PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship among subjective health status, mental health, and cancer stigma of long-term cancer survivors after gastric surgery. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 135 cancer survivors visiting the family medicine clinic of a tertiary hospital were surveyed. Data were collected from March 1 to May 31, 2017. Using the questionnaire, subjective health status, mental health, and cancer stigma were measured and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean scores for subjective health status, stress, and cancer stigma were 80.16, 2.97 and 1.59 respectively. Anxiety and depression rates were 37.1% and 28.9% respectively. Cancer stigma was negatively correlated with subjective health status (r=−.18, p=.036) and positive association with anxiety (r=.23, p=.009), depression (r=.20, p=.023), and stress (r=.21, p=.017). CONCLUSION: In this study, long-term cancer survivors' subjective health status, mental health, and cancer stigma were low and these variables were significantly associated. In order to improve the quality of life of long-term gastric cancer survivors, it is necessary to actively evaluate anxiety, depression, stress, and cancer stigma. The appropriate psychosocial care interventions developed through repeated research of survivors of long-term cancer should be continued.
Anxiety ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation* ; Humans ; Mental Health* ; Quality of Life ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Survivors* ; Tertiary Care Centers

Implant prostheses were classified into screw-retained prosthesis and cement-retained prosthesis by their method of retaining, and there is screw and cement retained implant prosthesis (SCRP) which has been made reflecting the strengths of these two. The advantages of the SCRP technique are easy retrievability and passive fit of implant prostheses. However, the occlusal screw holes of implant prostheses can be thought as a disadvantage with respect to esthetics and occlusion. Inappropriately positioned implants also limited the use of the SCRP technique. The present study is reporting about the case where nine implants (US II, OSSTEM, Seoul, Korea) were placed in maxilla and eight in mandible respectively in fully edentulous patients. Then, the cement-retained prosthesis was applied for the part in which the screw hole positioned improperly, and screw-retained prosthesis for properly positioned implants so that the combined screw-cement prosthesis has been produced where the satisfying result has shown in both function and esthetics. Three-year follow-up has been done for the patient.
Denture, Partial, Fixed ; Esthetics ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Prostheses and Implants

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) examinations of suspicious breast masses in comparison to handheld breast ultrasound (HHUS) with regard to Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category assessment, and to investigate the factors affecting discrepancies in categorization. METHODS: A total of 135 masses that were assessed as BI-RADS categories 4 and 5 on ABUS that underwent ultrasound (US)-guided core needle biopsy from May 2017 to December 2017 were included in this study. The BI-RADS categories were re-assessed using HHUS. Agreement of the BI-RADS categories was evaluated using kappa statistics, and the positive predictive value of each examination was calculated. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the mammography and US findings associated with discrepancies in the BI-RADS categorization. RESULTS: The overall agreement between ABUS and HHUS in all cases was good (79.3%, kappa=0.61, P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that accompanying suspicious microcalcifications on mammography (odds ratio [OR], 4.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.83 to 11.71; P=0.001) and an irregular shape on US (OR, 5.59; 95% CI, 1.43 to 21.83; P=0.013) were associated with discrepancies in the BI-RADS categorization. CONCLUSION: The agreement between ABUS and HHUS examinations in the BI-RADS categorization of suspicious breast masses was good. The presence of suspicious microcalcifications on mammography and an irregular shape on US were factors associated with ABUS yielding a lower level of suspicion than HHUS in terms of the BI-RADS category assessment.
Biopsy, Large-Core Needle ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast ; Information Systems ; Logistic Models ; Mammography ; Ultrasonography

Ulva compressa Linnaeus (UCL) is a green algae seaweed that performs photosynthesis and is used as a food material in some Asian regions including Korea. It is known to be the dominant species in copper ion-contaminated seas, and many studies on copper ion resistant mechanisms have been reported. UCL is known to have an excellent antioxidant effect, but limited information is available regarding its other physiological activities. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of 30% prethanol extracts of Ulva compressa Linnaeus (30% PeUCL) and the underlying mechanisms of its activity on human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. The 30% PeUCL extracts suppressed FaDu cell viability without affecting normal cells (L929), as determined by MTT and viability assays. Furthermore, the 30% PeUCL extracts induced apoptosis, as determined by DAPI staining. The 30% PeUCL extracts inhibited colony formation effectively as well as wound-healing of FaDu cells, even at noncytotoxic concentrations. In addition, 30% PeUCL extracts induced apoptosis significantly through proteolytic cleavage of caspase-3, -7, and -9, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, and by downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax in FaDu cells, as determined by Western blot analysis. Collectively, these results suggest that the inhibitory effect of 30% PeUCL extracts on the growth of oral cancer cells, colony formation and wound-healing may be mediated by caspase- and mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathways in human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Therefore, 30% PeUCL extracts can be administered as a natural chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of human oral cancers.

Automated breast ultrasonography (ABUS) is a recently introduced technology. Similar to handheld ultrasound (HHUS), it is a supplementary screening test for breast cancer to be used along with mammography. It is particularly useful for detecting invasive breast cancers that may be overlooked by mammography in denser breast tissue. The use of ABUS is becoming more common because of the advantages of low operator dependency during image acquisition, high reproducibility, a wide field-of-view, and unavailability of better coronal imaging with HHUS. Consequently, there have been suggestions to extend ABUS use to diagnostic screening. Therefore, in this paper, we provide a review of the literature and discuss the usefulness and value of ABUS in breast cancer screening.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We sought to increase our understanding of the rhinitis-asthma relationship and improve strategies for the treatment of patients with these diseases. The aim of this study was to identify a connection between upper airway inflammation and lower airway responsiveness. METHODS: We counted eosinophils on nasal smears, and performed spirometry, allergic skin tests, and methacholine challenge tests in 308 schoolchildren plus a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms. The methacholine concentration causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (PC20 < 25 mg/mL) was used as the threshold of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). RESULTS: In total, 26% of subjects had positive nasal eosinophils on a smear, and 46.2% of subjects had BHR at < 25 mg/mL methacholine PC20. Nasal symptoms were higher in subjects with than without nasal eosinophils (p = 0.012). Asthma symptoms did not differ between subjects with and without nasal eosinophils. Nasal eosinophils were higher in subjects with atopy than those without (p = 0.006), and there was no difference in PC20 methacholine according to atopy (15.5 +/- 1.07 vs. 17.5 +/- 0.62; p > 0.05). No difference in BHR was detected when comparing subjects with and without nasal eosinophils. There were significant differences in the PC20 between subjects with greater than 50% nasal eosinophils and without nasal eosinophils (11.01 +/- 2.92 mg/mL vs. 17.38 +/- 0.61 mg/mL; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrated that nasal eosinophilic inflammation might contribute to lower airway responsiveness in schoolchildren, based on an epidemiological survey.
Adolescent ; Age Distribution ; Age Factors ; Asthma/diagnosis/*epidemiology/physiopathology ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity/diagnosis/*enzymology/physiopathology ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Child ; Eosinophilia/diagnosis/*epidemiology/immunology ; Eosinophils/immunology ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Intradermal Tests ; Leukocyte Count ; Lung/*physiopathology ; Male ; Nasal Mucosa/*immunology ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Rhinitis/diagnosis/*epidemiology/immunology ; Spirometry ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Plasmacytoma of the breast is a rare tumorous condition referring to an extramedullary proliferation of malignant plasma cells, commonly associated with multiple myeloma. Due to its rarity, little is known about the radiologic findings to date. We report on a case of plasmacytoma of the breast as a manifestation of multiple myeloma with its radiopathologic correlation.
Breast* ; Multiple Myeloma ; Plasma Cells ; Plasmacytoma*

PURPOSE: To report on the current practices in breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We invited the 68 members of the Korean Society of Breast Imaging who were working in hospitals with available breast MRI to participate in a survey on how they performed and interpreted breast MRI. We asked one member from each hospital to respond to the survey. A total of 22 surveys from 22 hospitals were analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 22 hospitals, 13 (59.1%) performed at least 300 breast MRI examinations per year, and 5 out of 22 (22.7%) performed > 1200 per year. Out of 31 machines, 14 (45.2%) machines were 1.5-T scanners and 17 (54.8%) were 3.0-T scanners. All hospitals did contrast-enhanced breast MRI. Full-time breast radiologists supervised the performance and interpreted breast MRI in 19 of 22 (86.4%) of hospitals. All hospitals used BI-RADS for MRI interpretation. For computer-aided detection (CAD), 13 (59.1%) hospitals sometimes or always use it and 9 (40.9%) hospitals did not use CAD. Two (9.1%) and twelve (54.5%) hospitals never and rarely interpreted breast MRI without correlating the mammography or ultrasound, respectively. The majority of respondents rarely (13/21, 61.9%) or never (5/21, 23.8%) interpreted breast MRI performed at an outside facility. Of the hospitals performing contrast-enhanced examinations, 15 of 22 (68.2%) did not perform MRI-guided interventional procedures. CONCLUSION: Breast MRI is extensively performed in Korea. The indication and practical patterns are diverse. The information from this survey would provide the basis for the development of Korean breast MRI practice guidelines.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Diagnosis ; Korea ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Mammography ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: The effect of caloric restriction (CR) in the setting of diabetes on bone metabolism has not yet been fully studied. The aim of this study is to determine if short-term CR alters bone mass and metabolism in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats, an animal model of type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Four groups (n=5) were created: OLETF rats with food ad libitum (AL), OLETF rats with CR, Long-Evans Tokusima Otsuka (LETO) rats with food AL, and LETO rats with CR. The CR condition was imposed on 24-week-old male rats using a 40% calorie reduction for 4 weeks. The effect of CR on femoral bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum markers were measured by immunoassay. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of CR, body weight decreased in both strains. The BMD decreased in LETO rats and was maintained in OLETF rats. After adjustment for body weight, BMD remained lower in LETO rats (P=0.017) but not OLETF rats (P=0.410). Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase levels decreased in LETO rats (P=0.025) but not in OLEFT rats (P=0.347). Serum leptin levels were reduced after CR in both strains, but hyperleptinemia remained in OLETF rats (P=0.009). CR increased 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in OLETF rats (P=0.009) but not in LETO rats (P=0.117). Additionally, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels decreased only in OLETF rats (P=0.009). CONCLUSION: Short-term CR and related weight loss were associated with decreases of femoral BMD in LETO rats while BMD was maintained in OLETF rats. Short-term CR may not alter bone mass and metabolism in type 2 diabetic rats.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Bone Density* ; Caloric Restriction* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Interleukin-6 ; Leptin ; Male ; Metabolism ; Models, Animal ; Rats* ; Rats, Inbred OLETF ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Weight Loss ; Biomarkers