• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.5101-5106
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• 2016

Purpose: We aimed to establish an inflammatory prognostic index (IPI) in early and advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients based on hematologic and biochemical parameters and to analyze its predictive value for NSCLC survival. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of 685 patients with early and advanced NSCLC diagnosed between 2009 and 2014 was conducted with collection of clinical, and laboratory data. The IPI was calculated as C-reactive protein ${\times}$ NLR (neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio)/serum albumin. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the prognostic value of relevant factors. Results: The optimal cut-off value of IPI for overall survival (OS) stratification was determined to be 15. Totals of 334 (48.8%) and 351 (51.2%) patients were assigned to high and low IPI groups, respectively. Compared with low IPI, high IPI was associated with older age, greater tumor size, high lymph node involvement, distant metastases, advanced stage and poor performance status. Median OS was worse in the high IPI group (low vs high, 8.0 vs 34.0 months; HR, 3.5; p<0.001). Progression free survival values of the patients who had high vs low IPI were determined 6 months (95% CI:5.3-6.6) and 14 months (95% CI:12.1-15.8), respectively (HR; 2.4, P<0.001). On multivariate analysis, stage, performance status, lactate dehydrogenase and IPI were independent prognostic factors for OS. Subgroup analysis showed IPI was generally a significant prognostic factor in all clinical variables. Conclusion: The described IPI may be an inexpensive, easily accessible and independent prognostic index for NSCLC patients, useful for clinical practice.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3267-3272
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• 2015

Purpose: To retrospective assess the potential predictors for relapse and create an effective clinical mode for surveillance after orchidectomy in clinical stage I non-seminomatous germ cell testicular tumors (CSI-NSGCTs). Materials and Methods: We analyzed data for CSI-NSGCTs patients with non-lymphatic vascular invasion, %ECa < 50% (percentage of embryonal carcinoma < 50%), and negative or declining tumor markers to their half-life following orchidectomy (defined as low-risk patients); these patients were recruited from four Chinese centers between January 1999 and October 2013. Patients were divided into active surveillance group and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) group according to different therapeutic methods after radical orchidectomy was performed. The disease-free survival rates (DFSR) and overall survival rates (OSR) of the two groups were compared by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: A total of 121 patients with CSI-NSGCT were collected from four centers, and 81 low-risk patients, including 54 with active surveillance and 27 with RPLND, were enrolled at last. The median follow-up duration was 66.2 (range 6-164) months in the RPLND group and 65.9 (range 8-179) months in the surveillance group. OSR was 100% in active surveillance and RPLND groups, and DFSR was 89.8% and 87.0%, respectively. No significant difference was observed between these two groups ($X_2=0.108$, P=0.743). No significant difference was observed between the patients with a low percentage of embryonal carcinoma (<50%) and those without embryonal carcinoma (87.0% and 91.9%, $X_2=0.154$, P=0.645). No treatment-related complications were observed in the active surveillance group whereas minor and major complications were observed in 13.0% and 26.1% of the RPLND group, respectively. Conclusions: Active surveillance resulted in similar DFSR and OSR compared with RPLND in our trial. Patients with low-risk CSI-NSGCTs could benefit from risk-adapted surveillance after these patients were subjected to radical orchidectomy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.24
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• pp.10985-10989
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• 2015

Background: The capability for DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) repair is crucial for inherent radiosensitivity of tumor and normal cells. We have investigated the clinicopathologic significance of DNA repair gene expression in nasopharyngeal (NP) carcinoma. Materials and Methods: A total of 65 NP cancer patients who received radiotherapy were included. The immunopositivity to Ku 70, DNA-PKcs, MRN, RAD50, XRCC4, and LIG4 were examined in all tumor tissues. Results: The patients comprised 42 males and 23 females, with a median age of 56 years (range, 18-84). The expression levels of RAD50 (0,+1,+2,+3) were 27.7%, 32.3%, 21.5%, and 18.5%. LIG4 (${\pm}$) were 43.1% and 56.9% respectively. The 5-year OS rate of patients with LIG4 (${\pm}$) were 90% and 67.9%, respectively (p=0.035). The 5-year TTP rate of patients with LIG4 (${\pm}$) were 75.9%, 55.5%, respectively (P=0.039). Conclusions: Our results suggest the possibility of predicting the radiosensitivity of NP cancer by performing immunohistochemical analysis of LIG4.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.24
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• pp.10729-10733
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• 2015

Background: Adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a treatment option for prostate cancer (PC) patients after radical prostatectomy (RP). Although it can achieve a good progression-free survival rate, some patients still develop clinical metastasis. We here investigated risk factors of clinical metastasis in post-prostatectomy patients who received immediate adjuvant ADT. Materials and Methods: We identified 197 patients with non-metastatic PC who underwent RP at our institution between 2000 and 2012, followed by adjuvant ADT. The associations of various clinicopathologic factors with clinical metastasis (primary endpoint) and cancer-specific survival (secondary endpoint) were assessed. Multivariate analysis was conducted using a Cox proportional hazards model. Median follow-up was 87 months after RP. Results: Nine (4.6%) patients developed clinical metastasis and six (3.0%) died from PC. Eight of nine metastatic patients had a pathologic Gleason score (GS) 9 and developed bone metastasis, while the remaining one had pathologic GS 7 and developed metastasis only to para-aortic lymph nodes. On multivariate analyses, pathologic GS ${\geq}9$ and regional lymph node metastasis (pN1) were independent predictors of clinical metastasis and pathologic GS ${\geq}9$ was an independent predictor of cancer-specific death. Conclusions: Pathologic GS ${\geq}9$ and pN1 were independent predictors of clinical metastasis in post-prostatectomy patients who received immediate adjuvant ADT. Furthermore, pathologic GS ${\geq}9$ was an indispensable condition for bone metastasis, which may imply that patients with GS ${\leq}8$ on adjuvant ADT are unlikely to develop bone metastasis.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.176-184
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• 2019

Purpose: It is unclear whether adding concurrent chemotherapy (CT) to definitive radiotherapy (RT) following induction CT is a tolerable and cost effective treatment for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients aged 70 years or older with comorbidities. This study evaluated the actual clinical outcomes between concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and RT alone following induction CT or not in patients (≥70 years) in a single institution's clinical practice. Materials and Methods: A total of 82 patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC between 2004 and 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Their treatment tolerance and clinical outcomes such as overall survival (OS), locoregional recurrence (LRR), treatment toxicities and distant metastasis (DM) were evaluated. Early mortality rates were also evaluated as 4-month mortality after RT. Results: Fifty-four patients received CCRT and 28 patients received RT alone. Induction CT before RT was performed for 68.5% and 50.0% in CCRT and RT alone groups. Treatment tolerance was significantly worse in CCRT (p = 0.046). The median survival was 21.1 and 18.1 months for CCRT and RT alone, which was not statistically significant. LRR and DM were also not different. Most early deaths after CCRT were attributed to non-cancer-related mortality. Acute esophagitis of grade ≥2 occurred more following CCRT (p = 0.017). In multivariate analysis, a Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) of ≥5 and a weight loss of ≥5% after RT were associated with poor OS. The factors adversely affecting 4-month survival were a CCI of ≥5 and CCRT. Conclusion: There were no significant differences in OS, LRR, and DM between CCRT and RT alone treatment in elderly patients. However, there was a poorer tolerance and higher incidence of acute esophagitis in the CCRT group. Specifically, when the patients had a CCI of ≥5, RT alone seems to be reasonable with a low probability of early death.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.290-300
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• 2000

Background: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of EBT(Electron Beam Tomography) in the diagnosis of conotruncal anomaly and to determine whether it can be used as a substitute for cardiac angiography. Material and Method: 20 patients(11M & 9F) with TOF(n=7, pulmonary atresia 2), DORV(n=7), complete TGV(n=4), & corrected TGV(n=2) were included. The age ranged from 7 days to 26 years(median 60 days). We analyzed the sequential chamber localization, the main surgical concenrn in each disease category (PA size, LVED volume and coronary artery pattern for TOF & pulmonary atresia, the LV mass, LVOT obstruction, coronary artery pattern for complete TGV, and type of VSD and TV-PV distance for DORV, etc) and other associated anomalies(e.g., VSD, arch anomalies, tracheal stenosis, etc). Those were compared with the results of echocardiography(n=19), angiography (n=9), and surgery(n=11). The interval between EBT and echocardiography/angiography was within 20/11 days, respectively except for an angiography in a patient with corrected TGV (48 days). Result: EBT correctly diagnosed the basic components of conotruncal anomalies in all subjects, compared to echocardiography, angiography or surgery. These included the presence, type and size of VSD(n=20), pulmonic/LV outflow tract stenosis(n=15/2), relation of great arteries and the pattern of the proximal epicardial coronary arteries(16 out of 20). EBT proved to be accurate in quantitation of the intrapericardial and hilar pulmonary arterial dimension and showed high correlation and no difference compared with echocardiography, angiography, or surgery(p>0.05) except for left pulmonary arterial & ascending arterial dimension by echocardiography. LVED volume in seven TOF(no difference: p>0.05 & high correlation: r=0.996 with echocardiography), and LV mass in 4 complete TGV were obtained. Additionally, EBT enabled the cdiagnosis of subjlottic tracheal stenosis and tracheal bronchus in 1 respectively. Some peripheral PA stenosis were not detected by echocardiography, while echocardiography appeared to be slightly more accurate than EBT in detecing ASD or PDA. Conclusion: EBT can be a non-invasive and accurate modality of for the evaluation of most anatomical alteration including peripheral PS or interruption in patients with conotruncal anomalies. Combined with echocardiography, EBT study provides sufficient information for the palliative or total repair of anomalies.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.139-145
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• 1998

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of curative radiotherapy in the management of supralottic cancer. Materials and Methods : Twenty-one Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the supralottis were treated with radiotherapy at Gyeongsang National University Hospital between 1590 and 1994. Median follow-up period was 36 months and 95% were observed for at least 2 years. Results : Actuarial survival rate at 5 years was 39.3% for 21 patients. The 5-rear actuarial survival rate was 75.0% in Stage I, 42.9% in Stage II, 33.3% in Stage III and 28.6% in Stage IV(p=0.54), The 5-year local control rate was 52.0% for 21 patients. The 5-rear local control rate was 75.0% in Stage I, 57.1% in Stage II, 66.7% in Stage III, and 28.6% in Stage IV(p=0.33). Double primary cancer was developed in 3 patients and those were all esophageal cancers. Conclusion : In early stage(Stage I and II) supralottic cancer, curative radiotherapy would be a treatment of choice and surgery would be better to be reserved for salvage of radiotherapy failure. In advanced stage(Stage III and IV), radiotherapy alone is inadequate for curative therapy and combination with surgery should be done in operable patients. This report emphasizes the importance of esophagoscopy and esophagogram at the follow-up of patients with supralottic cancer.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.340-345
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• 2013

Background: This study aims to evaluate whether or not the method of right vertical axillary minithoracotomy (RVAM) is preferable to and as reliable as conventional sternotomy surgery, and also assesses its cosmetic results. Methods: Thirty-three patients (7 males, 26 females) with atrial septal defect were admitted to the Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic of Cukurova University from December 2005 until January 2010. The patients' ages ranged from 3 to 22. Patients who underwent vertical axillary minithracotomy were assigned to group I, and those undergoing conventional sternotomy, to group II. Group I and group II were compared with regard to the preoperative, perioperative and postoperative variables. Group I included 12 females and 4 males with an average age of $16.5{\pm}9.7$. Group II comprised 14 female and 3 male patients with an average age of $18.5{\pm}9.8$ showing similar features and pathologies. The cases were in Class I-II according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) Classification, and patients with other cardiac and systemic problems were not included in the study. The ratio of the systemic blood flow to the pulmonary blood flow (Qp/Qs) was $1.8{\pm}0.2$. The average pulmonary artery pressure was $35{\pm}10$ mmHg. Following the diagnosis, performing elective surgery was planned. Results: No significant difference was detected in the average time of the patients' extraportal circulation, cross-clamp and surgery (p>0.05). In the early postoperative period of the cases, the duration of mechanical ventilator support, the drainage volume in the first 24 hours, and the hospitalization time in the intensive care unit were similar (p>0.05). Postoperative pains were evaluated together with narcotic analgesics taken intravenously or orally. While 7 cases (43.7%) in group I needed postoperative analgesics, 12 cases (70.6%) in group II needed them. No mortality or major morbidity has occurred in the patients. The incision style and sizes in all of the patients undergoing RVAM were preserved as they were at the beginning. Furthermore, the patients of group I were mobilized more quickly than the patients of group II. The patients of group I were quite pleased with the psychological and cosmetic results. No residual defects have been found in the early postoperative period and after the end of the follow-up periods. All of the patients achieved functional capacity per NYHA. No deformation of breast growth has been detected during 18 months of follow-up for the group I patients, who underwent RVAM. Conclusion: To conclude, the repair of atrial septal defect by RVAM, apart from the limited working zone for the surgeon in these pathologies as compared to sternotomymay be considered in terms of the outcomes, and early and late complications. And this has accounted for less need of analgesics and better cosmetic results in recent years.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.25-35
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• 1999

Background : The treatment for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis(MDRTB) is encountered to be important clinically, but there are still a few reports about it all over the world. So, we evaluated the outcomes of only chemotherapy for the pulmonary MDRTB retrospectively. Method: We reviewed the clinical courses of 63 patients with pulmonary disease due to M.tuberculosis resistant to rifampin and isoniazid who were under follow-up between March 1996 and June 1996 after hospitalization at our hospital between January 1993 and January 1996. We performed cohort retrospective study for all these patient's records. Their regimens were selected individually and preferably included four medications that they had not been given previously and to which the strain was fully susceptible. Results: The 63 patients(mean age, 43.2 years) had previously received a median 5.1drugs. Fifty two(82.5%) patients responded to chemotherapy(as indicated by negative sputum cultures for at least three consecutive months) ; eleven patients(17.5 %) had no response, as shown by continually positive cultures. In a univariate analysis, an unfavorable response was significantly associated with greater number of resistant drugs before the current courses of therapy(relative risk 21.5 ; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.2-3.0; p<0.05). The mean period of follow-up was seventeen months. There was no relapse suooequently among the patients with responses. There was no death related to tuberculosis. Conclusion: In this report from National Masan Tuberculosis Hospital in Korea, multi-drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis responded relatively well to carefully selected regimens.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2013

Genome-wide association study was performed on data from 266 Hanwoo steers derived from 66 sire using bovine 10K mapping chip in Hanwoo (Korean Cattle). SNPs were excluded from the analysis if they failed in over 5% of the genotypes, had median GC scores below 0.6, had GC scores under 0.6 in less than 90% of the samples, deviated in heterozygosity more than 3 standard deviations from the other SNPs and were out of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for a cutoff p-value of $1^{-15}$. Unmapped and SNPs on sex chromosomes were also excluded. A total of 4,522 SNPs were included in the analysis. To test an association between SNP and QTL, GWAS for five genetic mode (additive, dominant, overdominant, recessive and codominant) was implemented in this study. Three SNPs (rs29018694, ss46526851 and rs29018222) at a threshold p< $1.11{\times}10^{-5}$ were detected on BTA12 and BTA21 for dressing percentages in codominant and recessive genetic mode. The G allele for rs29018694 has 4.9% higher dressing percentage than A allele, while the T allele for ss46526851 has 2.57 % higher dressing percentage than C allele. Therefore, rs29018694 SNP showed a bigger effect than the other two SNPs (ss46526851 and rs29018222) in this study. In conclusion, this study identifies three loci with moderate effects and many loci with infinitesimally small effect across genome in Hanwoo.