• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.233-242
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• 2014

Estimating above-ground biomass is important in establishing an applicable methodology of Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) System for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation-Plus (REDD+). We developed an estimation model of diameter at breast height (DBH) from IKONOS-2 image that led to above-ground biomass estimation (AGB). The IKONOS image was preprocessed with dark object subtraction and topographic effect correction prior to watershed segmentation for tree crown delineation. Compared to the field observation, the overall segmentation accuracy was 64%. Crown detection percent had a strong negative correlation to tree density. In addition, satellite-based crown area had the highest correlation with the field measured DBH. We then developed the DBH allometric model that explained 74% of the data variance. In average, the estimated DBH was very similar to the measured DBH as well as for AGB. Overall, this method can potentially be applied to estimate AGB over a relatively large and remote tropical forest in Northern Borneo.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.355-361
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• 1999

Distribution of size class, population regeneration and changes in the population structure of Quercus mongolica were studied from 1994 to 1999 in Mt. Jumbong (128°27' E, 38° 04' N) of Mt. Sorak National Park and Biosphere Reserve in central Korea. Three 20m × 20m permanent quadrats were set up at the elevation of 900m. The vegetation of the study site was dominated by Quercus mongolica and Acer pseudosieboldianum, but little change was observed in the community structure from 1995 to 1999. Most mortality in the study site was observed in small trees of A. pseudosieboldianum and Tilia amurensis. Mean annual growth in dbh (diameter of breast height) of Q. mongolica for 4 years was only 0.09cm, and no ingrowth of saplings (dbh < 2.5cm) into tree class was observed during the study period. Among the 21 Q. mongolica trees studied in the permanent quadrats. all the smaller trees (dbh < 30cm) were established in 1920 ∼ 1950, while many bigger trees (with 40cm < dbh < 80cm) were established in 1750 ∼ 1800, indicating that its establishment was episodic. Distribution of dbh classes among Q. mongolica trees shows that smaller trees were poorly represented, and no saplings of Q. mongolica occurred in the permanent quadrats studied, indicating that currently Q. mongolica is not regenerating well in the study site. Total seed production of Q. mongolica in 1994 was estimated as 88 acorns per square meter in the study site. Rate of predation including caching of acorns was highest in 1994, then declined sharply thereafter. Most of the acorns which managed to survive in the first year were predated in the second year, and only 5% of the acorns produced in 1994 survived into the third year. No seeds produced in 1994 or seedlings germinated from them succeeded to survive to 5 years after seed production. However, seedling emergence rate and seedling survival were high in the early growing season in 1995. These results suggest that predation can be a significant factor in the regeneration of Q. mongolica. and that Q. mongolica is not regenerating well in Mt. Jumbong and needs large scale disturbances for its new recruitment.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.111-122
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• 2012

The sex ratio and spatial structure of different sexes are major components that affect the reproductive success and population persistence of dioecious plants. The differential reproductive costs between male and female plants are often believed to cause a biased sex ratio and spatial segregation of the sexes through slower growth and/or lower female survivorship. In this study, we examined the sex ratio and spatial structure of one population of $Torreya$ $nucifera$ trees in Jeju Island, Korea. We also tested the effects of the current tending actions in relation to tree vitality. At the population level, the sex ratio of the 2,861 trees was significantly biased toward males; however, it also showed considerable variation among different diameter at breast height classes and across habitats according to terrain level (from upper to lower). In 1999, before tree management (tending) began, among the ecological traits examined, only climber coverage correlated with tree vitality. Intensive tending such as climber removal since 1999 clearly enhanced the vitality of the majority of trees, but its effects were more conspicuous in medium-sized trees than in small ones, in upper terrain trees than those in other terrains, and in females than in males. Both male tree domination in small and large trees and tending effects on females are likely to reflect the effects of female reproductive costs regarding growth and/or survivorship. Spatial segregation between males and females was not observed in $T.$ $nucifera$. Habitat heterogeneity created by the forest's rocky ground and its implications regarding sex ratios and spatial structure require further studies.

• 농업과학연구
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.228-234
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• 2017

Feed intake (FI) of sows during lactation is a serious problem because sows require a large amount of energy for high milk production during lactation. Providing a palatable diet is important for lactating sows to cope with the stress of breast-feeding. Palatability can be increased by adding sweeteners to diets. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of saccharin (sweetener) on growth performance, fecal moisture, and litter performance of lactating sows. Sixteen sows were randomly allotted to one of two dietary treatments in a 27-day trial starting from lactation. The two dietary treatments were supplemented with 0 and 0.2% saccharin (sweetener), respectively. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) was increased (p < 0.05) and back fat loss (BFL) was decreased (p < 0.05) in sows fed saccharin supplementation diets compared with sows fed control diet during lactation. However, sows' body weight loss, body condition score (BCS), fecal score, and the number of piglet survival were not different (p > 0.05) among dietary treatments. The two dietary treatments also had no significantly different effect (p > 0.05) on litter weight and average daily gain (ADG) of piglets. Taken together, saccharin has no significant effect on growth performance of piglets but it can increase FI and reduce BFL of lactating sows.

• 대한세포병리학회지
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.125-132
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• 1995

Cytodiagnosis of pleural and ascitic fluid is a commonly performed laboratory examination. Especially, positivity for malignant cells in effusion cytology is very effective and also presents the first sign of malignancy in unknown primary site of the tumor. We examined each 34 cases of pleural and ascitic fluid cytologic specimen diagnosed as metastatic tumor, which was selected among 964 pleural fluid cytology cases and 662 ascitic fluid cytology cases from September 1989 to June 1995. Among the pleural fluid cytology specimens examined, 34 specimens were positive in 27 patients. The lung was the most frequent primary site(44%), followed by the stomach (12%), lymphoreticular neoplasm(12%), pancreas(3%) and colon(3%). And the cases of unknown primary site with positive pleural biopsy alone were 24%. Among trio ascitic fluid cytology specimens examined, 34 specimens were positive in 29 patients. The most common primary neoplasms. were carcinomas of ovary(32%), stomach(22%), colon(6%), breast(3%), pancreas(3%), and lung(3%) and lymphoreticular neoplasms(3%) The metastatic tumor was predominantly adenocarcinoma type in both pleural(82%) and ascitic(91%) fluid. The study of metastatic adeno- carcinoma in effusion from lung, ovary, and stomach was undertaken to find distinctive features for the identification of the primary site. The smears of metastatic pulmonary adenocarcinoma had a tendency to show high grade pleomorphism and many large tight cell clusters, whereas that of the ovarian adenocarcinoma showed low grade pleomorphism with abundant intracytoplasmic vacuoles in relatively clear background. That of the stomach revealed the intermediate features.

• 대한세포병리학회지
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.61-66
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• 1999

Angiosarcomas are rare tumors, seen most commonly in the skin and soft tissue of head and neck legion. But it has been described in numerous body sites including thyroid, breast, liver, spleen, bone, etc.. Their biological behaviors depend on the microscopic grade, site of origin, and multifocality. We report the unique cytological features of an angiosarcoma in pleural fluid. A 61-year-old woman presented with a 6 month history of dyspnea on exertion and chest pain. Chest computerized tomography(CT) revealed multiple subpleural small nodules in the right lung and widespread all space consolidation and pleural effusion in the left lung. CT of liver revealed multiple small low attenuated lesion. The smears obtained from pleural fluid showed hypocellularity with a hemorrhagic background. The tumor cells were highly pleomorphic oval or spindle in shape and presented singly, in loose groups, in knitted syncytial aggregates, and in acinar pattern. Their nuclei had vesicular chromatin with delineated, thick nuclear membranes and occasionally a large eosinophilic, prominent nucleolus. The cytoplasm was plump, thin or protected in spindly fashion. Almost ail tumor cells showed variable sized intracytoplasmic vacuoles and their nuclei were sometimes crescentic by a huge vacuole. Occasional binucleated tumor cells and mitotic figures were present. Cellular debris and streaky materials were identified. Needle biopsy specimen from the pleura revealed anastomosing slit-like spaces lined by pleomorphic tumor cells. The tumor cells showed a strong reactivity for CD31 and vimentin and focal weak reactivity for factor VIII-related antigen.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.163-167
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• 2015

Background: Cancer is a major health problem at global level. It is increasingly registered in Iraq and Basrah but the epidemiological situation, though becoming better documented, is still questionable regarding the adequacy of data. Objective: The study aimed to measure the incidence of cancer in Basrah. Materials and Methods: The results presented in this paper are part of a large household survey carried out in Basrah governorate-southern Iraq over a 12 month period (January to December 2013). It involved a detailed interview with adult respondents from each and every household enrolled in the study during a three-year recall period about the incidence of cancer. A total of 6,999 households were covered yielding 40,684 persons. Results: The total number of new cancer cases reported over the three- year recall period (2010-2012) was 112. The average annual incidence rate of all cancers was 91.8 per 100,000 population with a higher rate for females (109.7) compared to males (74.3) The overall age standardized rate was 150.7 per 100,000. The highest incidence rate was recorded for the Southern part of the governorate (Abul-Khasib and Fao ) at 138.8 per 100,000 and the lowest was for East of Basrah (Shatt-Arab District) at 78.0 per 100,000. With respect to cancer types, the main cancers were those of breast, lung, larynx-pharynx, leukaemia, colon-rectum and urinary bladder. These six cancers accounted for 51.5% of all reported cases. Other important cancers were those of brain, bones, pancreas and liver, accounting for a further 17.9%. Conclusions: The pattern of cancer in Basrah is generally similar to the pattern at the national level in terms of age, sex and topography but the incidence rate according to the present household survey is higher than any previously reported figures. Household surveys for cancer seem feasible albeit difficult and costly.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권5호
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• pp.2257-2262
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• 2014

A series of studies have explored the role of cytosolic serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT1) C1420T polymorphism in cancer risk, but their results were conflicting rather than conclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the association between C1420T and cancer risk, the present meta-analysis of 28 available studies with 15,121 cases and 18,023 controls was conducted. The results revealed that there was no significant association between the polymorphism and cancer risk overall. In stratified analysis by cancer type (breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, and others), the results showed that 1420T allele was associated with decreased risk in leukemia (CT vs. CC: OR= 0.825, 95% CI =0.704-0.966; and CT+TT vs. CC: OR= 0.838, 95% CI = 0.722-0.973), but the same results were not present for other cancer types. When subgroup analysis was performed by source of control (population-based [PB] and hospital-based [HB]), a borderline inverse association was observed for the HB subgroup (CT vs. CC: OR= 0.917, 95% CI = 0.857-0.982) but not for the PB subgroup. Stratifying by geographic area (America, Asia and Europe), significant inverse association was only found in Asia subgroup (CT vs. CC: OR= 0.674, 95% CI = 0.522-0.870). In summary, the findings suggest that SHMT1 C1420T polymorphism is not associated with overall cancer development, but might decrease cancer susceptibility of Asians as well as reduce leukemia risk. Large well-designed epidemiological studies will be necessary to validate the risk identified in the current meta-analysis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.1409-1413
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• 2015

Background: According to increase in elderly populations, and change in lifestyle and cancer-causing behavior, the global burden of cancer is increasing. For prevention and control of disease, knowledge of population statistics of cancers and their trends is essential. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology and trends of cancer in the province of Kerman: southeast of Iran. Materials and Methods: This analytical and cross-sectional study was carried out based on cancer registry data at the Disease Management Center of the Health Ministry from 2004 to 2009 in the province of Kerman in Iran. Common cancers were defined as the number of reported cases and standardized incidence rates. To compute the annual percentage change (APC), joinpoint 4.1.1.1 software was applied. Results: Of 10,595 registered cases, 45.3% (4802 cases) were in women and 56.7% (5,793 cases) occurred in men. The standardized incidence rates for both females and males were increasing during the six years studied. The most common cancers in both sexes during six years of studied were skin (13.4%), breast (9.35%), bladder (7.8%), stomach (7.45%), leukemia (7.05%), colorectal(5.57%), lung(4.92%), trachea(3.51%) and prostate(2.48%). Conclusions: Our findings revealed that the cancer incidence is demonstrating increasing trends in both sexes in the province of Kerman. This may be because of changes in lifestyle, increasing exposure to risk factors for cancer and increase of life expectancy. If this is the case, increasing public awareness of cancer risk factors is a high priority, together with introduction of large-scale screening techniques.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권7호
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• pp.3173-3177
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• 2016

Background: The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in Lebanon provides cancer drugs free of charge for uninsured patients who account for more than half the total case-load. Other categories of cancer care are subsidized under more stringent eligibility criteria. MOPH's large database offers an excellent opportunity to analyze the cost of cancer treatment in Lebanon. Materials and Methods: Using utilization and spending data accumulated at MOPH during 2008-2013, the cost to the public budget of cancer drugs was assessed per case and per drug type. Results: The average annual cost of cancer drugs was 6,475$ per patient. Total cancer drug costs were highest for breast cancer, followed by chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), which together represented 74% of total MOPH cancer drug expenditure. The annual average cancer drug cost per case was highest for CML ($31,037), followed by NHL ($11,566). Trastuzumab represented 26% and Imatinib 15% of total MOPH cancer drug expenditure over six years. Conclusions: Sustained increase in cancer drug cost threatens the sustainability of MOPH coverage, so crucial for socially vulnerable citizens. To enhance the bargaining position with pharmaceutical firms for drug cost containment in a small market like Lebanon, drug price comparisons with neighboring countries which have already obtained lower prices may succeed in lowering drug costs.