• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.391-405
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• 2024

Purpose: Trop family proteins, including epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and Trop-2, have garnered attention as potential therapeutic and diagnostic targets for various malignancies. This study aimed to elucidate the clinicopathological significance of these proteins in gastric carcinoma (GC) and to reinforce their potential as biomarkers for patient stratification in targeted therapies. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses of EpCAM and Trop-2 were performed on GC and precancerous lesions, following rigorous orthogonal validation of the antibodies to ensure specificity and sensitivity. Results: Strong membranous staining (3+) for Trop-2 was observed in 49.3% of the GC cases, whereas EpCAM was strongly expressed in almost all cases (93.2%), indicating its widespread expression in GC. A high Trop-2 expression level, characterized by an elevated H-score, was significantly associated with intestinal type by Lauren classification, gastric mucin type, presence of lymph node metastasis, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positivity, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positivity. Patients with a high Trop-2 expression level exhibited poorer survival outcomes on univariate and multivariate analyses. High EpCAM expression levels were prevalent in differentiated histologic type, microsatellite instability-high, and EBV-negative cancer, and were correlated with high densities of CD3 and CD8 T cells and elevated combined positive score for programmed death-ligand 1. Conclusions: These results highlight the differential expression of Trop-2 and EpCAM and their prognostic implications in GC. The use of meticulously validated antibodies ensured the reliability of our IHC data, thereby offering a robust foundation for future therapeutic strategies targeting Trop family members in GC.

• 생태와환경
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.71-81
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• 2014

해수유통 중인 화성호에서 수문학적 변동이 식물플랑크톤 군집과 적응전략에 미치는 영향을 파악하기 위하여 2012년 5월부터 10월까지 7회에 걸쳐 식물플랑크톤 종조성, 생물량, 환경변수를 조사하였다. 수문학적 이벤트 (해수유통, 강수량)는 화성호의 급격한 염분변동 (2.9~29.1 psu)과 함께 영양염, 투명도를 조절하였다. 식물플랑크톤 종조성은 매 조사마다 강 (class) 수준에서 급격히 변하였고, 클로로필-a는 $9.7{\sim}104.1{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$의 범위로 6월에 낮고 9월에 높았다. 다변량 분석결과, 식물플랑크톤 천이는 4개의 시기로 구분되었다. Phase I (5~6월)은 해수유통이 빈번한 고염-중온 시기로, 작은 크기의 Gymnodinium sp., Heterosigma akashiwo이 우점하였다. Phase II (7월, 9월)에는 집중호우와 바람의 영향으로 Cylindrotheca closterium가 우점하였고, Phase III (8월)에는 저염-고온 시기로 Oscillatoria spp.가 우점하였으며, Phase IV (10월)는 해수유통이 다시 증가하고 수온이 급감하면서 작은 편모조류인 unid. cryptomonad가 우점하였다. 화성호 식물플랑크톤 군집은 형태적, 생리적 특성에 따라 구분되는 세가지 적응전략, 즉 C (colonist-invasives), S (stress-tolerants), R (ruderals)전략에 따라 구분되었다. Phase I와 IV의 우점종은 CR-전략종으로써, 약한 성층조건을 선호하는 작은 크기의 기회종이였고, Phase II와 III의 우점종은 R-전략종으로써, 유입하천수의 교란에 적응된 중간 크기의 종이다. 이 결과는 향후 해수유통차단에 의한 성층강화가 현재의 식물플랑크톤 군집을 더 작은 편모조류의 극우점으로 변화시킬 수 있음을 보여주었다. 결론적으로 화성호의 수문학적 이벤트(해수유통, 강수량)는 염분, 영양염, 성층환경 교란을 조절함으로써 식물플랑크톤의 천이와 대발생을 이끄는 중요한 요인임을 제시한다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제53권11호
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• pp.957-964
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• 2010

Purpose: Our study attempted to determine the prognostic significance of minimal residual disease (MRD) detected by a simplified flow cytometric assay during induction chemotherapy in children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Methods: A total of 98 patients were newly diagnosed with precursor B-ALL from June 2004 to December 2008 at the Asan Medical Center (Seoul, Korea). Of those, 37 were eligible for flow cytometric MRD study analysis on day 14 of their induction treatment. The flow cytometric MRD assay was based on the expression intensity of CD19/CD10/CD34 or aberrant expression of myeloid antigens by bone marrow nucleated cells. Results: Thirty-five patients (94.6%) had CD19-positive leukemic cells that also expressed CD10 and/or CD34, and 18 (48.6%) had leukemic cells with aberrant expression of myeloid antigens. Seven patients with ${\geq}1%$ leukemic cells on day 14 had a significantly lower relapse-free survival (RFS) compared to the 30 patients with lower levels (42.9 % [18.7%] vs. 92.0% [5.4%], $P$=0.004). Stratification into 3 MRD groups (${\geq}1%$, 0.1-1%, and <0.1%) also showed a statistically significant difference in RFS (42.9% [18.7%] vs. 86.9% [8.7%] vs. 100%, $P$=0.013). However, the MRD status had no significant influence on overall survival. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the MRD level on day 14 was an independent prognostic factor with borderline significance. Conclusion: An MRD assay using simplified flow cytometry during induction chemotherapy may help to identify patients with B-ALL who have an excellent outcome and patients who are at higher risk for relapse.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.470-475
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• 2019

Background: There is a lack of statistical analysis investigating the relationship between sleep problems and commute time in Korea. We aimed to analyze the association between representative health symptoms, sleep disturbances, and commute time according to working hours in Korea. Methods: The 4th Korean Working Conditions Survey data were used for analysis, and unpaid family workers and workers who work fewer than three days in a week were excluded. Commute time, working hours, and sleep hours were assessed using self-reported questionnaires. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for sleep problems were calculated using a multivariate logistic regression model with ≤10 min commute time as the reference group. Results: Among a total of 28,804 workers (men = 14,945, women = 13,859), 2.6% of men and 3.2% of women experienced sleep problems. In both sexes, long commute time (51-60 minutes and >60 minutes) showed an increased OR [men, 2.03 (CI = 1.32-3.13) and 2.05 (CI = 1.33-3.17); women, 1.58 (CI = 1.05-2.39) and 1.63 (CI = 1.06-2.50), respectively]. In stratification analysis of working hours, long commute time (51-60 and > 60 minutes) showed an increased OR in men working >40 hours/week [2.08 (CI = 1.16-3.71) and 1.92 (CI = 1.08-3.41), respectively]. Furthermore, long commute time (41-50, 51-60, and >60 minutes) showed an increased OR in women working >40 hours/week [2.40 (CI = 1.27-4.55), 2.28 (CI = 1.25-4.16), and 2.19 (CI = 1.17-4.16), respectively]. Moreover, commute time >60 minutes showed an increased OR in women working ≤40 hours/week [1.96 (CI = 1.06-3.62)]. Conclusion: This large cross-sectional study highlights that long commute time is related to sleep problems in both sexes. Shorter commute times and decreased working hours are needed to prevent sleep problems in workers.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제54권1호
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• pp.5-14
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• 2003

연구배경 : ICOPER 보고에 의하면 급성 폐혈전색전증 발생 3개월내 사망률이 17.4%이며, 일본 조사에서는 사망률이 14%라고 보고하였다. 그러나 국내에서는 급성 폐혈전색전증의 전국 규모의 대단위 연구가 없어서, 그 현황에 대해 보고된 바 없었다. 따라서 본 학회에서는 급성 폐혈전색전증에 대한 전국 실태조사를 시행하였다. 방법 : 1998년 1월 1일부터 2000년 12월 31일까지 전국수련병원급 이상 종합병원에서 급성 폐혈전색전증으로 진단받은 환자를 대상으로 역학적 특성, 임상양상, 진단법, 위험인자, 치료, 임상경과 등을 조사하였다. 결과 : 환자들의 평균연령은 $58.3({\pm}16.3)$세 였고, 남자가 40.3%였다. 발생 위험인자로는 장기간의 부동상태, 수술, 악성종양이 각각 22.9, 19.2, 15.8% 였다. 가장 흔한 증상으로는 호흡곤란과 흉통이었다. 진단을 위한 검사방법으로는 폐관류 스캔을 시행한 경우가 가장 많았다. 흉부 방사선 검사상 정상 소견을 보인 경우가 53.5%로 가장 많았고, 이상 소견으로는 흉막 삼출액이 가장 흔하였다. 치료방법으로는 86.8%에서 헤파린 항 응고법을 시행하였고 혈전 용해요법은 시행한 경우는 12.3%였다. 사망을 예측할 수 있는 인자로는 병원내에서 이환된 경우, 폐암, 빈호흡, 쇼크, 청색증의 5가지로 분석되었고, 사망 위험도는 각각 1.88, 9.20, 3.50, 6.74, 3.45배 였다. 전체 사망률은 16.9%였고 그 중에서 급성 폐혈전색전증과 연관된 사망률은 9.0%였다. 결론 : 본 조사는 급성 폐혈전색전증에 대한 최초의 전국규모의 실태조사로서, 이 결과가 향후 국내 급성폐혈전색전증의 연구와 치료에 기여할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.44-50
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• 2011

Background: Cardiovascular complications are major causes of morbidity and mortality following non-cardiac thoracic operations. Recent studies have demonstrated that elevation of N-Terminal Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels can predict cardiac complications following non-cardiac major surgery as well as cardiac surgery. However, there is little information on the correlation between lung resection surgery and NT-proBNP levels. We evaluated the role of NT-proBNP as a potential marker for the risk stratification of cardiac complications following lung resection surgery. Material and Methods: Prospectively collected data of 98 patients, who underwent elective lung resection from August 2007 to February 2008, were analyzed. Postoperative adverse cardiac events were categorized as myocardial injury, ECG evidence of ischemia or arrhythmia, heart failure, or cardiac death. Results: Postoperative cardiac complications were documented in 9 patients (9/98, 9.2%): Atrial fibrillation in 3, ECG-evidenced ischemia in 2 and heart failure in 4. Preoperative median NT-proBNP levels was significantly higher in patients who developed postoperative cardiac complications than in the rest (200.2 ng/L versus 45.0 ng/L, p=0.009). NT-proBNP levels predicted adverse cardiac events with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.76 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.545~0.988, p=0.01]. A preoperative NT-proBNP value of 160 ng/L was found to be the best cut-off value for detecting postoperative cardiac complication with a positive predictive value of 0.857 and a negative predictive value of 0.978. Other factors related to cardiac complications by univariate analysis were a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, a higher NYHA functional class and a history of hypertension. In multivariate analysis, however, high preoperative NT-proBNP level (>160 ng/L) only remained significant. Conclusion: An elevated preoperative NT-proBNP level is identified as an independent predictor of cardiac complications following lung resection surgery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제64권6호
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• pp.995-1003
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• 2021

Objective : People are living longer and the elderly population continues to increase. The incidence of degenerative spinal diseases (DSDs) in the elderly population is quite high. Therefore, we are facing more cases of DSD and offering more surgical solutions in geriatric patients. Understanding the significance and association of frailty and central sarcopenia as risk factors for spinal surgery in elderly patients will be helpful in improving surgical outcomes. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of prospectively collected data to assess the impact of preoperative central sarcopenia, frailty, and comorbidity on surgical outcome in elderly patients with DSD. Methods : We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent elective spinal surgery performed from January 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020 at our hospital. We included patients aged 65 and over who underwent surgery on the thoracic or lumbar spine and were diagnosed as DSD. Central sarcopenia was measured by the 50th percentile of psoas : L4 vertebral index (PLVI) using the cross-sectional area of the psoas muscle. We used the Korean version of the fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illnesses, and loss of weight (K-FRAIL) scale to measure frailty. Comorbidity was confirmed and scored using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). As a tool for measuring surgical outcome, we used the Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification for postoperative complications and the length of stay (LOS). Results : This study included 85 patients (35 males and 50 females). The mean age was 74.05±6.47 years. Using the K-FRAIL scale, four patients were scored as robust, 44 patients were pre-frail and 37 patients were frail. The mean PLVI was 0.61±0.19. According to the CD classification, 50 patients were classified as grade 1, 19 as grade 2, and four as grade 4. The mean LOS was 12.35±8.17 days. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that postoperative complication was significantly associated with surgical invasiveness and K-FRAIL scale. LOS was significantly associated with surgical invasiveness and CCI. K-FRAIL scale showed a significant correlation with CCI and PLVI. Conclusion : The present study demonstrates that frailty, comorbidity, and surgical invasiveness are important risk factors for postoperative complications and LOS in elderly patients with DSD. Preoperative recognition of these factors may be useful for perioperative optimization, risk stratification, and patient counseling.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.74-93
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: There has been an increased interest in determining calcium magnesium, sodium, and potassium's distinct effects on hypertension over the past decade, yet they simultaneously regulate blood pressure. We aimed at examining the association of dietary calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium independently and jointly with hypertension using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2007 to 2014. MATERIALS/METHODS: The associations were examined on a large cross-sectional study involving 16684 US adults aged>20 years, using multivariate analyses with logistical models. RESULTS: Sodium and calcium quartiles assessed alone were not associated with hypertension. Potassium was negatively associated with hypertension in the highest quartile, 0.64 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48-0.87). When jointly assessed using the high and low cut-off points, low sodium and corresponding high calcium, magnesium, and potassium intake somewhat reduced the odds of hypertension 0.39 (95% CI, 0.20-0.76). The sodium-to-potassium ratio was positively associated with hypertension in the highest quartile1.50 (95% CI, 1.11-2.02). When potassium was adjusted for sodium intake and sodium-to-potassium ratio assessed among women, increased odds of hypertension were reported in the highest quartile as 2.02 (95% CI, 1.18-3.34) and 1.69 (95% CI, 1.12-2.57), respectively. The association of combined minerals on hypertension using dietary goals established that men meeting the reference intakes for calcium and exceeding for magnesium had reduced odds of hypertension 0.51 (95% CI, 0.30-0.89). Women exceeding the recommendations for both calcium and magnesium had the lower reduced odds of 0.30 (95% CI, 0.10-0.69). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the studied minerals' association on hypertension is stronger when jointly assessed, mostly after gender stratification. As compared to men, women increased their risk of hypertension even with a low sodium intake. Women would also reasonably reduce their risk of developing hypertension by increasing calcium and magnesium intake. In comparison, men would somewhat be protected from developing hypertension with calcium intake meeting the dietary goals and magnesium exceeding the nutritional goals.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.945-950
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• 2014

Purpose: To explore the value of systemic inflammatory markers as independent prognostic factors and the extent these markers improve prognostic classification for patients with inoperable advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC) receiving palliative chemotherapy. Methods: We studied the prognostic value of systemic inflammatory factors such as circulating white blood cell count and its components as well as that combined to form inflammation-based prognostic scores (Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), Prognostic Index (PI) and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI)) in 384 patients with inoperable advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC) receiving first-line chemotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the impact of inflammatory markers on overall survival (OS). Results: Univariate analysis revealed that an elevated white blood cell, neutrophil and/or platelet count, a decreased lymphocyte count, a low serum albumin concentration, and high CRP concentration, as well as elevated NLR/PLR, GPS, PI, PNI were significant predictors of shorter OS. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only elevated neutrophil count (HR 3.696, p=0.003) and higher GPS (HR 1.621, p=0.01) were independent predictors of poor OS. Conclusion: This study demonstrated elevated pretreatment neutrophil count and high GPS to be independent predictors of shorter OS in inoperable advanced or metastatic GC patients treated with first-line chemotherapy. Upon validation of these data in independent studies, stratification of patients using these markers in future clinical trials is recommended.

• The Korean Journal of Medicine
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• 제93권6호
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• pp.538-547
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• 2018

목적: 급성 심근경색증 환자에서 좌심실 이완 기능과 좌심실 충만압은 환자의 예후와 관련되어 있다고 알려져 있다. 이 연구의 목적은 젊은 급성 심근경색증 환자에서 좌심실 이완 기능 저하 및 충만압 상승에 따른 임상 경과의 차이를 파악하고자 하였다. 방법: 2011년 1월부터 2015년 8월까지 Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-National Institute of Health (KAMIR-NIH)에 등록된 환자 중 젊은 급성 심근경색증(남 < 45세, 여 < 55세)으로 전남대학교병원에 입원한 환자 240명중에서 관상동맥중재술을 시술받고 2년 동안 임상 추적 관찰이 되어 분석 가능한 환자 200명(남 : 여 = 160명 : 40명)을 대상으로 하였다. 200명의 환자를 좌심실 이완 기능이 정상인 군(46명, $39.5{\pm}5.3$세)과 비정상군(154명, $43.5{\pm}5.1$세)으로 나누었다. 좌심실 충만압을 측정하였으며, 좌심실 충만압 상승을 E/e' ratio 15 이상으로 정의하였다. 좌심실 이완 기능 정상군과 비정상군으로 나누었고 정상 좌심실 충만압군과 좌심실 충만압 상승군으로 나누어 각각 주요 심장 사건을 분석하였다. 주요 심장 사건은 사망, 심근경색증의 재발 및 재관류술로 정의하였다. 결과: 연구 대상자를 평균 $40.9{\pm}11.6$개월 동안 임상적으로 추적 관찰한 결과, 이 중 26명(13%)에서 사망, 심근경색증재발 및 재관류등의 주요 심장 사건이 발생하였고, 좌심실이완 기능 정상군과 비정상군 간의 유의한 차이는 없었다(p = 0.810). 또한 좌심실 이완 기능을 정상군과 1도 이완기기능 장애군과 2도 이완기 기능 장애군으로 나누어서 추가 분석하였다. 2도 이완기 기능 장애군에서 심근경색증 재발은 유의한 차이를 보였지만(p = 0.006), 주요 심장 사건과 유의한 차이는 없었다(p = 0.081). 그러나 좌심실 충만압 상승군에서 정상 좌심실 충만압을 가진 환자군에 비하여 주요 심장 사건의 발생률은 유의한 차이가 있었다(p < 0.001). 다변량 분석 결과 주요 심장 사건 발생의 독립적인 인자는 E/e' ratio 15 이상 환자로 파악되었다(p = 0.019). Kaplan-Meier 생존 곡선을 이용한 사망률을 추적한 결과 좌심실 수축 기능 40% 미만인 환자(p < 0.001)와 E/e' ratio 15 이상 환자(p = 0.004)에서 유의하게 생존율이 낮았다. 결론: 높은 좌심실 충만압은 젊은 급성 심근경색증 환자의 예후에 대한 독립적 예측 인자였으며, 좌심실 충만압의 측정은 젊은 급성 심근경색증 환자에서 심근경색증 후 고위험 환자군 분류에 유용할 것으로 기대된다.