Prenatal multivitamins containing folic acid do not decrease prevalence of depression among pregnant women

Several studies have reported an association between depression and folic acid deficiency. We investigated whether intake of prenatal multivitamins containing folic acid (MVandFA) was associated with decreased rates of depression among pregnant women. A questionnaire was given to 1,314 low-risk pregnant women. Of them, 1,277 (97.2%) women completed the questionnaire. The overall prevalence of depression was 8.1%. Of 652 participants who did not take MVandFA, 9.4% had depression, whereas 6.9% of 624 women who had MVandFA had depression (p = 0.11). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, family history of depression (adjusted OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.9-7.3) and premenstrual syndrome (adjusted OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.8-4.8) were identified as risk factors for depression during pregnancy. In conclusion, intake of MVandFA was not associated with lower rates of depression during pregnancy whereas family history of depression and personal history of premenstrual syndrome were significant risk factors.

Effects of epigallocatechin gallate on the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of diltiazem in rats

This study investigated the effect of orally administered epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a flavonoid, on the bioavailability or pharmacokinetics of diltiazem and its main active metabolites desacetyldiltiazem in rats. Pharmacokinetic parameters of diltiazem and desacetyldiltiazem were determined following the oral administration of diltiazem (15 mg x kg(-1)) in the presence or absence of EGCG (1, 4 and 12 mg x kg(-1)). The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and the peak concentration (Cmax) of diltiazem were significantly (P < 0.05, 4 mg x kg(-1) and P < 0.01, 12 mg x kg(-1)) increased in the presence of EGCG. The total body clearance (CL/F) was significantly (P < 0.05, 4 and 12 mg x kg(-1)) decreased in the presence of EGCG. Consequently, the absolute bioavailability (AB%) of diltiazem was significantly (P < 0.05, 4 mg x kg(-1) and P < 0.01, 12 mg x kg(-1)) increased compared with that of the control group. The relative bioavailability (RB%) of diltiazem was from 1.65- to 1.76-fold higher than that of the control group. The terminal half-life (t1/2) and time to reach the peak concentration (Tmax) of diltiazem did not change significantly in the presence of EGCG. EGCG significantly (P < 0.05, 12 mg x kg(-1)) increased the AUC and Cmax of desacetyldiltiazem. Metabolite-parent AUC ratio of desacetyldiltiazem was decreased, but did not change significantly. The presence of EGCG significantly enhanced the oral bioavailability of diltiazem due to inhibiting cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4-mediated metabolism and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) mediated efflux of diltiazem in the intestine.

Pregnancy outcome after exposure to oral contraceptives during the periconceptional period

To evaluate whether periconceptional exposure to oral contraceptives (OCs) increased adverse pregnancy outcomes, 136 pregnant women taking OCs within the periconceptional period were identified at the Korean Motherisk Program. Of them, 120 pregnant women accepted to participate in their study and were followed up until completion of the pregnancy. A control group of 240 age- and gravidity-matched pregnant women exposed to non-teratogen drugs for at least 1 month before pregnancy was also included. The median gestational age at delivery was 39.1 (27.0-41.0) weeks in the exposed group and 39.3 (27.4-42.0) weeks in the control group (P = 0.19). In the exposed group, 7.1% of babies were born with low birth weight versus 2.6% in the control group (P = 0.068). The number of preterm deliveries or babies born large for gestational age did not differ between the two groups. In the exposed group, the rate of birth defects was 3.2% (n = 3/99) versus 3.6% (n = 7/193) in the control group (P = 1.0). There were 15 women who took high doses of progesterone (emergency contraception) and no adverse fetal outcomes were observed. In conclusion, periconceptional exposure to OCs does not appear to increase the risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Endoscopic evaluation of significant gastrointestinal lesions in patients with iron deficiency with and without anaemia: a Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Disease study

BACKGROUND

Although endoscopy is recommended for patients with iron deficiency anaemia, there is, currently, no consensus on the role of endoscopy for iron-deficient patients without anaemia. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of serious gastrointestinal (GI) lesions, identified by endoscopy in patients with iron deficiency and anaemia compared with patients with iron deficiency without anaemia.

METHODS

One thousand five hundred and eighteen patients with a ferritin value of <or=50 ng/mL and a total iron-binding capacity >or=300 mg/dL were retrospectively investigated using oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy between January 2005 and September 2006. The lesions identified were classified as clinically important according to standard predetermined criteria.

RESULTS

Among the 1518 cases, 749 patients had anaemia and 769 had normal haemoglobin levels. Clinically important lesions were identified in 24.6% of the patients with anaemia and in 22.8% of the patients without anaemia (P > 0.05). The frequency of lower GI tract lesions (13.6 vs 11.4%, P > 0.05) and upper GI tract lesions (11.9 vs 12.5%, P > 0.05) was similar in the comparisons between the two groups. However, the frequency of malignant GI lesions was higher in the patients with anaemia (5.1 vs 0.7%, P < 0.01). In addition, the patients without anaemia were significantly more likely to have early-stage neoplasia (adenoma, early gastric cancer and Dukes' A and B colon cancer) than were the patients with anaemia (98.4 vs 52.5%, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that patients with iron deficiency should undergo endoscopic evaluation of the GI tract, irrespective of whether they have anaemia. The endoscopic evaluation of the GI tract in patients with iron deficiency without anaemia could provide an opportunity for the detection of early-stage neoplasia at a curable stage.

Central bisectionectomy for centrally located hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Central bisectionectomy, which involves the removal of the central hepatic segments (IVA, IVB, V, VIII) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is performed to reduce the volume of resected liver and to overcome the problem of insufficient future residual volume.

METHODS

Twenty-seven patients with HCC underwent central bisectionectomy from January 1998 to April 2007 in one hospital. The surgical techniques, clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes were reviewed.

RESULTS

The median operating time was 330 min. Twelve patients developed postoperative complications and two died. The most common complication, occurring in five patients, was bile duct injury leading to biloma or bile leakage. Median follow-up was 19.1 (range 1.4-102.2) months and eight patients developed a recurrence. Twenty-four patients were alive at the time of writing.

CONCLUSION

Although biliary complications occur somewhat frequently, central bisectionectomy in centrally located HCC can be performed safely to preserve liver volume.

Poly(vinyl acetate)/clay nanocomposite materials for organic thin film transistor application

Nanocomposite materials of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and organoclay were fabricated, in order to be utilized as dielectric materials of the organic thin film transistor (OTFT). Spin coating condition of the nanocomposite solution was examined considering shear viscosity of the composite materials dissolved in chloroform. Intercalated structure of the PVAc/clay nanocomposites was characterized using both wide-angle X-ray diffraction and TEM. Fracture morphology of the composite film on silicon wafer was also observed by SEM. Dielectric constant (4.15) of the nanocomposite materials shows that the PVAc/clay nanocomposites are applicable for the gate dielectric materials.

Pregnancy outcomes in women using inhaled fluticasone during pregnancy: a case series

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to report the maternal and fetal outcomes of women with respiratory illnesses who were treated with inhaled fluticasone during pregnancy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We identified 12 cases treated with inhaled fluticasone during pregnancy out of women who received obstetric and teratogen-risk evaluation at the Korean Motherisk Program. A detailed medical and obstetric history was obtained and cases were followed-up until either spontaneous or voluntary pregnancy termination or delivery occurred.

RESULTS

None of the participants had any obstetric complication. However, in addition to fluticasone, most of the 12 cases were simultaneously exposed to a variety of medications. There were 3 abortions (one spontaneous and 2 requested by the patients arguing personal reasons). Live born babies without any evidence of major congenital malformations included 8 singleton babies and 2 twins. Of them, 3 babies were born prematurely.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results are in agreement with previous large studies where no increased rate of adverse outcomes was reported with the use of inhaled corticosteroids during pregnancy.

Expression profile of tight junction protein claudin 3 and claudin 4 in ovarian serous adenocarcinoma with prognostic correlation

Tight junction proteins claudin 3 (CLDN3) and claudin 4 (CLDN4) are frequently altered in several human cancers, including ovarian carcinomas. Here, we examined the gene expression of CLDN3 and CLDN4 in various tumors, including 19 normal ovaries and 47 ovarian carcinomas by analyzing Affymetrix HG-U133 array data. Furthermore, a total of 114 ovarian serous tumors, including 10 adenomas, 20 borderline tumors and 84 carcinomas, were analyzed immunohistochemically to confirm the expression of two proteins and we assessed the association of their expression with the clinicopathological characteristics and survival of the patients. The microarray experiment revealed CLDN3 and CLDN4 transcripts were significantly up-regulated by 5-fold or more in most subtypes of ovarian epithelial carcinomas while the immunohistochemical analyses indicated that each protein was expressed in 68 (81.0%) and 72 (85.7%) of 84 serous adenocarcinomas, respectively. Borderline serous tumors and adenomas showed significantly lower expression of these proteins than the adenocarcinomas. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that serous adenocarcinoma patients with high CLDN3 expression had substantially shorter survival (P=0.027). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that CLDN3 overexpression is an independent negative prognostic factor. Our findings suggest that CLDN3 overexpression can be used as a prognostic indicator in ovarian serous carcinomas. Moreover, CLDN3 may be a promising target for antibody-based therapy of ovarian carcinomas.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy only could be an appropriate treatment for selected clinical R0 gallbladder carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for gallbladder carcinoma still is controversial except for the early stages of gallbladder carcinoma (Tis). This study was designed to evaluate and revisit the role of LC in treating gallbladder carcinoma.

METHODS

Available medical records of patients with surgeries for gallbladder carcinoma were retrospectively investigated from August 1992 to February 2005.

RESULTS

Among 219 patients treated for gallbladder carcinoma, 57 (26%) underwent LC. A total of 16 patients (28.1%) underwent subsequent radical cholecystectomy (LC-RC), and 41 (71.9%) were only followed up without radical surgery (LC). Tis was found in 11 patients (19.3%), T1a in 3 patients (5.3%), T1b in 8 patients (14%), T2 in 19 patients (33.3%), and T3 in 16 patients (28.1%). The findings showed R0 in 14 cases of the radical cholecystectomy group, and clinical R0 was noted in 30 cases of the LC-only group. No survival differences were noted between LC and LC-RC (p = 0.2575), especially in the case of T2 lesions (p = 0.6274), nor between the R0 and clinical R0 (p = 0.5839). However, significant survival differences were noted between the R2 and R0 groups, and between R2 and clinical R0, respectively (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings show that LC could be appropriate treatment for gallbladder carcinoma only in selected cases of clinical R0 lesions.

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and urocortin promote the survival of cultured cerebellar GABAergic neurons through the type 1 CRF receptor

Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) is known to be involved in the stress response and in some degenerative brain disorders. In addition, CRF has a role as a neuromodulator in adult cerebellar circuits. Data from developmental studies suggest a putative role for CRF as a trophic factor during cerebellar development. In this study, we investigated the trophic role for CRF family of peptides by culturing cerebellar neurons in the presence of CRF, urocortin or urocortin II. Primary cell cultures of cerebella from embryonic day 18 mice were established, and cells were treated for either 1, 5 or 9 days with Basal Medium Eagles complete medium alone or complete medium with 1 microM CRF, urocortin, or urocortin II. The number of GABA-positive neurons in each treatment condition was counted at each culture age for monitoring the changes in neuronal survival. Treatment with 1 microM CRF or 1 microM urocortin increased the survival of GABAergic neurons at 6 days in vitro and 10 days in vitro, and this survival promoting effect was abolished by treatment with astressin in the presence of those peptides. Based on these data, we suggest that CRF or urocortin has a trophic role promoting the survival of cerebellar GABAergic neurons in cultures.

Assessment of converting from intravenous to oral administration of cyclosporin A in pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients

We studied the administration method during a transition period from continuous intravenous (i.v.) infusion to oral administration of cyclosporin A (CsA). Thirty-two pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients, between the ages of 8 months and 15.6 years (median 7.1 years) participated in this study. The pharmacokinetic properties of CsA was evaluated during the transition period from i.v. to oral CsA. The daily oral dose of CsA was three times higher than the i.v. dose. Oral dosing began immediately after the continuous infusion was discontinued. Whole-blood CsA concentrations were measured by a monoclonal fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA). The mean+/-s.d. value of bioavailability (F), maximum concentration (C(max)), half-life (t(1/2)) of CsA were 43.1+/-14.4%, 1135.3+/-340.6 ng/ml and 3.1+/-1.2 h, respectively. Mean clearance (CL)+/-s.d. was 480.9+/-103.7, 414.9+/-137.1 and 320+/-51.8 ml/h/kg in patients <20, 20-40 and >40 kg of body weight, respectively. The CsA CL of younger children was significantly greater than for older children (P=0.044). CsA trough levels were maintained within the therapeutic range throughout the transition period. Therefore, our findings suggest that the immediate administration of an oral formulation, after discontinuation of the continuous infusion, would be practical and effective for routine clinical use.

Methanolic extract of Pterocarpus santalinus induces apoptosis in HeLa cells

Ptercarpus santalinus (Fabaceae) has been used as a folk remedy in Korea, and it has been shown to exhibit antiinflammations, antiulcers and anticancer effects. In this study, therefore, we report the cytotoxic activity and the mechanism of cell death exhibited by the methanol extract of Ptercarpus santalinus (MEPS) against human cervical adenocarcinoma cell line, HeLa. Treatment of HeLa cells with various concentrations of MEPS resulted in growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner as determined by cell viability, chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation and sub-G1 phase accumulation. In Western blot analysis, apoptosis in the HeLa cells was associated with the release of cytochrome C from mitochondria into the cytosol, activation of caspases-3, -8, -9 and proteolytic cleavage of PARP. These results suggest that MEPS exhibits antiproliferative effect on HeLa cells via apoptosis, and it may be a potential candidate in field of anticancer drug discovery.

Biofeedback therapy for rectal intussusception

BACKGROUND

Surgery for isolated internal rectal intussusception is controversial due to high morbidity. Therefore, there is interest in other forms of treatment that are safe and effective. The aim of this study was to determine outcome and identify predictors for success of biofeedback therapy in patients with rectal intussusception.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the results of electromyography (EMG)-based biofeedback in 34 patients with rectal intussusception without any other major pelvic floor or colonic physiologic disorder.

RESULTS

A total of 34 patients (7 men) had undergone at least 2 biofeedback sessions. The patients had a mean age of 68.5 years (SD=11.4 years). In the 27 patients with constipation, the frequency of weekly spontaneous bowel movements (mean+/-SD) was 2.0+/-6.8 before and 4.1+/-4.6 after biofeedback (p<0.05). The frequency of weekly assisted bowel movements decreased from 3.8+/-3.5 before to 1.5+/-2.2 after therapy (p<0.005). The number of patients who experienced incomplete evacuation decreased from 17 (63%) to 9 (33%) (p<0.05). Thirty-three percent of patients had complete resolution of the symptoms, 19% had partial improvement, and 48% had no improvement. Patients with constipation lasting less than nine years had a 78% success rate vs. 13% in patients who were constipated more than 9 years (p<0.01). In seven patients with incontinence, the frequency of daily incontinence episodes decreased from 1.0+/-0.7 before to 0.07+/-0.06 after biofeedback (p<0.05). The fecal incontinence score decreased from 13.1+/-4.2 before to 4.6+/-3.6 after treatment (p<0.005). Two patients (29%) were completely continent following biofeedback, 2 had partial improvement, and 3 (43%) had no significant improvement. There was no mortality in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Biofeedback is a safe and effective treatment option for constipation and fecal incontinence due to rectal intussusception in patients who are willing to complete the course of treatment. Long-standing constipation is less effectively cured by biofeedback.

Prognostic values of KAI1 and survivin expression in an infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast

AIMS

To investigate KAI1 and survivin expression in infiltrating ductal carcinomas, and to evaluate the relationship between clinicopathological factors and KAI1 and survivin expression levels in breast cancers.

METHODS AND RESULTS

KAI and survivin expression levels were measured in 62 patients, using immunohistochemical staining. Western blot analysis was performed on eight frozen cases. DNA ploidy was determined by flow cytometry. The results of the KAI1 expression analyses were as follows: in 14 cases (22.6%) levels were preserved (++), in 30 cases (48.4%) levels were reduced (+), in 18 cases (29.0%) no KAI1 expression was detected, so these were designated 'lost' (-). Results of assessments of survivin expression were as follows: six cases (9.7%) were strong positive (++), 28 cases (45.15%) were positive (+), and 28 cases (45.15%) were negative. Survivin (p=0.0009) and KAI1 (p=0.0091) expression levels were directly correlated with survival rate. However, no significant difference was determined to exist between survivin and KAI1 expression levels and the clinicopathological factors. DNA ploidy did not correlate with survivin and KAI1 expression levels and survival rate. Four different groups, according to their survivin and KAI1 expression levels, correlated with the clinical stage and survival rate.

CONCLUSION

KAI1 and survivin expression levels might be prognostic factors in breast cancers.

Electron beam treatment of textile dyeing wastewater: operation of pilot plant and industrial plant construction

A pilot plant for treating 1000 m3/day of dyeing wastewater with e-beam has been constructed and operated since 1998 in Daegu, Korea together with the biological treatment facility. The wastewater from various stages of the existing purification process has been treated with an electron beam in this plant, and it gave rise to elaborating the optimal technology of the electron beam treatment of wastewater with increased reliability for instant changes in the composition of wastewater. Installation of the e-beam pilot plant resulted in decolorizing and destructive oxidation of organic impurities in wastewater, appreciable reduction of chemical reagent consumption, in reduction of the treatment time, and in increase in the flow rate limit of existing facilities by 30-40%. Industrial plant for treating 10,000 m3/day each, based upon the pilot experimental result, is under construction and will be finished by 2005. This project is supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Korean Government.

Relation between deranged antioxidant system and cervical neoplasia

The purpose of this study was to compare the plasma levels of the anti-oxidant system and oxidative stress between a cervical neoplasia group and a normal control group and to investigate the relationship between the levels of micronutrients of antioxidant system and various clinicopathological parameters of cervical carcinoma. A cross-sectional sample of 180 women, including 90 normal controls, was recruited from November 2000 to January 2001. Plasma concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) was spectrophotometrically measured as the parameter of lipid peroxidation. Plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins were analyzed with the help of reverse-phase, high-pressure liquid chromatography, whereas glutathione peroxidase activity was evaluated by using coupled enzyme procedure. While the activity of glutathione peroxidase and the plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins, such as lutein, beta-carotene, lycopene, and zeaxanthin, were all significantly lower, the concentration of MDA was significantly higher in women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or invasive cervical cancer, compared to those of the normal control group. The status of the plasma antioxidant system showed no significant correlation with the prognostic factors of cervical cancer. These findings suggest a potential role of oxidative stress-induced lipid peroxidation and the impairment of the anti-oxidant system in the pathogenesis of CIN and carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

A novel angiogenic factor derived from Aloe vera gel: beta-sitosterol, a plant sterol

Aloe vera gel has a beneficial effect on wound healing. Because angiogenesis is an essential process in wound healing, we hypothesized that Aloe vera gel might contain potent angiogenic compounds. Here we demonstrate that Aloe vera gel and its extracts are angiogenic on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chick embryo. Out of the three compounds purified from the final fraction of Aloe vera gel, beta-sitosterol showed a potent angiogenic activity in the CAM assay. In the presence of heparin, beta-sitosterol stimulated neovascularization in the mouse Matrigel plug assay and the motility of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in an in vitro wound migration assay. Thus beta-sitosterol is a novel plant-derived angiogenic factor which may have potential pharmaceutical applications for the management of chronic wounds.

A novel angiogenic factor derived from Aloe vera gel: beta-sitosterol, a plant sterol

Aloe vera gel has a beneficial effect on wound healing. Because angiogenesis is an essential process in wound healing, we hypothesized that Aloe vera gel might contain potent angiogenic compounds. Here we demonstrate that Aloe vera gel and its extracts are angiogenic on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chick embryo. Out of the three compounds purified from the final fraction of Aloe vera gel, beta-sitosterol showed a potent angiogenic activity in the CAM assay. In the presence of heparin, beta-sitosterol stimulated neovascularization in the mouse Matrigel plug assay and the motility of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in an in vitro wound migration assay. Thus beta-sitosterol is a novel plant-derived angiogenic factor which may have potential pharmaceutical applications for the management of chronic wounds.

Secondary reconstruction of an ileal reservoir in patients with failed straight ileoanal pull-through: report of two cases

The ileoanal reservoir is a widely accepted option for the treatment of mucosal ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. Function of an ileoanal anastomosis without the reservoir may be unacceptable. The aim of this study was to assess the technical feasibility of conversion of a straight ileoanal anastomosis to an ileoanal reservoir anastomosis. Two patients underwent straight ileoanal anastomosis and then underwent subsequent conversion to an ileoanal reservoir anastomosis. A 16-year-old girl with mucosal ulcerative colitis and a 38-year-old woman with familial adenomatous polyposis presented with 20-25 bowel movements per day and severe diarrheal-related symptoms within 11 months of ileoanal anastomosis. In each case, the anastomosis was reversed and an ileal Jpouch was fashioned and anastomosed to the dentate line; there was no postoperative morbidity. The 38-year-old patient reported 4-5 bowel movements per day without the need for any medication at 1-8 months after ileostomy closure. The 16-year-old patient is waiting ileostomy closure. In conclusion, it is technically possible to convert a straight ileoanal anastomosis to an ileoanal reservoir anastomosis with expectations of improvement in function.

Intraperitoneal gene delivery mediated by a novel cationic liposome in a peritoneal disseminated ovarian cancer model

We have previously synthesized a new cationic liposome that displays high efficiency and low toxicity, 3 beta[l-ornithinamide-carbamoyl] cholesterol (O-Chol), using solid-phase synthesis. In this study, O-Chol was applied to in vitro and in vivo models of ovarian cancer. Intraperitoneal gene delivery for peritoneal disseminated ovarian cancer in nude mice was achieved using a stable chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT)-expressing ovarian cancer cell line (OV-CA-2774/CAT), which allowed us to quantify the exact tumor burden of organs. When luciferase and beta-galactosidase genes were used as reporter genes, O-Chol showed better efficiency than other commercial transfection reagents such as lipofectin, lipofectAMINE, DC-Chol, and FuGENE 6, both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the transfection efficiency of this new cationic lipid reagent remained high in serum-containing medium and under serum-free conditions. Furthermore, in vivo transfection with O-Chol showed high levels of gene expression specific to peritoneal tumor cells. Consequently, the O-Chol:DNA lipoplex appears to offer potential advantages over other commercial transfection reagents because of (1) its higher level of gene expression in vitro and in vivo; (2) its reduced susceptibility to serum inhibition; and (3) its highly selective transfection into tumor cells. These results suggest that the O-Chol:DNA lipoplex is a promising tool in gene therapy for patients with peritoneal disseminated ovarian cancer.

New galactolipids from the marine bacillariophycean microalga Nitzschia sp

Two new galactopyranosyldiacylglycerols have been isolated from the marine bacillariophycean microalga Nitzschia sp. and their structures were determined as (2S)-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-1,2-di-O-(9Z-hexadecenoyl)glycerol (1) and (2S)-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-1-O-(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z-eicosapentaenoyl)-2-O-(9Z-hexadecenoyl)glycerol (2) by physicochemical evidence.

A new C-methylated flavonoid glycoside from Pinus densiflora

A new C-methyl flavonol glycoside, 5,7,8,4'-tetrahydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methylflavone 8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), has been isolated from the needles of Pinus densiflora, together with kaempferol 3-O-beta-(6"-acetyl)-galactopyranoside.

Proportion of Death Certificate Only Cases and Its Related Factors, Kwangju Cancer Registry (KCR)

PURPOSE

To ascertain the factors associated with the proportion of death certificate only (DCO) cases contained in the Kwangju Cancer Registry (KCR) that are not as yet in the good range.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The distribution of DCO cases was analyzed by sex, age, cancer site, histological verification (HV) as well as the physician's death certificate status.

RESULTS

All cases (n=4,243) in Kwangju diagnosed as having cancer between 1997 and 1998 were registered with the KCR. Death certificates (n=2,390) reporting cancer as the causes of death were collected from the National Statistics Office and reviewed with hospital data linkage and a total of 590 cases were registered as DCO. DCOs accounted for 12.2% (male 12.8%, female 11.5%) of all registrations in Kwangju, 1997~1998. The proportion of DCO cases was high in subjects under 15 (male13.5%,female 9.4%) as well as those 75 and over (male 20.3%, female 27.2%). For cancer sites, the proportion of DCO cases was high (over 10%) for liver, bronchus-lung, esophagus and pancreas and low (under 3%) for skin, bladder, uteri cervix and breast. The proportion of DCO cases was inversely associated with HV%. When the death certificate was issued by physician, the possibility of DCO decreased.

CONCLUSION

The proportion of DCO is positively associated with increasing age and negatively associated with HV% and the issuance of a physician's death certificate. These findings suggest that further socio-cultural efforts are required to reduce the DCO proportion.