• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.17
• /
• pp.7867-7869
• /
• 2015

Objective: To assess the safety and effectiveness of thalidomide (produced by CHANGZHOU PHARMACEUTICAL FACTORY CO.LTD) combined with chemotherapy in treating patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Method: A consecutive cohort of pretreated patients with advanced colorectal cancer were treated with thalidomide combined with chemotherapy. And chemotherapy for patients with advanced colorectal cancer were administered according to the condition of patients. Thalidomide was orally administered at a dosage of 50mg/day to 150mg/day before sleeping for at least 14 days. After at least 14 days of treatment, safety and side effects were evaluated. Results: There were 12 female and 3 male patients with advanced cancer recruited into this study, including 9 patients with colon, 6 patients with rectal cancer. The median age of patients was 57(41-82) years. Partial response was observed in 2 patients (2/15), and stable disease in 3 patients(3/15). Incidences of Grade 1 to 2 myelosuppression was observed in 1/15 patients, and Grade 1 to 2 elevation of hepatic enzyme was recorded in 1/15 patients. Adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract were documented in 1/15 patients, and were Grade 1. No Grade 3-4 toxicities were diagnosed. No treatment related death was found. Conclusions: Thalidomide combined with chemotherapy was safe and mildly effective in treating patients with advanced colorectal cancer. However, further study should be conducted to clarify the effectiveness of this combination.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.86-92
• /
• 2001

This experiment was carried out to analyze the recent epidemic of rice blast in southern provinces of Korea in 1999 and 2000. Incidences of leaf blast and panicle blast in these years were 1.5 and 2.9 times greater than those in 1998, respectively. Cultivation areas of rice cultivars, Daesan, Ilmi and Dongan bred from Milyang 95 as a recurrent parent increased over the country from 11% in 1998 to 38.4% in 2000, which were grown in more than 85% of total paddy fields in Jeonnam province. Predominant race populations of Pyricularia grisea in the farmers' fields had been changed from KJ-301 to KI-1117 in 1999 and KI-1113 and KJ-105 in 2000. Distribution ratio of the KI-1117 race in 1998 in the southern provinces was 1.7%, but increased to 30% in 1999. Although the cultivars Daesan, Ilmi and Dongan have shown wide spectrum of resistance to many races including KJ-301, they were susceptible to such races as KI-1117, KI-1113 and, KJ-105. These three races could be further classified into two sub-races, KI-1117 and KI-1117a, KI-1113 and Kl-1113a, and KJ-105 and KJ-105a based on virulence to Daesan. The newly classfied races, Kl-1113a, Kl-1117a, and KJ-l05a were also pathogenic to Ilmi and Dongan. This indicates that rice blast epidemic in southern provinces in 1999 and 2000 resulted from the breakdown of the resistance of Daesan, Ilmi and Dongan by the rapid increase of virulent races KI-1117, KI-1113, KJ-105 and their new sub-races.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.186-192
• /
• 2017

To survey the incidence of plant-parasitic nematode in strawberry nursery, 117 soil samples were collected from main producing area of strawberry nursery plants in 2016. The incidences of two major problematic nematodes such as root-lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) and root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) were 11% and 3%, respectively. Strawberry nurseries using upland soil either in fields or in plastic-houses showed were higher infection rates of Pratylenchus spp. or Meloidogyne spp. than others. On the other hand, a strawberry nursery using pots filled with bed soil in plastic-house was the lowest infection rate with 0%. Phylogenetic relationships and distance analysis were performed for identification of Pratylenchus spp. and Meloidogyne spp. detected from strawberry nurseries. As the results, they were identified as Pratylenchus penetrans, Pratylenchus vulnus and Meloidogyne hapla. Meanwhile, when nursery plants of strawberry infested with P. vulnus transplanted to pots filled with sterilized soil, P. vulnus was detected from soil in pots as 33% frequency. Thus, P. vulnus can be spread through nursery plants of strawberry infested with that. These studies suggested that Pratylenchus spp. and Meloidogyne spp. were ploblematic nematodes in major areas of strawberry nursery plants and P. vulnus could be spread through nursery plants of strawberry.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.164-168
• /
• 1998

Background: Supraglottis and glottis have a different embryologic origin. Supraglottic cancer is characterized by high incidence of cervical lymph node metastasis at initial diagnosis, and favored surgical management of the early supraglottic cancer was partial supraglottic laryngectomy, however the procedure resulted in frequent incidences of postsurgical aspiration and voice disabilities. Objectives: We retrospectively analyzed the problems and the advantages of the endoscopic laser assisted supraglottic partial laryngectomy as a part of surgical management for early supraglottic cancer. Materials and Methods: During the past nine years 25 cases of supraglottic cancer(Tl 10 cases, T2 15 cases) were treated by tracheotomy and laser assisted supraglottic partial laryngectomy(KTP532, 15 Watt, continuous type) and in 10 cases with cervical lymph node metastasis, they were additionally managed by neck dissection one week later, and all cases received postoperative irradiation therapy. Results: At present, 19 cases are alive with no evidence of disease. During the follow up period total of six cases(primary failure: three cases, nodal failure: three cases) were recurred. In relation to tumor staging, One of the 10 Tl cases and two of the 15 T2 cases recurred showing 88% locoregional recurrence rate for early supraglottic cancer. Postoperative com-plication included bleeding in three cases who were controlled by electrocautery under general anesthsia, one case of longstanding aspiration and two cases of laryngeal stenosis as a delayed complication. Conclusion: High control rate suggests that the endoscopic laser assisted supraglottic partial laryngectomy may be a good initial management method for early supraglottic cancer, however it is difficult to determine the resection margin, therefore, accurate tumor staging must be done prior to surgery. In order to prepare for postoperative bleeding, edema and aspiration, the tracheotomy must be performed prior to surgery.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.36-45
• /
• 2008

Purpose: We conducted this retrospective epidemiological study to assess the incidence and severity of lower extremity injuries in Korea Methods: For this study, we retrospectively reviewed nationwide lower-extremity injury data compiled from 2001 to 2003 based on the National Injury Database, what included National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC), Car Insurance, and Industry Insurance data. Data were standardized in terms of demographic characteristics, region, and socioeconomic status by using NHIC data. To assess the degree of the injuries, we used the Modified Abbreviated Injury Scale (MoAIS), what has been changed from the International Classification of Disease-10 (ICD-10) code. By using the Excess Mortality Ratio-adjusted Injury Severity Score (EMR-ISS), we classified the degree of severity into four categories: mild, moderate, severe and critical. Results: From 2001 to 2003, lower extremity injuries increased slightly, with a yearly average of 2,437,335. Insurance data should that lower-extremity injuries were the most common, followed by upper-extremity injuries. Significant difference were seen in the numbers of lower extremity injuries based on gender and age. As for provinces, Seoul and Gyeongi provinces had the highest numbers of cases. Junlabukdo had the highest rate of 55,282 cases per 1 million people for standardized gender and population. The annual incidence of the insured patients with lower extrimity injuries was higher than the employer's medical insurance contributions to the medical insurance program. Daily cases occur most often in May and June, with the lowest occurrences being in January and February. Conclusion: The result of this study shows that lower extremity injuries comprised common cause of all injuries. In addition, differences associated with gender, location and socioeconomic status were observed. Further studies are needed to find reasons and then this knowledge will allow strategies to prevent the lower extremity injuries.

• Journal of Rheumatic Diseases
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.227-235
• /
• 2017

Objective. Failure of first-line anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents in in rheumatoid arthritis patients leads to decisions among second-line biologic agents. To better inform these decisions, the therapeutic effectiveness of rituximab is compared with other second-line biologic agents in this observational study. Methods. Between November 2011 and December 2014, study subjects were observed for 12 month periods. Patients with an inadequate response to initial anti-TNF agent received either rituximab or alternative anti-TNF agents (adalimumab/etanercept/infliximab) based on the preference of patients and physicians. The efficacy end point of this study was the change in 28-joint count Disease Activity Score (DAS28) at six and 12 months from baseline. Safety data were also collected. Results. Ninety patients were enrolled in the study. DAS28 at six months did not change significantly whether the patients were treated with rituximab or alternative anti-TNF agents in intention-to-treat analysis (n=34, $-1.63{\pm}0.30$ vs. n=31, $-2.05{\pm}0.34$) and standard population set analysis (n=31, $-1.51{\pm}0.29$ vs. n=24, $-2.21{\pm}0.34$). Similarly, the change in DAS28 at 12 months did not reach statistical significance ($-1.82{\pm}0.35$ in the rituximab vs. $-2.34{\pm}0.44$ in the alternative anti-TNF agents, p=0.2390). Furthermore, the incidences of adverse events were similar between two groups (23.5% for rituximab group vs. 25.8% for alternative anti-TNF agents group, p=0.7851). Conclusion. Despite the limitations of our study, switching to rituximab or alternative anti-TNF agents after failure of the initial TNF antagonist showed no significant therapeutic difference in DAS28 reduction.

• Korean Circulation Journal
• /
• v.52 no.1
• /
• pp.47-59
• /
• 2022

Background and Objectives: The influence of pre-intervention coronary physiologic status on outcomes post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not well known. We sought to investigate the prognostic implications of pre-PCI fractional flow reserve (FFR) combined with post-PCI FFR. Methods: A total of 1,479 PCI patients with pre-and post-PCI FFR data were analyzed. The patients were classified according to the median values of pre-PCI FFR (0.71) and post-PCI FFR (0.88). The primary outcome was target vessel failure (TVF) at 2 years. Results: The risk of TVF was higher in the low pre-PCI FFR group than in the high pre-PCI FFR group (hazard ratio, 1.82; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-2.87; p=0.011). In 4 group comparisons, the cumulative incidences of TVF at 2 years were 3.8%, 4.1%, 4.8%, and 10.2% in the high pre-/high post-, low pre-/high post-, high pre-/low post-, and low pre-/low post-PCI FFR groups, respectively. The risk of TVF was the highest in the low pre-/low post-PCI FFR group among the groups (p values for comparisons <0.05). In addition, the high pre-/low post-PCI FFR group presented a comparable risk of TVF with the high post-PCI FFR groups (p values for comparison >0.05). When the prognostic value of the post-PCI FFR was evaluated according to the pre-PCI FFR, the risk of TVF significantly decreased with an increase in post-PCI FFR in the low pre-PCI FFR group, but not in the high pre-PCI FFR group. Conclusions: Pre-PCI FFR was associated with clinical outcomes after PCI, and the prognostic value of post-PCI FFR differed according to the pre-PCI FFR.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.81 no.2
• /
• pp.191-199
• /
• 1992

This study was conducted to identify fungi causing canker dieback and melanconis disease of walnut trees (Juglans sinensis Dode) in Korea and clarify the pathogenicity and factors affecting the growth of these fungi. The causal fungi isolated from infected walnut stems and branches obtained from the commercial walnut orchards in Cheonwon, Goesan, Youngdong were identified as Botryosphaeria dothidea (Moug, ex Fries) Casati et de Notaris, Phoniopsis albobestita Fairman, Melanconis juglandis (Ellis et Everhart) Graves and their pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculation test. Temperature range for minimum growth of three fungi was 8 to $35^{\circ}C$ and the optimum temperature for mycelial growth of B. dothidea and P. albobestita ranged from 25 to $30^{\circ}C$, while the optimum temperature for M. juglandis ranged from 20 to $25^{\circ}C$. The optimum pH range for mycelial growth of P. albobestita was 4.0~5.0 and that for B. dothidea and P. juglandis 4.0~8.0. Glucose, sucrose, starch or maltose, as a carbon source, and histidine or potassium nitrate as a nitrogen source were more suitable compounds for growth. of B, dothidea, P. albobestita grew very well on the medium containing alanine and potassium nitrate as a nitrogen source, and utilized well glucose and sucrose as a carbon source. M. juglandis grew well on the medium containing glucose, and sucrose as a carbon source and utilized well potassium nitrate as a nitrogen source. The dieback and twig blight caused by P. albobestita were more severe than those by B. dothidea and M. juglandis at three locations investigated. Incidences of canker and dieback were more frequently observed in aged walnut trees than in young ones.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.29 no.3 s.54
• /
• pp.617-637
• /
• 1996

Occupational dermatosis is one of the most prevalent occupational disorders. However, the extent of the occupational dermatoses including incidences and prevalencies of each disease entity, and etiologic materials are not yet welt stated in Korea. Authors reviewed the literatures on the statistic data and reports on the occupational dermatoses, and surveyed on the occupational dermatoses in two factories, and surveyed the physicians responsible to the occupational dermatoses with formed questionnaire. The results are as follows; 1. Among medical journals published since 1964, there were 31 articles on the occupational dermatoses. Of 31 articles, 18 were case reports and all others were review articles. Of 18 case reports, 9 were epidemiologic survey. The Workers' Periodic Health Examinations revealed that prevalence of the occupational dermatoses was highest(4.36 per 10,000 workers) in 1974, but number of the cases reported were decreased sharply since 1978 with some tendency to increase since 1981. There were 2,240 reported cases of occupational dermatoses between 1966 and 1992, which is 1.90% of all the reported occupational diseases. Skin infection and injuries due to chemicals were most frequent and there were 6 cases of skin cancer. 2. In an epidemiological survey on the dermatoses among 995 workers in a metal product manufacturing factory and 225 workers in a coal chemical factory, there were 794 with dermatomycosis, 296 workers with acne, 130 workers with scar, 123 workers with deformity of toe nails. Scars, photosensitivity dermatitis, deformity of finger and toe nails, and acne were more prevalent in the metal product manufacturing factory(p<0.05). In the metal prouct manufacturing factory, workers treating organic solvents and oils had more dermatoses than those without treating the materials(p<0.05). On the skin patch performed on 16 workers in the metal product manufacturing factory, there were 8 cases of irritation dermatitis and 5 cases of contact dermatitis. Prevalence of contact dermatitis in the metal product manufacturing factory was 1.3%. 3. On the questionnaire survey, 34 dermatologists, 29 doctors of preventive medicine, and 22 family physician replied. The proportion of occupational etiology among all dermatoses assumed by the physicians were below 9%, and the most important occupational dermatosis in Korea was contact dermatitis. Main etiologic materials related to the occupational dermatosis were organic solvent, acid and alkali, and metals. The reason for the scarcity of report of occupational dermatoses were difficulty in diagnosis and physician's ignorance of the occupational etiology. They replied that to prevent the occupational dermatoses in the workplace, the use of protective devices was most important, and development of diagnostic criteria on the occupational dermatoses is urgent. Above results shows us that there is many workers with occupational dermatoses, but they are mostly unreported. Measures to prevent and manage the occupational dermatoses are not satisfactory at present. Hence, authors suggest measures for the precise diagnosis, report and prevention of the occupational dermatoses. a. Dermatologist, preventive physician, and industrial hygienist should work as a team to examine the high risk group and establish the preventive measures. b. Disease entities, diagnostic criteria of occupational dermatoses should be listed, criteria for the compensation and job fitting at recruitment should be established, and manual for the proper treatment and effective prevention of each occupational dermatosis should be developed. c. Patch test antigens against each occupational category should be developed and it should be available to any physicians responsible. d. To facilitate the diagnosis of occupational dermatoses by the doctors responsible for the Workersr Periodic Health Examination, development of standardized questionnaire, education on the techniques of the patch test, and cooperation with the dermatologist in diagnosis of occupational dermatoses is essential.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.773-782
• /
• 2002

Purpose : To identify the necessity of more reasonable diagnostic criteria and the possibility of early prediction of coronary involvement in the higher risk group, we investigated and compared clinical and laboratory findings in the acute phase and coronary involvements in those younger (n=17) and older(n=53) than one year of age in Kawasaki disease(KD). Methods : Retrospective chart reviews were performed on 70 patients with KD who were admitted to the Chung-Ang University Hospital from April 1997 to May 2001. Results : Male were significantly higher in the younger age group(M : F ratio 3.3 : 1 vs. 1.0 : 1, P=0.004). Fever durations before intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) and echocardiography were significantly shorter in the younger group($4.6{\pm}1.3$ vs. $6.2{\pm}2.5$, P=0.004 vs. 0.01, respectively). Cases meeting typical diagnostic criteria were significantly less in the younger group(P=0.006). In the laboratory findings, serum albumin, BUN and $K^+$ levels in the acute febrile phase were significantly higher in the younger group(P=0.002, 0.006, <0.001, respectively) and incidences of coronary artery dilatation in the acute phase were significantly higher in the younger group(P=0.01). Conclusion : Although less met the typical diagnostic criteria of KD, infants younger than one year of age are more susceptible to coronary artery change in the acute febrile phase. Therefore, KD should be entertained as a diagnostic possibility in young infants with prolonged fever without distinct fever focus, and echocardiography should be considered as part of the evaluation of these patients, and then early diagnosis and prompt IVIG should be conducted.