• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.729-738
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• 2019

Objective: To assess the effects of iterative model reconstruction (IMR) on image quality for demonstrating non-calcific high-risk plaque characteristics of coronary arteries. Materials and Methods: This study included 66 patients (53 men and 13 women; aged 39-76 years; mean age, 55 ± 13 years) having single-vessel disease with predominantly non-calcified plaques evaluated using prospective electrocardiogram-gated 256-slice CT angiography. Paired image sets were created using two types of reconstruction: hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR) and IMR. Plaque characteristics were compared using the two algorithms. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the images and the CNR between the plaque and adjacent adipose tissue were also compared between the two reformatted methods. Results: Seventy-seven predominantly non-calcified plaques were detected. Forty plaques showed napkin-ring sign with the IMR reformatted method, while nineteen plaques demonstrated napkin-ring sign with HIR. There was no statistically significant difference in the presentation of positive remodeling, low attenuation plaque, and spotty calcification between the HIR and IMR reconstructed methods (all p > 0.5); however, there was a statistically significant difference in the ability to discern the napkin-ring sign between the two algorithms (χ² = 12.12, p < 0.001). The image noise of IMR was lower than that of HIR (10 ± 2 HU versus 12 ± 2 HU; p < 0.01), and the SNR and CNR of the images and the CNR between plaques and surrounding adipose tissues on IMR were better than those on HIR (p < 0.01). Conclusion: IMR can significantly improve image quality compared with HIR for the demonstration of coronary artery and atherosclerotic plaques using a 256-slice CT.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1580-1584
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• 2004

On the basis of the widely collected fork prescriptions, long clinical practice of himself, together with integration of all the good points of earlier medical specialists, 孫思邈 wrote 『千金方』 of thirty volumes. Among them Volumes 『食治』 (Food Therapy) and 『養性』(Cultivating the Character) are especially meaningful for in gerontology. Thirty years after its completion, as a supplement, he wrote another thirty volumes of 『千金翼方』. Mr. Sun integrated his discoveries in the treatments of the aged patients, and his opinions for longevity into the Volumes 『養性』 (Cultivating the Character), 『?穀』(Fasting), 『退居』(Retirement), 『補益』(Supplementation). Thus he laid down the basic foundation for the gerontology of Chinese medicine. 『千金要方』 and 『千金翼方』 by Mr. Sun discuss mainly the prevention of illness for aged patients. As for the function of food therapy, he explains: 'Food can dispel evil elements of the body and settle down its organs. It can further bring pleasure to man's spirit and help the circulation of blood and breath.' He then propose the major method of food therapy: 'For a medical doctor, he should understand the causes of disease, then treat it with food. Only after the food treatment fails, medicine is employed.' He thinks that medicine does work in treatment, but it also creates imbalance in the body, and makes the latter vulnerable to outside harms. Therefore, a good doctor is the one who cures the disease and bring pleasure to the patient with food. He stresses that food therapy is always a priority. Mr. Sun prefers animal's organs in the food therapy for aged. For example, he uses powder of sheep's kidney to treat the lumbago. He suggests the viewpoint of 'Curing man's organs with animal's organs' and 'Strengthening man's organs with animal's organs,' and sets the theoretical foundation of 'Organic Treatment.' Mr. Sun's gerontology and food therapy received further development latter. The prescriptions contained therein had been widely used in 王懷隱's 『太平聖惠方』 and 陳直's 『養老奉親書』, both in the Song Dynasty. Eventually they had become a science of food therapy for aged patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1015-1025
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• 2019

Objectives: There have been many studies reporting the clinical value of Euphorbia kansui Radix or Melonis Calyx, but few systematic studies of the changes that may occur after taking such herbal medication. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of the patient group, possible changes in blood test and InBody test results, and to discover the current state and future direction of clinical use of Euphorbia kansui Radix or Melonis Calyx. Methods: This study investigated patients who were hospitalized at Kyung-Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital for at least two days from 1 March 2016 to 1 March 2019, specifically evaluating patients aged 19 and over who underwent blood tests, including an electrolyte test and an InBody test before and after taking Euphorbia kansui Radix or Melonis Calyx. Results: Among a total of 134 patients, 72 patients (53.7%) were treated with Euphorbia kansui Radix and 62 patients (46.3%) were treated with Melonis Calyx, in the context of previously diagnosed abnormal weight gain. Laboratory findings were that Na and K levels were significantly reduced in both groups. In an InBody test, body mass index (BMI), intracellular water, extracellular water, protein, mineral, and skeletal muscle were significantly reduced in both groups. Conclusions: From these results, we suggest that, although Euphorbia kansui Radix and Melonis Calyx may not induce serious adverse effects, attention should be paid to the electrolyte level with the use of these treatments. In terms of syndrome differentiation, more clinical uses will be available in the future.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8887-8891
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• 2014

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is predominantly a disease of middle-aged men with long-term exposure to tobacco and alcohol. An increasing trend has been reported at a younger age worldwide. Clinical records of 100 patients under the age of 45 years treated specifically for oral cavity SCC in our hospital during a 10-year period were retrospectively analyzed to calculate the survival rates. An obvious male predominance coincided with smoking trend among Chinese young individuals and female patients were more likely to have no traditional risk factors such as smoking or drinking. The 5-year overall survival rate and disease-free survival rate were 61.0% and 75.5%, respectively, consistent with other published series over the decade showing a relatively better survival among the young. No significant differences clearly correlated with outcome when comparing non-smokers non-drinkers to ever-smokers and ever drinkers (P>0.05). Overall survival rate and disease free survival rate was found to be significantly higher in patients with early-stage disease than with advanced stage disease (P=0.001, P=0.009 respectively). The strong influence of clinical stage on prognosis emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of oral malignancies for this unique clinical subgroup.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.647-651
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• 2012

Aim: An epidemiological study was conducted based on an esophageal cancer patient's cohort to investigate the association of folate intake and MTHFR C677T polymorphism with the prognosis of esophageal cancer in a Chinese population. Methods: 167 patients aged 37-75 years who had histological confirmed diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell cancer were collected from Jan. 2006 to Jan. 2008. MTHFR genotypes at the C677T site were analyzed by PCR-based RFLP methods, and the folate intake was computed by multiplying the food intake (in grams) and the folate content (per gram) of food in our questionnaire. Results: We found associations between the prognosis of esophageal cancer and smoking status, T and N stages. Individuals carrying the MTHFR 677CT and TT genotypes showed a shorter survival time than with the CC genotype, with adjusted HRs (95% CI) of 1.20 (0.56-2.15) and 2.29 (1.30-4.28), respectively. Similarly, those carrying MTHFR 677T allele had a 1.86-fold risk of death. A higher folate concentration showed a significant decreased risk of death, with an HR (95% CI) of 0.45 (0.18-0.87). Individuals with high folate intake and the MTHFR 677CC genotype showed a significant decreased risk of esophageal cancer (0.43, 0.25-0.89).Conclusion: Our findings supports the hypothesis that high folate intake and active MTHFR C677T polymorphism may exert protective roles in the prognosis of esophageal cancer in the Chinese population.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.107-122
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• 1996

Apoplexy is a disease of a morbid condition manifested as sudden syncope, unconciousness, distortion of face, hemiplegia and dysphasia, usually seen in the middle-aged. The symptoms and signs before sudden onset are headache, dizziness, numbness of extremities, palpitation, etc. This study was performed to investige causes of disease, therapies and prescriptions by insect medicine through the successive medical literatures, recent chinese medical literatures and chinese medical journals. The results are as follows; 1. The treatment of apoplexy is divided into stage of attack and sequela. In stage of attack, the principal therapies of apoplexy are calming the liver, suppressed Yang, dissipate phlegm and elimination weatness. In sequela, the principal therapies of apoplexy are invigorating Qi, promote blood circulation and dredge collateral. 2. Insects medicine have more strong effect than herbal medicine, because apoplexy is a kind of critically desease. 3. Insects medicine is effective in a convalscent stage and sequela of apoplexy. The proper dosage for stage of attack is a small dose of insects medicine(about 2-4g), increse gradually. In convalscent stage, about 4g, in sequela, patients need a large dose of insects medicine(about 8g). 4. Hirudo used to remove stagnated blood and to disperse swelling for the treatment of severe cases of blood stasis, such as cerebral infarction, sequela of cerebrovascular accident, contused wounds. Lumbricus used to for the treatment of convulsions due to high fever, and for hemiplegia and hypertension. Scolopendra used to subdue the endogenous wind for the treatment of various kinds of tics, convulsions and tetanus, and it's character is strong because it will be effective Sthenia-Syndrome of apoplexy. Scorpio used to subdue the endogenous wind for the treatment of various kind of tics, convulsions, tetanus and sequela of cerebrovascular accident.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3279-3283
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• 2015

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common gastrointestinal cancer and the incidence is increasing. CRC is more common with increasing age, but a proportion occurs in young adults, termed young CRC. This study assessed the incidence and the demographic of young CRC in Brunei Darussalam. Materials and Methods: All histologically proven CRC between 1986 and 2014 registered with the Department of Pathology cancer registry were reviewed and data extracted for analyses. Young CRC was defined as cancer in patients aged less than 45 years. The various population groups were categorized into locals (Malays, Chinese and Indigenous) and expatriates. Results: Over the study period, there were 1,126 histologically proven CRC (mean age $59.1{\pm}14.7$ years, Male 58.0%, Locals 91.8% and 8.2% expatriates). Young CRC accounted for 15.1% with the proportion declining over the years, from 29% (1986-1990) to 13.2% (2011-2014). The proportion of young CRC was highest among the indigenous (30.8%), followed by the expatriates (29.3%), Malays (14.3%) and lowest among the Chinese (10.8%). The mean age of young CRC was $35.9{\pm}6.2$; lowest among the indigenous ($33.5{\pm}6.7$), expatriate ($34.9{\pm}6.0$) groupd and the Malays ($35.6{\pm}6.5$) compared to the Chinese ($38.6{\pm}4.6$), a similar trend being observed in the non-young CRC groups. There were no difference between the genders and tumor locations (rectum or colon) between the young and the non-young CRC cases. Female young CRC was significantly younger than male (p<0.05) without any significant variation between the various population groups (p>0.05). Conclusions: Our study showed that the young CRC accounted for 15.1% of all CRC with declining trend observed over recent years. Young CRC was more common among indigenous, expatriates and Malays and least common among the Chinese. There were no differences in the gender and tumor locations.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3799-3804
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• 2013

Background: Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Malaysia. The prognosis of the disease is excellent if detected at an early stage, but the majority of Malaysian patients present at late stages. We aimed to assess the awareness of cancer warning signs and anticipated delay in help-seeking as possible contributors to this phenomenon. Materials and Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey using the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Measure was initiated in Perak, Malaysia. A total of 2,379 respondents aged 18 years and above were recruited using a multi-stage sampling in five locations. Analysis of covariance was used to examine independent sociodemographic predictors of scores for symptom awareness. Results: Younger age, being female, a higher education, and higher income were significantly associated with better scores for both recall and recognition of warning symptoms. Among the ethnic groups, Malays had better recognition of symptoms whereas Chinese recalled the most symptoms. Passing bloody stool was associated with the least anticipated delay and unexplained anal pain had the highest anticipated delay. Conclusions: The level of awareness across all ethnicities in Malaysia is generally low, especially among minorities. Targeted public education, which is culturally and linguistically appropriate, should be developed to encourage early help-seeking and improve clinical outcomes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1149-1154
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• 2014

Background: In Malaysia, data from the Malaysian Health Ministry showed colorectal cancer (CRC) to be the second most common type of cancer in 2007-2009, after breast cancer. The same was apparent after looking at males and females cases separately. In the present study, the Geographic Information System (GIS) was employed to describe the distribution of CRC cases in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia, according to socio-demographic factors (age, gender, ethnicity and district). Materials and Methods: This retrospective review concerned data for patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the years 1995 to 2011 collected from the Wilayah Persekutuan Health Office, taken from the cancer notification form (NCR-2), and patient medical records from the Surgical Department, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). A total of 146 cases were analyzed. All the data collected were analysed using ArcGIS version 10.0 and SPSS version 19.0. Results: Patients aged 60 to 69 years accounted for the highest proportion of cases (34.2%) and males slightly predominated 76 (52.1%), Chinese had the highest number of registered cases at 108 (74.0%) and staging revealed most cases in the 3rd and 4th stages. Kernel density analysis showed more cases are concentrated up in the northern area of Petaling and Kuala Lumpur subdistricts. Spatial global pattern analysis by average nearest neighbour resulted in nearest neighbour ratio of 0.75, with Z-score of -5.59, p value of <0.01 and the z-score of -5.59. Spatial autocorrelation (Moran's I) showed clustering significant with p<0.01, Z score 3.14 and Moran's Index of 0.007. When mapping clusters with hotspot analysis (Getis-Ord Gi), hot and cold spots were identified. Hot spot areas fell on the northeast side of KL. Conclusions: This study demonstrated significant spatial patterns of cancer incidence in KL. Knowledge about these spatial patterns can provide useful information to policymakers in the planning of screening of CRC in the targeted population and improvement of healthcare facilities to provide better treatment for CRC patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5637-5642
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• 2012

Objective: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies and its mortality ranks third among all cancers in China. We previously noted that XRCC1 Arg194Trp was associated with GC risk in Western China in a study on XRCC1 Arg194Trp and ADPRT Val762Ala. We aimed to further explore the association of these polymorphisms with risk of the noncardia subtype. Methods: We enrolled 176 noncardia GC patients and 308 controls from four hospitals and a community between October 2010 and August 2011. Genotyping was performed in a 384-well plate format on the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. A self-designed questionnaire was utilized to collect epidemiological data from the subjects regarding demographic factors and potential risk factors. Results: Subjects were aged $56.8{\pm}11.8$ (mean ${\pm}$ standard deviation) and $57.6{\pm}11.1$ years in the case and control groups, respectively. Individuals carrying the XRCC1 Trp/Trp or Arg/Trp variant genotype were at significantly increased risk of noncardia GC (adjusted OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.00-2.17), after adjustment for family history of cancer, drinking, and smoking. The increased risk of XRCC1 Arg194Trp variant genotype was more pronounced among subjects below 60 years old (adjusted OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.07-2.96), compared to older individuals. ADPRT Val762Ala variants (Ala/Ala or Val/Ala) were not associated with noncardia GC (adjusted OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.69-1.54). Conclusions: Our study suggests that XRCC1 Arg194Trp is a genetic susceptibility factor for developing noncardia GC in Han Chinese in Western China. In particular, individuals with the XRCC1 Arg194Trp variant genotype are at increased risk for GC below 60 years old.