• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.4233-4238
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• 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of body mass index with overall and progression-free survival as well as other prognostic factors of breast cancer in patients with non-metastatic breast cancer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 456 patients diagnosed with breast cancer in the Radiation Oncology department of Kayseri Teaching Hospital between 2005 and 2013. We investigated relationship of body mass index with prognosis and other prognostic factors. Results: The study included 456 patients (447 women and 9 men). Mean age at presentation was 55.6 years. Of the cases, 96.9% underwent modified radical mastectomy and 95.0% received chemotherapy, while 82.4% received radiotherapy and 60.0% were given hormone therapy. Body mass index was >25 mg/kg2 in 343 cases. Five- and 10-years overall survival rates were 77% and 58% whereas progression-free survival rates were 65% and 49%, respectively. In univariate analyses, factors including stage (p=0.046), tumor diameter (p=0.001), lymph node metastasis (p=0.006) and body mass index (p=0.030) were found to be significantly associated with overall survival, while perinodal involvement was found to be significantly associated with progression-free survival (p=0.018). In multivariate analysis, stage (p=0.032; OR: 3.8; 95% CI: 1.1-13), tumor diameter (p<0.000; OR: 0.0; 95% CI: 0.0-0.3), lymph node metastasis (p=0.005; OR: 0.0; 95% CI: 0.0-0.5) and BMI (p=0.027; OR: 0.02; 95% CI: 0.0-0.8) remained as significantly associated with OS. Conclusions: In our study, it was seen that overall survival time was shorter in underweight and obese patients when compared to normal weight patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.4311-4317
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• 2014

Background: Nano-biotechnology is recognized as offering revolutionary changes in the field of cancer therapy and biologically synthesized gold nanoparticles are known to have a wide range of medical applications. Materials and Methods: Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were biosynthesized with an aqueous extract of the red alga Corallina officinalis, used as a reducing and stabilizing agent. GNPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive analysis (EDX) and Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy and tested for cytotoxic activity against human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, considering their cytotoxicty and effects on cellular DNA. Results: The biosynthesized GNPs were $14.6{\pm}1nm$ in diameter. FT-IR analysis showed that the hydroxyl functional group from polyphenols and carbonyl group from proteins could assist in formation and stabilization. The GNPs showed potent cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cells, causing necrosis at high concentrations while lower concentrations were without effect as indicated by DNA fragmentation assay. Conclusions: The antitumor activity of the biosynthesized GNPs from the red alga Corallina officinalis against human breast cancer cells may be due to the cytotoxic effects of the gold nanoparticles and the polyphenolcontent of the algal extract.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.116-128
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• 2008

Vegetation structure of Jangtaesan Natural Recreation Forest in Daejeon City was investigated to suggest a preferable management plan. Vegetation survey was carried out with thirty plots. Adopting phytosociological method, plant communities were classified into twinfolds of natural and afforested area. A natural forest were composed of Quercus mongolica, Quercus variabilis, and Pinus densiflora community. Afforested area were with Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Larix leptolepis, Pinus koraiensis, and Castanea crenata community. The importance value of Quercus mongolica, Quercus variabilis, Pinus densiflora, and Quercus serrata in natural forest were 59.69%, 48.32%, 39.10%, 21.53%, respectively. According to diameter of breast hieght analysis results, it is expected that the occupancy of Quercus mongolica, Pinus densiflora, and Quercus variabilis would be continuously increased. Based on the findings of the study, management plan for natural forest and afforested area was recommended in line with the progress of natural ecology.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.3
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• pp.620-631
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• 2022

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of features suggestive of nodal metastasis on preoperative MRI in patients with invasive breast cancer. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the preoperative breast MRI of 192 consecutive patients with surgically proven invasive breast cancer. We analyzed MRI findings of axillary lymph nodes with regard to the size, long/short ratio, cortical thickness, shape and margin of the cortex, loss of hilum, asymmetry, signal intensity (SI) on T2-weighted images (T2WI), degree of enhancement in the early phase, and enhancement kinetics. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, chi-square test, t test, and McNemar's test were used for statistical analysis. Results Increased shorter diameter, uneven cortical shape, increased cortical thickness, loss of hilum, asymmetry, irregular cortical margin, and low SI on T2WI were significantly suggestive of metastasis. ROC analysis revealed the cutoff value for the shorter diameter and cortical thickness as 8.05 mm and 2.75 mm, respectively. Increased cortical thickness (> 2.75 mm) and uneven cortical shape showed significantly higher sensitivity than other findings in McNemar's test. Irregular cortical margins showed the highest specificity (100%). Conclusion Cortical thickness > 2.75 mm and uneven cortical shape are more sensitive parameters than other findings, and an irregular cortical margin is the most specific parameter for predicting axillary metastasis in patients with invasive breast cancer.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.108 no.4
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• pp.600-609
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• 2019

This study was conducted to highlight the necessity for a stand density control management plan in consideration of the shape ratio of Pinus densiflora and Larix kaempferi in Korea. A total of 2,112 Pinus densiflora samples and 2,030 Larix kaempferi samples were cut, and their diameter at breast height (DBH), height, and clear length were measured for regional shape ratio (height/DBH) comparison and analysis.The shape ratio of Pinus densiflora was 72.3% in the Gangwon district, 64.0% in the central district, and 70.8% on average, indicating a higher percentage of Pinus densiflora in Gangwon than in the central area. Regionally, Yeongju had the highest percentage at 78.4%, with Yeongwol indicating 77.5%. Measured by diameter, results showed a presence of 90.4% for small diameter trees (6-16 cm), 71.7% for medium diameter trees (18-28 cm), and 56.1% for large diameter trees (30 cm). As density increased, the shape ratio of height to tree trunk diameter also increased; below 70% indicated a more stable trunk, while a result above 80% indicated trunks prone to wind hazards and snowstorms, and, therefore, the need for density control in partial areas. The overall shape ratio of Larix kaempferi was 90.6%. Pyeongchang indicated a 108.5% ratio, Yeongju 105.4%, and Danyang 100.5%, respectively.According to diameter class, small diameter trees showed 104.9% occurrence, medium diameter trees 92.7%, and large diameter trees 73.4%. The shape ratio of Larix kaempferi was higher than 80% overall, indicating vulnerability to wind hazards and snowstorms. Therefore, appropriate stand density management is required.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.165-180
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• 2023

This study investigated 62 nested quadrat plots of Jinaksan to identify community classification and changes of the vegetation by using the phytosocial method and analyzed importance values. Vegetation types were classified into 8 communities: Quercus mongolica community, Q. variableis community, Q. aliena community, Pinus densiflora, Q. acutissima, Zelkova serrata, Carpinis laxiflora, and C. tschonoskii. The significance value was highest in Q. mongolica (62.75) followed by P. densiflora (55.16), Q. variabilis community (25.03), Z. serrata (22.17), Q. aliena (18.30), Prunus serrulata var. pubescens (16.86), C. laxiflora (13.25), Q. acutissima (10.72), C. tschonoskii (10.08), Q. serrata (8.02), Fraxinus sieboldiana (6.93), Acer pseudosieboldianum (6.73), and Styrax obassis (5.73). Quercus mongolica displayed a stable distribution pattern, presenting a reverse J-shaped curve from the diameter at breast height (DBH) analysis, and it was judged that current state would be maintained for a certain period. In addition, P. densiflora is expected to dominate for the time being and Quercus species are expected to gradually decrease.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.1021-1033
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• 2021

Objective: To assess the expression of vascular normalization genes in different molecular subtypes of breast cancer and to determine whether molecular subtypes with a higher vascular normalization gene expression can be identified using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Materials and Methods: This prospective study evaluated 306 female (mean age ± standard deviation, 50 ± 10 years), recruited between January 2014 and August 2017, who had de novo breast cancer larger than 1 cm in diameter (308 tumors). DCE MRI followed by IVIM DWI studies using 11 different b-values (0 to 1200 s/mm²) were performed on a 1.5T MRI system. The Tofts model and segmented biexponential IVIM analysis were used. For each tumor, the molecular subtype (according to six [I-VI] subtypes and PAM50 subtypes), expression profile of genes for vascular normalization, pericytes, and normal vascular signatures were determined using freshly frozen tissue. Statistical associations between imaging parameters and molecular subtypes were examined using logistic regression or linear regression with a significance level of p = 0.05. Results: Breast cancer subtypes III and VI and PAM50 subtypes luminal A and normal-like exhibited a higher expression of genes for vascular normalization, pericyte markers, and normal vessel function signature (p < 0.001 for all) compared to other subtypes. Subtypes III and VI and PAM50 subtypes luminal A and normal-like, versus the remaining subtypes, showed significant associations with K^trans, k_ep, v_p, and IAUGC_BN90 on DEC MRI, with relatively smaller values in the former. The subtype grouping was significantly associated with D, with relatively less restricted diffusion in subtypes III and VI and PAM50 subtypes luminal A and normal-like. Conclusion: DCE MRI and IVIM parameters may identify molecular subtypes of breast cancers with a different vascular normalization gene expression.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.6039-6046
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• 2015

Aims: To investigate effect of metallic nanoparticles, silver (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as antitumor treatment in vitro against human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and their associated mechanisms. This could provide new class of engineered nanoparticles with desired physicochemical properties and may present newer approaches for therapeutic modalities to breast cancer in women. Materials and Methods: A human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) was used as a model of cells. Metallic nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible spectra and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cytotoxic effects of metallic nanoparticles on MCF-7 cells were followed by colorimetric SRB cell viability assays, microscopy, and cellular uptake. Nature of cell death was further investigated by DNA analysis and flow cytometry. Results: Treatment of MCF-7 with different concentrations of 5-10nm diameter of AgNPs inhibited cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 value of $6.28{\mu}M$, whereas treatment of MCF-7 with different concentrations of 13-15nm diameter of AuNPs inhibited cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 value of $14.48{\mu}M$. Treatment of cells with a IC50 concentration of AgNPs generated progressive accumulation of cells in the S phase of the cell cycle and prevented entry into the M phase. The treatment of cells with IC50 concentrations of AuNPs similarly generated progressive accumulation of cells in sub-G1 and S phase, and inhibited the entrance of cells into the M phase of the cell cycle. DNA fragmentation, as demonstrated by electrophoresis, indicated induction of apoptosis. Conclusions: Our engineered silver nanoparticles effectively inhibit the proliferation of human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 in vitro at high concentration ($1000{\mu}M$) through apoptotic mechanisms, and may be a beneficial agent against human carcinoma but further detailed study is still needed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 1975

This study was intended to clarify interrelations among seven characters of bamboo and their influences upon its culm-volume. The analysis of covariance was used to obtain phenotypic correlations, genotypic correlations and environmental correlations among some characters of Phyllostachys bambusoides Sieb. et Zucc., and thereby path-coefficients were calculated based on Dewey's method. The characters considered here included the breast height diameter, culm-height, clear-length, subterranean stem, number of bamboo joints, butt-end diameter and culm-volume of bamboo. Average values, standard errors, variances and standard deviations for the characters mentioned above are shown in Table 1, and phenotypic correlations, genotypic correlations and environmental correlations among seven characters are shown in Table 2, according to the results, there are highly significant relationships among lines but not among some replications. According to Table 4, heritability values in the breast height and butt-end diameters are higher than those in other characters mentioned above. On the other hand, environmental correlations among general characters appear to have lower values than phenotypic and genotypic correlations do. It also appears that the butt-end diameter and breast height diameter are highly correlated with the culm-volume of bamboo. The path-coefficients of individual characters to the culm-volume of bamboo are computed from the correlations (Table 4) and presented in Figure 1 and Table 5, where it could shown the direct and indirect effects on the bamboo culm-volume of each character.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.121-128
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• 2017

Purpose: To report the results of a correlation analysis of skin dose assessed by in vivo dosimetry and the incidence of acute toxicity. This is a phase 2 trial evaluating the feasibility of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) as a boost for breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Eligible patients were treated with IORT of 20 Gy followed by whole breast irradiation (WBI) of 46 Gy. A total of 55 patients with a minimum follow-up of 1 month after WBI were evaluated. Optically stimulated luminescence dosimeter (OSLD) detected radiation dose delivered to the skin during IORT. Acute toxicity was recorded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.0. Clinical parameters were correlated with seroma formation and maximum skin dose. Results: Median follow-up after IORT was 25.9 weeks (range, 12.7 to 50.3 weeks). Prior to WBI, only one patient developed acute toxicity. Following WBI, 30 patients experienced grade 1 skin toxicity and three patients had grade 2 skin toxicity. Skin dose during IORT exceeded 5 Gy in two patients: with grade 2 complications around the surgical scar in one patient who received 8.42 Gy. Breast volume on preoperative images (p = 0.001), ratio of applicator diameter and breast volume (p = 0.002), and distance between skin and tumor (p = 0.003) showed significant correlations with maximum skin dose. Conclusions: IORT as a boost was well-tolerated among Korean women without severe acute complication. In vivo dosimetry with OSLD can help ensure safe delivery of IORT as a boost.