• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.57-70
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to reveal some factors of ROSC & survival for cardiac arrests from sport & leisure activities(CASLs). Methods : A retrospective study of the 1,341 out of hospital cardiac arrests(OHCAs) treated by EMS in Gyeonggi Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters from January to December in 2008 was conducted. The primary end-point was admission to emergency room. To clarify the factors through comparison of CASLs(n=58) with ROSCs & survivals(n=58), Answer Tree analysis for data mining with the CHAID algorithm was performed and alpha was set at .05. Mean, median, and percentile of time intervals, distances, and age on the 58 CASLs, 75 ROSCs, and 27 survivals(patients admitted to emergency room) were analysed. Results : Fourteen CASLs(24.1%), 41 ROSCs(54.7%), 16 survivals(59.3%) were treated with CPR within 5 min., and only 2 CASLs(3.4%), 11 ROSCs(14.7%), 10 survivals(37.0%) were treated with defilbrillation within 10 min. from arrest. If time recording from arrest to defilbrillation, the patients were classified 81.0%($X^2=9.83$, p=.005) into ROSCs & survivals. And the patients with no history, 100.0%($X^2=5.44$, p=.020). The other patients with no intention, 87.5%($X^2=7.00$, p=.024). Whereas the other patients with intention, treated with CPR after 4 min. from arrest were classified 67.2%($X^2=3.99$, p=.046) into CASLs. Conclusion : CPR within 4 minutes was the most important factor that discriminates between CASLs and ROSCs & survivals to record cardiac arrests-defilbrillation time. CPR within 4 min. from arrest, no history, and no intention were factors for improved ROSC & survival.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.79-85
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• 2011

In this paper, we proposed a design of upper-limb rehabilitation device with power-assist function for stroke survivals. The designed upper-limb rehabilitation device has three degrees of freedom； it is possible to perform flexion and extension motions of wrist, index finger and the other fingers except the thumb independently. The power-assist for wrist motion is performed by a pneumatic double-acting cylinder, but the fingers are actuated by electrical linear actuators to assist motions. A prototype upper-limb rehabilitation device and its controller were implemented. The position controller showed 0.8 mm errors in the steady-state. Experimental results showed that the proposed upper-limb rehabilitation device with power-assist function is feasible.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.919-926
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• 2010

This paper proposes a wearable hand rehabilitation device, DULEX, for persons with functional paralysis of upper-limbs after stoke. DULEX has three degrees of freedom for rehabilitation exercises for wrist and fingers except the thumb. The main function of DULEX is to extend the range of motions of finger and wrist being contracture. DULEX is designed by using a parallel mechanism, and its parameters such as length and location of links are determined by kinematic analysis. The motion trajectory of the designed DULEX is aligned to human hand to prevent a slip. To reduce total weight of DULEX, artificial air muscles are used for actuating each joint motion. In feedback control, each joint angle is indirectly estimated from the relations of the input air pressure and the output muscle length. Experimental results show that DULEX is feasible in hand rehabilitation for stroke survivals.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.207-214
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• 2019

Purpose: To identify the prognostic factors that could influence survival and to compare prognoses of the patients with the number of the risk factors that might assist in the adequate management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with bone metastases that showed a heterogeneous range of survival. Materials and Methods: A total of 41 patients, treated with radiotherapy (RT) for bone metastases from HCC from 2014 to 2017, were enrolled retrospectively. Survival was determined by the Kaplan-Meier method from the start of the RT for metastatic bone lesions. Pre-RT clinical features were evaluated and their influences on survival were analyzed. The significant factors were considered to compare survivals according to the number of prognostic factors. Results: Median follow-up was 6.0 months (range, 0.5 to 47.0 months). The median overall survival was 6.5 months, and the 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 35.5% and 13.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the Child-Pugh class A group, alpha-fetoprotein increased more than 30 ng/mL, and HCC size of more than 5 cm were associated with worse overall survival. The median survivals in HCC with none, 1, 2, and 3 of the aforementioned risk factors were 19.5, 9.0, 2.5, and 1.0 months, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results show that the overall survivals were significantly different according to the number of the risk factors among HCC patients with bone metastases who showed various lengths of survival.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.147-155
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• 2012

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people comprise about 2.5% of the Australian population. Cancer registry data indicate that their breast cancer survivals are lower than for other women but the completeness and accuracy of Indigenous descriptors on registries are uncertain. We followed women receiving mammography screening in BreastScreen to determine differences in screening experiences and survivals from breast cancer by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status, as recorded by BreastScreen. This status is self-reported and used in BreastScreen accreditation, and is considered to be more accurate. The study included breast cancers diagnosed during the period of screening and after leaving the screening program. Design: Least square regression models were used to compare screening experiences and outcomes adjusted for age, geographic remoteness, socio-economic disadvantage, screening period and round during 1996-2005. Survival of breast cancer patients from all causes and from breast cancer specifically was compared for the 1991-2006 diagnostic period using linked cancer-registry data. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to adjust for socio-demographic differences, screening period, and where available, tumour size, nodal status and proximity of diagnosis to time of screen. Results: After adjustment for socio-demographic differences and screening period, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women participated less frequently than other women in screening and re-screening although this difference appeared to be diminishing; were less likely to attend post-screening assessment within the recommended 28 days if recalled for assessment; had an elevated ductal carcinoma in situ but not invasive cancer detection rate; had larger breast cancers; and were more likely than other women to be treated by mastectomy than complete local excision. Linked cancer registry data indicated that five-year year survivals of breast cancer cases from all causes of death were 81% for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, compared with 90% for other women, and that the former had larger breast cancers that were more likely to have nodal spread at diagnosis. After adjusting for socio-demographic factors, tumour size, nodal spread and time from last screen to diagnosis, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women had approximately twice the risk of death from breast cancer as other women. Conclusions: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have less favourable screening experiences and those diagnosed with breast cancer (either during the screening period or after leaving the screening program) have lower survivals that persist after adjustment for socio-demographic differences, tumour size and nodal status.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2431-2440
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• 2015

Background: Registry data from four major public hospitals indicate trends in clinical care and survival from colorectal cancer over three decades, from 1980 to 2010. Materials and Methods: Kaplan-Meier productlimit estimates and Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate disease-specific survival and multiple logistic regression analyses to explore first-round treatment trends. Results: Five-year survivals increased from 48% for 1980-1986 to 63% for 2005-2010 diagnoses. Survival increases applied to each ACPS stage (Australian Clinico-Pathological Stage), and particularly stage C (an increase from 38% to 68%). Risk of death from colorectal cancer halved (hazards ratio: 0.50 (0.45, 0.56)) over the study period after adjusting for age, sex, stage, differentiation, primary sub-site, health administrative region, and measures of socioeconomic status and geographic remoteness. Decreases in stage were not observed. Survivals did not vary by sex or place of residence, suggesting reasonable equity in service access and outcomes. Of staged cases, 91% were treated surgically with lower surgical rates for older ages and more advanced stage. Proportions of surgical cases having adjuvant therapy during primary courses of treatment increased for all stages and were highest for stage C (an increase from 5% in 1980-1986 to 63% for 2005-2010). Radiotherapy was more common for rectal than colonic cases. Proportions of rectal cases receiving radiotherapy increased, particularly for stage C where the increase was from 8% in 1980-1986 to 60% in 2005-2010. The percentage of stage C colorectal cases less than 70 years of age having systemic therapy as part of their first treatment round increased from 3% in 1980-1986 to 81% by 1995-2010. Based on survey data on uptake of adjuvant therapy among those offered this care, it is likely that all these younger patients were offered systemic treatment. Conclusions: We conclude that pronounced increases in survivals from colorectal cancer have occurred at major public hospitals in South Australia due to increases in stage-specific survivals. Use of adjuvant therapies has increased and the patterns of change accord with clinical guideline recommendations. Reasons for sub-optimal use of radiotherapy for rectal cases warrant further investigation, including the potential for limited rural access to impede uptake of treatments at metropolitan-based radiotherapy centres.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.5923-5931
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• 2015

Background: Registry data from four major public hospitals indicate trends over three decades from 1980 to 2010 in treatment and survival from colorectal cancer with distant metastases at diagnosis (TNM stage IV). Materials and Methods: Kaplan-Meier product-limit estimates and Cox proportional hazards models for investigating disease-specific survival and multiple logistic regression analyses for indicating first-round treatment trends. Results: Two-year survivals increased from 10% for 1980-84 to 35% for 2005-10 diagnoses. Corresponding increases in five-year survivals were from 3% to 16%. Time-to-event risk of colorectal cancer death approximately halved (hazards ratio: 0.48 (0.40, 0.59) after adjusting for demographic factors, tumour differentiation, and primary sub-site. Survivals were not found to differ by place of residence, suggesting reasonable equity in service provision. About 74% of cases were treated surgically and this proportion increased over time. Proportions having systemic therapy and/or radiotherapy increased from 12% in 1980-84 to 61% for 2005-10. Radiotherapy was more common for rectal than colonic cases (39% vs 7% in 2005-10). Of the cases diagnosed in 2005-10 when less than 70 years of age, the percentage having radiotherapy and/or systemic therapy was 79% for colorectal, 74% for colon and 86% for rectum (&RS)) cancers. Corresponding proportions having: systemic therapies were 75%, 71% and 81% respectively; radiotherapy were 24%, 10% and 46% respectively; and surgery were 75%, 78% and 71% respectively. Based on survey data on uptake of offered therapies, it is likely that of these younger cases, 85% would have been offered systemic treatment and among rectum (&RS) cases, about 63% would have been offered radiotherapy. Conclusions: Pronounced increases in survivals from metastatic colorectal cancer have occurred, in keeping with improved systemic therapies and surgical interventions. Use of radiotherapy and/or systemic therapy has increased markedly and patterns of change accord with clinical guideline recommendations.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.32-36
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• 2017

In unresectable stage IV colorectal cancer, the role of palliative surgery is not defined clearly. The palliative surgery can be categorized into two surgeries; first, palliative primary tumor resection; second, palliative metastatectomy. Several retrospective studies reported initial palliative systemic chemotherapy in unresectable stage IV colorectal cancer did not increase primary tumor related complications such as obstruction, perforation and hemorrhage, so they insisted that primary tumor resection in asymptomatic stage IV colorectal cancer should be preserved. However, in terms of overall survival and cancer-specific or progression-free survival, several retrospective studies, especially using population-based big data, reported favored survivals in palliative primary tumor resection group. And also several studies reported that palliative metastatectomy such as liver resection without resection of lung metastasis showed better overall survivals. But those results from those studies came from retrospective studies and are likely to be affected by selection bias. Prospective randomized studies are needed to define the benefit of palliative primary tumor resection and metastatectomy in unresectable stage IV colorectal cancer. However, based on the updated evidences, the dogma that palliative primary tumor resection should be preserved in asymptomatic unresectable stage IV colorectal cancer should be questioned.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2465-2472
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• 2015

Background: The Quality Audit (BQA) program of the Breast Surgeons of Australia and New Zealand (NZ) collects data on early female breast cancer and its treatment. BQA data covered approximately half all early breast cancers diagnosed in NZ during roll-out of the BQA program in 1998-2010. Coverage increased progressively to about 80% by 2008. This is the biggest NZ breast cancer database outside the NZ Cancer Registry and it includes cancer and clinical management data not collected by the Registry. We used these BQA data to compare socio-demographic and cancer characteristics and survivals by ethnicity. Materials and Methods: BQA data for 1998-2010 diagnoses were linked to NZ death records using the National Health Index (NHI) for linking. Live cases were followed up to December $31^{st}$ 2010. Socio-demographic and invasive cancer characteristics and disease-specific survivals were compared by ethnicity. Results: Five-year survivals were 87% for Maori, 84% for Pacific, 91% for other NZ cases and 90% overall. This compared with the 86% survival reported for all female breast cases covered by the NZ Cancer Registry which also included more advanced stages. Patterns of survival by clinical risk factors accorded with patterns expected from the scientific literature. Compared with Other cases, Maori and Pacific women were younger, came from more deprived areas, and had larger cancers with more ductal and fewer lobular histology types. Their cancers were also less likely to have a triple negative phenotype. More of the Pacific women had vascular invasion. Maori women were more likely to reside in areas more remote from regional cancer centres, whereas Pacific women generally lived closer to these centres than Other NZ cases. Conclusions: NZ BQA data indicate previously unreported differences in breast cancer biology by ethnicity. Maori and Pacific women had reduced breast cancer survival compared with Other NZ women, after adjusting for socio-demographic and cancer characteristics. The potential contributions to survival differences of variations in service access, timeliness and quality of care, need to be examined, along with effects of comorbidity and biological factors.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.87-96
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• 1972

Studies of blood gas and lung histopathology were done in 10 dogs after intrapericardlal aorto-right pulmonary arterial anastomosis with proximal ligation of the right pulmonary antery. Among the 5 expired during or after operation, in 3 cases, the causes of the death were due to surgical bleeding and, in 2 cases, acute cardiopulmonary insufficiency because of large anastomosis stoma measured respectively 7mm and 10mm. In the 5 of survivals, one was sacrificed because of empyema at postoperative 7 days and 2 were at postoperative one month and remained 2 at postoperative 3 month respectively. The following observations were made. 1.In every survival, continuous machinary murmur was auscultated and the angiograms of all long term survivals showed the good patency of the anastomosis stoma. 2.After the ligation of the right pulmonary artery, the values of $PO_2$ and $PCO_2$ in arterial and venous blood were generally decreased comparing with the preoperative values. The mean value of $P_aO_2$ noted $83.30{pm}11.875$[p<0.01]. After the shunts operation with ligation of the right pulmonary artery, the immediate values of PH, $PO_2$ and $PCO_2$showed no significant changes comparing with that of right pulmonary artery ligation only. In the cases of survivals more than one month, the values of $PO_2$ and $PCO_2$ in the arterial and venous blood were generally higher than that of ligation of the right pulmonary artery only. The $P_aO_2$ value noted $103.750{pm}7.395$[p<0.01]. The mean values of $P_aO_2$, $PCO_2$ and PH in the arterial and venous blood almost returned to that of preoperative studies. 3.In the specimens of lung from the cadavors expired due to acute cardiopulmonary insufficiency after the operation, there were massive congestion, hemorrhage in the alveolar spaces and bronchioles. In specimens obtained at postoperative one month, there were dilatation of alveolar spaces with partial rupture, slight congestion, and alveolar wall thickening in the lung parenchyme, but there was no significant changes in pulmonary vasculature except dilation of pulmonary capillaries. In the specimens obtained at postoperative three months, the alveolar walls were more thickened in the lung parenchyme than the finding of the specimens obtained at postoperative one month. In the wall of pulmonary capillaries, there was only slight thickening with connective tissue proliferatlon.