• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.126-133
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• 2015

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) and to analyze prognostic factors of survival in the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) IB-IIA uterine cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 148 patients with FIGO IB-IIA uterine cervical cancer who underwent surgery followed by adjuvant RT at the Yonsei Cancer Center between June 1997 and December 2011. Adjuvant radiotherapy was delivered to the whole pelvis or an extended field with or without brachytherapy. Among all patients, 57 (38.5%) received adjuvant chemotherapy either concurrently or sequentially. To analyze prognostic factors, we assessed clinicopathologic variables and metabolic parameters measured on preoperative 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). To evaluate the predictive performance of metabolic parameters, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The median follow-up period was 63.2 months (range, 2.7 to 206.8 months). Locoregional recurrence alone occurred in 6 patients, while distant metastasis was present in 16 patients, including 2 patients with simultaneous regional failure. The 5-year and 10-year OSs were 87.0% and 85.4%, respectively. The 5-year and 10-year DFSs were 83.8% and 82.5%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, pathologic type and tumor size were shown to be significant prognostic factors associated with both DFS and OS. In subset analysis of 40 patients who underwent preoperative PET/CT, total lesion glycolysis was shown to be the most significant prognostic factor among the clinicopathologic variables and metabolic parameters for DFS. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that adjuvant RT following hysterectomy effectively improves local control. From the subset analysis of preoperative PET/CT, we can consider that metabolic parameters may hold prognostic significance in early uterine cervical cancer patients. More effective systemic treatments might be needed to reduce distant metastasis in these patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.843-850
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• 2007

Background: The Ivor-Lewis operation has been widely applied for treating thoracic esophageal cancer, but more acceptable results from three-field lymph node dissection have recently been reported. In this study the efficacy of the Ivor-Lewis operation was evaluated. Material and Method: Among the 273 patients, who underwent operation for esophageal cancer between September 1994 and August 2004, we retrospectively studied 172 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and who had no other primary cancer and who underwent complete resection with an Ivor-Lewis operation. The postoperative complications, the short and long-term survival and the recurrence patterns were analyzed. Result: The postoperative staging was as follows: stage I in 40 cases, IIA in 48 cases, IIB in 18 cases, III in 55 cases, IVA in 5 cases and IVB in 6 cases. The operative mortality rate was 4% (7 of 172 pts). Postoperative complication occurred in 32 patients (18%) and tumor recurred in 55 patients (32%). The overall 5-year survival rate was 48%; it was 85.6% in stage I patients, 47.6% in IIA patients, 65% in IIB patients, 22.8% in III patients and 0% for those in IV (p<0.05). The 5-year survival rate according to the location of esophageal cancer was 26.5% for patients with tumor in the upper 1/3 of the esophagus and 52.4% for patients with tumor in the mid and lower 1/3 (p>0.05). Conclusion: The Ivor-Lewis operation is an acceptable surgical procedure for thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Yet it is necessary to consider other surgical procedures, and especially three-field lymph node dissection for treating upper 1/3 esophageal cancer.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.893-905
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• 2011

CUPPS is the latest international standard passenger processing system which is operated with airlines' check-in system, DCS (Departure Control System) in order to provide check-in and boarding services to passengers. The CUPPS standard has been revised in August 2009 leading by IATA (International Air Transport Association) who recommends replacing old legacy common use system with CUPPS to airports and airlines around the world. IATA is expecting to reduce the installation and maintenance cost of CUPPS by standardizing various legacy common use systems and device controls. Airlines are also expecting to take advantage of the system to reduce the application development cost as developing only one standard CUPPS application instead of developing multiple applications for nonstandard legacy systems. This research which focuses on development completed AIRCUS, R&D project of ministry of land, transport and maritime affairs accomplished by IIA, will present the result of pilot trial and the effective approach methods to increase the possibility of expanding overseas business by comparing old legacy system with CUPPS to prove the dominance of CUPPS over the legacy systems as well as doing foreign case studies.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9679-9685
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• 2014

Background: When evaluating health-economics for cervical cancer prevention policies in Japan, it is important to use Japanese value settings. This study aimed to obtain preference-based measures (preference measures) for hypothesized health states among healthy Japanese women, and to examine differences between the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) and standard gamble (SG) instruments. Materials and Methods: The investigation was performed among female students at a nursing university. We used written hypothetical scenarios describing three grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and eight stages of cervical cancer, both at diagnosis and after medical intervention. Preference measures were evaluated using both EQ-5D and SG. Results: We received responses from 136 women. The mean number of respondents per stage was 24.6 (SD: 2.7). At diagnosis, average EQ-5D scores for CIN1, CIN2, CIN3, IA1, IA2, IB1, IB2, IIA, IIB, III, and IV stages were 0.84 (0.14), 0.78 (0.12), 0.73 (0.10), 0.78 (0.12), 0.72 (0.12), 0.63 (0.13), 0.64 (0.12), 0.68 (0.08), 0.62 (0.13), 0.55 (0.21), and 0.18 (0.24), respectively. Using one-way analysis of variance with the Tukey-Kramer method for multiple comparisons (each stage vs. CIN1), we found significant differences for IB1 and more advanced stages (p<0.05). After medical intervention, corresponding EQ-5D scores were 0.84 (0.12), 0.81 (0.12), 0.84 (0.12), 0.80 (0.15), 0.78 (0.11), 0.64 (0.15), 0.63 (0.15), 0.71 (0.15), 0.50 (0.17), 0.52 (0.17), 0.21 (0.28). The multiple comparisons identified significant differences for IB1 and more advanced stages, excepting IIA (p<0.05). SG evaluations were more variable and relatively higher than EQ-5D evaluations. Conclusions: We obtained preference measures for three grades of CIN1-3 and eight stages of cervical cancer. In combination with appropriate sensitivity analyses, these preference measures will provide a basis for an economic evaluation of cervical cancer prevention in Japan. We suggest that EQ-5D is appropriate for cost-utility analysis of this topic.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.287-293
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• 2006

We carried out pollen analysis and radiocarbon dating from sediments of Wangdeungjae moor (960 m a.s.l.) to clarify vegetation history of temperate broad-leaved deciduous forest zone of Mt. Jiri. Three local pollen zones and two sub-zones were recognized on the basis of variation in the palynofloral assemblage: I. Quercus zone (150-114 cm), II. Quercus-Pinus zone (114-43 cm): IIa. Quercus-Pinus subzone (114-83 cm), IIb. Quercus-Pinus-Herbs subzone (83-43 cm), III. Pinus-Quercus zone (43-27 cm). Radiocarbon date from sediment depth 111-116 cm was estimated $1,160{\pm}40yr$ B.P. From these results, overall vegetation around of Wangdeungjae moor and Mt. Jiri have changed from Q. mongolica dominant to steady decrease of Q. mongolica whereas steady increase of P. densiflora, finally abrupt increase of P. densiflora. 'Medieval Warm Period (MWP)' and 'Little Ice Age (LIA)' have not had an effect on change of vegetation around, at least, Mt. Jiri. But at maximum period of LIA, extension of grassland and steady increase of Pinus were recognized around the moor. After then, an abrupt increase of Pinus is supposed that vegetation change is reflected in human impact surging around foothills.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2010

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophic factor involved in neuronal differentiation, plasticity, survival and regeneration. BDNF draws massive attention mainly due to the potential as a therapeutic target in neurological diseases such as depression and Alzheimer's disease. In a primary screening for the natural compounds enhancing BDNF release from cultured rat primary cortical neuron, we found that compounds such as baicalein, tanshinone IIa, cinnamic acid, epiberberine, genistein and wogonin among many others increased BDNF release. All the compounds at $0.1{\mu}M$ of concentration barely showed stimulatory effect on BDNF induction, however, their combination (mixture 1; baicalein, tanshinone IIa and cinnamic acid, mixture 2; epiberberine, genistein and wogonin) showed synergistic increase in BDNF release as well as mRNA and protein expression. The level of BDNF expression was comparable to the maximum BDNF stimulation attainable by a positive control oroxylin A ($20{\mu}M$) without cell toxicity as determined by MTT analysis. Both mixtures synergistically increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) as well as cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), an immediate and essential regulator of BDNF expression. Similar to these results, mixture of these compounds synergistically inhibited the up-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induced by lipopolysaccharide treatments in rat primary astrocytes. These results suggest that the combinatorial treatment of natural compounds in lower concentration might be a useful strategy to obtain sufficient BDNF stimulation in neurological disease condition such as depression, while minimizing potential side effects and toxicity of higher concentration of a single compound.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.463-468
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• 2008

Background: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a life-threatening cervico-mediastinal infection extending from the oropharynx or periodontal space. We reviewed clinical outcomes of DNM patients that underwent surgical management. Material and Method: We analyzed the demographic and surgical data from 8 patients (6 males and 2 females) that underwent surgical management for DNM between August 2003 and August 2007. Result: The mean age was $56.6{\pm}12.3$ ($34{\sim}72$) years, Types of DNM were I (n=2), IIA (n=1), and IIB (n=5), based on the classification system of Endo et al. Four patients were septic at the time of operation. The infectious organism was identified in three cases and turned out to be Streptococcus. ICU stay was $24.3{\pm}17.9$ ($3{\sim}58$) days, and hospital stay was $49.1{\pm}33.8$ ($20{\sim}125$) days, There were two deaths (25%), both of which were due to multi-organ failure. Conclusion: Despite aggressive surgical drainage and appropriate medical management, DNM still had a high mortality rate, Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention are key to DNM management. In addition, transcervical drainage should be used in limited disease only.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 1987

Forty seven patients with locally recurrent uterine cerival cancer after surgery were treated with radiation during the 6 year period from 1979 through 1984 at the Department of Therapeutic Radiology of Seoul National University Hospital. In 30 out of the 47 patients, recurrence was diagnosed within 2 years after surgery. Site of recurrence was vagina in 19 patients, vagina and parametrium in 21 patients and parametrium only in 7 patients. Complete tumor control was achieved in 35 patients $(74.5\%)$; the complete response rates were $94.7\%(18/19)$ in vaginal recurrences, $57.1\%(12/21)$ in combined vaginal and parametrial recurrences and $71.4\%(5/7)$ in parametrial recurrences. Overall and disease free survival rates at 4 years were 55.2 and 50.1 percent, respectively, for entire group. Overall 4 year survival rates were $77.0\%$ for vaginal recurrences, $44.1\%$ for vaginal and parametrial recurrences and $42.9\%$ for parametrial recrrences. When the disease extent was classified in the same way as the staging system of FIGO, the 4 year survival was 80.4, 73.0, 25.0 and 0 percent for stage IIa, IIb, IIIb and IVa, respectively.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.253-259
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• 2008

Background: The incidence of cervical esophageal cancer is low compared with that of thoracic esophageal cancer, and the role of surgery for cervical esophageal cancer is limited compared with that of radiotherapy or chemotherapy. This study was carried out to determine the outcome of surgery for cervical esophageal cancer. Material and Method: We analyzed retrospectively medical records of 43 patients who had undergone curative surgical resection for cervical esophageal cancer from January 1989 to December 2002. Follow-up loss was absent and the last follow-up was carried out in February 28, 2004. Result: The mean age was 60 years old and the male to female ratio was 40:3. Histologic types were squamous cell carcinoma 42 patients and malignant melanoma 1 patient. The methods used for esophageal reconstruction were gastric pull-up 32 patients, free jejunal graft 7 patients and colon interposition 4 patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 31 patients (72%), and operative mortality occurred in 7 patients (16%). Pathologic stages were I 3, IIa 14, IIb 1, III 19, and IVa 6 patients. Tumor recurrence occurred in 16 patients (44%), and the 3 and 5-year survival rates were 29.3% and 20.9%. Conclusion: The reported surgical results for cervical esophageal cancer showed somewhat high operative mortality, postoperative complication rates and recurrence rates and a low long-term survival rate. It is suggested that multimodality treatment including surgery is needed for the treatment of cervical esophageal cancer because radiotherapy or chemotherapy without surgery could not relieve dysphagia or resolve the tumor completely.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.359-366
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• 2010

It was easy to find that children of a skeletal anterior crossbite in the early mixed dentition period showed a stark difference in the dental maturity between their maxillary and mandibular teeth, if they have stronger physical characteristics. If the difference of dental age between maxillary and mandibular teeth which can be identified via panoramic radiographs may serve as an early sign of class III malocclusion, this is considered valuable as a tool of early detection diagnosis. We obtained lateral cephalometric radiographs, panoramic radiographs, working model and clinical images of patients of Hellman dental age IIA and IIC who visited the department of pediatric dentistry, Pusan National University Dental Hospital and examined them to select 50 patents for normal occlusion group and skeletal anterior crossbite group, respectively. Their panoramic radiographs were used for the Demirjian's method to figure out dental ages of maxillary and mandibular teeth of each group and the eruption rate of the first molars. Their differences are as follows: 1. In both groups, the dental ages from Demirjian's method were advanced than the chronological ages. No sexual dimorphism was detected for the chronological or dental age in either group (p>0.05). 2. The difference of dental age of maxillary and mandibular teeth between the normal occlusion group and crossbite group was 0.22 and 0.69 years, respectively, with a higher difference in crossbite group(p<0.05). 3. Compared to the normal occlusion group, the crossbite group showed a higher difference in the eruption rate between maxillary and mandibular first molar(p<0.05).