Verification of a Western Nomogram for Predicting Oncotype DX™ Recurrence Scores in Korean Patients with Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

A recent study conducted at the University of Tennessee Medical Center using a large dataset from the National Cancer Database (NCDB) reported the use of nomograms for predicting Oncotype DX™ (ODX) scores with clinicopathologic data. We reviewed the data of 218 patients who underwent the ODX test at a single institution in Korea to confirm that nomograms can accurately predict ODX score groups using our data, which differ from those of the NCDB in terms of ethnicity. The concordance index (c-index) of nomograms was much lower than that of the University of Tennessee Medical Center for high- and low-risk groups of commercial ODX and Trial Assigning Individualized Options for Treatment values. Although the nomogram for predicting ODX scores was based on a large dataset, it could not be generalized to patients in Asia. Further studies using large datasets of patients from different ethnicities should be performed to develop a nomogram applicable to patients worldwide.

Why Don't Cancer Survivors Quit Smoking? An Evaluation of Readiness for Smoking Cessation in Cancer Survivors

BACKGROUND: Cancer survivors have a high rate of participation in cigarette-smoking cessation programs but their smoking-abstinence rates remain low. In the current study, we evaluated the readiness to quit smoking in a cancer-survivor population. METHODS: Cross-sectional data survey conducted among 112 adult cancer survivors who smoked cigarettes in Tennessee. Analyses were conducted using a two-sample t-test, χ2 test, Fishers Exact test, and multivariable logistic regression with smoker's readiness to quit as the dependent variable. We operationally defined a smoker not ready to quit as anyone interested in quitting smoking beyond the next 6 months or longer (or not at all), as compared to those that are ready to quit within the next 6 months. RESULTS: Thirty-three percent of participants displayed a readiness to quit smoking in the next 30 days. Smokers ready to quit were more likely to display high confidence in their ability to quit (OR = 4.6; 95% CI, 2.1–9.7; P < 0.0001) than those not ready to quit. Those ready to quit were nearly five times more likely to believe smoking contributed to their cancer diagnosis (OR = 4.9; 95% CI, 1.1–22.6; P = 0.0432). Those ready to quit were also much more likely to attempt smoking cessation when diagnosed with cancer (OR = 8.9; 95% CI, 1.8–44.3; P = 0.0076) than smokers not ready to quit. Finally, those ready to quit were more likely to endorse smoking more in the morning than other times of the day, compared to those not ready to quit (OR = 7.9; 95% CI, 1.5–42,3; P = 0.0148), which increased odds of readiness to quit within the next 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Despite high participation in smoking-cessation programs for cancer survivors, only one-third of participants were ready to quit. Future research is needed to develop programs targeting effective strategies promoting smoking cessation among cancer survivors who are both ready and not ready to quit smoking.

Morphometric Analysis of the Skull by Moire Contourography / 체질인류학회지

The non-metric analysis of the skulls is very useful for estimating sex and determination of ancestry, the accuracy tends to depend on the amount of experiences of the observers, and so inter-observer errors might be happened. Many researchers are trying to find out more objective methods for determination of ancestry. The purpose of this presentation is to show the usefulness of moire contourography for analyzing the skull. The master screen that is similar to the gratings was made by steel rods, which were arranged as equally spaced parallel lines. Halogen light source was illuminated by lantern slide projector. The skeletal materials were documented crania, composed of 87 male and 47 female, from William M. Bass Donated Skeletal Collection housed at the Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee. The skulls were placed just behind the master screen as anatomical position using cubic craniophore. The angle between the light source and camera was 65degrees, the distance between camera and the master screen was 1.2 m. Frontal view, left lateral and right lateral view were taken. From the frontal view, fringe patterns were analyzed for first five contour lines which were mainly located around the Glabella. The results were as followed; Type I for male was 53% and female was 4%; Type II for male was 29% and female was 2%; Type III for male was 2% and female was 15%; Type IV for male was 6% and female was 55%. From the lateral view, fringe patterns were analyzed for first four contour lines. However, first and second contour lines were critical to determine the shape and the results were as followed; Type I for male was 52% and female was 22%; Type II for male was 38% and female was 26%; Type III for male was 8% and female was 17%; Type IV for male was 2% and female was 35%. According to this study, different fringe patterns might be dependent on the degree of development of bone marker such as Glabella, Supercillary arch, Euryon and Mastoid process. For example, Supercillary arches were very well developed and slope of forehead above the Glabella was declined, fringe pattern showed reverse triangle shape. If Supercillary arches were poorly developed and slope of forehead above the Glabella was flat, fringe pattern showed home plate shape. The present research shows that moire contourography might be used as more objective methods for estimating sex. And it would be helpful to determine the ancestry when the lateral aspects were analyzed. In the future, continuing study need to be performed with same master screen for different ancestry.

A New Slip Knot with Locking Loop / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To introduce a new arthroscopically tied knot with self-locking mechanism (SMC knot) and compare the knot security between the SMC knot and other arthroscopically tied knots used commonly in arthroscopic repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed tensile testing on SMC knot and four arthroscopically tied knots with No.2 Ethibond suture material. The four types of knot configurations were Tennessee knot, Duncan knot, Overhand throw knot and Revo knot. After knot creation, we measured displacement in cyclic loading, load at clinical failure, ultimate failure strength and mode of failure, using MTS Bionix test system and analyzed the data by One-way ANOVA. RESULTS: In cyclic loading, displacement of overhand throw knot was significantly higher than those of others. In clinical failure, load of SMC knot was significantly higher than those of Overhand knot and Duncan knot , but lower than that of Revo knot. In ultimate failure strength, load of SMC knot was higher than those of Overhand and Tennessee knot, but showed no difference with those of Duncan and Revo knots. As for failures, knot slippage occurred in the Overhand throw knot, Duncan knot and Tennessee knot, whereas knot breakage occurred in SMC knot and Revo knot. CONCLUSION: The results show that SMC knot is a safe arthroscopic knot that provides great knot security without slippage.

Body Image and Depression in Women with Urinary Incontinence / 성인간호학회지

This study was done to determine the correlation between body image and depression among women with urinary incontinence. The ultimate goal was to contribute to the planning of nursing intervention towark the establishment of a positive body image and the prevention of depression in women with urinary incontinence. The data were collected from Jan. 10 to May. 30, 1998 from 98 adult women, who lived in Cheonan City, Korea. The insturments were Hendrickson's Stress Incontinence Scale, physical self-image items out of Fitts' Tennessee self concept Scale, Osgood's Semantic Differential Scale, and Zung's self-rating Depression Scale. The data were analyzed using the SAS computerized program and include percentage, t-test, ANOVA, and the Pearson correlation coefficient. The results of this study are summarized as follows, 1. It was reported that 61.2% of the subjects experienced urinary incontinence. The level of body image perceived by urinary incontinent women had a mean of 58.56(SD=7.02) ; women with urinary incontinence showed mild depression. 2. The level of depression and body image was not significantly different between the incontinent or continent. There were significant differences in depression levels according to the severity of urinary incontinence of the subjects. 3. Severity of urinary incontinence and body image was negatively correlated (r=-0.300, p<0.01) ; correlation between depression and body image was negative (r=-0.578, p<0.01). 4. There are significant differences in body image according to use of medication, itching, and sensitivity of the vagina. 5. There are significant differences in depression with discharges from the vagina, itching, and sensitivity of the vagina. In conclusion, as urinary incontinence in women proved mildly depressive, health care providers need to develop and provide nursing intervention for the urinary incontinent with the goal of helping clients establish a positive body image and prevent depression.