• Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.213-222
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• 2018

Bariatric surgery has evolved from a surgical measure for treating morbid obesity to an epochal remedy for treating metabolic syndrome as a whole, which is represented by type 2 diabetes mellitus. Numerous clinical trials have advocated bariatric or metabolic surgery over nonsurgical interventions because of markedly superior metabolic outcomes in morbidly obese patients who satisfy traditional criteria for bariatric surgery (body mass index [BMI] >$35kg/m^2$) and in less obese or simply overweight patients. Nevertheless, not all diabetes patients achieve the most desirable outcomes; i.e., diabetes remission after metabolic surgery. Thus, candidates for metabolic surgery should be carefully selected based on comprehensive preoperative assessments of the risk-benefit ratio. Predictors for diabetes remission after metabolic surgery may be classified into two groups based on mechanism of action. The first is indices for preserved pancreatic beta-cell function, including younger age, shorter duration of diabetes, and higher C-peptide level. The second is the potential for an insulin resistance reduction, including higher baseline BMI and visceral fat area. Several prediction models for diabetes remission have been suggested by merging these two to guide the joint decision-making process between clinicians and patients. Three such models, DiaRem, ABCD, and individualized metabolic surgery scores, provide an intuitive scoring system and have been validated in an independent external cohort and can be utilized in routine clinical practice. These prediction models need further validation in various ethnicities to ensure universal applicability.

• Acute and Critical Care
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.230-237
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• 2018

Background: Socioeconomic status (SES) is closely associated with health outcomes, including mortality in critically ill patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU). However, research regarding this issue is lacking, especially in countries where the National Health Insurance System is mainly responsible for health care. This study aimed to investigate how the SES of ICU patients in South Korea is associated with mortality. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of adult patients aged ${\geq}20$ years admitted to ICU. Associations between SES-related factors recorded at the time of ICU admission and 30-day and 1-year mortalities were analyzed using univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses. Results: A total of 6,008 patients were included. Of these, 394 (6.6%) died within 30 days of ICU admission, and 1,125 (18.7%) died within 1 year. Multivariable Cox regression analysis found no significant associations between 30-day mortality after ICU admission and SES factors (P>0.05). However, occupation was significantly associated with 1-year mortality after ICU admission. Conclusions: Our study shows that 30-day mortality after ICU admission is not associated with SES in the National Health Insurance coverage setting. However, occupation was associated with 1-year mortality after ICU admission.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.8-13
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• 2019

Despite technical advances in healthcare, the rates of hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI) are still high although many are potentially preventable. The purpose of this study was to determine whether tree-based prediction modeling is suitable for assessing the risk of HAPI in ICU patients. Retrospective cohort study has been carried out. A decision tree model was constructed with Age, Weight, eTube, diabetes, Braden score, Isolation, and Number of comorbid conditions as decision nodes. We used RStudio for model training and testing. Correct prediction rate of the final prediction model was 92.4 and the Area Under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.699, which means there is about 70% chance that the model is able to distinguish between HAPI and non-HAPI. The results of this study has limited generalizability as the data were from a single academic institution. Our research finding shows that the data-driven tree-based prediction modeling may potentially support ICU sensitive risk assessment for HAPI prevention.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권23호
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• pp.10217-10223
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• 2015

Hyperactivated ${\alpha}2$-6-sialylation on N-glycans due to overexpression of the Golgi enzyme ${\beta}$-galactoside: ${\alpha}2$-6-sialyltransferase (ST6Gal-I) often correlates with cancer progression, metastasis, and poor prognosis. This study was aimed to determine the association between ST6Gal-I expression and the risk of recurrence and survival of patients with localized clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) following surgery. We retrospectively enrolled 391 patients (265 in training cohort and 126 in validation cohort) with localized ccRCC underwent nephrectomy at a single center. Tissue microarrays were constructed for immunostaining of ST6Gal-I. Prognostic value and clinical outcomes were evaluated. High ST6Gal-I expression was associated with Fuhrman grade (p<0.001 and p=0.016, respectively) and the University of California Los-Angeles Integrated Staging System (UISS) score (p=0.004 and p=0.017, respectively) in both cohorts. Patients with high ST6Gal-I expression had significantly worse overall survival (OS) (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively) and recurrence free survival (RFS) (p<0.001 and p=0.002, respectively) than those with low expression in both cohorts. On multivariate analysis, ST6Gal-I expression remained associated with OS and RFS even after adjusting for the UISS score. Stratified analysis suggested that the association is more pronounced among patients with low and intermediate-risk disease defined by the UISS score. High ST6Gal-I expression is a potential independent adverse predictor of survival and recurrence in ccRCC patients, and the prognostic value is most prominent in those with low and intermediate-risk disease defined by the UISS score.

• 대한한의학원전학회지
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.63-102
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• 2010

Purpose : To propose various types of clinical research which is feasible for botanical new drug (IND) development processes, and suggest essential steps to development of study protocol for IND. Methods : Literature-based discussions and one research group's experience is given regarding domestic act, regulation, and system. Results : In order to get an approval of IND for botanical drug in Korea there are several types of clinical research to conduct. In quality control steps for standardized medicinal herbs, case reports or case series can be conducted, and for good manufacturing practice(GMP) steps, we can conduct case reports, case series, and retrospective cohort studies. In addition, as long as we gathered good laboratory practice(GLP) data we can conduct up to quasi-experimental studies and clinical trials including investigator initiated trials. In order to conduct these studies development of study protocol is essential. First, we obtain historical evidence including target disease and indication, efficacy, safety, and endpoints by reviewing medical classics. Second, we obtain clinically and statistically important data by conducting non-clinical studies, observation studies, and quasi-experimental studies. Third, we generate research hypotheses and purposes and explore methodologies, endpoints, clinical practice guidelines, cost-effectiveness, and commercial potential. Finally, we develop study protocol with aid of biostatistician or expert in contract research organization. Discussions and conclusions : This study have obvious limitations in that most thoughts, suggestions, and proposes are from one research group's experience. Therefore, we hope to see various types of research in this topic and process from other research group as well.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제54권5호
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• pp.399-404
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• 2013

Objective : The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study to determine prognostic factors and treatment outcomes of brain metastases (BM) from breast cancer (BC) after Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKS). Methods : Pathologic and clinical features, and outcomes were analyzed in a cohort of 62 patients with BM from BC treated by GKS. The Kaplan- Meier method, the log-rank test, and Cox's proportional hazards model were used to assess prognostic factors. Results : Median survival after GKS was 73.0 weeks (95% confidence interval, 46.0-100.1). HER2+ [hazard ratio (HR) 0.441; p=0.045], Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) ${\geq}70$ (RR 0.416; p=0.050) and systemic chemotherapy after GKS (RR 0.282; p=0.001) were found to be a favorable prognostic factor of overall survival. Actuarial local control (LC) rate were $89.5{\pm}4.5%$ and $70.5{\pm}6.9%$ at 6 and 12 months after GKS, respectively. No prognostic factors were found to affect LC rate. Uni- and multivariate analysis revealed that the distant control (DC) rate was higher in patients with; a small number (${\leq}3$) of metastasis (HR 0.300; p=0.045), no known extracranial metastasis (p=0.013, log-rank test), or the HER2+ subtype (HR 0.267; p=0.027). Additional whole brain radiation therapy and metastasis volume were not found to be significantly associated with LC, DC, or overall survival. Conclusion : The treatment outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed BM from BC treated with GKS could be affected primarily by intrinsic subtype, KPS, and systemic chemotherapy. Therapeutic strategy and prognosis scoring system should be individualized based on considerations of intrinsic subtype in addition to traditionally known parameters related to stereotactic radiosurgery.

• 사상체질의학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.150-164
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• 2009

1. Objectives This study was to designed investigate the relationship between hypertension and its risk factors and the prevalence of hypertension according to Sasang Constitution. 2. Methods Five hundred and twenty six people were subjects out of 666 people, over 40 years old, who participated in the community-based cohort in Wonju, South Korea from July 2nd to August 30th in 2006. Hypertensive group was 263 peoples and normal group was 263 people, selected randomly among non hypertensive people who had same age and sex with hypertensive groups. Sasang Constitutional Diagnosis was carried out using PSSC(Phonetic System of Sasang Constitution), face and tongue photos and a checkup list. Risk factors from blood samples, physical measurements and social indices were analyzed using SPSS. 3. Results The prevalence of hypertension in Taeeumin was 63.1%(N=166), that of Soeumin was 22.4%(N=59) and that of Soyangin was 14.4%(N= 38). Considering risk factors of hypertension, there weren't any differences between two groups in social support indices and Framingham type A score. But scores of Soeumin's and Soyangin's were significantly high compared with that of Taeeumin in female normal group. There were significantly high results in Adiponectin of Soeumin's and HDL-cholesterol of female Soyangin's and HOMA-IR of Taeeumin's than any other groups. Crude OR of Taeeumin was 2.18 as compared with that of Soeumin in terms of risk of hypertension, and OR of Taeeumin was 2.02 as compared with that of Soeumin after drinking, smoking, total cholesterol, fasting blood sugar and HOMA-IR were adjusted. But after BMI was adjusted there wasn't a significance between Soeumin and Taeeumin and the OR of more than 25 was 2.42 as compared with that of less than 23 in BMI. 4. Conclusions Sasang Constitution is thought to be the reasonable variable to control hypertension in terms of prevention, treatment and regimen. And constitution is needed as a good variable to make a cohort study concerning chronic diseases, especially hypertension.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.141-152
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• 2023

Objective: We performed a meta-analysis of epidemiological results for the association between occupational exposure as a firefighter and cancer as part of the broader evidence synthesis work of the IARC Monographs program. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify cohort studies of firefighters followed for cancer incidence and mortality. Studies were evaluated for the influence of key biases on results. Random-effects meta-analysis models were used to estimate the association between ever-employment and duration of employment as a firefighter and risk of 12 selected cancers. The impact of bias was explored in sensitivity analyses. Results: Among the 16 included cancer incidence studies, the estimated meta-rate ratio, 95% confidence interval (CI), and heterogeneity statistic (I²) for ever-employment as a career firefighter compared mostly to general populations were 1.58 (1.14-2.20, 8%) for mesothelioma, 1.16 (1.08-1.26, 0%) for bladder cancer, 1.21 (1.12-1.32, 81%) for prostate cancer, 1.37 (1.03-1.82, 56%) for testicular cancer, 1.19 (1.07-1.32, 37%) for colon cancer, 1.36 (1.15-1.62, 83%) for melanoma, 1.12 (1.01-1.25, 0%) for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 1.28 (1.02-1.61, 40%) for thyroid cancer, and 1.09 (0.92-1.29, 55%) for kidney cancer. Ever-employment as a firefighter was not positively associated with lung, nervous system, or stomach cancer. Results for mesothelioma and bladder cancer exhibited low heterogeneity and were largely robust across sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: There is epidemiological evidence to support a causal relationship between occupational exposure as a firefighter and certain cancers. Challenges persist in the body of evidence related to the quality of exposure assessment, confounding, and medical surveillance bias.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.183-190
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• 2015

Purpose: The Lauren classification system is a very commonly used pathological classification system of gastric adenocarcinoma. A recent study proposed that the Lauren classification should be modified to include the anatomical location of the tumor. The resulting three types were found to differ significantly in terms of genomic expression profiles. This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of the modified Lauren classification (MLC). Materials and Methods: A total of 677 consecutive patients who underwent curative gastrectomy from January 2005 to December 2007 for histologically confirmed gastric cancer were included. The patients were divided according to the MLC into proximal non-diffuse (PND), diffuse (D), and distal non-diffuse (DND) type. The groups were compared in terms of clinical features and overall survival. Multivariate analysis served to assess the association between MLC and prognosis. Results: Of the 677 patients, 48, 358, and 271 had PND, D, and DND, respectively. Their 5-year overall survival rates were 77.1%, 77.7%, and 90.4%. Compared to D and PND, DND was associated with significantly better overall survival (both P<0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that age, differentiation, lympho-vascular invasion, T and N stage, but not MLC, were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Multivariate analysis of early gastric cancer patients showed that MLC was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (odds ratio, 5.946; 95% confidence intervals, 1.524~23.197; P=0.010). Conclusions: MLC is prognostic for survival in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, in early gastric cancer. DND was associated with an improved prognosis compared to PND or D.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.269-277
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• 2016

Background: The findings of currently available studies are not consistent with regard to the association between the risk of cancer and ginseng consumption. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate this association by conducting a meta-analysis of different studies. Methods: To systematically evaluate the effect of ginseng consumption on cancer incidence, six databases were searched, including PubMed, Ovid Technologies, Embase, The Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese VIP Information, from 1990 to 2014. Statistical analyses based on the protocol employed for a systematic review were conducted to calculate the summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: We identified nine studies, including five cohort studies, three case-control studies, and one randomized controlled trial, evaluating the association between ginseng consumption and cancer risk; these studies involved 7,436 cases and 334,544 participants. The data from the meta-analysis indicated a significant 16% lower risk of developing cancer in patients who consumed ginseng (RR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.76-0.92), with evidence of heterogeneity (p = 0.0007, $I^2$ = 70%). Stratified analyses suggested that the significant heterogeneity may result from the incidence data for gastric cancer that were included in this study. Publication bias also showed the same result as the stratified analyses. In addition, subgroup analyses for four specific types of cancer (colorectal cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, and liver cancer) were also performed. The summary RRs for ginseng intake versus no ginseng consumption were 0.77 for lung cancer, 0.83 for gastric cancer, 0.81 for liver cancer, and 0.77 for colorectal cancer. Conclusion: The findings of this meta-analysis indicated that ginseng consumption is associated with a significantly decreased risk of cancer and that the effect is not organ specific.