• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4559-4565
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• 2013

Background: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is involved in DNA synthesis and repair. We here aimed to investigate two common polymorphisms, C677T and A1298C, with genotype and haplotype frequencies in colorectal cancer (CRC) cases among Jordanian. Materials and Methods: 131 CRC cases were studied for MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms, compared to 117 controls taken from the general population, employing the PCR-RFLP technique. Results: We found the frequency of the three different genotypes of MTHFR C677T among Jordanians to be CC: 61.7%, CT: 35.2%, and TT 3.1% among CRC cases and 50.9%, 38.8% and 10.3% among controls. Carriers of the TT genotype were less likely to have CRC (OR=0.25; 95%CI: 0.076-0.811; p=0.021) as compared to those with the CC genotype. Genotype analysis of MTHFR A12987C revealed AA: 38.9%, AC: 45%, and CC 16% among CRC cases and 37.4%, 50.4% and 12.2% among controls. There was no significant association between genetic polymorphism at this site and CRC. Haplotype analysis of MTHFR polymorphism at the two loci showed differential distribution of the TA haplotype (677T-1298A) between cases and controls. The TA haplotype was associated with a decreased risk for colorectal cancer (OR=0.6; 95% CI: 0.4-0.9, p=0.03). Conclusions: The genetic polymorphism of MTHFR at 677 and the TA haplotype may modulate the risk for CRC development among the Jordanian population. Our findings may reflect an importance of genes involved in folate metabolism in cancer risk.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup3
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• pp.81-85
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• 2016

Globally, the burden of breast cancer (BC) continues to increase. BC related lymphedema (BCRL) is currently non curable and as a life time risk it affects at least 25% of BC patients. Knowing more about BCRL and appropriate control of its modifiable risk factors can improve quality of life (QOL) of the affected patients. In this case control study to detect factors, 400 women with BCRL (as the case group) and 283 patients with BC without lymphedema (as the control group) that were referred to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences affiliated BC clinic center were assessed. The data were analyzed in SPSS. The mean age of the case group was $52.3{\pm}11.0years$ and of the control group was $50.1{\pm}10.9years$. In patients with BCRL, 203(50.7%) had left (Lt) side BC and in non- lymphedema group 151 (53.3%) had Lt side BC. Out of all BCRL patients, 204 (51%) had lymphedema in all parts of their affected upper extremities, 100 (25%) had swelling in the arm and forearm and 23 (5.7%) had edema in both the upper extremity and trunk. Edema, heaviness, concern about changing body image, pain and paresthesia were the most common signs/symptoms among patients with BCRL. In BCRL patients, the difference of circumference between the affected upper limb and non-affected limb was $4.4{\pm}2.5cm$ and the difference in volume displacement was $528.7{\pm}374.4milliliters$. Multiple variable analysis showed that moderate to severe activity (OR; odds ratio =14, 95% CI :2.6-73.3), invasiveness of BC (OR =13.7, 95% CI :7.3-25.6), modified radical mastectomy (OR=4.3, 95% CI :2.3-7.9), BMI =>25 (OR=4.2, 95% CI :2-8.7), radiotherapy (OR=3.9, 95% CI :1.8-8.2), past history of limb damage (OR=1.7, 95% CI :0.9-3.1) and the number of excised lymph nodes (OR=1.06, 95% CI :1.02-1.09) were the significant predictors of lymphedema in women with BC. Modifiable risk factors of BCRL such as non-guided moderate to severe physical activity, high BMI and trauma to the limb should be controlled as early as possible in BC patients to prevent development of BCRL and improve QOL of these patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.691-694
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• 2014

Background: Tumor length in patients with esophageal cancer (EC) has recently received great attention. However, its prognostic role for EC is controversial. The purpose of our study was to characterize the prognostic value of tumor length in EC patients and offer the optimum cut-off point of tumor length by reliable statistical methods. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 71 consecutive patients with EC who underwent surgery. ROC curve analysis was used to determine the optimal cut-off point for tumor length, measured with a handheld ruler after formalin fixation. Correlations between tumor length and other factors were surveyed, and overall survival (OS) rates were compared between the two groups. Potential prognostic factors were evaluated by univariate Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. A P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There were a total of 71 patients, with a male/female divide of 43/28 and a median age of 59. Characteristics were as follows: squamous/adenocarcinoma, 65/6; median tumor length, 4 (0.9-10); cut-off point for tumor length, 4cm. Univariate analysis prognostic factors were tumor length and modality of therapy. One, three and five year OS rates were 84, 43 and 43% for tumors with ${\leq}4cm$ length, whereas the rates were 75, 9 and 0% for tumors >4 cm. There was a significant association between tumor length and age, sex, weight loss, tumor site, histology, T and N scores, differentiation, stage, modality of therapy and longitudinal margin involvement. Conclusions: Future studies for modification of the EC staging system might consider tumor length too as it is an important prognostic factor. Further assessment with larger prospective datasets and practical methods (such as endoscopy) is needed to establish an optimal cut-off point for tumor length.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.93-97
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• 2020

The cestode Taenia hydatigena uses canids, primarily dogs, as definitive hosts, while the metacestode larval stage cysticercus infects a range of intermediate hosts, including domestic animals such as goats, sheep, and pigs. Cysticercosis due to T. hydatigena has large veterinary and economic drawbacks. Like other taeniids, e.g., Echinococcus, intraspecific variation is found among the members of the genus Taenia. In Africa, few studies are available on the epidemiology and distribution of T. hydatigena, and even fewer studies are available on its genetic variation. In this study, we molecularly identified 11 cysticerci from sheep in Sudan and demonstrated the genetic variation based on the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) mitochondrial genes. The isolates were correctly identified as T. hydatigena with more than 99% similarity to those in the GenBank database. Low diversity indices and insignificant neutrality indices were observed, with 3 and 2 haplotypes for the nad1 and cox1 genes, respectively. The results suggest the presence of unique T. hydatigena haplotypes in Sudan, as haplotypes with 100% similarity were not found in the GenBank database. With few available studies on the genetic variation of T. hydatigena in Africa, this report represents the first insights into the genetic variation of T. hydatigena in Sudan and constitutes useful data.

• Korean Parent-Child Health Journal
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-23
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of in-service education on the nurse-newborn play interaction. The research design adopted the pre-experimental design applied only for one pretest-posttest group and Barnard's mother-infant interaction model was used as a conceptual framework. The subjects were 26 nurses who were selected from 2 nurseries in general hospital in Pusan, and 52 healthy newborns who were after 4 days from birth during data collection period at the same hospital. The data were collected from June 1st to October 5th in 2001, by video-taping for the interactive behaviors between the nurse and the newborn, played for 5 minutes in nurseries 2 weeks before and after in-service education. The in-service education consisted of the newborn's behavior responses focused on the newborn baby's states, behavior, cues and state modulation, 3 times per 1 week, 90 minutes per 1 time, lecture, demonstration and hand out project. The experimental tool used for this research was Ha Young-Soo's Korean translation of the Maternal-Infant Play Interaction Scale by Thompson, Jody Baird, Sara Gordman, Bryant(1982), some parts of which were adapted to be suitable for the purpose of this research. Mother and baby scale by Wolke & James-Roberts(1987) was also modified and used as the criterion of nurse's perception of a newborn baby. The results of this study were as follows: 1. This result supported the major hypothesis : After the intervention of in-service education, the nurse and newborn play interaction was promoted. 2. After intervention of in-service education, the nurse perception of newborn, especially the criteria of newborn's reaction was promoted., The results of this research confirm that in-service education on the newborn's behavior responses such as states, behavior, cues and state modulation is an effective way to improve the interaction between the nurse and the baby. It elevated the nurse's sensitivities to the baby's needs. Therefore, in-service education can change the conditions of current nursing practice mostly centered on physical care into a better one in which nurses consider the emotional, social, and intellectual development stages of babies. Accordingly, in-service education contributed to promoting the effective nurse-newborn play interaction so positively.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.108-116
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• 2015

This study intends to research the spatial characteristics of Asian interim housing that accommodates sufferers pro tempore after disasters. The scope of this research covers the interim spaces used for housing people after natural disasters that occurred in Asia for the past fifteen years. Within this scope, literature review was conducted as the basis to derive the characteristics and environmental elements of interim housing, which provided the criteria to compare and evaluate cases of interim housing along with characteristic elements required of interim housing found in previous studies. According to literature review, interim housing can be classified by life-span, region, economy, climate, type, number of household, square measure, residential cost, structure/material, and service life. Within the scope of the present research, literature review showed a total of twenty-eight cases of interim housing in fifteen countries revealing a high rate of disaster occurrence in the subtropic and tropic climate of Southeast Asia. A great percentage of interim housing was used for long-term stay of over a year. The structure of interim housing varied from lightweight steel, wooden, masonry, membrane, to traditional structure and the type were divided into temporary shelter, transitional housing, temporary housing, and permanent housing. Followed by literature review, the characteristics required of post-disaster interim housing were analyzed based on previous research and case studies. The characteristics of interim housing can be divided into environmental, technological, and socio-cultural ones. Sub-characterical items according to such division include amenity, health, surroundings, structure, convenience, eco-friendliness, safety, communication, and locality. As a result of evaluation, most items met the required characteristics of interim housing, while technological characteristics such as structure and convenience varied with the types of interim housing and appeared even unnecessary in some cases. According to analysis, amenity is maintained through the structural and material characteristics of interim housing and is also facilitated by increasing number of infrastructure such as educational, sanitary, and convenience facilities provided by the governmental and organizational bodies. It is expected that this study will be utilized as preliminary data for follow-up studies that improve the environment of post-disaster interim housing suitable for domestic circumstances in environmental, technological, and socio-cultural respects.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.176-183
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• 2019

Objective: In the current work, we investigated the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Thymoquinone (TQ), an active compound of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) and Cis-platinum, on normal renal epithelial (GP-293) and human renal adenocarcinoma cell lines (ACHN). Methods: GP-293 and ACHN cell lines were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) with 10% Fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin plus streptomycin antibiotic. The MTT assay was used for cellular viability assessment. Viability of cells was observed using inverted light microscope 24, 48 and 72 h after exposure of the cells to various concentrations of TQ (1, 2.5, 5, 10, 50 and $100{\mu}g/ml$) and Cis-platinum (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 6 and $12.5{\mu}g/ml$). Moreover, apoptosis was analyzed with a flow-cytometry method. The untreated cells were considered as control group. Results: Morphological changes such as reduced cell number and increased intercellular distance and reduced cell viability in ACHN and GP-293cell lines were observed in both TQ and Cis- platinum groups; however, Cis-platinum had greater effect on ACHN cell line than GP-293 cell line. In addition, GP-293 cell line was more sensitive to TQ compared to ACHN cell line. Furthermore, TQ and Cis-platinum had apoptotic effects on both ACHN and GP-293 cell lines. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that TQ and Cis-platinum had cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on both cell lines, However, GP-293 cell line was more sensitive to TQ. Additionally, Cis-platinum was more effective on ACHN cell line than on GP-293 cell line.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.170-176
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• 2018

Objective: To assess whether the "testicular pool" could be used for histological analysis and whether it gave more accurate information than the standard testicular biopsy. Methods: Between January 2017 and March 2018, this single-center prospective study included 60 azoospermic men undergoing conventional bilateral testicular sperm extraction. Six samples were excised from each testicle and transferred to an embryologist. One additional biopsy was randomly taken from each testis for a histological analysis. After processing, the testicular pool was also sent for a histological analysis, which showed normal spermatogenesis (NS), hypospermatogenesis (HYPO), maturation arrest (MA), Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS), and tubular atrophy (TA). Results: Twenty of the 60 patients (33.3%) had obstructive azoospermia (OA), while the remaining 40 (66.6%) had nonobstructive azoospermia. Their mean age was 40.5 years. All patients with OA had previously undergone unsuccessful testicular fine-needle aspiration. Successful sperm retrieval (SSR) occurred in 93.3% of patients. Histological analysis of the testicular biopsy revealed NS in 12 patients (20%), HYPO and TA in 28 patients (46.6%), MA in eight patients (13.3%), and SCOS in 12 patients (20%). The testicular pool analysis showed NS in 12 patients (20%), HYPO and TA in 44 patients (73.3%), MA in four patients (6.6%), and SCOS in no patients. In four patients with MA (6.6% of the total sample) and 12 patients with SCOS (20% of the total sample) according to the standard testicular biopsy, the embryologist found SSR with cryopreservation. Overall, in 44 patients (73.3%), the testicular pool analysis confirmed the histological findings of the standard testicular biopsy. In the 16 cases (26.6%) with a discrepancy between the single-biopsy histological findings and SSR, the testicular pool analysis confirmed the embryological data on SSR. Conclusion: The testicular pool proved to be easily analyzable, practical, manageable, and more accurate for predicting sperm retrieval than standard testicular biopsy.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.583-595
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the effects of Sargassum horneri extracts on palmitic acid (PA)-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in HepG2 cells. Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with varying concentrations of S. horneri extract or PA, and the cell viability was measured by water soluble tetrazolium salts analysis. The effective induction of ER stress and the effects of S. horneri were investigated through an examination of the ER stress-related genes, such as activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), X-box binding protein (XBP1s), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), and 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The expression and activation levels of unfolded protein response (UPR) associated proteins, such as inositol-requiring enzyme-1α (IRE1α), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha submit (eIF2α), and CHOP were examined by western blot analysis. Results: The treatment with PA increased the expression of UPR associated genes significantly and induced ER stress in a 12-hour treatment. Subsequent treatment with S. horneri reduced mRNA expression of ATF4, GRP78, and XBP1s. In addition, the protein levels of phosphate (p)-IRE1α, p-elF2α, and CHOP were also reduced by a treatment with S. horneri. An analysis of sirtuin (SIRT) mRNA expression in the S. horneri and PA-treated HepG2 cells showed that S. horneri increased the levels of SIRT2, SIRT6, and SIRT7, which indicates a possible role in reducing the expression of ER stress-related genes. Conclusion: These data indicate that S. horneri can exert an inhibitory effect on ER stress caused by PA and highlight its potential as an agent for managing various ER stress-related diseases.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.160-171
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• 2021

Purpose. This in-vitro study evaluated and compared the color stability of 3D-printed and conventional heat-polymerized acrylic resins following aging, mechanical brushing, and immersion in staining medium. Materials and methods. Forty disc-shaped specimens (10 mm in diameter and 3 mm thick) were prepared from two 3D-printed [DentaBASE (DB) and Denture 3D+ (D3D)] and one conventional polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) denture materials. The specimens were thermo-cycled, subjected to mechanical brushing, and were immersed in either coffee, lemon juice, coke, or artificial saliva (AS) to simulate one and two years of oral use. Color measurements of the specimens were recorded by a spectrophotometer at baseline (T0), and after one (T1) and two years (T2) of simulation. The color changes (ΔE) were determined and also quantified according to the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) units. Descriptive statistics, followed by factorial ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc test (α=.05), were applied for data analysis. Results. The independent factors, namely material, staining medium, and immersion time, and interaction among these factors significantly influenced ΔE (P<.009). Irrespective of the materials, treatments, and time, the highest and the lowest mean ΔEs were observed for PMMA in lemon juice (4.58 ± 1.30) and DB in AS (0.41 ± 0.18), respectively. Regarding the material type, PMMA demonstrated the highest mean ΔE (2.31 ± 1.37), followed by D3D (1.67 ± 0.66), and DB (0.85 ± 0.52), and the difference in ΔE between the materials were statistically significant (P<.001). All the specimens demonstrated a decreased color changes at T2 compared to T1, and this difference in mean ΔE was statistically significant (P<.001). Conclusion. The color changes of 3D-printed denture resins were low compared to conventional heat polymerized PMMA. All the tested materials, irrespective of the staining medium used, demonstrated a significant decrease in ΔE values over time.