• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.337-343
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• 2016

Understanding of trafficking, processing, and degradation mechanisms of amyloid precursor protein (APP) is important because APP can be processed to produce β-amyloid (Aβ), a key pathogenic molecule in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we found that APP contains KFERQ motif at its C-terminus, a consensus sequence for chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) or microautophagy which are another types of autophagy for degradation of pathogenic molecules in neurodegenerative diseases. Deletion of KFERQ in APP increased C-terminal fragments (CTFs) and secreted N-terminal fragments of APP and kept it away from lysosomes. KFERQ deletion did not abolish the interaction of APP or its cleaved products with heat shock cognate protein 70 (Hsc70), a protein necessary for CMA or microautophagy. These findings suggest that KFERQ motif is important for normal processing and degradation of APP to preclude the accumulation of APP-CTFs although it may not be important for CMA or microautophagy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2010

Background: Preoperative chemotherapy has been adopted in our hospital as a standard treatment for non-small cell lung cancer patients with N2 disease. However, there have been cases of pathologic N2 disease that have been detected after curative-intent surgical resection. We retrospectively studied the outcomes of initial surgical treatment without neoadjuvant therapy in patients with unexpected N2 non-small cell lung cancer. Material and Method: Between January 1995 and June 2007, 225 patients were diagnosed with pathologic N2 disease after they underwent initial pulmonary resection without neoadjuvant therapy. Among them, 170 patients were preoperatively diagnosed with lymph node stage N0 or N1. We retrospectively reviewed their medical record and analyzed the outcomes. Result: The overall 5-year survival rate was 35.4%. The prognostic factors that were significantly associated with survival were no adjuvant therapy, histologic cell types other than adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, a pathologic T stage more than T1, old age (${\geq}$70 years) and no mediastinoscopic biopsy. During the follow-up, 79 patients (46.5%) experienced tumor recurrence, including loco-regional recurrence in 20 patients (25.3%) and distant metastasis in 56 (70.9%). The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 33.7%. Conclusion: Based on our findings, the survival was good for patients with unexpected N2 non-small cell lung cancer and who underwent initial pulmonary resection without neoadjuvant therapy. A prospective comparative analysis is needed to obtain more conclusive and persuasive results.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.113-117
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• 2001

Purpose : To evaluate effect of postoperative radiotherapy on survival and local control for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods : Ninety two NSCLC patients with N1or N2 involvement who were treated with postoperative radiotherapy following surgery with curative intent from May 1987 to October 1999 were retrospectively analyzed. Age of the patients was ranged from 32 to 78 years. According to TNM Stage, 35 patients had Stage II and 57 had Stage III disease. There were 49 patients with N1 involvement and 43 patients with N2 involvement. Fifty six patients were noted to have $T1\~2$ tumors and 36 patients to have $T3\~4$ tumors. Delivered total dose was ranged from 40 to 60 Gy. Majority of patients received 50 Gy or 50.4 Gy. Follow-up period was ranged from 9 month to 7 years with median follow-up of 26 months. Results : Overall survival rates at 3 and 5 years for entire group of patients were $46\%\;and\;38\%$, respectively. Corresponding disease free survival rates were $44\%\;and\;36\%$. There was significant difference in survival between patients with Stage II and Stage III disease ($50\%\;vs\;28\%$ at 5-year). Five year survival rates for N1 and N2 patients were $52\%\;and\;20\%$, respectively (p<0.05). These were $40\%\;and\;34\%$ for patients with $T1\~2$ tumors and $T3\~4$ tumors. There were documented local relapses in $13\%$ of the patients. For patients with N1 and N2 Stage, local relapse rates were $8\%\;and\;18\%$, respectively. Conclusion : Our study confirms that postoperative radiotherapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer improves local control. However, influence of postoperative radiotherapy on long-term survival is less clear. More effective systemic treatment to prevent distant metastasis should be investigated in future study to improve long-term survival.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.73-80
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• 2003

In order to obtain information on murine model for foot and mouth disease virus(FMDV) type Asia 1, we studied whether guinea pig was a suitable model for studying FMDV. Apparently healthy 3 months old albino guinea pigs and unweaned 3 days old Swiss albino mice were used for this study. Total of 8 guinea pigs were divided into the infected(n=5) and control(n=3) groups. The incubation period of FMDV in the guinea pigs were roughly 2 days and the viremia persisted for 3 days in the guinea pigs. Mice inoculated with the plasma from control guinea pigs did not show any sign of viremia. The plasma were titrated by virus neutralization test using suckling mice as an indicator host. The mean virus neutralizing antibody titers of infected guinea pig at 3 DPI, 4 DPI and 5 DPI were log$\_$10/2.16, log$\_$10/ 3.39 and log$\_$10/ 3.44, respectively whereas there was no neutralizing antibody titer in control group. The difference between the mortality pattern and mean virus neutralizing antibody titer of infected and that of control group at day 3, 4, 5 were statistically significant(p<0.0l).

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.422-428
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• 2009

Studies were conducted to identify the sources of resistance in mungbean recombinant inbred lines (RILs) in Thailand against mungbean yellow mosaic disease (MYMD). 146 mungbean RILs in $F_8$ series were evaluated in a field including resistant parent NM-10-12-1 and susceptible parent KPS 2 during summer 2008 under high inoculum pressure. The RILs were subsequently scored for disease symptom severity ratings (DSSR) using a new scale. Observations regarding DSSR and % disease index (%DI) showed that the tested RILs responded differently to the disease. A large number of RILs (132) were found highly susceptible, 12 were susceptible, 3 were tolerant and one was resistant. Overall screening results showed that three RILs, viz. line no. 30, 100 and 101 had minimum DSSR and % disease index thus they are good source of resistance to MYMD in spite of high disease pressure and can therefore be used directly as varieties to manage the disease in Thailand.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.1081-1092
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• 2021

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of the 16-week combined exercise on the blood dopamine concentrations, functional fitness and QOL in patients with parkinson's disease. To this end, 24 persons parkinson's disease in over 60 years old who participated in this study were classified in to the exercise group(n=12) and control group(n=12), and then the exercise group was twice a week for 16-weeks, 70 min per session combined exercise was applied. The test dada were analyzed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA, paired t-test, and independent t-test. The alpha level of .05 of significance. As a result, first, parkinson's disease who regularly participated in the combined exercise significantly increased blood dopamine concentrations(p<.001). Second, parkinson's disease who regularly participated in the combined exercise significantly improved grip strength(p<.001), arm curl(p<.001), stand up and sit down a chair(p<.001), 3m walk and come back(p<.01). Third, parkinson's disease who regularly participated in the combined exercise significantly improved QOL(p<.001). Thus, the combined exercise had the positive effects and may be helpful to increased the blood dopamine concentration and improved functional fitness and QOL.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.6001-6006
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• 2015

Background: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer related death with median survival ranging from 3 to 6 months for metastatic disease. Palliative chemotherapy has been the backbone of treatment in advanced stage and has evolved over time. Data pertaining to the disease are scarce from our part of the world where treatment poses a significant challenge due to lack of resources. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients presenting with stage IV pancreatic carcinoma at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan between January 2008 and December 2012. Data were collected using a pre-designed, coded questionnaire looking at patient characteristics, treatment given and outcome. Results: 101 patients were found to be eligible. Mean age was $56.7{\pm}12.8years$, the male to female ratio was 2:1 and most patients had a good performance status. More than half of the tumors were located in the head (57%, n=58) and almost all were adenocarcinomas (95%, n=96). Some 58% (n=59) received first line chemotherapy of which 49% (n=29) received gemcitabine-based regimens and 39% (n=23) received FOLFIRINOX. The median progression free survival for gemcitabine based treatment was 2.9 months (IQR=1.6-5.6) as opposed to 7.3 months (IQR=4.5-9.2) for FOLFIRINOX (P=0.02). Median overall survival was 4.9 months (IQR=2.3-9.5) for first line gemcitabine based treatment and 10.5 months (IQR=7.0-13.2) for first line FOLFIRINOX therapy (P=0.002). Patients on FOLFIRINOX had better survival across all subgroups. Inpatient admissions and dose reductions were more frequent with FOLFIRINOX but the difference between the two regimens was not statistically significant. FOLFIRINOX could be successfully administered as outpatient therapy to a number of patients. Conclusions: FOLFIRINOX remains a suitable first line option in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer with good performance status even in a resource-poor country where diagnostic and supportive care facilities may be less than optimal and cost is a limitation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.6
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• pp.493-500
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• 2012

Background: This study investigated the clinical characteristics and risk factors of the severity of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 infection in pediatric patients in Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do. Methods: Cases of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 in patients under the age of 18 years, confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, at Pusan National University Hospital and Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital from the last week of August 2009 through the last week of February 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Of the 3,777 confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) 2009, 2,200 (58.2%) were male and 1,577 (41.8%) were female. The average age of the patients was $8.4{\pm}4.8$ years. The total cases peaked during 44th to 46th week. Most of the patients were in the 5- to 9-year-old age group. Oseltamivir was administered to 2,959 (78.3%) of the patients. 221 patients (5.9%) were hospitalized, age an average of $6.7{\pm}4.5$ years. The average duration of hospitalization was $7.4{\pm}5.6$ days. One hundred cases (45.2%) had pneumonia. Risk factors for hospitalization included male gender, <2 years of age, and underlying disease. Children with asthma were at very high risk of hospitalization, over 20 times the non-asthmatic children (odds ratio [OR], 21.684; confidence interval [CI], 13.295~39.791). Likewise the children with neurologic deficits faced a 16 times higher risk (OR, 15.738; CI, 7.961~31.111). Ten of the patients (4.5%) were admitted to the intensive care unit, and eight (3.6%) required mechanical ventilation. Conclusion: Of the pediatric patients with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009, most of the patients were in the 5- to 9-year-old age group. Risk factors for hospitalization included male gender, <2 years of age, and underlying disease. The most common complication was pneumonia. The very high risk of severe morbidity in children with asthma or neurologic disease shows the critical importance of targeted vaccine coverage, special awareness and swift care by both guardians and primary care providers.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.207-216
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the risk factors among patients with depression with Crohn's disease. Methods: Data were collected by questionnaire from 276 patients who were diagnosed with Crohn's disease at a tertiary hospital located in Seoul. Measurements included patients' demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, depression level, and health-related quality of life. Data were analyzed using t-test, $X^2$-test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and logistic regression analyses. Results: The incidence rate of depression (BDI-II${\geq}$14scores) was 31.9% (n=88). Univariate analysis revealed that being a woman, school graduation status, economic status (low), BMI(<$18.5Kg/m^2$), disease duration (${\geq}3$ years), CDAI (${\geq}150$ scores), frequency of hospital admission (${\geq}2$), extra-intestinal manifestation (arthralgia, stomatitis), administration of 5-aminosalicylic acid, and disease related quality of life (SIBDQ<50 scores) were associated with depression. Multivariate analysis revealed that economic status (low), school graduation status, and quality of life (SIBDQ<50 scores) were more likely to report high level of depression. Conclusion: Future research should consider managing depression as an essential component of comprehensive care for patients with Crohn's disease. In addition, further research is needed to develop strategies to better improve quality of life among patients with Crohn's disease who are depressed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.606-612
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• 2005

Background : It has been reported that nontuberculosis mycobacterium(NTM) isolates account for approximately 10% of patients with a positive Acid-Fast Bacilli(AFB) smear. Therefore, it is necessary to consider NTM pulmonary disease when such a positive test is encountered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the etiologies and clinical characteristics of patients with NTM pulmonary disease who had been treated at a national tuberculosis hospital. Methods : The NTM isolates were recovered from the sputum or bronchial washing specimens submitted to a clinical laboratory of National Masan TB Hospital from August 2002 to July 2003. All samples were identified using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis method, which amplifies the rpoB gene. The patients were diagnosed with NTM disease according to the American Thoracic Society diagnostic criteria. Results : One hundred NTM isolates were recovered from 57 patients. Of the 100 isolates, M. avium complex(MAC) was the most common species, which was found 55%(n=55) of patients, followed by M. abscessus(n=25), and M. fortuitum( n=9). 26(45.6%) patients had NTM disease. Twenty-six (45.6%) patients had NTM disease according to The American Thoracic Society classification. The main organisms involved in NTM disease were MAC(n=19, 73.1%) and M. abscessus(n=5, 19.2%). The pathogenic potential was 67.9% in M. intracellulare and 41.7% in M. abscessus. The predictive factors related to NTM disease were a positive sputum smear (OR 6.4, p=0.02) and the isolation of either MAC or M. abscessus(OR 6.9, p=0.007). Fifteen patients(57.7%) were cured. There were no significant factors associated with the treatment success. Conclusion : There was a relatively high proportion of NTM disease in NTM isolates and the common species were MAC and M. abscessus. The predictive factors for NTM disease were a positive sputum smear and the isolation of either MAC or M. abscessus.