• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.86 no.4
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• pp.284-293
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• 2023

Background: Attitudes towards smoking, lung cancer screening, and perceived risk of lung cancer have not been widely studied in Malaysia. The primary objective of this study was to describe the factors affecting the willingness of high-risk current smokers and ex-smokers to undergo low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for lung cancer. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted in current smokers or ex-smokers aged between 55 and 80 years at three hospitals in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. The questionnaire recorded the following parameters: perceived lung cancer risk; Prostate Lung Colon Ovarian Cancer 2012 risk prediction model excluding race and ethnicity predictor (PLCO_m2012norace); demographic characteristics; psychosocial characteristics; and attitudes towards lung cancer and lung cancer screening. Results: A vast majority of the 95 respondents (94.7%) indicated their willingness to undergo screening. Stigma of lung cancer, low levels of knowledge about lung cancer symptoms, concerns about financial constraints, and a preference for traditional medication were still prevalent among the respondents, and they may represent potential barriers to lung cancer screening uptake. A desire to have an early diagnosis (odds ratio [OR], 11.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.53 to 84.05; p=0.02), perceived time constraints (OR, 3.94; 95% CI, 1.32 to 11.73; p=0.01), and proximity of LDCT screening facilities (OR, 14.33; 95% CI, 1.84 to 111.4; p=0.01) had significantly higher odds of willingness to undergo screening. Conclusion: Although high-risk current smokers and ex-smokers are likely to undergo screening for lung cancer, several psychosocial barriers persist. The results of this study may guide the policymakers and clinicians regarding the need to improve lung cancer awareness in our population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6585-6590
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• 2013

Background: Although FOLFOX (infusional fluorouracil/leucovorin plus oxaliplatin) is established as a standard chemotherapeutic regimen, the long term efficacy of adjuvant XELOX (oral capecitabine plus intravenous oxaliplatin) in Asian colorectal cancer (CRC) patients remains anecdotal. Moreover, uncertainties persist as to whether pharmacogenetic differences in Asian populations preclude equally tolerable and effective administration of these drugs. Method: One hundred consecutive patients with resected colorectal cancer received adjuvant XELOX (oxaliplatin 130 $mg/m^2$ on day 1 plus capecitabine 900 $mg/m^2$ twice daily on day 1 to 14 every 3 weeks for 8 cycles) at Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong. Endpoints monitored during follow-up were disease-free survival (DFS) and disease recurrence, overall survival (OS) and adverse events (AEs). Results: The median patient age was 56 years, 56% were diagnosed with rectal cancer and 44% with colonic cancer. After a median follow-up of 4.3 years (95% confidence interval, 3.2-4.7), 24 recurrences were confirmed including 13 patients who died due to progressive disease. Four-year DFS was 81% in colon cancer patients and 67% in rectal cancer patients (p=0.06 by log-rank test). For the cohort as a whole, OS was 90% at 3 years and 84% at 5 years. Treatment-related AEs led to early withdrawal in four patients. The commonest non-hematological AEs were neuropathy (91%), hand-foot syndrome (49%) and diarrhea (46%), while the commonest grade 3/4 AEs were neutropenia (11%) and diarrhea (10%). Conclusion: These results confirm the favourable long term survival benefit with good tolerability in using adjuvant XELOX in treating East Asian colorectal cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup3
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• pp.53-57
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• 2016

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers. Due to demographic changes, it is predicted that the incidence of this cancer will increase. Variations of its incidence rate among geographical areas are due to various contributing factors. Since there have been a lack of studies on this topic in our country, the present assessment of spatial patterns of colorectal cancer incidence in Iran was performed. In this ecological study, the new cases of colon cancer were extracted from Cancer Registry Center report of the Health Deputy of Iran in 2009. The reported incidences of the disease were standardized on the basis of the World Health Organization population and the direct method. Then the data were inserted into the GIS software, and finally, using the analysis of hot spots (Getis-Ord Gi) high-risk areas were drawn. Provinces that are higher or lower than the national average (1.9 SD) were considered hot spots or cold spots, significant at the level of 0.05. A total of 6,210 cases of colorectal cancer were registered in Iran in 2009, of which 3,727 were in men and 2,783 in women (age-standardized rates of 11.3 and 10.9 per 100,000 population, respectively). The results showed that in central and northern Iran including Isfahan, Qom, Tehran, Qazvin and Mazandaran significant hot spots in men were present (p <0.05). In women also we have high incidence in northern and central states: Mazandaran province (p<0.01) and the province of Tehran (p<0.05) had higher incidences than the national average and were apparent as significant hot spots. Analysis of the spatial distribution of colorectal cancer showed significant differences between different areas pointing to the necessity for further epidemiological studies into the etiology and early detection.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.521-526
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• 2016

This paper suggests a new design that makes use of rotary inertia that can allow autonomous movement of an autonomous colonoscope robot in the colon of a patient as a locomotive mechanism. As commercial colonoscopy causes a lengthy time of pain and discomfort to the patients when colonoscopy patients are reluctant to receive surgery, there is a tendency to avoid the test in the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer. To solve this problem, research has been conducted on the next generation of robotic colonoscopes that can reduce the discomfort and pain by moving autonomously within the colon of the patients. In the driving mechanism utilizing the rotational inertia, a flywheel is driven by a motor to store energy and produce rotational inertia. By the energy stored and released by the flywheel, the stick phenomenon that occurs when the robot is running in the intestine can be overcome effectively. To do this, a controller that can control the velocity of the flywheel and is robust to high frequency noise was designed and implemented. The driving mechanism using the rotational inertia presented here showed that the structure is also effective and the experiment can be run easily compared to another mechanism.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.101-101
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• 2003

Prostaglandins (PGs) and nitric oxide (NO) produced by inducible cyclooygenase (COX-2) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), respectively, have been implicated as important mediators in the process of inflammation and carcinogenesis. On this line, the potential COX-2 or iNOS inhibitors have been considered as anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive agents. In our continuing efforts of searching for novel cancer chemopreventive agents from natural products, we isolated natural sesquiterpenoids as potential COX-2 and iNOS inhibitors in cultured lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Alantolactone, a natural eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid, exhibited a potent inhibition of COX-2 (IC50 = 0.4 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$) and iNOS activity (IC50 = 0.08 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$) in the assay system determined by PGE2 and NO accumulation, respectively. The inhibitory potential of alantolactone on the PGE2 and NO production was well coincided with the suppression of COX-2 and iNOS protein and mRNA expression in LPS-induced macrophages. Furthermore, alantolactone inhibited NF-kB but not AP-l binding activity on nuclear extracts evoked by LPS-stimulated macrophage cells, suggesting the possible involvement of NF-kB in the regulation of COX-2 and iNOS expression. In further study with COX-2-expressing human colon HT-29 cells, alantolactone inhibited the cell proliferation, down-regulated COX-2, and inhibited the ERK phosphorylation in the early time. These results suggest that a natural sesquiterpenoid alantolactone might be a potential lead candidate for further developing COX-2 or iNOS inhibitor possessing cancer chemopreventive or anti-inflammatory activity

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.302-310
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• 2008

In this study, potato kimchi was prepared by applying heat to raw potatoes, and then the physico-chemical properties and anti-cancer effects of the kimchi were analyzed. The texture results indicated the potato kimchi had very good hardness and springiness attributes. During th late storage period, total vitamin C content of the kimchi slowly increased. In addition, the potato kimchi had non-volatile organic acid changes that promoted early aging; however, after the complete aging period, it was comparatively similar to other types of kimchi. Using the methanol extracts of various kimchi samples, the potato kimchi(solid 100%) showed the highest anti-carcinogenic effects in terms of anti-tumor activity in tumor bearing Balb/c mice with sarcoma-180 cells. In addition, the effects of the methanol extracts on hepatic glutathione S-transferase content were $289.76\;{\mu}mol/mg$ protein/min, $250.97\;{\mu}mol/mg$ protein/min, $251.20\;{\mu}mol/mg$ protein/min, $219.53\;{\mu}mol/mg$ protein/min, $183.79\;{\mu}mol/mg$ protein/min, for control kimchi, mul kimchi, and two potato kimchis [(solid 100%) and(solid 60%+kimchi juice 40%)], respectively. The in vivo anti-cancer effects of the potato kimchi were investigated using AGS human gastric adenocarcionoma cells and HT-29 human colon adenocarcionoma cells. Overall, an MTT assay revealed that the methanol extract of the potato kimchi showed the highest anti-carcinogenic effects.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.145-149
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• 2010

Purpose: Recently, $^{18}F$-FDG Fusion PET which has a high sensitivity for diagnosing cancer is being used for purpose of health examination. This study is to demonstrate that $^{18}F$-FDG fusion PET study is useful for diagnosing an early stage cancer. Materials and Methods: This research has been conducted with 2790 patients visited Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System (SNUHHS) for $^{18}F$-FDG fusion PET study for a health examination from February, 2004 to December 2008. PET/CT images were acquired from skull base to femur after 1 hour from injecting $^{18}F$-FDG 0.14 mCi/kg to the patients. GEMINI GS (Philips, Netherlands) was used for scanning. Results: From February 2004 to December 2008, $^{18}F$-FDG Fusion PET study was performed for 99,009 patients among all patients who visited SNUHHS and 2,790 patients was performed. Diagnostic rate for malignant cancer was 0.95% for the patients who were not examined by $^{18}F$-FDG Fusion PET study. 1.94% was for the patients who were. The rate of malignant tumor was showed 10% and benign tumor was 90% among 542 patients who showed abnormality in the PET/CT images. Types and rates of malignant tumor showed thyroid cancer: 31.5%, lung cancer: 14.8%, stomach cancer: 9.3%, rectum cancer: 3.7%, breast cancer: 3.7%, metastasis cancer: 16.7%. Nonspecific lymph node in the mediastinum, physiologic uptake in the colon, diffuse mild hypermetabolism in bilateral thyroid gland were shown as a benign tumor. Conclusion: The diagnostic rate of malignant tumor with $^{18}F$-FDG Fusion PET for a purpose of health examination was relatively higher than general medical examination. Consequently, it is superior and useful for applying $^{18}F$-FDG Fusion PET study for health examination.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.4
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• pp.727-745
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• 2024

Postoperative colorectal imaging studies play an important role in the detection of surgical complications and disease recurrence. In this pictorial essay, we briefly describe methods of surgery, imaging findings of their early and late complications, and postsurgical recurrence of cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2185-2193
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• 2016

Background: The pathogenesis of sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) is influenced by the patient genetic background and environmental factors. Based on prior understanding, these are classified in two major pathways of genetic instability. Microsatellite instability (MSI) and CPG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) are categorized as features of the hypermethylated prototype, and chromosomal instability (CIN) is known to be indicative of the non-hypermethylated category. Secreted frizzled related protein 2 (SFRP2), APC1A in WNT signaling pathway and the DNA repair gene, O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), are frequently hypermethylated in colorectal cancer. Detection of methylated DNA as a biomarker by easy and inexpensive methods might improve the quality of life of patients with CRC via early detection of cancer or a precancerous condition. Aim: To evaluate the rate of SFRP2 and MGMT hypermethylation in both polyp tissue and serum of patients in south Iran as compared with matched control normal population corresponding samples. Materials and Methods: Methylation-specific PCR was used to detect hypermethylation in DNA extracted from 48 polypoid tissue samples and 25 healthy individuals. Results: Of total polyp samples, 89.5% had at least one promoter gene hypermethylation. The most frequent methylated locus was SFRP2 followed by MGMT-B (81.2 and 66.6 percent respectively). Serologic detection of hypermethylation was 95% sensitive as compared with polyp tissue. No hypermethylation was detected in normal tissue and serum and its detection in patients with polyps, especially of serrated type, was specific. Conclusions: Serologic investigation for detection of MGMT-B, SFRP2 hypermethylation could facilitate prioritization of high risk patients for colonoscopic polyp detection and excision.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.378-396
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• 2022

Several reconstructive methods have been reported to restore the continuity of the aerodigestive tract following resection of pharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. However, high complication rates have been reported after voice prosthesis insertion. In this setting, the ileocolon free flap (ICFF) offers a tubularized flap for reconstruction of the hypopharynx while providing a natural phonation tube. Herein, we systematically reviewed the current evidence on the use of the ICFF for reconstruction of the aerodigestive tract. A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed MEDLINE, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Ovid MEDLINE(R). Data on the technical considerations and surgical and functional outcomes were extracted. Twenty-one studies were included. The mean age and follow-up were 54.65 years and 24.72 months, respectively. An isoperistaltic or antiperistaltic standard ICFF, patch flap, or chimeric seromuscular-ICFF can be used depending on the patients' needs. The seromuscular chimeric flap is useful to augment the closure of the distal anastomotic site. The maximum phonation time, frequency, and sound pressure level (dB) were higher with ileal segments of 7 to 15 cm. The incidence of postoperative leakage ranged from 0 to 13.3%, and the majority was occurring at the coloesophageal junction. The revision rate of the microanastomosis ranged from 0 to 16.6%. The ICFF provides a reliable and versatile alternative for reconstruction of middle-size defects of the aerodigestive tract. Its three-dimensional configuration and functional anatomy encourage early speech and deglutition without a prosthetic valve and minimal donor-site morbidity.