Suchergebnisse

With this study we aim to develop a theoretical understanding and to assess policy implications of cluster development in the context of a knowledge-driven, globalizing Asian economy. We will examine both the strengths and the limitations of recent biotechnology cluster policies in South Korea and Singapore. We argue that the two states share similar experiences in terms of the state's proactive role as a cluster creator, but that they have promoted biotechnology industry clusters in contrasting ways due to different national politics and political institutions. South Korea places more emphasis on endogenous capabilities, while Singapore highlights the importance of exogenous capabilities in biotechnology cluster development. By analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of these contrasting cluster policies, we evaluate the long-standing debate between endogenism and exogenism in the study of regional development. Instead of these dualistic approaches, we employ a global production network analytical lens for understanding the dynamic interactions between localized growth factors (endogenous) and globalizing external factors (exogenous) in the context of Asian biotechnology cluster development. We adopt a multipart strategy that includes archives, surveys, in-depth interviews, and secondary source data collection in order to enhance the validity and reliability of the data.

Korea has become the hub of clinical trials in the world. Korea Good Clinical Practice was legislated in 1995, with an amendment in 2001 to adopt ICH-GCP. New Clinical Trial Authorization (CFA) process, which was introduced in 2002 to streamline the regulatory process along with faster study start up, facilitated clinical trials registration in Korea. Following 2002, the number of multinational trials conducted in Korea began to increase rapidly. It was initially centered on late-phase trials, but subsequently moved on to early phase research incorporating translational research and pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmamlynamic (PD) studies including ethnic difference research. Globally, Seoul National University Hospital Clinical Trials Center (SNUB CTC) is one of the most experienced clinical research facilities. In 2018, 33 phase III studies, 43 phase II studies, and 44 phase I studies were initiated at SNUB CTC oncology team. Oncology phase I clinical trials contributed 42.7% of newly started phase I clinical trials in SNUH CTC in 2018. One of the most important strengths of our oncology team is that SNUH and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Clinical Trials Center (SNUBH CTC) is working together in one team for all solid tumor types. This collaborative work was very efficient to recruit patients for multi-cohort in early phase trials including basket trial, umbrella trial, and platform trials. One of the main focus of SNUH oncology team is to perform first in human phase I study. We believe target identification and enrichment through translational research is an important process in drug development. SNUH/SNUBH CTC will continue top-notch clinical trials for the global drug development. ; Y

Aim This study aimed to investigate the association between Twitter exposure and the number of citations for coloproctology articles. Method Original articles from journals using Twitter between June 2015 and May 2016 were evaluated for the following characteristics: publishing journal; article subject; study design; nationality, speciality and affiliation of the author(s); and reference on Twitter. Citation data for these articles were retrieved from Google Scholar () in January 2018. We performed a univariate analysis using these data followed by a multivariate, logistic regression analysis to search for factors associated with a high citation level, which was defined as accrual of more than five citations. Results Out of six coloproctology journals listed on the InCites JCR database, three (Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, Colorectal Disease and Techniques in Coloproctology) used Twitter, where 200 (49.5%) out of a total of 404 articles had been featured. Citation rates of articles that featured on Twitter were significantly higher than those that did not (11.4 +/- 9.2 vs 4.1 +/- 3.1, P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, Twitter exposure (OR 8.6, P = 0.001), European Union nationality (OR 2.4, P = 0.004), Colorectal Disease journal (OR 3.3, P = 0.005) and systematic review articles (OR 3.4, P = 0.009) were associated with higher citation levels. Conclusion Article exposure on Twitter was strongly associated with a high citation level. Medical communities should encourage journals as well as physicians to actively utilize social media to expedite the spread of new ideas and ultimately benefit medical society as a whole. ; N

Background: Bcl-2 is positively regulated by hormonal receptor pathways in breast cancer. A study was conducted to assess the prognostic significances of clinico-pathologic variables and of ER, PR, p53, c-erbB2, bcl-2, or Ki-67 as markers of relapse in breast cancer patients who had received the identical adjuvant therapy at a single institution. Methods: A cohort of 151 curatively resected stage III breast cancer patients ( M: F = 3: 148, median age 46 years) who had 4 or more positive lymph nodes and received doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel (AC/T) as adjuvant chemotherapy was analyzed for clinico-pathologic characteristics including disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival ( OS). Patients with positive ER and/or PR expression received 5 years of tamoxifen following AC/T. The protein expressions of biomarkers were assessed immunohistochemically. Results: The median follow-up duration was 36 months, and 37 patients (24.5%) experienced a recurrence. Univariate analyses indicated that the tumor size ( P = 0.038) and the number of involved lymph nodes ( P < 0.001) significantly affected the recurrences. However, the type of surgery, the histology, histologic grade, the presence of endolymphatic emboli, and a close resection margin did not. Moreover, ER positivity ( P = 0.013), bcl-2 positivity ( P = 0.002) and low p53 expression ( P = 0.032) were found to be significantly associated with a prolonged DFS. Furthermore, multivariate analysis identified 10 or more involved lymph nodes (HR 7.366; P < 0.001), negative bcl-2 expression ( HR 2.895; P = 0.030), and c-erbB2 over-expression ( HR 3.535; P = 0.001) as independent indicators of poorer DFS. In addition, bcl-2 expression was found to be significantly correlated with the expressions of ER and PR, and inversely correlated with the expressions of p53, c-erbB2 and Ki-67. Patients with bcl-2 expression had a significantly longer DFS than those without, even in the ER (+) subgroup. Moreover, OS was significantly affected by ER, bcl-2 and c-erbB2. Conclusion: Bcl-2 is an independent prognostic factor of DFS in curatively resected stage III breast cancer patients and appears to be a useful prognostic factor in combination with c-erbB2 and the number of involved lymph nodes. ; This study was supported by a Korean Research Foundation Grant funded by the Korean Government (MOEHRD, Basic Research Promotion Fund) (KRF- 2006-531-E00034) and by a grant from the Korean Health 21 R&D Project, Ministry of Heath & Welfare, Republic of Korea (0412-CR01-0704-0001). We also thank Julian Kanfer, English editor of BioMed Proofreading for her assistance. ; Y

Purpose Neoadjuvant chemotherapy may modify the yield of involved axillary lymph nodes. The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical significance of the involved nodal ratios in patients with stage II/III breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Methods Two hundred and five stage II and III breast cancer patients who received neoadjuvant docetaxel/doxorubicin chemotherapy were enrolled in this prospective study. The patients received three cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by curative surgery, either breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection, and received three additional cycles of docetaxel/doxorubicin chemotherapy as adjuvant. Adjuvant radiotherapy and hormonal therapy were given after adjuvant chemotherapy when indicated. Results The median follow-up duration was 28.9 months. The overall response rate (RR) for neoadjuvant chemotherapy was 77.6%. The mean nodal ratio was 0.29 (range, 0-1.0; nodal ratio a parts per thousand currency sign0.25, 121 [59.0%] vs. > 0.25, 84 [41.0%]). Relapse free survival (RFS) of the patients who had a nodal ratio > 0.25 was significantly shorter (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 2.701, P = 0.001). A nodal ratio > 0.25 was also associated with a shorter overall survival (OS) (HR = 4.109, P = 0.006). However, RFS and OS were not different according to the absolute number of involved nodes (ANIN) (P = 0.166, P = 0.248, respectively). In multivariate analysis, the nodal ratio was an independent prognostic factor for RFS and OS (HR = 4.246, P < 0.001; HR = 7.764, P < 0.001). Conclusion Axillary nodal ratios have an independent prognostic value in stage II/III breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Nodal ratio might be a useful tool to identify the patients at high risk of relapse in the neoadjuvant setting. ; This study was supported by a Korean Research Foundation Grant funded by the Korean Government (MOEHRD, Basic Research Promotion Fund) (KRF-2006-531-E00034), a grant from the Seoul National University Hospital Research Fund (05-800- 20050148). ; N