• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.1077-1082
• /
• 2016

Background: The three standard biomarkers used in breast cancer are the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). The Ki-67 index, a proliferative marker, has been shown to be associated with a poorer outcome, and despite absence of standardization of pathological assessment, is widely used for therapy decision making. We aim to study the role of the Ki-67 index in a group of Asian women with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 450 women newly diagnosed with Stage 1 to 3 invasive breast cancer in a single centre from July 2013 to Dec 2014 were included in this study. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between Ki-67 (positive defined as 14% and above) and age, ethnicity, grade, mitotic index, ER, PR, HER2, lymph node status and size. All analyses were performed using SPSS Version 22. Results: In univariable analysis, Ki -67 index was associated with younger age, higher grade, ER and PR negativity, HER2 positivity, high mitotic index and positive lymph nodes. However on multivariable analysis only tumour size, grade, PR and HER2 remained significant. Out of 102 stage 1 patients who had ER positive/PR positive/HER2 negative tumours and non-grade 3, only 5 (4.9%) had a positive Ki-67 index and may have been offered chemotherapy. However, it is interesting to note that none of these patients received chemotherapy. Conclusions: Information on Ki67 would have potentially changed management in an insignificant proportion of patients with stage 1 breast cancer.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.72-79
• /
• 2007

Demand for low-input sustainable crop cultivation is increasing to meet the need for environment-friendly agriculture. Consequently, developing genotypes with high nutrient use efficiency is one of the major objectives of crop breeding programs. This study was conducted to identify QTLs for traits associated with physiological nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE). A recombinant inbred population (DT-RILs) between Dasanbyeo (a tongil type rice, derived from an indica ${\times}$ japonica cross and similar to indica in its genetic make-up) and TR22183 (a Chinese japonica variety) consisting of 166 $F_8$ lines was developed and used for mapping. A frame map of 1,409 cM containing 113 SSR and 103 STS markers with an average interval of 6.5 cM between adjacent marker loci was constructed using the DT-RILs. The RILs were cultivated in ordinary-N ($N-P_2O_5-K_2O=100-80-80kg/ha$) and low-N ($N-P_2O_5-K_2O=50-80-80kg/ha$) (100 kg/ha) conditions. PNUE was positively correlated with the harvest index and grain yield in both conditions. Twenty single QTLs (S-QTLs) and 58 pairs of epistatic loci (E-QTLs) were identified for the nitrogen concentration of grain, nitrogen concentration of straw, nitrogen content of shoot, harvest index, grain yield, straw yield and PNUE in both conditions. The phenotypic variance explained by these S-QTLs and E-QTLs ranged from 11.1 to 44.3% and from 16.0% to 63.6%, respectively. The total phenotypic variance explained by all the QTLs for each trait ranged from 35.8% to 71.3%, showing that the expression of PNUE and related characters depends signify- cantly upon genetic factors. Both S-QTLs and E-QTLs may be useful for marker-assisted selection (MAS) to develop higher PNUE genotypes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.683-692
• /
• 2010

Morphologically, nine different slow-growing protoclones were screened from regenerated protoplasts of heterokaryotic Agaricus bisporus. As such, the present study is the first report on differentiating homo- and heterokaryotic protoclones using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Among 80 primers tested, the seven ISSR and seven RAPD primers selected for the analysis generated a total of 94 ISSR and 52 RAPD fragments, respectively. The ISSR fingerprinting also detected more polymorphic loci (38.29%) than the RAPD fingerprinting (34.61%). A principal coordinate analysis (PCA) was employed to evaluate the resolving power of the markers as regards differentiating protoclones. As a result, the mean polymorphism information content (PIC) for each marker system (i.e., 0.787 for RAPD and 0.916 for ISSR) suggested that ISSR is more effective for determining polymorphisms. The dendrograms constructed using RAPD, ISSR, and an integrated RAPD and ISSR marker system were highly correlated with one another as revealed by a high Mantel correlation (r= 0.98). The pairwise similarity index values also ranged from 0.64 to 0.95 (RAPD), 0.67 to 0.98 (ISSR), and 0.67 to 0.98 (RAPD and ISSR), whereas the mean similarity index values of 0.82, 0.81, and 0.84 were obtained for the RAPD, ISSR, and combined data, respectively. As there was a good correspondence between the RAPD and ISSR similarity matrices, ISSR would appear to be an effective alternative to RAPD in the genetic diversity assessment and accurate differentiation of homo- and heterokaryotic protoclones of A. bisporus.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.18
• /
• pp.7603-7609
• /
• 2014

Glutathione is a thiol compound that plays an important role in the antioxidant defense system of the cell and its deficiency leads to an increased susceptibility to oxidative stress and, thus, progression of many disease states including head and neck cancer. In the present study, alterations of glutathione levels were investigated in study cohort of 500 samples (cohort 1 containing 200 head and neck cancer blood samples along with 200 healthy controls and cohort II with 50 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tissue samples along with 50 control tissues) by high performance liquid chromatography. The results indicated that mean blood glutathione levels were significantly reduced in head and neck cancer patients (p<0.001) compared to respective controls. In contrast, the levels of glutathione total (p<0.05) and glutathione reduced (p<0.05) were significantly elevated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tissues compared to the adjacent cancer-free control tissues. In addition to this, pearson correlation performed to correlate different tissue glutathione levels (GSH) with clinical/pathological parameters demonstrated a significant negative correlation between pT-stage and GSH level ($r=-0.263^{**}$; p<0.01), C-stage and GSH level ($r=-0.335^{**}$; p<0.01), grade and GSH ($r=-0.329^{**}$; p<0.01) and grade versus redox index ($r=-0.213^{**}$; p<0.01) in HNSCC tissues. Our study suggests that dysregulation of glutathione levels in head and neck cancer has the potential to predict metastasis, and may serve as a prognostic marker.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.620-625
• /
• 2005

Correlation of microsatellite heterozygosity with performance or heterosis was reported in wild animal populations and domestic animal populations, but the correlation with heterosis in a crossbreeding F$_1$ pig population remained uncertain. To explore this, we had random selected and mated Yorkshire${\times}$Meishan (F, n = 82) and their reciprocal (G, n = 47) to F$_1$, and used the two straightbreds as control groups (Yorkshire = 34, Meishan = 55), and observed the heterosis of birth weight (BWT), average daily gain (ADG) and feed and meat ratio (FMR). Two Kinds of measurement-individual heterozygosity (IH) and individual mean d$^2$ (lg value, ID) were used as index of heterozygosity and variance from 39 microsatellite marker loci to perform univariate regression analysis against heterosis. We detected significant correlation of IH with BWT in all of F$_1$ (F+G) and in F. We observed significant correlation of ID with ADG in all of F$_1$ (F+G), and with FMR in all of F$_1$ (F+G) and in F. There was significant maternal effect on heterosis, which was indicated by significant difference of means and distribution of heterosis between F and G. This difference was consistent with distributions of IH and ID, and with difference of means in F and G. From this study, it would be suggested that the two kinds of genetic index could be used to explore the genetic basis of heterosis in crossbreeding populations but could not determine which is better.

• Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.393-403
• /
• 2018

Background: This study compared nutritional parameters in hemodialysis (HD) subjects and controls using bioimpedance analysis (BIA) and investigated how BIA components changed before and after HD. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 147 subjects on maintenance HD from two hospitals and 298 propensity score-matched controls from one healthcare center. BIA was performed pre- and post-HD at mid-week dialysis sessions. Results: Extracellular water/total body water (ECW/TBW) and waist-hip ratio were higher in the HD patients; the other variables were higher in the control group. The cardiothoracic ratio correlated best with overhydration (r = 0.425, P < 0.01) in HD subjects. Blood pressure, hemoglobin, creatinine, and uric acid positively correlated with the lean tissue index in controls; however, most of these nutritional markers did not show significant correlations in HD subjects. Normal hydrated weight was predicted to be higher in the pre-HD than post-HD measurements. Predicted ultrafiltration (UF) volume difference based on pre- and post-HD ECW/TBW and measured UF volume difference showed a close correlation ($r^2=0.924$, P < 0.01). Remarkably, the leg phase angle increased in the post-HD period. Conclusion: The estimated normal hydrated weight using ECW/TBW can be a good marker for determining dry weight. HD subjects had higher ECW/TBW but most nutritional indices were inferior to those of controls. It was possible to predict UF volume differences using BIA, but the post-HD increase in leg phase angle, a nutritional marker, must be interpreted with caution.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.205-210
• /
• 2003

The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of 37 bp insertion/deletion (I/O) poly-morphism of the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-associated protein 1 (LRPAP1) gene on anthropometrical or biochemical parameters in korean general population. To determine the frequency of the genotype, we analyzed 244 samples of Korean origin. The frequency of the I allele was 0.55 in men and 0.56 in women, which were significantly higher than the frequency (0.26) that was reported in Czech population of Caucasian origin. In addition, the I allele of this polymorphism was significantly associated with higher value of body mass index (BMI) in our subjects by ANOVA test (P<0.05), and this association was maintained after controlling for age and gender by ANCOVA test (P<0.05). Thus, our results suggest that the I/O polymorphism of the LRPAP1 gene may be useful as a genetic marker for obesity in Korean general population.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.42 no.5
• /
• pp.260-264
• /
• 2009

Tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) exhibits cytotoxicity towards various tumor cells in vitro and induces apoptotic necrosis in transplanted tumors in vivo. It also shows severe toxicity when used systemically for the treatment of cancer patients, hampering the development of TNF-$\alpha$ as a potential anticancer drug. In order to understand the structure-function relation of TNF-$\alpha$ with respect to receptor binding, we selected four regions on the bottom of the TNF-$\alpha$ trimer that are in close contact with the receptor and carried out mutagenesis studies and computational modeling. From the study, various TNF-$\alpha$ muteins with a high therapeutic index were identified. These results will provide a structural basis for the design of highly potent TNF-$\alpha$ for therapeutic purposes. By conjugating TNF-$\alpha$ muteins with a high therapeutic index to a fusion partner, which targets a marker of angiogenesis, it could be possible to develop TNF-$\alpha$ based anticancer drugs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.19-27
• /
• 2023

PURPOSE: This investigation in the study aimed to assess to determine proportion and susceptibility makers of sarcopenia in Korean younger female aged 30 to 39 years. METHODS: To address the complex sampling design of Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, appropriate individual weights were incorporated into the analysis. The data employed a stratified, clustered, multistage probability sampling design. A total of 2,098 participants were enrolled and categorized into two groups based on their skeletal muscle mass index scores. One hundred and twenty-four individuals were placed in the sarcopenia group, while 2,024 were allocated to a normal group. The study examined various markers as variables, including age, height, weight, body mass index waist circumference, skeletal muscle mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels, and smoking and drinking habits. RESULTS: The study found that proportion of sarcopenia in this population was 3.78% (CI: 2.89-4.94) in sarcopenia group and 96.22% (CI: 95.06-97.11) in normal with weighed values. Several susceptibilities including height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, and total cholesterol levels were risk factor for sarcopenia (p < .05), exhibited significant differences between the sarcopenia and normal groups. CONCLUSION: This investigation provides the proportion of sarcopenia and identifies relevant susceptibility markers among community dwelling younger women in Korea.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.46 no.5
• /
• pp.226-236
• /
• 2013

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the levels of serum 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and evaluate their association with age, body mass index, smoking, military record-based variables, and estimated exposure to Agent Orange in Korean Vietnam veterans. Methods: Serum levels of TCDD were analyzed in 102 Vietnam veterans. Information on age, body mass index, and smoking status were obtained from a self-reported questionnaire. The perceived exposure was assessed by a 6-item questionnaire. Two proximitybased exposures were constructed by division/brigade level and battalion/company level unit information using the Stellman exposure opportunity index model. Results: The mean and median of serum TCDD levels was 1.2 parts per trillion (ppt) and 0.9 ppt, respectively. Only 2 Vietnam veterans had elevated levels of TCDD (>10 ppt). The levels of TCDD did not tend to increase with the likelihood of exposure to Agent Orange, as estimated from either proximity-based exposure or perceived self-reported exposure. The serum TCDD levels were not significantly different according to military unit, year of first deployment, duration of deployment, military rank, age, body mass index, and smoking status. Conclusions: The average serum TCDD levels in the Korean Vietnam veterans were lower than those reported for other occupationally or environmentally exposed groups and US Vietnam veterans, and their use as an objective marker of Agent Orange exposure may have some limitations. The unit of deployment, duration of deployment, year of first deployment, military rank, perceived self-reported exposure, and proximity-based exposure to Agent Orange were not associated with TCDD levels in Korean Vietnam veterans. Age, body mass index and smoking also were not associated with TCDD levels.