• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8101-8105
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• 2016

Background: This study examined the psychometric properties of the Bahasa Malaysia (BM) version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Colorectal Cancer-specific Quality Of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-CR29). Materials and Methods: We studied 93 patients recruited from University Malaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Medical Centers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia using a self-administered method. Tools included QLQ-C30, QLQ-CR29 and Karnofsky Performance Scales (KPS). Statistical analyses included Cronbach's alpha, test-retest correlations, multi-traits scaling and known-groups comparisons. A p vaue ${\leq}0.05$ was considered significant. Results: The internal consistency coefficients for body image, urinary frequency, blood and mucus and stool frequency scales were acceptable (Cronbach's alpha ${\alpha}{\geq}0.65$). However, the coefficients were low for the blood and mucus and stool frequency scales in patients with a stoma bag (${\alpha}=0.46$). Test-retest correlation coefficients were moderate to high (range: r = 0.51 to 1.00) for most of the scales except anxiety, urinary frequency, buttock pain, hair loss, stoma care related problems, and dyspareunia (r ${\leq}0.49$). Convergent and discriminant validities were achieved in all scales. Patients with a stoma reported significantly higher symptoms of blood and mucus in the stool, flatulence, faecal incontinence, sore skin, and embarrassment due to the frequent need to change the stoma bag (p < 0.05) compared to patients without stoma. None of the scales distinguished between patients based on the KPS scores. There were no overlaps between scales in the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29 (r < 0.40). Conclusions: the BM version of the QLQ-CR29 indicated acceptable psychometric properties in most of the scales similar to original validation study. This questionnaire could be used to complement the QLQ-C30 in assessing HRQOL among BM speaking population with colorectal cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7831-7836
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• 2015

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to assess the general knowledge of CRC in individuals living in Rasht, Iran, using a population-based cross-sectional telephone survey. Materials and Methods: A total of 1557 participants between 18 and 80 years of age were interviewed using random sampling from the telephone directory. Knowledge of risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention of CRC was assessed using a validated questionnaire. Results: The mean knowledge level of the 1,557 respondents (average age 46 y) was $13.5{\pm}4.29$ (maximum possible score = 26), and 46.4% (722/1,557) of the subjects achieved grades lower than the mean score. The mean scores for knowledge of symptoms and risk factors were $3.97{\pm}1.83$ (range: 0-7) and $5.17{\pm}1.65$ (range: 0-9), respectively. Older age, higher education, and employment were significantly associated with better scores for recognition of risk factors and warning symptoms. The majority of subjects correctly identified weight loss (70.2%; 1,093/1,557) and rectal bleeding (63.3%; 986/1,557) as symptoms of CRC, and that smoking (85.9%; 1,337/1,557) and a low-fiber diet (73.4%; 1,143/1,557) were risk factors. Approximately half of the subjects noted increasing age, genetic background and fried food as other risk factors. A considerable number (54.8%; 853/1,557) identified colonoscopy as a screening method for detecting CRC in asymptomatic patients. However, a third of the subjects in the target group for screening (${\geq}50y$) were not interested in undergoing screening, primarily due to a lack of symptoms. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the knowledge of CRC is poor among the public, and therefore greater attempts should be made to increase awareness. Public education emphasizing the risk factors and symptoms of CRC, as well as the importance of regular screening regardless of the presence of symptoms, may help to reduce CRC morbidity and mortality.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.8-18
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find and categorize the various magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of spinal metastases that correlate with the type of primary cancer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance images of 30 patients with 169 spinal metastatic lesions from lung cancer (n = 56), breast cancer (n = 29), colorectal cancer (n = 20), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (n = 17), and stomach cancer (n = 47). The size, location, extent of invasion, signal intensity, margin, enhancement pattern, and osteoblastic or osteolytic characteristics of each metastatic tumor were analyzed. Results: The metastatic lesions from HCC were larger than those from the other primary tumors (P < 0.05) except for colorectal cancer (P = 0.268). Well-defined metastatic tumor margins were more frequently seen in lung cancer and breast cancer (P < 0.01). All but HCC showed a tendency to invade the vertebral body rather than the posterior elements (P < 0.02). Colorectal cancer and HCC showed a tendency toward extraosseous invasion without statistical significance. HCC showed a characteristic enhancement pattern of 'worms-in-a-bag'. Rim enhancement with a sclerotic center was only seen in spinal metastases from stomach cancer. Conclusion: Despite many overlapping imaging features, spinal metastases of various primary tumors display some characteristic MRI findings that can help identify the primary cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.16
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• pp.6737-6743
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• 2014

It is reported that sinomenine (SIN) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) both are effective for colon cancer, but their cooperative suppressive effects and toxicity remain to be clarified in detail. This study aimed to determine suppressive effects and toxicity of sinomenine (SIN) plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on LoVo colon carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo. CCK-8, Hoechst 33258 staining and an annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis kit were used to detect suppressive effects. Western blotting was applied to investigate the essential mechanism underlying SIN and 5-FU-induced apoptosis. SIN or 5-FU or both were injected into nude mice, and then suppressive effects and side effects were observed. SIN plus 5-FU apparently inhibited the proliferation of LoVo cells and induced apoptosis. Moreover the united effects were stronger than individually (p<0.05). The results of annexin V-FITC/PI staining and Hoechst 33258 staining showed that the percentage of apoptotic cells induced by SIN and 5-FU combined or alone was significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). Expression of Bax and Bcl-2 was up-regulated and down-regulated respectively. SIN or 5-FU significantly inhibited effects on the volume of tumour xenografts and their combined suppressive effects were stronger (p<0.05). No obvious side effects were observed. It was apparent that the united effects of SIN and 5-FU on the growth of colorectal carcinoma LoVo cells in vitro and in vivo were superior to those using them individually, and it did not markedly increase the side effects of chemotherapy.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Perilla frutescens Britton leaves are a commonly consumed vegetable in different Asian countries including Korea. Cancer is a major cause of human death worldwide. The aim of the current study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of ethanol extract of perilla leaf (PLE) against important characteristics of cancer cells, including unrestricted growth, resisted apoptosis, and activated metastasis, using human cancer cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: Two human cancer cell lines were used in this study, HCT116 colorectal carcinoma cells and H1299 non-small cell lung carcinoma cells. Assays using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide were performed for measurement of cell growth. Soft agar and wound healing assays were performed to determine colony formation and cell migration, respectively. Nuclear staining and cell cycle analysis were performed for assessment of apoptosis. Fibronectin-coated plates were used to determine cell adhesion. RESULTS: Treatment of HCT116 and H1299 cells with PLE resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of growth by 52-92% (at the concentrations of 87.5, 175, and $350{\mu}g/ml$) and completely abolished the colony formation in soft agar (at the concentration of $350{\mu}g/ml$). Treatment with PLE at the $350{\mu}g/ml$ concentration resulted in change of the nucleus morphology and significantly increased sub-G1 cell population in both cells, indicating its apoptosis-inducing activity. PLE at the concentration range of 87.5 to $350{\mu}g/ml$ was also effective in inhibiting the migration of H1299 cells (by 52-58%) and adhesion of both HCT116 and H1299 cells (by 25-46%). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that PLE exerts anti-cancer activities against colon and lung cancers in vitro. Further studies are needed in order to determine whether similar effects are reproduced in vivo.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.162-166
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• 2006

The lung is the most common site for the metastasis of extrapulmonary malignant tumors. However, endobronchial metastases (EBM) from extrapulmonary malignant tumors are rare. The most common extrathoracic malignancies associated with EBM are the breast, renal and colorectal carcinomas. Lung metastasis from prostate cancer is often encountered but EBM is rare. We report a 74-year old man with endobronchial metastases from prostatic carcinoma presented with cough. The diagnosis of prostatic cancer and the endobronchial metastasis were confirmed by immunohistological staining with the prostate specific antigen. Hormonal therapy (lutenizing hormone releasing hormone agonist) was applied to this patient.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4627-4634
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• 2013

Chemoprotection refers to the use of specific natural or synthetic chemical agents to suppress or prevent the progression to cancer. The purpose of this study is to assess the protective effect of aspirin, vitamin C or zinc in a dimethyl hydrazine (DMH) colon carcinoma model in rats and to investigate the effect of these supplements on changes associated with colonic zinc status. Rats were randomly divided into three groups, group 1 (aspirin), group 2 (vitamin C) and group 3 (zinc), each being subdivided into two groups and given subcutaneous injection of DMH (30 mg/kg body wt) twice a week for 3 months and sacrificed at 4 months (A-precancer model) and 6 months (B-cancer model). Groups 1, 2, 3 were simultaneously given aspirin, vitamin C, or zinc supplement respectively from the beginning till the end of the study. It was observed that 87.5% of rats co-treated with aspirin or vitamin C showed normal colonic histology, along with a significant decrease in colonic tissue zinc at both time points. Rats co-treated with zinc showed 100% reduction in tumor incidence with no significant change in colonic tissue zinc. Plasma zinc, colonic CuZnSOD (copper-zinc superoxide dismutase) and alkaline phosphatase activity showed no significant changes in all 3 cotreated groups. These results suggest that aspirin, vitamin C or zinc given separately, exert a chemoprotective effect against chemically induced DMH colonic preneoplastic progression and colonic carcinogenesis in rats. The inhibitory effects are associated with maintaining the colonic tissue zinc levels and zinc enzymes at near normal without significant changes.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.364-371
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• 2002

Many chemical compopunds are converted into reactive electrophilic metabolites by the oxidative(Phase I) enzymes, which are mainly cytochrome P-450 enzyme(CYPs). Phase II conjugating enzymes, such as glutathione S-transferase(GST), usually act as inactivation of enzymes. Genetic polymorphisms have been found to be associated with increased susceptibility to cancer of the lung, bladder, breast and colorectal. Many of the polymorphic genes of carcinogen metabolism show considerably different type of cancer among different ethnic groups as well as individuals within the same group. The aim of this study is (1) to establish the frequencies of genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1 and CYP1A1 in Korean oral squamous cell carcinoma(SCC), (2) to associate oral SCC with the risk of these genetic polymorphisms. The genetic polymorphisms of the GSTM1 and the CYP1A1 genes among 50 Korean oral SCC were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction(PCR). The results suggest that the homozygote and the mutant type of CYP1A1 MspI polymorphisms may be associated with genetic susceptibility to oral SCC in Korean. A combination of the GSTM1 null type with the homozygote(m1/m1), and the mutant(m2/m2) type of CYP1A1 MspI polymorphisms showed a relatively high risk of oral SCC in Korean. In the smoking group, the GSTM1 wild genotype may be the high risk factor of oral SCC in Korean. These data coincide with the hypothesis which states that different susceptibility to cancer of genetic polymorphisms exist among different ethnic group and different types of human cancer.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.393-399
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• 2004

For the efficient determination of activity against solid tumors, an in vitro tumor model that resembles the condition of in vivo solid tumors, is required. The purpose of this study was to establish a rapid culture method and viability assay for an in vitro 3-dimensional tumor model, multicellular spheroid (MCS). Among 12 human cancer cell lines, a few cell lines including DLD-1 (human colorectal carcinoma cells) formed fully compact MCS which was adequate for in vitro viability assay. DLD-1 MCS showed steady growth reaching $700\;{\mu}m$ diameter after 11 day culture. DLD-1 cells grown as MCS showed significant increase in $G_0/G_1$ phase compared to the monolayer cells (73.9% vs 45.7%), but necrotic regions or apoptotic cells were not observed. The cells cultured as MCS showed resistance to 5-FU (10.3 fold higher $IC_{50}$) compared to monolayers, however, tirapazamine (a hypotoxin) showed similar activity in both culture systems. In summary, MCS may be a valid in vitro model for activity screening of anticancer agents against human solid tumors and also exploitable for studying molecular markers of drug resistance in human solid tumors.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.145-149
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• 2004

A 12-year-old boy with severe periumbilical pain visited the emergency room. Physical examination, abdominal ultrasonography, colonoscopy and CT, identified a lesion of sigmoid colon. Endoscopic biopsy showed a signet ring cell carcinoma of the sigmoid colon. On explorative laparotomy, cancer invasions of the adjacent structures and metastases on peritoneal wall were noticed. We performed palliative loop-ileostomy. He underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy for 3 months. The second case was a 16-year-old boy with abdominal pain and hematochezia, transferred to our hospital with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis with periappendiceal abscess. Although he underwent appendectomy, the abdominal pain persisted. Digital rectal examination revealed a lumen-obstructing fungating mass in the rectum. Endoscopic biopsy revealed a adenocarcinoma. Cancer invasion of the adjacent structures and metastases involving the mesentery of the small intestine were found at laparotomy. A palliative procedure, a Hartmann's operation and end-colostomy at the sigmoid colon were performed. The patient died 8 month later due to pneumonia and sepsis. Chemotherapy was not applied.