• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.203-213
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• 2024

Backgrounds/Aims: The standard treatment for acute cholecystitis, biliary pancreatitis and intractable biliary colics ("hot gallbladder") is emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This paper aims to identify the prognostic factors and create statistical models to predict the outcomes of emergency LC for "hot gallbladder." Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted on 466 patients having an emergency LC in 17 months. Primary endpoint was "suboptimal treatment," defined as the use of escape strategies due to the impossibility to complete the LC. Secondary endpoints were postoperative morbidity and length of postoperative stay. Results: About 10% of patients had a "suboptimal treatment" predicted by age and low albumin. Postop morbidity was 17.2%, predicted by age, admission day, and male sex. Postoperative length of stay was correlated to age, low albumin, and delayed surgery. Conclusions: Several predictive prognostic factors were found to be related to poor emergency LC outcomes. These can be useful in the decision-making process and to inform patients of risks and benefits of an emergency vs. delayed LC for hot gallbladder.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8599-8604
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• 2016

Ovarian cancer is the main cause of mortality in gynecological malignancy and extensive studies have been conducted to study the underlying molecular mechanisms. The BRCA2 gene is known to be an important tumor suppressor in ovarian cancer, thereby BRCA2 alterations may lead to cancer progression. However, the BRCA2 gene is rarely mutated, and loss of function is suspected to be mediated by epigenetic regulation. In this study we investigated the methylation status and gene expression of BRCA2 in ovarian cancer patients. Ovarian cancer pateints (n=69) were recruited and monitored for 54 months in this prospective cohort study. Clinical specimens were used to study the in situ expression of aberrant BRCA2 proteins and the methylation status of BRCA2. These parameters were then compared with clinical parameters and overall survival rate. We found that BRCA2 methylation was found in the majority of cases (98.7%). However, the methylation status was not associated with protein level expression of BRCA2 (49.3%). Therefore in addition to DNA methylation, other epigenetic mechanisms may regulate BRCA2 expresison. Our findings may become evidence of BRCA2 inactivation mechanism through DNA methylation in the Indonesian population. More importantly, from multivariate analysis, BRCA2 expression was correlated with better overall survival (HR 0.32; p=0.05). High percentage of BRCA2 methylation and correlation of BRCA2 expression with overall survival in epithelial ovarian cancer cases may lead to development of treatment modalities specifically to target methylation of BRCA genes.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.42-51
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• 2007

Background and Purpose : To prevent ischemic cerebral infarction, it is very important to reduce risk factors which might cause stroke. However, the relationship of coffee consumption with ischemic cerebral infarction still remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of coffee consumption on the risk of ischemic cerebral infarction in Koreans. Methods : A case-control study was conducted from April 1, 2001 to July 31, 2004. Cases (n=435) of first incident ischemic cerebral infarction were enrolled and were mostly matched by age to stroke-free hospital controls (n=407). All subjects were interviewed, examined and had anthropometric measurements by using an organized questionnaire. The coffee consumption was classified by the average frequency of intake, being none, 1 cup/day, 2-4 cups/day, more than 5 cups/day. Odds ratios (ORs) of ischemic cerebral infarction were proved multivariate analysis after adjustment for demographic factors, diet factors, and vascular risk factors. Results : When adjusted for sex, age, and other factors, coffee consumption and stroke do not have a significant association. (${\leq}$ cup/day OR=1.035, 95% CI=0.880-2.756; 2-4cups/day OR=1.452, 95% CI=0.864-2.440; ${\geq}$ 5 cups/day OR=1.557, 95% CI=0.705-3.435) Conclusions : In this study, we conclude that coffee consumption is not an important risk factor of ischemic cerebral infarction in Koreans. Prospective and cohort study on the relation between coffee consumption and the possibility of inducing ischemic cerebral infarctions in Koreans will be required in the future.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.317-322
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• 2021

Diabetes is mainly evaluated by fasting blood sugar. The genetic and environmental factors influence the development of type 2 diabetes. In this study, the relationship between diabetes and family history of diabetes in Koreans was analyzed in consideration of body mass index and age. The study subjects were 4,274 subjects who received a medical examination at a university hospital. The main statistical analysis method was multiple logistic regression analysis. In addition, subjects were analyzed by dividing them by gender and the median of age and body mass index. Diabetes prevalence was 8.9% of all subjects, and subjects with a family history of diabetes were 14.5%. The risk of diabetes was 2.80 times higher in subjects with a family history of diabetes than subjects without a family history of diabetes. In addition, in younger subjects, the risk of diabetes was 3.36 times higher in subjects with a family history of diabetes compared with subjects without a family history of diabetes. In this study, the family history of diabetes was significantly associated with diabetes. The relationship between family history of diabetes and diabetes was slightly higher in the younger group than in the older group. In order to obtain an accurate assessment of the association between diabetes and family history of diabetes, further prospective cohort study in the future is necessary.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.6
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• pp.772-778
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• 2022

Objective : Endovascular treatment of large, wide-necked intracranial aneurysms by coil embolization is often complicated by low rates of complete occlusion and high rates of recurrence. A flow diverter device has been shown to be safe and effective for the treatment of not only large and giant unruptured aneurysms, but small and medium aneurysms. However, in Korea, its use has only recently been approved for aneurysms <10 mm. This study aims to compare the safety and efficacy of flow diversion and coil embolization for the treatment of unruptured aneurysms ≥7 mm. Methods : The participants will include patients aged between 19 and 75 years to be treated for unruptured cerebral aneurysms ≥7 mm for the first time or for recurrent aneurysms after initial endovascular coil embolization. Participants assigned to a flow diversion cohort will be treated using any of the following devices : Pipeline Flex Embolization Device with Shield Technology (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA), Surpass Evolve (Stryker Neurovascular, Fremont, CA, USA), and FRED or FRED Jr. (MicroVention, Tustin, CA, USA). Participants assigned to a coil embolization cohort will undergo traditional endovascular coiling. The primary endpoint will be complete occlusion confirmed by cerebral angiography at 12 months after treatment. Secondary safety outcomes will evaluate periprocedural and post-procedural complications for up to 12 months. Results : The trial will begin enrollment in 2022, and clinical data will be available after enrollment and follow-up. Conclusion : This article describes the aim and design of a multi-center, randomized, open-label trial to compare the safety and efficacy of flow diversion versus traditional endovascular treatment for unruptured cerebral aneurysms ≥7 mm.

• Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.373-383
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• 2018

Background: Several epidemiologic studies have suggested that the urine sodium excretion (USE) can be estimated in lieu of performing 24-hour urine collection. However, this method has not been verified in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or in an interventional study. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of estimating USE in a prospective low-salt diet education cohort (ESPECIAL). Methods: A new formula was developed on the basis of morning fasting urine samples from 228 CKD patients in the ESPECIAL cohort. This formula was compared to the previous four formulas in the prediction of 24-hour USE after treatment with olmesartan and low-salt diet education. Results: Most previously reported formulas had low predictability of the measured USE based on the ESPECIAL cohort. Only the Tanaka formula showed a small but significant bias (9.8 mEq/day, P < 0.05) with a low correlation (r = 0.34). In contrast, a new formula showed improved bias (-0.1 mEq/day) and correlation (r = 0.569) at baseline. This formula demonstrated no significant bias (-1.2 mEq/day) with the same correlation (r = 0.571) after 8 weeks of treatment with olmesartan. Intensive low-salt diet education elicited a significant decrease in the measured USE. However, none of the formulas predicted this change in the measured urine sodium after diet adjustment. Conclusion: We developed a more reliable formula for estimating the USE in CKD patients. Although estimating USE is applicable in an interventional study, it may be unsuitable for estimating the change of individual sodium intake in a low-salt intervention study.

• International Journal of Heart Failure
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.129-136
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• 2024

Background and Objectives: Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of hospitalization and death worldwide. The Steady Movement with Innovating Leadership for Heart Failure (SMILE HF) aims to evaluate the clinical characteristics, management, hospital course, and long-term outcomes of patients hospitalized for acute HF in South Korea. Methods: This prospective, observational multicenter cohort study was conducted on consecutive patients hospitalized for acute HF in nine university hospitals since September 2019. Enrolment of 2000 patients should be completed in 2024, and follow-up is planned through 2025. Results: Interim analysis of 1,052 consecutive patients was performed to understand the baseline characteristics. The mean age was 69±15 years; 57.6% were male. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 39±15%. The prevalences of HF with reduced ejection fraction, HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction, and HF with preserved ejection fraction were 50.9%, 15.3%, and 29.2%. Ischemic cardiomyopathy (CMP) was the most common etiology (32%), followed by tachycardia-induced CMP (12.8%) and idiopathic dilated CMP (9.5%). The prescription rate of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blockers/angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitor, beta-blockers, spironolactone, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors at discharge were 76.8%, 66.5%, 50.0%, and 17.5%, respectively. The post-discharge 90-day mortality and readmission rates due to HF aggravation were 2.0% and 6.4%, respectively. Our analysis reveals the current state of acute HF in South Korea. Conclusions: Our interim analysis provides valuable insights into the clinical characteristics, management, and early outcomes of acute HF patients in South Korea, highlighting the current state and treatment patterns in this population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.21
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• pp.9479-9485
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• 2014

Background: Cancer initiation and progression are controlled by genetic and epigenetic events. One epigenetic process which is widely known is DNA methylation, a cause of gene silencing. If a gene is silenced the protein which it encodes will not expressed. Objectives: 1. Identify the methylation status of BRCA1 in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC)and assess BRCA1 protein expression in tumor tissue. 2. Examine whether BRCA1 gene methylation and BRCA1 protein are associated with survival of epithelial ovarian cancer patients. Methods: The study design was a prospective-cohort study, conducted at Sardjito hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Results: A total of 69 cases were analyzed in this study. The data showed that the methylation status of BRCA1 in EOC was positive in 89.9%, with clear protein expression of BRCA1 in 31.9%. Methylation status and expression of BRCA1 were not prognosticators of EOC patients. Menarche, CA125 level, clinical stage and residual tumor were independent factors for prognosis.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.206-215
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to verify the predictive validity of Comprehensive Korean Frailty Instrument (CKFI) among older adults. Methods: A secondary analysis of data from a prospective cohort study was conducted. Frailty was determined in older adults (N=9,188) according to the data in 2008 and the effects of frailty on adverse outcomes (such as institutionalization and death) were evaluated according to the data in 2011. The Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) index was used to compare with the predictive validity of CKFI. Results: The prevalence of frailty was 26.3%. With the CKFI, the frail group had a higher risk of negative health outcomes compared to the robust and pre-frail groups after three years. The two of the highest risks identified using the CKFI and CHS index were institutionalization (5.522 times higher) and mortality (3.210 times higher). For both instruments, the survival analysis revealed that the risk of death increased as the degree of frailty increased. Conclusion: The CKFI consisting of self-report items and multidimensional aspects of frailty can be used as a simple instrument for assessing the frailty of older adults residing in a local community in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.215-219
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• 2019

Objectives: Postoperative paresthesia is a common complication after sagittal split osteotomy (SSO). This study aimed to compare paresthesia among different fixation methods one year postoperative. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study assessed subjects in four groups: class II with miniplate fixation (Group 1), class II with three-screw fixation (Group 2), class III with miniplate fixation (Group 3), and class III with three-screw fixation (Group 4). Paresthesia was evaluated one year postoperative based on a 0-10 visual analogue scale. Pearson correlation was used to evaluate associations of age and mandibular movement with paresthesia. ANOVA was used to compare paresthesia among groups. Results: A total of 80 subjects were enrolled, with 20 subjects in each of the four groups. The Pearson correlation test demonstrated a significant correlation between mandibular movement and paresthesia (P=0.001). Comparison of paresthesia among the groups showed significant differences among groups 1 and 2, 2 and 3, and 3 and 4 (P<0.05). Conclusion: The three-screw fixation method led to more paresthesia one year postoperative compared with miniplate fixation. In addition, the magnitude of mandibular movement had a positive correlation with paresthesia.