• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.223-228
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• 2012

This study was designed to adopt two estrus synchronization protocols in zebu and crossbred heifers and their effects on pregnancy rate after timed artificial insemination (TAI). A number of 120 cyclic heifers were allotted for two different treatment groups and one control group. Heifers under protocol A were injected with GnRH at first day followed by a single dose of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ at Day 11 and injection of GnRH at the day of AI; and heifers belonged to protocol B were treated with GnRH, two $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ injections at 11 days apart and injection of GnRH at AI. AI was done at fixed time (within 72~96 hours after $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ injection) in both protocols and pregnancy was confirmed by rectal palpation on 80~120 days of post AI. In control group; local heifers were conceived higher (30%) proportion than that of crossbred heifers (25%; p<0.05). In protocol A, the local breed were conceived higher (38.9%) proportion compared with crossbred (25%; p<0.05). In protocol B, local breed heifers were conceived higher (38.9%) proportion compared with crossbred heifers (33.3%; p<0.05). The overall pregnancy rate in protocol A and protocol B was 33.3% and 36.6%, respectively. The proportion of pregnancy rate of local heifers (38.9%; Protocol A) was significant (p<0.05) in comparison with local heifers (30%) in control group (p<0.05). The overall pregnancy rate between pooled control group (28.3%) and treatment group (35%) was significantly (p<0.05) differ from each other's. Results of present study concluded that estrus synchronization followed by fixed time AI could be applied for higher pregnancy rate in zebu and crossbred heifers.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.265-270
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• 1991

Colorectal cancer is the second most frequent malignant tumor in the United States and fourth most frequent tumor in Korea. Surgery has been used as a primary treatment modality but reported overall survivals after curative resection were from $20\%\;to\;50\%$. Local recurrence is the most common failure in the treatment of locally advanced colorectal cancer. Once recurrence has developed, surgery has rarely the role and the five year survival of locally advanced rectal cancer is less than $5\%$, in spite of massive combination therapy. Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) with or without external beam irradiation has been advocated for reducing local recurrence and improving survival. The recent report of local failure by this modality was only $5\%$, this indicated that significant improvement of local control could be achieved. We performed 6 cases of IORT for locally advanced colorectal cancer which is the first experience in Korea. Patient's eligibility, treatment applicator, electron energy, dose distribution on the surface and depth within the treatment field and detailed skills are discussed. We hope that our IORT protocol can reduce local failure and increase the long term survival significantly.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2015

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite with a broad range of intermediate hosts. Chickens as important food-producing animals can also serve as intermediate hosts. To date, experimental studies on the pathogenicity of T. gondii in broiler chickens were rarely reported. The objective of the present study was to compare the pathogenicity of 5 different T. gondii strains (RH, CN, JS, CAT2, and CAT3) from various host species origin in 10-day-old chickens. Each group of chickens was infected intraperitoneally with $5{\times}10^8$, $1{\times}10^8$, $1{\times}10^7$, and $1{\times}10^6$ tachyzoites of the 5 strains, respectively. The negative control group was mockly inoculated with PBS alone. After infection, clinical symptoms and rectal temperatures of all the chickens were checked daily. Dead chickens during acute phage of the infection were checked for T. gondii tachyzoites by microscope, while living cases were checked for T. gondii infection at day 53 post-inoculation (PI) by PCR method. Histopathological sections were used to observe the pathological changes in the dead chickens and the living animals at day 53 PI. No significant differences were found in survival periods, histopathological findings, and clinical symptoms among the chickens infected with the RH, CN, CAT2, and CAT3 strains. Histopathological findings and clinical symptoms of the JS (chicken origin) group were similar to the others. However, average survival times of infected chickens of the JS group inoculated with $5{\times}10^8$ and $1{\times}10^8$ tachyzoites were 30.0 and 188.4 hr, respectively, significantly shorter than those of the other 4 mammalian isolates. Chickens exposed to $10^8$ of T. gondii tachyzoites and higher showed acute signs of toxoplasmosis, and the lesions were relatively more severe than those exposed to lower doses. The results indicated that the pathogenicity of JS strain was comparatively stronger to the chicken, and the pathogenicity was dose-dependent.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.163-179
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• 2022

Although functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are very common in pediatric patients, there is a scarcity of published epidemiologic data, characteristics, and management patterns from Saudi Arabia, which is the 2nd largest Arabic country in terms of area and the 6th largest Arabic country in terms of population, with 10% of its population aged <5 years. Functional constipation (FC) is an FGID that has shown a rising prevalence among Saudi infants and children in the last few years, which urges us to update our clinical practices. Nine pediatric consultants attended two advisory board meetings to discuss and address current challenges, provide solutions, and reach a Saudi national consensus for the management of pediatric constipation. The pediatric consultants agreed that pediatricians should pay attention to any alarming signs (red flags) found during history taking or physical examinations. They also agreed that the Rome IV criteria are the gold standard for the diagnosis of pediatric FC. Different therapeutic options are available for pediatric patients with FC. Dietary treatment is recommended for infants with constipation for up to six months of age. When non-pharmacological interventions fail to improve FC symptoms, pharmacological treatment with laxatives is indicated. First, the treatment is aimed at disimpaction to remove fecal masses. This is achieved by administering a high dose of oral polyethylene glycol (PEG) or lactulose for a few days. Subsequently, maintenance therapy with PEG should be initiated to prevent the re-accumulation of feces. In addition to PEG, several other options may be used, such as Mg-rich formulas or stimulant laxatives. However, rectal enemas and suppositories are usually reserved for cases that require acute pain relief. In contrast, infant formulas that contain prebiotics or probiotics have not been shown to be effective in infant constipation, while the use of partially hydrolyzed formula is inconclusive. These clinical practice recommendations are intended to be adopted by pediatricians and primary care physicians across Saudi Arabia.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.359-368
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• 1995

Purpose : This is a retrospective analysis for pattern of failure, survival rate and prognostic factors of 114 patients with histologically proven invasive cancer of the uterine cervix treated with definitive irradiation. Materials and Methods : One hundred fourteen patients with invasive carcinoma of the cervix were treated with a combination of intracavitary irradiation using Fletcher-Suit applicator and external beam irradiation by 6MV X-ray at the Ewha Womans University Hospital between March 1982 and Mar 1990. The median age was 53 years(range:30-77 years). FIGO stage distribution was 19 for IB, 23 for IIA, 42 for IIB, 12 for IIIA and 18 for IIIB. Summation dose of external beam and intracavitary irradiation to point A was 80-90 Gy(median:8580 cGy) in early stage(IB-IIA) and 85-100 Gy(median:8850 cGy) in advanced stage(IIB-IIIB). Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the survival rate and multivariate analysis for progrostic factors was performed using the Log likelihood for Weibull Results : The pelvic failure rates by stage were $10.5{\%}$ for IB. $8.7{\%}$ for IIA, $23.8{\%}$ for IIB, $50.0{\%}$ for IIIA and $38.9{\%}$ for IIIB. The rate of distant metastasis by stage were $0{\%}$ for IB, $8.7{\%}$ for IIA, $4.8{\%}$ for IIB. $0{\%}$ for IIIA and $11.1{\%}$ for IIIB. The time of failure was from 3 to 50 months and with median of 15 months after completion of radiation therapy. There was no significant coorelation between dose to point A($\leq$90 Gy vs >90 Gy) and pelvic tumor control(P>0.05). Incidence rates of grade 2 rectal and bladder complications were $3.5{\%}$(4/114) and $7{\%}$(8/114), respectively and 1 patient had sigmoid colon obstruction and 1 patient had severe cystitis. Overall 5-year survival rate was $70.5{\%}$ and disease-free survival rate was $53.6{\%}$. Overall 5-year survival rate by stage was $100{\%}$ for IB, $76.9{\%}$ for IIA, $77.6{\%}$ for IIB $87.5{\%}$ for IIIA and $69.1{\%}$ for IIIB. Five-rear disease-free survival rate by stage was $81.3{\%}$ for IB, $67.9{\%}$ for IIA, $46.8{\%}$ for IIB, $45.4{\%}$ for IIIA and $34.4{\%}$ for IIIB. The prognostic factors for disease-free survival rate by multivariate analysis was performance status(p= 0.0063) and response rate after completion of radiation therapy(p= 0.0026) but stage, age and radiation dose to point A were not siginificant. Conclusion : The result of radiation therapy for early stage of the uterine cervix cancer was relatively good but local control rate and survival rate in advanced stage were poor inspite of high dose irradiation to point A above 90 Gy. Prospective randomized studies are recommended to establish optimal tumor doses for various stages and volume of carcinoma of uterine cervix, And ajuvant chemotherapy or radiation-sensitizing agents must be considered to increase the pelvic control and survival rate in advanced cancer of uterine cervix.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.219-225
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• 1992

Fifty patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix received curative radiotherapy by external irradiation of the whole pelvis and intracavitary radiation at the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital from September, 1983 to October, 1986. External beam whole pelvic irradiation was done first up to 4500-5940 cGy in 5 weeks to 6.5 weeks, followed by an intracavitary radiation. Total dose of radiation to point A varied from 6500 cGy to 11344 cGy (average 6764 cGy). Of the 50 patients, one patient was lost to follow up and follow up period of the remaining 49 patients ranged from 3 months to 93 months (median 32 months). According to FIGO classification, 6 ($12.2\%$) were in stage Ib, 6 ($12.2\%$) in stage IIa, 25 ($51\%$) in stage IIb, 7 ($14\%$) in stage III, and 5 ($10.2\%$) in stage IV. Age of the patients ranged from 33 to 76 years (median 60 years). Pathologically, fourty six ($94\%$) patients had squamous cell carcinoma, 2 ($4\%$) had adenocarcinoma, and 1 ($2\%$) had adenosquamous cell carcinoma. Overall response rate was $84\%$. 5-year survival rate was $49\%$ for entire group ($75\%$ for stage Ib, $83\%$ for Stage IIa, $42.5\%$ for stage IIb, $25\%$ for stage III, $40\%$ for stage IV). Complications were observed in 11 ($22.4\%$) patients, who revealed rectal complications with most common frequency. Others were self limiting trifle ones such as wet desquamation, fatigue, mild leukopenia, etc. The correlation of the survival rate with various factors (age, dose, Hb level, pelvic lymph node status, performance status, local recurrence) was evaluated but showed no statistical significance except the age and local recurrence in this series; survival of patients less than 50 years of age was worse than that of the older, and the presence of local recurrence had worse prognosis (p<0.05).

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2000

Purpose : To evaluate the histopathological prognostic factors, relapse pattern and survival in patients with endometrial carcinoma who were treated with surgery and postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Methods and Materials : From September 1991 to December 1997, 27 patients with endometrial carcinoma treated with surgery and postoperative adjuvant RT at Asan Medical Center were entered in this study. Surgery was peformed with total abdominal hysterectomy in six, total abdominal hysterectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection in eight and radical hysterectomy in 13 patients. External RT of 50.4 Gy was done to all patients and among these, additional high dose rate vaginal vault irradiation of 20$\~$25 Gy with fractional dose of 4$\~$5 Gy was boosted In 16 patients. The patients were followed for 6$\~$95 months(median 30). Results : The number of patients according to FIGO stage were I 18 (67$\%$), II 1 ($4\%$) and III 7 ($26\%$). Patients with poor histologic grade, deep myometrial invasion, adnexal involvement, lymphovascular invasion showed more pelvic lymph node involvement, but no statistical significance was indicated. The 5 year overall and disease free survival were 100$\%$ and 76.8$\%$, respectively. Relapse sites were pelvic, para-aortic lymph node, and multiple metastases including lung, and no vaginal relapse was developed. Factors that were associated with disease free survival were FIGO stage (p=0.01), lymphovascular invasion (p=0.03), pelvic lymph node involvement (p=0.0001). There was only one Grade 1 rectal bleeding without moderate to severe complications. Conclusion : Postoperative adjuvant RT is considered to reduce the loco-regional failure, resulting the improvement of survival. The group of patients with the risk of vaginal failure without vaginal vault irradiation should be investigated according to stage and grade.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2014

Purpose: Integrated PET/MRI has been developed recently has become a lot of help to the point oncologic, neological, cardiological nuclear medicine. By using this PET/MRI, a ${\mu}-map$ is created some special MRI sequence which may be divided parts of the body for attenuation correction. However, because an MRI contrast agent is necessary in order to obtain an more MRI information, we will evaluate to see an effect of SUV on PET image that corrected attenuation by MRI with contrast agent. Materials and Methods: As PET/MRI machine, Biograph mMR (Siemens, Germany) was used. For phantom test, 1mCi $^{18}F-FDG$ was injected in cylinderical uniformity phantom, and then acquire PET data about 10 minutes with VIBE-DIXON, UTE MRI sequence image for attenuation correction. T1 weighted contrast media, 4 cc DOTAREM (GUERBET, FRANCE) was injected in a same phatnom, and then PET data, MRI data were acquired by same methodes. Using this PET, non-contrast MRI and contrast MRI, it was reconstructed attenuation correction PET image, in which we evanuated the difference of SUVs. Additionally, for let a high desity of contrast media, 500 cc 2 plastic bottles were used. We injected $^{18}F-FDG$ with 5 cc DOTAREM in first bottle. At second bottle, only $^{18}F-FDG$ was injected. and then we evaluated a SUVs reconstructed by same methods. For clinical patient study, rectal caner-pancreas cancer patients were selected. we evaluated SUVs of PET image corrected attenuastion by contrast weighted MRI and non-contrast MRI. Results: For a phantom study, although VIBE DIXON MRI signal with contrast media is 433% higher than non-contrast media MRI, the signals intensity of ${\mu}-map$, attenuation corrected PET are same together. In case of high contrast media density, image distortion is appeared on ${\mu}-map$ and PET images. For clinical a patient study, VIBE DIXON MRI signal on lesion portion is increased in 495% by using DOTAREM. But there are no significant differences at ${\mu}-map$, non AC PET, AC-PET image whether using contrast media or not. In case of whole body PET/MRI study, %diff between contras and non contrast MRAC at lung, liver, renal cortex, femoral head, myocardium, bladder, muscle are -4.32%, -2.48%, -8.05%, -3.14%, 2.30%, 1.53%, 6.49% at each other. Conclusion: In integrated PET/MRI, a segmentation ${\mu}-map$ method is used for correcting attenuation of PET signal. although MRI signal for attenuation correciton change by using contrast media, ${\mu}-map$ will not change, and then MRAC PET signal will not change too. Therefore, MRI contrast media dose not affect for attenuation correction PET. As well, not only When we make a flow of PET/MRI protocol, order of PET and MRI sequence dose not matter, but It's possible to compare PET images before and after contrast agent injection.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2006

Purpose: It is well known from clinical experience that acute complications of chemoradiation therapy vary from patients to patients. However, there are no known factors to predict these acute complications before treatment starts. The human XRCC1 gene is known as a DNA base excision repair gene. We investigated the possibilities of XRCC1 gene polymorphisms as a predictor for the acute complications of chemoradiation therapy in colorectal cancer patients. Materials and Methods: From July 1997 to June 2003, 86 colorectal cancer patients (71 rectal cancer, 13 sigmoid colon cancer and 2 colon cancer patients) were treated with chemoradiation therapy at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Inha University Hospital. Twenty-two patients were in stage B, 50 were in stage C, 8 were in stage D and 6 patients were unresectable cases. External radiation therapy was delivered with 10MV X-ray at a 1.8 Gy fraction per day for a total dose of radiation of $30.6{\sim}59.4 Gy$ (median: 54 Gy). All the patients received 5-FU based chemotherapy regimen. We analyzed the acute complications of upper and lower gastrointestinal tract based on the RTOG complication scale. The initial and lowest WBC and platelet count were recorded during both the RT period and the whole treatment period. Allelic variants of the XRCC1 gene at codons 194, 280 and 399 were analyzed in the lymphocyte DNA by performing PCR-RFLP. Statistical analyses were carried out with the SAS (version 6.12) statistical package. Results: When all the variables were assessed on the multivariate analysis, recurrent disease revealed the factors that significantly correlated with upper gastrointestinal acute complications. Arg399Gln polymorph isms of the XRCC1 gene, the radiation dose and the frequencies of chemotherapy during radiation therapy were significantly correlated with lower gastrointestinal complications. Arg399Gln polymorph isms also affected the decrease of the WBC and platelet count during radiation therapy. Conclusion: Although the present sample size was too small for fully evaluating this hypothesis, this study suggests that Arg399Gln polymorph isms of the XRCC1 genes may be used as one of the predictors for acute complications of chemoradiation therapy in colorectal cancer patients.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.191-199
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• 1996

Purpose : To evaluate 5-year survival rate, patterns of failure and complications of cervical cancer treatment, fifty nine patients treated by curative radiotherapy for the uterine cervical cancer were analyzed retrospectively. Materials and Methods : From March 1986 to May 1990, fifty nine patients with histologically proven uterine cervical cancer were analyzed. According to FIGO stage, there were 2 patients ($3.4\%$) in stage Ib, 2 patients ($3.4\%$) in stage IIa, 31 patients ($52.5\%$) in stage IIb, 15 patients ($25.4\%$) in stage IIIb, 9 patients ($15.3\%$) in stage IV. External RT was per formed by 6 MVLINAC with daily 1.8 Gy, 5 times per week and followed by ICR. A point dose of ICR was calculated to 30-43.66 Gy (median: 34.6 Gy). These techniques delivered total A Point dose of 80.4 to 109.8 Gy (median: 85 Gy). Patients had been followed up from 2 to 110 months (median: 61 months) Results : The overall 5-year survival rate & disease free survival rate were $55.9\%$ and $55.0\%$ respectively. According to FIGO stage, the 5-year survival rate for less than IIa, IIb, IIIb, IV were $75.0\%$, $74.8\%$, $26.7\%$, $33.3\%$, respectively. In univariate analysis, the 5-year survival rate for stage IIb and below versus stage IIIa and above revealed $74.8\%$, $29.2\%$ respectively (P<0.005). According to the hemoglobin level during RT, the 5-rear survival rate of was $73.3\%$ for patients with Hg 10 gm/dL or higher, in contrast to $0\%$ for those with lower than 10 gm/dL (p<0.005). In 18 patients with nonbulky tumor (<5cm), the 5-year survival rates were $71.8\%$. The 5-rear survival rates for 18 patients with 5 cm or greater in tumor diameter were $22.2\%$ (p<0.005). The 5-year survival rate for Patient age of above 50 years and below were $65.3\%$ $34.2\%$ respectively (p<0.05). ECOG performance status. pathologic finding, total dose, total treatment time were not statistically significant factors. The significant prognostic factors affecting overall 5-year survival rate by multivariate analysis showed the hemoglobin level during RT (P=0.0001), tumor size (p=0.0390), FIGO stage (p=0.0468). Total recurrence rate was $23.7\%$ local failure $15.2\%$ (9/59), distant metastasis $6.8\%$ (4/59), local and distant metastasis $1.7\%$ (1/59). According to the RTOG/EORTC Soma Scales, the late complication rate was $23.8\%$ (14/59) The late complication rate of colorectum and genitourinary tract were $15.3\%$ (9/59), $8.5\%$ (5/59), respectively: 10 patients ($17.0\%$) were grade 2, 3 Patients ($5.1\%$) were grade 3 and one patient ($1.7\%$) was grade 4. The late complications were radiation proctitis, rectal bleeding, radiation colitis, diarrhea and radiation cystitis in decreasing order. Conclusion : For improvement of therapeutic results, prospective randomized trials are recomended to discover new prognostic factors and more aggressive radiation therapeutic methods are needed for poor prognostic patients. The adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation-sensitizing agents must be considered to inhibit regional and distant metastasis.