Jin Oh Kang

Low Dose Radiation Overcomes Diabetes-induced Suppression of Hippocampal Neuronal Cell Proliferation in Rats

We investigated the effect of low dose radiation on diabetes induced suppression of neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of rat. After 0.01 Gy, 0.1 Gy, 1 Gy and 10 Gy radiation was delivered, the dentate gyrus of hippocampus of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were evaluated using immunohistochemistry for 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU), caspase-3, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining. The number of BrdU positive cells in the non-diabetic rats, diabetic rats without radiation, diabetic rats with 0.01 Gy radiation, diabetic rats with 0.1 Gy radiation, diabetic rats with 1 Gy radiation and diabetic rats with 10 Gy radiation were 55.4±8.5/mm2, 33.3±6.4/mm2, 67.7±10.5/mm2, 66.6±10.0/mm2, 23.5±6.3/mm2and 14.3±7.2/mm2, respectively. The number of caspase-3 positive cells was 132.6±37.4/mm2, 378.6±99.1/mm2, 15.0±2.8/mm2, 57.1±16.9/mm2, 191.8±44.8/mm2and 450.4±58.3/mm2, respectively. The number of TUNEL-positive cells was 24.5±2.0/mm2, 21.7±4.0/mm2, 20.4±2.0/mm2, 18.96±2.1/mm2, 58.3±7.9/mm2, and 106.0±9.8/mm2, respectively. These results suggest low doses of radiation paradoxically improved diabetes induced neuronal cell suppression in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of rat.

The Application of the Six Sigma Program for the Quality Management of the PACS

OBJECTIVE We implemented a Six Sigma-based quality management program for the PACS to improve the quality of and lessen the necessary resources for its management. CONCLUSION With the Six Sigma-based PACS quality management program, we were able to reduce resource requirements while maintaining quality.

Clinical Implications of VEGF and p53 Expression in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix Treated with Radiation Therapy.

PURPOSE The present study was designed to analyze the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and p53, and their impact on clinical outcome in squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix treated with radiation therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS This immunohistochemical study involved 23 patients with available paraffin blocks among 46 patients who were treated during the period from 1994 to 1997 in Eulji University Hospital in Korea. Anti-VEGF mouse monoclonal antibody and DO-7 anti- p53 mouse monoclonal antibody were used as the primary antibodies. Antibody binding was detected with a LSAB kit. Staining was defined as positive for VEGF and p53, when more than 10% and 5% of the tumor cells were stained out of 500 cells counted, respectively. RESULTS FIGO stage (p=0.05) and tumor size (p=0.04) were significant prognostic factors for survival. p53 expression was present in 17 (77%) cases. There was no significant relationship between p53 staining and the clinicopathologic factors, such as FIGO stage (p=0.98), tumor size (p=0.43), lymph node status (p=0.82), parametrial invasion (p=0.96), and age (p=0.18). The five year survival rates according to the p53 expression status were 80% for the p53 negative group and 66% for the p53 positive group (p=0.58). Positive VEGF expression was observed in 11 (47%) of the total of 23 patients. Statistical evaluation of VEGF expression according to stage (p=0.36), tumor size(p=0.11), lymph node status (p=0.82), parametrial invasion (p=0.49), and age (p=0.55) revealed no significant difference in any of these parameters. The five year survival rates according to the VEGF expression status were 89% for the VEGF negative group and 41% for the VEGF positive group (p=0.07). CONCLUSION We suggest that VEGF expression may have an effect on the prognosis of cervix cancer patients treated with radiation therapy, and further evaluation with a large sample size is warranted.