• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6199-6203
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• 2014

Background: The expression of MMP genes has been demonstrated to be associated with tumor invasion, metastasis and survival rate for a variety of cancers. The functional promoter polymorphism MMP-2 C-735T is associated with decreased expression of the MMP-2 gene. The aim of present study was to detect any association between MMP-2 C-735T and susceptibility to breast cancer. Materials and Methods: The MMP-2 C-735T polymorphism was studied in 233 women (98 with breast cancer and 135 healthy controls). All studied women were from Kermanshah and Ilam provinces of Western Iran. The MMP-2 C-735T polymorphism was detected using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Results: The frequencies of MMP-2 CC, CT and TT genotypes in healthy individuals were 59.3, 38.5 and 2.2%, respectively. However, in breast cancer patients, only CC (71.4%) and CT (28.6%) genotypes were observed (p=0.077). In patients the frequency of the MMP-2 C allele was significantly higher (85.7%) compared to that in controls (78.5 %, p=0.048). The presence of C allele of MMP-2 increased the risk of breast cancer by 1.64-fold [OR=1.64 (95%CI 1.01-2.7, p=0.049)]. The frequency of MMP-2 C allele was also higher in patients ${\leq}40$ years (88.9%) than those aged ${\geq}41$ years (67.5%, p=0.07). In addition, the frequency of MMP-2 C allele tended to be higher in patients with a family history of cancer in first-degree relatives (76.6%) compared to that without a family history of cancer (67.3%, p=0.31). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the C allele of MMP-2 C-735T polymorphism is associated with increased risk of breast cancer. Also, the MMP-2 C allele might increase the risk of young onset breast cancer in our population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1175-1179
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• 2015

Background: Expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is up-regulated in human cancers. The aim of present study was to investigate the role of MMP-9 C-1562T polymorphism and its interaction with MMP-2 C-735T polymorphism in susceptibility to breast cancer in a population from Western Iran with Kurdish ethnic background. Materials and Methods: The study sample of 205 individuals consisted of 101 breast cancer patients and 104 healthy subjects. MMP-9 C-1562T and MMP-2 C-735T variants were identified using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Results: Among 67.4% of studied patients the breast cancer developed in the third and forth decades of the life. The frequency of MMP-9 T allele was 17.3% in patients and 10.1% in controls. The presence of T allele significantly increased the risk of breast cancer by 1.87-fold [OR=1.87 (95% CI 1.05-3.33, p=0.035)]. The frequency of MMP-9 CT+TT genotype tended to be higher in those patients with a family history of cancer in first degree-relatives (36.8%) than those without a family history (28.3%, p=0.37). We observed an interaction between the MMP-9 -1562 T allele with MMP-2 -735 C allele that significantly increased the risk of breast cancer [OR=1.42 (95% CI 1.02-1.98, p=0.036)]. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that MMP-9 C-1562T polymorphism alone and in combination with MMP-2 C-735T polymorphism increased the risk of breast cancer that might be a useful biomarker in identifying women at risk of developing breast cancer. Also, this study revealed that in most women from Western Iran breast cancer presents in third and fourth decades of life.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.1015-1021
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• 2014

This study aimed at summarizing published study findings on the diagnostic value of rectal bleeding (RB) and informing clinical practice, preventive interventions and future research areas. We searched Medline and Embase for studies published by September 13, 2013 examining the risk of colorectal cancer in patients with RB using highly inclusive algorithms. Data for sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and positive predictive value (PPV) of RB were extracted by two researchers and analyzed applying Meta-Disc (version 1.4) and Stata (version 11.0). Methodological quality of studies was assessed according to QUADAS. A total of 38 studies containing 5,626 colorectal cancer patients and 73,174 participants with RB were included. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.47 (95% CI: 0.45-0.48) and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.96-0.96) respectively. The overall PPVs ranged from 0.01 to 0.21 with a pooled value of 0.06 (95% CI: 0.05-0.08). Being over the age of 60 years, change in bowel habit, weight loss, anaemia, colorectal cancer among first-degree relatives and feeling of incomplete evacuation of rectum appeared to increase the predictive value of RB. Although RB greatly increases the probability of diagnosing colorectal cancer, it alone may not be sufficient for proposing further sophisticated investigations. However, given the high specificity, subjects without RB may be ruled out of further investigations. Future studies should focus on strategies using RB as an "alarm" symptom and finding additional indications to justify whether there is a need for further investigations.

• Journal of Korean Dental Hygiene Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2021

Background: The present study aimed to gather basic data for the development of an educational tuberculosis prevention program for prospective dental hygienists by understanding the level of knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors related to tuberculosis for students in the Department of Dental Hygiene, who need preventive access to tuberculosis infection. Methods: The present study used a self-reported questionnaire on knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors regarding tuberculosis, which was administered to dental hygiene students attending D University located in D city. Results: The average knowledge regarding tuberculosis was 16.17 ± 6.14, out of 30 points. Attitude regarding tuberculosis averaged 48.59 points (± 4.46), out of 60 points, and the degree of preventive behavior was 46.29 points (± 5.0), out of 60 points. Third year students ranked highest for knowledge regarding, attitude toward, and infection prevention behaviors of tuberculosis, compared to those in their first or second year (F = 7.20, p = 0.000). Those who had experienced tuberculosis themselves or with their relatives had higher attitudes toward tuberculosis than those who did not (F = 2.32, p = 0.02). Additionally, the higher the knowledge (β = 0.209, p = 0.004) and attitude (β = 0.425, p = 0.000) about tuberculosis, the higher the level of tuberculosis infection prevention behavior. Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, it appears to be necessary to provide practical education to ensure that all students in dental hygiene are equipped with knowledge about tuberculosis, and that as a dental hygienist in carrying out dental hygiene management with a changed attitude, the act of preventing tuberculosis infection can be appropriately performed.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.101-111
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• 2022

Objective: Familial intracranial aneurysms (FIAs) are found in approximately 6%-20% of patients with intracranial aneurysms (IAs), suggesting that genetic predisposition likely plays a role in its pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to identify possible IA-associated variants using whole exome sequencing (WES) in selected Korean families with FIA. Materials and Methods: Among the 26 families in our institutional database with two or more IA-affected first-degree relatives, three families that were genetically enriched (multiple, early onset, or common site involvement within the families) for IA were selected for WES. Filtering strategies, including a family-based approach and knowledge-based prioritization, were applied to derive possible IA-associated variants from the families. A chromosomal microarray was performed to detect relatively large chromosomal abnormalities. Results: Thirteen individuals from the three families were sequenced, of whom seven had IAs. We noted three rare, potentially deleterious variants (PLOD3 c.1315G>A, NTM c.968C>T, and CHST14 c.58C>T), which are the most promising candidates among the 11 potential IA-associated variants considering gene-phenotype relationships, gene function, co-segregation, and variant pathogenicity. Microarray analysis did not reveal any significant copy number variants in the families. Conclusion: Using WES, we found that rare, potentially deleterious variants in PLOD3, NTM, and CHST14 genes are likely responsible for the subsets of FIAs in a cohort of Korean families.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.321-329
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• 2006

Background : To evaluate the clinical characteristics of lung cancer patients in Korea, where there is a higher number of smokers than in Western countries. Methods : A retrospective study was performed on 1655 lung cancer patients, who were diagnosed at a university hospital between September 1996 and August 2005. Age, gender, cell types and clinical stage were analysed. Of 941 patients, who responded to a questionnaire at the time of diagnosis, the smoking habits, occupational history, family history of lung cancer in the first-degree relatives, coexisting diseases (diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease), body weight loss, ECOG performance status and presenting symptoms, were examined prospectively. In addition, coexisting diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and active pulmonary tuberculosis were evaluated. Results : Of the 1655 patients, the male to females ratio was 3.6. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common cancer whereas adenocarcinoma was more common in lifetime nonsmokers or women. 19.9% of the patients were non smokers and 80.1% ever smokers. Since 2000, there was an increase in the incidence of adenocarcinoma with a corresponding decrease in the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma. 6.2% of patients were asymptomatic. A coincident diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, active pulmonary tuberculosis, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was made in: 44.1%, 22.2%, 10.7%, 3.9%, and 1.6% of patients, respectively. A positive family history of lung cancer in the first-degree relatives was identified in 4.4% of patients. An occupational history relevant to lung cancer was identified in 12.2% of patients. Conclusion : There is a high proportion of cigarette smokers in Korean lung cancer patients. The most common cell type was squamous cell carcinoma. However, a more detailed, prospective study of the clinical characteristics will be needed to better characterize lung cancer in Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7467-7472
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is known to be one of the most prevalent cancers among women in both developing and developed countries. The incidence of breast cancer in Pakistan has increased dramatically within the last few years and is the second country after Israel in Asia to have highest proportional cases of breast cancer. However, there are limited data for breast cancer available in the literature from Pakistan. Objectives: The study was conducted to bring to light the common clinical presentation of breast cancer and to evaluate the frequency of established risk factors in breast carcinoma patients and furthermore to compare the findings between premenopausal and postmenopausal women in Pakistan. Materials and Methods: A 6 months (from July 2012 to Dec 2012) cross sectional survey was conducted in Surgical and Oncology Units of Civil Hospital, Karachi. Data were collected though a well developed questionnaire from 105 female patients diagnosed with carcinoma of breast and analyzed using SPSS version 17. Institutional ethical approval was obtained prior to data collection. Results: Out of 105 patients, 43 were premenopausal and 62 were postmenopausal, 99 being married. Mean age at diagnosis was $47.8{\pm}12.4years$. A painless lump was the most frequent symptom, notived by 77.1%(n=81). Some 55.2% (n=58) patients had a lump in the right breast and 44.8%(n=47) in the left breast. In the majority of cases, the lump was present in upper outer quadrant 41.9% (n=44). Mean period of delay from appearance of symptoms to consulting a doctor was $5.13{\pm}4.8months$, from the shortest 1 month to the longest 36 months. Long delay (> 3 months) was the most frequent figure 41.9%. Considering overall risk factors most frequent were first pregnancy after 20 years of age (41%), physical breast trauma (28.6%), lack of breast feeding(21.9%), and early menarche <11 years (19%), followed by null parity (16.2%), consumption of high fat diet (15.2%), family history of breast cancer or any other cancer in first degree relatives (9.5% and 13.3%, respectively). Some of the less common factors were late menopause >54 years (8.6%), use of oral contraceptive pills (10.5%), use of hormone replacement therapy (4.7%),smoking (4.7%) and radiation (0.96%). Significant differences (p<0.005) were observed between pre and post menopausal women regarding history of physical breast trauma, practice of breast feeding and parity. Conclusions: A painless lump was the most frequent clinical presentation noted. Overall age at first child > 20 years, physical breast trauma, lack of breast feeding, early menarche <11 were the most frequent risk factors. Physical breast trauma, lower parity, a trend for less breast feeding had more significant associations with pre-menopausal than post-menopausal onset. Increase opportunity of disease prevention can be obtained through better understanding of clinical presentation and risk factors important in the etiology of breast cancer.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.127-152
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• 2010

This study examined the satisfaction of the married women from aged 20s through 50s with well-being oriented foods, considering the importance of each subordinate field and verifying the differences between the groups according to socio-demographic factors, purchase behavior factors, and well-being oriented dietary life factors, followed by an analysis of the relative influence of those relevant factors. A preliminary survey was conducted from January 4th-11th, 2009 to check if there were any problems or misunderstood parts before the main survey. After the preliminary study was conducted, certain problems were adjusted and supplemented, and then the main survey was conducted for twenty-three days, from January 4th to February 5th, 2009. The summaries of this study are as follows: First, in the view of the purchase behavior, the mainly purchased well-being oriented foods were farm products, and the leading purpose of the purchase was for the parents and the children. It was shown that 30% or more of the information sources on well-being oriented foods were families, relatives and neighbors. More than 66% of the purchasing was done at wholesale marts and the topped purchasing frequency was from 5 to 6 per month. More than 71% of payments for well-being oriented foods were \50,000~100,000 per month. More than 51% of the respondents answered that the proper price of well-being oriented foods was 1.2 times to 1.5 times of that of other foods. Second, the satisfaction of the well-being oriented foods was ranked as 3.21 to 3.28 out of 5, and varied with the usages and the methods of weights. Investigating the satisfaction with each subordinate field, the satisfaction with price was shown to be low. The satisfaction with the assortments of foods and the satisfaction with the therapeutic degree by thorough investigation and management of foods were also relatively low. Third, well-being oriented dietary behavior was shown to be characterized by two factors, through factor analysis in this study. One was an eco-friendly oriented behavioral factor and the other was a health oriented selective factor. Fourth, the stepwise multiple regression analysis results investigating the relative influence of the factors effecting satisfaction with well-being oriented foods showed that the top ranked factor affecting total satisfaction was eco-friendly oriented behavioral factor, followed by education level and purchasing sites, especially of consumer groups.

• Korean Journal of Hospice Care
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.75-85
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• 2005

The objective of this research is to provide the basic material for effective hospice care by analyzing the recognition of families who have terminally ill patients over death. To do so, this research is designed to investigate the general tendency toward death and changes after hospice care. To analyse the initial status of the recognition about the death, questionnaires were provided to the families of the terminally ill patients who were taken hospice care from June 1st, 2005 to September 10th, 2005 at Saemmul Hospice. The same questionnaires were distributed to research some changes of the recognition of the death after 3 weeks. As the Data Analysis Methodology, SPSS v.10.0 statistics program were utilized. The summary of this research is as follows. First, by gender, it is analyzed that women have more fear than men in terms of incompetence sense after death. By religion, Christians have less fear than other religious people in terms of fear toward after death and general sense of death. Second, those who experienced deaths of close family members, relatives, friends for the past 3 years have more fear toward the moment of death than those who did not experience it. Third, statistically valid difference was found in terms of fear toward the moment of death, fear toward incompetence, fear toward after death, and fear toward death before and after the hospice care was taken. Based on the result of this research, terminally ill patients' families facing death have shown significant differences on fear and incompetence before and after hospice care was offered. It is necessary that the hospice care should be settled more professionally by expanding the opportunities of hospice care and institutionalizing the system. In addition, hospice activities which are focused on providing hope after death and facing death with dignity and peace should be expanded increasingly as the family members who experienced deaths showed higher degree of fear and powerlessness and Christians have less fear toward death with the help of biblical influence. It is also required that hospice care specialized in recognizing the importance of terminal cancer patients and their families at the same time.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.8003-8008
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• 2015

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether family history of cancer is associated with head and neck cancer risk in a Chinese population. Materials and Methods: This case-control study included 921 cases and 806 controls. Recruitment was from December 2010 to January 2015 in eight centers in East Asia. Controls were matched to cases with reference to sex, 5-year age group, ethnicity, and residence area at each of the centers. Results: We observed an increased risk of head and neck cancer due to first degree family history of head and neck cancer, but after adjustment for tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking and betel quid chewing the association was no longer apparent. The adjusted OR were 1.10 (95% CI=0.80-1.50) for family history of tobacco-related cancer and 0.96 (95%CI=0.75-1.24) for family history of any cancer with adjustment for tobacco, betel quid and alcohol habits. The ORs for having a first-degree relative with HNC were higher in all tobacco/alcohol subgroups. Conclusions: We did not observe a strong association between family history of head and neck cancer and head and neck cancer risk after taking into account lifestyle factors. Our study suggests that an increased risk due to family history of head and neck cancer may be due to shared risk factors. Further studies may be needed to assess the lifestyle factors of the relatives.