• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.182-191
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• 2018

Purpose: To investigate the clinical outcome of proton therapy (PT) in patients with chordoma. Materials and Methods: Fifty-eight patients with chordoma treated with PT between June 2007 and December 2015 at the National Cancer Center, Korea, were retrospectively analyzed. The median total dose was 69.6 cobalt gray equivalent (CGE; range, 64.8 to 79.2 CGE). Local progression-free survival (LPFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), overall survival (OS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: With the median follow-up of 42.8 months (range, 4 to 174 months), the 5-year LPFS, DMFS, OS, and DSS rates were 87.9%, 86.7%, 88.3%, and 92.9%, respectively. The tumor location was associated with the patterns of failure: the LPFS rates were lower for cervical tumors (57.1%) than for non-cervical tumors (93.1%) (p = 0.02), and the DMFS rates were lower for sacral tumors (53.5%) than for non-sacral tumors (100%) (p = 0.001). The total dose was associated with both the LPFS rate and DMFS rate. The initial tumor size was associated with the DMFS rate, but was not associated with the LPFS rate. Three patients had grade 3 late toxicity with none ≥grade 4. Conclusion: PT is an effective and safe treatment in patients with chordomas. The tumor location was associated with the patterns of failure: local failure was common in cervical tumors, and distant failure was common in sacral tumors. Further refinement of PT, such as the utilization of intensity modulated PT for cervical tumors, is warranted to improve the outcome.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.437-442
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• 2020

Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is critical for host defense as well as the progression of inflammatory diseases through the production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β, which is cleaved by active caspase-1. It has been reported that overactivation of the NLRP3 inflammasome contributes to the development and pathology of acne vulgaris. Therefore, inhibiting activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome may provide a new therapeutic strategy for acne vulgaris. In this study, we investigated whether auranofin, an anti-rheumatoid arthritis agent, inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation, thereby effectively treating acne vulgaris. Auranofin suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by Propionibacterium acnes, reducing the production of IL-1β in primary mouse macrophages and human sebocytes. In a P. acnes-induced acne mouse model, injection of P. acnes into the ears of mice induced acne symptoms such as redness, swelling, and neutrophil infiltration. Topical application of auranofin (0.5 or 1%) to mouse ears significantly reduced the inflammatory symptoms of acne vulgaris induced by P. acnes injection. Topical application of auranofin led to the downregulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome activated by P. acnes in mouse ear skin. These results show that auranofin inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome, the activation of which is associated with acne symptoms. The results further suggest that topical application of auranofin could be a new therapeutic strategy for treating acne vulgaris by targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제60권1호
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• pp.21-29
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• 2017

Objective : The purpose of this study was to analyze outcomes and identify prognostic factors in patients with cerebral metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) particularly, focusing on associations of biomarkers and systemic treatments. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 134 patients who underwent GKS for brain metastases due to NSCLC between January 2002 and December 2012. Representative biomarkers including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, K-ras mutation, and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutation status were investigated. Results : The median overall survival after GKS was 22.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.8-35.1 months). During follow-up, 63 patients underwent salvage treatment after GKS. The median salvage treatment-free survival was 7.9 months (95% CI, 5.2-10.6 months). Multivariate analysis revealed that lower recursive partition analysis (RPA) class, small number of brain lesions, EGFR mutation (+), and ALK mutation (+) were independent positive prognostic factors associated with longer overall survival. Patients who received target agents 30 days after GKS experienced significant improvements in overall survival and salvage treatment-free survival than patients who never received target agents and patients who received target agents before GKS or within 30 days (median overall survival: 5.0 months vs. 18.2 months, and 48.0 months with p-value=0.026; median salvage treatment-free survival: 4.3 months vs. 6.1 months and 16.6 months with p-value=0.006, respectively). To assess the influence of target agents on the pattern of progression, cases that showed local recurrence and new lesion formation were analyzed according to target agents, but no significant effects were identified. Conclusion : The prognosis of patients with brain metastases of NSCLC after GKS significantly differed according to specific biomarkers (EGFR and ALK mutations). Our results show that target agents combined with GKS was related to significantly longer overall survival, and salvage treatment-free survival. However, target agents were not specifically associated with improved local control of the lesion treated by GKS either development of new lesions. Therefore, it seems that currently popular target agents do not affect brain lesions themselves, and can prolong survival by controlling systemic disease status.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제40권5호
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• pp.743-751
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• 2019

This case report suggests the potential effects of Korean medicine for the gait disturbance and posture instability of Multiple System Atrophy-Parkinsonism (MSA-P). A patient with MSA-P who had gait disturbance and posture instability was given a series of Korean medicine, including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, electro-acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine, for 15 days of hospitalization. During the hospitalization period, the severity and progression of the disease was measured with the Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS) and a video recording of a 20-meter round timed walking test. The UMSARS Part I and II scores decreased from 14 to 5 and 9 to 5, respectively. An improvement was also noted in standing and walking posture, and the walking time was shortened from 30 to 25 seconds in the 20-meter round-trip walking test. Dysarthria, dysphagia, and non-motoring symptoms like sleep behavioral disorders and constipation were also improved. The findings of this case study suggest that this series of Korean medicine has potential therapeutic effects for patients with MSA-P with motor and non-motor symptoms.

• 정신신체의학
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.77-85
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• 2021

유방암은 여성에서 가장 높은 유병율을 보이는 암으로, 진단과 치료과정 및 치료 후에도 다양한 정신사회적 디스트레스가 자주 나타난다. 유방암 환자의 치료에는 의학적 치료뿐만 아니라 정신신체의학적 통합치료가 필요하다. 유방암 환자는 스트레스, 불안장애, 우울장애, 적응 장애 등에 대한 취약성이 증가하고, 이러한 정신장애는 유방암의 악화 또는 재발과 연관이 있다. 유방암 환자의 불안과 우울에 대한 정신사회적 치료는 환자의 삶의 질을 증진시키고, 유방암의 재발과 악화를 감소시킨다. 본 연구에서는 5편의 유방암 치료 가이드라인에서 정신사회적 디스트레스에 대한 정신사회적 치료와 대체의학적 치료가 포함된 정신신체의학적 통합치료 부분에 초점을 맞추어 논의하였다. 5편의 가이드 라인에서 사용한 서로 다른 근거 기준은 US Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF) 기준에 맞춰 연구자들이 평가하여 근거를 기술하였다. 또한 유방암 환자의 불안, 우울, 기분, 삶의 질에 대한 정신사회적 치료의 효과 크기를 요약하였고, 정신신체의학적 통합치료 서비스 제공에 대한 장벽과 이에 대한 대안을 제시하였다. 다학제 팀을 구성하고, 환자 요구도를 조사하며, 정신사회적 치료의 정보를 환자에게 제공하여 환자와 가족이 참여하는 것이 중요하다. 또한 준비된 계획에 따라 정기적으로 정신사회적 디스트레스를 평가하고, 정신신체의학 전문가 또는 자문조정 정신건강의학과 의사에 의한 정신신체의학적 통합치료가 환자에게 제공되는 것이 가장 중요하다.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
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• 제14권7호
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• pp.975-980
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• 2020

경추 신경공 협착은 모든 연령대의 비교적 많은 수의 사람들에게 침범하는 매우 흔한 척추 질환이다. 그러나 신경공 협착을 정량적으로 제공하는 영상검사법이 부족하므로, 본 연구는 3차원 전산화단층촬영상을 재구성하여 정량적인 측정방법을 제시하고자 한다. 3차원 영상처리 프로그램을 이용하여 경추의 후극돌기와 측돌기, 층뼈를 포함하여 신경공이 잘 관찰되도록 주변 뼈를 제거하였다. Image J를 이용하여 3차원 영상의 신경공 면적을 포함하는 관심영역을 설정하고, 신경공 면적의 화소수를 측정하였다. 측정 화소수에 화소크기를 곱하여 신경공 면적을 산출하였다. 가장 넓은 신경공 면적을 측정하기 위하여 측정 반대쪽 방향으로 40~50도 사이와, 머리쪽으로 15~20도 사이에서 측정하였다. 측정한 경추 신경공의 면적은 일관된 측정값을 보였다. 가장 크게 측정한 우측 신경공 C5-6 면적은 12.21 ㎟에서, 2년 후에 9.95 ㎟으로 18% 협착이 진행된 것을 알 수 있었다. 기존에 CT 검사 영상을 이용하여 3차원 재구성하므로 추가적인 방사선 피폭을 받지 않으며 신경공 협착 면적을 객관적으로 제시할 수 있다. 또한 3차원 영상을 보면서 신경공 협착 환자에게 설명하기 좋으며, 협착의 진행정도와 수술 후 평가에서도 사용하기 좋은 방법이라 사료된다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제84권2호
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• pp.125-133
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• 2021

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can manifest in a range of symptoms, including both asymptomatic systems which appear nearly non-existent to the patient, all the way to the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Specifically, COVID-19-associated pneumonia develops into ARDS due to the rapid progression of hypoxia, and although arterial blood gas analysis can assist in halting this deterioration, the current environment provided by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to an overall lack of medical resources or equipment, has made it difficult to administer such tests in a widespread manner. As a result, this study was conducted in order to determine whether the levels of oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and the fraction of inhaled oxygen (FiO₂) (SF ratio) can also serve as predictors of ARDS and the patient's risk of mortality. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted from February 2020 to Mary 2020, with the study's subjects consisting of COVID-19 pneumonia patients who had reached a state of deterioration that required the use of oxygen therapy. Of the 100 COVID-19 pneumonia cases, we compared 59 pneumonia patients who required oxygen therapy, divided into ARDS and non-ARDS pneumonia patients who required oxygen, and then investigated the different factors which affected their mortality. Results: At the time of admission, the ratios of SpO₂, FiO₂, and SF for the ARDS group differed significantly from those of the non-ARDS pneumonia support group who required oxygen (p<0.001). With respect to the predicting of the occurrence of ARDS, the SF ratio on admission and the SF ratio at exacerbation had an area under the curve which measured to be around 85.7% and 88.8% (p<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified that the SF ratio at exacerbation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.916; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.846-0.991; p=0.029) and National Early Warning Score (NEWS) (HR, 1.277; 95% CI, 1.010-1.615; p=0.041) were significant predictors of mortality. Conclusion: The SF ratio on admission and the SF ratio at exacerbation were strong predictors of the occurrence of ARDS, and the SF ratio at exacerbation and NEWS held a significant effect on mortality.

• 동의신경정신과학회지
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.1-11
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• 2021

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of acute stress disorder (ASD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients with traffic injuries. In addition, PTSD patients was classified using 'pattern identification for jing ji and zheng chong'. Methods: Questionnaires such as the primary care PTSD screen for DSM-5(PC-PTSD-5), Korean version of PTSD checklist-5 (PCL-5-K), and the instrument of pattern identification for jing ji and zheng chong were conducted on 195 patients within 3 days to 1 year after traffic accidents. Patients were recruited from six medical institutions. Collected data were used to determine the prevalence of acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Results: On PC-PTSD-5, the prevalence was 39.1% for ASD and 50% for PTSD. On PCL-5-K, the prevalence was 20.4% for ASD and 29.3% for PTSD. Satisfying both PC-PTSD-5 and PCL-5-K, the prevalence was 18.2% for ASD and 25.8% for PTSD. As a result of pattern identification for jing ji and zheng chong, 'weakness of heart and gall bladder type' accounted for the highest proportions in both ASD and PTSD groups. Conclusions: In this study, the prevalence was 39.1% for ASD and 50% for PTSD by PC-PTSD-5. Satisfying both PC-PTSD-5 and PCL-5-K, the prevalence was 18.2% for ASD and 25.8% for PTSD. Further large-scale prospective studies are needed to analyze the prevalence of ASD and PTSD, the rate of progression from ASD to PTSD, and the type of pattern identification.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제55권3호
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• pp.348-358
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• 2022

본 연구는 한국에서 최초로 시행되는 연구로서, 성인 제2형 당뇨환자에서 혈청 AGEs의 농도에 따라 두 군으로 나눈 뒤 신체계측 및 체조성, 영양소 섭취량, 생화학적 지표를 비교 분석한 연구이다. Low AGEs group과 High AGEs group의 평균 AGEs는 각각 0.4 ± 0.2, 3.4 ± 1.7 ng/mL로 나타났다. 항산화 효소인 HO-1은 High AGEs group이 Low AGEs group에 비해 유의적으로 높게 나타났다. 또한, 전체 연구참여자를 대상으로 연령과 성별을 보정한 후 상관관계를 분석한 결과, 혈청 HO-1 농도와 혈청 AGEs 농도 및 소변 8-OHdG 농도는 양의 상관관계를 가지는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구를 통해 혈청 HO-1은 당뇨환자 특이적 지표인 AGEs와 더불어 DNA 손상 지표에도 예민하게 반응하는 것을 확인하였으며, 추후 한국 당뇨환자의 산화적 스트레스와 합병증 연구의 근거자료로 널리 사용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• 대한정형외과학회지
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• 제55권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2020

고령화의 진행 및 근골격계 질환의 증가로 인해 여러 가지 수술적 치료 방법을 포함한 침습적인 치료 방법이 증가되고 있으나 수술적 치료 시행 전 보존적 치료는 충분히 시행되어야 한다. 보존적 치료 중에서 통증 조절을 위한 약물 치료는 오래 전부터 보존적 치료의 가장 대표적인 치료 방법으로 사용되어 왔고 여전히 가장 흔히 사용되는 방법이다. 통증 조절을 위한 약물로는 아세트아미노펜(acetaminophen), 비스테로이드성 항염증제(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), 스테로이드(steroid), 마약성 진통제(opioid), 항우울제(antidepressants) 등이 있으며 저자는 마약성 진통제 및 항우울제에 대해서 살펴보고자 한다. 통증으로 인해 말초 부위에 있는 통각 수용체에 자극이 전달되면 통증은 중추 신경계로 전달되는 상향성 경로(ascending pathway)를 거쳐 대뇌에 전달되고 대뇌는 통증을 조절하기 위해 하향성 조절 경로(descending pathway)를 통해 엔도르핀(endorphin)과 같은 내인성 마약성 진통제를 분비하게 된다. 마약성 진통제라는 것은 마약성 진통제 수용체(receptor)에 작용하는 물질을 통틀어서 일컫는 말로 마약성 진통제는 세 가지의 수용체가 존재하며 조직이나 환자의 전신 상태에 따라서 각각의 수용체에 대한 친화성이 달라진다. 이와는 달리 항우울제는 중추신경계의 시냅스에 작용하여 통증을 조절하는 상향성 경로를 조절하는 것이 주된 기전으로 만성통증과 신경병성 통증에 효과적이며 이는 마약성 진통제 계열과 효과가 유사한 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 종설에서는 이러한 마약성 진통제와 항우울제의 효과적인 사용 방법, 사용 시 유의점 및 부작용 등에 대해 다루고자 한다.