• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.89-91
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• 2011

DNA chips are becoming increasingly popular as a convenient way to perform vast amounts of experiments related to genes on a single chip. And the importance of analyzing the data that is provided by such DNA chips is becoming significant. A very important analysis on DNA chip data would be clustering genes to identify gene groups which have similar properties such as cancer. Clustering data for DNA chips usually deal with a large search space and has a very fuzzy characteristic. The Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm which was recently proposed is a very good candidate to solve such problems. In this paper, we propose a clustering mechanism that is based on the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm. Our experiments show that the PSO-based clustering algorithm developed is efficient in terms of execution time for clustering DNA chip data, and thus be used to extract valuable information such as cancer related genes from DNA chip data with high cluster accuracy and in a timely manner.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한예방의학회 2002년도 제54차 추계 학술대회 연제집
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• pp.542-542
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• 2002

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.384-393
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• 2017

Purpose: The tumor microenvironment is known to be associated with the metabolic activity of cancer cells and local immune reactions. We hypothesized that glucose metabolism measured by 2-deoxy-2-($^{18}F$)fluoro-D-glucose ($^{18}F-FDG$) positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) ($^{18}F-FDG$ PET-CT) would be associated with local immune responses evaluated according to the presence of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 56 patients who underwent $^{18}F-FDG$ PET-CT prior to gastrectomy. In resected tumor specimens, TIL subsets, including cluster of differentiation (CD) 3, CD4, CD8, Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), and granzyme B, were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis. The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) was calculated as: ($10{\times}serum$ albumin value)+($0.005{\times}peripheral$ lymphocyte counts). Additionally, the maximum standard uptake value ($SUV_{max}$) was calculated to evaluate the metabolic activity of cancer cells. Results: The $SUV_{max}$ was positively correlated with larger tumor size (R=0.293; P=0.029) and negatively correlated with PNI (R=-0.407; P=0.002). A higher $SUV_{max}$ showed a marginal association with higher CD3 (+) T lymphocyte counts (R=0.227; P=0.092) and a significant association with higher Foxp3 (+) T lymphocyte counts (R=0.431; P=0.009). No other clinicopathological characteristics were associated with $SUV_{max}$ or TILs. Survival analysis, however, indicated that neither $SUV_{max}$ nor Foxp3 held prognostic significance. Conclusions: FDG uptake on PET-CT could be associated with TILs, especially regulatory T cells, in gastric cancer. This finding may suggest that PET-CT could be of use as a non-invasive tool for monitoring the tumor microenvironment in patients with gastric cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권16호
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• pp.7195-7200
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• 2015

Background: Since seventeen employees of an offset printing company in Osaka, Japan developed cholangiocarcinoma it has become recognized as an occupational cancer. This study investigated the differences of clinical features between occupational cholangiocarcinoma and sporadic young-onset cholangiocarcinoma. Materials and Methods: Thirty-four young adults (<50 years old) with sporadic cholangiocarcinoma were extracted from the Rosai Hospital Group database (sporadic group) and their clinical features were compared with those of 17 patients with occupational cholangiocarcinoma (occupational group). Results: The 34 patients in the sporadic group were treated for cholangiocarcinoma at 16 different Rosai hospitals. There were significant differences of age (p<0.01), gender (p<0.01), abnormal laboratory tests (p<0.01), and tumor location (p<0.01) between the two groups. The percentage of patients with abnormal laboratory tests was significantly higher in the occupational group than in the sporadic group (p<0.001). Regional dilation of bile ducts, which is a characteristic of occupational cholangiocarcinoma, was not observed in the sporadic group. Conclusions: No cluster of cholangiocarcinoma cases was identified in the Rosai Hospital database. There were differences of clinical features between occupational and sporadic cholangiocarcinoma, which might be helpful for diagnosing occupational cholangiocarcinoma in the future.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권11호
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• pp.6385-6388
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• 2013

Background: Smokeless tobacco consumption is one of the causes of oral cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of smokeless tobacco consumption among male students of Zahedan universities and associated factors in 2012. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 431 students were selected from the universities of Zahedan using multi-stage random cluster sampling. The data collection tool was a questionnaire including questions about demographic information, history of smokeless tobacco consumption, and awareness of smokeless tobacco hazards. Data were analyzed by SPSS19 using Chi-square test and multinomial logistic regression, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: At the time of conducting this study, 102 students (23.7%) had already consumed smokeless tobacco and 49 students (11.4%) were current users (consuming at least once in 30 days before the study). There was a significant relationship between history of smokeless tobacco consumption, university/college, place of living, mean GPA, and mother's education level (p<0.05). Also there was a significant association between knowledge and prevalence of smokeless tobacco use (p<0.001). Conclusions: There is a relatively high prevalence of smokeless tobacco consumption among the male students of universities of Zahedan, which shows the need to emphasize the provision and implementation of prevention programs in universities.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권20호
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• pp.8957-8961
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• 2014

Background: Promoter hypermethylation leads to altered gene functions and may result in malignant cellular transformation. Thus, identification of biomarkers for hypermethylated genes could be useful for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Objectives: To screen hypermethylated genes with a microarray approach and to validate selected hypermethylated genes with the methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSPCR). Materials and Methods: Genome-wide analysis of normal oral mucosa and OSCC tissues was conducted using the Illumina methylation microarray. The specified differential genes were selected and hypermethylation status was further verified with an independent cohort sample of OSCC samples. Candidate genes were screened using microarray assay and run by MSPCR analysis. Results: TP73, PIK3R5, and CELSR3 demonstrated high percentages of differential hypermethylation status. Conclusions: Our microarray screening and MSPCR approaches revealed that the signature candidates of differentially hypermethylated genes may possibly become potential biomarkers which would be useful for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic targets of OSCC in the near future.

• Mycobiology
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• 제51권2호
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• pp.94-108
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• 2023

Termitomyces sp. that grow in symbiosis with fungus-farming Termites have medicinal properties. However, they are rare in nature, and their artificial culture is challenging. The expression of AXL receptor tyrosine kinase and immune checkpoint molecules favor the growth of cancer cells. The study evaluated the optimal conditions for the artificial culture of Termitomyces and their inhibitory activity on AXL and immune checkpoint molecules in lung adenocarcinoma and melanoma cell lines. The culture of 45 strains of Termitomyces was compared. Five strains with marked growth rates were selected. Four of the selected strains form a single cluster by sequence analysis. The mycelium of 4 selected strains produces more fungal mass in potato dextrose broth than in a mixed media. The bark was the most appropriate solid substrate for Termitomyces mycelia culture. The mycelium of all five selected strains showed a higher growth rate under normal CO₂ conditions. The culture broth, methanol, and ethyl acetate of one selected strain (T-120) inhibited the mRNA relative expression of AXL receptor tyrosine kinase and immune checkpoint molecules in cancer cell lines. Overall, these results suggest the potential usefulness of Termitomyces extracts as a coadjuvant therapy in malignant diseases.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.166-173
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• 2004

Objectives : Cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer among women in Busan. The Pap smear test could have a significant effect on detecting cervical cancer, and enhancing their rate of use is an important strategy for reducing the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with the past use of the Pap smear test in Korean women. Methods : A population-based survey was carried out in Busan between November 1999 and March 2000. 1,673 participants were randomly selected from 2,684 women in Busan, using a 2-stage cluster sampling method, and interviewed in their homes. Their socio-demographic characteristics, smoking, drinking, familial cancer history, Pap smear screening history, reproductive and menstrual factors, sexual habits and use of contraceptive methods data were collected by a trained interviewer using a questionnaire. The use of the screening test was defined by a self-report from the participants on how many times they had had a Pap smear test in their lifetime, and when they had received their latest examination. Results : Of the 1,673 respondents (62.3% response rate), 57.6% had had a Pap smear test during her life (mean number, 2.3). Among the health examination participants(1,064), 961(90.3%) reported having sexual experience and 70.9% of these had had a Pap smear test. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, statistically significant relationships were observed for age groups and the Pap smear test rate (odds ratio, OR for 35-44 years=2.45; OR for 45-54 years=3.41; OR for 55 years=2.60; reference, under 34 years). The married or cohabiting women were more likely to have used the Pap smear test than those separated or widowed (OR=1.73). Among the reproductive behavioral measures, the number of births (OR for 3 births=4.22; OR for 2 births=3.95; OR for 1 births=3.38; reference, 0 births) and husband's extra-marital affairs (OR=1.50) were associated with the rates of use of Pap smear tests. Conclusion : It appears that the most important contributing factors to cervical cancer screening were age, marital status and number of births. A positive association was also observed for the husband's extra-marital affairs. This study enabled us to systematically assess the relationship between Pap smear rates and risk factors for cervical cancer. It is hoped that this study will make a significant contribution to the accumulating scientific evidence on the identification of factors associated with cervical cancer screening in Korea.

• 보건교육건강증진학회지
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.41-60
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• 2003

This study, performed to analyze the factors associated with health and cancer screening using preventive programs form health insurance among the women of a community, through a survey of about 923 women in Euijungbu-city. The subjects of the study were selected by a proportional cluster sampling method. The self-reported questionnaire was intended to fine factors associated with health screening and cancer screening. The results of this study were as follows: 1. In the case of health screening using health insurance, 14.1% of the subjects turned out to have been screened once or more in their respective life-time. Reasons given for non-participation in the screening were : 'lacking screening information', a belief that' it's not useful' and a belief that they' weren't sick'. 2. The factors associated with health screening behavior were age, educational level, number of doctor visits, BMI and health promotion behavior(p<0.01, p<0.05). Also, the factors associated with health screening behavior were cue to action and health status, and the predictors on health screening behavior were age and health promotion behavior(p<0.01, p<0.05). 3. In the case of cancer screening through the health insurance, 7.4% of the subjects turned out to have been screened once or more respectively in their life-times. Reasons given for non-participation in the screening were : 'lacking screening information', a belief they 'weren't sick' and that it's not useful'. 4. The factors associated with cancer screening behavior were age, educational level, income, alcholol intake, exercise, number of doctor visits and BMI(p<0.01, p<0.05). Aditional factors associated with cancer screening behavior were cue to action, health belief score and health status. Predictors for cancer screening behavior were: age, health belief score, screening attitude and health status(p<0.01, p<0.05). As indicated by the above results, a lack of information was an important factor for a lack of participation in screening. Age and cue to action were also important factors in promoting the cancer screening rate. Therefore, a dissemination of information about cancer screening contributes to the promotion of a screening rate, and cooperation between health insurance and local health cancer facilitates to be public the community-based cancer screening program.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.144-152
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• 2006

네트워크기술을 이용한 서버-클라이언트 원격의료기술은 특히 의료시설이 낙후된 지방도시의 의료기관에 질 높은 의료서비스를 제공할 수 있는 기술이다. 이러한 기술은 중앙 집중 방식으로 진단과 검사용으로 사용되는 대형 컴퓨터 하드웨어와 소프트웨어를 매우 효율적이고 경제적으로 관리할 수 있게 하게 때문에 궁극적으로는 의료수가를 감소시키는데도 기여할 것이다. 각 환자에 대해 환자 맞춤형 방사선 치료계획은 매우 효율적인 암 치료를 가능하게 하기 때문에 환자와 의사 모두에게 매우 유익한 방법이다. 치료계획전문가들은 환자에게 너무 적은 선량을 주면 암이 계속 재발할 확률이 높고 너무 많은 선량을 주면 환자를 다치게 할 수도 있다는 것을 잘 이해한다. 최고의 해법은 가장 정확한 선량을 주는 것인데 이것은 각 환자의 CT 자료를 기반으로 정확한 선량계획 시뮬레이션 시스템을 사용하는 것이다. 우리는 네트워크 기반과 웹 기반을 이용한 환자 맞춤형 치료계획 시뮬레이션 시스템개발을 위해 관련된 4가지 컴퓨터 프로그램을 개발하고 있다. 환자의 CT자료를 이용하여 각 환자의 표적 자료를 만드는 프로그램, 이 표적자료를 바탕으로 방사선 선량 시뮬레이션을 하는 병렬 몬테카를로 프로그램, 선량주사변수들을 최적화시키는 프로그램, 그리고 계산결과를 시각화하는 프로그램들이다. 모든 소프트웨어는 약 100-200개의 개인컴퓨터로 구성된 클러스터에서 병렬모드로 운영이 된다. 이와 같이 방대한 하드웨어와 소프트웨어의 효과적인 관리를 각 병원에 맡기는 것은 효율적이지 못하기 때문에 이를 중앙에서 관리하면서 각 병원에서는 네트워크나 웹을 통하여 마치 모든 것이 자기 병원에 있는 것과 같이 편리하게 쓸 수 있게 하는 시스템으로 의사와의 계속적인 의사소통은 클라이언트-서버 시스템의 메신저 기능을 이용한다.