• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.207-214
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• 2016

Purpose: The utility of N classification has been questioned after the 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)/Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) was published. We evaluated the correlation between ratio-based N (rN) classification with the overall survival of pathological T4 gastric cancer patients who underwent D2 lymphadenectomy. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 222 cases of advanced gastric cancer patients who underwent curative gastrectomy between January 2006 and December 2015. The T4 gastric cancer patents were classified into four groups according to the lymph node ratio (the number of metastatic lymph nodes divided by the retrieved lymph nodes): rN0, 0%; rN1, ${\leq}13.3%$; rN2, ${\leq}40.0%$; and rN3, >40.0%. Results: The rN stage showed a large down stage migration compared with pathological T4N3 (AJCC/UICC). There was a significant difference in overall survival between rN2 and rN3 groups in patients with pT4N3 (P=0.013). In contrast, the difference in metastatic lymph nodes was not significant in these patients (${\geq}16$ vs. <15; P=0.177). In addition, the rN staging system showed a more distinct difference in overall survival than the pN staging system for pathological T4 gastric cancer patients. Conclusions: Our results confirm that rN staging could be a good alternative for pathological T4 gastric cancer patients who undergo D2 lymphadenectomy. However, before applying this system to gastric cancer patients who undergo D2 lymphadenectomy, a larger sample size is required to further evaluate the usefulness of the rN staging system for all stages, including less advanced stages.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6131-6136
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• 2014

Objective: Epidemiology studies have reported conflicting results between glutathione S-transferase Mu-1 (GSTM1), glutathione S-transferase theta-1 (GSTT1) and glutathione S-transferase pi-1 (GSTP1) and ovarian cancer (OC) susceptibility. In this study, an updated meta-analysis was applied to determine whether the deletion of GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 has an influence on OC susceptibility. Methods: A published literature search was performed through PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Science Citation Index Expanded database for articles published in English. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated using random or fixed effects models. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the Cochrane Q test and $I^2$ statistics. Sub-group analysis was conducted to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis was employed to evaluate the respective influence of each study on the overall estimate. Results: In total, 10 published studies were included in the final analysis. The combined analysis revealed that there was no significant association between GSTM1 null genotype and OC risk (OR=1.01, 95%CI: 0.91-1.12). Additionally, there was no significant association between GSTT1 genetic polymorphisms and OC risk (OR=0.98, 95% CI: 0.85-1.13). Similalry, no significant associations were found concerning the GSTP1 rs1695 locus and OC risk. Meanwhile, subgroup analysis did not show a significant increase in eligible studies with low heterogeneity. However, sensitivity analysis, publication bias and cumulative analysis demonstrated the reliability and stability of the current meta-analysis. Conclusions: These findings suggest that GSTs genetic polymorphisms may not contribute to OC susceptibility. Large epidemiological studies with the combination of GSTM1 null, GSTT1 null and GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphisms and more specific histological subtypes of OC are needed to prove our findings.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.471-478
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• 1999

Spirochetes were isolated from the midgut of Ixodes persulcatus ticks captured at Chungju, Korea and identified as Borrelia afzelii strains by polymerase chain reaction. To determine the pathogenicity of the B. afzelii strains isolated in Korea, the microbiological and pathological features of Lyme disease were observed in C3H/He mice after intraperitoneal inoculation of the fresh isolate of B. afzelii strain. The results are summarized as follows 1) The Borrelia were detected in the tissues of heart, spleen, kidney, urinary bladder and knee joint within 7 days after inoculation of infection by dark field microscopic examination. The isolation rate from heart, urinary bladder and joint was significantly higher than the rate from spleen, kidney, and blood samples. 2) The Borrelia was detected in heart muscle by indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. 3) Antibody to the Borrelia was detected as early as one week after inoculation. 4) The marked tropism of the Borrelia was observed in myocardial, urinary tract and joint tissue. The main pathological features are inflammation in tissues of heart, kidney, joint and urinary bladder. From these results, the Borrelia afzelii strain isolated in Korea were determined as pathogenic strain.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.381-384
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• 2014

Background: Evidence indicates that Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) levels may be a biomarker for cancer risk. The aim of this study was to assess DKK-1 and its correlation with clinic-pathological features in patients with bladder cancer. Materials and Methods: DKK-1 levels were determined in serum samples from 90 patients with bladder cancer before transurethral tumor resection. The concentrations of DKK-1 were determined by using enzyme linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Elevated preoperative DKK-1 levels were associated with tumor stage (p<0.001), grade (p<0.001) and histological grade (p<0.001). Conclusions: The results of our study demonstrated that the level of serum DKK-1 is correlated with both disease progression and increase in the tumor grade. Preoperative serum DKK-1 elevation may thus represent a novel marker for the determination of bladder cancer and the detection of patients with a likely poor clinical outcome.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.99-104
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• 1984

Authors observed an outbreak of porcine pleuropneumonia at a piggery in Gyeongbug, Korea, which were diagnosed on the ground of clinical and pathological findings with the following results. 1. One hundred and forty weanlings out of 200 ones died suddenly without noticiable signs during the period of 15 days. All of the dead pigs showed formy, blood-tinged discharge from the nose and mouth. 2. Main clinical findings observed from 60 alive pigs from group consisted of fever, cyanosis severe degree of dyspnea and pleuritic friction rub. 3. On hematological observation for typical 5 cases leukocytes showed marked degenerative left shift with leukopenia (10500-13070/cmm), neutropenia (7-13%) and increase in the number of band neutrophils (6-27%). 4. The most prominent and constant pathological changes observed at necropsy for dead or alive pigs consisted of fibrinous pleurisy with partial adhesion, overlying of the pulmonary surface with fibrinous menbrane and necrotic pneumonic lesions with marked edema and congestion of lung parenchyma. 5. From these results the outbreak was considered to be typical porcine pleuropneumonia, although no bacteriological isolation was attempted.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.189-195
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• 2014

Purpose: This survey was to investigate the differences in smartphone addiction symptoms by the level of addiction among college students in S. Korea. Methods: Two hundred and thirteen university students survey data was collected from December 5th to 9th of 2011 using Smartphone Addiction Scale. 25.3% (n=54) of total respondents were categorized as highly addicted and 28.17% (n=60) were as non-addicted group. Results: There were significant differences in total addiction symptom scores, daily life disorders, loss of self control, pathological concentration, and compulsive symptoms between two groups. There were significantly differences in total addiction symptoms, daily life disorders, loss of self control, pathological concentration, and compulsive symptoms between two groups. Highly addicted group were significantly higher in total addiction symptom scores (3.26 times), daily life disorders (4.96 times), loss of self control (3.07 times), pathological concentration (3.07 times), and compulsive symptoms (2.86 times) compared to non-addicted one. Highly addicted group had significantly higher daily usages of smartphone and were more satisfied with smartphone than non-addicted group. The purpose to use was related to academic works rather than games or entertainment. However satisfaction on academic achievement was very low. Conclusion: The smartphone addicted symptoms related to academic works were significantly high in highly addicted college students so that it disturbed their daily life and psycho-social health in general. It is clear that the highly addicted college students need urgent distinctive interventions such as creative academic guides.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5505-5510
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• 2012

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study is to analyze the clinical and pathological factors related to the prognosis of Chinese patients with stage Ib to IIb cervical cancer. Methods and Results: 13 clinical pathological factors in 255 patients with stage Ib to IIb cervical cancer undergoing radical hysterectomy and systematic lymphadenectomy were analyzed to screen for factors related to prognosis. The cumulative 5-year survival of the 255 patients was 75.7%. The result of the univariate analysis suggested that clinical stage, cell differentiation, depth of cervical stromal invasion, parametrial tissue involvement, and lymph node metastasis were prognostic factors for patients with stage Ib to IIb cervical cancer (P<0.05). Compared with cases with involvement of iliac nodes, obturator nodes, or inguinal lymph nodes, cases with metastasis to the common iliac lymph nodes had a poorer prognosis (P<0.05). Cases with involvement of four or more lymph nodes had a poorer prognosis than those with involvement of three or fewer lymph nodes (P<0.05). Using multivariate Cox proportional hazards model regression analysis, non-squamous histological type, poor differentiation, parametrial tissue involvement, and outer 1/3 stromal invasion were found to be independently related to patients poor prognosis (P<0.05). Conclusion: Non-squamous histological type, poor cell differentiation, parametrial tissue involvement, and outer 1/3 stromal invasion are the independent poor prognostic factors for patients with stage Ib to IIb cervical cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3541-3547
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• 2013

Background: This cross-sectional observational study was undertaken to establish clinico-pathological characteristics of patients with gynecological malignancies, focusing mainly on symptoms, histological type and stage of the disease at presentation, in a tertiary care setting in Eastern India. Materials and Methods: In the gynecology out-patient clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Kolkata, India, the patients with suggestive symptoms of gynecological malignancies were screened. Their diagnoses were confirmed by histopathology. One hundred thirteen patients with histopathologically confirmed gynecological malignancies were interviewed. Results: The most frequently reported symptoms by the patients with histopathologically confirmed gynecological malignancies were excessive, offensive with or without blood stained vaginal discharge (69.0%), irregular, heavy or prolonged vaginal bleeding (36.3%) and postmenopausal bleeding (31.9%). The majority of the patients (61.0%) had squamous cell carcinoma on histopathological examination, followed by adenocarcinoma (30.1%). Nearly half of the patients (48.7%) were suffering from the Federation Internationale des Gynaecologistes et Obstetristes (FIGO) stage III, followed by stage II (40.7%) malignancy. Conclusions: This study highlights that most of the patients with gynecological malignancies present late at an appropriate health care facility. Ovarian cancer may often have non-specific or misleading symptomatic presentation, whereas cervical cancer often presents with some specific symptoms. These observations point to the need for increasing awareness about gynecological malignancies in the community and providing easily accessible adequate facilities for early detection and treatment of the disease by optimal use of available resources, i.e. strengthening the primary health care system.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.21-32
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• 2017

Purpose: Perioperative chemotherapy improves survival outcomes in locally advanced (LA) gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with LA gastric cancer who were offered perioperative chemotherapy consisting of epirubicin, oxaliplatin, and capecitabine (EOX) from May 2013 to December 2015 at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. Results: Among the 268 consecutive patients in our study, 260 patients (97.0%) completed neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 200 patients (74.6%) underwent D2 lymphadenectomy, and 178 patients (66.4%) completed adjuvant chemotherapy. The median follow-up period was 17 months. For the entire cohort, the median overall survival (OS), 3-year OS rate, median progression-free survival (PFS), and 3-year PFS rate were 37 months, 64.4%, 31 months, and 40%, respectively. PFS and OS were significantly inferior in patients who presented with features of obstruction than in those who did not (P=0.0001). There was no difference in survival with respect to tumor histology (well to moderately differentiated vs. poorly differentiated, signet ring vs. non-signet ring histology) or location (proximal vs. distal). Survival was prolonged in patients with an early pathological T stage and a pathological node-negative status. In a multivariate analysis, postoperative pathological nodal status and gastric outlet obstruction on presentation significantly correlated with survival. Conclusions: EOX chemotherapy with curative resection and D2 lymphadenectomy is a suggested alternative to the existing perioperative regimens. The acceptable postoperative complication rate and relatively high resections, chemotherapy completion, and survival rates obtained in this study require further evaluation and validation in a clinical trial.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.159-169
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• 2005

Objectives and methods: We investigated 17 books to study symptoms, pathology and acupuncture & moxibustion treatment of Hu-Ro(fatigue). Results and Conclusions: 1. The symptoms of Hu-Ro are the deafness, the amblyopia, the mass of sweat, the stiff joint, etc. There are also symptoms such as the fever of palm and legs, avoiding cold temperature in the afternoon, the fever during night time, the stomach fullness and diarrhea, the powerlessness of limbs, red colored urine. 3. The representing pathological mechanisms of Hu-Ro are Yang-deficiency(陽虛), Yin-deficiency(陰虛), Energy(Qi)-deficiency(氣虛), Blood(Hyul)-deficiency(血虛). The other pathological mechanisms are deficiency of Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lung, Kidney and the basic Energy. 4. The fundamental treatment of Hu-Ro is "warming on worned ones(勞者溫之), supplying on damaged ones(損者益之), strengthening the weakened ones(虛卽補之)" as basis and also supplying blood with fostering spleen(養血建脾) and droping fever with clearing the clogged(降火淸鬱). 5. The meridians that could be used in acupuncture and moxibustion treatment application of Hu-Ro are the urinary bladder meridian, the conception vessel meridian(任脈), governor channel meridian(督脈), kidney meridian(腎經), liver meridian, heart meridian, spleen meridian, lung meridian, stomach meridian, small intestine meridian, gall bladder meridian, pericardium meridian and triple-warmer meridian in order of frequently refered. 6. The meridian points that could be used in acupuncture and moxibustion treatment application of Hu-Ro are Joksamni (足三里:25times), Sinsu(腎兪:20回), Bisu(脾兪:19回), Pyesu(肺兪:18回), Qihye(氣海:17回), Gohwang(膏肓:15回), Kwanwon(關元:14回), Sameumgyo(三陰交:13回), Eumgeuk(陰郄:12回), Daechu(大樞:12回), Sinmun(神門:11回), Simsu(心兪:11回), Nyegwan(內關:10回), Jungwan(中脘:10回) in order of frequently refered.