• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• 제36권3호
• /
• pp.205-215
• /
• 2024

Manually mapping fractures in construction stone mines is challenging, time-consuming, and hazardous. In this method, there is no physical access to all points. In contrast, digital image processing offers a safe, cost-effective, and fast alternative, with the capability to map all joints. In this study, two methods of detecting the trace of discontinuities using image processing in construction stone mines are presented. To achieve this, we employ two modified Hough transform algorithms and the degree of neighborhood technique. Initially, we introduced a method for selecting the best edge detector and smoothing algorithms. Subsequently, the Canny detector and median smoother were identified as the most efficient tools. To trace discontinuities using the mentioned methods, common preprocessing steps were initially applied to the image. Following this, each of the two algorithms followed a distinct approach. The Hough transform algorithm was first applied to the image, and the traces were represented through line drawings. Subsequently, the Hough transform results were refined using fuzzy clustering and reduced clustering algorithms, along with a novel algorithm known as the farthest points' algorithm. Additionally, we developed another algorithm, the degree of neighborhood, tailored for detecting discontinuity traces in construction stones. After completing the common preprocessing steps, the thinning operation was performed on the target image, and the degree of neighborhood for lineament pixels was determined. Subsequently, short lines were removed, and the discontinuities were determined based on the degree of neighborhood. In the final step, we connected lines that were previously separated using the method to be described. The comparison of results demonstrates that image processing is a suitable tool for identifying rock mass discontinuity traces. Finally, a comparison of two images from different construction stone mines presented at the end of this study reveals that in images with fewer traces of discontinuities and a softer texture, both algorithms effectively detect the discontinuity traces.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제13권9호
• /
• pp.4777-4781
• /
• 2012

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the efficacy and safety of different doses of thalidomide (Thal) plus dexamethasone (Dex) as the initial therapy in elderly patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Methods: Clinical data of 28 elderly patients with newly diagnosed MM who underwent the TD regimen as the initial therapy were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to the maximal sustained dose of Thal: lower dose (group A) and higher dose (group B). The overall response rate (ORR), progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AES) were compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 28 patients were followed up with a median of 18 months. The ORR was 60.1%. The median response time and PFS were 2.0 and 17.0 months, respectively. The mean sustained dose of Thal in group B was significantly higher than group A (292.9 mg v 180.4 mg, P=0.01). There was no significantly difference in ORR (57.1% v 64.3%, P=1.00) and PFS (9.63months v 17.66 months, P=0.73) between groups A and B. During the follow up, only five patients died (<40%) and, therefore, median OS values were not available. It is estimated, however, that the mean survival time in the two groups was 35.6 and 33.4 months (P>0.05), respectively. All of the patients tolerated the treatment well. The incidence of AES in patients with a grading above 3 in group B was significantly higher than in group A (P=0.033). Conclusions: The TD regimen results in a high response rate and manageable AES as the initial therapy in elderly patients with MM. TD should be considered as the front line regimen for the treatment of elderly patients with MM in areas with financial constraints. The clinical response can be achieved at a low dose Thal with minimal toxicity.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제44권5호
• /
• pp.975-991
• /
• 1997

배 경 : INH와 RFP에 동시내성을 보이는 다제내성 폐결핵은 적극적인 내과적 치료에도 불구하고 치료실패율이 40%에 이른다. 과거 폐결핵의 치료에 사용되었던 폐절제술이 다제내성 폐결핵의 보조적 치료수단으로 최근 다시 등장하였다. 방 법 : 1991년 1월부터 1995년 12월까지 HIV 감염이 없으면서 INH와 RFP에 동시내성을 보이는 다제내성 폐결핵 환자중 폐결핵 자체에 대한 보조적 치료로써 시행한 환자 14명을 대상으로 하여 후향적으로 의무기록과 방사선촬영소견 등을 조사하였다. 결 과 : 내과적 치료에도 불구하고 12명 (86%)의 환자에서 수술전 객담 균음전에 실패하였고 수술전 균음전이 이루어진 2명의 환자에서도 절제된 폐조직에서 실시한 결핵균 배양검사는 양성이었다. 흉부 전산화단층촬영상 양측성 병변이 10명(71%)에서 관찰되었다. 늑막폐절제술을 포함한 전폐절제술을 6명, 엽절제술 6명, 2명에서 시행하였다. 수술전 1초간 노력성 폐활량이 2L 이하였던 7명의 환자에서 수술전 폐관류스캔을 실시하였고, 절제된 폐로의 관류 중앙값 4.8%에 불과하였다. 수술과 관련한 사망은 없었으며, 1명에서 수술후 폐늑막루를 포함한 농흉이 발생하였고, 1명에서 3주이상 흉관을 통한 공기유출이 있었다. 수술후 13명(93%)의 환자에서 균음전화가 이루어졌고 중앙값 23개월간의 추적관찰기간동안 재발은 없었다. 1명(7%)의 환자는 폐절제술후에도 객담 균양성이 지속되었다. 결 론 : 과거 국내외에서 보고된 다제내성 폐결핵의 내과적 치료성적과 비교해 볼 때, 병변이 국한되어있고 적절한 폐기능을 가진 다제내성 폐결핵 환자에서 실시되는 보조적인 폐절제술은 중요한 역할을 할 것으로 기대된다.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• 제21권1호
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2003

목적 : 계명대학교 의과대학 치료방사선과학교실의 의료진들이 개발하여 사용하고 있는 방사선수술 시스템인 Photon Knife를 이용하여 뇌동정맥기형을 치료하고 그 효과를 보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 1993년 12월부터 2000년 10월까지 뇌동정맥기형으로 계명대학교 동산의료원 치료방사선과를 방문하여 Photon Knife로 방사선수술을 받은 환자는 30명이었다. 성별분포는 남자 20명, 여자 10명이며 연령분포는 7세부터 63세로 평균 34세이었다. 뇌동정맥기형(AVM nidus)의 위치는 전두부, 두정부, 시상부 순이었고 변소의 장경은1.2 cm에서 5.5 cm으로 평균 2.9 cm이었으며 표적용적은 0.5 cc에서 20.6 cc로 평균 6.8 cc이었다. 대부분에서 회전 중심선량의 80% 등선량곡선(Isodose line)에 1,500~2,500 cGy (중앙값 2,000 cGy)를 조사하였다. 1개의 회전중심점을 사용한 환자는 25명이었고 2개의 회전중심점을 사용한 환자는 4명이었으며 1명은 4개의 회전중심점을 사용하였다. 추적검사는 방사선수술 후 6개월에서 1년 간격으로 전산화단층촬영이나 자기공명영상을 시행하여 병소(nidus)의 완전소실이 관찰되면 뇌혈관조영술이나 자기공명영상 혈관조영촬영술로 확인하였다. 추적관찰기간은 10개월에서 103개월로 중앙추적기간은 39개월이었다 결과 : 전체환자 중 영상학적으로 20개월 이상 추적 관찰된 환자는 20명이었으며 그 중 70% (14/20)에서 완전폐색을 관찰하였다. 병소의 장경에 따라 작은 뇌동정맥기형(<2 cm) 환자 4명은 모두 완전폐색이 되었고 중간크기 뇌동정맥기형(2~3 cm은 80%, (8/10)에서 완전폐색이 되었으며 2명은 부분폐색이 되었다. 큰 뇌동정맥기형(> cm)에서는 환자 6명 중 1명만 완전폐색을 보였고 5명에서는 부분폐색은 되었으나 3년재에도 남아 있는 환자 3명은 재 방사선수술을 하였고 이 중 20개월 이상 추적검사를 받은 1명은 재 방사선수술 후 완전폐색이 되었다. 방사선 수술전 신경발작(seizure)을 주소로 내원한 환자 10명은 방사선수술과 약물투여로 신경발작의 재발은 없었다. 뇌출혈이 있었던 11명 중 1명에서 방사선수술 후 19개월, 61개월에 다시 출혈하였으나 입원 치료 후 회복되었다. 방사선수술에 의한 심각한 부작용은 관찰되지 않았다. 결론 : 이상으로 볼 때 저자들에 의해 개발된 Photon knife를 이용한 방사선수술은 뇌동정맥기형에서 수술이 불가능한 위치에 있거나 수술을 거부하는 환자 중 병소의 장경이 3 cm 이하이거나 병소의 용적이 10 cm$^{3}$ 이하인 뇌동정맥기형의 치료에 안전하고 효과적인 방법으로 사료된다. 또한 10 cm$^{3}$ 이상의 용적이 큰 뇌동정맥기형에서는 순차적(staged) 방사선수술을 처음부터 고려할 필요가 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제62권5호
• /
• pp.432-436
• /
• 2007

악성 흉막 중피종(Malignant pleural mesothelioma, MPM)은 선암과의 감별이 어렵고 예후가 매우 좋지 않은 드문 암이다. MPM의 치료를 위해 많은 항암제들이 시도되었지만 그 효과는 크지 않았다. 완전관해는 거의 되지 않으며 부분 관해 역시 1/3 이하의 환자에서 기대할 수 있다. 하지만 최근 한 3상 연구를 보면 cisplatin 단독요법에 비해 pemetrexed/cisplatin 병합 항암화학요법이 반응률과 평균 생존기간을 의미있게 증가시켰다. 이에 저자들은 1차 항암화학치료에 실패한 MPM환자에서 pemetrexed/cisplatin 병합화학요법을 시도한 결과 극적인 반응을 보인 1예를 경험하였기에 문헌 고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제14권3호
• /
• pp.2019-2022
• /
• 2013

Purpose: To investigate the safety and efficacy of pemetrexed combined with chemotherapy as second or third line in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC). Patients and Methods: This trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of pemetrexed given to patients with recurrent or metastatic colorectal carcinoma who previously received 5-FU-based chemotherapy. All patients were required to have a histological diagnosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma with measurable metastatic disease and prior chemotherapy. Patients received pemetrexed at a dose of 500 $mg/m^2$ by 10 minute infusion on day 1, repeated every 21 days. Doses were modified depending on nadir counts. Combined chemotherapy included Oxaliplatin, Irinotecan and cis-platinum. Results: Thirty patients were enrolled and twenty-nine were evaluable for response. One patient did not have repeat radiological testing to determine response because he went off study after only one cycle of treatment for economic reasons. For 29 evaluable patients, 1 partial response, 6 stable disease and 22 progressive disease were recorded. Response rate was 3.45% (1/29). All responses occurred in patients receiving a starting dose of pemetrexed 500 $mg/m^2$. Median time to progression for all eligible patients was 2.5 months. The most common toxicities experienced were mild to moderate fever, hepatic damage, myelosuppression, nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and skin rash. Conclusion: Pemetrexed at 500 $mg/m^2$ given every three weeks combined with chemotherapy is associated with moderate response and good tolerability in patients with stage IV CRC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제14권10호
• /
• pp.5989-5993
• /
• 2013

Background: Radiation therapy is the mainstay of treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Importance of tumor coverage and challenges posed by its unique and critical location are well evident. Therefore we aimed to evaluate our radiation treatment plan through dose volume histograms (DVHs) to find planning target volume (PTV) dose coverage and factors affecting it. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study covered 45 histologically proven nasopharyngeal cancer patients who were treated with definitive 3D-CRT and chemotherapy between Feb 2006 to March 2013 at the Department of Oncology, Section Radiation Oncology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. DVH was evaluated to find numbers of shrinking field (phases), PTV volume in different phases and its coverage by the 95% isodose lines, along with influencing factors. Results: There were 36 males (80%) and 9 females (20%) in the age range of 12-84 years. Stage IVA (46.7%) was the most common stage followed by stage III (31.1). Eighty six point six-percent received induction, 95.5% received concurrent and 22.2% received adjuvant chemotherapy. The prescribed median radiation dose was 70Gy to primary, 60Gy to clinically positive neck nodes and 50Gy to clinically negative neck regions. Mean dose to spinal cord was 44.2Gy and to optic chiasma was 52Gy. Thirty seven point eight-percent patients completed their treatment in three phases while 62.2% required four to five phases. Mean volume for PTV3 was $247.8cm^3$ (50-644.3), PTV4 $173.8cm^3$ (26.5-345.1) and PTV5 $119.6cm^3$ (18.9-246.1) and PTV volume coverage by 95% isodose lines were 74.4%, 85.7% and 100% respectively. Advanced T stage, intracranial extension and tumor volume > $200cm^3$ were found to be important factors associated with decreased PTV coverage by 95% isodose line. Conclusions: 3D CRT results in adequate PTV dose coverage by 95% isodose line. However advanced T stage, intracranial extension and large target volume require more advanced techniques like IMRT for appropriate PTV coverage.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제14권5호
• /
• pp.2703-2706
• /
• 2013

Purpose: This study was to determine the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed based chemotherapy in treating patients with metastatic gastric cancer who failed to respond to first and (or) second line chemotherapy. Patients and Methods: Metastatic gastric cancer patients who failed first and (or) second line chemotherapy, were enrolled. All patients were recruited from Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, and were treated with pemetrexed $500mg/m2$ (intravenous; on day 1), and a platinum (or irinotecan) every 3 weeks until disease progression, or intolerable toxicity. Evaluation on efficacy was conducted after two cycles of chemotherapy using the Response Evaluation Criteria for Solid Tumors. Toxicity was recorded according to National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0. Results: From Jun 2011 to May 2013, 23 patients were enrolled. All eligible 23 patients completed at least 2 cycles of chemotherapy with pemetrexed based chemotherapy, and were evaluable. Their median age was 55 years (range 40 to 78 years). Seventeen patients were male and 6 female. Three patients (13%) achieved partial response, five patients (22%) stable, 15 patients (65%) with disease progression, and none with complete response. Grade 2 neutrophil suppression occurred in 4.3%, grade 3 in 13% of patients, and no grade 4 was reported. Thrombocytopenia was encountered as follows: 4.3% grade 2, 4.3% grade 3 and 4.3% grade 4. Incidence of anemia was 34.8% in grade 2, 8.7% grade 3 and 0% grade 4. Only 4.3% of patients required packed red blood cell infusion. Elevated transaminase were 4.3% in grade 2 and 0% in grade 3 or 4. Other toxicity included oral mucositis. Conclusions: Pemetrexed based chemotherapy is mildly effective in treating patients with metastatic gastric cancer with tolerable toxicity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제14권9호
• /
• pp.5185-5188
• /
• 2013

Background: We aimed to evaluate prognostic factors and response rates to various treatment approaches to patients with synovial sarcoma in an advanced setting. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 55 patients (18 pts; 32.7% women) diagnosed with synovial sarcomas. Twenty had metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis while the remainder of the study group consisted of patients who developed metastatic or inoperable locally advanced disease during follow up. Results: The median follow up time was 15 months (range: 1-53). Regarding outcomes for the 55 patients, 3 and 5 year overall survival rates were 26% and 14%, respectively. In univariate analyses among demographic factors female gender was associated with a better outcome (p=0.030). Patients with early progressing disease (<2 years) had a worse prognosis when compared to patient group with late relapse, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.056). According to multivariate Cox regression analysis patients who had undergone metastasectomy had a significant survival advantage (p=0.044). The overall response rate to different salvage chemotherapy regimens given as second line treatment was around 42.9-53.9% for all regimes. There were no statistically significant differences between chemotherapy regimens given in either second or third line settings in terms of overall survival. Conclusions: We observed no major differences in terms of response rate and survival between different salvage chemotherapy regimens. Although metastatic disease still carries a poor prognosis, metastasectomy was found to be associated with improved survival.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• 제17권2호
• /
• pp.132-144
• /
• 2017

Purpose: To identify baseline prognostic factors for survival in patients with disease progression, during or after chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer. Materials and Methods: We pooled data from patients randomized between 2009 and 2012 in 2 phase III, global double-blind studies of ramucirumab for the treatment of advanced gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma following disease progression on first-line platinum- and/or fluoropyrimidine-containing therapy (REGARD and RAINBOW). Forty-one key baseline clinical and laboratory factors common in both studies were examined. Model building started with covariate screening using univariate Cox models (significance level=0.05). A stepwise multivariable Cox model identified the final prognostic factors (entry+exit significance level=0.01). Cox models were stratified by treatment and geographic region. The process was repeated to identify baseline prognostic quality of life (QoL) parameters. Results: Of 1,020 randomized patients, 953 (93%) patients without any missing covariates were included in the analysis. We identified 12 independent prognostic factors of poor survival: 1) peritoneal metastases; 2) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score 1; 3) the presence of a primary tumor; 4) time to progression since prior therapy <6 months; 5) poor/unknown tumor differentiation; abnormally low blood levels of 6) albumin, 7) sodium, and/or 8) lymphocytes; and abnormally high blood levels of 9) neutrophils, 10) aspartate aminotransferase (AST), 11) alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and/or 12) lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Factors were used to devise a 4-tier prognostic index (median overall survival [OS] by risk [months]: high=3.4, moderate=6.4, medium=9.9, and low=14.5; Harrell's C-index=0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-0.68). Addition of QoL to the model identified patient-reported appetite loss as an independent prognostic factor. Conclusions: The identified prognostic factors and the reported prognostic index may help clinical decision-making, patient stratification, and planning of future clinical studies.