• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.347-353
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• 2018

There are some controversies about the safety of herbal medicine. In order to examine the safety of herbal medicine, this study investigated the level of liver function test(AST/ALT) in patients taking herbal medicine for more than 6 months We checked liver function in 121 patients who took herbal medicine for more than 6 months. AST/ALT were measured before treatment and every 3 months (from 3 month to 9 month). In 121 patients taking herbal medicine for more than 6 months, mean AST level after 6 months was lower than before treatment and mean ALT level after 6 months was lower than before treatment. In 20 patients with abnormal AST/ALT before herbal treatment, 18 patients's AST/ALT changed to normal after 6 month herbal treatment. 2 patients's AST/ALT was slightly higher than normal. One woman patient met the criteria for herb-induced liver injury(HILI) with RUCAM scores 4 after taking herbal medicine for 6 months. Although her RUCAM score decreased to zero after taking herbal medicine for 9 months. This study suggests that long-term herbal medicine for 6 months or longer is very unlikely to injury liver function. Individual-specific liver damage may occur, it can be recovered.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate Korean version of the beliefs about Papanicolau (Pap) test and cervical cancer [CPC-28] in unmarried university students. Methods: The Korean version of CPC-28 (K-CPC-28) was developed through forward-backward translation techniques. A reliability, confirmatory factor analysis and correlations coefficients were evaluated. Data were collected from 303 unmarried female students attending university using a questionnaire that included28 items of CPC, 5 items of susceptibility of cervicalcancer and 8 items of HPV knowledge. Results: K-CPC-28 had reliable internal consistency with Cronbach's ${\alpha}$=.74 of six subscales ranged from .66 to .80. Factor loadings of the 28 items of subscales ranged from .31 to .86. Six factors in this study explained 55% of the total variance. In convergent validity of the K-CPC-28, the subscales of K-CPC-28 were significantly correlated with susceptibility scale of cervical cancer and HPV knowledge scale. Conclusion: K-CPC-28has satisfactory construct validity and reliability. It seems to be an acceptable tool to assess the attitudes toward cervical cancer prevention and Pap smear in unmarried women. This tool would be also applicable to screen the risk group in cervical cancer prevention and to identify its association with actual Pap test or cervical cancer prevention behaviors.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.185-190
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• 2001

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is known to cause cervical cancers. Human papillomavirus-like particles (VLP) have been studied as preventive vaccines of cervical cancers. To develop VLP as a therapeutic gene carrier, we studied the method to encapsulate cytokine genes in virus-like particles. HPV type 16 capsid L1 genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and cloned into T vector. L1 gene was then inserted into baculovirus transfer vector. The clone of baculovirus encoding L1 gene was isolated and used to express L1 protein in Sf 21 insect cells. VLP were purified by CsCl density gradient and ultracentrifugation. VLP were disassembled to capsomer units by treatment of a reducing agent. Given that interleukin-2 (IL-2) genes have been used in anticancer gene therapy and as a molecular adjuvant, IL-2 cytokine plasmids were chosen as a model gene. IL-2 plasmids were incubated with the disassembled capsomer suspension. To reassemble the particles, the mixture of capsomers and cytokine plasmids was dialyzed. The disassembly and reassembly of VLP were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The entrapment of cytokine plasmids in reassembled VLP was tested by the stability of plasmids against DNase I. After treatment of reassembled virus-like particles with DNase I, discrete IL-2 DNA band was observed. Our results indicate that IL-2 cytokine plasmid (3.5 kb size) can be encapsulated in the virus-like particles, suggesting the potential of VLP as a gene delivery system. Moreover, VLP containing the adjuvant cytokine plasmids might function as more effective subunit vaccines.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.4959-4963
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• 2016

Objective:Cervical cancer is one of the major causes of mortality of Uyghur women in Xinjiang, China. Although increased expression of orexin receptor (OxR), known to be strongly expressed in human placenta, has a proven relation to some cancers, there have been few studies of cervical cancer. Thus, we explored this question by evaluating the expression of orexin receptor as a biomarker for screening early stage of cervical cancer in Uyghur women with highest occurrence rate of cervical cancer in China. Study Design: We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemical staining to determine the expression of both Ox1R and Ox2R in cervical cancer and cervicitis biopsies collected from Uyghur women infected with human papilloma virus (HPV)16. The expression rate was compared between cervical cancers of low, intermediate and high differentiation and cervicitis. Results:Although there was no significant difference in the expression rate of Ox1R between groups, Ox2R was significantly overexpressed in cervical cancer patients when compared to the cervicitis group. Ox1R was negative in normal human placenta while Ox2R was positive. Conclusions: While expression of Ox1R had no correlation with invasion or metastatic potential, Ox2R demonstrated elevation in cervical cancer with heterogeneity in groups with different metastatic potential, in the human placenta as well, implying that it might serve as an indicator of invasive capacity along with other indices.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.346-352
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• 2003

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis(RRP) is a chronic disease that is caused by the human papillomavirus(HPV) type 6 and 11. The most common site of the lesions is the larynx, but papillomas can occur throughout the respiratory and upper gastrointestinal tracts. Frequent recurrence of disease, can result in airway compromise and even death when papillomas either obstruct the airway or spread to the lung parenchyma. We encountered a case of a recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in a 23-year-old patient, who improved after treatment with interferon-${\alpha}$ The patiented with hoarseness, exertional dyspnea, and a productive cough. We report this case with a brief review of the relevant literature.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 1998

Human papillomavirus (HPV) 16, E7 proteins derived from the prototype (Bac73) and natural variant (Bac101) E7 open reading frame were produced in Sf9 insect cells. The variant E7 gene occurred naturally by substitution mutation at the position of 88 nucleotide, resulting serine instead of asparagine. Using E7 specific monoclonal antibody (VD6), both E7 proteins were identified in recombinant baculovirus infected SF9 cells. Radiolabelling and immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that both E7 proteins were phosphoproteins. Immunostaining result showed that E7 proteins were mainly localized in the cytoplasm. Nuclear form of E7 proteins was also detected after a sequential fractionation procedure for removing chromatin structure. Considering that the VD6 recognition site in E7 protein is located within 10 amino acid at the N-terminus, this region appears to be blocked by the nuclear component. Western blot analysis revealed that nuclear form was more abundant than cytoplasmic E7 proteins. Time course immunostaining showed that the primary location of E7 protein was the nucleus and exported to the cytoplasm as proteins were accumulated. These events occurred similarly in both Bac73 and Bac101 infected Sf9 cells, suggesting that these two proteins may have similar biological functions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6475-6479
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• 2012

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated an association between insulin growth factor (IGF) and insulin growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-III) serum levels and increased risk for various cancers. However, little information is available on clinical implications of the IGF system in Indian patients with cervical cancer. This study explored associations by analyzing their expression profiles in cervical cancer cases. Materials and Methods: Totals of 50 patients with advanced cervical cancer and 40 healthy controls were enrolled. Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical biopsy sample were obtained from all participating women. Circulatory levels were estimated by ELISA and the tissue expression was assessed using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Results: Levels of IGF-I and II showed significant increase whereas IGFBP-III showed significant decline in all patients as compared to controls. Spearman correlation analysis between IGFs and HPV status showed significant correlations. Conclusions: We demonstrated elevated circulating levels and tissue expression of IGF-I and IGF-II in advancer cancer cervix patients, as compared with controls, with a converse trend being apparent for IGFBP-III. In future, associations of the IGF system and clinical outcome of cervical cancer patients in post treatment samples might point to significance in disease mapping as a prognostic marker after validation with a larger patient series.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.5869-5873
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• 2015

Background: Breast and cervical cancers are among the most frequent and most fatal cancers in women. Life span of patients may be increased and quality of life improved through early diagnosis and treatment. This investigation was performed in order to determine knowledge and practices of female health personnel working at a university hospital regarding breast and cervical cancers. Materials and Methods: This descriptive investigation was performed in Erciyes University Hospitals in 2014. A total of 524 female health personnel were included in the study. Data were collected through a questionnaire of 36 questions prepared by the researchers. The Chi square test and logistic regression were used for statistical analyses. Results: The mean age of the study group was $32.8{\pm}6.9$ years, 18.3% being doctors and 81.7% nurses. Of the study group, 60.5% stated that they performed self breast-examination, 4.4% underwent HPV testing, 26.3% thought about taking an HPV test, 34.7% of those who are 40 years and over had mammography regularly and 19.5% of those who were married had a Pap smear conducted regularly. Most important causes of not performing the methods for early diagnosis of breast and cervical cancers are "forget and neglect". Conclusions: It was concluded that female doctors and nurses do not pay sufficient attention to screening programs for breast and cervical cancers. The importance of early diagnosis and treatment should be emphasized during the undergraduate education and in-service training programs. Health condition of personnel and their utilization of preventive health care should be followed by occupational physicians.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.169-174
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• 2015

Cervical cancer (CxCa) is the most common cancer in women and a prominent cause of cancer mortality worldwide. The primary cause of CxCa is human papillomavirus (HPV). Radiation therapy and chemotherapy have been used as standard treatments, but they have undesirable side effects for patients. It was reported that gallic acid has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. Gold nanoparticles are currently being used in medicine as biosensors and drug delivery agents. This study aimed to develop a drug delivery agent using gold nanoparticles conjugated with gallic acid. The study was performed in uninfected (C33A) cervical cancer cells, cervical cancer cells infected with HPV type 16 (CaSki) or 18 (HeLa), and normal Vero kidney cells. The results showed that GA inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells by inducing apoptosis. To enhance the efficacy of this anticancer activity, 15-nm spherical gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were used to deliver GA to cancer cells. The GNPs-GA complex had a reduced ability compared to unmodified GA to inhibit the growth of CxCa cells. It was interesting that high-concentration ($150{\mu}M$) GNPs-GA was not toxic to normal cells, whereas GA alone was cytotoxic. In conclusion, GNPs-GA could inhibit CxCa cell proliferation less efficiently than GA, but it was not cytotoxic to normal cells. Thus, gold nanoparticles have the potential to be used as phytochemical delivery agents for alternative cancer treatment to reduce the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.3011-3015
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• 2014

Background: Level of midwife knowledge is particularly important because of their role in the cervical cancer prevention programme. The aim of this study was to examine differences in the level of knowledge among health care students, midwives and women in the general population of Serbia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional approach was used with health care students of the medical shool, midwives in their practice, and women visiting a chosen general practitioner as respondents. Results: In comparison with the students and midwives, women had lower level of knowledge of causative agents of the cervical cancer, genital warts, HPV types, screening for cervical cancer as well as about the target population for vaccine and its role. Differences in the numbers of right answers of respondents were statistically significant (p<0.001). Four or more correct answers were obtained from 22.7% women, 35.3% from midwives and 83.8% from students. Conclusions: Midwives should improve their own level of knowledge related to preventive practice for cervical cancer, as well as their personal compliance with recommended practices, in order to be qualified and credible promoters of cervical cancer control among women in Serbia.