Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Korea and the third leading cause of death from cancer. Treatment outcomes for colon cancer are steadily improving due to national health screening programs with advances in diagnostic methods, surgical techniques, and therapeutic agents.. The Korea Colon Cancer Multidisciplinary (KCCM) Committee intends to provide professionals who treat colon cancer with the most up-to-date, evidence-based practice guidelines to improve outcomes and help them make decisions that reflect their patients’ values and preferences. These guidelines have been established by consensus reached by the KCCM Guideline Committee based on a systematic literature review and evidence synthesis and by considering the national health insurance system in real clinical practice settings. Each recommendation is presented with a recommendation strength and level of evidence based on the consensus of the committee.

Purpose: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been shown significant oncological improvements in several cancers.However, ICIs are still in their infancy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), tumorinfiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) have been known as prognostic factors in HCC. Therefore, we have focused on identifying the molecular mechanisms between each marker to evaluate a predictive role. Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples were obtained from 166 patients with HCC who underwent surgery. The expression of PD-L1 and TILs and EMT marker were evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis. Results: The multivariate analysis showed that TIL expression (hazard ratio [HR], 0.483; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.269–0.866; P = 0.015) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. The prognostic factors for disease-free survival were EMT marker expression (HR, 1.565; 95% CI, 1.019–2.403; P = 0.005). Patients with high expression of TILs had significantly better survival compared to patients with low expression (P = 0.023). Patients who were TIL+/EMT– showed a significantly better prognosis than those who were TIL–/EMT+ (P = 0.049). Conclusion This study demonstrates that PD-L1 expression of TILs is closely associated with EMT marker expression in HCC. Clinical investigations using anti–PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in patients with EMT-associated PD-L1 upregulation are warranted.

Universal adhesives that simplify bonding procedures and be used in multi-etch mode have been developed. In this study, the effects of agitation and solvent evaporation time of a universal adhesive on microtensile bond strength (µTBS) were evaluated by varying the times of these two procedures. Eighteen human molars were used to fabricate specimens, and the teeth were randomly divided into six experimental groups. Each group had different agitation time (5 s, 10 s, 20 s) and evaporation time (10 s, 20 s). The specimens were cut into a rod-shape with a cross-sectional area of 1 mm2 , and their µTBS was measured. The data were analyzed using an ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test. After this, the debonded surface was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In the groups with a solvent evaporation time of 20 s, µTBS was statistically higher, even with a short agitation time (p<0.05). Furthermore, for the groups with the shorter evaporation time, bonding strength decreased statistically as the agitation time shortened (p<0.05). The results of this experiment suggest that if the solvent was adequately evaporated, sufficient bonding strength could be obtained even when the adhesive was agitated for a short time. This is supported by the results of SEM image analysis, which revealed a uniform adhesive layer with well-infiltrated tags in the groups with the prolonged evaporation time. It may be crucial to secure an adequate evaporation time in order to obtain optimal bonding strength.

Universal adhesives that simplify bonding procedures and be used in multi-etch mode have been developed. In this study, the effects of agitation and solvent evaporation time of a universal adhesive on microtensile bond strength (µTBS) were evaluated by varying the times of these two procedures. Eighteen human molars were used to fabricate specimens, and the teeth were randomly divided into six experimental groups. Each group had different agitation time (5 s, 10 s, 20 s) and evaporation time (10 s, 20 s). The specimens were cut into a rod-shape with a cross-sectional area of 1 mm2 , and their µTBS was measured. The data were analyzed using an ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test. After this, the debonded surface was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In the groups with a solvent evaporation time of 20 s, µTBS was statistically higher, even with a short agitation time (p<0.05). Furthermore, for the groups with the shorter evaporation time, bonding strength decreased statistically as the agitation time shortened (p<0.05). The results of this experiment suggest that if the solvent was adequately evaporated, sufficient bonding strength could be obtained even when the adhesive was agitated for a short time. This is supported by the results of SEM image analysis, which revealed a uniform adhesive layer with well-infiltrated tags in the groups with the prolonged evaporation time. It may be crucial to secure an adequate evaporation time in order to obtain optimal bonding strength.

Objective:To investigate the anti-senescence effect of 3-bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (BDB) from Polysiphonia morrowii Harvey in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). Methods:HDF were subjected to treatment of BDB and then treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to induce premature senescence. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity in HDF was determined using the SA-β-gal staining method. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured using the 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay. Western blotting assay was performed to assess the level of antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1). In addition, intracellular collagen and collagenase contents were analyzed using the respective ELISA kits. Elastase activity in HDF supernatants was measured from p-nitroaniline release and normalized using total protein content. Results:Treatment of HDF with H2O2 increased the activity of SA-β-gal, but BDB pre-treatment resulted in the reduction of SA-β-gal activity. Moreover, BDB significantly reduced H2O2-induced intracellular ROS production. BDB also markedly increased the level of GPX1, which was inhibited by 400 μM of H2O2. Furthermore, in in vitro study, BDB significantly increased intracellular collagen content and decreased matrix metalloproteinase-1 and elastase activities in HDF. Conclusions:Our results demonstrate that BDB shows anti-senescence and anti-wrinkle activities in vitro.

Background: Lymphopenia frequently occurs after concomitant chemoradiation (CCRT) in patients with glioblastoma (GBM) and is associated with worse overall survival (OS). A few studies have tried to identify risk factors for lymphopenia; however, the results were not clear. We aimed to identify potential risk factors for lymphopenia, focusing on the use of dexamethasone to control cerebral edema in patients with GBM. Methods: The electronic medical records of 186 patients with newly diagnosed GBM treated at our institution between 2009 and 2017 were retrospectively examined. Acute lymphopenia was defined as total lymphocyte count less than 1,000 cells/μL at 4 weeks after completion of CCRT.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for lymphopenia, and Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for OS. Results: Of the 125 eligible patients, 40 patients (32.0%) developed acute lymphopenia. Female sex and median daily dexamethasone dose ≥2 mg after initiation of CCRT were independent risk factors for acute lymphopenia on multivariate analysis. Acute lymphopenia, extent of surgical resection, and performance status were associated with OS; however, dexamethasone use itself was not an independent risk factor for poor OS. Conclusion Female sex, median daily dexamethasone dose ≥2 mg after initiation of CCRT until 4 weeks after completion of CCRT may be associated with acute lymphopenia. However, dexamethasone use itself did not affect OS in patients newly diagnosed with GBM. These results should be validated by further prospective studies controlling for other confounding factors.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and survival benefits of combined treatment with radiotherapy and adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ) in a Korean sample. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 750 Korean patients with histologically confirmed glioblastoma multiforme, who received concurrent chemoradiotherapy with TMZ (CCRT) and adjuvant TMZ from January 2006 until June 2011, were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: After the first operation, a gross total resection (GTR), subtotal resection (STR), partial resection (PR), biopsy alone were achieved in 388 (51.7%), 159 (21.2%), 96 (12.8%), and 107 (14.3%) patients, respectively. The methylation status of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) was reviewed retrospectively in 217 patients. The median follow-up period was 16.3 months and the median overall survival (OS) was 17.5 months. The actuarial survival rates at the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS were 72.1%, 21.0%, and 9.0%, respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 10.1 months, and the actuarial PFS at 1-, 3-, and 5-year PFS were 42.2%, 13.0%, and 7.8%, respectively. The patients who received GTR showed a significantly longer OS and PFS than those who received STR, PR, or biopsy alone, regardless of the methylation status of the MGMT promoter. Patients with a methylated MGMT promoter also showed a significantly longer OS and PFS than those with an unmethylated MGMT promoter. Patients who received more than six cycles of adjuvant TMZ had a longer OS and PFS than those who received six or fewer cycles. Hematologic toxicity of grade 3 or 4 was observed in 8.4% of patients during the CCRT period and in 10.2% during the adjuvant TMZ period. CONCLUSION: Patients treated with CCRT followed by adjuvant TMZ had more favorable survival rates and tolerable toxicity than those who did not undergo this treatment.
Biopsy ; Chemoradiotherapy* ; Disease-Free Survival ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glioblastoma* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Methylation ; Radiotherapy ; Retrospective Studies* ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: Although home renovation exposure during childhood has been identified as a risk factor for the development of allergy, there is limited information on the association between prenatal exposure to home renovation and cord blood (CB) IgE response. The aims of this study were to identify the effect of prenatal exposure to home renovation on CB IgE levels, and to investigate whether this exposure interacts with neonatal genes and whether the effect can be modified by maternal atopy. METHODS: This study included 1,002 mother-neonate pairs from the COhort for Childhood Origin of Asthma and allergic diseases (COCOA). Prenatal environmental factors were collected using a questionnaire. The levels of CB IgE were measured by the ImmunoCAP system, and DNA was extracted from CB. RESULTS: Exposure to home renovation during the prenatal period was associated with significantly higher levels of CB IgE only in neonates from atopic mothers, and the effect of renovation exposure on CB IgE levels persisted from 31 months before birth. Furthermore, prenatal exposure to home renovation increased the risk of CB IgE response interacting with polymorphisms of NRF2 and GSTP1 genes only in neonates from atopic mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal atopy modified the effect of prenatal exposure to home renovation on CB serum IgE response as well as the interaction between the exposure and neonatal genes involved in the oxidative stress pathway. These findings suggest that the genetically susceptible offspring of atopic mothers may be more vulnerable to the effect of prenatal exposure to home renovation on the development of allergy.
Asthma ; Cohort Studies ; DNA ; Fetal Blood* ; Gene-Environment Interaction ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Infant, Newborn ; Mothers ; Oxidative Stress ; Parturition ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Reactive Oxygen Species* ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: To investigate whether prenatal exposure to indoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) affects susceptibility to respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in infancy, to compare their effects between prenatal and postnatal exposure, and to determine whether genetic factors modify these environmental effects. METHODS: The study population consisted of 307 birth cohort infants. A diagnosis of RTIs was based on parental report of a physician's diagnosis. Indoor PM2.5 and ETS levels were measured during pregnancy and infancy. TaqMan was used for genotyping of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) (rs6726395), glutathione-S-transferase-pi (GSTP) 1 (rs1695), and glutathione-S-transferase-mu (GSTM) 1. Microarrays were used for genome-wide methylation analysis. RESULTS: Prenatal exposure to indoor PM2.5 increased the susceptibility of lower RTIs (LRTIs) in infancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=2.11). In terms of combined exposure to both indoor PM2.5 and ETS, prenatal exposure to both pollutants increased susceptibility to LRTIs (aOR=6.56); however, this association was not found for postnatal exposure. The Nrf2 GG (aOR=23.69), GSTM1 null (aOR=8.18), and GSTP1 AG or GG (aOR=7.37) genotypes increased the combined LRTIs-promoting effects of prenatal exposure to the 2 indoor pollutants. Such effects of prenatal indoor PM2.5 and ETS exposure were not found for upper RTIs. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal exposure to both indoor PM2.5 and ETS may increase susceptibility to LRTIs. This effect can be modified by polymorphisms in reactive oxygen species-related genes.
Cacao* ; Cohort Studies ; Diagnosis ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Methylation ; Odds Ratio ; Oxygen ; Parents ; Particulate Matter ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Respiratory Tract Infections* ; Smoke* ; Tobacco

A 68-year-old woman who suffered from polycythemia vera presented at our clinic with the chief complaints of pain, swelling, and a warm sensation in her left thigh. She had undergone a left bipolar hemiarthroplasty following a hip fracture 24 days prior to this presentation. Her erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were elevated. In addition, a postoperative infection was suspected in the 3-phase bone scan; therefore, she received intravenous antibiotic therapy. This approach proved to be ineffective and she was subsequently diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis via color Doppler ultrasonography. It is interesting to note that a deep vein thrombosis can present with symptoms similar to those of a postoperative infection. Furthermore, an elevated CRP level is frequently observed in patients suffering from polycythemia vera. Therefore, the two conditions, which require completely different treatments, can be confused. We report on this case with a review of the relevant literature.
Aged ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Female ; Hemiarthroplasty ; Hip* ; Humans ; Polycythemia Vera* ; Sensation ; Thigh ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Venous Thrombosis*