• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.77 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2014

Background: This study analyzed the negative prognostic factors in patients who received second-line chemotherapy for advanced inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 137 patients with inoperable stage III-IV NSCLC who received second-line chemotherapy. The effects of clinical parameters on survival were analyzed and the hazard ratios (HR) for mortality were identified by a Cox regression analysis. Results: Sex, age older than 65 years, smoking history, cell type, T-stage, best response to first-line chemotherapy and first-line chemotherapy regimen were significant negative predictors in univariate analysis. The multivariate analysis showed that patients older than 65 years (HR, 1.530; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.020-2.297), advanced T stage (T4 vs. T1; HR, 2.273; 95% CI, 1.010-5.114) and non-responders who showed progression with first-line chemotherapy (HR, 1.530; 95% CI, 1.063-2.203) had higher HR for death. Conclusion: The age factor, T stage and responsiveness to first-line chemotherapy were important factors in predicting the outcome of patients with advanced NSCLC who received second-line chemotherapy. The results may help to predict outcomes for these patients in the future.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to describe a distinct subpopulation of azoospermic patients with isolated elevation of follicle-stimulating hormone (iFSH) and poor outcomes of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (microTESE). Methods: A retrospective analysis of microTESE outcomes was conducted among 565 patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Testicular pathology was assessed by the dominant histological pattern and Bergmann-Kliesch score (BKS). Descriptive statistics were presented for the iFSH subgroup. Inhibin B levels, the sperm retrieval rate (SRR), and BKS were compared in iFSH patients and other NOA patients. Results: The overall SRR was 33.3% per microTESE attempt. The median BKS was 0.6 (interquartile range, 0-2). Of all NOA patients, 132 had iFSH, and microTESE was successful only in 11 of those cases, with an SRR of 8.3%, while the total SRR in other NOA patients was 38.1% (p<0.001). iFSH had a sensitivity of 32.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 27.4%-36.8%) and specificity of 94.1% (95% CI, 90.8-97.5%) as a predictor of negative microTESE outcomes. Conclusion: Patients with iFSH may harbor a distinct testicular phenotype with total loss of the germ cell population and poor outcomes of surgical sperm retrieval.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.185-190
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to provide the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic type II SLAP repair in non-athletes, and to compare the clinical outcomes between those who had isolated type II SLAP lesion and those who had combined partial thickness supraspinatus tear that did not required a combined repair. Materials and Methods: From July 2005 to January 2007, 142 consecutive type II SLAP lesions were treated with arthroscopic surgery. The inclusion criteria for the study were; (1) younger than 50 years old; and (2) non-athletes. Exclusion criteria were; (1) prior surgery, fracture or combined recurrent dislocation history on the affected shoulder; (2) combined full thickness rotator cuff tear or PTST (>50% thickness) patient that needed repair; and (3) combined infection, arthritis or inflammatory disease. Remaining 19 patients meet the criteria. Among them, 13 had combined PTRCT that did not require repair (Group I), and 6 had isolated type II SLAP lesion without combined supraspinatus tear (Group II). The mean age was 36.7 years (29~49 years), mean symptom duration was 39.1 months (3~216 months) and mean follow-up was 19.0 months (12~27 months). In all patients, the range of motion of affected shoulder, pain and function visual analogue scale (PVAS, FVAS), the Constant score and UCLA score were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. Results: In group I, external rotation at side was decreased significantly (p=0.003),but there were no statistical significant change at the remains(p>0.05). And there were no differences between groups (p>0.05). At the final follow-up, all clinical outcome measurements improved after surgery with statistical significance (p<0.05): UCLA score, $22.8{\pm}5.2$ to $32.8{\pm}2.1$; Constant score, $79.4{\pm}8.6$ to $94.9{\pm}4.3$; PVAS $5.4{\pm}2.7$ to $1.1{\pm}1.4$; FVAS $63.2{\pm}15.3$ to $93.4{\pm}7.3$. But, in group comparison of the mean UCLA score and Constant score, there were no statistical significant differences between two groups. Conclusion: Arthroscopic repair of type II SLAP lesion provided good clinical outcomes in nonathletic population. Combined partial thickness supraspinatus tear does not seem to hamper the final outcome at minimal 1 year follow-up.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.5251-5256
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• 2016

Background: Diagnostic karyotyping analysis is routinely used in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) clinics. Categorization of patients into risk stratified groups (favorable, intermediate and adverse) according to cytogenetic findings can serve as a valuable independent prognostic factor. Method and Material: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted based on the patient records of newly diagnosed non-M3 AML young adult cases undergoing standard 3+7 i.e, Daunorubicin and Ara-C (DA) as remission induction chemotherapy. Diagnostic cytogenetic analysis reports were analyzed to classify the patients into risk stratified groups according to South West Oncology Group criteria and prognostic significance was measured with reference to achievement of haematological remission after 1st induction chemotherapy. Results:A normal karyotype was commonly expressed, found in 47.2% of patients, while 65% (n=39) appeared to have intermediate risk cytogenetics, and 13.3% (n=8) adverse or unclassified findings. Favourable cytogenetics was least frequent in the patient cohort, accounting for only 8.3 % (n=5).The impact of cytogenetic risk groups on achievement of haematological remission was evaluated by applying Pearson Chi-square, and was found to be non-significant (df=12, p=0.256) but when the outcomes of favourable risk groups with intermediate, adverse and unclassified findings compared, results were highly significant (df=6, p=0.000) for each comparison. In patients of the favourable cytogenetic risk group, HR?? was reported in 40% (n=2/5), as compared to 62.2% (n=23/37) in the intermediate cytogenetic risk group, 57.1% (n=4/7) in the adverse cytogenetic risk group and 28.6% (n=2/7) in hte unclassified cytogenetic risk group. Conclusion: Cytogenetic risk stratification for AML cases following criteria provided by international guidelines did not produce conclusive results in our Pakistani patients. However, we cannot preclude an importance as the literature clearly supports the use of pretreatment karyotyping analysis as a significant predictive marker for clinical outcomes. The apparent differences between Pakistani and Western studies indicate an urgent need to develop risk stratification guidelines according to the specific cytogenetic makeup of South Asian populations.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.96-105
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• 2023

Purpose: Mandibular advancement devices (MAD) are known to be insufficiently effective in all patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study aimed to compare the treatment outcomes of MAD therapy according to OSA severity and to investigate the risk factors for the lack of response to MAD therapy. Methods: A total of 29 patients diagnosed with OSA received an adjustable two-piece MAD treatment. Sleep parameters measured with the home sleep apnea test device, including apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and oxygen saturation (SpO₂), and daytime sleepiness using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were retrospectively assessed both before and after the MAD treatment. Results: The patients were classified into three groups according to AHI severity: mild (n=16, AHI<15), moderate (n=6, 15≤AHI<30), and severe OSA (n=7, AHI≥30). MAD therapy significantly improved the sleep parameters (p<0.001 for AHI and p=0.004 for minimum SpO₂) and daytime sleepiness (p<0.001 for ESS). Furthermore, successful outcomes (reduction in AHI>50% and AHI<10 events/h) were achieved in 83.3% and 71.4% of moderate and severe OSA cases, respectively. Of 13 patients with moderate and severe OSA, 10 were classified as responders and 3 as non-responders. The non-responders had significantly lower baseline value of SpO₂ (p=0.049 for average SpO₂ and p=0.007 for minimum SpO₂) and higher baseline AHI (p=0.049) than the responders. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that MAD is effective in the majority of patients with OSA of varying severities. The success of MAD therapy does not seem to depend solely on AHI severity. In addition to AHI, minimum SpO₂ may be a prognostic measure of the efficacy of MAD treatment in clinical dental practice.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.54-57
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• 2016

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation is one of the major steps of in vitro fertilization. The inaccessibility or non-visualization of developing follicles on transvaginal sonography (the preferred imaging method) may be misjudged as a poor response, resulting in cycle cancellation. It is necessary to scrupulously appraise proxy indicators for ovarian response, such as estradiol levels, endometrial thickness, and other individual clinical characteristics. This can prompt meticulous transabdominal ultrasound follicular monitoring and oocyte retrieval with the goal of averting cycle cancellation and improving treatment outcomes.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.9
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• pp.964-970
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• 2009

Neonatal seizures are generally not only brief and subtle but also not easily recognized and are usually untreated. In sick neonates, seizures are frequently not manifested clinically but are detected only by electroencephalography (subclinical EEG seizures). This phenomenon of electroclinical dissociation is fairly common in neonates. On the other hand, neonates frequently show clinical behaviors such as stiffening, apnea, or autonomic manifestations that mimic seizures, which is usually associated with underlying encephalopathy and non-epileptic seizures. Therefore, it might be difficult to confirm the diagnosis of neonatal seizures. Early recognition of neonatal seizures is important to minimize poor neurodevelopmental outcomes, including cognitive, behavioral, and learning disabilities, as well as the development of postnatal epilepsy. EEG is a reliable tool in the determination of neonatal seizures. Continuous EEG monitoring is essential for the identification of seizures, evaluation of treatment efficacy, and prediction of the neurodevelopmental outcome. However, there is not yet a wide consensus on the optimal "standard" lead montage for the continuous EEG monitoring.

• Oral Biology Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.216-221
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical outcomes of active periodontal therapy (APT) and supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) through loss of teeth in the Korean patients with aggressive periodontitis. The number of missing and residual teeth, probing pocket depth were examined in 33 patients diagnosed with aggressive periodontitis at the baseline and who had participated in APT and SPT for 3 years or more. A 20 and 3 teeth were lost during the APT and SPT, respectively. The mean tooth loss rate of 0.13 per patient and year. There was no significant statistical difference in clinical improvement between the smoker and non-smoker groups. Within the limitation of this study, APT combined with supportive therapy could decrease the risk of tooth loss in patients suffering from aggressive periodontitis.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.182-193
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• 2023

Presently, surgery is the only treatment approach for gastric cancer and improving the prognosis of locally advanced gastric cancer is one of the key factors in promoting gastric cancer survival benefit. The MAGIC study was the first to demonstrate the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in European countries. In recent years, several clinical trials have provided evidence for the use of NAC in Asian patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. However, clinical practice guidelines vary between Asian and non-Asian populations. Optimal NAC regimens, proper target populations, and predictors of NAC outcomes in Asian patients are still under investigation. Herein, we summarized the current progress in the administration of NAC in Asian patients with gastric cancer.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.221-227
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• 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of maternal age on fertilization, embryo quality, and clinical pregnancy in patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using testicular sperm from partners with azoospermia. Methods: A total of 416 ICSI cycles using testicular spermatozoa from partners with obstructive azoospermia (OA, n = 301) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA, n = 115) were analyzed. Female patients were divided into the following age groups: 27 to 31 years, 32 to 36 years, and 37 to 41 years. The rates of fertilization, high-quality embryos, clinical pregnancy, and delivery were compared across maternal age groups between the OA and NOA groups. Results: The rates of fertilization and high-quality embryos were not significantly different among the maternal age groups. Similarly, the clinical pregnancy and delivery rates were not significantly different. The fertilization rate was significantly higher in the OA group than in the NOA group (p< 0.05). Age-group analysis revealed that the fertilization and high-quality embryo rates were significantly different between the OA and NOA groups in patients aged 27 to 31 years old, but not for the other age groups. Although the clinical pregnancy and delivery rates differed between the OA and NOA groups across all age groups, significant differences were not observed. Conclusion: In couples using testicular sperm from male partners with azoospermia, pregnancy and delivery outcomes were not affected by maternal age. However, women older than 37 years using testicular sperm from partners with azoospermia should be advised of the increased incidence of pregnancy failure.