Outcomes of leaflet-shaped acellular dermal matrix with a thickness-gradient for abdominal fascial defect repair in muscle-sparing TRAM flap-based breast reconstruction.

Background: Numerous fascial closure techniques have been used to reduce donor site morbidities after transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap harvest. A leaflet-shaped acellular dermal matrix (ADM) with a thickness gradient was designed to cover the defect effectively and to withstand the pressure applied to the lower portion of the defect. The complication and functional recovery rates of the donor site of the custom ADM were compared with those of previous methods of fascial closure (primary closure and polypropylene mesh assisted closure).

Psychometric Testing of a New Instrument for Assessing Cancer Patient Preparedness for the Survivorship Transition.

This study aimed to develop and examine the psychometric properties of the "Preparedness for Transition to Survivorship Care Instrument" (PTSCI) for cancer survivors. A cross-sectional study of cancer survivors in Korea was conducted to test the reliability and validity of the PTSCI. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and concurrent validity tests were conducted.

Shoulder function and health outcomes in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients receiving surgery: a prospective study.

Background: Breast cancer surgery is associated with upper-body morbidities that may last several years postsurgery. Research has not determined if the type of surgery leads to differential effects on shoulder function, activity levels, and QoL during the early rehabilitation period. The main objective of this study is to examine changes in shoulder function, health, and fitness outcomes from the day before to surgery to 6 months postsurgery.

Distorted body schema after mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction: a 4-month follow up study.

Background: After breast cancer, some patients report residual pain-related upper limb disability without physical impairment. Although pain and altered proprioception are known to affect the working body schema (WBS), there is little available evidence investigating the WBS of breast cancer survivors (BrCS). WBS-body representations in the brain-affect the "neuromatrix" that modulates pain sensitivity and the threshold for threatening stimuli.

Clinical staging and genetic profiling of Korean patients with primary lymphedema using targeted gene sequencing.

Lymphedema is a progressive disease caused by lymphatic flow blockage in the lymphatic pathway. Primary (hereditary) lymphedema is caused by genetic mutations without secondary causes. We performed clinical profiling on Korean primary lymphedema patients based on their phenotypes using lymphoscintigraphy and made genetic diagnoses using a next-generation sequencing panel consisting of 60 genes known to be related to primary lymphedema and vascular anomalies.

The voiding VAS score is a simple and useful method for predicting POUR after laparoscopy for benign gynaecologic diseases: a pilot study.

The aim of this study was to identify an appropriate scoring system for predicting postoperative urinary retention (POUR) after gynaecological laparoscopic surgery for benign disease. We analysed 99 patients who underwent gynaecological laparoscopic surgery for benign disease. All patients were asked to complete self-administered questionnaires, including the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), voiding visual analogue scale (VAS), and Brief Pain Inventory-Korean version.

Association of lymphatic flow velocity with surgical outcomes in patients undergoing lymphovenous anastomosis for breast cancer-related lymphedema.

Purpose: Lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) is primarily used for treating early-stage lymphedema. Here, we aimed to investigate the relationship between lymphatic flow velocity and the efficacy of LVA in breast cancer-related lymphedema patients. To this end, we assessed the transit velocity of lymphatic fluid using indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography and radioisotope lymphoscintigraphy.

Validation of a Lymphedema Index Score Based on Noncontrast Magnetic Resonance Lymphangiography: Correlation with Clinical Staging and Indocyanine Green Lymphangiography.

A standardized lymphedema grading system is a prerequisite for accurately and objectively evaluating its severity, both preoperatively and postoperatively. The purpose of this study was to establish a clinically feasible noncontrast magnetic resonance lymphangiography (NMRL) protocol and a standardized scoring system for the evaluation of lymphedema. From January 2020 to February 2021, 39 patients who had been clinically diagnosed with lymphedema and had undergone NMRL were included.

Significant Physical and Exercise-Related Variables for Exercise-Centred Lifestyle: Big Data Analysis for Gynaecological Cancer Patients.

This study investigated the characteristics of gynaecological cancers and is aimed at identifying significant risk variables using the National Health Insurance Sharing Service database to develop practical interventions for affected patients. Data regarding patients with uterine and ovarian cancer from the National Health Insurance Sharing Service database were collected and analysed using Student's -test, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. Student's -test analyses revealed that age, body mass index, blood pressure, and waist variables differed significantly among patients with uterine cancer.

Underutilisation of Physical Rehabilitation Therapy by Cancer Patients in Korea: a Population-based Study of 958,928 Korean Cancer Patients.

Background: Advanced cancers are associated with more severe symptoms and greater impairment. Although most patients with metastatic cancer would benefit from rehabilitation, few patients receive appropriate rehabilitation therapy. We explored the use of rehabilitation therapy by cancer patients.

Effects of an activity tracker with feedback on physical activity in women after midline laparotomy: A randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To investigate whether the use of an activity tracker with feedback increases physical activity and is safe in patients who underwent a midline laparotomy for gynecologic disorders.

Methods: Patients who were planned to undergo a midline laparotomy for gynecologic diseases wore an activity tracker at baseline and from postoperative days 1-6. Patients in the experimental arm could monitor their step counts and were encouraged to achieve the individualized step-count goal daily.

Validating machine learning approaches for prediction of donor related complication in microsurgical breast reconstruction: a retrospective cohort study.

Autologous reconstruction using abdominal flaps remains the most popular method for breast reconstruction worldwide. We aimed to evaluate a prediction model using machine-learning methods and to determine which factors increase abdominal flap donor site complications with logistic regression. We evaluated the predictive ability of different machine learning packages, reviewing a cohort of breast reconstruction patients who underwent abdominal flaps.

Symptom perception and functioning in patients with advanced cancer.

Purpose: To explore how symptom perception affects functioning in patients with advanced cancer.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study of 459 advanced cancer patients at the national cancer center. Functioning was assessed using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) II, and symptoms were evaluated using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form.

Supervised Physical Rehabilitation in the Treatment of Patients with Advanced Cancer: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: As the survival rate of cancer patients increases, the clinical importance of rehabilitation provided by healthcare professionals also increases. However, the evidence supporting the relevance of rehabilitation programs is insufficient. This study aimed to review the literature on effectiveness in physical function, quality of life (QOL) or fatigue of supervised physical rehabilitation in patients with advanced cancer.

Potentials of Smart dynamometer use for clinical and self-management of rehabilitation in breast cancer survivors: a feasibility study.

The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of the Smart dynamometer as a rehabilitation exercise device in a daily care by comparing with the existing medical devices. We used and analyzed clinical and measurement data of breast cancer survivors who have used Smart dynamometer during their rehabilitation after breast cancer surgery. The Smart dynamometer was compared with the two existing devices of Takei dynamometer and surface electromyography (sEMG) that were used in routine care, respectively.

Sodium Selenite Alleviates Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Independent of Antioxidant Defense System.

Long-term surveillance is necessary to identify patients at risk of developing secondary lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. We assessed how sodium selenite supplementation would affect breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) symptoms and parameters in association with antioxidant effects. A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted on 26 participants with clinical stage II to III BCRL.

Cancer Survivors and Returning to Work Perspectives from Occupational Health Physicians in Korea.

Background: This study was conducted from an occupational health perspective to document cancer survivors' ability to return to work, the role of clinical care, and the current status of effective return-to-work.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the experiences and opinions of occupational health physicians (OHPs) regarding cancer survivors' return-to-work. A self-reported survey was conducted from December 30, 2015, to January 30, 2016, targeting 337 OHPs.

Molecular characterization of Penicillium oxalicum 6R,8R-linoleate diol synthase with new regiospecificity.

Diol synthase-derived metabolites are involved in the sexual and asexual life cycles of fungi. A putative diol synthase from Penicillium oxalicum was found to convert palmitoleic acid (16:1n-7), oleic acid (18:1n-9), linoleic acid (18:2n-6), and α-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) to 6S,8R-dihydroxy-9(Z)-hexadecenoic acid, 6R,8R-dihydroxy-9(Z)-octadecenoic acid, 6R,8R-dihydroxy-9,12(Z,Z)-octadecadienoic acid, and 6S,8R-dihydroxy-9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)-octadecatrienoic acid, respectively, which were identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy analyses. The specific activity and catalytic efficiency of P.

Quantitative analysis of shoulder function and strength after breast reconstruction: A retrospective cohort study.

Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) after mastectomy has been proven to affect patient quality of life, psychological well-being, and functional capacities. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of breast reconstruction on postoperative shoulder function and muscle performance by evaluating isokinetic muscle performance tests.A retrospective chart review to collect data on shoulder function analysis with isokinetic muscle performance testing was performed among patients who received mastectomy with IBR from July 2013 to March 2015.

Complete conversion of all typical glycosylated protopanaxatriol ginsenosides to aglycon protopanaxatriol by combined bacterial β-glycosidases.

Aglycon protopanaxatriol (APPT) has valuable pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory and anti-stress activities. However, the complete conversion of all typical glycosylated protopanaxatriol ginsenosides to APPT has not been achieved to date. β-Glycosidase from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Dictyoglomus turgidum (DT-bgl) hydrolyzes the glucose residues at C-6 and the inner glucose at C-20 in protopanaxatriol (PPT), but not the outer rhamnose residues at C-6.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Clinical Measures Considering Segmental Tissue Composition and Volume Changes of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

Background: If we use only volumetry for measuring lymphedema, we could underdiagnose lymphedema with characteristics of biomechanical changes without definite volume change, especially in the medial forearm.

Methods And Results: In total, 158 breast cancer patients participated in this study. Arm volume was measured by water displacement volumetry, and segmental volumes were calculated from circumferences by using the truncated cone method.

Complete Biotransformation of Protopanaxatriol-Type Ginsenosides in Leaf Extract to Aglycon Protopanaxatriol by β-Glycosidases from and .

Aglycon protopanaxatriol (APPT) has valuable pharmacological effects such as memory enhancement and tumor inhibition. β-Glycosidase from the hyperthermophilic bacterium (DT-bgl) hydrolyzes the glucose residues linked to APPT, but not other glycoside residues. β-Glycosidase from the hyperthermophilic bacterium (PF-bgl) hydrolyzes the outer sugar at C-6 but not the inner glucose at C-6 or the glucose at C-20.

Is WHODAS 2.0 Useful for Colorectal Cancer Survivors?

Objective: To compare the disability level of colorectal cancer survivors with and without stoma by using the Korean version of the 12-item, interview-administered World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (Korean version of WHODAS 2.0).

Changes in shoulder muscle activity pattern on surface electromyography after breast cancer surgery.

Background And Objectives: Alterations in muscle activation and restricted shoulder mobility, which are common in breast cancer patients, have been found to affect upper limb function. The purpose of this study was to determine muscle activity patterns, and to compare the prevalence of abnormal patterns among the type of breast surgery.

Methods: In total, 274 breast cancer patients were recruited after surgery.