• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6331-6334
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• 2015

Background: The main purpose of this study was to survey the education and training of certified gynecologic oncologists and fellows in Thailand. A secondary objective was to study the problems in fellowship training regarding palliative care for gynecologic cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted by sending a questionnaire regarding palliative care education to all certified gynecologic oncologists and gynecologic oncology fellows in Thailand. The contents of the survey included fellowship training experience, caring for the dying, patient preparation, attitudes and respondent characteristics. Statistics were analyzed by percentage, mean and standard deviation and chi-square. Results: One hundred seventy completed questionnaires were returned; the response rate was 66%. Most certified gynecologic oncologists and fellows in gynecologic oncology have a positive attitude towards palliative care education, and agree that "psychological distress can result in severe physical suffering". It was found that the curriculum of gynecologic oncology fellowship training equally emphasizes three aspects, namely managing post-operative complications, managing a patient at the end of life and managing a patient with gynecologic oncology. As for experiential training during the fellowship of gynecologic oncology, education regarding breaking bad news, discussion about goals of care and procedures for symptoms control were mostly on-the-job training without explicit teaching. In addition, only 42.9 % of respondents were explicitly taught the coping skill for managing their own stress when caring for palliative patients during fellowship training. Most of respondents rated their clinical competency for palliative care in the "moderately well prepared" level, and the lowest score of the competency was the issue of spiritual care. Conclusions: Almost all certified gynecologic oncologists and fellows in gynecologic oncology have a positive attitude towards learning and teaching in palliative care. In this study, some issues were identified for improving palliative care education such as proper training under the supervision of a mentor, teaching how to deal with work stress, competency in spiritual care and attitudes on responsibility for bereavement care.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6955-6959
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• 2013

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is relatively high in Southeast Asia. Globally, HCC has a high fatality rate and short survival. The objectives of this retrospective cohort study were to review the epidemiology and survival of HCC patients at a tertiary centre in north-east of Peninsular Malaysia. Subjects were adult HCC patients diagnosed by histopathology or radio-imaging. Secondary liver carcinoma was excluded. Kaplan Meier and multiple Cox proportional hazard survival analyses were used. Only 210 HCC cases from years 1987-2008, were included in the final analysis. The number of cases was increasing annually. The mean age was 55.0 (SD 13.9) years with male:female ratio of 3.7:1. Approximately 57.6% had positive hepatitis B virus, 2.4% hepatitis C virus, 20% liver cirrhosis and 8.1% chronic liver disease. Only 2.9% had family history and 9.0% had frequently consumed alcohol. Most patients presented with abdominal pain or discomfort and had hepatomegaly, 47.9% had an elevated ${\alpha}$-fetoprotein level of 800 IU/ml or more, 51.9% had multiple tumors and 44.8% involved multiple liver lobes. Approximately 63.3% were in stage 3 and 23.4% in stage 4, and 82.9% did not receive any treatment. The overall median survival time was 1.9 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.5, 2.3). The 1-month, 6-month, 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 71.8%, 23.3%, 13.0% and 7.3% respectively. Significant prognostic factors were Malay ethnicity [Adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 1.6; 95%CI: 1.0, 2.5; p=0.030], no chemotherapy [AHR 1.7; 95%CI: 1.1, 2.5; p=0.017] and Child-Pugh class C [AHR 2.6; 95%CI: 1.4, 4.9; p=0.002]. HCC in our study affected a wide age range, mostly male, in advanced stage of disease, with no treatment and very low survival rates. Primary prevention should be advocated in view of late presentation and difficulty of treatment. Vaccination of hepatitis virus and avoidance of liver toxins are to be encouraged.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 1998

Objectives: Minimal improvement in the long-term survival of head and neck cancer(HNC) patients has occurred despite a multitude of advances in the control of loco regional disease and a second primary malignancy(SPM) contribute to the continued poor prognosis for the HNC patients. This study was performed in order to identify the clinical characteristics of SPM in the HNC patients. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 354 patients of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma that were followed up after initial treatment during the period of 1987 through 1994 were reviewed. This study examines the medical records of 354 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, of whom 26 subsequently developed a second neoplasm. Results: The actuarial SPM rate was 7.3%, and median time to presentation for the SPM was 26.8 months. The SPM were more likely to occur in male patients who had oral cavity index tumors. Patient whose index tumor was small at diagnosis had a greater chance of developing a second tumor as did those with no cervical lymph node metastases to the neck. Initial treatment modality was not associated with an increased risk of developing a second tumor. The commonest sites for the SPM were the lung and other head and neck area. The 3-year survival for patients who developed a secondary tumor from the time of its diagnosis was 27.8%. Conclusion: The SPM in the head and neck cancer patients are not uncommon and early detection of the SPM will contribute to increase the long-term survival of HNC patients.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.35-36
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• 2003

Background: Evidence based medicine has become main tools for medical practice. However, conducting a highly ranked in the evidence hierarchy pyramid is not easy or feasible at all times and places. There remains a room for descriptive clinical outcome measure studies with admitting the limit of the intepretation. Aims: Presents three Korean clinic based outcome measure studies with a view to encouraging Korean clinicians to conduct similar studies. Methods: Three studies are presented briefly here in치uding 1) Quality of Life of liver cancer patients after 8 Constitutional acupuncture; 2) Developing a Korean version of Measuring yourself Medical Outcome profile (MYMOP); and 3) Survey on 5 Shu points: a pilot In the first study, we have included 4 primary or secondary liver cancer patients collecting their diagnostic X-ray film and clinical data f개m their hospital, and asked them to fill in the European Organization Research and Treatment of Cancer, Quality of Life Questionnaire before the commencement of the treatment. The acupuncture treatment is set up format but not disclosed yet. The translation and developing a Korean version of outcome measures that is Korean clinician friendly has been sought for MYMOP is one of the most appropriate one. The permission was granted, the translation into Korean was done, then back translated into English only based on the Korean translation by the researcher who is bilingual in both languages. The back translation was compared by the original developer of MYMOP and confirmed usable. In order to test the existence of acupoints and meridians through popular forms of Korean acupuncture regimes, we aim at collecting opinions from 101 Korean clinicians that have used those forms. The questions asked include most effective symptoms, 5 Shu points, points those are least likely to use due to either adverse events or the lack of effectiveness, theoretical reasons for the above proposals, proposing outcome measures, and the time from insertion to be effective. The questionnaire is posted on the virtual notice board of the homepage of the communication KOMA (The official tool of Association of Korean Oriental Medicine).

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.288-294
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• 2015

Background Surgical ablation for locally advanced breast cancer results in large chest wall defects, which can then be managed with local flaps or skin grafts. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the outcomes of three types of local skin flaps. Methods Among 25 local flaps in 24 patients, 6 were bilateral advancement (BA) flaps, 9 were thoracoabdominal (TA) flaps, and 10 were thoracoepigastric (TE) flaps. Clinical outcomes were compared including complications, the need for a secondary surgical intervention, and the timing of adjuvant therapy. Results The mean defect size was $436.2cm^2$. Two patients with TA flaps and 6 patients with TE flaps developed distal flap necrosis, and skin grafts were needed to treat 2 patients with TE flaps. Radiation was administered to the BA, TA, and TE patients after average postoperative durations of 28, 30, or 41 days, respectively. The incidence of flap necrosis tended to be higher in TE patients, which lead to significant delays in adjuvant radiation therapy (P=0.02). Conclusions Three types of local skin flaps can be used to treat large chest wall defects after the excision of locally advanced breast cancer. Each flap has its own merits and demerits, and selecting flaps should be based on strict indications based on the dimensions and locations of the defects.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.2005-2011
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• 2012

Nopp140 is a highly phosphorylated protein that resides in the nucleolus of mammalian cell and is involved in the biogenesis of the nucleolus. It interacts with a variety of proteins related to the synthesis and assembly of the ribosome. It also can bind to a ubiquitous protein kinase CK2 that mediates cell growth and prevents apoptosis. We found that Nopp140 is an intrinsically unfolded protein (IUP) lacking stable secondary structures over its entire sequence of 709 residues. We discovered that mitoxantrone, an anticancer agent, was able to enhance the interaction between Nopp140 and CK2 and maintain suppressed activity of CK2. Surface plasma resonance studies on different domains of Nopp140 show that the C-terminal region of Nopp140 is responsible for binding with mitoxantrone. Our results present an interesting example where a small chemical compound binds to an intrinsically unfolded protein (IUP) and enhances protein-protein interactions.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.777-780
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• 1995

Salmonellosis is one of communicable disease and still occur in sporadic in Korea frequently. They are four main clinical manifestations in salmonellosis. They are gastrocnteritis, typhoidal or septisemia syndrome, focal manifestation and carrier state. Among them, focal manifestation is rarely seen. Saphra, et al. reported that localized salmonella infection is about 5%. Localized salmonella infection frequently occur during salmonella bacteremia, but may also occur with enteric fever or gastroenteritis. Gray, et al reported 3390 cases of minor gunshot wound infection that bacterial isolates from infected wounds consisted of Staphylococcus aureus(90%), Streptococcus sp.(6%), and mixed organisms(4%). Incresed host susceptibility to infection secondary to lowered resistance due to debilitating disease is an important determinant of Salmonella infection. Since salmonella is seldom suspected as a cause of soft tissue infections, there is usually a dangerous delay in the institution of appropriate antimicrobial therapy and isolation procedure. We experienced one case of subcutaneous salmonella abscess developed on gunshot wound area in lung cancer patient, which was confirmed by pus culture.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.82 no.3
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• pp.211-216
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• 2019

Background: Docetaxel is one of the standard treatments for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Docetaxel is usually administered in a 3-week schedule, but there is significant toxicity. In this phase II clinical study, we investigated the efficacy and safety of a 4-weekly schedule of docetaxel monotherapy, as first-line chemotherapy for advanced squamous cell carcinoma in elderly lung cancer patients. Methods: Patients with stage IIIB/ IV lung squamous-cell carcinoma age 70 or older, that had not undergone cytotoxic chemotherapy were enrolled. Patients received docetaxel $25mg/m^2$ on days 1, 8, and 15, every 4 weeks. Primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity profiles. Results: A total of 19 patients were enrolled. Among 19 patients, 17 were for evaluated efficacy and safety. In the intent-to-treat population, ORR and disease control rate (DCR) were 11.8% and 47.1%, respectively. In the response evaluable population, ORR was 16.7% and DCR was 66.7%. Median PFS and OS were 3.1 months and 3.3 months, respectively. There were three adverse grade 3/4 events. Grade 1 neutropenia was reported in one patient. Conclusion: Our data failed to demonstrate efficacy of a 4-weekly docetaxel regimen, in elderly patients with a poor performance status. However, incidence of side effects, including neutropenia, was lower than with a 3-week docetaxel regimen, as previously reported.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the nutritional intake status of the lung cancer patients who underwent pulmonary resection and to analyze the relationship between the status of the nutritional intake and the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications. Methods: This study was a secondary analysis to determine whether the changes in the nutritional intake after surgery were related to pulmonary complications. Data of a total of 89 patients were included in the analysis and the nutritional intake status was confirmed using a 24-hour dietary recall method. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, chi-square or Fisher's exact test, and ANOVA using the SPSS WIN 26.0 program and word clouds were generated using the R software program. Results: Overall, a decrease in the postoperative nutritional intake was observed in the patients who underwent pulmonary resection, except for the intake of fat. The pulmonary complications were identified to be associated with BMI and the presence of comorbidity. Twenty-three out of 74 patients with vitamin E levels below the Estimated Average Requirements developed pulmonary complications after surgery. Conclusion: Lung cancer patients who underwent pulmonary resection generally have difficulty in acquiring appropriate nutritional intake and need balanced nutritional management. Future investigations on the impact of increased vitamin E intake on postoperative pulmonary complications may provide better insight into the relationship between vitamin E intake and pulmonary complication among patients who underwent pulmonary resection.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.117-123
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• 2021

Gefitinib, a first generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR TKI), provides obvious clinical benefit in patients with EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, patients ultimately develop gefitinib resistance which mainly caused by EGFR T790M secondary mutation. In the current study, we investigated whether the root extract of Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) overcomes gefitinib resistance. Gefitinib-resistant H1975 human NSCLC cells (EGFR L858R/T790M double mutant) were treated with gefitinib and/or ethanol extract of SB (ESB) to evaluate the effect of ESB on the gefitinib sensitivity. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay and trypan blue exclusion assay. The colony-forming ability was evaluated by anchorage-dependent colony formation assay. Combined treatment with gefitinib and ESB markedly decreased the cell viability and colony formation than single treatment with gefitinib or ESB in H1975 cells. In addition, cells treated with both gefitinib and ESB exhibited a significant increase of sub-G1 DNA content which indicates apoptotic cells compared with those treated with gefitinib or ESB alone. As a molecular mechanism, combined treatment with gefitinib and ESB strongly downregulated the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK than single treatment with gefitinib or ESB. Taken together, our results demonstrate that ESB sensitizes H1975 cells to gefitinib treatment. We cautiously propose that ESB can be used in combination with gefitinib for the advanced NSCLC patients with acquired resistance to EGFR TKIs.