• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.9009-9013
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• 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy and adverse reactions of CT-guided radioactive 125I-seed implantation treatment combined with chemotherapy for platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian carcinoma. Materials and Methods: From September 2010 to December 2012, 23 patients with platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian carcinoma were enrolled. All the patients refused, could not bear, or were not suitable for surgery. They all had no more than 3 lesions, which were detected and could also be measured by CT. All were clarified as single-lesion or multiple-lesion groups. A total of 41 lesions underwent implantation of from 8 to 106 125I seeds (median=43). Multi-plane implanting was adopted and 125I-seeds of (0.4-0.7)mCi were placed at intervals of (0.5-1.0) cm. After implantation treatment, all patients underwent 4 cycles of chemotherapy with gemcitabine $800mg/m^2$ (days 1, 8 and 15). Results: The outcome was evaluated with CT 3 weeks and every 3 months after implantation treatment. After 6 months, the volume of 32 out of 41 lesions (78.0%) was reduced at least 30%, within which 9 lesions completely disappeared(22.0%). Complete response was observed in 7 cases (30.4%), with a partial response in 4 cases (17.4%), 4 cases stable(17.4%)and 8 cases showing progression (34.8%). The total clinical remission rate was 47.8% (11/23). The clinical remission rate was 77.8% (7/9) in the single-lesion group and 28.6% (4/14) in the multiple-lesion group with a significant difference between the two(P=0.036). The common side effects observed were mild gastrointestinal reactions. Conclusions: 125I-seed implantation combined with chemotherapy applies an effective way in the treatment of platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian epithelial carcinoma with the advantages of high local control rates, good short-term effects, little trauma and less side effects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6009-6014
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• 2014

Aims: To investigate changes in cellular immune function of patients with lung cancer before and after cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell therapy and to identify variation effects on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Materials and Methods:A total of 943 lung cancer patients with immune dysfunction were recruited from January 2002 to January 2010, 532 being allocated to conventional therapy and 411 to CIK therapy after a standard treatment according to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines. All the patients were investigated for cellular immune function before and after therapy every three months. and clinical prognostic outcomes were analyzed. Results: After six courses of treatment, immune function was much improved in patients receiving CIK cells therapy as compared to controls. The percentages of recurrence and/or metastases for patients undergoing CIK cell therapy was 56.2% and 49.1% respectively but 78.6% and 70.3% among controls (p<0.001). The median OS times for CIK cell therapy and control groups were 48 and 36 months respectively. The OS rates at 12, 36, 60, 84 months in CIK treated patients were 97.8%, 66.9%, 27.7%, and 4.1% while they were 92.3%, 44.5%, 9.2%, and 1.5% in controls. OS and PFS were significantly different by log rank test between the two groups and across the three immune improvement classes. Conclusions: The immune function of lung cancer patients was improved by CIK cell therapy, associated with an increase in the OS rate and extension of the time to recurrence and/or metastasis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.1863-1867
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• 2012

Background: Maintenance chemotherapy is one strategy pursued in recent years with intent to break through the chemotherapy plateau for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, given the toxicity, platinum-based combinations are rarely given for this purpose. We carried out the present prospective study of triplet platinum-based combination sequential chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC to investigate if patients could tolerate and benefit from such intensive treatment. Methods: From Dec 2003 to Dec 2007, 190 stage IIIB and IV NSCLC patients in Sun yat-sen University sequentially received the 3 platinum-based combination (TP-NP-GP) treatment (T: paclitaxol175$mg/m^2$ d1; N: vinorelbine25$mg/m^2$ d1 and 8; G: gemcitabine1$g/m^2$ d1 and 8; P: cisplatin20$mg/m^2$ d1-5; repeated every 3 weeks). Patients were followed up to at least 3 years to obtain survival data. Treatment toxicities and the quality of life (QOL) were assessed during the whole treatment. Results: There were 187 patients evaluable. The TP, NP and GP response rates with sequential use were 42.8% (80/187), 41.1% (65/158) and 28.8% (21/73) respectively. Median survival time was 18.2 months and the 1, 2 and 3 year overall survival (OS) rates were 78.7%, 38.5% and 21.3%. Patients receiving > 6 cycles of chemotherapy had significantly longer OS and TTP (MST 25.3 vs. 14.5 months, TTP 15.1 vs. 9.1 months). The QOL on the whole for the patients was improved after chemotherapy. Conclusions: The sequential chemotherapy strategy with triplet platinum-based combination regimens can improve the survival outcome and the quality of life of advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.20.1-20.18
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• 2020

Background: Olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, is an economically important aquaculture species in Korea. Olive flounders have been heavily damaged by streptococcal infections every year and are treated with antibiotics. However, antibiotic abuse is causing the emergence of resistant strains, and to overcome this, research has shown that new antibiotics must be applied. Tylosin is a relatively safe antibiotic and has good activity against Gram-positive bacteria and mycoplasma. We studied the therapeutic effects and side effects of tylosin on Streptococcus parauberis-infected olive flounder. Methods: After artificial infection of olive flounder with S. parauberis SPOF18J3, an appropriate dose of tylosin was confirmed by intramuscular injection (I.M.) at 2.5, 5, 10, and 15 mg/kg, and oral administration at 10 and 20 mg/kg. After I.M. and oral administration dosing of tylosin, side effects were confirmed by serological analysis, histopathological analysis, and median lethal dose (LD₅₀) analysis at both an appropriate concentration and a high concentration. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test (p < 0.05). Results: The appropriate I.M. and oral administration concentration of tylosin administered to olive flounder infected with S. parauberis SPOF18J3 was found to be 10 mg/kg. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were showed not significantly different between the control group and the experimental groups. The histopathologic results showed mild inflammatory responses in muscle and tubular vacuolization and tubular atrophy appeared, but there were no significant differences between the groups. The LD₅₀ was confirmed to be 461 mg/kg. Conclusion: In this study, an effective treatment method was provided by verifying the treatment effects and side effects of tylosin in olive flounder infected with S. parauberis, which can be applied directly to aquaculture sites. In addition, these results may be used as a reference for evaluation required upon request to obtain approval for tylosin antibiotics as fishery antibiotics in Korea. After approval, it is possible that a fishery disease manager will be able to prescribe and sell the antibiotic tylosin.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 1994

A retrospective analysis was performed on 55 patients with malignant parotid tumor who were treated with radiation therapy between March, 1979 and July, 1989. Of these patients, 8 patients received radiation therapy(RT) alone and 47 patients were treated with combined operation and radiation therapy(OP + RT). The follow-up period of the survivors ranged from 1 to 129 months with a median of 48 months. The common histologic types were mucoepidermoid carcinoma (25 cases), malignant mixed tumor(12 cases), adenoid cystic carcinoma(6 cases). The 5 and 10 year local control rate were 69.8% and 65.7% in all patients. In OP+RT group, prognostic factors related to local control were histologic grade, tumor size, lymph node metastasis. Resection of facial nerve did not affect the local control rate significantly(p=0.129). Distant metastasis developed in 23.6% of patients, mostly to the lung. Actuarial overall survival rate was 72.2% at 10 years and formed plateau after 5 years. Disease-free (NED) survival rate was 49.4% at 10 years and was better achieved in OP+RT group and low grade lesions. Based on our result, a well planned postoperative RT following parotidectomy is highly efficacious in controlling malignant tumors of the parotid gland and preservation of facial nerve.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2012

Objective : Intracranial meningiomas are primarily benign tumors with a good prognosis. Although WHO grade II meningiomas are rare (2-10%), WHO grade II meningiomas have higher recurrence and mortality rates than benign. We evaluated the patient recurrence rate and investigated the prognostic factors of WHO grade II meningiomas. Methods : Between 1993 and 2005, 55 patients were diagnosed with WHO grade II meningiomas in our hospital. WHO grade II meningiomas (n=55) were compared with other WHO grades meningiomas (I, n=373; and III, n=20). The patients had a median age of 48.4 years (range, 14-17 years), a male-to-female ratio of 26 : 29, and a mean follow-up time of 45 months (range, 3-175 months). Results : In WHO grade II meningiomas, only the extent of resection was a significant prognostic factor. Post-operative radiotherapy had no significant influence on tumor recurrence (p=0.053). The relative risk of recurrence was significantly higher in WHO grade II meningiomas with incomplete resection (10/27, RR=37%) than in WHO grade II meningiomas with complete resection (4/28, RR=14%) regardless of post-operative radiotherapy. In the incomplete resection group, Simpson grade III or IV had a significantly high risk of recurrence regardless of post-operative RT (n=3, RR=100%) However, if the degree of resection was Simpson grade II, the recurrence rate was similar to the complete resection group even though post-operative RT was not performed. Conclusion : Complete resection was the most powerful independent predictive factor of the recurrence rate in WHO grade II meningiomas. Post-operative adjuvant RT was not a significant factor in this study.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2020

Background: Exploratory study to investigate whether co-exposure to physical wrist stressors and chemicals is associated with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in French male farmers and agricultural workers. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 711 men aged 30-65 years and working as either farmers or agricultural workers in 2009-2010 within a cohort covered by the French Agricultural Workers' and Farmers' Mutual Benefit Fund. CTS and exposure to physical wrist stressors and chemicals were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Associations between CTS and personal/medical factors, exposure to physical wrist stressors, exposure to chemicals, and co-exposure to physical wrist stressors and chemicals were studied using multivariate logistic regression models. Results: Forty-four men {5.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.0-7.7]} reported that they had suffered from unilateral/bilateral CTS during the last 12 months. CTS was associated with age, current smoking [odds ratio (OR) = 2.1 (1.0-4.5)], and exposure to physical wrist stressors [OR = 2.6 (1.1-5.9)]. An association was found between CTS and co-exposure to physical wrist stressors and chemicals [OR = 3.3 (0.8-14.3), p = 0.044] in comparison with the no-exposure group. Conclusions: This exploratory study shows an association of CTS with exposure to biomechanical wrist stressors in male farmers and agricultural workers and suggests an association of CTS with co-exposure to physical wrist stressors and chemicals. Owing to the limitations of the study, this result must be confirmed by a prospective study with objective assessments of the outcome and exposure before drawing conclusions on the possible synergistic effects of mechanical stressors and chemicals on the impairment of the median nerve.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.269-277
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• 2008

Siberian flying squirrel, an endangered species in South Korea, is distributed through major mountain regions of South Korea. The number of Siberian flying squirrel(Pteromys volans) in South Korea has decreased and their habitats are fragmented and isolated because of anthropogenic activities. So far no molecular genetic data has, however, been available for their conservation and management. To obtain better information concerning genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the Siberian flying squirrel in South Korea, we examined 14 individuals from South Korea, 7 individuals from Russia, and 5 individuals from northeastern China along with previously published 29 haplotypes for 1,140 bp of the mtDNA cytochrome b gene. The 14 new individuals from South Korea had 7 haplotypes which were not observed in the regions of Russia and Hokkaido. The level of genetic diversity(0.616%) in the South Korean population was lower than that in eastern Russia(0.950%). The geographical distribution of mtDNA haplotypes and reduced median network confirmed that there are three major lineages of Siberian flying squirrel, occupying; Far Eastern, northern Eurasia, and the island of Hokkaido. The South Korean population only slightly distinct from the Eurasia, and eastern Russian population, and is part of the lineage Far Eastern. Based on these, we suggest that the South Korean population could be considered to belong to one partial ESU(Far Eastern) of three partial ESUs but a different management unit. However, the conservation priorities should be reconfirmed by nuclear genetic marker and ecological data.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.190-195
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• 2016

Purpose: Severe aplastic anemia (SAA), a fatal disease, requires multiple transfusion, immunosuppressive therapy, and finally, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as the definitive treatment. We hypothesized that iron overloading associated with multiple transfusions and HSCT-related complications may adversely affect cardiac function. Left ventricular (LV) function was assessed in children after HSCT for SAA. Methods: Forty-six consecutive patients with a median age of 9.8 years (range, 1.5-18 years), who received HSCT for SAA and who underwent comprehensive echocardiography before and after HSCT, were included in this study. The data of LV functional parameters obtained using conventional echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) were collected from pre- and post-HSCT echocardiography. These data were compared to those of 40 age-matched normal controls. Results: In patients, the LV ejection fraction, shortening fraction, end-diastolic dimension, mitral early diastolic E velocity, TDI mitral septal E' velocity, and STE LV longitudinal systolic strain rate (SSR) decreased significantly after HSCT. Compared to normal controls, patients had significantly lower post-HSCT early diastolic E velocity and E/A ratio. On STE, patients had significantly decreased LV deformational parameters including LV longitudinal systolic strain (SS), SSR, and diastolic SR (DSR), and circumferential SS and DSR. Serum ferritin levels showed weak but significant correlations (P<0.05) with LV longitudinal SS and SSR and circumferential SS and DSR. Conclusion: Subclinical LV dysfunction is evident in patients after HSCT for SAA, and was associated with increased iron load. Serial monitoring of cardiac function is mandatory in this population.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.1 s.52
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• pp.45-56
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• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate seasonal distributions of fine particles ($PM_{2.5}$) and associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at three cities. $PM_{2.5}$ samples were collected on glass fiber filters at urban (Chuncheon), metropolitan (Seoul), and industrial complex sites (Ulsan) from September, 2002 to February, 2004 using the Andersen FH 95 Particulate Sampler. About five 24-hour samples were collected from each site per season. The filters were analyzed for mass and six selected PAHs concentrations. $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were the highest either in winter or spring, which could be attributed to the increase of fossil fuel combustion in winter or the transport of yellow sand to the Korean peninsula from China in spring, respectively. Regional $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were higher in the order of Seoul>Chuncheon>Ulsan without statistical difference among cities. The filters were extracted using dichloromethane in an ultrasonicator and analyzed for six PAHs (anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, and benzo[a]pyrene) with HPLC. Total PAHs concentrations were statistically different among seasons in each site, and the highest concentrations were observed in winter at each sampling site. For total samples collected, the median total PAHs concentrations in Chuncheon ($4.6ng/m^3$) and Seoul ($4.4ng/m^3$) were approximately two times higher than that in Ulsan ($2.1ng/m^3$). Chrysene was a component found in the highest proportion among total PAHs at each site. Carcinogenic risks calculated based on the BaP toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) over the whole sampling period were higher in the order of Chuncheon>Seoul>Ulsan. This study suggests that the atmosphere of Chuncheon is contaminated with particulate matter and PAHs at the levels equivalent to those of Seoul and that an appropriate measure needs to be taken to mitigate human health risks from inhalation exposure to airborne fine particles.