Standard deviations ($\sigma$) of intrafractional (breathing motion) and intefractional (setup uncertainty) errors were calculated. The PTV margin to include the clinical target volume (CTV) with 95% confidence level was calculated as $2\;(1.96\;{\sigma})$. To compensate for intra-fractional error (mainly due to breathing motion) the required PTV margin ranged from 2 mm to 4 mm. However, PTV margins compensating for intefractional error ranged from 7 mm to 31 mm. The total average error observed for 12 patients was 17 mm. The intefractional setup error ranged from 2 to 15 times larger than intrafractional errors associated with breathing motion. Prior to 3-D conformal radiation treatment or IMRT breast treatment, the magnitude of setup errors must be measured and properly incorporated into the PTV. To reduce large PTVs for breast IMRT or 3-D CRT, an image-guided system would be extremely valuable, if not required. EPID systems should incorporate automated analysis software as described in this report to process and take advantage of the large numbers of EPID images available for error analysis which will help Individual clinics arrive at an appropriate PTV for their practice. Such systems can also provide valuable patient monitoring information with minimal effort.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.55 no.1
• /
• pp.21-35
• /
• 2022

The recommended meal composition allows the general people to organize meals using the number of intakes of foods from each of six food groups (grains, meat·fish·eggs·beans, vegetables, fruits, milk·dairy products and oils·sugars) to meet Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs) without calculating complex nutritional values. Through an integrated analysis of data from the 6th to 7th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2013-2018), representative foods for each food group were selected, and the amounts of representative foods per person were derived based on energy. Based on the EER by age and gender from the KDRIs, a total of 12 kinds of diets were suggested by differentiating meal compositions by age (aged 1-2, 3-5, 6-11, 12-18, 19-64, 65-74 and ≥ 75 years) and gender. The 2020 Food Balance Wheel included the 6th food group of oils and sugars to raise public awareness and avoid confusion in the practical utilization of the model by industries or individuals in reducing the consistent increasing intakes of oils and sugars. To promote the everyday use of the Food Balance Wheel and recommended meal compositions among the general public, the poster of the Food Balance Wheel was created in five languages (Korean, English, Japanese, Vietnamese and Chinese) along with card news. A survey was conducted to provide a basis for categorizing nutritional problems by life cycles and developing customized web-based messages to the public. Based on survey results two types of card news were produced for the general public and youth. Additionally, the educational program was developed through a series of processes, such as prioritization of educational topics, setting educational goals for each stage, creation of a detailed educational system chart and teaching-learning plans for the development of educational materials and media.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.55 no.2
• /
• pp.211-226
• /
• 2022

Choline, an essential nutrient for humans, is required for the structural integrity of the cell membranes, methyl-group metabolism, synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, synthesis of the membrane phospholipid components of the cell membranes, and the transport of lipids and cholesterol. Choline can be synthesized in the body, but it is insufficient to meet the daily requirements and hence it must be obtained through the diet. In the United States/Canada, Australia/New Zealand, Europe, China, and Taiwan, the adequate intake (AI) and tolerable upper intake level (UL) of choline have been established, while the establishment of the 2020 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRI) for choline was postponed due to the lack of a choline database for Korean foods and studies on the choline intake of Koreans. However, as part of the preparation work for the 2020 DRI revision and finalization, choline intake and the possibility of disease occurrence were verified through analysis of published data. The groundwork for the subsequent establishment of a choline DRI was laid through a literature search, evaluation, and review of the literature reported from 1949 up to 2019. This can be regarded as the culmination of this project. According to the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional observational studies in humans, approximately 400-500 mg/day of choline intake was effective in preventing liver function damage (fatty liver), neural tube damage, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and cognitive function improvement. The same amount of choline intake, however, also correlated with the risk of prostate and colorectal cancer. At present, there is limited information available on choline intake and health outcomes, particularly for the Korean population. More human studies, including clinical trials on the requirements and the physiological benefits associated with dietary intake, are needed to establish the KDRI for choline.