PURPOSE: To evaluate the characteristics of (widely used) cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Images were obtained with CT performance phantoms (The American Association of Physicists in Medicine; AAPM). CT phantom as the destination by using PSR 9000N(TM) dental CT system (Asahi Roentgen Ind. Co., Ltd., Japan) and i-CAT CBCT (Imaging Science International Inc., USA) that have different kinds of detectors and field of view, and compared these images with the CT number for linear attenuation, contrast resolution, and spatial resolution. RESULTS: CT number of both PSR 9000N(TM) dental CT system and i-CAT CBCT did not conform to the base value of CT performance phantom. The contrast of i-CAT CBCT is higher than that of PSR 9000N(TM) dental CT system. Both contrasts were increased according to thickness of cross section. Spatial resolution and shapes of reappearance was possible up to 0.6 mm in PSR 9000N(TM) dental CT system and up to 1.0 mm in i-CAT CBCT. Low contrast resolution in region of low contrast sensitivity revealed low level at PSR 9000N(TM) dental CT system and i-CAT CBCT. CONCLUSION: CBCT images revealed higher spatial resolution, however, contrast resolution in region of low contrast sensitivity was the inferiority of image characteristics.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography* ; Contrast Sensitivity ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Radiography, Dental ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Diagnostic ultrasonography was performed on 34 cases with, various urological disorders, mainly of the kidney, and its diagnostic accuracy and simplicity were evaluated.
Kidney ; Ultrasonography* ; Urology*

Diagnostic ultrasonography was performed on 34 cases with, various urological disorders, mainly of the kidney, and its diagnostic accuracy and simplicity were evaluated.
Kidney ; Ultrasonography* ; Urology*

PURPOSE: Screening in cervical cancer is now progressing to discover candidate genes and proteins that may serve as biological markers and that play a role in tumor progression. We examined the protein expression patterns of the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) tissues from Korean women with using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Normal cervix and SCC tissues were solubilized and 2-DE was performed using pH 3~10 linear IPG strips of 17 cm length. The protein expression was evaluated using PDQuest 2-D software(TM). The differentially expressed protein spots were identified with a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer, and the peptide mass spectra identifications were performed using the Mascot program and by searching the Swiss-prot or NCBInr databases. RESULTS: A total of 35 proteins were detected in SCC. 17 proteins were up-regulated and 18 proteins weredown-regulated. Among the proteins that were identified, 12 proteins (pigment epithelium derived factor, annexin A2 and A5, keratin 19 and 20, heat shock protein 27, smooth muscle protein 22 alpha, alpha-enolase, squamous cell carcinoma antigen 1 and 2, glutathione S-transferase and apolipoprotein a1) were protein previously known to be involved in tumor, and 21 proteins were newly identified in this study. CONCLUSION: 2-DE offers the total protein expression profiles of SCC tissues; further characterization of these differentially expressed proteins will give a chance to identify the badly needed tumor-specific diagnostic markers for SCC.
Annexin A2 ; Apolipoproteins ; Biomarkers ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cervix Uteri ; Databases, Protein ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Epithelium ; Female ; Glutathione Transferase ; HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Keratin-19 ; Mass Screening ; Muscle, Smooth ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and analgesic efficacy of polmacoxib 2 mg versus placebo in a superiority comparison or versus celecoxib 200 mg in a noninferiority comparison in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: This study was a 6-week, phase III, randomized, double-blind, and parallel-group trial followed by an 18-week, single arm, open-label extension. Of the 441 patients with knee or hip OA screened, 362 were randomized; 324 completed 6 weeks of treatment and 220 completed the extension. Patients were randomized to receive oral polmacoxib 2 mg (n = 146), celecoxib 200 mg (n = 145), or placebo (n = 71) once daily for 6 weeks. During the extension, all participants received open-label polmacoxib 2 mg. The primary endpoint was the change in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC)-pain subscale score from baseline to week 6. Secondary endpoints included WOMAC-OA Index, OA subscales (pain, stiffness, and physical function) and Physician's and Subject's Global Assessments at weeks 3 and 6. Other outcome measures included adverse events (AEs), laboratory tests, vital signs, electrocardiograms, and physical examinations. RESULTS: After 6 weeks, the polmacoxib-placebo treatment difference was −2.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], −4.4 to −0.6; p = 0.011) and the polmacoxib-celecoxib treatment difference was 0.6 (CI, −0.9 to 2.2; p = 0.425). According to Physician's Global Assessments, more subjects were “much improved” at week 3 with polmacoxib than with celecoxib or placebo. Gastrointestinal and general disorder AEs occurred with a greater frequency with polmacoxib or celecoxib than with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Polmacoxib 2 mg was relatively well tolerated and demonstrated efficacy superior to placebo and noninferior to celecoxib after 6 weeks of treatment in patients with OA. The results obtained during the 18-week trial extension with polmacoxib 2 mg were consistent with those observed during the 6-week treatment period, indicating that polmacoxib can be considered safe for long-term use based on this relatively small scale of study in a Korean population. More importantly, the results of this study showed that polmacoxib has the potential to be used as a pain relief drug with reduced gastrointestinal side effects compared to traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for OA.
Arm ; Celecoxib* ; Electrocardiography ; Hip ; Humans ; Knee ; Ontario ; Osteoarthritis* ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Physical Examination ; Vital Signs

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Histologically confirmed metastatic pancreatic cancers are infrequent. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical, therapeutic and prognostic features of pancreatic metastases. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated stage of primary malignancies, interval between diagnosis of primary tumors and detection of pancreatic metastases, treatment for metastases to the pancreas, survival rate, and prognostic factors in 31 patients with pancreatic metastases. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of primary cancer diagnosis was 52.4+/-13.2 years. Primary cancers were renal cell carcinoma (n=16), non-small cell lung cancer (n=6), small cell lung cancer (n=3), colorectal carcinoma (n=2), osteosarcoma (n=1), gastric carcinoma (n=1), malignant melanoma (n=1), and thymic carcinoma (n=1). Pancreatic metastases were synchronous in six cases and metachronous in twenty five cases, with median interval time of 40.8 months (range 3-186) between the diagnosis of primary tumor and detection of pancreatic metastases. The median survival after the detection of the metastases was 16 months. In multivariate analysis, non-renal cell carcinoma as primary malignancy and positive symptom related to pancreatic metastases were associated with poor prognosis (hazard ratio [HR], 8.33; 95% CI, 2.1-33; p=0.003, and HR, 4.02; 95% CI, 1.27-12.7; p=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Metastatic tumors to the pancreas have to be kept in mind when a patient with pancreatic mass has a history of other malignancy, even if treated several years before. In the absence of widely metastatic disease, aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach may offer the chance of long-term survival in selected patients.

In recent years, next-generation sequencing (NGS)–based genetic testing has become crucial in cancer care. While its primary objective is to identify actionable genetic alterations to guide treatment decisions, its scope has broadened to encompass aiding in pathological diagnosis and exploring resistance mechanisms. With the ongoing expansion in NGS application and reliance, a compelling necessity arises for expert consensus on its application in solid cancers. To address this demand, the forthcoming recommendations not only provide pragmatic guidance for the clinical use of NGS but also systematically classify actionable genes based on specific cancer types. Additionally, these recommendations will incorporate expert perspectives on crucial biomarkers, ensuring informed decisions regarding circulating tumor DNA panel testing.

In recent years, next-generation sequencing (NGS)–based genetic testing has become crucial in cancer care. While its primary objective is to identify actionable genetic alterations to guide treatment decisions, its scope has broadened to encompass aiding in pathological diagnosis and exploring resistance mechanisms. With the ongoing expansion in NGS application and reliance, a compelling necessity arises for expert consensus on its application in solid cancers. To address this demand, the forthcoming recommendations not only provide pragmatic guidance for the clinical use of NGS but also systematically classify actionable genes based on specific cancer types. Additionally, these recommendations will incorporate expert perspectives on crucial biomarkers, ensuring informed decisions regarding circulating tumor DNA panel testing.