• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권5호
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• pp.1851-1856
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• 2012

Immigration to a nation with a stronger anti-smoking environment has been hypothesized to make smoking less common. However, little is known about how environments influence risk of smoking across the lifecourse. Research suggested a linear decline in smoking over the lifecourse but these associations, in fact, might not be linear. This study assessed the possible nonlinear associations between age and smoking and examined how these associations differed by environment through comparing Koreans in Seoul, South Korea and Korean Americans in California, United States. Data were drawn from population based telephone surveys of Korean adults in Seoul (N=500) and California (N=2,830) from 2001-2002. Locally weighted scatterplot smoothing (lowess) was used to approximate the association between age and smoking with multivariable spline logistic regressions, including adjustment for confounds used to draw population inferences. Smoking differed across the lifecourse between Korean and Korean American men. The association between age and smoking peaked around 35 years among Korean and Korean American men. From 18 to 35 the probability of smoking was 57% higher (95%CI, 40 to 71) among Korean men versus 8% (95%CI, 3 to 19) higher among Korean American men. A similar difference in age after 35, from 40 to 57 years of age, was associated with a 2% (95%CI, 0 to 10) and 20% (95%CI, 16 to 25) lower probability of smoking among Korean and Korean American men. A nonlinear pattern was also observed among Korean American women. Social role transitions provide plausible explanations for the decline in smoking after 35. Investigators should be mindful of nonlinearities in age when attempting to understand tobacco use.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권6호
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• pp.2847-2852
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• 2016

Background: Although the breast cancer incidence rate in Japan is lower than in western countries, the age-specific rates have markedly increased in recent years, along with the problems of declining birth rate and an aging population. Materials and Methods: We examined past trends of age-specific breast cancer incidence using data from the Osaka Cancer Registry from 1976 to 2010, and estimated future trends until 2025 based on the changes observed and population dynamics using a log linear regression model. Results: The age-specific breast cancer incidence rate has increased consistently from the 1970s, and the rates have caught up with those of Japanese-Americans in the US. Assuming the increasing tendency of age-specific breast cancer incidence to be constant, the average annual incidence of breast cancer will increase 1.7-fold from 2006-2010 to 2021-2025. Furthermore, the number of patients aged 80 years should increase 3.4-fold. Conclusions: The medical demand for breast cancer care in Japan may increase explosively in the future, particularly among the elderly. We need to prepare for such a future increase in demand for care, although careful monitoring is needed to confirm these results.

• Asian Journal for Public Opinion Research
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.178-199
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• 2022

Two surveys for exploring communicative paths toward political participation were conducted with relatively large samples of Americans (N = 1001) and South Koreans (N = 1166). Hierarchical regression modeling of the relationships among demographics, personal networks, news consumption, and cross-cutting discussion and political participation demonstrated mostly commonalities between the two samples, including the interaction between political diversity and Twitter usage for news access but with distinct effect sizes of cross-cutting discussion on political participation. We attribute the differences to the two countries' distinct histories of democracy and culture, and the commonalities to the general relationships between cross-cutting discussion and political participation moderated by strong ties political homogeneity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권5호
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• pp.2629-2635
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• 2016

Genetic polymorphisms constitute one of the reasons behind the racial variation in prostate cancer occurrence. Published studies regarding genetic associations of glutathione S-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1) and glutathione S-transferase theta 1 (GSTT1) null deletion polymorphisms with prostatic carcinoma have generated inconsistent results among different populations. To date, even a single meta-analysis is not available representing the association of these genes with prostate cancer in different ethnic groups. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to provide a clear picture of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null deletion and risk of prostate cancer among different ethnic groups (i.e. Asians, Europeans, Americans, Africans and Eurasians). A systematic search was performed with the help of various search engines to find out the all the recent studies (2004 to 2015) evaluating the role of GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletion in prostate cancer development. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of a total of 34 studies with 7,281 cases and 9,082 controls was analyzed using STATA and MedCalc software. Overall, GSTM1 deletion (OR 3.67; CI 1.39-9.85; P= 0.001) was strongly associated with prostatic cancer. In the sub group analysis GSTM1 null deletion was also significantly associated with prostate cancer among Asians (OR 4.84; CI 1.08-21.5; P= 0.03), Eurasians (OR 17.69; CI 9.87-31.70; P< 0.001) and Americans (OR 0.11; CI 0.01-1.06; P= 0.05). No association was observed among Europeans (P=0.42) and Africans (P= 0.40). As a whole GSTT1 null deletion (OR 0.85; CI 0.28-2.58; P= 0.77) did not show anyt significant association with prostate cancer risk among different populations. When the data were stratified into different groups, however, Africans demonstrated a significant association of GSTT1 null deletion (OR 1.95; CI 1.57-2.39; P<0.001) with prostate cancer, whereas no association was found among Asians (P= 0.90), Americans (P= 0.50), Europeans (P= 0.89) and Eurasians (P= 1.0). In conclusion, both GSTM1 and GSTT1 may contribute to prostate cancer development but GSTM1 may prove to be a stronger candidate risk factor.

• 동아시아식생활학회지
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• 제19권5호
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• pp.681-689
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was conducted to investigate the perception of Korean kimchi among Americans' living in different areas in the United States. A questionnaire was given to males 126 (40.4%) and females 186 (59.6%) residing in Illinois and California. The results were as follows: 86.0% of the participants answered that kimchi was Korean in origin, and 84.1% reported that they had eaten kimchi. Additionally, 56.8% and 52.3% of the respondents in Illinois and California had purchased commercial kimchi at home-made. Among the kimchi they had experienced, out of the total respondents, 92.4% had eaten baechu kimchi, 45.5% had eaten mu kimchi and 42.4% had eaten oi kimchi (When the responses from the residents of Illinois were evaluated: 100.0% of the respondents had eaten baechu kimchi, while 47.7% had eaten mu kimchi, and 40.9% had eaten bak kimchi. Evaluation of the responses of residents from California revealed that: 88.6% had eaten baechu kimchi, 45.5% had eaten oi kimchi, and 44.3% had eaten mu kimchi respectively). For evaluation of the their kimchi preference of the overall population revealed that, 71.0% preferred baechu kimchi, 9.2% oi kimchi, and 8.4% mu kimchi (Of the respondents in Illinois: 69.8% preferred baechu kimchi, 14.0% mu kimchi and 7.0% bak kimchi, while for Californians: 71.6% preferred baechu kimchi, 11.4% oi kimchi and 8.0% bak kimchi, respectively). Regarding the primary reason they purchased commercial kimchi, 64.9% responded 'its taste' (67.4% in Illinois and 63.6% in California), additionally, 40.0% stated of the package they purchased was 200g (51.2% in Illinois and 34.5% in California). After having eaten kimchi, 45.5% answer reported that it tasted good, and the their primary reason for liking kimchi was its, 'spicy and hot taste' (51.3%), The main reasons for not liking kimchi were the odor (garlic, ginger, anchovy juice, etc) and it being too spicy, respectively. Regarding improvements for its expanded consumption, 25.0% answered 'not to improve', 22.7% answered 'reduce the strength of the strong seasoning', and 20.5% answered 'to allow over-ripening'.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제17권6호
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• pp.479-484
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• 2013

Given the CYP3A4 and CYP3A5's impact on the efficacy of drugs, the genetic backgrounds of individuals and populations are regarded as an important factor to be considered in the prescription of personalized medicine. However, genetic studies with Korean population are relatively scarce compared to those with other populations. In this study, we aimed to identify CYP3A4/5 polymorphisms and compare the genotype distributions among five ethnicities. To identify CYP3A4/5 SNPs, we first performed direct sequencing with 288 DNA samples which consisted of 96 Koreans, 48 European-Americans, 48 African-Americans, 48 Han Chinese, and 48 Japanese. The direct sequencing identified 15 novel SNPs, as well as 42 known polymorphisms. We defined the genotype distributions, and compared the allele frequencies among five ethnicities. The results showed that minor allele frequencies of Korean population were similar with those of the Japanese and Han Chinese populations, whereas there were distinct differences from European-Americans or African-Americans. Among the pharmacogenetic markers, frequencies of $CYP3A4^*1B$ (rs2740574) and $CYP3A5^*3C$ (rs776742) in Asian groups were different from those in other populations. In addition, minor allele frequency of $CYP3A4^*18$ (rs28371759) was the highest in Korean population. Additional in silico analysis predicted that two novel non-synonymous SNPs in CYP3A5 (+27256C>T, P389S and +31546T>G, I488S) could alter protein structure. The frequency distributions of the identified polymorphisms in the present study may contribute to the expansion of pharmacogenetic knowledge.

• 한국보건간호학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.53-66
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was considered in order to identify the factors affecting healthcare utilization by Asian immigrants in the United States. Methods: From February to April 2011, a descriptive survey study was conducted in a convenience sample of 250 Korean and Asian Indian immigrants aged between 40 and 64 in the Triangle area of North Carolina. An author-developed instrument was used to assess predisposing, enabling, and need factors according to Anderson's Behavioral Model of Health Services. Utilization Data analysis was performed by $X^2$-test, t-test, and binary logistic regression. Results: Participants' healthcare services experiences were significantly different when they had a longer stay in the U.S., had been employed, had higher income, were Asian Indians, had better English-speaking skills, better health status, more knowledge of health system and health insurance, had higher satisfaction with the healthcare system, and when they were taking prescribed medications and having health insurance. The strongest association with experience of healthcare services was having health insurance with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 15.37 (95% CI 4.95-47.71, p<.001) and self-reported English proficiency (OR=1.99, 95% CI 1.00-3.96, p=.05). Conclusion: Intervention strategies to increase accessibility to healthcare services should focus on these significant predictors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권6호
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• pp.3535-3539
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• 2013

Head and neck cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide. Two genes GSTM1 and GSTT1 involved in phase II of carcinogen detoxification have been frequently studied in the literature. Their null genotypes are thought to be associated with increased head and neck cancer risk. However, the published reviews are not up to date and many important papers have been skipped. The current literature review was restricted to the null genotypes of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes with special emphasis on the genotypic status. We found that the size of study sample varied greatly and the oral cavity cancer was more influenced by GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene deletions. With respect to ethnicity Asians are more prone to head and neck cancers with these null genotypes as compared to Europeans and Americans. The current review showed significant associations (OR=9.0, 95%CI; 1.4-9.5; OR=3.7, 95%CI; 1.4-9.5) of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes with head and neck cancers. Review confirms the data of previous reviews that GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms may be risk factors for cancer initiation.

• Asian Journal for Public Opinion Research
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• 제2권4호
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• pp.279-306
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• 2015

Americans continue to have beliefs in the paranormal, for example in UFOs, ghosts, haunted houses, and clairvoyance. Yet, to date there has not been a systematic gathering of data on popular beliefs about the paranormal, and the question of whether or not there is a convincing trend in beliefs about the paranormal remains to be explored. Public opinion polling on paranormal beliefs shows that these beliefs have remained stable over time, and in some cases have in fact increased. Beliefs in ghosts (25% in 1990 to 32% in 2005) and haunted houses (29% in 1990, 37% in 2001) have all increased while beliefs in clairvoyance (26% in 1990 and 2005) and astrology as scientific (31% in 2006, 32% in 2014) have remained stable. Belief in UFOs (50%) is highest among all paranormal beliefs. Our findings show that people continue to hold beliefs about the paranormal despite their lack of grounding in science or religion.

• 조명전기설비학회논문지
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• 제27권12호
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• pp.16-27
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• 2013

This study describes the difference of lighting directing techniques of between asian and westerner in the residential space, and presents the LED lighting environment according to the residents' behaviors. This study was conducted with Koreans, European and North Americans, and the space range was limited to the living room where the various activities occur. The data of the desired LED lighting environment is drawn through lighting technique, illumination color temperature and illuminance variation of LED in living room, and the detailed study results are as follows ; First, the lighting in living space should be made with considering the various behaviors because the expected level according to consideration or not of behavior makes much difference. Second, the comfortably feeling LED lighting environments that are lighting technique, illumination color temperature and illuminance variation, are different between Koreans and North Americans, but Koreans and European feel comfortable under the similar LED lighting environments. Third, the data for the comfortable LED lighting environments is established according to the various residents' behaviors, which are watching TV, reading, studying, relaxing, chatting, entertaining guests. And then, the established LED lighting environments are analyzed with characteristic of behavior and classified according to lighting technique, illumination color temperature and illuminance variation for understanding their characteristic Few studies have been conducted to find out difference of the comfortably feeling LED lighting environment between asians and westerners. Therefore, in this study, it has a great significance to present the difference of the LED lighting environments that asians and westerners feel comfortable in living space, and to draw the characteristic of the expected lighting environment according to residents' behaviors.