• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.85-92
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• 2016

Purpose: PIK3CA is often mutated in a variety of malignancies, including colon, gastric, ovary, breast, and brain tumors. We investigated PIK3CA expression in gastric cancer and explored the relationships between the PIK3CA expression level and clinicopathological features as well as survival of the patients. Materials and Methods: We examined PIK3CA expression in a tissue microarray of 178 gastric adenocarcinomas by immunohistochemistry and reviewed patients' medical records. Results: In our study, 112 of the 178 gastric cancer patients displayed positive PIK3CA expression. Overexpression of PIK3CA was correlated with low grade differentiation (P=0.001), frequent lymphatic invasion (P=0.032), and high T stage (P=0.040). Patients with positive PIK3CA staining were more likely to display worse overall survival rate than those with negative PIK3CA staining, as determined by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log-rank test (P=0.047) and a univariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazard model (hazard ratio=1.832, P=0.051). Conclusions: Elevated PIK3CA expression was significantly correlated with tumor invasiveness, tumor phenotypes, and poor patient survival.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.925-933
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• 2010

Objectives : This study aimed to research subjective recognition of oral health, oral disease prevention, and knowledge of oral health among high school students to provide basic data necessary to develop an oral health education program for helping them prevent oral diseases and improve oral health in the future. Methods : Respondents' general characteristics and knowledge of oral health were estimated at frequency and percentage, and chi-square $(x^2)$ test was carried out to make a comparison for subjective recognition of oral health and oral disease prevention by general characteristics. ANOVA was used to get scores concerning knowledge of oral health care by general characteristics, and Pearson correlation was used to analyze correlation between recognition of oral health, oral disease prevention, and knowledge of oral health. Results : The findings of the study were as follows: 1. The percentage of those who had visited a dental clinic (hospital) within the previous one year (p<0.01) and had a regular oral examination (p<0.05) was higher in female students than in male ones, and percentage of those who had experienced oral health education (p<0.01) and who had regular oral examination (p<0.001) was highest in 11th graders. The percentage of those who used oral health products (p<0.01) and had pit and fissure sealing (p<0.01) was significantly higher among low-grade students, and the percentage of those who had scaling (p<0.01) was significantly higher among high-grade students. 2. Knowledge of oral health management was higher in female students (12.6) than in male ones (11.2) (p<0.001). Conclusions : A systematic oral health education program is necessary to help high school students improve recognition, prevention, and knowledge concerning oral health care, and continuous attention and efforts must be given to activate continuous oral health care implemented at the elementary level by inducing secondary school students to go on with it.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5511-5515
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• 2012

Introduction: The nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) is a super family of transcription factors which plays important roles in development and progression of cancer. The present investigation concerns NF-${\kappa}B$ /p65 activity in human breast cancers with overexpression of ER, PR, HER-2/neu, as well as the significance of p65 expression with regard to menopausal status, stage, grade, tumor size, nodal status, and NPI of invasive ductal carcinomas in Eastern India. Materials and Methods: In this hospital based study 57 breast cancer patients attending a Breast Clinic of a reputed institute of Eastern India were assessed for p65 protein expression in breast tumor tissue samples by Western blotting. ER, PR and HER-2/neu expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. Results: NF-${\kappa}B$/p65 was significantly associated with advanced stage, large tumor size (${\geq}5$ cm), high grade, negative ER, negative PR, and positive HER-2/neu. High NF-${\kappa}B$/p65 expression was more frequent in patients with a high NPI ($NPI{\geq}5.4$, 84.6%) compared with low NPI (<5.4, 44.4%) and this association was statistically significant (p = 0.002). Conclusion: NF-${\kappa}B$/p65 overexpression was associated with advanced stage, large tumor size, high grade, and high NPI which are poor prognostic factors linked to enhanced aggressiveness of the disease. NF-${\kappa}B$/p65 expression implies aggressive biological behavior of breast cancer and this study validates significant association of NF-${\kappa}B$ /p65 overexpression with negative estrogen and progesterone receptor status and overexpression of HER-2/neu oncoprotein. In our good clinical practice, patients with NF-${\kappa}B$ positive tumors need to be treated aggressively.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3179-3185
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• 2012

Background: Most of the epidemiology studies on the effects of sun exposure and prostate cancer were conducted among the temperate countries of North America and Europe. Little is known about the influence on Asian populations. The purpose of current study was to evaluate any association of sun exposure with risk of prostate cancer in Chinese, Malays and Indians who reside in the tropics. Methods: The Singapore Prostate Cancer Study is a hospital-based case-control study of 240 prostate cancer incident cases and 268 controls conducted in Singapore between April 2007 and May 2009. Detailed information on outdoor activities in the sun, skin colour, sun sensitivity and other possible risk factors were collected in personal interviews. Cases were further classified by Gleason scores and TNM staging. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using unconditional logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age, ethnicity, education, family history of any cancers, BMI and skin colour. Results: We found that prostate cancer risk was increased in subjects with black/dark-brown eyes (OR 5.88, 95%CI 3.17-10.9), darker skin colour e.g. tan/dark brown/black (OR 7.62, 95%CI 3.41-17.0), frequent sunburn in lifetime (OR 4.30, 95%CI 1.7-11.2) and increased general sun exposure in adulthood per week (OR 2.03, 95%CI 1.09-3.81). The increased risk was consistent for high grade tumours and advanced stage prostate cancers. Conclusion: The findings from this study suggest that excessive sun exposure is a risk factor for prostate cancer in Asians.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.881-887
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• 2015

Purpose: To analyze treatment modalities and prognostic factors in patients with Stage I-II endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS). Materials and Methods: Twenty four patients (nineteen with low-grade ESS [LGESS] and five with high-grade ESS [HGESS]) were assessed retrospectively in terms of general characteristics, prognostic factors, treatment methods and survival. Results: Twenty patients were at Stage I and three were at Stage II. The stage of one patient could not be determined. With respect to age and comorbidity, no statistically significant difference was found among disease-free survival (DFS) (p=0.990; p=0.995). However, DFS was significantly shorter in Stage II than Stage I patients (p=0.002). It was also significantly shorter in HGESS patients than in LGESS patients (p=0.000). There was no statistically significant differences among the overall survival (OVS) times of patients with respect to age at diagnosis and comorbid disease (p=0.905; p=0.979) but OVS was significantly shorter in patients with HGESS (p=0.00) and Stage II disease (p=0.001). No statistically significant difference was found with respect to OVS between patients who received radiotherapy (RT) and those who did not receive RT (p=0.055). It was not statistically possible to include other treatment modalities in the analysis because of the small sample size. Conclusions: Grade and stage of a tumour were found to be the most important prognostic factors. It was not possible to determine the optimal surgical method and the effect of adjuvant treatment since the number of cases was insufficient.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8145-8147
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• 2016

Background: Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) feature a wide variety of cervical cells, including benign and malignant examples. The management of ASCUS is complicated. Guidelines for office gynecology in Japan recommend performing a high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) test as a rule. The guidelines also recommend repeat cervical cytology after 6 and 12 months, or immediate colposcopy. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical significance of ASCUS. Materials and Methods: Between January 2012 and December 2014, a total of 162 patients underwent cervical conization for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3), carcinoma in situ, squamous cell carcinoma, microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma in situ at our hospital. The results of cervical cytology prior to conization, the pathology after conization, and high-risk HPV testing were obtained from clinical records and analyzed retrospectively. Results: Based on cervical cytology, 31 (19.1%) of 162 patients were primarily diagnosed with ASCUS. Among these, 25 (80.6%) were positive for high-risk HPV, and the test results of the remaining 6 patients (19.4%) were uncertain. In the final pathological diagnosis after conization, 27 (87.1%) and 4 patients (12.9%) were diagnosed with CIN3 and carcinoma in situ, respectively. Conclusions: Although ASCUS is known as a low-risk abnormal cervical cytology, approximately 20% of patients who underwent cervical conization had ASCUS. The relationship between the cervical cytology of ASCUS and the final pathological results for CIN3 or invasive carcinoma should be investigated statistically. In cases of ASCUS, we recommend HPV tests or colposcopic examination rather than cytological follow-up, because of the risk of missing CIN3 or more advanced disease.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2020

Purpose: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common and serious bacterial infections in children. Therefore, early diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) for treatment planning and the identification of noninvasive markers that can predict renal injury are important in patients with UTIs. We analyzed the clinical features of pediatric UTIs commonly encountered by general practitioners and reinterpreted the blood tests and imaging findings to identify the important clinical predictive markers of VUR in order to selectively perform VCUG. Methods: This retrospective study was performed among 183 children diagnosed with a UTI or acute pyelonephritis. Results: The most significant predictor of high grade and bilateral VUR identified using area under the curve analyses was hydronephrosis on kidney ultrasound images with renal cortical defects on dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) kidney scan simultaneously, followed by hydronephrosis only on kidney ultrasound. Conclusion: The presence of hydronephrosis on kidney ultrasound images or cortical defects or asymmetric kidneys on the DMSA kidney scans can be predictive markers of VUR, reducing the need for VCUG. Our study can thus help minimize the exposure to radiation among patients through selective VCUG.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2006

Purpose: To determine treatment policy for early stage endometrial carcinoma, we analyzed the results of postoperative radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: From Oct. 1994 to Aug. 2002, 42 patients with FIGO stage I endometrial carcinoma received postoperative radiotherapy. All patients received curative surgery and pelvic lymph node dissection was done in 25 patients. Based on the FIGO staging system, 3 were at stage IA, 21 were at stage IB and 18 were at stage IC. Histologically, there were 14 grade 1, 16 grade 2, and 12 grade 3. Nineteen patients received intracavitary brachytherapy and 23 patients did whole pelvic radiotherapy. The median period of follow-up was 41 months (22 to 100 months). Results: Five-year overall survival, disease-free survival, local control, and regional control rates of all patients were 85.0%, 87.9%, 100%, and 97.5%, respectively. All failures were distant metastases in 5 patients and two patients had simultaneous regional recurrences. There was no intrapelvic failure in patients who received intracavitary radiotherapy. Grade 3 chronic complications were found in 1 patient (4.3%), who received whole pelvic radiotherapy. Conclusion: We achieved high rates of loco-regional control and survival by curative surgery and post-operative radiotherapy. However, we need to select the type of radiotherapy based on the risk factors for recurrence to reduce the treatment-related complication.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.1 s.56
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• pp.209-228
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• 1997

In ordo to investigate the professional job perception and job satisfaction of interns and residents and its related factors, the author conducted survey using self administered questionnaire for 2 months(August and September, 1996). The study subjects were 562 interns and residents who worked at one university hospital(tertiary hospital) and two general hospitals(secondary hospital) in Taegu, Korea. Among them, 297 (52.8%) responded completely. The results were as follows ; Respondents thought that people component was most important, science and status components were next among professional value scales which meant the desirable attitudes required to conduct professional works. But, the score of professional value scales was generally high and not affected by other variables in multiple linear regression analysis. They seemed to have very normative and ideal perceptions about professional values. The score of professionalism scales, which were attitudinal and behavioral traits about professional job, of high grade residents was significantly higher than that of interns and lower grade residents. The score of reference to professional organization and autonomy factor were increasing significantly as the grade increased. Working conditions and perception for socioeconomic status of doctors influenced the score of professionalism scale significantly. It seemed that professional socialization was made during the training periods of interns and residents. Most of respondents answered that current socioeconomic status of doctors were middle and high strata but they responded that the socioeconomic status of doctors would fall in the future. They seemed to have a pessimistic thought about doctor's status. Generally the respondents thought that they were satisfied with doctor job and fit to the job, but 51.9% answered that if possible they would get other jobs. It seemed to reflect their critical thinking on doctors' status. Perceptions about socioeconomic status of doctors, professional value and professionalism influenced job satisfaction significantly. The interns and residents had high sense of calling to doctors and thought that doctors were socially important job. Generally they were satisfied with their job. Interns and residents had normative thoughts about the trait which compentent doctors must have. During the training period, they seemed to have attitude and perception as a professional and to make professional socializations.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.215-220
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• 2001

Purpose: The aim of the study was to obtain data on the anatomic and histologic distributions, the clinical features, and the treatment results for patients with primary gastric non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Materials and Methods: One hundred thirty-two patients who were treated at 8 university hospitals and 2 general hospitals between January 1991 and December 2000 were enrolled to evaluate clinico-pathologic features. Results: The lower one-third of the stomach was the most frequent site ($42\%$), and the most frequent chief complaint was epigastric pain ($54\%$). Gastric resection was performed in 114 cases. Pathologic findings of preoperative endoscopic biopsy specimens from the 114 patients that underwent surgery were a gastric lymphoma in 94 cases ($82\%$), a carcinoma in 15 cases ($13\%$), an ulcer in 4 cases ($4\%$), and a gastrointestinal stromal tumor in 1 case ($1\%$). The stage distributions by Musshoff's criteria were 71 cases ($54\%$) of stage IE, 36 cases ($27\%$) of stage $II_{1}E$, 8 cases ($6\%$) of stage $II_{2}E$, 2 cases ($2\%$) of stage IIIE, and 15 cases ($11\%$) of stage IVE. Histologic gradings by the Working Formulation in were 31 cases ($23\%$) of low grade, 96 cases ($73\%$) of intermediate grade, and 5 cases ($4\%$) of high grade. Chemotherapy-related complications occurred in 25 cases ($22\%$) while operation-related complications occurred in 6 cases ($5\%$). Seventeen patients ($13\%$) only underwent surgery, 19 ($14\%$) had chemotherapy (CTx) and/or radiotherapy (RTx) only, and 96 patients ($73\%$) received surgery and CTx and/or RTx. No substantial differences in survival were found in relation to the different histologic grades and different treatments. The five-year survival was $85\%$ in stage I or II and $47\%$ in stage III or IV (P=0.0000). Conclusion: Pathologic stage appears to be the single most important prognostic indicator. Survival differences according to treatment modalities were not statistically significant. However, the low number of patients treated with various approaches over a long period precludes a firm conclusion.