• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.12
• /
• pp.7635-7638
• /
• 2013

Background: Sperm-associated antigen 9 (SPAG9) has been recently proposed as a novel biomarker for early diagnosis of several human tumors, including ovarian, cervical and breast cancers. Its clinical value remains to be clarified for endometrial cancer (EC). In this study, we investigated the utility of serum SPAG9 levels in diagnosis of EC and its association with important clinicopathological parameters. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed at a tertiary women's referral center in Ankara, Turkey. Preoperative serum samples were collected from patients surgically treated for endometrial cancer between June 2012-April 2013. Similar aged women with a biopsy proven benign endometrium were used as controls. Serum SPAG9 levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and assessed for links with clinicopathological factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess power of SPAG9 levels for EC prediction. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 63 women with EC and 27 with benign endometrium were included in the study. Mean age in the EC group was $58.7{\pm}1.1$. Median SPAG9 levels in the EC and control groups were 18.3 (range, 12.7-53.8) and 14.1 (range, 4.3-65.3), respectively (p<0.001). A cut-off value of 17 ng/ml for SPAG9 predicted presence of malignant endometrium with 74% sensitivity and 83% specificity [Area under curve (AUC)=0.82, p<0.001]. SPAG9 levels did not demonstrate any significant association with histological type, FIGO stage, tumor grade, size, myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space invasion, cervical involvement, adnexal involvement, peritoneal cytology or lymph node status (all p>0.05). Conclusions: Testing for SPAG9 may be useful for early detection of EC in asymptomatic high-risk women. Its role in post-treatment follow-up and early detection of recurrence should be assessed in future trials.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.586-599
• /
• 2017

This study attempts to understand the overall research trends in Vocational Studies using a text mining method, which is a means to analyze big data. The findings of the research show that Vocational Studies in Korea has been directly influenced by global economic crises, as evidenced by its exponential growth after the 1997 foreign exchange crisis that resulted in a bailout from the IMF. In addition, the topics of research have been shifting from such macro subjects as government policies and systems to such micro topics as individual career development. Moreover, the perspective of research is being moved from the socially vulnerable, including women and the disabled, to the economically marginalized, including retirees and the unemployed. As for the research targets, college students overwhelmingly outnumbered primary and secondary school students. However, few cases analyzed the clinical outcomes of career counseling or attempted to process job information and study the history of jobs. This research is limited in that it only analyzed journal abstracts. Nonetheless, it is meaningful because it used topic analysis, one of the text mining methods, to give a complete enumeration of all articles available for search, thereby crafting a framework of quantitative analysis methodology for Vocational Studies. It is also significant in that it is the first attempt to analyze themes in every stage of the development of Vocational Studies.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.11-25
• /
• 1976

Studies on pathogenicities and developmental stages of Nosema apis (Zander, 1909) were carried out through artificial infection to Nosema free honey bees with various levels of spores isolated from local honey bee colony. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. The clinical symptoms were observed as dysentery, enteritis of mid-gut (enlargement and decoloration), crawling posture and shortening of the longevity of worker bees in the rearing honey bee colony inoculated with the spores. 2. Number of spores harvested from laboratory rearing honey bees were progresively increased to 4 weeks after inoculation. The regression equations and coefficients of correlations to various spore levels were as follows in each treatment colony. Colony 1. ($$1,000{\times}10^4spores/ml$$) $$y_{c1}=471{\times}10^{4}x+454{\times}10^4(r=0.65^*$$) Colony 2. ($$500{\times}10^4spores/ml$$) $$y_{c2}=340{\times}10^{4}x+207.8{\times}10^4(r=0.99^{**}$$) Colony 3. ($$100{\times}10^4spores/ml$$) $$y_{c3}=150{\times}10^{4}x+84.2{\times}10^4(r=0.99^{**}$$) Colony 4. ($$10{\times}10^4spores/ml$$) $$y_{c4}=13.8{\times}10^{4}x+13{\times}10^4(r=0.98^{**}$$) 3. Average longevity of worker bees artificially infected with Nosema apis was shortened as 21.7~43.8% compare to the control. (p<.05, p<.01) 4. The spores which were isolated from honey bee colony infected with Nosema disease were ovoid or spherical form, and measured, as a rule, from $4.7{\mu}m$ to $6.1{\mu}m$ (mean $5.3{\mu}m$) in length and from $2.4{\mu}m$ to $3.2{\mu}m$ (mean $2.9{\mu}m$) in width. 5. In the mid-gut of honey bees, the spore was progresively germinated and became trophozoite stage. The trophozoites were grown to meronts and their binary fission were begun. The divided two sporoblasts were developed to the spores which had elastic membrane. The new spores were shed in excreta of honey bees 10~15 day after inoculation at $25{\pm}2$ centigrade. 6. The ultrastructure of spore membrane consisted of three layers, such as, outer, middle and inner layer. The sporoplasm consisting lamellar structure occupied only anterior part of the spore and was often extended to posterior direction where definite vacuoles and a polar filament was able to detect.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.191-198
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Although the role of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) as a predictive and prognostic factor for uterine cervical cancer has been identified in previous studies, 1) the effective patient group of screening for recurrence with SCC-Ag, 2) the relationship between SCC-Ag and recurrence site, and 3) the relationship between the change of SCC-Ag and treatment outcome or recurrence have not been described. Materials and Methods: The study included 506 patients with histologically proven uterine cervical cancer between January 1994 and December 2010. We determining the serum SCC-Ag level before treatment and after treatment, and conducted a retrospective review of the patients' records. We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of SCC-Ag for the detection of tumor recurrence by comparing biochemical recurrence with clinical recurrence. Results: The pretreatment SCC-Ag level and the proportion of patients over 1.5 ng/mL were higher in poor prognostic patient group. In the univariate and multivariate analysis, pretreatment SCC-Ag showed a statistically significant correlation with tumor size, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, pathology. In patients with biochemical recurrence vs. those without, 5-year DFS and OS were 27.6 vs. 92.7% (p ${\leq}$ 0.001) and 53.7 vs. 92.5% (p ${\leq}$ 0.001), respectively. Conclusion: Our study reconfirmed the known function of pretreatment SCC-Ag, but could not confirm the function of biochemical response as a predictive factor for treatment and as a prognostic factor. There was no statistically significant relationship between SCC-Ag level and recurrence site. We confirmed the role of SCC-Ag as a follow-up tool for recurrence of disease and which patient groups SCC-Ag was more useful for.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.105-116
• /
• 1998

Purpose In this study, We observed the recovery process in the ability to move in the hind limbs of the rats whose spinal cord injuries were treated by Radix acouniti(RA). The purpose of this study is to see the effects of Radix acouniti(RA) water extract on the contraction of rat's spinal cord injury. Procedure First, the rats were subjected to hemisectional spinal cord injuries by a scalpel blade. Those rats, then, were divided into three groups: Sham operated rats group and the experimental group, which received the Radix acouniti(RA) water extract, and the control group, which had no treatment. Their recovery in the ability to walk was observed by the Open Field Test (OFT) for 14 days after the injuries. Method The OFT was applied at four points: the hip, knee, ankle joint, and the tail. Each joint was given a movement rating of from 0 to 3, depending on the amount of movement. A movement rating of 0 designates no movement, a 1 designates slight movement, a 2 designates increased movement, and a 3 designates active movement. Slight movement is defined as a joint displaying less than or equal to 30% of that joint range, increased movement is displaying less than or equal to 60% of that joint's range, and active movement is greater than or equal to 90% of that joint's range. Tail movement is also graded on a scale of 0 to 3. A rating of 0 indicates that the tail is down 100% of the time, one of 1 indicates that the tail is down more than 10%, one of 2 shows that the tail is down less than 50% but more than 10% of the time, and one of 3 shows that the tail is down less than 10% of the time. All four ratings were added together and then averaged to arrive at a single score. Results The sham group which did not go through spinal cord injuries showed near normal results on all 3 joints and tail from right after the operation, which one would expect. The RA oral application group showed more effective recovery of movememt function than the control group around 4 days after the spinal cord injuries. However, after 14 days, both groups displayed almost the same degree of movement recovery. The results of this study are summarized as follows: 1. After 14days the spinal cord injuries, movement was recovered in sham operated group, control group, and experimented group in the hip, the knee, the tail and then the ankle of rats, in that order. 2. Around 7 days after the spinal cord injuries, the experimental group proved the effectiveness of the therapy in terms of movement recovery. 3. The level of ALT, ALP, AST in RA treated group was slightly increased. 4. The level of BUN and creatinine in RA treated group was slightly increased. The above results indicate that RA therapy at an early stage can bring about better movement recovery in patients with spinal cord injuries from traffic accidents or industrial disasters. But there is apparent side effect of RA on clinical, therefore the study on this should be continued.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.315-322
• /
• 2003

Background : Important factors to determine treatment method and prognosis of oral cancer are anatomical site, tumor size, metastatic lesion, histologic cell differenciation and microvascular invasion. Anatomical site has great effect to oral cancer patient's survival rate because each site's accessibility and lymph node metastasis is different but this factor was't studied much than other factors. Patients and Methods : 228 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of common primary sites(Mandible, Maxilla, Floor of Mouth and Tongue) in oral cavity who were diagnosed in the Korea Cancer Center Hospital from January 1989 to December 1999, were clinically studied and analyzed on survival rate. Results : 1. Survival rates of each anatomical sites were Tongue(36.8%), Mandible(33.3%), Maxilla(28.7%) and Floor of Mouth(24.5%). Survival rates difference between Tongue and Floor of Mouth has significance(p<0.05). 2. Survival rates for early cancer of each site were Maxilla(100%), Mandible(57.1%), Tongue(54.2%) and Floor of Mouth(46.7%). Survival rates difference between Maxilla and Floor of Mouth has significance(p<0.05). 3. Survival rates by surgery method of each site were Maxilla(60.6%), Tongue(56.9%), Mandible(44.8%) and Floor of Mouth(26.3%). Survival rates difference between Maxilla and Floor of Mouth has significance(p<0.05). 4. Survival rates by radiation or chemo method of each site were Floor of Mouth(23.5%), Mandible(20.0%), Maxilla(9.5%), and Tongue(9.1%). Survival rates difference between each site doesn't have significance(p>0.05). 5. In advance stage, Survival rates by single therapy of each site were Tongue(33.6%), Mandible(23.5%), Floor of Mouth(16.7%), Maxilla(0%), and Survival rates difference between Maxilla and Tongue has significance (p<0.05). Survival rates by combination therapy of each site were Mandible(38.1%), Maxilla(30.0%), Floor of mouth(18.2%), Tongue(12.5%), and Survival rates difference between Mandible and Tongue has significance(p<0.05). Conclusion : Survival rate of tongue is higher than the other sites, early detection of oral cancer can increase survival rate at any site and combination therapy is the most effetive method, especially at maxilla.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.7
• /
• pp.2987-2991
• /
• 2015

Background: The prognostic role of thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) expression in lung cancer has been assessed but with inconsistent results. The present study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of TTF1 expression in advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, patients with stage IIIB-IV non-squamous NSCLC were enrolled. Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed according to TTF1 expression status, age categories (${\leq}60$ vs >60 years), gender, performance status (PS) (0-2 vs 3-4), type of 1st line chemotherapy (pemetrexed containing vs others) and EGFR status. Results: A total of 120 patients were included. In univariate analysis, PFS was improved in patients with PS 0-2 (7.0 vs 2.0 months, p=0.002) and those who received pemetrexed-containing chemotherapy (9.2 vs 5.8 months, p=0.004). OS was improved in female patients (23.0 vs 8.7 months, p<0.0001), PS 0-2 (14.4 vs 2.0 months, p<0.0001), those with pemetrexed-containing chemotherapy (17.0 vs 11.0 months, p=0.019), TTF1-positive (12.8 vs 5.8 months, p=0.011) and EGFR- mutant patients (23.0 vs 11.7 months, p=0.006). In multivariate analysis, male gender (HR=2.34, p=0.025) and non-pemetrexed containing therapy (HR=2.24, p=0.022) were independent predictors of worse PFS. Wild EGFR status (HR=2.49, p=0.015) and male gender (HR=2.78, p=0.008) were predictors of worse OS. Conclusions: Pemetrexed-containing therapy significantly improved PFS while OS was improved in EGFR mutant patients. Female patients had better PFS and OS. TTF1 expression was not a prognostic marker in advanced non-squamous NSCLC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.1677-1680
• /
• 2013

Background: Areas of Iran have among the highest incidences of esophageal cancer in the world. Definitive chemo-radiotherapy (DCRT) is used for locally advanced esophageal cancer and for inoperable tumors asan alternative to surgical treatment. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in North-West Iran 2006-2011, including 267 consecutive patients with non-metastatic esophageal cancer. Eligible inoperable patients were treated with DCRT or definitive radiotherapy (DRT) alone. Radiotherapy (RT) was delivered at 1.8-2 Gy/day for five consecutive days in a given week. Chemotherapy (CT) consisted of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. Results: The median survival was 12.7 months with 1, 3 and 5 year survival rates of 55%, 18% and 11%, respectively. On univariate analysis, relations with age at diagnosis (p=0.015), N-stage (p=0.04), total dose of RT (p=0.001), fraction (p<0.001), Gap status (p=0.025), chemotherapeutic regimens (P=0.027), and 5-Fu $Mg/m^2$ (P=0.004) were apparent. Comparing DCRT to DRT, there was a significant difference in survival. Multivariate analysis was performed for comparison between DCRT and DRT showed significant association with age group ${\geq}65$ to <65 (P=0.02; OR: 1.46), the total RT dose (Gy) ${\geq}50$ to <50 (P=0.01; OR: 0.65) and the fraction group ${\geq}25$ to <25 (P=<0.001; OR: 0.54). Conclusions: The survival rates of esophageal cancer treated with DCRT in North West of Iran is poor; therefore, early detection and improved treatment methods, with clinical trials are a high priority.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.8
• /
• pp.4077-4082
• /
• 2016

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a dreadful complication of end stage liver disease with high morbidity and mortality. Aim: The aim was to assess the role of serum talin-1 and non-invasive fibrosis in patients with HCC. Materials and Methods: A total of eighty seven subjects were enrolled, with 22 two healthy individuals as a control group (n=22), 22 patients in the cirrhosis group and finally 43 in the group with HCC diagnosed with positive triphasic CT abdomen criteria. Serum talin-1 and noninvasive fibrosis parameters were assessed in all subjects. Results: Compared to the cirrhosis group, patients with HCC had higher serum talin-1 ($32.9{\pm}12.6$ vs. $11.1{\pm}2.79ng/ml$), FIB4 ($9.96{\pm}15.3$ vs. $2.90{\pm}1.87$) and $fibro-{\alpha}$ ($10.9{\pm}18.1$ vs. $1.55{\pm}0.28$) but not fibrosis index scores ($4.47{\pm}0.95$ vs. $4.98{\pm}0.96$; p=0.046). Patients with large focal lesions (${\geq}5cm$) had different ALBI scores ($-1.02{\pm}0.63$ vs. $-1.72{\pm}0.59$; p=0.001) serum talin-1 ($9.72{\pm}13.81$ vs. $28.6{\pm}38.89ng/ml$; p=0.007) and fibrosis index scores ($0.85{\pm}0.99$ vs. $4.20{\pm}4.85$; p=0.026). No statistical differences were noted between patients with and without portal vein thrombosis. For detection of HCC, serum talin-1 had 97.7% sensitivity and 100% specificity with a 17.2 ng/ml cutoff. AFP at a 13.7 ng/ml cutoff had 72.1% sensitivity and 6.3.6% specificity. The cutoff for the $fibro-{\alpha}$ score was 1.61 with 81.4% sensitivity and 77.3% specificity. Serum talin-1 (odds=1.08; C.I=1.016-1.150; p=0.014), fibrosis index score (odds=2.35; C.I=1.055-5.217; p=0.037) and the ALBI score (odds=6.9; C.I=1.924-24.708; p=0.003) were predictors of large focal lesions. Conclusions: Serum talin-1, AST/ALT ratio, $fibro-{\alpha}$ score are useful for the assessment of HCC patients.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.34-41
• /
• 2017

Anticonvulsants, calcium channel blockers and immunosuppressants are representative drugs related with gingival enlargement. Clinical signs and symptoms caused by drug-induced gingival enlargment frequently appear within 1 to 3 months after medication. At initial stage, it is limited to attached gingiva but may extend coronally and interfere with esthetics, mastication and speech. Interproximal spaces are common beginning area and pathologic teeth migration could be occurred by the lesion. Withdrawal or substitution of medication would be the most effective treatment of drug-induced gingival enlargement. However, periodontal treatment and further supportive periodontal therapy should be provided where change in medication is impossible. The present study reports the cases which show the resolution of inflammation with spontaneous teeth migration without change in medication. In all cases discussed in this report could be efficiently managed with proper periodontal treatment and further supportive periodontal therapy.