Background: To identify sarcopenia as a predictive prognostic factor of ovarian cancer in terms of survival outcome in patients with early-stage ovarian cancer. Methods: Data of Konkuk University Medical Center from March 2002 to December 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients who underwent surgery due to early-stage (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage I/II) ovarian cancer and had computed tomography (CT) images taken at the initial diagnosis were included. The initial CT scan images were analyzed with SliceOmatic software (TomoVision). A sarcopenia cutoff value was defined as a skeletal muscle index of ≤ 38.7 cm 2 /m 2. Overall survival (OS) times were compared according to the existence of sarcopenia, and subgroup analyses were performed. Results: A Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significant survival disadvantage for patients with early-stage ovarian cancer when they had sarcopenia (P < 0.001; log-rank test). Sarcopenia remained a significant prognostic factor for OS in early-stage ovarian cancer, in a Cox proportional hazards model regression analysis (HR, 21.9; 95% CI, 2.0-199.9; P = 0.006). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that sarcopenia was predictive of OS in patients with early-stage ovarian cancer. Further prospective studies with a larger number of patients are warranted to determine the extent to which sarcopenia can be used as a prognostic factor in ovarian cancer.
Dementia is a disease in which memory, thought, and behavior-related disorders progress gradually due to brain damage caused by injury or disease. It is mainly caused by Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia and several other risk factors, including genetic factors. It is difficult to treat as its incidence continues to increase worldwide. Many studies have been performed concerning the treatment of this condition. Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) and phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) are attracting attention as pharmacological treatments to improve the symptoms. This review discusses how ROCK and PDE-5 affect Alzheimer’s disease, vascular restructuring, and exacerbation of neuroinflammation, and how their inhibition helps improve cognitive function. In addition, the results of the animal behavior analysis experiments utilizing the Morris water maze were compared through meta-analysis to analyze the effects of ROCK inhibitors and PDE-5 inhibitors on cognitive function. According to the selection criteria, 997 publications on ROCK and 1772 publications on PDE-5 were screened, and conclusions were drawn through meta-analysis. Both inhibitors showed good improvement in cognitive function tests, and what is expected of the synergy effect of the two drugs was confirmed in this review.
Hot flush (hot flush or facial flush) is the most frequent symptom experienced by women of peri-menopausal age. It may appear on women or even men after surgery or chemotherapy. Hot flush is one of the biggest reason for women to undergo hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It also crucially affects various aspects of life quality such as occupation, social life, daily routine and health awareness. The most effective and fundamental remedy for hot flush is HRT. However, a few women is not responsive to HRT and investigation to elucidate other causes of hot flush is warranted, especially in elderly. The contraindications such as breast cancer mandates other modality of treatment. Variety of treatment for hot flush other than HRT will be discussed herein.
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