• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.287-292
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• 2009

Over the a few decades, the incidences of obesity and associated metabolic syndrome diseases have been increased dramatically and resulted in a global health crisis. Recent findings suggest endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) as an obesogen, because they disrupt normal development and homeostatic controls over adipogenesis and energy balance in obesity. Furthermore, risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality is elevated among those who were obese during childhood. Thus, we focused on etiology of obesity in children and performed biological monitoring of bisphenol A (BPA), which is a broadly exposed EDC in environment. Study subjects were age and sex-matched obese and normal children in Seoul (N=52; age, $8.67{\pm}1.46$ years). Exposure levels of BPA were analyzed with HPLC/FLD as a conjugated form in urine. As results, ranges of urinary BPA were 0~54.38 ${\mu}g/g$ creatinine (median, 4.57 ${\mu}g/g$ creatinine). Levels of urinary BPA were 1.7 fold higher in the obese children than those in the controls (medians of obese and control children, 7.31 and 4.25 ${\mu}g/g$ creatinine, respectively, p=0.22). In the near future, enlarge scaled studies should be performed to confirm the risk of BPA for obesity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8327-8333
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• 2016

Background: The recent epidemiologic transition in Thailand, with decreasing incidence of infectious diseases along with increasing rates of chronic conditions, including cancer, is a serious problem for the country. Breast cancer has the highest incidence rates among females throughout Thailand. Lampang is a province in the upper part of Northern Thailand. A study was needed to identify the current burden, and the future trends of breast cancer in upper Northern Thai women. Materials and Methods: Here we used cancer incidence data from the Lampang Cancer Registry to characterize and analyze the local incidence of breast cancer. Joinpoint analysis, age period cohort model and Nordpred package were used to investigate the incidences of breast cancer in the province from 1993 to 2012 and to project future trends from 2013 to 2030. Results: Age-standardized incidence rates (world) of breast cancer in the upper parts of Northern Thailand increased from 16.7 to 26.3 cases per 100,000 female population which is equivalent to an annual percentage change of 2.0-2.8%, according to the method used. Linear drift effects played a role in shaping the increase of incidence. The three projection method suggested that incidence rates would continue to increase in the future with incidence for women aged 50 and above, increasing at a higher rate than for women below the age of 50. Conclusions: The current early detection measures increase detection rates of early disease. Preparation of a budget for treatment facilities and human resources, both in surgical and medical oncology, is essential.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.151-157
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• 2004

This study examined two groups of students Korean Oriental Medicine majors and Food and Nutrition majors and compared their knowledge of clinical nutrition as well as their tendency to follow healthy lifestyles. In all, 204 college juniors and seniors majoring in Food ＆ Nutrition, and 324 sophomores majoring in General Korean Oriental Medicine were given a questionnaire. Overall, knowledge of clinical nutrition(out of twenty questions) was significantly higher among the students majoring in food and nutrition (p<0.01). Specifically, these students obtained a higher score in the questions pertaining to the following topics: nutritional support(p<0.05), the relationship between menopause and blood cholesterol(p＜0.01), the relationship between weight control and carbohydrates(p＜0.01), the relationship between gout and protein(p＜0.10), the relationship between hyperlipidemia and carbohydrates(p＜0.01), the relationship between trans fatty acids and atherosclerosis(p＜0.01), the relationship between blood potassium levels and kidney disease(p<0.01), and the relationship between weight control and diet and water(p＜0.05). Conversely, students studying General Korean Oriental Medicine had a better knowledge of the relationship between malnutrition and the mortality rate and health complications(p＜0.01). The questions relating to a healthy diet and lifestyle indicated that students majoring in Food and Nutrition had higher incidences of diet irregularity and a higher missing rate (p<0.01); they were more interested in calorie content and nutrients in their diet(p＜0.05); and they were more likely to study about nutritional knowledge during their leisure time (p＜0.01). The results also indicated, however, Korean Oriental Medicine students consumed proportionally more vegetables(p<0.05); and they were more likely to take the stairs than the elevator(p＜0.01).

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.201-204
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• 2003

This study was conducted to identify optimum ripening condition for kiwifruits (Actinidia deliciosa) to prevent postharvest fruit rots caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea, Diaporthe actinidiae and Botrytis cinerea. The optimum temperatures for mycelial growth of B. dothidea, D. actinidiae and B. cinerea were $26{\sim}35^{\circ}C$, $26{\sim}29^{\circ}C$ and $20{\sim}26^{\circ}C$, respectively, and the incidence was closely related with the temperature. Although kiwifruits ripened faster at higher temperatures, the rates of diseased fruits increased with the rates of ripened fruits increased. Optimum conditions for ripening of kiwifruit were 20-day at 17C.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.4163-4167
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• 2012

Aims: To prospectively assess the efficacy and safety of moderately hypofractionated conformal radiotherapy in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer. Methods and Materials: From Sept. 2002 to Oct, 2005, 150 eligible patients with T2-4N0-1M0 stage thoracic esophageal squamous cell cancers were enrolled to receive either conventional fractionated radiation (CFR) or moderately hypofractionated radiation (MHR) with a three-dimensional conformal radiation technique. Of the total, 74 received moderately hypofractionated radiation with total dose of 54-60Gy/18-20fractions for 3.5-4 weeks in the MHR arm, and 76 received conventional radiation with total dose of 60Gy/30 fractions for 6 weeks in the CFR arm. Concurrent chemotherapy comprised of paclitaxel and cisplatin. Safety was evaluated, and local control and overall survival rates were calculated. Results: Statistically significant differences between the CFR versus MHR arms were observed in local/regional failure rate (47.3% v 27.0%, P=0.034) and the percentage of patients with persistent local disease (26.3% v 10.8%, P=0.012). But 3 and 5-year overall survival rates (43.2%, 38.8% v 38.2%, 28.0%, respectively) were not different between the two arms (P=0.268). There were no significant differences in the incidences of grade 3 or higher acute toxicities (66.3% v 50.0%) and late complications rates (27.0% v 22.4%) between the MHR and CFR arms. Conclusions: Moderately hypofractionated, three-dimensional radiation treatment could improve the local control rate of esophageal cancer and potentially increase patients' survival.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7753-7756
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• 2014

Incidence trends of head and neck cancer (HNC) have implications for screening strategies, disease management, guiding health policy making, and are needed to further oral cancer research. This paper aims to describe trends in age-adjusted HNC incidence rates focusing on changes across calendar period between 2007 and 2010 in Australian Northern Territory. Age-adjusted incidence rates of HNC were calculated for 2007-2010 using Northern Territory population based data assembled by Department of Health, Northern Territory Government of Australia. Changes in the HNC rate ratio (RR) and Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC) between 2007-2008, 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 were calculated. A total of 171 HNC patients were recorded by the Northern Territory Department of Health during the time period between 2007 and 2010, out of which, 135 were males (78.9% of male HNC patients) and 36 were females (21.1% of female HNC patients). In conclusion, HNC incidence rate has decreased in the Northern Territory Australian males but remains unchanged in Australian females. High incidences of HNC may be associated with the high smoking rate and high alcohol consumption in the Northern Territory. Continued monitoring of trends in HNC incidence rates is crucial to inform Northern Territory based cancer prevention strategies.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.52-58
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• 2018

Pear scab and rust are the major diseases causing severe epidemics in organic cultivation of pear trees. Incidences of pear scab and rust were compared in organically managed plots and conventionally managed plots to obtain optimum application schedule of environment-friendly control agents in organically managed plots. Organically cultural practice with 10 time-applications of lime sulfur and Bordeaux mixture showed higher than 40% of control efficacies of pear scab and rust compared to conventionally cultural practice. Organically cultural practice with 8 time-applications of lime sulfur considering weather condition showed higher than 30% of control efficacies of pear scab compared to conventionally cultural practice. The results suggest that proper application of environment-friendly control agents such as lime sulfur considering weather condition will enable effective control of the major diseases for organic cultivation of pear.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.239-247
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• 2016

Background: The overall cervical cancer incidence rate is low in Iran; however, because of a higher risk of death for cervical cancer, a disease that kills women in middle age, a cervical cancer control program is needed. The aim of this study was to provide consensus recommendation for cervical cancer prevention in Iran and other Muslim societies with low incidences of cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: Through a practical guideline development cycle, we developed six questions that were relevant to produce the recommendation. We reviewed 190 full text records of cervical cancer in Iran (1971 to 2013) of which 13 articles were related to the data needed to answer the recommendation questions. We also reviewed World Health Organization, IARC, GLOBOCAN report, Iran Ministry of Health cancer registry report and 8 available foreign countries guidelines. Lastly, we also evaluated the Pap smear results of 825 women who participated in the Iranian HPV survey, of whom 328 were followed-up after a 5-year interval. Results: The obtained data highlighted the burden of HPV and cervical cancer situation in Iran. Experts emphasized the necessity of a cervical cancer screening program for Iranian women, and recommended an organized screening program with a cytological evaluation (Pap smear) that would start at the age of 30 years, repeated every 5 years, and end at the age of 69 years. Meanwhile, there is no need for screening among women with a hysterectomy, and screening should be postponed to post-partum among pregnant women. Conclusions: An organized cervical cancer screening is a necessity for Iran as more than 500-900 women in middle age diagnosed with an invasive cervical cancer every year cannot be ignored. This recommendation should be taken into account by the National Health System of Iran and Muslim countries with shared culture and behavior patterns. CUBA HPV test could be consideration in countries Muslim country with appropriate budget, resources and facility.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.6035-6040
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• 2013

Background: Cancer is a complex disease caused by multiple factors, both genetic and environmental. It is a major health concern worldwide, in the Middle East and in Jordan specifically and the fourth most common killer in the Middle East. Hypothesis: The relative genetic homogeneity of the Circassian and Chechan populations in Jordan results in incidences of cancer that differ from the general Jordanian population, who are mostly Arabs. Materials and Methods: National Cancer Registry data were obtained for the years 1996-2005 The Chechen and Circassian cancer cases were identified and cancer registry data were divided into three populations. Crude rates were calculated based on the number of cancer cases and estimated populations. Results: Breast cancer is the most common cancer type constituting about one third of female cancers in all three populations. Higher crude rates are observed in the Circassian and Chechen populations than in the Arab Jordanian population. The rate ratios (95%CI) in Circassians and Chechens with respect to the Arab Jordanian population are 2.1 (1.48, 2.72) and 1.81 (1.16, 2.85), respectively. Lung cancer is the most common cancer in male Arab Jordanians and Chechens with crude rates of 4.2 and 8.0 per 100,000 respectively. The male to female ratio in these two populations in respective order are 5:1 and 7:1. The lung cancer crude rate in Circassians is 6.5 per 100,000 with a male to female ratio of only 1.6:1. The colorectal cancer crude rates in Arab Jordanians and Chechens are similar at 6.2 and 6.0 per 100,000, respectively, while that in Circassians is twice as high. Conclusions: Considerable ethnic variation exists for cancer incidence rates in Jordan. The included inbred and selected populations offer an ideal situation for investigating genetic factors involved in various cancer types.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.751-756
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• 2002

A study was carried out to evaluate the incidences and causes of bovine mastitis in Tanzanian shorthorn zebu (Bos indicus) in the traditional sector and crossbred cows (Bos taurus${\times}$Bos indicus) in the dairy ranching sector, both found under the extensive range management system. Management practices were evaluated through a survey study using structured questionnaires. A total of 120 lactating cows (60 cows from each sector) were screened for the disease using the California Mastitis Test (CMT). Confirmatory tests used for infected cows included; the Direct Microscopic Somatic Cell Count (DMSCC), culture, bacteriological and biochemical laboratory assays. Survey results showed that management practices were generally very poor in both sectors with 84% of the surveyed herds being kept and milked under very unhygienic environmental conditions. The level of infection was higher in the crossbred cows (5% clinical and 38.3% sub-clinical mastitis) and lower in the zebu cows with only sub-clinical mastitis (23.3%). Crossbred cows had (p<0.05) higher somatic cell counts than zebu cows. The four highest-ranking bacterial isolates in order of importance were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus agalactiae and Bacillus spp. It was concluded that bovine mastitis under the extensive management system in Tanzania was a result of poor management practices and that zebu cows were more resistant to the diseases than crossbred cows.