• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.189-193
• /
• 2009

Purpose: To report on the changes in the patterns of care and survival over time for esthesioneuroblastoma. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 42 previously untreated and histologically confirmed esthesioneuroblastoma patients seen between March 1989 and June 2007. According to Kadish's classification, 3 patients (7%) were stage A, 6 (14%) at stage B, and 33 (79%) at stage C. Of the 33 Kadish C patients, 19 and 14 patients were treated from 1989 through 2000 and from 2001 through 2007, respectively. Treatment included surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these methods. Chemotherapy was administered to 8 of 19 patients (42%) seen from 1989 through 2000, whereas all of the 14 patients seen from 2001 through 2007 received chemotherapy (p<0.001). No patient was treated by three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) from 1989 through 2000, however 8 of 14 patients (67%) seen from 2001 through 2007 underwent 3D-CRT (p<0.001). The median follow-up time for surviving patients was 6.5 years (range, 2.2~15.8 years). Results: The 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates for the entire cohort were 53% and 39%, respectively. The 5-year OS was 100% for Kadish stages A or B and 39% for stage C (p=0.007). For patients with stage C disease who were treated from 1989 to 2000 and from 2001 to 2007, the 5-year OS rate was 26% and 59% (p=0.029), respectively and the corresponding 5-year PFS rate was 16% and 46% (p=0.001), respectively. Intraorbital extension and treatment era (1989~2000 vs. 2001~2007) were found as independent factors for OS and PFS in a multivariate analyses. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that treatment era, which features a distinction in treatment modality and technique with the introduction of 3D-CRT, may be the cause of improved OS and PFS in Kadish stage C patients. To achieve better outcomes for patients with Kadish stage C, combined chemoradiotherapy, especially 3D-CRT, is recommended in addition to surgery.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.145-152
• /
• 2009

Purpose: We retrospectively studied the outcomes and prognostic factors of patients with locally advanced, unresectable pancreatic cancer who were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) or radiotherapy only. Materials and Methods: Fifty-one patients with locally advanced, unresectable pancreatic cancer (stage IIA~III) who recevied radiotherapy ($\geq$30 Gy) between January 1994 and August 2008 were reviewed retrospectively. The median radiation dose was 39 Gy. Chemotherapy consisted of gemcitabine, cisplatin, or 5-FU alone or in various combinations, and was administered concurrently with radiotherapy in 38 patients. Results: The follow-up period ranged from 2~40 months (median, 8 months). The median survival, and the 1-and 2-year overall survival (OS) rates were 7 months, 15.7%, and 5.9%, respectively. Based on univariate analysis, the baseline CA19-9, performance status, and chemotherapy regimen were significant prognostic factors. The median survival was 8 months for CCRT, and 6 months for radiotherapy alone. The patients treated with gemcitabine-containing regimens had longer survival (median, 10 months) than the patients treated with radiotherapy alone (p=0.027). Twenty-three patients were available to evaluate the patterns of failure. Distant metastases (DM) occured in 18 patients and regional recurrences were demonstrated in 4 patients. Local progression developed in 14 patients. We analyzed the association between the time-to-DM and the baseline CA19-9 levels for 18 evaluable patients. The median time-to-DM was 20 months for patients with normal baseline CA19-9 levels and 2 months for patients with baseline CA19-9 levels $\geq$200 U/ml. Conclusion: CCRT with gemcitabine-based regimens was effective in improving OS in patients with locally advanced, unresectable pancreatic cancer. We suggest that the baseline CA19-9 level is valuable in determining the treatment strategy for patients with locally advanced, unresectable pancreatic cancer.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.315-323
• /
• 2001

Changes in somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) which accompanied by insertion of foreign body in spinal canal were evaluated with clinical signs and positive contrasted myelography in dogs. Foreign bodies occupied 20∼50% of spinal canal. Foreign bodies occupying about 50% of spinal canal were inserted into the animals of group II and III for 1 week and 2 days, respectively. Foreign bodies occupying about 20% of spinal canal were inserted into the animals of group IV, V, and for 1 week, 2 days, and 8 weeks, respectively. in group I (control group), sham operation (lateral laminectomy) was performed. Group III, IV and V did not severely affect on SEPs latencies and clinical signs. Group VI affects on SEPs latencies but not on clinical signs. After foreign body removal, SEPs latencies showed similar recovery patterns with clinical signs. However, group II induced severe abnormalities in SEPs latencies and clinical signs. In group III, IV and V, thoracic potentials (TN1) were abnormally recorded after foreign body insertion and firstly/normally recorded on the 6th 9.5th and 3.5th day after foreign body (removal following) insertion. In group VI, TN1 was abnormally recorded after foreign body insertion and firstly recorded on the 7.7th day and normally recorded on 34th day after foreign body insertion. In group I, TN1 was not recorded from the 3rd day after foreign body insertion and until the 8th week after foreign body removal. In group I, TN1 was firstly recorded on the 1st day after laminectomy.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.43-52
• /
• 2015

The growth and population dynamics of eelgrass (Zostera marina) due to changes in sediment composition were examined in the lower intertidal zone of the Seomjin Estuary, Korea. We surveyed environmental factors such as water temperature, underwater irradiance, main types and organic content of sediment, tidal exposure, and nutrient concentrations in the water column and sediment pore water, in relation to the shoot density, biomass, morphological characteristics, and growth of Z. marina inhabiting lower intertidal zones. The survey was conducted monthly from May to December of 2004 and 2009. The water temperature showed obvious seasonal trends in both study years. Underwater irradiance was significantly higher in 2009 than in 2004. Tidal exposure was not significantly different between 2004 and 2009. The sediment was muddy-sand in 2004 but became sandy and with a significantly lower organic content in 2009. Water column $NH_4{^+}$ concentrations were significantly higher in 2004 than in 2009. Sediment pore water $NO_3{^-}+NO_2{^-}$ concentrations were significantly higher in 2009 than in 2004. Other nutrient concentrations did not differ significantly between 2004 and 2009. Morphological characteristics, including eelgrass length and leaf width were significantly lower in 2009 than in 2004. Eelgrass shoot height, leaf length, and sheath length showed typical seasonal patterns, increasing in early summer and decreasing in autumn, in both years. Vegetative shoot density was not significantly different between 2004 and 2009, while the biomass of individual plant parts and the total biomass were significantly lower in 2009. Eelgrass leaf productivity did not differ between years, but leaf turnover time was significantly shorter in 2009 than in 2004. Eelgrass downsizing and decreased turnover time in 2009 compared to 2004 indicate more effective adaptations to the stress of long-term changes in sediment composition. Overall, results suggest that changes in sediment composition can be a limiting factor for seagrass growth in the intertidal zone.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.7-22
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Nodular gastritis is a characteristic finding of Helicobacter pylori infection in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the difference in gene expression in the gastric mucosa of H. pylori-infected and non-infected children, and to analyze the difference in gene expression using cDNA microarray analysis of nodular gastritis caused by H. pylori infection. Methods: Twelve children (6 boys and 6 girls; mean age 9.8 years) who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital were included in the study. The subjects were divided into three groups according to the presence of H. pylori infection and nodular gastritis on endoscopic examination. Gastric mucosa tissue was kept at $-70^{\circ}C$ and RNA was extracted to perform cDNA microarray analysis in each patient. Results: cDNA microarray analysis in children revealed a clear distinction between H. pylori-infected and non-infected gastric mucosa. Specifically, 182 over-expressed genes and 29 under-expressed genes were identified in H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa compared to non-infected mucosa. H. pylori-infected nodular gastritis revealed different gene expression patterns from H. pylori-infected normal gastric mucosa; five genes were over-expressed and five genes were under-expressed. Conclusion: In the presence of H. pylori infection, gastric mucosa shows distinct differences in gene expression, and nodular gastritis with H. pylori infection in children may be associated with over- or under-expression of some genes. Further studies are required to clarify the host response and the pathogenesis of nodular gastritis in children.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.101-111
• /
• 2004

Purpose : This study was performed to observe the epidemiological pattern of M. pneumoniae pneumonia during the period from 1993 to 2002 and also to see some clinical characteristics of M. pneumoniae pneumonia during recent five years. Methods : We had performed a retrospective analysis of epidemiological pattern of occurrence in 682 patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia admitted to Department of Pediatrics of Han-il General Hospital from January, 1993 to December, 2002. Results : The annual ratio of M. pneumoniae pneumonia was compared with the total numbers of respiratory tract infection patients. The ratios were 19.1% in 1993, 13.0% in 1994, 5.6% in 1995, 12.8% in 1996, 18.6% in 1997, 22.6% in 1998, 1.1% in 1999, 13.3% in 2000, 9.1% in 2001, 6.0% in 2002, and 19.9% in 2003. The epidemics have occurred in 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2003 years showing 3~4 year intervals. The peak incidence of age was four to six years old(286 cases; 41.9%) and male-to-female ratio was 1 : 1.1. Monthly distribution showed a high frequency from August to December and the major outbreak occurred in November(119 cases; 17.4%), in October(106 cases; 15.5%), and in December(96 cases; 14.1%) in order of frequency. The most common symptoms were cough (660 cases; 96.8%), fever(569 cases; 83.4%), and sputum(522 cases; 76.5%) in that order. Leukocytosis was observed in 31.2% of patients based on a normal range according to the adjusted age. Increased ESR(${\geq}20mm/hr$) was noted in 42.5% of cases and CRP was positive in 37.8% of cases. On the chest X-ray examination, pulmonary infiltration was noted in 557 cases(81.7%), and the patterns of pneumonic infiltration were bronchopneumonia(78.0%), lobar(35.5%), lobular(19.2%), and interstitial pneumonia(28.7%). Complications were paranasal sinusitis(41 cases), acute otitis media(23 cases), pleural effusion(19 cases). cervical lymphadenitis(18 cases), and glomerulonephritis(1 case). Conclusion : The pattern of M. pneumoniae pneumonia from 1997 to 2003 noted 3~4 year interval with peak monthly distribution of October and November compared with 3 year interval and peak incidence of summer period before 1996.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.279-288
• /
• 2011

To suggest the weed management technique for environment friendly rice cultivation, we investigated occurrence patterns of weeds, the actual condition of weed management, and rice yield at the environment friendly agricultural complex located in Honam and Chungnam regions. The practical performance of weed management was relatively satisfactory in decreasing order of agricultural technique with golden-apple-snail (GAS) > agricultural technique with duck (Duck) > agricultural technique with rice bran (RB) > agricultural technique with soft-shelled turtle (ST). In the rice fields employed by agricultural technique with GAS, the dominant weeds were Echinochloa crus-galli, Ludwigia prostrata, Monochoria vaginalis, Sagittaria trifolia, and Aneilema keisak. However, E. crus-galli, M. vaginalis, L. prostrata, Aeschynomene indica and Bidens frondosa were found as dominant weeds at the fields using the Duck and E. crus-galli, M. vaginalis, L. prostrata, Polyganum hydropiper and Eleocharis kuroguwai at the fields using RB. In comparison of rice yield ($5.2\;MT\;ha^{-1}$) obtained from the conventional cultivation using herbicides, about 93% was reached by Duck, about 91% by GAS, about 92% by RB, and about 78% by ST. When rice qualities obtained from environment friendly rice cultivation were compared with those from the conventional cultivation, the producing rates of perfect kernel, immature kernel, immature opaque kernel, cracked rice, and damaged kernel were lower in the former cultivation, whereas contents of protein, amylose, and fatty acid were similar in the two cultivation methods. The problems found in the environment friendly agriculture were poor plowing and harrowing, carless irrigation management, and geological poor condition as cultivation area with cold water. These have caused severe infestation of weeds, frequent incident of disease and insect pest, and rice lodging. This resulted in reduction of rice yield as high as about 32 to 79% as compared with the conventional cultivation using herbicides.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.49-56
• /
• 1999

Purpose: Heart to liver ratio on T1-201 per rectal scintigraphy (shunt index) is known to be useful in the assessment of portal systemic shunt. We assessed T1-201 uptake pattern and early liver/heart uptake rate of T1-201 and correlated with shunt index in patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and liver cirrhosis (LC). Materials and Methods: Fifty eight patients with biopsy-proven chronic liver disease (35 with CAH, 23 with LC) underwent T1-201 per rectum scintigraphy after instillation of 18.5 MBq of T1-201 into the upper rectum. We evaluated hepatic uptake (type 1 : homogeneous, 2: inhomogeneous segmental, 3: inhomogeneous nonsegmental) and extrahepatic uptake of spleen, heart and kidney (grade 0: no uptake, 1: less than liver, 2: equal to liver, 3: greater than liver). We measured the early liver/heart uptake rate (the slope of the liver to heart uptake ratio for 10 min) and shunt index (heart to liver uptake ratio). T1-201 uptake pattern and early liver/heart uptake rate of T1-201 was correlated with the pathologic diagnosis and shunt index. Results: Hepatic uptake patterns of type 1 and 2 were dominant in CAH (CAH: 27/35, LC. 8/23), and type 3 in LC (CAH: 8/35, LC: 15/23)(p<0.005). The grades of extrahepatic uptake were higher in LC than in CAH (spleen: p<0.001, other soft tissue: p<0.005). The early liver/heart uptake rate of CAH ($0.110{\pm}0.111$) was significantly higher than that of LC ($0.014{\pm}0.090$)(p<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of the early liver/heart uptake rate were 77.7% and 67.7% in differentiating LC from CAH. There was negative correlation between early liver/heart uptake rate and shunt index (r=-0.3347, p<0.01). Conclusion: Hepatic and extrahepatic uptake pattern and early liver/heart uptake rate on T1-201 per rectum scintigraphy are useful in the assessment of portal systemic shunt in patients with chronic liver disease.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.99-108
• /
• 2004

Purpose: The ability to noninvasively track the migration of neural progenitor cells would have significant clinical and research implications. We generated stably transfected F3 human neural progenitor cells with human sodium/iodide symporter (hNIS) for noninvasively tracking F3. In this study, the expression patterns of hNIS gene in F3-NIS were examined according to the cultured time and the epigenetic modulation. Materials and Methods: F3 human neural stem cells had been obtained from Dr. Seung U. Kim (Ajou University, Suwon, Korea). hNIS and hygromycin resistance gene were linked with IRES (Internal Ribosome Entry Site) under control of CMV promoter. This construct was transfected to F3 with Liposome. To investigate the restoration of hNIS gene expression in F3-NIS, cells were treated with demethylating agent (5-Azacytidine) and Histone deacetylase inhibitor (Trichostatin A: TSA). The expression of hNIS was measured by I-125 uptake assay and RT-PCR analysis. Results: The iodide uptake of the F3-NIS was higher 12.86 times than F3 cell line. According to the cell passage number, hNIS expression in F3-NIS gradually diminished. After treatment of 5-Azacytidine and TSA with serial doses (up to $20{\mu}M$, up to 62.5nM, respectively) for 24 hours, I-125 uptake and mRNA of hNIS in F3-NIS were increased. Conclusion: These results suggest that hNIS transfected F3 might undergo a change in its biological characters by cell passage. Therefore, the gene ex[ressopm of exogenous gene transferred human stem cell might be affected to the epigenetic modulation such as promoter methylation and Histone deacetylation and to the cell culture conditions.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.543-556
• /
• 2009

Purpose: We studied the patterns of FDG uptake of primary papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMCa) lesions and benign thyroid nodules in dual time point $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT imaging. Materials and Methods: Consecutive 134 patients (154 lesions) with PTMCa and 49 patients (61 nodules) with benign thyroid nodules equal to or less than 1.0 cm who underwent dual time point $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT study before surgery were enrolled. We calculated the maximum standardized uptake value of PTMCa and benign nodules in both time points, and percent change of SUVmax (${\Delta}%SUVmax$) and lesion to background ratio of SUVmax (${\Delta}L:B$% ratio) between both time points. The mean time interval between scans was $23.4{\pm}4.4$ minutes (thyroid to thyroid interval: $10.7{\pm}4.4$ minutes). Results: The mean of SUVmax of PTMCa was increased from $4.9{\pm}4.3$ to $5.3{\pm}4.7$ (p<0.001) and ${\Delta}%SUVmax$ was $12.3{\pm}23.6%$. But, the mean of SUVmax of benign nodules was no definite change ($2.1{\pm}1.0$ to $2.1{\pm}1.3$, p=0.686) and ${\Delta}%SUVmax$ was $-0.3{\pm}20.5%$. Of the 154 PTMCa, 100 nodules (64.9%) showed an increase in SUVmax over time, while 19 (31.1%) of the 61 benign thyroid nodules showed an increase (p<0.001). The dual time point $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT found more PTMCa in visual assessment (62.3% vs. 76.6%, p=0.006), even in smaller than 0.5 cm (38.6% vs. 60.0%, p=0.011). Conclusion: Dual time time $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT imaging was more useful than single time point $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT imaging for distinction between PTMCa and benign nodule, especially when nodule showed equivocal or negative findings in single time point $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT imaging or was smaller than 0.5 cm.