• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.369-376
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• 1994

This is a retrospective analysis of 64 patients who was treated with postoperative radiation therapy after radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy (53 patients) or total abdominal hysterectomy(11 patients) for uterine cervix cancer between May 1980 and September 1991 at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Kyung Hee University Hospital. Most patients were FIGO IB (31 Patients) and IIA (25 patients), and median period of follow-up was 5.1 years. Of these patients,24 received adjuvant whole pelvis irradiation of 6000 cGy and 40 received 5000-5500 cGy whole pelvis irradiation and/or intracavitary radiation (7 Patients). The actuarial overall and relapse free 5 year survival rate were $71.0\%$, $68.3\%$ respectively. The survival rates by stage were $79.1\%$ in stage I, and $61.2\%$ in stage II. Treatment failure was noted in 18 of 64 patients ($28.1\%$), Iocoregional failure in 8 ($12.5\%$), distant metastasis in 8 ($12.5\%$), paraaortic node metastasis in 1 and one patient and concurrent locoregional and distant metastasis. The univariate analysis of prognostic factors affecting to overall survival rate represented lymph node status, the number and site of metastatic lymph node, parametrial invasion, the thichness of cervical wall invasion, and size of cancer mass. Histology, vessel invasion, endometrial extension, hemoglobin level. resection margin status, age, radiation dose were not significant prognostic factors. Complication relating to operation and postoperative radiation were variable according to radiation therapy method: 6000 cGy RT group 8/24($33.3\%$), 5000-5500 cGy+ICR 3/7 ($42.9\%$), 5000-5500 cGy external RT only group 3/33 ($9.1\%$). In conclusion, the results suggest that postoperative radiotherapy is necessary in high risk patients for locoregional control and improving survival rate, and higher dose does not improve results but only increases complication.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17
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• pp.139-144
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• 2001

Chewing betel quid is associated with an increased risk of oral cancer. The betel quid chewed in Taiwan includes the inflorescence of Piper betle, which contains high concentrations of safrole (15 mg/fresh weight). Piper betle leaf is also used in betel quid; however, the concentration of safrole in betel leaf has not been documented. Chewing betel quid may contribute to safrole exposure in man (420 mm in saliva). Using $a^{32}$P-postlabeling method, we have recently demonstrated the presence of stable safrole-like DNA adducts in human oral tissues following betel quid chewing. Safrole is a rodent hepatocar-cinogen, and the real nature of safrole-DNA adducts in human tissues beside oral has not been elucidated. In this paper, we tested the safrole DNA adducts forming potential in human hepatic and oral derived cells by the ${32}^P$-postlabeling technique. The results suggest that oral cancer derived cell OC-2 alone is not able to form safrole-DNA adduct. However, safrole DNA adducts can be detected following I'-hydroxysafrole, a proximate safrole metabolite, treatment. In addition, pretreament of cytochrome P450 inducers also enhanced the formation of previously undetectable safrole DNA adducts. This finding couples with our previous results suggest that oral may serve as a target tissue for safrole, and safrole may be involved in oral carcinogenesis.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.30 no.sup
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• pp.6.1-6.4
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• 2015

Objectives This study is conducted to estimate the cost paid by the public suffering from disease possibly caused by chemical and to examine the effect on public health. Methods Cost-benefit analysis is an important factor in analysis and decision-making and is an important policy decision tool in many countries. Cost-of-illness (COI), a kind of scale-based analysis method, estimates the potential value lost as a result of illness as a monetary unit and calculates the cost in terms of direct, indirect and psychological costs. This study estimates direct medical costs, transportation fees for hospitalization and outpatient treatment, and nursing fees through a number of patients suffering from disease caused by chemicals in order to analyze COI, taking into account the cost of productivity loss as an indirect cost. Results The total yearly cost of the diseases studied in 2012 is calculated as 77 million Korean won (KRW) per person. The direct and indirect costs being 52 million KRW and 23 million KRW, respectively. Within the total cost of illness, mental and behavioral disability costs amounted to 16 million KRW, relevant blood immunological parameters costs were 7.4 million KRW, and disease of the nervous system costs were 6.7 million KRW. Conclusions This study reports on a survey conducted by experts regarding diseases possibly caused by chemicals and estimates the cost for the general public. The results can be used to formulate a basic report for a social-economic evaluation of the permitted use of chemicals and limits of usage.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.275-283
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• 2020

Background: In the absence of a vaccine or treatment, the most pragmatic strategies against an infectious disease pandemic are extensive early detection testing and social distancing. This study aimed to summarize public and workplace responses to Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) and show how the Korean system has operated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Daily briefings from the Korean Center for Disease Control and the Central Disaster Management Headquarters were assembled from January 20 to May 15, 2020. Results: By May 15, 2020, 11,018 COVID-19 cases were identified, of which 15.7% occurred in workplaces such as health-care facilities, call centers, sports clubs, coin karaoke, and nightlife destinations. When the first confirmed case was diagnosed, the Korean Center for Disease Control and Central Disaster Management Headquarters responded quickly, emphasizing early detection with numerous tests and a social distancing policy. This slowed the spread of infection without intensive containment, shut down, or mitigation interventions. After entering the public health blue alert level, a business continuity plan was distributed. After entering the orange level, the Ministry of Employment and Labor developed workplace guidelines for COVID-19 consisting of social distancing, flexible working schedules, early identification of workers with suspected infections, and disinfection of workplaces. Owing to the intensive workplace social distancing policy, workplaces remained safe with only small sporadic group infections. Conclusion: The workplace social distancing policy with timely implementation of specific guidelines was a key to preventing a large outbreak of COVID-19 in Korean workplaces. However, sporadic incidents of COVID-19 are still ongoing, and risk assessment in vulnerable workplaces should be continued.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.381-386
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• 2015

Background: Postinfarction ventricular septal defects (pVSDs) are a serious complication of acute myocardial infarctions. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical outcomes of the surgical treatment of pVSDs. Methods: The medical records of 23 patients who underwent operations (infarct exclusion in 21 patients and patch closure in two patients) to treat acute pVSDs from 2001 to 2011 were analyzed. Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation was performed in 19 patients (82.6%), one of whom required extracorporeal membrane support due to cardiogenic shock. The mean follow-up duration was $26.2{\pm}18.6months$. Results: The in-hospital mortality rate was 4.3% (1/23). Residual shunts were found in seven patients and three patients required reoperation. One patient needed reoperation due to the transformation of an intracardiac hematoma into an abscess. No patients required reoperation due to recurrence of a ventricular septal defect during the follow-up period. The cumulative survival rate was 95.5% at one year, 82.0% at five years, and 65.6% at seven years. Conclusion: The use of a multiple-patch technique with sealants appears to be a reliable method of reducing early mortality and the risk of significant residual shunting in patients with pVSDs.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.125-131
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• 2014

Purpose: We reviewed treatment outcomes and prognostic factors for patients with salivary ductal carcinoma (SDC) treated with surgery and postoperative radiotherapy from 2005 to 2012. Materials and Methods: A total of 16 patients were identified and 15 eligible patients were included in analysis. Median age was 61 years (range, 40 to 71 years) and 12 patients (80%) were men. Twelve patients (80%) had a tumor in the parotid gland, 9 (60%) had T3 or T4 disease, and 9 (60%) had positive nodal disease. All patients underwent surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. Postoperative radiotherapy was delivered using 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy or intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Locoregional failure-free survival (LRFFS), distant failure-free survival (DFFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Differences in survival based on risk factors were tested using a log-rank test. Results: Median total radiotherapy dose was 60 Gy (range, 52.5 to 63.6 Gy). Four patients received concurrent weekly chemotherapy with cisplatin. Among 10 patients who underwent surgery with neck dissection, 7 received modified radical neck dissection. With a median follow-up time of 38 months (range, 24 to 105 months), 4-year rates were 86% for LRFFS, 51% for DFFS, 46% for PFS, and 93% for OS. Local failure was observed in 2 patients (13%), and distant failure was observed in 7 (47%). The lung was the most common involved site of distant metastasis. Conclusion: Surgery and postoperative radiotherapy in SDC patients resulted in good local control, but high distant metastasis remained a major challenge.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.467-483
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• 2016

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the effect of IUS (Inulsan, an extract of Artemisiae capillaris (茵蔯), Curcumae longae (鬱金), and Crataegi fructus (山査)) on anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-oxidation, and anti-inflammation.Method: We administered water extracts of Artemisiae capillaris, Curcumae longae, and Crataegi fructus for three weeks to db/db mice (C57BL/Ks), animal models induced with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mice were divided into three groups: normal (C57BL/6J mice group), control group (db/db mice without administration of IUS) and IUS group (db/db mice treated with IUS). Then we measured total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride in the serum after the oral administration of IUS.Results: 1. IUS did not show any cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells. 2. IUS decreased AST, ALP, and creatinine levelsand did not show any liver or renal toxicity in the db/db mice. 3. IUS increased DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity and decreased ROS production in RAW 264.7 cells. 4. IUS significantly decreased IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α production in RAW 264.7 cells. 5. IUS increased HDL cholesterol and significantly decreased total cholesterol and triglyceride in db/db mice. 6. IUS significantly decreased the atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor. 7. In contrast with the control group, fat infiltration in the liver and aorta decreased in IUS treated mice. The cell nucleus was located in the central area in H&E staining of liver. And endomembranes also were more thinner than the control group in H&E staining of aorta.Conclusions: These results suggest that IUS might be effective in the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1171-1176
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• 2012

Objective: The current study aimedto screen for possible factors which affect prognosis of chondrosarcoma. Methods: Thirty seven cases were selected and analyzed statistically. The patients received surgical treatment at our hospital between December 2005 and March 2008. All of them had complete follow-up data. The survival rates were calculated by univariate analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method and tested by Log-rank. ${\chi}^2$ or Fisher exact tests were carried out for the numeration data. The significant indexes after univariate analysis were then analyzed by multivariate analysis using COX regression model. Based on the literature, factors of gender, age, disease course, tumor location, Enneking grades, surgical approaches, distant metastasis and local recurrence were examined. Results: Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in Enneking grades, surgical approaches and distant metastasis related to the patients' 3-year survival rate after surgery (P<0.001). No significant difference was not found in gender, age, disease course, tumor location or local recurrence (P>0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that Enneking grade (P=0.007) and surgical approaches (P=0.010) were independent factors affecting the prognosis of chondrosarcoma, but distant metastasis was not (P=0.942). Conclusion: Enneking grades, surgical approaches and distant metastasis are risk factors for prognosis of chondrosarcoma, among which the former two are independent factors.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.16-33
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• 2004

In Oriental medicine, aging is just a natural process like change of seasons. Ancient Oriental people accepted it as a natural thing to be growing older and to die at last. The science of aging has advanced dramatically. In the last 2 decades, advances in genetics and molecular biology have led to extraordinary new understandings in how cells age, how apoptosis programs cells to die, and how neuroendocrinology plays a role in the lifespan of organisms. Today, the matter of primary concern about aging is a cellular and mitochondrial damage of human body induced by reactive oxygen species(ROS). The skin aging can be divided into two areas, intrinsic(chronologic)-aging and photo-aging. There are lots of photo damage about skin aging. The skin is increasingly exposed to ultraviolet(UV) irradiation in life. Therefore, the risk of photo-oxidative damage of the skin induced by reactive oxygen species(ROS) has increased substantially. Nowadays, many people believe that they can stop or at least delay the process of aging. There are lots of treatments that promise to slow the process of aging and the associated ailments. Many of these treatments, for example, exercise, Vit E, Vit C therapy, hormone therapy, restrict diet, are gradually being subjected to clinical trials. But in spite of all efforts, researches and investigations, there is no single method or treatment which is revealed to be truly effective for delaying progress of aging. Every methods insisted on effect for delaying aging process, has its dark side. All we can do is just keeping ourself healthy until the time of death.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.94-98
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• 1998

Background: Completion thyroidectomy can most accurately be described as reexploration of the neck to remove the contralateral thyroid lobe. This procedure has commonly been performed when the histopatholoic condition of the ipsilateral thyroid lobe reveals papillary or follicular carcinoma of the thyroid. Because of a definitely increased risk of complications with completion thyroidectomy, avoiding its routine use is important. But this operation is safe procedure with minimal morbidity by coinsidering interval, surgical approach, surgeon's experience. The purpose of this review is to define the indication, and the safety of completion thyroidectomy. Materials & Methods: Recent 2 years(1995. 1 to 1996. 12), we have performed 161 thyroid operations. Fourteen of these patients were treated by completion thyroidectomy. The patients ranged in age from 21 to 66 years. We have routinely used ultrasound guided needle biopsy and intraoperative frozen section. Result: The completion thyroidectomized specimen contained papillary carcinoma in 12 (86%), follicular carcinoma in 1(7%) and follicular adenoma(no residual tumor) in 1(7%). The complication of completion thyroicetomy was absent, although case number was a few. The indication of completion thyroidectomy in our study was defined recurrence in 9 and staging in 5. The site of recurrence consists of residual thyroid in 7 and residual thyroid added cervical lymph node in 2. The staging consists of incomplete thyroidectomy 3, questionable frozen biopsy 1, and huge follicular carcinoma. Conclusion: The incidence of completion thyroidectomy appear to be increasing by application of ultrasonogram in follow-up of thyroidectomized patients, especially, for the improving of well differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Experience suggests that the morbidity of completion thyroidectomy is low, so we recommend completion thyroidectomy as an efficient and safe method of surgical treatment.