• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.2797-2801
• /
• 2014

Background: Endometrial adenocarcinoma is the most common gynecological cancer in the Western world and its incidence appears to be rising. However, population-based studies on endometrial cancer providing survival estimates by age, histology, and stage in Asia have been sparse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological data and survival for patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma treated at three institutions in Yazd, Iran. Materials and Methods: Medical and anatomicopathological records at the Department of Pathology and Radiotherapy of the Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Madar private hospital, between 2005 and 2012 were reviewed. All cases of endometrial adenocarcinoma were included. The Kaplan-Maier method was used for survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards model for multiple regression analysis. Results: The study included 84 patients. Stages I, II, III, and IV were identified in 65.4%, 21.5%, 11.9% and 1.2%, respectively. Disease-free survival rate was $73.9{\pm}3.77$ months (95% confidence interval, 64.51-83.22 months) and relapse occurred in 12.3% of the patients. The overall survival rate was $78.2{\pm}3.65$ months (95% confidence interval, 71.0-85.3 months). A multivariate analysis revealed that stage and grade were associated with overall survival. Conclusions: In this survival analysis of patients with endometrial cancer, we found that the prognosis of endometrial cancer was fair but strongly varied by stage and grade, and moderately varied by histology and age.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
• /
• v.5 no.1 s.9
• /
• pp.35-44
• /
• 1999

The purpose of this study is to find the bi-polar adjectives for rural stream landscape evaluation by the semantic differential scale and to suggest the major determinants of visual preference in rural stream landscapes. For this, the bi-polar adjectives for rural stream landscape evaluation was found by the method of the reliability test, and the spatial image was analyzed by the factor analysis. The level of visual preference was measured by slide simulation test, and these data were analyzed by the multiple regression. The major findings of this study can be summarized as follows : 1) Of the bi-polar adjectives expressing psychological and physical characteristics, the hi-polar adjectives which demonstrated reliability and consistency run as follows : Bi-polar adjectives expressing psychological characteristics : 'calm-bustling', 'unfamiliar-familiar', 'still-active','depressing-brisk', 'discomfortable-comfortable', 'suppressed-free', 'lifeless-living', 'quiet-noisy', 'unpleasant-pleasant'. Bi-polar adjectives expressing physical characteristics : 'artificial-natural', 'narrow-wide', 'rocky-not rocky', 'desolate-fertile', 'dirty-clean', 'enclosed-open', 'flat-steep', 'not gravelly-gravelly', 'thicketed-not thicketed', 'not weedy-weedy'. 2) Two factors, the harmony and the movement, were derived from the factor analysis for the psychological variables. Three factors, the naturalness, the rock, and the vegetation, were derived from the factor analysis for the physical variables. 3) Rural stream landscape types were classified into four types by the multi-dimensional scaling method. Type III, IV obtained higher rank of visual preference and type I, II obtained lower. 4) For all types, the factors determining the level of visual preference were found to be the harmony, the naturalness, and the vegetation. The visual preference determinants of rural stream landscape need to be considered in improving or restoring the rural stream landscapes.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.157-160
• /
• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out the correlation factors for prognosis of calcaneal fractures. Materials and Methods: 120 cases (feet) of calcaneal fractures, all of them followed up for more than 1 year after surgical procedures, consisted of 101 men (105 feet) and 13 women (15 feet) were reviewed retrospectively. The collected clinical data were as follows : injury mechanism, surgical procedures, time to procedure, time to work and the radiologic data: Bohler angle, heel width, displacement of posterior facet. AOFAS hindfoot score and VAS score were checked. With ANOVA test and multiple regression analysis, the data processed statistically. Results: According Sanders classification, type II was 37 cases (31%), type III 66 cases (55%), and type IV 17 cases (14%). On plane radiography, the Bohler angle improved to average 28.4 degree from 5.6 degree, and the displacement of posterior facet was corrected to average 1.2 mm. AOFAS hindfoot score was checked average 81.7 points postoperatively, and the meaningful difference existed between types of Sanders classification. The Bohler angle represented the outline of the calcaneus had the better correlation with the clinical outcome of calcaneal fractures rather than the anatomical reduction of the posterior facet did. And the width of calcaneus had good correlation with the clinical score. Conclusion: We should also concern about the outline of calcaneus, the width of calcaneus and the Bohler angle representing anatomical reduction, not only the acute reduction of the posterior facet.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.13-21
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to estimate the effects of lifestyle factors on metabolic syndrome (MS) among Korean adults ($age{\geq}20$). Methods: A total of 7,798 subjects (weighted subjects=37,215,961) were recruited from the 2009 Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV-3). Data were analyzed by t-test, ${\chi}^2$-test, and logistic regression in consideration of strata, cluster and weight as national data using the SAS 9.1 program. Results: The prevalence of MS by definition of AHA/NHLBI and waist circumference cutoff points for Koreans was 22.4%. The mean clinical MS score for MS patients was 3.4, but the mean score for the non-MS group was 1.2 out of 5.0. Among the lifestyle factors, smoking (OR=1.024), stress ($0.546{\leq}OR{\leq}0.587$) and drinking (OR=1.005) had significant influence on the MS risk and MS scores, but exercise did not. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that further research is necessary on the effect of lifestyle factors on MS risk and nurses should focus on effective programs about smoking, stress and drinking for the prevention and reduction of MS risk.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.1 no.3
• /
• pp.168-173
• /
• 2001

Purpose: A positive esophageal margin is encountered in a total gastrectomy not infrequently. The aim of this retrospective review was to evaluate whether a positive esophageal margin predisposes a patient to loco-regional recurrence and whether it has an independent impact on long-term survival. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of 224 total gastrectomies for adenocarcinomas was undertaken. The Chisquare test was used to determine the statistical significance of differences, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rates. Significant differences in the survival rates were assessed using the log-rank test, and independent prognostic significance was evaluated using the Cox regression method. Results: The prevalence of esophageal margin involvement was $3.6\%$ (8/224). Univariate analysis showed that advanced stage (stage III/IV), tumor size ($\geq$5 cm), tumor site (whole or upper one-third of the stomach), macroscopic type (Borrmann type 4), esophageal invasion, esophageal margin involvement, lymphatic invasion, and venous invasion affected survival. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that TNM stage, venous invasion, and esophageal margin involvement were the only significant factors influencing the prognosis. All patients with a positive esophageal margin died with metastasis before local recurrence became a problem. A macroscopic proximal distance of more than 6 cm of esophagus was needed to be free of tumors, excluding one exceptional case which involved 15 cm of esophagus. Conclusion: All of the patients with a positive proximal resection margin after a total gastrectomy had advanced disease with a poor prognosis, but they were not predisposed to anastomotic recurrence. Early detection and extended, but reasonable, surgical resection of curable lesions are mandatory to improve the prognosis.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.293-306
• /
• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify predictors of clinical efficacy of oriental medical treatment for patients with panic disorder. Methods: We analyzed medical records of 41 patients who were diagnosed with panic disorder through DSM-IV or ICD-10 by 2 oriental medical neuro-psychiatrists. We performed frequency analysis of demographic characteristics in patients with panic disorder, and assessed the correlation between the psychological scales by Pearson correlation. Repeated measures ANOVA were used to compare the psychological scales during the treatment; and Single regression analysis was used to analyze the factors that have correlation to improvement of panic disorder by oriental medical treatment. Psychological scales used in the study were STAI-X-1/2, STAXI-S/T, BDI2, BAI, BSQ, PAS, ASI, LOT-R, SWLS, LSES and LSMS. Results: Patients' demographic characteristics indicated that there were twice more female than male patients; furthermore, there was a high ratio of patients in their 20s and 30s, with the highest percentage of onset-age in the 20s and average duration of panic disorder from 1~5 years. More than half of the total patient cohort comprised of those who had panic disorder with agoraphobia and major depressive disorder; in addition, major accompanied symptoms were dyspepsia, chest discomfort and headache. After treatment, most scores of psychological scales were significantly reduced, and correlation between the psychological scales was significant. Furthermore, we identified some factors that were significantly correlated to improvement of panic disorder by oriental medical treatment. Conclusions: In conclusion, treatment of panic disorder with oriental medicine was clinically efficient and improved the quality of life.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.160-164
• /
• 2009

Notch signaling plays a crucial role in development of the nervous system. Neurodevelopmental hypothesis on etiology of schizophrenia has been implicated. The aim of this study is to determine whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Notch homolog 4 (Drosophila) (NOTCH4) gene are associated with schizophrenia. This study included 283 schizophrenia patients diagnosed according to DSM-IV and 301 normal control subjects. Control subjects without history of psychiatric disorders were recruited. Four missense SNPs [rs915894 (exon 3, Lys117Gln), rs2071282 (exon 4, Pro204Leu), rs422951 (exon 6, Thr320Ala), and rs17604492 (exon 18, Gly942Arg)] of NOTCH4 gene were genotyped by the direct sequencing method. Multiple logistic regression models (codominant, dominant, and recessive models) were employed to evaluate odds ratio, 95% confidence interval, and p value. For analysis of genetic data, SNPStats, Haploview, HapAnalyzer, SNPAnalyzer, and Helixtree programs were also used. Of 4 SNPs, rs2071282 was weekly associated with schizophrenia in two alternative models (codominant model, P=0.049; dominant, P=0.041). However, these associations were not significant after Bonferroni correction. At 4 SNPs, one linkage disequilibrium (LD) block was made. This block consisted of rs915894 and rs2071282. In haplotype analysis, AC haplotype was weakly associated with schizophrenia (dominant, P=0.04). This association was disappeared after Bonferroni correction. Our result shows possibility that some SNPs of NOTCH4 gene may be weekly associated with development of schizophrenia in Korean population. However, replication result by other population will be needed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.8
• /
• pp.3809-3813
• /
• 2012

Background and Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major health problem in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Our aim was to characterize the epidemiology of CRC in the Saudi population. Design and Setting: Retrospective analysis of all cases of CRC recorded in the Saudi Cancer Registry (SCR) between January 2001 and December 2006 amongst Saudi citizens in KSA. Patients and Methods: Data were retrieved from the database of the SCR. Descriptive statistics was performed using SPSS. Results: A total of 4,201 cases of CRC were registered in the SCR. The incidence of CRC increased between 2001 and 2006. The mean age of patients at the time of diagnosis was 58 years; most patients were above 45 years of age (n=3322; 79.1%). At the time of diagnosis, 977 patients (23.0%) presented with localized disease and 1,018 (24.0%) had distant metastasis. The most frequent pathological variant was adenocarcinoma (73%), with grade 2 (moderately differentiated) being the most common grade among all variants (61%). For all cancer grades, the frequency of CRC was significantly higher among patients >45 years (P=0.004), who presented with more advanced disease (stages III and IV) (P=0.012). Based on logistic regression, age >45 years was associated with advanced regional presentation (P=0.001). Tumor grade was associated with advanced regional presentation and metastasis. Conclusions: There was an increase in the incidence of CRC between 2001 and 2006. The age at the time of diagnosis was low when compared with reports from developed countries. A nationwide approach is needed to encourage and illustrate the importance of screening programs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.11
• /
• pp.7029-7032
• /
• 2013

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a very common cancer in Northeastern Thailand. Most CCA patients see a physician at a late stage when curative surgery is not possible. After diagnosis, they generally are treated by partial surgery/percutaneous drainage, chemotherapy and supportive treatment. Objective: This study aimed to assess the survival rates of CCA patients after supportive treatment. Methods: A retrospective cohort design was applied in this study. Data for 746 CCA patients were extracted from the hospital-based cancer registry of Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University. The patients were diagnosed (at least by ultrasonography) between 1 January, 2009 and 31 December, 2009 and then followed up for current status until 30 June, 2011. The cumulative survival rate was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and independent prognostic factors were investigated using Cox regression. Results: The total follow-up time was 5,878 person-months, and the total number of deaths was 637. The mortality rate was therefore 10.8 per 100 person-year (95%CI : 10.1-11.7). The cumulative 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 month survival rates were 59%, 39%, 31%, 24% and 14%, respectively. The median survival time after supportive treatment was 4 months. After adjusting for gender, age, stage, distant metastasis, histological grading and treatment, stage was a significant predictor of survival of CCA patients. Those in stage III and stage IV had a 6.78 fold higher mortality than the stage I and stage II cases (95% CI : 1.6-28.7). Conclusion: It is very important to encourage patients to see health personnel at an early stage.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.75-86
• /
• 2009

This paper studies examines the R&D efficiency in Korean energy industry by making multiple logistic regression of the product technological level with firms' endogenous technological efforts and cooperations for R&D between upstream and downstream firms. The technological level of Korean energy industry is analyzed to have been positively influenced by economy of scale effect and cooperations for R&D between upstream and downstream firms, but negatively impacted by firm size, and not impacted by competitive market structure, R&D investment, and R&D manpowers. The implications of this study are as follows: i) to heighten the technological level, domestic market would be transformed to be more competitive; ii) Korean Energy industry should make efforts intensifying R&D-related manpowers and investments; iii) although the firm size is analyzed to have negative impact on technological level, firms, lager or smaller, must be supported to accumulate technological capabilities; iv) R&D-cooperating efforts between upstream and downstream firms on the value-chain should be supported.